Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: October 22, 2006
SOLUTIONS (Part 2)
Michael Hatcher
[CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK]
Those associate with Memphis School of Preaching have given support and
defended a marked false teacher in Dave Miller. Because of their support of and
their defense of the marked false teacher Dave Miller, they have sinned. They
violated the passages just mentioned (Eph. 5:11; 2 John 9-11). They should have
stood against the false teaching and teacher, but instead they compromised the
truth of God's Word. As such they need to repent of their sin. A statement as
the previous one relating to The Gospel Journal would again be appropriate.
"Brethren, please forgive us. We have sinned in defending and supporting the
marked false teacher brother Dave Miller and the organization which he directs,
Apologetics Press. We will no longer defend or support either him or the
organization which he directs until he repents of his false teaching regarding
elder reaffirmation and engaging in such practice, his marriage intent teaching,
and his appearing in liberal congregations. We also will no longer defend or
support those who have given their encouragement to brother Miller until they
repent of their sins."
Then there are also those associated with Gospel Broadcasting Network. These
brethren, like Memphis School of Preaching, have supported and defended the
marked false teacher Dave Miller violating the same passages of Scriptures as
the others. A statement like that from Memphis School of Preaching or The
Gospel Journal is necessary from these brethren. However, there is another
problem with those associated with Gospel Broadcasting Network. The elders
overseeing this work (Highland Church of Christ in Dalton, GA) unscripturally
withdrew fellowship from the elders of the Northside Church of Christ in
Calhoun, GA. The Northside elders were taking a scriptural stand in opposing
the use of the marked false teacher Dave Miller and his associates on Gospel
Broadcasting Network by the elders at Highland. At the end of their
correspondence the Northside elders released the correspondence to allow
others to see the position taken by the elders who oversee Gospel Broadcasting
Network. Upon the release of that correspondence, the elders at Highland in
Dalton, GA, unscripturally withdrew fellowship from the elders at Northside in
Calhoun, GA (they specifically stated it was not from the preacher or the
congregation, but how can you withdraw from the elders without also withdrawing
from the rest of the congregation?). This unscriptural withdrawal must also be
taken care of by the Highland elders' repentance. Again a statement such as the
following would do. "We retract the unscriptural withdrawal of fellowship which
we initiated against the Northside elders. This action was wrong and was
selective of the Northside elders without those who are in fellowship with them
(the Northside congregation, preacher, along with other congregations and
individuals who continue to fellowship them) and, as such, was a violation of
Biblical teachings." Since Highland sent their unscriptural withdrawal to
numerous congregations, they should likewise send a letter like the above
statement to those same congregations to make it right.
If these events would take place (and I pray that they will) then brethren can
start the process of ending this schism which has taken place among generally
faithful brethren. This would at least be a start to that process because there
would be many other individual problems that would have to be settled, but this
would at least be the starting point to where these things could take place. Do I
really believe that these things will take place? While I pray that it will, I do not
expect it to happen. For some there is too much pride involved. Solomon wrote,
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.... Only by
pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.... Pride goeth
before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Pro. 11:2 13:10; 16:18).
Others are simply sticking their finger in the air to see which way the wind is
blowing. Some are simply playing politics and following whoever they think can
help them the most. There are some who are simply following the money. They
need to remember what Paul wrote, "But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Tim. 6:9-10).
Additionally, there has been a concerted effort not to put anything in writing. In
a conversation Dave Miller had with Paul Middlebrooks, brother Miller told
brother Middlebrooks that Curtis Gates and Bobby Liddell, along with other
brethren Miller trusted, had advised him not to put anything about this in
writing. Why, brethren? Brethren, let us get these issues resolved in a way which
pleases God. If any individual or organization wishes to make things right in a
God approved way by making repentance of their sins, we will gladly open up the
pages of Defender to them to allow the brotherhood to know of their repentance
and begin a healing process. We pray to that end.