Vol.III No.XI Pg.2
December 1966

Pride And Prejudice

Robert F. Turner

Recently an evangelist in our town characterized those who have taken a stand on God's word, as it relates to the organizational structure of the church, as "A LITTLE BUNCH THAT WON'T AMOUNT TO MUCH."

No harm was done the "little bunch" for they long ago learned to take in stride such carnal barbs. But this sort of thing could do much harm to those who supported the evangelist. Already weakened by compromise with convictions, bowing to pressure tactics of "the majority," this appeal to pride and prejudice could move them one step further in sectarianism.

When a thing is despised because of its size -- when size rather than truth is used as a standard -- pride has taken the place of principle. God warns us (through his encouragement of Zerubbabel) about "despising the day of small things." He says further: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts." (Zech. 4:6-10)

And as for "amounting to much" we remember that this depends upon who is making the evaluation. The poor church in Smyrna was rich in God's sight; and the great church of Laodicea (thinking they needed nothing) were "wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" in God's sight. (Rev. 2:9 3:17) Think what these brethren would say to some large sectarian church that would ignore their plea for open Bible study on the Ground that "You are a, little bunch, and don't amount to much!" (Back when "Come, Let Us Reason Together" was a part of their plea.) Can't you hear their protest: "God is a majority!" "Let God be true but every man a liar!" (Rom. 3:4) And so, on and on!!

Our liberal brethren once knew well the battle with pride and prejudice; for they were then small, and subject to such scorn from sectarians. But now they are large, grown fat, and in the absence of scriptural authority for their practices, they do one more thing like the sectarians. They use pride and prejudice.

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I will close my '66 "away from home" work with lectures on The N.T. Church -- Southside congr., Springfield, Mo., Dec. 26-30.

In '67, meeting work will take me to Longview, Dallas, Lufkin, Lubbock, and S. Houston, Texas; and Tuckerman, Ark., and Phoenix, Arizona; D. V.

Thanks for your many letters.

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