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Concerned for our Youth and our Future? |
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ove is such a wonderful thing to consider. I believe all of us would agree with that. The Bible tells us that love is greater than faith and hope (1 Cor.13:13). In his letter to the Colossians Paul tells us that love is above all other virtues (Col.3:12-13). The apostle Peter tells us that those in Christ are to love the brotherhood (1 Pet.2:17). I would like for you to consider the idea of love in light of what I am about to tell you. We know that even when love is present it will not completely keep away wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus best describes wolves as ravenous, greedy and devouring (Mt.7:15-16). They crave to feast on your loved ones. False christ’s and false prophets are still present and active in the Lord’s church today. Many are gifted and talented speakers. They can be very attractive and appealing to those who see them. Yet, many are deceitful and use their influence to draw others after themselves (Mt. 24:24; Acts 20:30). They fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor.11:13-15). Oh how they attract! It is for these reasons that every Christian is called to test every spirit (1 John 4:1). Therefore, true love – love for Christ, His church, His cause and love for others demands that we inform others of false teachers. O ne such person, aptly fitting "the wolf" description, will be coming to our area to teach and influence the youth at an area wide youth rally. The Manchester Church of Christ will be hosting Jeff Walling and have invited him to speak at their youth rally in October. Why? Good question! One might think that the elders of the congregation would know about this man and what he teaches before inviting him. Much of what Jeff teaches can be obtained very easily, even over the Internet. Much of his controversial preaching has been floating around our brotherhood in forms of cassette tapes, videos, books, etc., for years. Either the elders were naïve and blind as to what he teaches or they simply excused it for reasons known only to them. On the other hand, perhaps they do know what he teaches and genuinely accept and support what he teaches. Only time will tell.B rother Walling preaches for the Providence Road Church of Christ in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is indeed a very talented speaker and writer. However, as valuable as these are , what matters most is speaking and presenting the truth which seems to be lacking in many of his messages. Let us examine some of what Jeff Walling has done.O n May 17, 2000, brother Walling appeared on a denominational program, "Praise the Lord." The program evidently airs on the Trinity Broadcast Network. He was the guest of a gentleman named Gary Oliver who is the founder of Gary Oliver Ministries in Fort Worth, Texas. On the program was a female "pastor", "Reverend Tommy Tenney, and Jentezen Franklin, "Pastor" of the church of God. The program also consisted of the use of instrumental music.T he Bible clearly teaches us about the principle of fellowship and unity. However, the Bible also clearly teaches us whom we are not to have fellowship with. Those in the denominational world and those who support denominationalism are guilty of promoting division. The very word "denomination" simply means to denominate or divide. Brother Walling has willingly and openly fellowshipped those who themselves teach and practice error. These denominations do not believe in the necessity of baptism and are promoters of the false doctrine of Calvinism. They all use and promote instrumental music in their worship and certainly advocate the use of women preachers. Not once did brother Walling speak out against these things. Further, he did not even stand up for the plan of salvation, including immersion into Christ. The Bible warns us not to have fellowship with those who teach error (2 John 9). However, brother Walling seems to have dismissed this passage and has, instead, chosen to be in fellowship with those who teach and practice error.J eff Walling is certainly no stranger to ecumenism and the ecumenical movement of some within our brotherhood. In fact, he is a staunch supporter of it. Brother Walling seems to have difficulty in his exegeses of John chapter 17. From this passage, he believes that all who just believe are brethren and we ought to have unity with them. The following is an excerpt from brother Walling’s speech at the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop in 1991. After reading John 17:20-21, he then has the audience repeat in unison, "That we may be one." Here is the excerpt:"Now the problem we got in this auditorium is what you think when you say the word ‘we.’ You look around and say, ‘yea, we, that’s O.K.’ But what if we weren’t here? What if you were gathering where people were sitting next to you didn’t go to a church of Christ? They believed in Jesus. They loved the Lord. They have a desire to do what’s right. But assume for just a moment that crazy concept that there may be some folks out in the world who, honest to goodness, love Jesus with all their heart, who want to give Him anything they have in their hands, but for whatever reason they are not fellowshipping in a building that says ‘Church of Christ’ on it. Now, just free your mind up for that bizarre possibility. Now, can you say with me, ‘that we may be one?’ The first odd thing I want you to note in the text is what Jesus doesn’t say when He says ‘they.’He doesn’t say that ‘the Church-of-Christers might be one.’ Who does He ask would be united, would be one? ‘I pray for those who will go to church?’ No, no, no. ‘I pray for those who will be baptized?’ Oddly enough, ‘I pray for those who will believe in Me.’Now, folks, I don’t want to break anybody’s back as you try to bend over and go with me. But I want you to wrestle with the fact that the text says, ‘believers.’ Those who say, ‘yes’, Jesus is the Christ. Yes, he is divine, Yes, He is Lord.’ Now I don’t know whether the folks that who put the workshop together had this in mind. I should ask Jay, did you have this in mind? I don’t know whether they did or not. But I will tell what: in order to preach the text, we can’t get into this lesson without appreciating the fact that Jesus asks that we throw a calf rope around all those who just believe in Him, and pray, and work, for the unity of all believers." W alling’s speech is very clear and there is no question as to what he is espousing here. He is pressing the idea that there are sincere, devout, Christians scattered throughout the denominational world – churches that do not have a sign that says, "Church of Christ." This smacks right at the heart of the problem. He does not believe that baptism is essential to salvation. His doctrine is the same as Max Lucado’s doctrine. Max has stated, on numerous occasions, that anyone who calls Jesus Lord is his brother, which is simply advocating open fellowship with anyone and everyone, regardless of their false doctrines. In fact, in 1996, in his infamous radio speech, Max had stated this very thing, openly and publicly.I know for a fact that the elders of the Manchester congregation had a copy of the infamous 1996 speech on cassette tape and had listened to it. In fact, they had even denounced what Max was preaching. Well, here is the exact same message being taught by Jeff Walling and the very same elders are now welcoming it into their midst. 2 John 9-11 comes to mind here. First, brother Walling is not abiding "in the doctrine of Christ." Rather, he transgresses it and progresses onward until he leaves it altogether. But notice verses 10 –11, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." I am saddened that the Manchester elders have allowed this to happen. Unfortunately, there are some good and loving Christians in Manchester who are not aware of what is going on. Hence, the need for them to be informed With regards to John 17:20-21: Brother Walling has completely missed the point. Jesus is certainly praying for unity but He makes it very clear that unity is not to be had at the expense of truth. Jesus tells us plainly that if we are going to be sanctified it will be by the Word of God – "Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth." Six times Jesus references "the word", "the truth" and the "scripture" (vv.6, 12,14,17,19,20). Jesus is actually teaching that we are set apart (sanctified) by the truth. We understand that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.10:17). Of course, Jesus says in John 17:6, regarding His disciples, that "they have kept Your Word." The Hebrews writer tells us that Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey" (Heb.5:9). I wonder how many denominational churches brother Walling believes preaches the essential nature of baptism? I guess it wouldn’t matter if you,yourself, didn’t think it was essential!I n his book, Behold the Pattern, brother Goebel Music wrote a section called "’Strange" and "Uncertain" Sounds From Some Brethren." In this section he writes about brother Jeff Walling and includes many of his speeches and controversial statements. Brother Music painstakingly uncovers every detail of his speeches and offers much proof about what brother Walling advocates. Brother Music records the following statements from brother Walling, "I have spoken to groups that use the instrument" (pg.218) and then declared that instrumental music in worship is simply "a matter of opinion …a gray area." Brother Walling has continued to defend this position to this day.A lso, in 1994, at the Pepperdine University Lectures, he spoke on the "Community Church… of Christ." Those in attendance, taking his lesson at plain and simple value, would believe that the denomination community church is designed and acceptable by God. He advocates the community church as the church of Christ in the New Testament. I believe if one would like, they could order this tape from the university. In 1998, at Jubilee (an annual liberal minded conference in Nashville), Walling’s three 3 speeches include instrumental music, a woman giving public testimony before the whole assembly, as well as an apology to the denominational world. His lessons included bitter sarcasm toward the "traditional" churches of Christ and for those who adhere to "the old paths."Much of what brother Walling has said has been examined and exposed in various books and publications. A vast amount of material has been made available for some time, for any and all who seek the truth and desire to defend it. Also, I would add that Max Lucado is the one wrote the foreword to brother Walling’s book, "Daring to Dance with God." I believe that speaks volumes. Scripturally speaking, and we all ought to let the Bible speak for us rather than men, how should Christians be handling a situation like this?Ephesians 5:11 – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Paul is telling us that a child of God cannot have fellowship with those who are of evil and darkness. False teaching is indeed evil and dark. 2 John 9-11 – " Whososever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God"…"If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God sp0eed; For he that biddeth him God speed is a partaker of his evil deeds." It is possible to be a teacher in spiritual matters, to be religious, and be a terrific speaker, yet be guilty of not teaching and abiding in the doctrine of Christ. Notice, God tells us not associate with them! Galatians 1:6-9 – "…there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ, But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." To pervert or distort the pure truth of God’s word, the gospel, is to be condemned in God’s sight. If God will not have fellowship with them, should we? Titus 1:11-13 – " Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake… Wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith." I believe this speaks for itself concerning our responsibility. B ut some might say, "Well, can’t someone go and hear his message, listen to the good and just reject the bad?" In other words, eat the fish and leave the bones. Well, why not go to Billy Graham, Jimmy Swaggert or Oral Roberts and do the same thing? All these men preach error. Not to mention, every once in while someone chokes on a fish bone. How much error would have to be taught to make it wrong to attend? A little? Half? If I gave you a glass of milk with just a little poison in it, would you drink it? Did you know that rat poison is 98% harmless? However, It’s the other 2% that can kill you. Error is poison no matter what the amount is. Any amount is deadly, spiritually speaking.W ould we allow our youth to play with venomous snakes? Would we encourage them to drive reckless and fast? Would we want our children to be taught some error in our schools? Then, why should we allow our children to fall prey to wolves in sheep’s clothing? It seems parents are more concerned with their children’s secular education and their social life than they are with theirchildren’s spiritual life. Do the souls of your children matter to you? Shouldn’t parents be concerned with the spiritual destiny of their child’s soul? Why would any parent allow their precious child to be taught, molded, guided and instructed by wolves? Do you want to take a chance that your child could be led astray? B rother Walling is teaching and advocating the complete destruction of the unique and distinctive body of Christ. He is teaching and encouraging fellowship with denominations and advocating ecumenism despite its error and false doctrine. Our youth is precious to us and to the Lord. We should value and treasure each precious opportunity to teach and influence them properly. Let us make certain that it is done to the best of our ability and make certain that what is taught is absolutely right and good. If some parents allow their children to be influenced by such men, then it ought not surprise them when their children, later in life, join themselves to a denomination. They should not mourn over such a thing when it happens because, after all, they were responsible for encouraging their children to hear such men as Jeff Walling - who supported denominationalism! Preachers, elders, and parents who encourage their youth to hear such false teachers will one day answer to God. The youth of today is the future of the church tomorrow. Are you concerned with our youth and our future?Return to Top |