In our September article we discussed the necessity of exposing error
and those who teach and support it. We felt obligated to point out that
the Manchester Church of Christ was in error for sponsoring and
promoting a false teacher. There was much evidence available to
substantiate the speaker’s unsoundness. In fact, across the country,
many churches of Christ had withheld fellowship and had avoided Jeff
Walling and faithfully obeyed Romans 16:17; "Now I urge you,
brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the
doctrine which you learned, and avoid them…"
We wanted to warn the brethren about this man and why they ought to
refrain from using him. Some of the brethren from Manchester read our
article and confronted their elders with this information and asked them
why they were going to sponsor such a man. Unfortunately, from what I am
told, the Manchester elders said the usual – that the news about the
speaker had been "blown out of proportion" and that they would
allow him to speak just the same.
I met with a gentleman who had traveled from North Carolina to speak
with the Manchester elders about the speaker. He had been a member of
the congregation where the speaker was from. He wanted to speak to them
about how the speaker had divided the church and share with them some of
his false doctrine. However, I was told that the elders refused to meet
with him and hear him out. Interesting!
Then there were some from the Manchester church who tried to justify
the use of the speaker by suggesting that Freed-Hardeman University
would be at the event, and since FHU did not have a problem with the
speaker, then why should I? Now, apparently, this was supposed to shut
me up because of my affiliation and endorsement of Freed-Hardeman
University. Now, Freed-Hardeman University is well known for its
conservative views and for boldly proclaiming the Truth of God’s Word
but I must say I was a little disheartened to hear that.
I spoke with the president of FHU, Milton Sewell, and we discussed
the matter. He told me that they did not endorse the speaker’s views
but that they would have a recruiter at the event only to try and
attract potential students. I was still saddened to learn that they
would still be at this event. To me, this was nothing more than a tacit
endorsement. Dr. Sewell did say that Billy Smith and Earl Edwards would
be meeting with the event speaker to discuss further his doctrinal
views.
I eventually responded to these brethren by saying that just because
Freed-Hardeman University was going to be there did not make it right
for them to support such a speaker. They were still responsible for
obeying God’s Word in this matter. Freed-Hardeman is only a school not
the church. However, the church ought to follow what the Bible says
rather than what men may say.
In February I attended the FHU Lectures and spoke with the heads of
the Bible Department, Billy Smith and Earl Edwards. Brother Smith told
me that after speaking with Jeff Walling they realized he would not
retreat from his erroneous views. Brother Edwards told me that FHU was
wrong for sending a recruiter at this event in the first place. On
behalf of FHU he offered his apologies. He told me that they were
sending the wrong impressions by being involved with such an event. They
both told me that FHU would no longer have a representative at any
Walling sponsored event or at any event where false doctrine and false
brethren would be present. I say, AMEN!
I am proud of Freed-Hardeman University for standing up for the Truth
of God’s Word and taking seriously the need to expose false teachers
and their doctrine in order that the beautiful bride of Christ, the
church, will continue to remain pure.