Ernest Beam's Article
I have read the article of Brother Earnest Beam which appeared in Firm Foundation of February 22nd. This article is headed "Was Jesus A Premillennialist?"
I seldom break into print with an article, and I'm not doing so now merely to rush to the defense of those men who have been attacked or criticized by Brother Beam. Foy Jr., and Cled can, and no doubt will, take care of themselves, and also Brother Otey. There are some inconsistencies in the brother's article I want to point out.
First: His article has the wrong name. It should have been called: A defense for those in error and a criticism of those who earnestly contend for the faith.
The brother is so broad-minded that he could fellowship R. H. Boll though the teaching to which he clings so tenaciously strikes at the very vitals of Christianity. Of course, this would not keep him from fellowshipping Cled Wallace. He is with Cled on the question of premillenialism, but in faith, hope and love he wants to sit with R. H. Boll.
The brother raises the question "was Christ a Premillennialist?" All because brother Otey and others have said The Unity Movement is composed of those in the main who find a ground of common fellowship on the doctrine of premillennialism. The brother misses the mark here. The modern unity movement was conceived in iniquity and born in sin. The Christian Church will, as brother Showalter has said, unite with the church of Christ if we will accept and fellowship all their errors. As a church they will not lay aside their innovations. You had just as well look for other denominations to unite with the church of Christ, laying aside their creeds and false teaching.
Christ prayed for unity "through their word"--the teaching of the apostles. That is the only kind of unity heaven will recognize.
If Brother Beam is opposed to premillennialism why does he not write some articles condemning it? Condemning this false theory? Why not write a few articles on the scriptural basis of unity? Can a man love God and refuse to expose the errors of premillennialism? Can a man be a lover of God and the truth and fail to expose the errors of the Christian Church?
According to Rom. 16:17 a pertinent question just here to help the brother would be, who has caused division in the church? Those who advocate the theory of premillennialism or those who condemn the theory? I'm tired of hearing brethren say I'm against the theory, but brother Boll is so full of faith, hope and love! Faith in what, who? Hope of what? A materialistic, Judaistic reign of Christ on earth in literal Jerusalem? Love for what and who? Tell me not that a man loves the Lord who disregards his teaching, and rends the church that cost the Lord's blood.
If Brother Beam really loves the Lord and the truth let him expose false doctrine awhile instead of trying to pluck an imaginary mote out of the brother's eye that has the stamina to root up error and plant the seed of kingdom. I want to point out a place or two where the brother can start. If premillennialism be true the kingdom of Christ has not been established. If the kingdom has not been established then no one has been born again. (Jno. 3:3-5:) If no one has been born again are there no children of God on earth today.
Again: If the kingdom has not been established no one is converted now. If no one is converted now, all are unconverted.
Only converted people have their sins blotted out. (Acts. 3:19.) If none are converted now then none have remission of sins now. If no remission of sins now then all are lost, and the gospel is of none effect.
Redemption is in the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13-14). If the kingdom has not been established then none are redeemed now.
The Lord's Supper was to be observed in the kingdom (Lk. 22:29.) If the kingdom has not been established then no observance of Lord's supper now.
Yet Brother Beam wants to sit with R. H. Boll because his faith, hope and love!
I prefer to sit with those who love the Lord and his church and truth and who will expose error in the church or out of the church.
It might be well for our brother that he read Titus 3:10, a very timely admonition to a gospel preacher. "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject." Does this mean to sit with him in faith, hope and love?
Is premillenialism heresy? What is heresy? I have before me at this time a Bible Dictionary and here is the definition for Brother Beam. "An error in some essential point of Christian Faith, publicly avowed, and obstinately maintained."
The only question for the brother to determine is this. Has R. H. Boll and the premillennial group publicly avowed this doctrine and is it error? The same application applies to the Christian Church with all its human societies and innovations.
The battle waged by those who oppose Premillennialism in word and in deed has saved the church from this heresy.
Had the fight been left to the sweet spirited among us many churches would have been wrecked and ruined in the West that have been made safe and secure against this ism. Thank God for men that lead the fight while others of us encouraged them to press the battle.
God bless Brother Otey who has defended the truth against the attacks made by the most able exponent of the Christian Church, J. B. Briney. Brother Otey has been on the walls of Zion many years and has sent treasures for a mansion in heaven by his firm stand for the truth and his able exposure of error.
I prefer to sit with their kind in faith, hope and love.