Marvine Kelley - J. L Hines Debate
During the nights of July 30-31 and August 2-3, I served as moderator for Marvine Kelly of Sparks, Nevada, in a debate with Jacob Lee Hines of Reno, Nevada. On the first two nights brother Kelly affirmed that it is contrary to the Scriptures for churches of Christ to build and maintain benevolent organizations for the care of the needy. Kelly ably showed from the Scriptures that In the days of the apostles each local church cared for its- own without establishing a separate organization, and that when the needs of a local church were greater than its abilities were capable of handling, other churches sent directly to the needy congregation to help them relieve their own needy. Kelly then showed the danger of going beyond what was written and substituting another congregation for the church. Hines tried to meet Kelly's powerful conclusion with a long list of questions such as "Where is the Scripture for a church building?" and "Where is the Scripture for Bible classes or Sunday School" Kelly asked Hines If he would accept the same arrangement for a Bible teaching program for the church that he endorses for caring for the needy. This question went unanswered. On both nights of the first proposition Hines made many appeals to traditions, our past practices (he read an entire lengthy article written by G. K. Wallace which appeared in the Gospel Guardian several years ago endorsing a home under elders), sympathy, and name calling. Hines denied that he had ever opposed "institutionalism" in the sense that he is now endorsing it.
On the third night Hines began affirming his proposition that it is in harmony with the Scriptures for churches of Christ to send money from their treasuries to the elders of the Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas, to operate the TV and radio program, The Herald of Truth. His first argument was that the Bible tells us what to do but not how to do it. He then argued that since churches sent to other churches in the field of benevolence they could do the same in the field of evangelism. He stated that if "anti" preachers opposed one church helping another church to preach the gospel while approving one church sending to relieve the physical needs of another that it just proved that the "anti preachers love their own bellies more than they do the souls of men."
I am sure that all who have known of J L Hines' strong appeals to the Bible in his past preaching and debating will be surprised to know that during the first night of his affirming his proposition he did not use one single passage of Scripture during his second speech. He spent most of his time belittling his opposition and reading from the Firm Foundation. None of the articles he read had any scriptures in them either.
Hines spent much of his time trying to impress upon the audience the idea that he had never been an anti. To do this he stated that he had never opposed the work done by the Herald of Truth, had sent them many tracts to distribute, and had never preached against it in places where he had labored.
It was disappointing to hear one who claims to preach the gospel of Christ appeal to the fact that Lutherans, Adventists, and even Pope John use radio to spread their doctrine, therefore the Herald of Truth is right. From the speaker's stand brother Kelly asked Hines to answer from the floor whether or not he believed that the Herald of Truth was authorized by the Scriptures. This question was asked over and over in succession, but Hines would not answer. The effect of this on the audience was telling and it was obvious that his following was disappointed in his efforts.
It is to be pointed out that Marvine Kelly conducted himself in an exemplary manner, and his Scriptural arguments stood out like a beacon in contrast to the quibbling of Hines. Brother Kelly is working in a difficult field and is worthy of all the support and encouragement the faithful brethren can give him. He dealt a crushing blow to liberalism in this discussion.
— Phoenix, Arizona