Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: December 9, 2007
THOSE WHO WILL NOT ANSWER (Part 4)
Ben Justice
[CONTINUATION LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE]
On January 4, 2006, I sent a personal letter to Brother David Jones.
Brother Jones is the local evangelist for the Nesbit church of Christ in Nesbit,
MS and was also an instructor at the Memphis School of Preaching at the time
this letter was sent.
Dear Brother Jones,
Too much time has gone by since we last seen each other. I do hope and pray that you and Kathy
are doing well and that the church at Nesbit is growing spiritually and numerically. It seems that
every time we visit with my Mom and Dad Memphis keeps inching closer and closer.
I, Pam, and the kids are doing wonderful. We now live in Sullivan, MO working with the church
here. We can’t be more pleased with the work. In fact, it is the best work I have ever been
involved with. We have been here well over a year now and things are going great. The church
has a website that you may want to check out some time: www.sullivancoc.com.
Brother David, I am sure that you are aware of the recent controversy involving many different but
related things that have taken place over the last several months. This controversy has to do with
Dave Miller and Apologetics Press, as well as “The Gospel Journal” and other related issues. I
have read hundreds of pages of documentation concerning this controversy. Brother David P.
Brown has printed a great deal of material in “Contending For The Faith.” I have also read other
material. I have written a brief review of this controversy, which is found below this letter. It is
clear beyond question that Dave Miller is a false teacher and that faithful and sound brethren can
in no way support Apologetics Press. The way Dub McClish and Dave Watson were forced to resign
from being editors of “The Gospel Journal” is appalling to me, as it is with many brethren. Also,
GBN (Gospel Broadcasting Network), as overseen by the Highland Street church of Dalton, GA, is in
error. This has all been clearly documented by the Northside church in Calhoun, GA. However, I
wanted to get your insight and views concerning this controversy by asking some questions.
Before asking those questions, I wanted to ask you about something that is disturbing to me.
I am aware of the fact that the Lenoir City congregation of Lenoir City, TN sent several true/false
questions to MSOP faculty and elders. Of course, these questions dealt with the current
controversy concerning Dave Miller/Apologetics Press/The Gospel Journal. Having just
corresponded with Kent Bailey (preacher and elder of the Lenoir City congregation), he informed
me that these questions have not been answered. In the November/December issue of
“Contending For The Faith,” David P. Brown included an article that you wrote a number of years
back entitled, “Is It Any of Our Business What Goes On Elsewhere?” As a matter of fact, I have had
this article of yours in my files for years. I have used it in bulletins in the past. It is truly an
excellent article. However, in a preface to the article, Brother Brown indicated that when the
questions were rejected by the MSOP faculty that you not only refused to answer the questions,
but sent the envelope containing them back to the Lenoir City elders unopened. I personally
asked Kent Bailey about this and he confirmed that is what happened. When I first read this in
“Contending For The Faith” and when Brother Bailey informed me that it was so, I just couldn’t
believe it – not the David Jones I know. I don’t know if you realize this or not, but you and Kathy
hold a special place in my heart (and Pam’s). I believe you know the reasons for that. While we
were members at Nesbit, your teaching and influence helped me to solidify in my mind to want to
preach the gospel. I have respected you greatly ever since getting to know you. Pam and I have
been in your home several times, and have spent wonderful time together. We will never forget it.
I count you as a dear friend. This is why I am asking you about these things. I am hoping that you
will inform me as to why you returned the questionnaire back to Lenoir City unopened. I am also
hoping that you will give your side of this current controversy. Now, here are some questions that I
would appreciate you answering for me:
1.) Do you believe that what was contained in previous issues of “Contending For The Faith” is
an actual and truthful account of what occurred with Dub McClish and Dave Watson, and “The
Gospel Journal Board?” If not, would you please explain why?
2.) Do you believe that Dave Miller is a false teacher, in that he teaches error with regard to
the elder reevaluation/reaffirmation doctrine? If not, then would you please explain why?
3.) Do you believe that Dave Miller is a false teacher, in that he teaches error with regard to
marriage, divorce, and remarriage? If not, then would you please explain why?
4.) Can faithful and sound brethren fellowship Dave Miller if he is a false teacher, teaching the
things mentioned in questions # 3 & 4?
5.) If Dave Miller is a false teacher, can an individual or a congregation support Apologetics
Press, without supporting Dave Miller? If so, please explain how one can scripturally support the
organization without supporting the director of the organization?
6.) Since the Highland congregation (overseers of GBN – Gospel Broadcasting Network) is a
supporter of Dave Miller and other compromisers (e.g., Mack Lyon), can faithful and sound
brethren endorse and support Highland?
Brother David, I hope and pray you realize that I am writing this out of sincere interest and love,
desiring and seeking only the truth and then to inform others of the truth of these matters,
realizing that souls weigh in the balance. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely, in Brotherly Love,
Ben Justice
To this date, Brother Jones has not responded. Thus, I wrote a follow-up
letter dated April 7, 2006.
Dear Brother Jones,
On January 4th, 2006, I sent you what I considered a very important letter (at least it was/is with
me), as it dealt with several related brotherhood issues – issues that have caused division within
the body of Christ. I hope and trust that you have received that letter. It is possible that you didn’
t get it. Sometimes, things get lost in the mail. Knowing our relationship and friendship, not to
mention being brothers in Christ, I am confident that you would have responded to the issues and
questions raised. Not only that, but the Scriptures demand that we answer all sincere and
legitimate questions related to spiritual issues (I Pet. 3:15). I have enclosed my previous letter as
sent on January 4th in case you somehow didn’t get it. I really want to hear from you regarding
these things, as well as answer the questions. If by chance you did get the January 4th letter and
have chosen not to respond, then I would be very much appreciative if you would explain why. Is
it possible that I said some untrue things in my article? If so, then I would be most grateful if you
would explain to me why they are untrue. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, in Brotherly Love,
Ben Justice
As of this date (December 5, 2007) there still has been no response from
Brother Jones.
Although many more cases of brethren not answering could be cited, I want
to leave you with one more case. On June 20, 2007, I sent a letter to Brother J.
C. Enlow. Brother Enlow works with 21st Century Global Missions out of
Fulton, MS.
Dear Brother Enlow,
I am inquiring about some additional information concerning 21st Century Global Missions. I am
inquiring in behalf of someone else, a member of the congregation where I preach. He is from
Mexico and has been living in the states for some times, but is expected to go back to Mexico at
the end of the year. He said the congregation in Mexico is involved with 21st Century. I browsed
the website and was looking for the overseeing congregation. I never did see one, although I may
have missed it. What congregation oversees this work? Also, would you be willing to answer some
Biblical questions? Thanks so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Ben Justice
On June 21, 2007, Brother Enlow responded to my inquiry. Exactly how did
he respond? We shall see next week.