Have you ever stopped to consider the awesome effect Hollywood has on our society. Virtually every home in America has a television. With the prevalence of cable channels, theaters, VCR’s and video stores, “Tinseltown” has innumerable opportunities to impact the hearts and minds of us all.
Are you aware that the average preschool child watches up to 54 hours of TV per week? It is the most time consuming activity in the life of the average American child. Sadly, television and movies occupy too important a place in the life of many families.
We should be concerned about the influence of these media on morals and values. Made to look socially desirable, cursing, selfishness, and social drinking are common TV and movie themes. Violence is so prevalent that by the time the average preschool child is age 14, he will have witnessed 18,000 murders on television alone, not to mention countless muggings, rapes, and other acts of violence on the “tube” or the such-like in movies. Surely no one believes that being constantly bombarded by this stuff has no effect on adults and children. Immorality and immodesty of all kinds are standard TV and movie focuses. A real danger exists here, especially since these shows all too frequently emphasize adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and teenage sex as alluring lifestyles. Displayed in a tantalizing way, many young people and adults find these evils hard to resist or denounce. TV and movies are hacking away at the very foundations of the family and spiritual values.
One terrible tragedy in all of this is that we can and are becoming indifferent (desensitized) to all kinds of sinful behavior. This can and does lead to a tolerance of ungodly lifestyles. It is not long, then, before one accepts, appreciates, and justifies all manner of depraved and dishonorable living. How long can it be before some would adopt for themselves the vile behaviors exhibited and extolled by the entertainment industry in movies television and videos?
As Christians, we must have the courage to be selective in our movie, television, and video viewing. Parents and children must exercise “righteous judgment” (John 7:24) in this regard. Parents must lead the way so all can stand against these “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Do not act “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Mark Hanstein
Aug 25
The Danger of Entertainment’s Enticements
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/the-danger-of-entertainments-enticements/
Aug 17
FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness. We all need it. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Without it, we would all spend eternity in a devil’s hell.
Forgiveness, in the Bible, is expressed in several different ways: remission; redemption; blotted out; delivered; cut off; take away. The word which occurs most often for forgiveness is (in the Greek) aphiemi which means “to send away” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, p.88). It would be like a boy, upon lighting a firecracker, quickly throwing it—sending it away. Jesus forgave (sent away) the sins of the palsy (Mat. 9:2-6), and we are assured that God will “send away” our sins as we confess [and repent and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22)] (I John 1:9).
Another word used (in the Greek) for forgiveness is aphaireo, meaning “to take from, take away, remove” (Thayer’s, p. 87). Little children are experts at getting stickers and splinters in their hands. But, to remove the splinter, by their reaction, you would think you were pulling a tooth! Yet, once the “surgery” is completed, what a relief to the child (as well as the parent). The splinter was once there, but it has been removed and taken away—it’s gone. So it is with forgiveness. The soul had sin, but the Father takes it away. Just like the splinter–it’s gone.
We should also understand, if we are forgiven, it is by the grace of God—not by any meritorious works that we did (so that God owes us or is indebted to forgive us). Rather, His forgiveness is by His grace. That is, God, without obligation to us, provided us a way to have our sins taken away. Then, when man does that which God has set forth for us to do, our sins are forgiven.*
Blessed be the name of God for His wonderful grace which enables us to be forgiven.
Gary Henson
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* [In order to obtain forgiveness of sin, the Christian is told by God to confess the sin (1 John 1:9), repent of the sin and pray God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22). The non-Christian is told by God to believe Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 16:16), repent (Acts 2:38), confess Jesus to be the Son of God (Romans 10:9), and “be baptized…for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; see also Acts 22:16).]
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/forgiveness-2/
Aug 11
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Today, many people claim they miraculously speak in tongues–languages totally unknown to humanity. It is maintained that, since Jesus promised believers the ability to speak in tongues (reference is made to Mark 16:17), then believers today should be able to speak in tongues.
Although their desire to please God must be appreciated, we must kindly point out their error (Eph. 4:15).
First, the tongue speaking which is spoken today is not the tongue speaking of the Bible. Today, the speaking is ecstatic utterances. It is not a human language at all. Some call it “jibber-jabber.” However, in the 1st century, tongue speaking was the miraculous ability to speak in a foreign, human language. This is made abundantly clear in Acts 2. In verse 4, the apostles “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Then, when those who lived in foreign lands [who had traveled to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (v:1)] heard them, “they were confounded, because every man heard them speak in his own language” (v:6) and they asked “how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (v:8). Thus, whatever it is our religious friends are uttering today, it is not what they were doing in the New Testament–and those in the New Testament were speaking in tongues.
Second, believers today do not have the ability to do the miraculous (which includes speaking in tongues). Again, God makes it clear, the miraculous ability was to cease. He said, along with other miracles, “whether there be tongues, they shall cease” (1 Cor. 13:8). When ? When the “perfect is come, then that which is in part [i.e., the miraculous (v:9)] shall be done away” (v:10). What then, is the “perfect”? It is the completed revelation of God in the 27 books of the New Testament–it “is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2); it is “the perfect law of liberty” (Jam. 1:25).
Yes, believers had the miraculous ability to speak in foreign, human languages, but only as long as the N.T. was in the making. Today, the N.T. has long been completed (some 1900 years), and so has ceased the tongue speaking.
Gary Henson
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/speaking-in-tongues/
Aug 03
IS THE “OLD RELIABLE: NO LONGER RELIABLE?
It appears that many seem to think so. In a report, of the top ten study Bibles purchased, the King James Version did not even place. [The NKJV was sixth]. The versions which occupied the other nine positions were unreliable “thought translations.”
Of the general translations, KJV was second and NKJV was third. However, that version which was the best seller was the “thought translation,” NIV.
A reliable version is a version that is a “word for word” translation. Such a version strives to give us the English equivalent to the original Greek words which God selected (1Cor. 2:13). However, “thought translations” merely give us that which the translating committee THINK God means. But, if the translating committee “thinks wrong,” then we do not have God’s Word—we have man’s! And when one follows man’s teachings, he follows in vain, “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mat. 15:9).
The warning to refrain from adding to and taking away applies to Bible translators too (Rev. 22:18-19)!! God said, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you” (Deut. 4:2). When a translator “mis-thinks” what God means, then, as he writes his translation, he will either be adding to or taking away from what God is commanding, and the reader is not able to “keep the commandment of Jehovah.”
May we as members of the Lord’s church be aware of this trend and infiltration of non-word-for-word translations (Deut. 4:2; Mat. 5:18; 1 Cor. 2:13; Rev. 22:18,19). It is sadly getting (rather, has gotten) to the point that, not only do we have to help people who are mislead to see what the Word of God says, we also have to help people see what the Word of God is.
Gary Henson
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/is-the-old-reliable-no-longer-reliable/
Jul 28
For Lack of a Comma
The first American Venus probe was lost due to the inadvertent substitution of a period for a comma in a FORTRAN program.
A NASA programmer wrote:
DO 3 I = 1.3
when he should have entered:
DO 3 I = 1,3
That seemingly inconsequential period sent the rocket, launched from Cape Canaveral on July 22, 1962, headed toward populated areas. The rocket had to be destroyed. The minuscule mistake resulted in a great danger to many lives.
This incident illustrates the principle of Galatians 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Here, the Scripture is showing the crucial importance of correctly interpreting even the minute details of the words which He chose to use to inform us of His will. [Also see: Mat. 5:18]. The Scripture read “seed” but to understand it as “seeds” would have given the interpretation a wrong teaching.
It is tragic that many so-called preachers likewise make such a seemingly insignificant mistake. They may correctly read what the Scripture states, but produce for their hearers a message that has been slightly (but dangerously) changed.
Satan, although he did it intentionally, “read” “…for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die.” But his slight and dangerous message was, “you will not surely die.”
“Preachers” read “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). But, by adding the same word as did Satan, produce for their hearers “He that believeth and is not baptized shall be saved.”
“Preachers” read “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jam. 2:24), but preach “Ye see then how that not by works a man is justified, and by faith only.”
Yes, a period instead of a comma resulted in great danger for many lives. But an even greater danger is the result of “preachers” who either insert or delete small words which completely change the teaching of God. Why not examine what you have been told? Isn’t your eternity worth it?
Gary Henson
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/for-lack-of-a-comma/
Jul 21
ATHEISTS! DO YOU HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?
At a former Cosmic Questions Conference, which is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 200 people debated about a Designer for nearly five hours. The USA Today (April 20, 1999) highlighted the statement of Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Steven Weinberg as he scoffed at the idea of a miraculous creation by a Supreme Being: “Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you’d have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things.” Evidently, Mr. Weinberg does not fully grasp the implications of his statement.
Atheists continue to speak of that which is good and evil. However, if there is no God and all that exists owes its origin to self-creation (the big-bang) and evolution on earth, then there is no absolute moral standard by which to judge who and what is good or evil! If we are merely matter in motion, then there is no moral difference between a man killing a cockroach or killing a child. There would be no good act nor evil act. Rather, it would be acts that we like or dislike. Thus, if a man desired (liked) to kill a child, then we could not say he is an evil person doing an evil thing. Yet, this is precisely what Weinberg said!
Why do atheists (from Nobel Prize winners to those across the fence) continue to speak of good and evil, and objective moral right and wrong? It is because God put that “ought to” in us and there is no getting away from it. Romans 2:14-15 teaches, “For when the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves; Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.”
So, the next time your atheist friend speaks of an objective moral right or wrong act, why not help him see that he just proved the existence of God?!
Gary Henson
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/atheists-do-you-hear-what-you-are-saying/
Jul 13
“AGENT ORANGE”
During the Vietnam war, US aircraft flew over the jungles of that country spraying the dense vegetation with the chemical “agent orange.” The idea was to kill the plants which would take away the native’s advantage in their jungle battle tactics. Sadly, it is told, agent orange was sprayed upon some of our own troops as they were in the fields, resulting in subsequent and serious physical problems. Truly this is a horrible tragedy–to use something which is thought to be harmless, but all the while is gradually being absorbed and ensuring tremendous ailments and destruction.
Today there is another “agent orange” being applied to people and is doing far greater damage. It too is thought to be harmless, yea, even beneficial. The agent? Ungodly, destructive philosophies of men. The means of application? The camouflaged “classrooms” of life.
When brother Thomas Warren was preparing himself to challenge atheistic philosophers in debate, he went to obtain the doctor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University. To his surprise, most of the students did not intend to become philosophers, but rather writers for the mass media of entertainment Those brilliant minds were studying the ungodly philosophies of men and becoming writers of this nation’s television shows, movies, books and songs! Thus, as the people of this nation watch sit-coms, dramas, talk-shows and movies, and sing-a-long with the radio and CD’s, we are being taught the philosophies of man by means of these “classrooms.”
Brother Bill Nick, commenting upon the recent radical change in theater, music and literature, wrote, “Behind all of this is a departure from the normative standards of the Bible, and a glorification of philosophies of men.” He goes on to list some of the philosophies: “Rooted in the secular existentialism of Sartre, Jasper, Huxley and Heidegger, and the religious existentialism of Barth, Brunner, Tillich and Niebuhr….” 1
Regarding this writing of philosophy into the books and movies, Francis Schaeffer stated, “The really dangerous thing is that our people are being taught this modern 20th Century morality without being able to understand what is happening to them.” 2
Brethren, the individual Christian, the church and our nation need to realize that TV and other mass media contain a deeper and far greater danger than the obvious language, violence and nudity. They contain and are indoctrinating us with the philosophies of men—ungodly systems of values by which one lives. And if the success of this ploy is doubted, one only needs to reflect upon the change in the moral character and values of our country these past recent years.
May at least WE be wise to this matter and VERY selective as to what is watched, read and heard. May our God help us to warn others.
Gary Henson
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy…” Co. 2:8
1Bill Nicks, “The Movies.” Editor, Thomas Eaves, Living Soberly, Righteously And Godly, page 179.
2Francis Schaeffer, Escape From Reason, page 65.
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/agent-orange/
Jul 07
Intoxicating Drinks
The assault upon the minds of man to socially accept and imbibe in intoxicating drink is intense. From the persuasive influence of professional athletes to the “cute” frogs, dogs and lizards, society is gradually becoming more tolerant of drinking. Thus, in the midst of this mental transition, it must be asked: “What does the Bible teach regarding the drinking of intoxicating drinks?”
FIRST, if the Bible teaches that man is not to become drunk, and if the original (Greek) word includes the entire drinking process (from the first drink to staggering drunk), then even one drink of intoxicating drinks is sinful. The Bible does teach that man is not to become drunk. “Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21; cf., 1 Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:18). Also, the original (Greek) word does includes the entire drinking process (from the first drink to staggering drunk). METHUSKO [mequskw] is defined as: “To make drunk, or to grow drunk (an inceptive verb [relating to the beginning (GH)], marking the process of the state expressed) to become intoxicated” (Vine’s, 1.341); “to begin to be softened” (Young’s Concordance, p. 275); “to grow drunk (marking the beginning)” (Bullinger’s, p. 238). Thus, METHUSKO includes the beginning of the drinking process–the first drink. To illustrate, consider a man who is a weight lifter going to the gym for an hour-long workout. Near the end of his workout he is getting very exhausted and is straining with every lift. Yet, at the beginning of his workout (before the grueling exercises had its weakening effect) he was still in the workout process. He was weak at the end because of, not only the latter exercises, but also because of the exercises which he did at the beginning. Thus, the workout was a cumulative process which lead to his exhaustion; even the first lift (although unnoticed) had a weakening effect. Likewise, METHUSKO describes such a cumulative process. Thus, although one will eventually become staggering drunk, he is METHUSKO even when he begins with the first drink. Therefore, even one drink of intoxicating drinks is sinful.
SECOND, if the Bible teaches that the Christian is to refrain from harming the body, and if intoxicating drinks harm the body, then the use of intoxicating drinks is sinful. The Bible does teach that the Christian is to refrain from harming the body. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Thus, the Christian is not to do that which destroys the property of God. Rather, the physical body is to be used to glorify God. However, intoxicating drinks do harm the body. As reported by Dr. Melvin H. Knisley, professor of anatomy at the Medical College of South Carolina, at the 28th International Congress on Alcohol and Alcoholism: “Even one beer destroys brain cells” (brain cells cannot be replaced). Also, in a report of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare: “Alcohol is indisputably involved in the causation of cancer and its consumption is one of the few types of exposure known to increase the risk of cancer at various sites in the human body.” Therefore, the use of intoxicating drinks is sinful.
CONCLUSION: The answer to the question is: The Bible DOES teach that the drinking of intoxicating drinks is sinful. May we have the courage to do and stand for that which is God’s Will.
Gary Henson
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/intoxicating-drinks/
Jul 01
NO LAW AGAINST IT
As a new generation arises there will be a few who see themselves as “lights” to the church and it is their duty to reinvent Christianity! They are sure that the older generation missed a few points and it is their solemn duty to restore true Christianity! Never mind that these subjects have been debated over and over; point after point has been met in debate and truth triumphed! Christianity as revealed in “the teaching of Christ” stood the test, and men and women who loved the truth stepped forward and obeyed it.
These precious souls came out of denominationalism while giving up family and friends; some lost jobs and the respect of the community in which they lived. They were treated as traitors! Why? Because they held truth as the “polar star” that was to guide them in this life to eternal life. They possessed a godliness that humbled them before God: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). But the word “godliness” needs a little attention just here as it is much misunderstood. It is the Greek “eusebeia” and means: “reverence, respect, piety towards God” (Thayer). “Piety” means: “the state or quality of being pious.” The point is that “godliness” refers to a person who reverences God in obedience! Obedience is “profitable” in this life and the life “which is to come!” Of course, this brings us to the subject of truth, of law!
Part of this reinventing of Christianity is heard in the words, “If there is no law against it, then, there is no violation.” There is nothing new in this thought! Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) looked at the New Testament in this way; and he is, of course, well known. On the other hand, Ulrich Zwingl who lived at the same (Jan. 1, 1484 – Oct. 11, 1531) believed that if it was not authorized, explicitly or implicitly, then it was not lawful. He is much less known! Much of Christendom is divided between these two camps today and there is nothing new in it! It is just an old teaching resurrected from the dust bins of history!
Some twenty-nine years ago I wrote a series of articles entitled, “Cornbread and Buttermilk.” The point of these articles was if we are looking at the authority of Christ as “Thou shall not” type of law, then, there is no law against using “cornbread and buttermilk” in the Lord’s Supper. Why “cornbread and buttermilk?” I just happen to like “cornbread and buttermilk!” This sums up the thinking of many then and now; if there is no law against it, then, there is no violation of the law to use “cornbread and buttermilk” in the Lord’s Supper! It is a gross misunderstanding of the authority of Christ! It forbids as it authorizes!
Jesus said: “All power (authority – exousia) is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). Just how does Jesus exercise this authority? Is it through a series of “Thou shalt not” statements, or is it what we are authorized to do through explicit and implicit statements and accounts of action? Some things we are free to do, but not commanded to do. For instance, there are “accounts of action” of the early church fasting when elders were appointed (Acts 14:23). It should be noted that they prayed and fasted; there is no spiritual edification in going without food, but if one is praying, and or studying the word of God, then, there is spiritual edification.
The same thing is true of brethren who sold land and brought the money to the apostles (Acts 4:36-37); this is an account of action, but there is no command, either explicitly or implicitly given for brethren to sell their land. In fact, Peter said to Ananias, “Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power (authority – exousia)” (Acts 5:4). At the same time, brethren were/are free to sell land and other goods and if they so choose, they could/can keep the money, or they could/can give all, or any part of the money to the Lord (church) to be used in the work of the church. As they give they are to keep in mind, they should give “as God hath prospered him” and remember: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (1 Cor. 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7).
It should be noted that in giving, we have both explicit and implicit authority! When Paul wrote the church in Corinth, he wrote: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1). These words follow the order given in verse one: “as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.” Therefore, the explicit, “upon the first day of the week,” which implicitly means every “first day of the week” as every week has a first day!
— Frank R. Williams
Archived Article from July 15, 2015
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/no-law-against-it/
Jun 23
How To Overcome Using Bad Language
1. Realize vulgarity lowers your image in the eyes of others. “Everybody loves a winner,” especially in the struggle of morality. So, when you cuss you’re a looser in a struggle. Your image in the eyes of others then becomes lower.
2. Realize vulgarity lowers your image in your own eyes. We are always judging ourselves. When you do right, you know it and your self-image is raised. On the other hand, when you do wrong, you know it and the image you have of yourself is lowered.
3. Realize that anger must be controlled. If you have a problem with vulgarity, it is probably in moments of anger. When something makes you angry, you cuss. Thus, it is the anger that must be controlled. “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Prov. 19:11).
4. Realize that Satan is getting the better of you. Satan is trying to get you (1 Pet. 5:8), making use of all kinds of situations and snares (Eph. 6:11). Thus, each occurrence is a challenge by Satan. Take a stand! (Eph. 6:13). Don’t let him ridicule you!
5. Realize it is a transgression of the standard that will judge you. “But now ye also put off all these; anger, . . . filthy communication out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8). “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Eph. 4:29).
6. Pray for help. If you pray in faith (Mat. 21:22), according to his will (1 John 5:14) and do what you can do about the problem (Jam. 5:14-15), God will help.
7. Ask for help. Your good brethren are very concerned about you (1 Pet. 1:22) and can be of strong help (Gal. 6:2).
8. Memorize Ephesians 4:29. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” Recite it throughout the day (especially when you know a trying moment is approaching).
9. Have something else prepared to think about when the temptation comes. Many of the suggestions given here would work.
10. Keep record of the days you go without using vulgarities –it will encourage you to see your change and what you can do.
11. Feel good about yourself when you overcome. “Honour to whom honour” (Rom. 13:7).
12. Daily read and meditate on the Bible –it strengthens and matures your soul (Psa. 1:1-3).
Gary Henson
Permanent link to this article: https://okcsbs.com/how-to-overcome-using-bad-language/