| Volume XXV |
June
2005
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Number
11
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Foolish
Charges and Nonsense Letters
By Jackie M. Stearsman I have chosen the above terms prayerfully and carefully. I intend the readers to understand what I mean by them. Therefore, consider the abbreviated definitions from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10th ed.). Foolish: lacking in sense, judgment, or discretion 2 a: absurd, ridiculous b: marked by a loss of composure. Charge: to make an assertion against especially by ascribing guilt or blame <they were charged as being instigators> to place the guilt or blame, to assert as an accusation <charges that he distorted the data.> Nonsense: words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas, language, conduct, or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense, an instance of absurd action, things of no importance or value, trifles. Letter: a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization. Nonsense Letters
Passages These passages provide foundation principals from which I wish to rebut the foolishness of letters that continue to be circulated in opposition to the truth and our school. (1) “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly” (Prov. 17:12). (2) “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD” (Prov. 17:15). (3) “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like
unto him” (Prov. 26:4). “Answer a fool according to his
folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit” (Prov.
26:5). (5) “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Rom. 2:1). ItemOur bold “scholarly” brother cites a passage about Paul being concerned about “grievous wolves” (Acts 20:29-32), and then draws an inference that this applies to me and others. Yet, our bold “scholarly” brother denies that “necessary inference” has authority. We answered his nonsense in the September 2004 issue of this paper. Sadly, he does not know when he has been answered. However, others do, and some have asked for permission to use our rebuttal of his foolish nonsense. ItemPaul writes in First Timothy 1:7 that some desire to be a teacher but do not understand enough to be teaching. This was true then, and it is true today. It was wrong to try and teach what one does not understand then, and the Bible implies (necessary inference) that it applies today. Only the person who is willing to hear and apply truth will be blessed (Matt. 7:21-27). The only way one may know what is applicable to him or her is to reason properly–“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches” (Rev. 2:8, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). ItemGod, in Proverbs 17:15, makes us know that it is no innocent matter to pervert the truth and to falsely accuse those of wrong doing who are not guilty. We have just completed a study of the Book of Job. Job had three friends who unjustly accused him of wrong doing. At the close of the Book of Job, God rebuked the friends, and had Job offer sacrifices for them (Job 42:7-9). ItemGod through Paul teaches that a person is self condemned when he practices the very thing he condemns (Rom. 2:1). Our brother labels the school and others with error for drawing inferences from the text of the Bible. Yet, he does the very thing he condemns. The “rationality” of our brother in simple terms is like this: “X” is and “X” is not. I am not wrong in stating that such is foolish nonsense. It is foolish nonsense to draw a conclusion (inference) from a passage and then say it is heresy to draw an inference from the text of the Bible. ItemOur brother writes letter after letter crying that no one will meet with him to discuss what he terms “man made doctrine.” Will it never dawn on him that the foolish and nonsense charges he makes would render any conversation meaningless as well as hopeless. I think if no one would meet and discuss religious matters with me, I would seriously consider that the fault may be with me. ItemWisdom dictates that there comes a time when the folly of a person should be ignored, and there is a time when the folly must be answered (Prov. 26:4-5). We have ignored much of what has been falsely charged against us, and we have answered the same charges with the truth of the Bible. Anyone with a sense of Bible knowledge and the capacity to reason knows that this is true. Conclusion We close with the words of the Apostle Paul, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Cor. 14:37-38). ---------------------- O ------------------------ Fall Semester 2005
Spring Semester 2006
NOTE: Day Classes meet 8:30-12:00 noon Extension Classes Fall 2005, Spring 2006 Auburndale, Florida High Springs, Florida Jacksonville, Florida Clearwater, Florida Warner Robins, Georgia
Beyond the Classroom
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