The Book - Page 64

Question

Among all the concerns we worry about, one in particular is troubling. According to one of your articles, magazines have published information about the embracing of the "Community Church" movement by many of the Christian Colleges. Before we send our children off to school, are there any specific questions that we could ask of those college presidents? I'm talking about questions they can't dodge, that would let us know the truth of whether their school embraces this?

Mr. McDade

First, endeavor to establish the commitment to and conviction about the Bible being the inspired, infallible, all-sufficient will of God because leaders in the Community Church movement believe they are being led directly by God in addition to his will as revealed in the Bible. The question must not only include the vital points of the plenary (full), verbal (word for word) inspiration of the Bible as is taught in II Timothy 3:16-17, but the point of the Bible constituting the complete will of God must be addressed today. The Crux of the Matter written by three professors from ACU serves as an example of why this point must be covered. These professors state that they believe they are continuing to be "guided into all truth" (cf. pp.164, 193; cf. also the October 2001 issue of The Spiritual Sword, 33:1, which provides a critical review of this book). If so, the Bible does not represent "all truth." DLU in Nashville has as a Bible teacher a man who preached in Memphis before being hired that published an article stating, "God communicates primarily through his word but not exclusively through his word. God does speak to us directly." I challenged him on this point and to my knowledge he has never changed his position. (The article was titled "God Is Alive" by Scott McDowell. I will be happy to furnish a copy to anyone who requests it). The Bible is being rejected as a pattern on the basis that God currently is guiding selected men into unrevealed areas of truth. A prayerful, diligent study of Hebrews 8:5 and 9:23 is needed today. Additionally, Michael Moss at DLU is on record as holding the view that the Bible was not written to us but was preserved for us. Therefore, a pointed question would be: "Do you and your Bible faculty believe and teach that the Bible is written to us today and is the fully and verbally inspired word of God which is authoritative, all-sufficient, and complete?" I kindly emphasize: It is not enough to ask, "Do you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God?"
Second, "Do you and your Bible faculty believe that the name 'church of Christ' and the teaching about the church as it appears in the New Testament represents the exclusive body of the saved on earth today?" Again, the question needs to be asked so as to disallow the opportunity to dodge or hedge. For example, if the question was "Do you believe that all the saved are in the body of Christ?" A "yes" answer may mean that at leastcertain denominational churches may harbor saved people in them because the view is widespread that holds that all the denominations together constitute the body of Christ. A study of I Corinthians 12:13 and Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4, and 5:23 should prove helpful in this connection. Although the Bible says, "The churches of Christ salute you" an emphasis exists to be embarrassed by and to get away from the name church of Christ (cf. Mark 8:38). See, for example, Flavil Yeakley's comments in The Christian Chronicle, 53:7 (March 2000), p. 18. He is a Bible professor at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
Third, ask about the worship services your child will be engaged in on campus and on the Lord's day. If he or she cannot worship "in spirit and in truth,"a serious danger exits (Heb. 10:26). Therefore, a pointed question in this regard would be "Do you allow hand clapping, skits, praise teams, instrumental music-type sounds created vocally, and testifying in worship and devotional services?"
Fourth, are the members on your board of directors/advisory board/board of regents/and trustees sound in the faith? How would they answer the aforementioned questions? Are any of them known to have made compromises with denominationalism? Are their names and addresses publicly posted and accessible, for example, on the school's web site, in addition to appearing in the college catalogue? Would you hire a Bible teacher who attends a Community Church? Would you dismiss a Bible teacher who attends a Community Church?
Finally, the duty and right to ask questions about those "tutors and governors"entrusted with the nurturing and developing of our precious children must not be relinquished without impunity (Gal. 4:2). Only those schools as serious about the spiritual welfare of our children as are we should be considered deserving of our respect and support. A Bible college or university should deepen the faith and strengthen the resolve of students under its influence to live a faithful Christian life. It should exalt Christ and the church of Christ (Eph. 3:21).

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