Augustine's Rule

Augustine’s Rule
Tim Haile

In an effort to be brief and concise, some people make statements that actually misrepresent the Scriptures. Vital truths cannot always be boiled down to mere sound bites. Other statements are so brief that they raise more questions than they answer. Some statements, however, though very concise, do accurately summarize great Bible principles. One such statement is the one that was made long ago by a reformer named Augustine. He said, “In doubtful questions, liberty; in essentials, unity; in all things, charity.” This has been quoted by religious people of all types and persuasions, but it appears to be more quoted than applied. Let us consider each part of the statement:

“Doubtful Questions = Liberty” - When God speaks on a subject, we must believe (and do) what He says. However, God has not spoken to all practices. For example, Romans 14:2 tells us that some people are comfortable eating “all things” (meat and vegetables), while others are vegetarians. Since God receives both classes of eaters, and has not legislated in the matter of food types, we are to practice LIBERTY in this area. Romans 14:5 addresses the practice of esteeming one day as being more important than another day. Again, this is not an issue that concerns God, so we should not be concerned either. We should allow others to act in keeping with their own consciences, and should not BIND our views on them.

“Essentials = Unity” - As I mentioned above, God has spoken on some things. And when God speaks, we must accept His instructions and we must behave and act as He decrees. This goes for ALL humans, for all (accountable) humans will be judged by the standard of God’s word (John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10). We are to “speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 4:12). In this category of revealed things, we are able to all “speak the same thing,” and “be of the same mind and judgment,” for God has spoken (1 Cor. 1:10). UNITY is accomplished between those who mutually accept and apply God’s law. Jesus said that unity can be had between all those who believe on Him “through their (the apostles’) word” (John 17:20,21). Thus, the teaching contained in the Bible is our standard of unity.

“All Things = Love” - Whether we are operating in the realm of things about which God has spoken, or about which He has not spoken, we are to remember the rule of charity. That is, we are to exhibit a disposition of LOVE in our dealings with, and treatment of others. Genuine love puts God first and others second (Matthew 22:37-40). It does not “rejoice in iniquity, but in truth” (1 Cor. 13:6). Incidentally, genuine love is willing to rebuke those who practice sin (Rev. 3:19). “Scorners” and “fools” will hate you for rebuking them, but wise men will love you for it (Prov. 9:8; 12:1). People can become unified only to the extent that they are willing to conform their lives to God’s word, and God uses humans to teach that word. Let each one of us learn to appreciate those who warn, teach and rebuke us.

Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: parkwaychurch@yahoo.com or timhaile@mac.com.

Tim Haile, for the Parkway Church of Christ

An "Exalted Nation," or a "Reproachful People?"

An “Exalted Nation” or Reproachful People?
Tim Haile

Solomon wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The people of a nation have the choice to either pursue a biblical world-view, or a secular one. A biblical world-view is one in which people are conscious of God’s existence, and they believe that their own behavior is being constantly judged and evaluated by that omniscient God. Such people will be safe to be around. They live by the first and second great commandments of the law (love God and love your neighbor - Matthew 22:37-40), and by the golden rule (do to others as you would have them do to you - Matthew 7:12). They are supportive of others, and they wish no one any harm. They are productive in society, being trustworthy, honest, supportive and dependable. They are the kind of people that you can trust with your property and around your children and family members.

Secularists, on the other hand, are driven by the operating principle that man is his own moral authority. They see man as being capable of fabricating his own standard of ethics and morality. Since atheists reject the very existence of God, they certainly deny the existence of any God-given moral standard. Man is seen as his own god. “Right” and “wrong” are determined by the people in a given society. This always has disastrous consequences, for people tend to enact laws that serve their own self interests. A secularistic society is a “me-first” society. Thought for others, and commitment to others is replaced with self-promotion and self-preservation. It is driven by greed. History proves that a nation’s days are numbered once it starts down this godless path.

Sadly, the United States is already on this slippery slope. Our courts and government are more and more buying into a secularistic approach to important issues. References to God and the Bible have been banned from schools and other public places and institutions, and people are being fooled by a false dichotomy. They believe that religious people must give up “freedom of religion” if they mix a biblical world-view with government policy. The latter is falsely called a “separation of church and state.” By this phrase, most people actually mean “separation of Bible-based morals and ethics from the state.” This is a big problem, for a government that is devoid of the influence of divine principles is a government that is doomed. The people of a nation must stand up against attacks against God and His word, and they must convince their fellows citizens that an “exalted nation” is one that respects God.

Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: parkwaychurch@yahoo.com or timhaile@mac.com.

The Golden Compass

“The Golden Compass” and the Bold New Atheism
Tim Haile

Satan is always busy, scheming of new and effective ways to win new followers and keep existing ones. Paul said that we should follow God’s instructions so that we will not be “outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs (devices)” (2 Corinthians 2:11). These “devices” are the things that the devil uses to capture and destroy souls. Peter describes the devil as our “adversary” who “as a roaring lion, prowls around looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Those who are unsuspecting and unlearned are “captured” by Satan’s devices (2 Timothy 2:26), and they are spiritually killed by Satan’s ways. We are not without hope, however, for God’s word enlightens our vision (Ephesians 1:18) and lightens our path (Psalm 119:105). We can learn how to “resist the devil,” and he has no alternative but to “flee” from us when we do (James 4:7). I must add, however, that this resistance must be be “stedfast,” and it must be “in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). Since faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), then our defense is God’s word. That word is described as “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), and it must be effectively wielded against the “schemes of the devil” (verse 11). If “knowledge is power,” then the knowledge of God’s word gives us GREAT power.

Satan knows the advantage of starting early in developing an anti-God mentality. This is why he targets children. The very concept of “God” is under heavy attack in our country, as it has been in other “revolutionized” countries throughout the world. Let us not ignore what is happening. Youth oriented movies and other media are more and more incorporating an anti-God agenda. And as parents must protect their children against physical dangers, such as prohibiting them from playing with poisonous snakes, they must also prohibit them from being exposed to things that will poison their minds. New and perfected computer animation technology allows for the production of sense-captivating films, which can be used in a wholesome and entertaining way. Sadly, such technology can also be used as propaganda, embedding poisonous messages and concepts that will destroy faith and good conduct.

Since it is is a folly to answer a matter before hearing it (Proverbs 18:13), I will not now speak directly to this movie’s content, but New Line Cinema’s “The Golden Compass” is about to be released to theaters. The movie is based upon the first book in a trilogy written by proclaimed atheist, Philip Pullman. Interviewers have reported that the movie is bait for the books, which have the agenda of “promoting atheism, and denigrating Christianity.” Given current trends, I am not surprised by the effort. More to come on this…

Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: parkwaychurch@yahoo.com or timhaile@mac.com.

Tim Haile, for the Parkway Church of Christ