Questions and Feedback July-August 2006nswer to other's questions.

In Response to "Turning the Grace of God into a Carnal Weapon"

Dear Larry,

Thank you for the article about turning the grace of God into a carnal weapon. Since three of my five sons got snared by the grace-fellowship movement (one of whom was rescued from it), my experience mirrors yours. Secrecy, plotting, and a “brotherhood” within a brotherhood are all marks of that movement. It was dishonesty which woke up my oldest son.

May God bless you in your work.

In Christ,

Paul

In Response to “Social Relationships in a Local Congregation"

Larry,

Your sermon on "Social Relationships in a local congregation" was a good and timely subject. I am afraid the Church is slowly degenerating into a "good ole boy society". Spiritual issues are seldom talked about any more, especially at any depth. We, as a result, are cultivating a new crop of Christians that do not know the Bible and therefore God and Jesus, and certainly do not apply what the Bible teaches, to themselves.

It is good to see you dealing with this important issue.

Ross

In Response to "When the Kingdom of God Appears to Fail"

Larry,

Your article "When the Kingdom of God Appears to Fail" addresses a very important need and brings a very important reminder to us all. From some of our own disappointments from churches we have been a part of there is the temptation to conclude that the kingdom has failed! Brethren are too quick to generalize and express doom and gloom without looking at the bigger picture. I am very glad you wrote on this subject!

Brotherly,

Mark

Brother Rouse,

I receive your online bulletin and would like permission to use the material in our women's groups and possibly print some of the articles for study with friends.

Thank you,

Sharon

Brother Rouse,

R.M.

In Response to "Competition for the Mind"

and "Shallow Thinking - False Conclusions"

Larry,

Why didn't you ever tell us you could put together a bulletin as good as your current one. It is outstanding. I look forward to getting it and will usually take 10 minutes to read it as soon as it comes. I used two of the articles - "Competition for the Mind" and "Shallow Thinking" in my material at camp. Competition for the Mind struck a nerve with the 12th graders (just graduated) that led to a discussion that went over our allotted time (1 hour) by about 45 minutes. It cut into boating/jet-ski time for some of them so it must have been good.

Take care, you are in our prayers.

Charles

Hi Brother Rouse,

It is so good to hear from you through your monthly and weekly e-mail. I get an opportunity every now and again to look at a few of the articles and I have benefited from several. Thanks for undertaking that ministry. I know it's not an incredibly easy task.

Nathan

Larry,

I appreciate being on our mailing list and the teaching in the material you send. It is very enlightening and uplifting.

I have been trying to get some grandsons to study and discuss Bible teaching. Their busy schedules of secular activities too often get in the way from the standpoint of time.

I am taking the liberty of forwarding these short articles to them and urging them to read them and study with me any questions they might have. I am not trying to substitute your material in lieu of personal contact, but rather trying to supplement what I am able to do with these excellent articles.

Keep up the good work.

Paul

Larry,

Thanks so much for getting us in your email loop. What a wealth of resources this provides!

Jane

Brother Larry,

Thanks for your publication and I think I learn a lot from different articles.

Thanks and God Bless.

Roman

Larry,

A friend sent me your website info and I am very impressed. You have done a great job with it. Sure hope the work in Virginia goes well.

May God continue to bless you in His work.

Yours in Him,

R.J.

In Response to "Turning the Grace of God into a Carnal Weapon"

Larry,

Excellent article! I appreciated your emphasis on how a Christian, who truly understands and lives by the grace of God, handles disagreements with others and maintains a proper spirit and attitude toward others, maintaining honesty, avoiding labeling others, and speaks with mercy and grace himself. It was very good also how you exposed the abuse of grace by so many who use it not only as a license to sin, but especially so to elevate themselves, their elite groups, and their doctrinal error in the name of "grace." Good job!

Brotherly,

Mark

In Response to "Cut it Down and Forget it"

I noticed the article "Cut it Down and Forget it" There is a sermon version of that article also.

http://heartofgod.org/outlines/cutitdown.html

Thanks for the email.

Lenny

In Response to The May 14 Edition of the Charlottesville Beacon

Larry,

you guys never cease to amaze me what another great set of inspirational articles and good "meat" for the spiritual soul.

God Bless!!!!

Scott

May 14, bulletin

Hello Larry,

Thanks for having us on the list to receive the bulletin. You do a great job with it.

We pray things will continue to go well with the work. Keep on keeping on!

Give your family our best.

Brotherly,

Phillip

In Response to “Benjamin Franklin on the Failure of Creeds”

I'm not sure if I understand your take on the creeds. If "creed" comes from the credo (I believe) and someone says "no creed, but the bible" isn't this itself a creed (an I believe statement)?

Thanks,

Jeffery

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My Reply

Hello Jeffery,

Thank you for your well thought out question. You are right concerning the general definition of a creed being a statement of belief. I have no problem with someone relating what they believe in this way. Obviously my website and even this e-mail is an expression of what I believe at this point in time. However, I am wiling to change when the evidence is presented and thus my "creed" in that sense will change. Also, I do not expect people to follow what I say because I said it. I fully expect others to test what I say from the scriptures first, and then stand upon the scriptures and not just from following any expression from my limited knowledge (Acts 17:11).

The 19th century writer, Benjamin Franklin, was dealing with official creeds of the denominations of his day. I do believe that these official denominational creeds represent a roadblock to open Bible study and genuine change towards God. In addition creeds will entrench error in a group and become a major roadblock to eliminating division.

Why not take the Bible alone and leave all official creeds?

I am attaching a good article on this subject for your consideration.

Thank you again for the good question. I am open to hear and consider any response you may have.

May the Lord bless you in your service to Him.

In Christian Love,

Larry Rouse

Click to Read: The Real Protestant Position on the All-Sufficient Bible

Jeff's Response 6/26/2006

You ask "Why not take the Bible alone and leave all official creeds?"

The next question would be which Bible. Once you answer that, you are expanding on your creed "the bible alone." I'm assuming you would say the 66 books of the protestant Bible, etc. (which is stated in some of the confessions, e.g. Westminster). Then, your are going to have to answer what Jesus (since there are so many different take, e.g. the Jesus of the JWs, Mormons, etc.). Once you start defining who Jesus is, you are expanding on your creed "the bible alone, Christ alone," which is what the confessions do.

So, we "want" people to believe the 66 books of the protestant Bible and in the divinity of Jesus, etc. We don't want people to be open minded, in that sense, to these particular doctrinal, since they are foundation to the Christian faith. No doubt, we need to test all things, holding fast to that which is good/right/true. But, creed and confessions do keep one from doing this...at least as I see it.

Thanks for your time,

Jeff

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My Reply

Hello Jeffery,

As I answered in my first letter, whenever I or anyone else express a personal belief then that does fit the general definition of a "creed." My opposition was to official creeds that tie men down to a mindless conformity and not a living, dynamic faith that tests, examines and changes when the evidence is there. I cannot oppose the general definition of a creed since if I opposed that would be in opposition to faith itself! "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

You are again correct concerning "which Bible" and "which Jesus!" One should willingly test these and any other personal "creeds" or beliefs. I will be excited to share my evidence with you on these things.

Before I go further I would like to know what you believe. Where do you stand in respect to the historical Jesus? May I ask you the question Jesus asked the Pharisees: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He? (Matt 22:41-42)

I will send material on the questions concerning the Bible and Jesus tomorrow. I am looking forward to further discussions!

In Christian Love,

Larry Rouse

In Response to “CNN’s Attack Upon the Lord’s Church”

Just wondering if CNN's attack may have originated from TRUTH, not some Baptists opinion.

Perhaps CNN's attack originated from many congregations placing;

1. The attendance of Wednesday nights above not wearing excessive jewelry. Wednesday night's not in scripture, wearing excessive jewelry is.

2. Being at absolutely every Sunday gathering.

When the word for 'do not "forsake" the gathering' is "abandon" which means to completely give up, NOT occasionally miss a gathering.

3. Congregations placing their 'budget' above the giving of its members.

We are to give what "We" choose to give, NOT under compulsion of someone telling us how much to give.

4. False preaching against such things as public swimming, buying a lottery ticket, etc.

5. That someone not baptized by a church of Christ preacher is not saved.

Perhaps these types of teaching ’do’ constitute a 'sect'.

Best wishes, ;0)

Titus 1:9