-- by Herb Evans

"... the word of God which liveth and abideth forever." --I Peter 1:23

"... the word of God is quick . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart..." Hebrews 4:12

We must admit that there was a time when we were terrified at the prospect of defending the "inspiration" of the Authorized King James Bible. Of Course, like many Christians, we were influenced by Bible correcting educators and scholars and their accepted, traditional, man-made theological definition of "inspiration."

As with all man made theological definitions, the Bible correcting professor’s definition of "inspiration" is not infallible or inerrant and is subject to error and therefore to examination. Moreover, any error in definition can mean a more serious error in concept.

Bible correcting educators, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, have discovered that if they are allowed to define or redefine Bible words, then they can establish their own pet theories and heresies. Both Bible correctors and Jehovah’s Witnesses must be challenged as to whether they have basis for such arbitrary definitions.

Bible correcting educators contend that only the "original" transmission of the scriptures constitutes "inspiration." They hold that the "inspiration of the scriptures" and the "transmission of the Scriptures" are perfectly synonymous terms.

All the emphasis, in most fundamental universities is placed on whether the "originals" were transmitted mechanically, dynamically, verbally, or by illumination; while the "quality" of the scriptures, after they have been transmitted, is all but ignored.

The "original manuscripts" are lost and no living person has ever seen them (a serious flaw in most Bible corrector'’ theories). Moreover, if those, who hoot and holler about them, would ever find the "Original manuscripts," they would not be able to tell if they were really the "originals" or not or if they were even copies of the originals.

We have been told repeatedly that the Bible was "originally" written in Hebrew and Greek. Yet, no one can actually prove that they were so written. They can assume, suppose, surmise, and deduce, but no one can come up with either a proof-text or concrete evidence. Although we do not discount such an original Hebrew/Greek theory, we cannot base our definitions nor convictions upon it.

The first five Books could have been written in Egyptian, the language in which Moses was educated and the country where his people lived for 400 years. Hebrews is the language of Canaan. One thing is "fer sure", it twarn’t Hebrew that Moses was speakin’ "down thayer in Egypt." Much of Daniel is written in Syriac. No doubt, the dialogue of the Book of Daniel was also written in that language. The conversations in the Gospels were surely not spoken in Greek.

The point is, there had to be some translating going on somewhere, any way that you look at it. Selah! Think of that! Just because 2nd and 3rd century manuscripts have been found that were written in Greek does not mean one can dogmatically insist that they were originally written in Greek.

Making dogmatic assertions, without the benefit of concrete evidence or a proof-text is not in accordance with the Berean example. If we are expected to put all our eggs in this intangible, unprovable basket, then if you don’t mind, we will look elsewhere for our views on inspiration.

After the "originals" had been initially transmitted, or inspired, or "God breathed." (as our intellectual scholar friends love to emphasize the literal root meaning of the Greek)... what then? Do the "originals" cease to be inspired? Do they cease to be alive? Do they cease to contain the breath of God after the initial act of transmission is over? Are they still inspired after 40 years have past? Are they still alive? Do they still contain God’s breath in them? Did they expire?

Let us go a step further and suppose that we made photocopies of the "original autographs" before they either perished or were lost. Would the photo copy scriptures be inspired? Be alive? Have God’s breath in them? We insist that these questions must be answered with an emphatic, "yes!"

It is not the parchment or the ink that is inspired or alive on either the originals or the subsequent copies; it is the words that are inspired and alive, for they are spirit and they are life! God did not preserve the parchment and the ink; He preserved His "word," the "scriptures."

God can and did recreate the parchment and ink of the "originals," which were burned in Jeremiah. He did not preserve an un-inspired Bible; He preserved an inspired Bible and it did not expire! It is alive! If it is the scripture it is inspired. If it is not the scripture it is not inspired. Only the scriptures are said to be inspired. It cannot even be said that the apostles were inspired. Moved or borne by the Holy Ghost? Yes! Inspired? No! The inspired copies that Timothy knew as a child (2Tim. 3:15,16) were certainly not the "originals," something which is admitted by the Bible correctors themselves. Still, these copies wee inspired.

Anything that God breathes into or inspires is alive for eternity (somewhere). God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul ever thereafter. (Man’s fall complicates our analogy, but man’s soul lives somewhere forever). God breathed His Spirit in the scripture, never to be breathed into again (so much for secondary inspiration). The King James Bible that we English speaking fold have today is alive. Inspired! It has the breath of God in it and it will never ever expire, because it lives and abides for ever (I Peter 1:23)

The advocates of the Good News bible, the Living bible, the R.S.V., the R.V., the A.S.V., the NKJV, King James 2, and any other copyrighted bible have never, to our knowledge, claimed infallibility, inerrancy, nor inspiration for their bibles. They would be the first to admit that these bibles are not alive and do not have God’s breath in them. Living things give birth to other living things. Dead things cause the vermin that feed upon them to reproduce.

These counterfeit English bibles have never demonstrated any living characteristics as has the King James Bible for almost 400 years. God’s stamp of approval is on the King James Bible. Man’s stamp of approval is on the counterfeits. It is not a question of which Bible we use; it is a question of which Bible does God use.

Some people have and do object by saying that people are saved through these counterfeits. We will not be put in the position of endorsing a doctrine because of someone’s supposed experience. If we are going to do that, we must join the tongue’s speakers and healers tomorrow. I am not bound by another man’s experience. [italics added]

Let us suppose that folks do get saved through perverted, counterfeit bibles. Still, folks can get saved by reading a commentary. It is possible but not probable. People get saved through tracts, which have only a small portion of the scriptures. Is it the corruptible seed of the counterfeit bibles, the commentaries, and the tracts that does the job, or is it the incorruptible seed that gives them birth? (I Pet. 1:23). Shall use scripture to address this doctrinal question or should we use opinion and situation ethics?

We have observed that, almost without exception (and we are not sure about the exceptions) that any so-called births from perverted counterfeit bibles (and even from perverted counterfeit churches) are more than often perverted or counterfeit also, in other words, spiritual cripples. We are reminded here of the reply that some give in answer to the objection that some people are really saved in the Charismatic movement or even the Catholic church. You can have a baby out of wedlock, but that is not the prescribed, accepted, or legitimate way to have one. The question is not "Can you?’ The question is, "Should you?"

Good News for Modem Man and the Living Bible spawned Jesus Freaks and hippie type Christians. Saved? I am not the judge. The R.S.V. bible spawned modernists and liberals. The more conservative bibles produced crippled fundamentalists with secret mental reservations, who doubt whether we really have God’s word. Nevertheless, instruction in righteousness is not the only test to evaluate a Bible. [emphasis added]

Inspired scripture (2 Timothy 3:16,17) "is profitable!" The "originals" or even the direct copy of the "originals" are not profitable to us right now, nor were they profitable to Timothy in his day. Timothy had only copies of copies of the "originals."

We are told that the scriptures must be profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness and that they must throughly furnish the man of God. Furthermore, they must be alive and be a discerner, according to Hebrews 4:12. The scripture must be an incorruptible "begetter," also according to I Peter 1:23 and James 1: 18. We submit that out of all the modem English Bibles in use today, only the Authorized King James Bible can pass all these requirements.

The King James Bible is unmatched in producing revivals, missionary endeavors, souls saved, founding of sound churches, founding of sound Bible colleges and institutes, doctrinal fidelity, separated morals, influence of Kings and countries, and even translation in other tongues without the benefit of the Hebrew and Greek. It is alive! [emphasis added]

Baptists "claim" to have but one authority for faith and practice... the scriptures. Is it too much to demand and expect that we live up to this claim? Brethren, we are not going to be judged by a history book, a creed, a church decision, a Hebrew or Greek lexicon/concordance, a Hebrew/Greek Grammar, or a pointy headed scholar or professor, or a Bible in another language. We are going to answer to the word of God (John 12:48) in English.

We can believe that the King James Bible is:

1. not inspired but not alive

2. not inspired and alive

3. inspired and alive

If we believe that it is neither inspired nor alive, our position is consistent, but we must admit to preaching a dead Book. If we believe that it is alive but not inspired, then we are inconsistent and contradictory, claiming that the Bible can be alive without the breath of God in it. If we believe that the King James Bible is both inspired and alive, then we can join together in demanding unconditional surrender to a Bible that has not "expired" by all Bible correctors and fence straddlers!

Much water has passed under the bridge since a handful of Bible believers first took this issue to the Christian public. Today, hundreds of books and articles are appearing in every nook and cranny of Christendom (seminary students are reading them under the covers at night with a flashlight).

Bible correcting educators, frustrated and unsuccessful in ignoring the issue, are unable to find wholesome words (I Timothy 6:3) or words that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:8) dispute or gainsay the issue. They have resorted to everything but the scriptures themselves, i.e., weasel wording, situation ethics, name calling (nuts, heretics, Ruckmanites), and words which man teaches (I Cor 2:13) in order to prove an "expired" Bible. Well...

Sticks and stones may break our bones

But names don’t answer an issue.

When you squirrels go down the tubes,

Us nuts won’t even miss you.

---------------

"To admit that you were wrong yesterday is only to acknowledge that you are a little wiser today, and rather than being an insult to your character, it shows that you are growing in the knowledge of the truth." (slightly paraphrased) -- Charles Spurgeon

---------------

"In par day the Bible is assailed by scurrility, by misrepresentation, by infidel scientists, by all the vice of earth and all the venom of perdition, and at this particular time ministers of religion fall into line of criticism of the Word of God...’But,’ say they, ’you don’t really believe that Samson slew a thousand with the jaw-bone of an ass?’ Yes, as I think that the man who in this day assaults the Bible is wielding the same weapon!"

-- by Haldor Lillenas

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted

’Mid the raging storms of time;

It’s pages bum with the truth eternal,

And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands like a mountain tow’ring

Far above the works of men;

It’s truth by none ever was refuted,

And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands and it will forever,

When the world has passed away;

By inspiration it has been given,

All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands ev'ry test we give it,

For its Author is divine;

By grace alone I expect to live it,

And to prove it and make it mine.

Chorus

The Bible stands tho’ the hills may tumble,

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,

For the Bible stands.

back to top

As a result of the articles we wrote about Bob Jones University, calling them into question for what some of their teachers have been teaching, pointing our liberal trends in their philosophies and dealing with observations of BJU from a Christian student’s perspective, we have lost approximately 90 percent of the financial support from readers of this publication.

It looks like we’ve been pretty stupid all along! If we had written a favorable article about BJU, we might have had quite an increase in monetary support. And, of course, that would have been a sign that the Spirit was really moving in people’s hearts and producing revival!

Now we know why all the other students and teachers keep their mouths shut -- Job security. OK, We apologize. We’ll take it all back. Pretty please? How could we have been so foolish to speak out against a vast and immense organization which has such a tremendous hold on people -- kind of like they were the Vicar of Christ. Really, we could have cursed, blasphemed the name of Christ, posted obscene pictures in this publication, and most BJU’ites would have said nothing. But the moment we began mentioning names, the giant shook himself and took action

-- not so much because the name of Christ was being assaulted, but because the name of BJU was being called into question.

Well, you can all keep your money. We have lived long enough without it. We don’t need your filthy lucre. But we’re sure if you’ll send it to BJU, they’ll put your name on a plaque, a brick, or dedicate a chair, a room or building after you. They might even go easy on you the next time you sin against God.

No one is a Fundamentalist who is unwilling stand alone by conviction on the fundamentals of the faith. There is an ecumenicity among "Fundamentalism" which has no strength except for that which all the Liberals and compromisers depend upon themselves-- "peer pressure." A Fundamentalist speaker must address his crowd the same way a Liberal addresses his crowd -- Give them what they want to hear; Don’t rock the boat; Don’t bring up controversial issues; Don’t speak on things that most of your crowd are guilty of.

Yet, by definition, a true Fundamentalist loves truth so much, he is willing to be kicked out of his own camp for it. Charles Spurgeon withdrew from the British Baptist Union, not because most "Fundamentalists" were doing it—No, he withdrew by conviction. He was a Fundamentalist, a fighting Fundamentalist. All the wimps stayed in the program and separated from the honorable Charles Spurgeon. Well, we’ll take the side of Charles Spurgeon. You can ask your preacher, your church, your denomination, your school, your wife, your children or your best friend what side you should take.

back to top

When? July 5-8, 1999

Where? The outside of Bob Jones University

Occasion—The World Congress of Fundamentalism

The editor of this paper is planning a mission trip, not to uncivilized Mexicans or heathen Africans, but to fully educated, qualified and civilized Fundamentalists.

Since this editor is planning on picketing "Fundamentalism" and BJU all at one time, by personal, eyewitness facts and observations, he does not expect every Christian to attend by conviction. He does expect graduates who know better to do what they can either to save Fundamentalism or to so witness the truth, so as to leave the school without excuse on the day of judgment.

Why? Because right is still right no matter who is against it, and wrong is still wrong even if everyone is for it. Because one man plus God equals a majority. Because God requires more of people who have been given more. Because Truth is more important than Unity. Because if we love someone, we will tell them the truth, even when it hurts. Because Truth is powerful-- powerful enough to open blinded eyes, unclog stopped ears, loosen dumb tongues and quicken dead hearts. Because those who ate in error today will condemn God’s people on the day of judgment for knowing what was right, but keeping silent: remaining as useful as dumb dogs who will not bark. Because God’s blessings are upon the obedient, not according to their "results," but according to their faithfulness. Because God’s rewards unto his saints throughout eternity will be according to their works. -- So run that ye may obtain!

While we are sure there will be good men and good messages given during the World Congress of Fundamentalism, we are seeking to address the areas of decline. Manta Luther said, "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest expression every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the Devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

The Program -- Since it has been taught in the Ministry and Finance class for the "Preacher Boys" at BJU that pink and yellow offering envelopes get the most results, we intend to utilize our education, with minor adjustments. Bright pink and yellow poster-boards will be made into signs reading,

FUN--DA--MENTAL--ISM = DA MENTALITY OF FUN

RELIGION :>)

[This evidences a change in methods.]*

"This is an ever-increasing problem across the board of Christianity --- A religion of recreation, entertainment and amusement, devoid of doctrine, truth and righteousness. Fun, games, programs, activities, outings, puppets, dramas, skits and clowns adorn the house of God as if it were a circus in Vanity Fair. Come out of her my people that ye be not partaker of her sins. If the Word -- the preaching of the cross, which is deemed as foolishness -- is not enough to get them in the front doors, then it will never he enough to keep them, preserve them, delight them and take them to that eternal and holy place were God swells. We intend to reinforce this message by dressing in a clown outfit, with painted face, balloons and all.

"LEAVE YOUR CHRISTIANITY IN THE HALL" -- BJU

PROFESSOR

[This evidences a change in mood]*

This statement made by a Philosophy of history teacher at BJU on the first day of class shows the result of the Christ-less philosophy of state schools upon teachers at BJU. A Christian viewing the anything of the world through the spectacles of Christianity cannot be "Objective" in his evaluation of "facts" – so it is taught by half of the History department at BJU. Christians are said to be too often "Subjective" since they read so much of their beliefs into the facts which they present. We expect the news media might actually pick up on this one. We will probably play on the trumpet such songs as "I am a Stranger Here within a Foreign Land" and others.

ABORTION IS MURDER—EVEN FOR

FUNDAMENTALISTS

[This evidences a change in morals]*

Since BJU and Fundamentalism today counsel pregnant mother s whose lives are in danger, to go ahead and kill their babies in order to save their own lives—"even an unborn child does not have an innate right to kill its parent" – we believe that such a selfish, ungodly, humanistic, and situational-ethic type of reasoning completely sets itself against faith in the Sovereignty of an Almighty God. Not only is Scripture devoid of any such practice (except by the heathen), but it gives examples where women died in childbirth, and nothing was done to kill the baby to save the mother. Had Jacob killed Benjamin to save the life of his wife, Rachel, he would not only have killed one person, but the entire tribe of Benjamin would have never existed.

When a child is killed, all his posterity is killed as well. Had Jacob killed Benjamin to save the life of his one wife, Rachel, the Apostle Paul would have never been born, nor all the Pauline Epistles ever written -- most of the New Testament. While we are not delighted that Rachel died, we can sure thank God that Benjamin lived, and we can trust God that He is Sovereign and the giver and taker of life.

The Scriptures do give a solution when it is important that children not be born. Have you ever heard of the Ethiopian Eunuch? Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar. We will probably play on the trumpet

such songs as "Jesus Loves the Little Children," and "Jesus Loves me this I know." Who knows? The news media might even pick up on that one.

"CAN FUNDAMENTALISTS PREACH FROM THEIR

’INFALLIBLE BIBLE’?" and

"DO FUNDAMENTALISTS PREACH FROM AN

’INFALLIBLE BIBLE’?"

[This evidences a change in message.]*

Since the first and primary requirement to be a Fundamentalist is to "maintain an immovable allegiance to the inerrant, infallible, and verbally-inspired Bible," we would love for BJU to let us know if they preach from one. If they don’t, then according to their own definition, they must acknowledge that they really are not true Fundamentalists after all, just aspiring Fundamentalists. We will probably play on the trumpet such songs as "The Bible Stands," "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," "Holy Bible Book Divine, precious treasure, Thou art mine," "The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that’s the book for me" and other songs.

THE BIBLE STILL STANDS, BUT BJU IS NOT STANDING STILL

BJU recently celebrated its 70’th year of existence with the motto, "Still Standing, but not standing still." We would agree with the motto -- with the picture of an old man tottering on the edge of a crumbling cliff. The Bible says, "let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." We do not believe BJU is taking heed as they ought to do, so we intend to remind them. We intend to play "Taps" on the trumpet.

We intend to go by the grace of God if we are all alone, and we are confident that there shall be more with us than there are with them. Oh who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land!

* To this day, BJU teaches that the steps in the decline of an institution begin with a change in methods, then a change in mood, then a change in morals, and lastly a change in message.

back to top

Mother

"Dear as you are to me, 1 would much rather you should have found your grave in the ocean you have crossed, or that an untimely death have cropped you in your infant years, than see you an immoral, profligate, or graceless child." – Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, to her son John Quincy Adams, later to become the sixth President of the United States.

-------------------------

The following quote is from Charles Spurgeon’s sermon,

Now, some people love the doctrine of "universal atonement" because they say it is so beautiful. It is a lovely idea that "Christ should have died for all men"; it commends itself, they say, to the instincts of humanity; there is something in it full of joy and beauty.

I admit there is; but beauty may be olden associated with falsehood.

There is much which I might well admire in the theory of "universal redemption" but let me just tell you what this supposition necessarily involves --

If Christ on his cross intended to save every man, then he intended to save those who were damned before he died: because if this doctrine (that he died for all men) is true, he died for some that were in hell before he came into this world, for doubtless there were myriads there that had been cast away.

Once again, if it were Christ’s intention to save all men, how deplorably has he been disappointed! For we have his own evidence that there is a lake that burns with fire and brimstone, and into that pit must be cast some of the very people, who according to that theory, were bought with his blood!

To think that my Savior died for men in hell, seems a supposition too horrible for me to imagine -- that he was the substitute for the sons of men, and that God having first punished the substitute, punished these same men again, seems to me to conflict with any idea of justice.

That Christ should offer an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that afterwards, some of those very men should be punished for the same sins which Christ had already atoned for, seems to me, to be the most marvellous monstrosity that ever could have been imputed to Saturn, to Janus, ay, to the god of the Thugs, or the most diabolical heathen demons!

God forbid that we should ever think thus of Jehovah, the just and wise.

Write today for a free book by Pastor Timothy Fellows, Sr. entitled, Letters. The Book is a compilation of about eleven years of correspondence on many different issues from a Biblical perspective. He writes about issues such as the preservation of Scripture. He writes to atheists, evolutionists, Catholics, Jews, doubting souls. He writes on issues such as government, insurance and taxation. He writes about music, instruments, women preachers, modest apparel, Christian education. He writes to people who lost loved ones, saved and unsaved. The book is a very good resource to have on hand.

"Whether a person intentionally deceives people, or whether he deceives people unintentionally, it is a serious thing to lead people into error. ‘Be not many masters’ (i.e. teachers), wrote James, ‘knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation’ (3:1). -- L.H., 01-04-88"

"I am sorry for you that you have no foundation on which you can say, ‘This is right,’ but then, relativism is the judgment God brings upon everyone who rejects His Word. - M.B., 07-04-87"