Since October of last year my Wednesday night Bible class has been
studying the book, The Christian and His Finances, by Edd Sterchi. We will
conclude this study on February 26th. I must express my special thanks to
Gene Sullivan for being my co-teacher and to Stan Smith for his assistance
in teaching particular subjects. I felt that the study was excellent
overall and I hope that everyone in the class was able to benefit from these
practical lessons.
Next we turn to an excellent book written by Frank Chesser, called The
Spirit of Liberalism. This new study will begin on Wednesday, March 5th.
A great concern to all faithful Christians is the presence of the change
agent movement in the church today. Many good books have been written on
the subject showing the many errors and fallacies of the change agents, and
brethren need to be well informed on the issues. Frank Chesser has written
a book that is a major contribution in bringing to the light of Scriptural
examination the liberalism that is so prevalent in the church today. As a
student of the Old Testament he draws fascinating parallels for current
application (Rom. 15:4). As he writes in his preface ­ the book is
³candid,² because it could not be otherwise, it is ³intolerant² of the
spirit of liberalism, it believes that truth can be known, and it was
composed in sorrow. Please join us for this vital and interesting study.

AUTHORITY OR NO AUTHORITY, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Dennis Gulledge

The debate over the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship
has taken some interesting and quite unexpected turns over the past century.
This is true especially in regard to New Testament authority and its place
in the discussion. The defenders of instrumental music in worship have
moved through three phases of argumentation over the years.
The first defense is that the instrument is authorized in the Greek word
psallo. In 1923, when N. B. Hardeman and Ira M. Boswell squared off on
this issue in Nashville, Tennessee, Boswell affirmed, ³Instrumental music in
church worship is scriptural.² Dr. Boswell based his defense of the
instrument upon the Greek word psallo. He argued that the New Testament
permitted one to approach God either with or without the instrument in
worship. Later, attempts to defend the instrument in worship took the
position that singing was authorized, but that the instrument merely served
as an ³aid² to singing. Neither of these two attempted defenses is heard
any more. The third attempted defense of instrumental music in worship is
in denying that congregational singing is authorized in the New Testament.
Defenders of the instrument in worship now argue that there is no authority
in the New Testament for congregational singing, and that they have the
freedom to sing either with or without the instrument.
This third argument gained recognition in the mid-1980¹s when Don
DeWelt, of the Independent Christian Church, said that congregational
singing itself was not authorized in New Testament worship. In a letter to
Guy N. Woods, then editor of the Gospel Advocate, DeWelt stated, after
citing Ephesians 5:15-20, ³There is no thought of congregational singing in
this paragraph, neither is there an example in the entire New Testament of
congregational singing of Christians. Nor is there a command or example for
corporate singing² (Gospel Advocate, May 16, 1985, p. 293). This line of
defense amounted to throwing out the baby with the bath water. In being
forced to abandon any argument that would seek to justify the instrument on
the basis of New Testament authority, DeWelt resorted to denying any
authorization for congregational singing as well. Brother Woods called this
an ³amazing affirmation² and an ³unprecedented announcement² in the debate
over instrumental music. Now, the amazing and unprecedented has become the
norm.
In bringing us up to date on this issue Alan Highers has written, ³The
effort to justify instrumental music based upon scriptural authority is
largely a things of the past. It is more common now to hear arguments based
on (1) rejection of pattern authority, (2) the contention that the whole
question is peripheral and not a part of the core gospel, and (3) the view
that the silence of the scriptures is permissive² (³When We Hurt: Tragedy
and Triumph in Job,² Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship 2003, p. 112).

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 7 FEBRUARY 17, 2003

OUR SICK

Linda Lou Henderson, sister-in-law of Sue Horton, is in room 1109 of St.
Vincent and needs our prayers.
Olen Loomis, a former elder here at Mabelvale, has been diagnosed with lung
cancer. He requests our prayers.
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SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Ruth Hamilton on the death of her brother, Charles
Calhoun, in Neptune, New Jersey
We also extend our sympathy to Beth Butler and her family on the death of
her father, Buck Brooks, on Monday.
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THANK YOU

Thank you so much for every expression of sympathy following the death of my
brother. It means a lot to me and I appreciate you more than words can say.
Ruth Hamilton.
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DEVOTIONAL

There will be a devotional for the teenagers this Saturday, February 22nd at
6:00 PM here at the building. We will go to a UALR Basketball game
afterward. We should be back about 9:30 PM.
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BIBLE BOWL PRACTICE

There will be a Bible Bowl Practice this Sunday, February 23rd at 3:30 here
at the building. This is for 3rd grade through 12th grade.
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SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 23

Morning
The Centrality Of Christ (Colossians 2:10-12)
Evening
Zechariah < The Messianic Minor Prophet
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WORK NEEDED

Celeste and Christian Walch, our Hispanic members, are in need of jobs. If
you know of anything that is available please contact Wayne Brewer here at
the office at 455-2548.
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SEARCH
Week of February 23
WHEN AND WHERE THE CHURCH BEGAN
Jesus Christ said, ³I will build my church.² What do you think, did He do
it? We don¹t read about its being in existence prior to His death. So was He
defeated in His plan and purpose to build His church? Is it really all that
important, anyway? Can a person really be saved and choose not to be a part
of His church?
EVENTS OF INTEREST
February 23.......Bible Bowl Practice
February 25.......All Comers Class
March 4.............All Comers Class
March 11...........All Comers Class

OUR RECORD FEBRUARY 16, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 203
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 171
P.M. WORSHIP 143
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 132

CONTRIBUTION 5259
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
February 23, 2003

Nicolas Lowe Devin Long
Waymon Minor Jim Mauldin
Greg King Tim King
Jim Henson Bob Jarrell

Evening Roger Horton
Brad Horton
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

February 26 Worship In Song
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USHERS FOR FEBRUARY

Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
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GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY

Gary & Jennifer Poole
Stan & Michele Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

February Bill Boyd
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