The Italian Memorandum

“…for the ways of the LORD are right…”

(Hosea 14:9)

Abraham’s servant bowed his head worshipfully and said—“…blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way…” (Genesis 24:48). Later, Moses, himself, would articulate a theology of the right way:

A. The right way is not based upon personally drawn conclusions (Deut. 12:8; 13:1-5; 18:19-22).

B. The right way is grounded in obedience to the documented word of the Lord (Bible) (Deut. 12:28; Ps. 33:4).

C. The right way is known through the commandments (mitvah) (Deut. 13:18).

The Major Post-Modern Assumptions Deserving Biblical Refutation:

1. All religions, churches, and philosophical systems are equally valid (Prov. 12:15; Matt. 15:9,13).
2. God is a purely arbitrary choice on the behalf of the individual (Prov. 16:25).
3. There is no historical/factual basis for Christianity (Lk. 3:1-2; Acts 26:26).
4. Human experience is the ultimate factor in determining truth (Deut. 12;8; Prov. 21:2).
5. There is no room for an exclusive approach to truth (Jn. 14:6; Deut. 12:29-32; Jude 3; Acts 13:10; 2 Pet. 2:15).
6. Sin is merely an outdated view of environmental and social injustices (1 Jn. 1:8).
7. Ultimate issues (origin of the universe; human meaning; salvation; etc.) have little or no bearing on the real world (Heb. 11:3,6).

– Robert Housby

“Holy and reverend is his name”

(Psalm 111:9)

We received a call recently, in which the caller voiced his opinion that Christians should not be people who live in fear. He went on to express how fear is a paralyzing force and quite detrimental. 1 John 4:18 was quoted to bolster his case—“perfect love casts out fear.” In our opinion, fear has not always been subject to a fair hearing. So, what is the proper theology of fear? May we suggest the following:

1. Fear and trembling have a sacred origin and endorsement in the Old Testament (Ps. 2:11;119:120).

2. Though, fear and trembling are not always from God (see Job 4:14; Ps. 55:5; Hab. 3:16). Biblical context determines which type of fear- experience is meant—useful or destructive.

3. But, one must not conclude prematurely that fear is either Old Testament based or destructive, for we encounter in the New Testament a complete theological development of fear (Phil. 2:13; Heb. 12:28-29; 1 Cor. 2:3; 2 Cor. 7:15).

The prophet Isaiah said, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isa. 66:2). Yes, there is a relevance of reverence among the Lord’s people (2 Tim. 2:19).

– Robert M. Housby

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle; when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked his students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes”.
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – – GOD, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions – – and if everything else was lost and only these remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else – – the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.” (Mt. 6:33)
“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your soul: Prayer and serving God, playing with your children, taking time to get medical checkups. Taking your spouse out to dinner or just playing another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first – – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

-Copied from the Grimsley Tennessee Church of Christ bulletin (8-19-07)

“…knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord…”

(Ephesians 6:8)

Pyapp (pronounced rapidly: pee’-yap) and Granny were my grandfather and grandmother, respectively. Their real names were James and Apollonia. We knew them as Pyapp and Granny. When I was about four years old, Granny put coffee grinds and apple peelings in Pyapp’s empty carton of Half & Half cream. Then, we waited for him to come into the kitchen and add it to his coffee. It happened just as planned. Granny and I laughed our heads off when Pyapp got the garbage scraps instead of the cream. But, it didn’t end there. Pyapp would chase me—all the while pulling out his false teeth and making them chatter. Quite the mayhem for a four year old. I remember bringing my friends over to look at Pyapp. I’d say, “Do the teeth thing!” He’d do it, and we’d all scatter. Summers were often times for spraying Pyapp with the water hose. The chase was on. One thing is for sure, Pyapp and Granny invested in people, not things.

Are we taking time enough for people? No doubt about it, our days are filled with so many activities. We can’t do everything, but we can do something; and, what we can do, we should do; and what we should do, by the grace of God, we will do. Evaluate how your time is spent. Are you investing in people or in things? Relationships matter. Relationships should take precedence. Jesus told his disciples, “…I have called you friends…” (John 15:15).

Pyapp and Granny no longer sit under the breezes of the cottonwood tree. But, we remember what it was like when they invested their time, not in things, but in people. Ephesians 6:8 (quoted above) still applies. Let’s re-invest in the work.

-Robert M. Housby

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock”

(Isaiah 26:4)

Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778) wrote that most popular of English hymns, Rock of Ages. It was this great hymn that echoed through Westminster Abbey during the funeral of Prime Minister William E. Gladstone. The history behind it is quite fascinating. The Christian lyrics arose from a theological debate. Especially important, in this regard, is the second stanza:

Could my tears forever flow, could my zeal no languor know,

these for sin could not atone-Thou must save and Thou alone.

It seems that Toplady was involved in a contention with John Wesley. Wesley was urging a seeking of salvation, while Toplady was denying the human role in salvation.
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The being behind the rock, in the text of Isaiah 26:4 is the LORD God. He is traceable to Deuteronomy 32:4, depicted as his people’s strength; refuge (Ps. 31:2-33); and, salvation Deut. 32:15; Ps. 89:26). In the New Testament, the Rock is identified with Christ (1 Cor. 10:4) from whom the Spirit flows (John 4:13-14); the foundation of the church (Matt. 16:18) and it’s corner-stone (Eph. 2:20).

Next time that you sing, Rock of Age, realize that there is indeed a being behind the belief.

– Robert M. Housby

Two Special Months: Aug. – Sept.

“…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective…”

(Philemon 6)

Who may participate?
New Testament Christians (Acts 11:26; 19:1-5).

What would I be doing in this “Evangelistic Emphasis” ?
There will be special August and September Tuesday and Thursday night meetings (6:30 p.m. at church bldg.). These meetings will be opportunities to assess where we are with the contacts. It is not necessary that you attend all such meetings to be involved. Depending on your background, some will actually be conducting Bible studies. Others will not be making actual gospel presentations, but will be doing support ministries. Evangelistic Support Ministries (ESM):

E – Enlisting the names of loved ones who need Christ and have yet to make a commitment toward becoming a New Testament Christian.

S – Specific Supplication prayers for this effort.

M – Manage to attend meetings; make recommendations regarding your submitted names; organize our materials; and go with our new-converts into a New Christians Class.

Jesus said, “If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26).

– Robert M. Housby

“So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold”

(1 Kings 12:28)

The story of Jeroboam’s golden calves is contained in 1 Kings 12. The Bible says that he put one of the golden calves in Bethel, and the other in Dan. 1 Kings 12:30 states that the people then went to these places to worship. The respected Hebrew scholar, F. Furman Kearley asks—“Was Jeroboam’s religion as good as the religion of God as revealed through Moses?” This question is very timely because people today are saying that one religion is as good as another; or, that one church is as good as any other (Is One Religion as Good as Another? Gospel Advocate (May, 2003): 20-21.

Jeroboam led this rebellion against Rehoboam and thereby divided the kingdom. He feared that if the people continued to worship according to the law at Jerusalem, they would leave him and go back to Rehoboam. So, he simply started a new religious practice to satisfy his own feelings.

1. He rejected the law of the Lord (from Moses’ to his own).
2. He changed the manner of worship (from Yahweh to familiar calves of Egypt).
3. He changed the place of worship (from Jerusalem to Dan and Bethel)
4. He changed the time of worship (originally the 1st, 3rd and 7th mos. to the 8th mo.)
5. He changed the people authorized to offer worship (originally Levites).

There are many today who choose the golden calves of Bethel; leave Jerusalem, and go as far as Dan to worship in the glitter of Jeroboam. This was sin then, and it is sin today.

– Robert M. Housby

“When a man’s ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemiesto be at peace with him”

(Proverbs 16:7)

“Now before he [Enoch] was taken he was commended as having pleased God”

(Hebrews 11:5)

Do your ways please God? The Bible is full of instances which depict: land pleasing man; woman pleasing man; man pleasing woman; servants pleasing kings; and, yes, man pleasing God (Gen. 49:15; Neh. 2:7; 1 Cor. 7:33,34; Heb. 11:5). We have noticed that there appears a rather definite theology of pleasing God in the book of Hebrews.

1. 10:6,8,38 – God determines what is pleasing, and what is not.
2. 11:5 – The example of Enoch.
3. 11:6 – The principle of faith as essential to pleasing God.
4. 12:28 – The exhortation to offer acceptable worship as pleasing.
5. 13:16 – The act of praise and doing good pleases God.
6. 13:21 – The clarification that doing his will is God pleasing when done through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:13 reads: “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Do your ways please the Lord?

– Robert M. Housby

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols”

(1 John 5:21)

The New Testament scholar, Dr. Neil Lightfoot, recounts the old line of American liberal theology in 5 general observations (Notes taken September 7, 1989, RMH). Since these observations are still a part of American mentality, we make them available, as follows:

1. God is pure goodness and love. All men are his children. Sin does not separate man from his love. So, let us talk of, and emphasize, brotherhood and the Fatherhood of God.

2. Man, likewise is good; a spark of the divine. Men need only to be encouraged to express their natural goodness.

3. Jesus Christ is man’s savior in the qualified sense that he is a perfect example and teacher; though there is nothing really unique about him. He was not born of a virgin; didn’t work miracles; and, was not raised from the dead.

4. Christianity is different from other religions only in that it is the highest and best that has so far appeared.

5. The Bible is not a record of divine revelation. Bible doctrine is not necessary or normative. The essence of Christianity is ethical, not doctrinal.

The above should be carefully studied and understood, because they are where many Americans live (especially see 1 John chap. 5 and Romans chap. 3).

– Robert M. Housby

“…what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

(1 Peter 4:17)

We have come across some information that, while we have known as much, the impact of the stats are staggering. According to the research of Dr. John Palmer—

19 out of every 20 who become a Christian do so before age 25.

After 25, only 1 in 10,000 respond
After 35, only 1 in 50,000 respond
After 45, only 1 in 200,000 respond
After 55, only 1 in 300,000 respon
After 65, only 1 in 500,000 respond
Afyter 75, only 1 in 700,000 respond
After 85, only 1 in a million.

Dr. Palmer goes on to say, “It is evident that the time to make Christians is when the mind is still plastic, and the habits are not yet fixed, and when sin has not yet fastened its death grip upon that life” (Dictionary of Prophetic Terms, Signs & Symbols, Star Bible Publications, p. 75). This data is based upon a 6 billion world-wide population (2000).

To obey the gospel is to become a Christian at the point of Christian baptism (Romans 6:3-5; 6:17). Do you know of a loved one who has put off this act of submission to the Lord Jesus? Perhaps they will realize that it won’t be long for most, and can’t be very long for any. Have you obeyed the gospel yet?

-Robert M. Housby