What Is The Herald Of Truth? --- II.
Here are some things you CAN'T read in the Bible. And yet, these are things you would HAVE to read in the Bible if the Herald of Truth arrangement is scriptural. You can't read in the Bible where one church ever sent to another church unless the receiving church was in need and unable to do its own work. Not some work it had "assumed" all over the world but its own work. A church that finds itself unable to care for its own has a right to expect help from other congregations. If some kind of calamity should overtake this congregation, and we find ourselves unable to supply the needs of our own members, then we have a scriptural right to receive help from other congregations. Aside from that, there isn't a congregation in the world that has a scriptural right to send this congregation a dime for any purpose whatsoever.
Here is something else that is NOT in the Bible. Where congregations ever pooled their resources under a group of men, even a group of elders, to do a work to which all congregations are equally related. There is nothing like that in the word of God. It isn't in there.
But here is something else that is NOT in the Bible. Where one church ever acted as a "sponsoring church" to receive funds from sister congregations to disburse. If it could be found, I would accept it. But it can't be found.
Again, we have something that is NOT in the Bible. Where a congregation ever did any work of any kind except through the local congregation with the elders of the congregation overseeing it, using its own resources.
And nothing like this is in the Bible. Where churches of Christ ever banded together to do a work such as is being done by the Herald of Truth. Nor can you find in the Bible where one congregation ever solicited other congregations to send it money to do a work to which all the congregations were equally related. You can't find in the Bible where the church universal or the church as a whole is commanded to do a work together. Now, I have given you seven things that are NOT in the Bible. And yet, all seven of them are characteristic of the Herald of Truth arrangement. But the things I gave you that you CAN find in the Bible are distorted and destroyed by the set-up known as the Herald of Truth.
Now then, let me direct attention to the next diagram and you will see where the things found in the Bible are distorted and destroyed.
Chart Goes Here
I call attention to the fact that I have four circles, Tabled, w, x, y, and z. These circles represent congregations. Then I have the dollars, representing the money that is sent. Then I have a large circle representing the Highland Church in Abilene, Texas, which sponsors the Herald of Truth. After that, we have the radio and television as the means by which the work is being done. Then comes the work of preaching the gospel. Note now, that we have FIVE things in the diagram. But note, and I want to emphasize it, that it takes ALL FIVE of these things to make up the Herald of Truth. A lot of people don't know that. A lot of people think the Herald of Truth is merely a radio or television program. Thus, when I oppose the Herald of Truth, somebody says, "Grider is opposed to preaching the gospel on television." Not so, my brethren. I have even tried to purchase time on the television stations here to preach the gospel. They won't sell me any time. They won't have any real preaching on television stations here in Louisville. They will even give free time to a dramatic program such as might be put on by Bishop Sheen, or by Billy Graham, or by Highland in Abilene. But they refuse to have any real preaching of the gospel on the station. If you think they will, you go buy the time and I will do the preaching. So, we are not opposed to television preaching. And, obviously, we are not opposed to radio preaching. We are opposing an UNSCRIPTURAL TIE-UP or an UNSCRIPTURAL ARRANGEMENT which involves "sending churches" and a "receiving church" which is NOT in need, and then the work that is being done.
Somebody says can you prove that it takes all five of these things to comprise the Herald of Truth? Why, I can prove that by YOU. Suppose you cut off the contributing churches. Will you still have the Herald of Truth? Why, of course not. Well, cut off the receiving church, and what happens? The Herald of Truth is dead. Take away the money and the Herald of Truth is destroyed. Remove the radio and television and the Herald of Truth is no more. Cease the preaching and the Herald of Truth is destroyed. So, it is self evident, it takes all five of these to comprise the Herald of Truth. Therefore, when objection is made to the Herald of Truth, we are NOT objecting to preaching. We are NOT objecting to radio and television stations. We are NOT objecting to congregations helping other congregations when they are in need. We are in need. We are objecting to an arrangement which makes a MISSIONARY SOCIETY out of the elders of a local congregation. This is what I emphasized in the third diagram, to which attention is now directed. We still have the contributing churches, w, x, y, and z. We still have the Highland congregation with her elders.
Chart Goes Here
We still have the money flowing. And we still have, though I didn't depict is. But, I want you to note an important point. And that is, while the contributions from these churches, ostensibly, go through the Highland congregation, they do not stop in that congregation. The elders of the Highland Church, as elders of it, don't even get possession of the money! It actually passes through the Highland church and winds up in the Herald of Truth budget. It never touches the budget of the Highland church. I will show you, in a minute, exactly how much the Highland church budget is, and also how much the Herald of Truth budget is. Instead of the elders of Highland, as elders, GETTING the money that is contributed to the Herald of Truth, they MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, THEMSELVES, from the Highland Church to the Herald of Truth. So, as elders of Highland, what do they do? Do they operate the Herald Of Truth? NO! they CONTRIBUTE TO IT!
Now, after having made a contribution to the Herald of Truth, they move over and assume directorship of the Herald of Truth. They, as directors of the Herald of Truth, receive contributions from w, x, y, and z. But they ALSO receive a contribution from the ELDERS of the Highland Congregation. They spend money for W, X, Y, and Z. But they ALSO spend money for the Highland congregation. They oversee the spending of the money of W, X, Y, and Z. But they ALSO oversee the spending of money for the Highland Congregation. Thus, they sustain the same, the very same, relationship to W, X, Y, and Z as they do to Highland. So, they are acting as a missionary society for W, X, Y, and Z and for Highland as well. As elders of the Highland Church, they contribute to the Herald of Truth. Then, as directors of the Herald of Truth, they spend money for Highland as well as for hundreds of other congregations.
As further proof that a second budget is involved, I direct attention to this diagram:
Chart Goes Here
The budget for Highland in 1959 amounted to $132,500 or $2,548 per week. That comes from their own figures, and it is here in the Gospel Advocate and also in the Firm Foundation. Their budget is $132,500. Now, what did we say about one church helping another church. We showed that it could be done if the receiving church was in need and could not meet its own obligations. Out of this budget they contribute to 18 homes for orphans and aged people. Out of this budget they contribute to the Herald of Truth, as we showed. And then they have other missions to which they make contributions. Now the Herald of Truth budget will run, according to their figures, $1,461,068.32 or $28,096 per week. If the Herald of Truth is Highland's work, why didn't they put this money with the other money? I insist, they are not operating Herald of Truth, AS ELDERS OF HIGHLAND. They are a board of directors, for churches of Christ, operating the Herald of Truth. Now a it, the radio and television, and the preaching, such as it congregation that can contribute to 18 homes, the Herald of Truth, and various other missions, is NOT a subject for help from sister congregations. Nor can they help her SCRIPTURALLY.
I would like to call attention to some things, as time allows. The most serious thing connected with this matter, as I see it, is that it breaks down the "congregational arrangement" and paves the way for anything and everything that anybody and everybody wants to bring in. Did you know that brethren have just about lost sight of the CONGREGATION as a functioning organization? Let me direct attention to the current issue of the Firm Foundation. There are more than 35,000 Christians in India. They are in over 300 congregations. There are over 200 native preachers over there. Thus some of our brethren here have discovered that, without any of our help, there are 35,000 Christians, 300 congregations, and 200 preachers in India. The Finn Foundation states that they accept the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice. That they teach baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. It declares that congregations are autonomous with elders and deacons. That they observe the Lord's supper every first day of the week, and that they do not use instrumental music in worship. How did they do it? Why, simply by following the New Testament. But, listen what our brethren are doing, as soon as they found out they were over there. Remember now, they have 35,000 members, 300 congregations, and 200 preachers. And they are worshipping exactly as the Bible teaches. But what has happened? Our brethren have got one of the preachers over here in Harding College. They are going to let him work on his "Doctor's Degree". Then what? Well, here is what he said, "I am sorry to say there is not a single Bible college in my state to produce truly Christian teachers." They have 300 congregations over there. But nobody can train a truly Christian teacher. He goes on to say, "Therefore it is my intention to establish a Bible college in Kerala, India, to teach young people the word of God and offer them training for Christian work." Instead of letting them alone, while admitting that they are going according to the Bible, they are going to give one a DEGREE and put him in a school. These so-called "Christian Schools" simply do not intend for congregations to serve God in peace.
In the March 3, 1960 Gospel Advocate is a record of where they held a "World Mission Clinic" at Pinellas Park Florida. And they said, churches interested in setting up such a clinic should write for details. Isn't that something? Write and ask about setting up a world mission clinic.
On the radio this morning, I called attention to this week's issue of the Firm Foundation. As proof that the congregation as a functioning institution is a thing of the past, I would like for you to note the tom-foolery in this one issue:
1. A full page ad from the Medina Children's Home. And they list, in capital letters, the word "Evangelism" as a part of their work. Hence a MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
2. Some preacher said, "I have been selected as a full time missionary". Now he needs a SPONSOR. Then he will raise the money from still another source.
3. Churches are exhorted to send money to Arlington State College to build a Bible Chair. What for? To teach the Bible. This "Bible Chair" business is the greatest bunch of SECTARIAN WORLDINESS that has ever been tacked on to the church.
4. The Nashville Christian Institute says Brother Keeble has been traveling among churches since the early forties raising money for the school. They just must have a school.
5. Camp Blue Haven is in need of staff members. What for? To teach the Bible. That thing was established for evangelizing purposes.
6. The North Central Christian College has a "missions department" to train missionaries. Why? I presume they think the church can't do it.
7. Then there is the "million for the billion" campaign. I wish I had time to reveal some of the SCATTER BRAIN mechanism of that thing.
8. Somebody, preaching for a church in Texas has asked the Highland church to "sponsor" him in Singapore. They said they would. Now they want money to do the job. That will be budget number three for Highland.
9. Then an area-wide gathering for evangelism is held in a certain place. And they say they are going to hold them all over the country.
10.Then there are various other appeals. All in this issue of the Firm Foundation, demonstrating that the congregational arrangement of doing things is almost completely forgotten.
Another solid proof that no scripture can be cited for the Herald of Truth arrangement is seen in the fact that the entire space in a recent issue of the Firm Foundation was given to a defense of the Herald of Truth. But only TWO verses of scripture were cited. They were Mark 16:15-16. Think of it. The entire paper given to a defense of the thing and only two verses cited, neither of which had anything whatsoever to do with such an arrangement. But, that is not all. A recent issue of the Gospel Advocate was given all but the Bible School lesson, to a defense of the Herald of Truth. And they didn't do as well as the Firm Foundation they didn't cite a SINGLE verse of scripture. Why didn't they cite scriptures to prove the thing should be supported? Because there were none to cite. Do you want to know what kind of proof they cited? Why, they showed that Billy Graham spent lots of money on radio and television time. And they said the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church and the Catholics spent a lot of money that way. So, if we are to "be like the nations about us," we must spend some that way too.
Listen to this. This is the most arrogant part of the whole thing. You recall that Jesus said, "Go, PREACH the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16. and Paul said, "It pleased God by the foolishness of PREACHING to save them that believed." I Cor. 1:21, Thus, God, in His word, connected PREACHING with saving souls. But listen to this, as somebody describes these "semi-dramatic" programs on Herald of Truth, "This is a dynamic and effective way of teaching. With this approach those who have closed their minds for so long to pulpit PREACHING can actually see as well as hear the meaning of Christianity to man." In other words, those who won't follow the old worn out plan the Lord inaugurated shall have a Ph. D. Degree Semi-dramatic plan which WE have devised. But hear some more. This comes from the man who wrote the book, WE BE BRETHREN, in which he advocated church ownership of grocery stores, ranches, etc. He said, "We are caused to realize that our own presentation of the gospel has been somewhat lacking." How's that? Well, preaching such as Jesus ordered is somewhat lacking. We will have to doctor the message. But again. And this one takes the cake. Somebody said, "Much of our work and equipment used for God is often ineffective because it is out of date and quite ludicrous." What does that mean?. It means simple preaching is out of date and ludicrous. People won't listen to preaching anymore. Well, what will we do? Why, we will do like Billy Graham and the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church and the Catholics. We will dress it up DRAMATICALLY until they won't recognize it.
But, hear 'this. Somebody from Hong Kong sent a contribution to Highland. Yes, from Hong Kong came a contribution, the paper informs us. But, right here in the same paper is an appeal for churches to send money to Hong Kong. Churches send money to Hong Kong and Highland reaches over there and takes some of the money.
On the editorial page of the Gospel Advocate, Brother Goodpasture, editor, and elder of the Hillsboro Church said, "The Highland Congregation uses the money we contribute according to our wishes." If you want to see somebody twist, write Brother Goodpasture and ask him how they wish for Highland to spend their money. Then ask him how they spent it. You see, they spend some for radio time, some for television time, some for preachers, some for traveling, some for office help, some for office space and various other things. The truth of the matter is, B. C. Goodpasture doesn't know any more than I do about what is done with the money that is sent from Nashville. If he does, then the thing is in worse shape than I thought it was. If Hillsboro Church, in Nashville, can send money to Highland and then tell them how to spend it, the thing is in really bad shape.
Listen brethren, congregations are supposed to be independent. But the Highland Congregation DEPENDS upon the contributing churches for the money. And the contributing churches DEPEND upon Highland to spend the money. They are just as DEPENDENT upon one another as a two-week old baby is dependent upon its mother for care. These churches are NOT independent. Some congregations can only get up the money and send it. 'While Highland sits in high places and spends the money. Thus, while churches are supposed to be equal, there is no equality whatsoever in the arrangement. Since a church retains its autonomy only if it converts its own resources into power, the autonomy of the contributing churches is surrendered.
I should like to suggest this in closing. It is not a question of whether they teach the truth on these programs. I doubt if they will teach any error on the program. As I suggested, in the REPORTER. one may even learn how to become a member of the church by watching. Sure, the program will be fascinating. That is why they want you to look at the program and then decide if it is scriptural. Somebody said in a local church paper this past week, look at the program and then make up your mind. Why didn't he say look at the BIBLE and make up your mind? Because he KNOWS there is nothing in the Bible to support such a thing as the Herald of Truth. Let me suggest that this is a matter to be decided by SCRIPTURES. It is a question of searching the scriptures. If such an arrangement is in the Bible, support it. If it isn't supported by scripture, then stand against it and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered.
Now, the Herald of Truth has come to Louisville. It is a serious matter, my brethren. It is the most serious thing that has challenged the attention of churches of Christ in this city since R. H. Boll began his speculative teaching years ago. Think what happened to the church then. In the Saturday papers there is a group set off to themselves. They call themselves "Churches of Christ". And they say they are preaching "the word". But, they are teaching the wildest sort of speculation. If this Herald of Truth thing is pushed, and people fall for it, we will have another division. There will be another ad in the paper. These institutional people will call themselves "churches of Christ" too. They won't oppose Premillennialism. They can't afford to. They won't oppose missionary societies. They can't afford to. They won't oppose anything except churches that contend for a "thus saith the Lord" in all matters of faith and practice. I beg of you to think seriously about what I have said. I don't believe anybody in this congregation will entertain any idea of supporting any such arrangement as that. But some other congregations will be shook from center to circumference because they have not been taught on the subject.
It will be only a short time until those supporting the Herald of Truth will start agitating for church support of colleges, for church support of orphan homes, for church support of camps, for church support of Bible chairs. There is no way on earth to support the Herald of Truth and stand in the way of anything anybody wants to bring in. As Guy N. Woods said, "When one starts to do things like this they have already crossed the threshold to apostasy." Let this church stand foursquare for New Testament Christianity in organization and operation.