The Italian Memorandum

“There was no getting around the stubborn fact that taking sweetmeats was only ‘hooking,’ while taking bacon and hams…was plain simple stealing…”

(Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, chapter 13)

“Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished”

(Malachi 1:14; 1:8)

The prophet Malachi did not mince words when he leveled a rebuke at God’s people for ripping off the LORD their God. That rebuke still rings and resonates in the ears of all who would do his will. A sampling of the rebuke appear as follows, with a brief analysis—

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me”

(Malachi 3:8)

1. The Lord has expectations for his people (3:8,9).
2. These expectations are not empty, but full expectations (3:10a).
3. It is not vain to serve God (3:13,14).
4. Service to God will open the windows of heaven and blessing (3:3:10b).

Will you not serve him today? “Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him” (3:18).

– Robert M. Housby

GREAT SONGS OF THE CHURCH

(Devotional in Prayer)

“…praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayer and supplication…”

(Ephesians 6:18)

E.M. Bounds wrote, “Prayer links human weakness with the power of the over-coming Son” (The Possibilities of Prayer). Prayer, for the Christian, is a privilege. It is founded upon the promises and precepts of Scripture, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20). And, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And, again, “First, of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1).

The question, “Did you think to pray?” is a humble reminder that one would pray. To be devotionally committed to God through Christ in prayer is but an excursion through this life hand in hand with one’s Creator and Redeemer. We say that it is a privilege because non-Christians, the unbaptized or nominal backslider, will not come around to such a devotional approach to life. But, to the faithful, the hour of prayer is always at hand; the act of prayer is always a blessing; and the life of prayer is always about a relationship with one’s Lord.

There may be something for which you need to pray right now. May you be informed that the God of heaven hears prayer (1 John 5:14,15).

– Robert M. Housby

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin—for they had said, He has an unclean spirit”

(Mark 3:28-30)

Mark 3:28-30 is a disturbing passage of Scripture. Often, during Bible-based discussions, someone will ask about this passage and the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. We have heard many explanations of it; one which even hints at the idea as being antiquated and no longer a possibility. In the pluralistic culture of our times, where all religions are of equal value, and political correctness is quick to point out bigoted statements, a reconsideration of Mark 3:28-30 may very much be in order.

Text         Teaching                Cultural Reaction

Mk. 3:28     “I say to you”          Jesus was just a man.
Mk. 3:28     “all sins”              Sin is nothing but social problems.
Mk. 3:28     “blasphemies”           Do not apply in the modern world.
Mk. 3:29     “the Holy Spirit”       One spirit is as good as another.
Mk. 3:29     “forgiveness”           If there is a God, he will forgive all.
Mk. 3:29     “guilty”                Guilt is just psychological neurosis.
Mk. 3:29     “an eternal sin”        When one dies, life is over.
Mk. 3:30     “an unclean spirit”     Just more religious gibberish.

What do all of the above cultural reactions have in common?

1. Rejection of Jesus as a prophet.
2. Displacement of biblical faith in favor of psychology and sociology.
3. Assuming that the General Theory of Evolution is correct.
4. Reducing Christianity to a non-credible and laughable world view.

Mark 3:28-30 is a disturbing passage—and it should be!

– Robert M. Housby

(Colossians 1:21-23)

“…if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast,
not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard…”

(Colossians 1:23, ESV)

When George Ricker Berry translated Colossians 1:23, in his literal rendering, directly from the Greek New Testament, he chose the wording: “founded and firm” (Interlinear Greek-English New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978), 522). The English Standard Version reads: “stable and steadfast;” while the King James Version has—“grounded and settled.”

Colossians 1:23 describes Christian development in several key ways:

1. Col. 1:21,22 speaks of what God has done, and is doing for the believer. Note the past and present references of benefit here.

2. Although set up as a condition, this conditional sentence, “if” (1:23) expresses Paul’s confidence that the condition will be met with stable and steadfast living.

3. The caution against shifting away from the original gospel and being carried away with another gospel is stressed. Likely, the falsification here meant unnecessary supplementing of the gospel (see 2:6-15).

According to Colossians 1:21-23, Christian development means: (1) Realizing what God has done and is doing for us (2) Accepting the conditional nature of the faith; while having apostolic confidence that one can well continue (3) That the original gospel will be preferred and kept.

– Robert M. Housby

[Reprinted from The Reminder church bulletin of the Dexter, Missouri Church of Christ. Author of “Grumble Tone” unknown. Revised and condensed by Robert M. Housby, Oct. 5, 2006]

Once there was a certain Grumble Tone who ran away to sea.
“I’m sick of things on land,” said he, “as sick as I can be.”
“A life upon the bounding waves will be the one for me.”

But, rising ocean billows failed to stimulate true mirth,
Neither vessel, wind or vista could take away the dearth,
Instead, a certain Grumble Tone could be heard within the berth.

The journey would lead to foreign lands with many a wondrous sight.
But, nothing that was heard or seen seemed just exactly right.
For, Grumble Tone, who sought delight, was plagued by constant plight.

This wanton wandering throughout this world wide
Could not for grace and peace subside,
The reason now we dare confide.

Neither North nor South, o’er land and sea, can bring one happiness,
When Grumble Tone is discontent—
It followed him where- e’re he went.

“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9).

– Robert M. Housby

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in king’s courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you”

(Luke 7:24-27)

Great expectations can be very advantageous (Lk. 3:15; Phil. 1:20). However, expectations can also be very disheartening if they are not based in fact or on faith (Prov.11:23; Acts 12:11).

1. Acts 3:5 states that a certain beggar expected one thing from the gospel, but got quite another. Should he have been disappointed? No.
2. Luke 7:24-28 raises the whole question about who was John the Baptist. Those who did not realize John’s divine identity (Malachi 3:1), were faced with either revising their expectations of him, or rejecting him altogether. Of course, revising our thinking is in order—if by revising our thinking, we correct to the will of God.
3. Proverbs 3:6 is warranted wisdom regarding expectations: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” If one is usually discontented an expectation check may be in order.

So, even though things are not how you would like for them to be—do not base your daily happiness or eternity on it. Base your expectations on the Rock, and, then, come what may, you will be satisfied (Ps. 18:2; 40:2; Isa. 51:1,2; Matt. 7:24; 1 Cor. 10:4). The Lord is the Rock.

– Robert M. Housby

“Come see the place where the Lord lay”

(Matt.28: 6)

The term, “tomb” (mnemeion, Matt. 27:60) can be appreciated by the Christian on several levels. Although the concepts of the Lord’s death and resurrection are not new to us, when these two fundamental themes of the gospel are viewed in relation to the tomb of Christ, we find that both are represented. In other words, the tomb goes both ways, as Paul’s speech at Antioch of Pisidia indicates – “…they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead” (Acts 13: 29, 30). The tomb (mnemion) embraces Christ’s death and resurrection—it is a virtual sanctuary for the great themes of the Gospel.

But, is a return to the tomb really necessary? We think that it is a warranted action on the part of all Christians, novices and veterans alike. We say this in lieu of the sporadic hijacking of many Judeo-Christian concepts today: success through the Proverbs of Solomon; stable family values; money-matters; and relationships in general. But, to take all of these valuable Biblical concepts and sell them without regard to the power of the Gospel is certainly a terrible blunder of omission.

So, why should you return to the tomb?

1. It is the central sanctuary of Christian faith (2Cor. 5:15; 1Thess. 4:14; etc.).
2. It points out the futility of trying to achieve the good-life, without the good news (1Cor. 15: 1-4).
3. It asserts the historical-factual nature of the Gospel (Acts 13: 29-31).
4. It reaffirms how baptism is the watery-grave—and, such it is (Rom. 6:3-5).

– Robert M. Housby

[A list of references of the causes of salvation. This list refutes and exposes those groups which subjectively select one cause over another. See Acts 20:27; Ps. 119:160. It is a given that God is the ultimate author of salvation –Tit. 2:13; 3:4; Heb. 5:9]

1. Grace (Ephesians 2:8)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith…”

2. Mercy (Titus 3:5)
“…according to his mercy he saved us”

3. The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
“Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved”

4. Jesus’ Name (Acts 4:12)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”

5. Hope (Romans 8:24)
“For in this hope we were saved”

6. Preaching (1 Corinthians 1:18)
“…but to us who are being saved it [“the word of the cross”] is the power of God”

7. Confession of faith (Romans 10:10)
“…with the mouth one confesses and is saved”

8. Obedience (Hebrews 5:9)
“…he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey”

9. Love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
“…because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”

10. Ourselves (Philippians 2:12)
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

11. Baptism (1 Peter 3:21)
“…Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you”

-Robert M. Housby

“And God said, Let there be lights
in the expanse of the heavens…”

(Genesis 1:14; Ezek. 32:7,8)

Pluto has an extremely eccentric orbit. It is sometimes closer to the sun than to its neighbor, Neptune. Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, Pluto has most recently (2006) been re-classified based upon two fundamental pieces of information: (1) Its mass is too small to be equated with the other planets. For example, it is only 1/500 Earth’s mass; 1/20 Mercury’s mass; and, 1/300 the mass of Jupiter. (2) Its diameter is also too small. It has only 9% the diameter of Neptune; 90% the diameter of Ganymede (Ganymede is a moon of Jupiter, the largest satellite in our solar system). So, it is not surprising that the likes of Sir Patrick Moore (and others) have recently re-classified Pluto, reducing the number of Milky Way Planets from nine to eight.

What are Christians to do with this new information? First, the Lord has never said that there would be either nine or eight planets in our solar system. Secondly, we can  still appreciate the similarities which Pluto shares with other planets: (1) At least one moon (charon) (2) A thin atmosphere of CH4 Methane, and (3) A density of about 1.0 g/cm3 (Jupiter and Uranus = 1.3). Thirdly, we are once again brought face-to-face with science needing to revise its thinking. Our faith does not rest on the laurels of science. We do appreciate scientific data, but we must also realize that it is subject to revision when and where it is inaccurately being affirmed.

Jesus once said to the intellectuals of his day, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matt.  6:3). Thank you Pluto!

– Robert M. Housby

“…the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth”

(1 Timothy 3:16)

People in the post-modern world are becoming more and more involved in an approach to truth that resembles an old form of Christian gnostic teaching. Many today do not even think in terms of truth as an absolute body of information. Instead, truth is being perceived as relative to the receiver or worshipper. In the very same way that the United  States Constitution, for example, is being referred to as a “living document,” by post-modern revisionists, the Bible is being seen as a source of truth, but not the exclusive source of truth. A “living document,” in the minds of many today, is an assertion that it may be changeable in order to reflect the new generation’s relativistic morals.

The Nag Hammadi religious texts are an example of early Christian break-away groups. Other more recent examples of gnostic information being influential among the masses include, The Da Vinci Code. But, unfortunately, it does not stop there. Some main-line Christian groups are now alleging that the Holy Spirit is speaking directly to people apart  rom the written word of God. The results of this kind of relativistic thinking have the following consequences:

1. The Bible is being used, but marginalized (see 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Where once, men may have recorded personal thoughts in the margin of their Bibles, now the biblical text is  being relegated to a place of secondary importance.
2. The Holy Spirit is being subjected to the feelings of man, rather than man being in subjection to the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:20,21).
3. In a word, the truth is now being seen as the people, not the word of God (John 17:17). However, 1 Timothy 3:16 would place responsibility upon the church to be the pillar and ground of the truth—that is, not the truth, but the support of the truth.

Once again, the old adage, the Bible, the whole Bible and nothing but the Bible, is in order. Not the Bible plus a creed; or, the Bible plus a catechism; or, the Bible plus a religious experience, but the Bible only.

– Robert M. Housby