Things that are basic are timeless and always important to us. We never really tire of the basics. Since basics are foundational we usually find ourselves going back to them. The basic teachings that have been preached by faithful evangelists since the day the Lord's church was born are becoming more and more a rarity in modern pulpits.
How important is it to know and teach the Bible basics? Show me a preacher or teacher who has eliminated basic Bible truths form his lessons and I will show you one who rarely, if ever, stirs the waters of a baptistry. In fact, I will show you a person who is in doubt whether the Lord's church has any distinctive message for the world today.
Bill Dillon has written an excellent little book called, "Bible Basics." As the title suggests it contains material in the realm of basic Bible lessons. The author has a unique and insightful way of putting old truths into new robes. In this book, Bill Dillon takes the reader back to the Bible for a fresh look at some of the basic lessons to be found in the Sacred Volume. It contains chapters on the Bible, Jesus, the blood of Christ, the church of Christ, gambling, singing in worship, etc. This book will be extremely helpful in preparing short talks and devotionals.
You may order this book from The Cherry Tree Bookstore, 860 Highway 62 East, No. 10, Mountain Home, AR 72653. You may email them at cherrytree@centurytel.net. Or you may call them toll free at 1-800-882-4668. Price of the book is $5.00, plus tax along with postage.-Dennis Gulledge, editor.
THE DIRECTION OF GOSPEL GLEANER
Dennis Gulledge

This paper originated in January 1985 as a work of sowing the seed of the Great Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since its beginning the Gleaner has been a teaching tool, a paper designed to inform and instruct in the simple gospel of Christ. It has never been the intent of the editors of this paper to enter into forums of debate among brethren, even though we recognize the value of public discussion of issues. There is a place for the airing out of problems among us, and there are plenty of papers willing to lend themselves to that purpose. The Gospel Gleaner, however, has not and will not enter into the fray.
We consider this to be one of the great strengths of the paper. There are some brethren who take issue with us in that direction and consider it to be no direction at all. To them you are not "cutting edge" unless you are cutting up those brethren with whom you disagree doctrinally. They glorify the very disposition that Paul condemns in Galatians 5:15. We will present the positive truths of heaven, and oppose whatever militates against the word of God and the good of man. We will not compromise, but neither will we hobby ride! We try to select and write material that is instructive and edifying, as well as timely to every reader.
In Volume 17, Number 1 of this paper I wrote an article asking; "Are Debates Still an Effective Method of Teaching?" (p. 15). The gist of the article was to point out the value of debating as a teaching medium. Liberals have tried to take debating away from us and substitute ecumenical meetings and dialogue. They know the effect that debating has on eradication of error.
That piece was written on the eve of the discussion between John T. Polk, II and Holger Neubauer over the issue of congregational withdrawal of fellowship. That debate was held at Tennessee Bible College on May 3-4. The reports that have come to us are that the discussion was conducted in an excellent spirit by both disputants and among all whom attended. For that we are glad. But, most of all it is our prayer that the New Testament teaching on the matter be revealed and obeyed. Those who are interested in the material presented may contact TBC for tapes of the discussion.-Editor.