Category: Reflections Articles

Gibbons, in his well respected work entitled, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, lists 7 reasons he contends were the major culprits resulting in the fall of the greatest of the ancient empires. The seven reasons listed are:

1. The divorce rate rose.
2. Taxes got higher
3. More public money was spent for welfare.
4. The craving for greater pleasure and leisure increased.
5. Sports appeared to get more exciting, more brutal.
6. The building of gigantic armaments continued.
7. Religion was thought by many to be on the decay.

Now, it doesn’t take a genius to see the parallels of the ancient society with our day and time. And this is a pretty strong indicator of the present state of our society as well. Continue reading “Decline and Fall” →

“When angry, count four; when very angry, swear.” ~ Mark Twain

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” ~Colossians 3:8

In the Monday, January 12, 1998 edition of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, an article on the subject of Cursing appeared in the Life & Arts section. The article is a good example of unbiased reporting, as it just reports the societal trend of increased cursing and swearing, while not commenting on the appropriateness of the trend. I do not intend to be unbiased however, in commenting on the trend. Continue reading “Curse and Effect” →

The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were guilty of many sins. They bound man-made tradition upon the Jewish people (cf. Matthew 15:1-6). They were often guilty of hypocrisy, putting on a great show of religion, while falling far short of God’s requirements of righteousness and love (cf. Matthew 15:1-9). They desired the praise of men, and designed their worship to be ostentatious displays of false piety (cf. Matthew 23). One of the common sins of the Pharisees’ was the prominent self-righteous attitude that characterized many in the party. Continue reading “Self-Righteousness” →

The September 18, 1996 edition of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram ran an article on the subject of gambling. It was found on the opinion page, and authored by the nationally syndicated columnist, William Safire. In his article, he gives two quotes from Senator Richard Lugar, as he was addressing a group called the Christian Coalition. I would like for you to consider the two quotes: Continue reading “The Spread of Gambling” →

While the Son of God walked on earth, he expressed his love for all men. Jesus even loved the “unlovable.” A wonderful example of this compassion is seen in John’s record of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in John 4. Despite a national disdain the Jew felt toward Samaritans, Jesus started a conversation with the woman by requesting of her a drink of water. The woman recognized the singular nature of this and said, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (vs. 9). Jesus was the Christ, and his saving work went beyond national boundaries and prejudices to include all men. “The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He'” (vs. 25-26). The grace of God was extended even to the despised Samaritans, indeed to all men, (cf. Acts 11:18). Continue reading “The Samaritans: A Despised People” →

The question under consideration, “Must one be a member of the church to be saved?”, is commonly asked, and easily answered. Scripture clearly reveals that fellowship in the church, as defined by God, is essential to the redemption of man. Simply put: Yes, one must be a member of the church to be saved. This assertion being made, it must be sustained and explained. Continue reading “Must One Be A Member of the Church to be Saved?” →

A few days ago our church received in the mail an invitation to a beach party for area college students, hosted by the Altamesa Church of Christ, College Ministry. The brochure read:

Activities include: 3 Beach Volleyball courts (bring your own team of 6 people), Tug-of-War, Frisbee Throw, Bocce Ball, and more! Come for fellowship, Devotional, Burgers and Roast Pig! Excellent opportunity to meet new friends for the summer!

The brochure went on to mention that the singing group “The Light” from ACU would be performing, asked for an R.S.V.P. to the Church office, and informed that the church would be charging $8 per person for the event.

Most of us are familiar with such examples of the “social gospel” being propagated by such liberal churches. Continue reading “A Disturbing Trend” →

Several months ago, I found a package on the front stoop of the church building, from the American Bible Society. It contained two copies of their new Contemporary English Version of the Bible.

This version purports to be a TRANSLATION. Following are a few excerpts from the statement page: Continue reading “Translation Review: The Contemporary English Version of the Bible” →

Paul warned Timothy, In 2 Timothy 4:3-5, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Since that time the need for such warnings has been shown time and again. Judaizing teachers sought to destroy the faith of the Galatians and others (cf. Galatians 1). The apostle John fought the damnable error of the gnostics. Other examples could be given from scripture showing the danger of the chosen of God going astray. Continue reading “Brethren Beware!” →

A few mornings ago I was listening to a radio talk show, where a discussion was being held regarding the ethics of fetal research. A man had written a book, apparently defending the use of fetal tissue harvested from aborted fetuses, for research and medicinal purposes. It is believed that the injection of certain cells of a fetus can be beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Continue reading “Murder and Human Experimentation” →

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). Here Paul warned of the possibility of drifting, or departing from the faith. May we ever be on guard against that possibility, as it ever lingers near. The Hebrew writer stated, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (2:1). J.D. Tant often concluded his articles in the old Gospel Guardian by writing, “Brethren, we are drifting.” Continue reading ““Lest We Drift Away”” →

Inoculate – 1. to inject a serum, vaccine, etc. into, especially in order to prevent, cure, or experiment with disease, usually so as to make immune. 4. to introduce ideas, etc. into the mind of; imbue; infect.

Imbue – 3. to fill (the mind, etc.); permeate; pervade; inspire (with principles, feelings, emotions, etc.).

“We need to inoculate our children.” You hear this statement often, primarily in the context of protection from physical disease. At this time of the year it is common to get flu shots to protect against the onset of the flu viruses that are common in winter. The interesting thing about flu shots is that they introduce the virus in a controlled fashion to help build up the immune system. In so doing, when the real bug hits, the body is able to fight it off. This method is surprisingly effective, though some are a bit squeamish about allowing any flu bug to enter the body. so, they don’t get the shot, and later do get the flu! And it’s much worse.

A Spiritual Application!

Some Christian parents seem to have the same attitude in the church today. Continue reading “We Need to Inoculate Our Children” →

A recent edition of the River Oaks News revealed that a Christian living in the River Oaks area had received an award for his work in the Masonic Lodge. It used to be rather common to hear of Christian men who held membership in the Masonic Lodge, and who would, when confronted with the sinfulness of such membership, chose the Lodge over the Lord’s church. Continue reading “Masonry in the Church” →

The third in Peter’s list of attributes to be added to our faith, (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-11), is “self-control.”

The term self-control (translated as “temperance” in the KJV), comes from the Greek (egkrateia). This term has as its root the Greek (kratos), denoting strength or power. The term is literally rendered and easily understood as power or strength in regard to self. A person who has self-control has the ability to limit his urges and desires in order to conform to God’s will.

Continue reading “Self-Control” →

In yesterday’s (8/14/99) Life section of the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, an article appeared entitled Neglecting the Good Book. Several quotes follow, which are revealing as to society’s present day attitude toward the inspired scriptures.
“According to one religious research firm, two-thirds of Americans don’t regularly read the Bible or know the names of the Four Gospels. More than half of Americans surveyed can’t name even five of the Ten Commandments. And the majority say they find the Good Book irrelevant.” Continue reading “Present Attitudes Toward the Bible” →