Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: October 15, 2006
SOLUTIONS (Part 1)
Michael Hatcher
Anyone who keeps up with the brotherhood knows that within the past year and
a half there has developed a split between faithful brethren and those who were
once considered faithful brethren. Even though the division has only been within
the past months, the seeds for that split were planted well over a decade ago.
However, it is not the intention of this article to deal with the problems which
have caused this schism to occur, but instead to offer a scriptural solution to
the situation. I will explain that these are my suggestions to begin to solve
these problems, and while I realize that not everyone will agree with these
suggestions, I do know that these suggested solutions will be according to what
is right by the standard of God's Word.
The seeds of this division go back to what was practiced at Brown Trail Church of
Christ in 1990 when Dave Miller preached the sermon and they performed the
reevaluation/reaffirmation of elders. Brother Miller needs to repent of this sinful
sermon and practice. A simple statement of repentance such as: "I am sorry for
preaching the sermon advocating the reaffirmation of elders and repent of what
was said in that sermon. The practice of reaffirmation of elders is wrong and I
repent of all my actions involving such."
The next problem with brother Miller is his statements concerning intent of
marriage. Again, this can be solved in a simple way. Words to the effect of: "In
answering some questions, I simply mis-spoke concerning this matter. While I
believe that one must intend to get married for there to be a marriage, one might
intend to get married and their purpose be wrong. Yet, in that situation they are
married both legally and by God. I am sorry I mis-spoke concerning that issue
and ask my brethren to forgive me."
The third area of concern is appearing in congregations which are no longer
standing for the old paths. This is a real problem because it should be obvious
that a person cannot know every congregation in the brotherhood which might
ask him to come speak. I realize that I do not know all the solutions to this
problem. However, if brother Miller (and those associated with Apologetics Press)
agrees to seriously consider any signed and documented charges against a
congregation and then will meet with the elders (or men) of that congregation
specifically about those charges and then if found to be true will not return there
until corrections are made, this would be a good starting place. Surely this can at
least be a good starting point to discuss this issue among faithful brethren and
work out a satisfactory arrangement for all faithful brethren.
That which brought much of the problems to the forefront was the release of Dub
McClish and Dave Watson as editor and associate editor of The Gospel Journal.
Everyone realizes that the board of directors had the right to accept the
resignations of these brethren or even release (fire) them outright. Everyone also
realizes that it is not possible to return these men to that position. However,
there are at least three problems which have arisen from their release. The first
problem is the way brethren McClish and Watson were treated by the board (of
which I was on at the time). The members of the board did not treat these men
with the same consideration as they would have desired to be treated (remember
the golden rule?). A simply apology from the board would suffice to resolve this
problem.
The other two problems are connected (and go back to brother Dave Miller). The
first of these is the reason behind the release (resigning) of brethren McClish
and Watson, and the second is the fellowship being extended to a marked false
teacher (brother Dave Miller). Prior to McClish and Watson's removal, The Gospel
Journal refused to accept advertising from Apologetics Press (also from Gospel
Broadcasting Network) because brother Miller, a marked false teacher, had been
hired by brother Bert Thompson. Upon the release of brother Thompson, this
marked false teacher was then made director. (The Gospel Journal would not
accept advertising from Gospel Broadcasting Network because of their support of
brother Miller.) Immediately after McClish and Watson's removal, The Gospel
Journal began running advertisements for both organizations (Gospel
Broadcasting Network in the first issue and Apologetics Press in the third issue
after the change in editors). This is very simply a violation of God's Word: "And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them" (Eph. 5:11). The apostle John puts it: "Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him
God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2
John 9-11). When one violates God's Word, they need to repent. Therefore, the
board of The Gospel Journal needs to repent of their support for a marked false
teacher (Dave Miller) and for their support for those who have supported him. A
statement along the following lines would help: "Brethren, please forgive us. We
sinned in supporting brother Dave Miller and Apologetics Press (the organization
which he directs). We will no longer support those brethren and organizations
which are lending support to this false teacher until such time as he repents. (1)
He must repent of his false doctrine concerning elder reaffirmation and for
engaging in that unauthorized practice. (2) He must repent of his teaching
concerning intent of marriage. (3) He must end his practice of appearing at liberal
congregations and lending his support to them." (WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK)