Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: December 2, 2007
THOSE WHO WILL NOT ANSWER (Part 3)
Ben Justice
[CONTINUATION LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE]
Is there authority for asking questions? It would seem that this would not
even be an issue, but it is. Many have scoffed at the idea of asking questions.
In this day and age of rampant liberalism, it seems as though many believe they
are exempt from answering questions and that such questions should never be
asked. However, Biblical authority can clearly be established for such. In fact,
such is vitally necessary in determining who the faithful are and are not. For
example, John penned, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:
1). The word “spirit” in this context clearly denotes teaching. The Christian is
admonished to believe not every teaching. The Christian also has the
obligations to “try (test) the spirits.” Why must he do this? As John said, to see
whether these teachings “are of God.” The reason for this is “because many
false prophets are gone out into the world.” Pray tell, how can one effectively try
and test what teachers teach if one can’t ever ask any questions. Such testing
inherently involves asking questions.
Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for trying them which say they are
apostles. In such testing, these brethren found that they were not apostles, but
liars (Rev. 2:3). How could such determination be made without ever asking
questions?
The elect lady was forbidden to bid God speed to those traveling evangelists
who did not bring the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9-11). How could this lady
determine if these teachers were bringing the doctrine of Christ if no questions
of any kind could ever be asked of them?
Paul asked the Galatians a series of questions to determine where they
stood spiritually (Gal. 3:1-5).
The Sullivan congregation will never lend support in any way to those who
solicit our help without first inquiring as to where they stand. Before the right
hands of fellowship is extended (Gal. 2:9) to anyone it is first determined that
they are sound in the faith. Too many elders have neglected to carry out this
responsibility. It is utter foolishness to not investigate potential works of
support.
Now that we have looked at the command to give an answer and the
authority for asking questions, we turn our attention to cases in which some
have not answered
THE CASES OF NOT ANSWERING
Within the last year or so, the Sullivan congregation has come to learn of
unsound teaching coming from area congregations. Not only that, but works they
support are in error. Thus, we wrote these congregations letters asking and
informing them of these things.
On December 8, 2005, the Sullivan congregation sent the following letter to
the Collinsville church of Christ in Collinsville, IL.
Dear Elders,
We understand that the Collinsville congregation is a current supporter of the “Eastern Missouri
Correctional Center Prison Ministry.” Brother Bill Patterson, the former preacher for this prison
work, recently informed us that this prison ministry is in dire need of support, being only supported
by two congregations – the Collinsville congregation and the Arnold congregation. Brother Travis
Quertemous, the current preacher of the prison work, is the one who informed Bill Patterson. We
would very much like to be involved in this work, if at all possible. However, before we agree to
support this work and to be joint-participants with those involved with the work, we would very
much appreciate you answering our Biblical Questionnaire that is included.
Also, we would like to address and inform you of the compromises of “In Search of the Lord’s Way”
with Mack Lyon and “Apologetics Press” with Dave Miller. We receive your bulletin here at
Sullivan, and noticed that the congregation at Collinsville is a current supporter of these two
works. Included, you can read a couple of articles that appeared in our weekly bulletin a few
weeks ago, exposing the errors and compromisers of Mack Lyon. Also, we have enclosed Dub
McClish’s evidence concerning Mack Lyon. Concerning Dave Miller, the August, September, and
October 2005 issues of “Contending For The Faith” are included for your reading. They clearly set
forth the errors of Dave Miller, as well as address other related issues. In the same letter in which
Brother McClish exposes Mack Lyon, he also sets forth the evidence showing why Dave Miller is in
error. We have also included documentation put out by the Northside church of Christ, in which
the elders expose the compromises of the Highland church of Christ of Dalton, GA (overseers of
GBN – Gospel Broadcasting Network). In this documentation, they also set forth evidence why
faithful brethren can’t support Apologetics Press and Dave Miller.
We would appreciate your evaluation of this documentation and answering our Biblical
Questionnaire. We are open to answering any questions that you might have, as I am sure that
you only want to be involved with sound and faithful congregations. We thank you for answering
these questions, and we look forward to your evaluation of these important doctrinal matters.
Yours in the one faith,
The Men of the Sullivan church of Christ
To this date, we have had absolutely no reply to our concerns. Also, as of
this date, their bulletin reveals that they still support these unscriptural works.
On November 16, 2006, a letter was sent to the St. Clair church of Christ
in St. Clair, MO.
Dear Brethren,
For the past several months now, we have been hearing of unsound teaching coming from the St.
Clair congregation. This has come from more than one source. It is disheartening to hear of these
things. This unsound teaching mainly revolves around teaching concerning marriage, divorce, and
remarriage. The men of the Sullivan church of Christ would like to know for sure where you stand
on these issues. Therefore, we have enclosed some questions relative to MDR, as well as other
questions. We would appreciate it very much if the leadership of the congregation would answer
these questions. Our motive for doing this is very simple: We want to remain in fellowship with all
congregations adhering to God’s truth. However, when we hear that there is error being taught in
a nearby congregation it causes great concern, as you would expect. We have the obligation to
“check them out.” We would not expect any less of you if you heard of unsound teaching coming
from the Sullivan congregation. It is our sincere hope and prayer that you will not at all be
offended by our questioning. We are simply doing what the Bible demands of us in trying the
spirits (I John 4:1). We recognize as well that you may have questions for us. We welcome such
questions, realizing that we, like you, have a divine obligation to answer all sincere, spiritual
questions (I Pet. 3:15). We look forward to your prompt response.
Yours in the One Faith,
The Men of the Sullivan church of Christ
To this date, there has been no response. Two follow-up letters were sent,
the first on February 19, 2007 and the second on April 18, 2007. Still no
response. As a result, the Sullivan congregation has had no choice but to
withdraw fellowship from this congregation, as the Bible teaches.
Similar letters were also sent to the Owensville church of Christ in
Owensville, MO. Like St. Clair, there has been no response and the Sullivan
congregation has had no choice but to withdraw fellowship from this erring
congregation.
[MORE NEXT WEEK]