The Overflow
Round or flat
Remember that story about the school teacher who was applying for a job in a certain community, and was asked whether he taught the "round world" geography or the "flat world" geography, and who replied that he could teach either system, just as the school board might wish? Well, there has been quite a bit of to-do of late months over whether the "equality" mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:14 is equality between Jerusalem and the churches contributing to her on the one hand, or equality as between the contributing churches on the other hand. It is a vital point and of considerable consequence in current discussions. Well, the Gospel Advocate (March 1, 1956) teaches it one way in her weekly "Bible School Lesson," and in the same issue teaches it the opposite way from the pen of her staff writer, Roy H. Lanier! Old Reliable, eh? She doesn't teach it "either way," she teaches it BOTH ways.
All this, and heaven too
It happened in Middle Tennessee. Doing the reaching in a gospel meeting was one of the "most dynamic" preachers in the brotherhood, an organizer, a promoter deluxe, a Bible college professor, a famous TV personality, and preacher for one of the "marchingest" churches that ever marched a single foot toward digression. Said preacher got his meeting off with two "dynamic sermons," one of which was entitled "Evils of the Modern Dance," and the other of which was entitled, "An Analysis of the Kinsey Report." Reports are that they were truly sexsational. (Typesetter, watch that spelling; that is "x" not "n.")
More debates in prospect
Brother Guy N. Woods and Brother Roy E. Cogdill have both been invited by the Norhill church in Houston, Texas, to participate in a discussion in the Houston Music Hall dealing with present issues in the church. Both men have expressed themselves as being favorable toward such a discussion, and as of this writing are exchanging letters relative to propositions and time. Brother G. K. Wallace recently publicly stated his desire to defend the type of cooperation now being used by the brethren in both evangelism and benevolence provided his brethren wanted him to do so. If "institutional minded" churches can be found anywhere that will endorse him, Brethren Cecil B. Douthitt, Bryan Vinson, Roy E. Cogdill, and James W. Adams have all expressed a willingness to accept his challenge. The debate between Yater Tant and E. R. Harper has been definitely agreed upon for San Antonio. It is hoped that a time can be announced shortly.
A "sponsoring" elder speaks out
He is an elder in the biggest and most notorious "sponsoring church" in the brotherhood. Some months ago he said to a friend (and as nearly as the friend can recall them these are his exact words): "It is simply not possible to do the things in our day that the church ought to do and at the same time adhere strictly to the New Testament pattern for church activity." No comment.
Ouch!
The sermon was over. As the great audience flowed out the front door, scores of them stopped to give a greeting and a compliment to the handsome and personable young g preacher, fresh from college, who had given them one of his best that day. He was obviously agreeing with all the nice things said about him, until one sweet old grandmother thought it was time to give the lad a helping hand. "Did anybody ever tell you," she asked, "that you are positively the most wonderful preacher in the world?" She smiled ever so adoringly as she squeezed his hand. "Why, no," said the preacher with what he hoped was becoming modesty, "I don't believe anyone ever did tell me that." "Then I'd like to know how and where in heaven's name you ever got the idea?" said grandma with sweet acidity.
Harper to Foutz
Elsewhere in this issue we carry an article by Brother Roy Foutz entitled, "The Quarantine Continues." This is the same Roy Foutz who four years ago took a firm and forthright stand against a situation in a Tulsa church which he was convinced was detrimental to the cause of Christ. On that occasion Brother E. R. Harper wrote him, "I am proud of you as a young man because of the stand you took recently with regard to the church in Tulsa. I know it must have been hard to make this decision, but I assure you, you will never regret it. The church is slowly, but surely, going into digression. Such men as you brothers (Roy and Paul Foutz — F.Y.T.) will be able to help us keep this thing right." The Foutz brothers are both convinced that Herald of Truth is an unscriptural thing. Question: Would E. R. Harper in 1956 write the same kind of letter to Roy Foutz that he wrote in 1952? And if not, why not? Foutz has not changed his convictions.
Flashes of silence
We know a preacher who in past years was one of the most garrulous among us, but who has become increasingly silent as he grows older. The other day we ran across a brief quotation that brought him to mind. It was something Sydney Smith once said of Macaulay, "He once talked too much, but now he has occasional flashes of silence that make his conversation perfectly delightful."
New lexicon?
From sources usually considered reliable we are informed that Brother J. W. Roberts, Bible professor at Abilene Christian College, has become convinced that the great lexicon by Joseph Henry Thayer is out of date and inaccurate, that he, Roberts, contemplates the compilation of a new lexicon which will be scholarly and up-to-date. It has been quite interesting to note in his several articles on various Greek words in the New Testament that Brother Roberts has not hesitated to array his scholarship against the scholars of the world — not on matters of interpretation only but on matters of pure technical scholarship. The men who wrote the books from which he learned Greek are not now considered competent scholars by our brother, so he will write his own! If the "sponsoring church" can not be found in the English, and can not be found in the Greek as it is, then by all means let the text-books and lexicons be revised so as to sanction it. Just give a man enough rope.
Clovis Chappell, guest speaker
Did you happen to hear the fine sermon over Herald of Truth some months ago by Clovis G. Chappell, eminent Methodist preacher? Dr. Chappell did not preach the sermon himself, but one of the "guest speakers" on Herald of Truth broadcasts preached Chappell's sermon, "Moses At The Forks Of The Road." He did not tell the radio audience he was preaching Chappell's sermon, but more than one preacher recognized it! Is that the kind of "gospel" preaching calculated to convert sinners to the truth?