Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: December 4, 2005


AP/DAVE MILLER/TGJ/GBN CONTROVERSY
Ben Justice

Over the past several weeks and months, I have been reading over and digesting
literally hundreds of pages of documentation, consisting of scores and scores of
letters and articles between brethren.  I still have more to go.  After having read
much material, I am convinced that a major division is currently occurring within
the body of Christ.  Many other brethren are coming to the same conclusion.  This
division I am referring to is not over the liberal/digressive movement, with men
such as Joe Beam, F. Lagard Smith, Jeff Walling, Steve Flatt, Randy Harris,
Jim McGuiggan, and many others that could be mentioned.  The division I am
speaking of is occurring between sound brethren and those who are also considered
to be sound (at least they used to be).  There is simply no way in this bulletin
article to cover all of the material I have studied.  The main purpose of this article
is to inform the congregation at Sullivan of the recent onslaught of compromise
presently occurring within the body of Christ.  To say the least, it is a sickening
and saddening picture.  Brethren I have considered to be sound and faithful have
now bowed to brotherhood political pressure.  This article will be a brief summary of
these things.  All of this information and documentation is readily available for any
person who wants to know.

First, some explanation is in order concerning the abbreviations in the title of this
article?  AP = Apologetics Press; Dave Miller is the director of Apologetics Press.  
Bert Thompson was formerly the director.  TGJ = The Gospel Journal.  This is a
brotherhood paper that has undergone drastic changes within the last few months.  
Brother Dub McClish was the former editor of this paper.  Dave Watson was the
former associate editor.  Now, Barry Grider (preacher for the Forest Hill Irene
church of Christ in Memphis, TN and home of Memphis School of Preaching)
is the current editor.  (Note: A brief explanation will be given later as to why Dub
McClish is no longer editor and why Dave Watson is no longer the associate
editor).  GBN = Gospel Broadcasting Network.  This is a major broadcasting
network as overseen by the Highland church of Christ in Dalton, GA.

CONCERNING AP & DAVE MILLER

Dave Miller, as noted above, is the new director of AP.  Bert Thompson hired
Miller in 2002.  When Thompson hired Miller, Miller was known and marked as a
false teacher.  Dave Miller endorsed and bided God speed to the liberal Calhoun
church of Christ in Calhoun, GA in 1999.  Miller was warned in ample time about
the compromises of this congregation.  He had an excellent opportunity to help
turn the tide with this liberal congregation, but he refused not to.  Instead, he
praised them in their efforts (This is all documented in detail for those who
want to know more.)  Miller is in error on Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage and
also the unscriptural Elder Reevaluation/Reaffirmation doctrine. (Material is
available to anyone who wants to know what exactly these doctrines are.)  
When Bert Thompson hired Dave Miller, several brethren wrote Thompson
informing him of Miller’s errors.  However, Thompson would not listen.  As a result,
AP lost support from several congregations.  Bert Thompson is no longer director of
AP, and in fact, is not associated with AP in any way (Documentation is available
concerning why this is the case.)  With Dave Miller being the current director,
faithful brethren and congregations can in no way support AP.  One can’t be like
one brother suggested and support AP and not support Dave Miller. (Curtis Cates,
director of Memphis School of Preach [MSOP] made this statement which is
documented.)  This reasoning is ridiculous and is not biblical, for how can one
support one and not the other?

TGJ CONTROVERSY

AP and Dave Miller all play a role in TGJ controversy.  To briefly summarize, Dub
McClish and Dave Watson was forced to exit from being editor and associate
editor.  They were forced by the board of directors because they opposed Dave Miller
and would not bow down to pressure.  Many on the board wanted to support Dave
Miller and AP. (All of this is documented in detail in “Contending For The
Faith” paper, edited by David P. Brown.  See August, September, & October
2005 issues.  Not only are these things documented, but Dave Miller’s errors
are documented in these issues as well.  I encourage everyone to subscribe
to “Contending For The Faith”.)

GBN CONTROVERSY

This congregation regularly receives updates concerning GBN.  In the past, the
Highland congregation has solicited our support for GBN.  GBN is a multi-million
dollar operation that can be seen on satellite TV and on the web 24 hours a day.  
GBN is in error on a number of particulars, not that anyone who participates in and
with the program teaches error, but one can uphold error in deed.  The Highland
elders have sought the likes of Mack Lyon to be one of the regular speakers on
GBN.  The Highland elders have openly bided God speed to Dave Miller and are
continuing to receive funds from erring congregations. (All of this is documented
in detail, which can be made available for those who want to be informed.)  It
is sad that the Highland elders have relegated matters of faith and doctrine to
matters of judgment and opinion.  They have withdrawn fellowship from the
Northside congregation in Calhoun, GA for exposing their errors.  The Highland
elders accuse the Northside elders of causing strife and division within the body of
Christ. The fact of the matter is that those who teach and practice error and
endorse such are the guilty culprits, not faithful brethren who seek to warn other
brethren and congregations of error and compromise.  The Highland elders remain
adamant about only using sound brethren as speakers on GBN and only
fellowshipping faithful congregations.  But, their actions do not say this.  There
actions tell a completely different story.

I have not even touched the hem of the garment with this brief summary.  Again, I
highly encourage the brethren at Sullivan to subscribe to “Contending For The
Faith.”  Brother David P. Brown is the editor and is a man who firmly stands for
the truth and will not give in to brotherhood politics.  I appreciate him and all
others who are standing in the gap during these trying times.  All of this would be
unnecessary if brethren would simply repent openly and publicly and adhere to the
truth in all things without giving God speed to compromisers.  It truly saddens me
to see men I have known for years and that I considered to be sound and faithful
men of God compromise.

SPECIAL NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO WANT THIS MATERIAL, PLEASE SEE ME
AND I WILL GET IT FOR YOU.  NOT UNTIL AP, MSOP, GBN and all those
associated with these works repent, I can’t, according to the clear and plain
teachings of the NT, support or endorse them in any way.  For those who
would like to subscribe to “Contending For The Faith” I will be happy to give
the subscription information or if you would like I can do it for you.