G. K's Moonshot
In a recent issue of the Gospel Advocate, G. K. Wallace had an article entitled "Shoot the Moon." Of course he actually got it from the present attempts at putting space ships on the moon. This article, however, sounded more like he got it from the use of the term at the card table. Some of his sub-headings were: "We need to believe in ourselves" and "We need to feel our importance."
However much he may disclaim any thought of pride or haughtiness in his discussion of the topic he will be unable to remove the significance of the statement. Men do not feel their importance without the existence of pride. The two are synonymous. "For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think." (Rom. 12:3) "Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits." (Rom. 12:16)
Furthermore, men need to exercise more faith in the Lord and his word than in themselves. Two millenniums of denominationalism should be sufficient evidence against faith in self. This emphasis on belief in self and in self accomplishments is one of the basic causes of the liberal trend among Christians. "Not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us." (Tit. 3:5) "I know him whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)
Explosion On The Pad
As he attempted his institutional moon-shot it appears that there must have been too many flaws in the human workmanship; and, from the black smoke, his ship must have exploded on the launching pad. He is critical (anti) of the opposition to their institutional program, and, it would appear, is afraid that someone is going to sabotage his program. He would have his readers to believe that those who do not go along with his human schemes of church function are doing nothing to spread the gospel. The fact is, he is opposed (anti) to all the work brethren are doing outside the denominational human systems to which he is wedded. Note his wailing cry:
"Today we have the means at our disposal to reach the whole world. Television, radio, and the press can carry the message of salvation to all parts of the world. Let those who believe that our present use of television and radio is not right show us the way. Is the devil the only one who can use these great means of reaching the world?"
"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead." (Luke 16:31) Brethren were using the radio to preach the gospel long before the human system of combining churches into a denominational function was imagined by brother Wallace and his party. Brethren are continuing to preach the gospel by radio, television and the press without activating the churches in one big denomination. They have been, and are, showing him how it can be done; he re- fuses to listen. There is no need here to cite the cases where churches are each proclaiming the gospel by radio and television. The programs can be heard by nearly every person who reads the Gospel Advocate. His insinuation borders on the slander which is sorely condemned in a more recent issue of the same paper.
A Generation Of Boastfulness
Those brethren now forming the institutional party had too much pride and ego to be fed. They were not content with the simple plan of each church doing its preaching and teaching. They must have some big system embracing many churches. Hence, rejecting the example of New Testament churches each doing New Testament work in teaching the New Testament to the world, they are now exemplifying to the world a denominational system for churches and religious work, a system which is directly contradictory to New Testament teaching. By their very practice they are set and fully determined to nullify the righteous examples set and the teaching done by independent churches' use of the radio, television and press.
But who can tell a rooster that his crowing does not bring the dawn? Who can tell the proud man that he did not devise the plan of salvation, that Christ died for the church and not man, that the New Testament furnishes sufficient organization for every church and not man's vain imaginations and machinations.
"Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:" — Acts 28:26 He wolde so peyne him, that with both his yen
He moste winke, so loude he wolde cryen, And stonden on his tiptoon therwithal,
And strecche forth his nekke, long and small, And eek he was of swich discrecioun
That ther nas no man in no regioun That hint in song or wisdom mighte passe....
0 destinee, that mayst not been eschewed!
Allas, that Chauntecleer fleigh fro the bemes!
— Chaucer
- 1932 South Weller, Springfield, Missouri