The Encourager
“A Plea for Plain Talk”
A Plea For "Plain Talk"
Robert F. Turner
Once Jesus told his disciples, "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go to the Father." And his disciples said, "Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb." (Jn. 16:28-29)
Again (in 2 Cor. 3:12) Paul, having contrasted the Old and New Testament, and having shown the greater glory of the later, wrote: "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech."
The days of "hidden wisdom" and the "mystery of the gospel" are past. (1 Cor. 2:7, 10, Eph. 3:3-7) The "Mystic Knights of the Sea" may keep their pagan rites and child-like secrets but God's children love the light, and rejoice unashamedly in the truth. It is with such a spirit as this that Plain Talk is introduced.
POLITICS AND RELIGION
These subjects are "taboo" in social circles, we are told. Why is it so? Is it better to repeat the latest gossip, or feed the ego with stories of yesterday's deeds? Or do we simply admit we know so little about these vital life subjects we cannot carry on an intelligent discussion without becoming obnoxious?
"A Weaving Way"
Some preachers, and politicians, cannot discuss their subjects calmly and factually. They must build up steam so that the stale cliches, flag waving, and stomping can take the place of substantiated truth. Maybe some reluctance to discuss religion results from such displays. You say, "If this is religion, deliver me."
And so-- Plain Talk
Let's not throw out the baby with the wash water. Our subject needs discussion, and we feel Plain Talk is one answer. Not abusive -- we write with malice toward none; nor with careless abandon -- our subject demands the best in us. Rather, we hope to "get to the point" with the plainness and directness warranted by the urgency of our message. "Plain Talk" seeks conscientious readers. And you?
Stuff About Things
Robert F. Turner
When a California church bought a building from a denomination that was moving to different quarters, they gained two new members in the process. It seems two Methodist joined the Church of Christ rather than leave the building they loved. The Methodist didn’t lose any one, and the church of the Lord did not gain any one. The two were converted to the building, and they remained true to their first love.
It happens quite often with varied details. People are bound to external forms, places or other people, and these material ties are stronger by far than their convictions concerning the worship and service of God. They do not love the Lord; they like the suit He chanced to wear. We would surely be startled if we could borrow Gods X-Ray and see why people maintain their various religious affiliations. Or see our own heart — One says, I put hard-earned money into this building and they are not about to run me off. Another, I was married in this building, and I’ll have my funeral here. Family and social ties account for many. Some have been Church of Christers or Baptist for many generations, and consider it a sort of family obligation, at least while they are at home. When they move to another state, they have no ties whatsoever.
Within a community when differences arise among brethren, such folk are left without chart or compass. It is so sad to hear people who we supposed to have scriptural convictions say, I just don’t know what to do— I like people on both sides. Having never really been converted to Christ the teachings of Christ on the issues move them not. So, they usually, stay with the building.
Later they may become disgusted by the antics of their brethren, but by now they have been so prejudiced against the anti's or the liberals that they would cease all pretense of worship rather than change buildings.
I do not believe the situation would be measurably helped by abandoning all buildings and meeting under a tree. It is the heart that must be changed— in each individual, in each generation. Can’t you just hear some old fellow say, my pappy worshipped under this oak, and I ain’t about to change to some modernistic fruitless mulberry.
