Book, Chapter and Verse

There was a time when all preachers in the church of Christ were known as "book, chapter and verse" preachers.  By this it was meant that they endeavored to "speak as the oracles of God" (I Peter 4:11), and to prove every point they made by the Scriptures.  They shunned the religious doctrines and commandments of men, they refused to preach their own opinions, and endeavored instead to set forth the will of God about any and every matter of which they spoke.  I am thankful that we still have many such preachers—men who wish to be known simply as gospel preachers, men who can back up what they proclaim by a "thus saith the Lord."

Unfortunately, "book, chapter and verse" preaching has sometimes been wrongly characterized as "proof texting."  Proof texting is an abuse and misuse of scripture.  It ignores the larger context of a verse and uses the verse to "prove" a preconceived notion or point of doctrine.  As someone has observed, a text taken out of context is a pretext.  Every passage of scripture must be understood in the light of its larger context, including the total teaching of the Scriptures on a particular subject.  For example, all the verses ascribing salvation to faith in Christ must be understood in the light of allthat the New Testament teaches with respect to what one does in response to the saving grace of God.

On the other hand, to cite a single verse of scripture in support of gospel truth, facts, commands, promises, threats, and warnings is not wrong.  In fact, we have biblical precedent for such.  In Romans 3:9-19, the apostle Paul, in establishing the sinfulness of the Jews (in spite of their numerous spiritual advantages), strings together a number of isolated "proof texts"(as some would label them) from widely separated passages in Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah to prove his point.  Often, he uses but part of an Old Testament passage.  And he is not averse to even combining parts of various verses in order to drive home his point! 

Similarly, one might spend time studying the Book of Hebrews and noting the frequent quotations from the Old Testament found in that "word of exhortation" (Hebrews13:22). Thus, before one speaks too condescendingly about "proof texts," it might be well to ask, "May gospel preachers today use the New Testament in the way the inspired writers of the New Testament used the Old Testament?"  May we cite book, chapter and verse (in context, of course) in support of what we preach? 

It is rather apparent why many in contemporary society (even religious society) do not appreciate book, chapter and verse preaching.  It condemns their life-style, their religious biases and prejudices, their religious practices and beliefs.  Little wonder that they do not want certain texts read or quoted to them!

Those who believe there are many ways to God and to heaven do not like to hear John 14:6 and Acts4:11-12.

Those who think that one church is as good as another do not want to hear Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23 and Ephesians 4:4.

Those who believe that one is saved by faith only do not want to hear James 2:24, 26 and Mark 16:15-16.

Those who think that one living since the death of Christ and the inauguration of His last will and testament can be saved without baptism do not like to hear Acts 22:16 and I Peter 3:21.

Those who think that sprinkling or pouring constitute acceptable baptism do not want to hear Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12.

Those who profess to be able to be "good Christians" whether they go to church or not do not want to hear Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7 and Hebrews 10:24-25.

Those who advocate for women preachers and women church leaders do not like to hear I Corinthians 14:34 and I Timothy 2:11-14.

The practicing homosexual does not want to hear Romans 1:26-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-10, but how he/she so desperately needs to hear the next verse and the promise of forgiveness that it holds out to all who will repent of their sinful lifestyle.

Those who believe that everybody will ultimately be saved do not like to hear Matthew 7:13-14, 21 and II Thessalonians 1:6-10.

But make no mistake about it: We need book, chapter and verse preaching!  Such is the only way to accurately set forth the true will of God and to proclaim the gospel of Christ, the power of God for salvation to all who will believe and obey it (Romans 1:16-17; I Corinthians 15:1-4).

Speaking Schedule:

September 2: Bethlehem Church of Christ, Lebanon, TN (all services)

September 5: Bethlehem Church of Christ, Lebanon, TN

September 9: LaGuardo Church of Christ, Mount Juliet, TN (a.m. only)

Hugh Fulford

August 28, 2012

You are still run , Bobby

Bobby gripped the steering wheel and held the car tight to the narrow road.  On his right, snake-like rows of cotton, once farmed by his family, flashed by. He didn't seem to notice.  His gaze was fixed on the horizon, as if on some distant finish line.

"I never did struggle to run," he said.  "It was a relaxed feeling for me.  It was always natural.  I was a poor starter, though.  I was always behind at the start."

The name Bobby Morrow will not mean anything to most of my readers.  But to the sports world of the mid-1950s his name was a high profile name.

In 1956 at the age of 20, Bobby Morrow won three Gold Medals for the United States at the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.  He ran the 100 meter in 10.5 seconds, took the 200 meter in an Olympic record of 20.6 seconds, and anchored a world-record 400 meter relay of 39.5 seconds.  His three Gold Medals were the most any man had won in track and field since Jesse Owens took four at Berlinin 1936.

Bobby Morrow was a member of the church of Christand an outstanding student athlete at AbileneChristian College (now University) in Abilene, Texas. Bobby returned to Abilene from Melbourne a hero. Don Morris, president of the college, called him a "conquering hero."  Four years later—in 1960—still in his prime, Bobby was snubbed for the Olympics inRome.  He was stunned.  So was his A. C. C. coach, Oliver Jackson.  Jackson never asked for an explanation.  Neither did Bobby.  Never a romantic about his ability, Bobby simply quit.  He never ran again.

Bobby Morrow's story was detailed in a major article in the Dallas Morning News in July 1990.  I was living in Dallas at the time and read the story with great interest.  The details set out above, as well as some of the verbiage, are taken from the story.  I was a student at Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson,Tennessee in 1956 when Bobby won those three Gold Medals in Melbourne.  On Sundays I would go out to preach in country and small town churches—places like Broadmoor, Bakerville, Dyer, New Providence, Yorkville, and Humboldt.  I had a sermon on "The Christian Race" that I especially enjoyed preaching. And I used Bobby Morrow as an example of what it takes to be a winner—physically and spiritually. 

When the story came out in the Dallas Morning News in 1990, I prepared and presented another sermon, giving it the title of this essay.  I have preached it a couple of times since.  It was/is designed to encourage those who once were running the Christian race but have dropped out to re-enter the race.  Sadly, there are many who have become "drop outs." But they need to know that forgiveness is available, that restoration is possible, that renewal of spiritual vitality is accessible, and that a new start is possible.

By his own admission, Bobby Morrow was a terrible starter.  "I was always behind at the start."  But as Oliver Jackson his coach said: "He had that second gear.  He could float.  About the last quarter of the race, he'd turn it on.  He was poetry."  His former wife, Jo Ann, now married to a former Abilene Christian classmate—himself a track coach—said of Bobby: "I've seen a lot of track in my lifetime, but I've never seen a runner as pretty as Bobby," allowing herself a moment to enjoy the memory.

"Therefore, seeing we also are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Speaking Schedule:

September 2: Bethlehem Church of Christ, Lebanon, TN (all services)

September 5: Bethlehem Church of Christ, Lebanon, TN

September 9: LaGuardo Church of Christ, Mount Juliet, TN (a.m. only)

Hugh Fulford

August 21, 2012

Coming Home

Those of us old enough to remember World War II will recall the days of anxiety our families went through waiting to hear from loved ones on the battlefield and anticipating their safe return home. The following is an incident related by my mother (and of which I have some memory) that took place in the summer of 1945, the summer the war ended. It has to do with the grave concerns my maternal grandparents had for one of their sons—my uncle Frank—who was in the war and who had not been heard from in sometime. 

Our immediate family was living in Panama City,Florida where my father worked in the Wainwright Shipyard.  My mother was worried about her brother.  She took my sister and me with her on the Coastal Stage, a local bus-line that served the Gulf coastal areas of Florida and Alabama, back to our hometown of DeFuniak Springs.  From there we got a ride with a neighbor of my grandparents who worked in town to the remote area of northern Walton County, Florida where my grandparents lived on a rented farm.  I do not recall how many days we stayed with them, but one day, according to mother, after dinner (the noon meal) we were all out on the front porch when we heard a car coming up the dirt road to the house.  We knew somebody was coming but we did not know who.  A taxi drove up into the outer part of the yard and a young man still in his twenties and dressed in a military uniform emerged from the back seat of the cab.  My mother and grandfather (Big-daddy) bounded from the porch and almost knocked each other down as they both tried to get through the small gate in the fence that separated the small dirt yard around the house from the larger yard outside the fence.  "It's Frank," they cried.  What hugging, what crying, what joy we all experienced that day at Frank's safe return home.  My grandmother (Big-mama) pulled back the table cloth from over the food that had been left on the dinner table, and I am sure that a big fresh pot of strong coffee (the only kind Big-daddy ever drank) was made on the old wood-burning cook stove.  There was no killing of a fatted calf, but there was every bit as much rejoicing over the safe return of Frank as there had been when the prodigal son came home.

This is the 67^th summer since that event took place, but some of its scenes are still etched in my memory. My grandparents have now been dead for many years.  My grandfather died two weeks to the day after my wife and I were married in 1957.  My grandmother lived on until 1982, dying at the age of 89.  My mother lived until the age of 93, dying in 2008.  Frank was discharged from the military inTexas and lived in Texas for the rest of his life.  His life was not always an easy one.  In the late 1980s, when Jan and I lived in Dallas, we took a trip to San Antonio for a few days of R & R.  On our return home, we pulled off I-35 at the little town of Cibolowhere I had learned Frank was living.  I stopped at a service station/garage (the garage was no longer in operation) and asked the man at the front if he knew Frank Pope and where he might live.  He said, "If you'll step back into the garage you'll find him back there with several other fellows."  I walked back into the rear part of the building and saw a circle of older men visiting with one another.  I looked the group over and spotted the one I was looking for, though it had been many, many years since I had seen him.  I said, "I'm looking for that fellow right there," and pointed to Frank.  He did not know who I was.  I said, "Let's step outside a moment."  He got up from his chair and followed me outside.  When I told him who I was he was utterly dumbfounded and broke down, sobbing.  I'm sure I cried too as we embraced. I took him to the car and introduced him to my wife.  We talked and reminisced for a good little while.  That was the last time I saw him.  He passed away in 1995 shortly after I moved to Selma.  His daughter called me from San Antonio to tell me of his death and to ask if I could come and serve as a pallbearer. Unfortunately, I was unable to do so.  At one point in his life Frank confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized into Him.  But over the years his life took many twists and turns.  However, I know that at least on one occasion he experienced a happy homecoming at a remote farm house in Walton County, Florida. 

Speaking Schedule:

August 19: Cottontown Church of Christ, Cottontown, TN (all services)

Hugh Fulford

August 14, 2012

Madison Street Church - Clarksville, Tennessee

This past Sunday my wife and I returned to theMadison Street Church of Christ in Clarksville,Tennessee for a "Family and Friends Day."  I spoke to the adults during the Bible School hour and preached at the morning worship service.  This was followed by a wonderful congregational meal in the church's fellowship hall.  For Jan and me it was like a Homecoming.

In September 1964 we moved to Clarksville with our two young sons—Bryan, 5, just beginning the first grade, and Brett, 2.  Jan and I were in our mid-twenties and flushed with excitement about our new work with a large church in a college town that offered the opportunity for both of us to do additional school work at Austin Peay State University.  During our years there Jan completed her degree in Elementary Education and I took several courses in the History Department but never completed the requirements for a degree.

Great preachers preceded me at Madison Street—C. W. Brannan, J. O. Jones, and Robert Larimore Brewer (nephew of G. C. and Charles Brewer), my immediate predecessor.  The church was blessed with great leadership from a strong eldership and an active corps of deacons.  Dr. Joe Morgan, president of the University, was an elder; Tillman Taylor who taught in the History Department of the University was an elder; H. G. Blackwell, president of an insurance company, was an elder.  Dr. Wentworth Morris, Chairman of the History Department, and his family were members of the congregation, as were other faculty members and staff.  Located just three blocks from the main entrance to the University campus, we had a number of students who attended our services. During most of my four plus years as minister of the church (1964-1968) I taught the Sunday morning college class and had an opportunity to influence a number of young people. But the church was not a "college" church; the members represented a healthy cross-section of Clarksville life, including a number of military families from nearby Fort Campbell.

Madison Street was an active, and, therefore, a growing church.  We hosted area-wide "Training for Service" series, having such men as Alan Bryan and John Allen Chalk as keynote speakers, as well as specialists for various classes concerning Bible Schoolwork, personal evangelism, leadership, etc.  We hosted Missions Conferences, bringing in men we supported in various mission fields and others who could inspire us to greater evangelism—men such as Wesley Reagan, Ira Y. Rice, Jr., Bob Davidson, Forrest Suddeath, Alan Highers, and others.  We conducted great gospel meetings, featuring some of the finest  preachers of the day—Burton Coffman, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Willard Collins, and Jimmy Allen.  We brought Bill Banowsky from Lubbock,Texas for a special engagement (following his debate with Anson Mount of Playboy Magazine fame) to speak to us—especially the college crowd—about the Playboy philosophy.  Marshall Keeble, the great black evangelist, came to Madison Street twice, attracting the largest crowd in Madison Street's history during his second engagement.  During our ministry, the leadership of the congregation brought about the integration of a small black congregation (30-40 members) with the Madison Street church.  The times were ripe for all of these things to occur and for them to be successful.

Soon a new chapter will be written in Madison Street's history.  Their present property has been sold and they have plans to relocate to thirty-five acres in northeast Clarksville left to them from the estate of one of the church families.  The master plan for the construction of new facilities in several phases has been developed.  Geoffrey Sikes has served as the church's minister for the past twenty-five years, and has been a diligent servant.  We anticipate bright days ahead for the church at Trenton Crossing!  It was good to be with them this past Lord's Day and to renew old friendships in the Lord.

Speaking Schedule:

August 8: Meads Chapel Church of Christ, Nashville,TN

August 12: Science Hill Church of Christ, Readyville,TN (P.M. only)

August 19: Cottontown Church of Christ, Cottontown, TN (all services)

Hugh Fulford

August 7, 2012