Our past series on the abuses of human organizations was published online a few weeks before the series was published in our bulletin.  The seriousness of the issue had to be met sooner than later.  When error occurs, souls are at stake, and the truth cannot wait to be sounded forth.  While the issues involved with “Institutionalism” (even the college issue, etc.) have been settled years ago here in Butler, many brethren are facing newer facets of that error throughout the world and still struggling with the older issues as well.  I thought our weekly bulletin may be a good source to share some reader responses and in some cases how I dealt with those responses.  There were a couple of contacts that I cannot share in writing.  Those communications came over the phone as threats to me personally for writing what I did (the callers would not reveal their identities).  The threats were to end my "career" (as if I have one).  Such threats serve as encouragement to me.  Those threats prove the word of God is pricking (Acts 7:51ff.).s).  I will share both negative and positive emails (there were a lot more positive responses than negative, to my surprise).  The first email below is followed by my response.  Identities have been removed from the emails below.

I believe you have forgotten another type of human institution that all brethren use, including yourself  I suppose, Bible publishers.  Where is the scripture that authorizes human institutions to translate and publish the Word of God?   If it is sinful for me to purchase the services of Florida College and Truth Magazine, wouldn't it also be sinful for me to purchase a Bible translated and published by a human institution?  Wouldn't it also be sinful to purchase commentaries, published by human institutions for the purpose teaching the Bible?  And what about paying Internet connection fees to a human institution so we can subscribe to and publish articles on biblelist?

Another question, what am I to do with my mother when she can no longer care for herself?  Can I pay for her to go into a nursing home (a human institution) or can only the church provide care for a needy Christian?

Another thing, if you haven't done so, I suggest you contact some of the brethren associated with the Akin Foundation and discuss it's history and how it helps churches.  John and Nellie Akin, Through the Foundation, have been sending a contribution to the church where I preach for several years.  The Foundation has never told me what to preach or what not to preach.  Neither have they ever interfered with the autonomy of the
congregation.

We need to be careful about human institutions, but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.

Sincerely,

From: Brian A. Yeager
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2004 5:38 PM
Subject: Re: [biblelist] A>Human Institutions Among NI Brethren

Dear __________:

Thank you very much for your criticism of my work.  I will have to answer quickly so please overlook bad grammar (not that it would be much better if I had time to proof read).  I appreciate being tested.  However, in your response I can see some major flaws.  The first, being obvious to me, is that if I am inconsistent that does not authorize the formations of human organizations to do the work of the local church.  IF, I were inconsistent that does not make you right in accepting support from the Akin Foundation through the local church.  That being said, I do not believe for one moment that I am inconsistent.  I shall answer your objections to show you this fact.  My article stands, including your response, unanswered with Scriptures.

First, your statements below carry the premise that I believe it sinful to purchase a product (a Bible, etc.) from a company.  My articles did not deal at all with that subject matter.  I do not believe that any more than I believe it sinful to purchase a car that I will use to carry myself to preach the Gospel.  Such products are necessary for my work as a Gospel preacher.  I suppose if I would have written an article condemning the purchasing of materials from publishing companies your objections would have applied, but I did not write such an article.  My objection in my articles is of a human organization doing the work of a local church.

I have no problem with a college run by brethren, as long as that college does not do the work of a local church.

I publish a weekly bulletin, have written some class books, and tracts.  I print those things locally at my own cost for the local church I am working with.  However, if I chose to spread the word of God through those means I could display them and sell them to cover my printing cost, time, etc.  That would be me teaching in the form of writing.  However, if I formed an organization, set up a board of directors, and began operating under such, I would no longer be working as an individual Christian under the oversight of a local church.  I would be operating under the oversight of a para-church organization.  Tracts, bulletins, books, etc. are means wherein we can communicate the word of God to others.  Such is similar to me preaching a Gospel Meeting and recovering my expenses and being paid for my labor.  I could not set up a missionary society to send me out to preach and that is the very same issue of the human organizations like the Guardian of Truth Foundation.  The teaching of the word of God falls on the local church (I Thessalonians 1:7-8) and the individual (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, and Acts 5:42) under the oversight of the local church (Acts 13:1-3; 14:27), not a human organization.

The Lord authorizes the writing of His words into a form called a book (Jeremiah 30:2).  There has never been a time in which the products necessary for production of the written word were free to all.  Production of the word of God is necessary.  We find no Scriptures that tells the local church they have the work of the mass production of the Scriptures.  The church simply has the work of preaching the Gospel.  If the G.O.T. foundation would be operated differently, they could publish materials in a way that would not have them forming an organization and doing the work of a local church.

You wrote: "Another question, what am I to do with my mother when she can no longer care for herself?  Can I pay for her to go into a nursing home (a human institution) or can only the church provide care for a needy Christian? "  I believe the Scriptures answer your questions very clearly (I Timothy 5:16).  In the event that you do not understand that, I will add that you should pay her expenses.  I have no problem with a retirement facility, orphan care facility, or such the like.  They are not at all works of the local church.  If they were to begin doing the works the Lord intended for the local church, I then would have a huge problem or if they were sponsored, overseen, or financed by churches I would object to them.

You failed to see the issue I was addressing in my article.  The issue is about the sufficiency of the local church to do her work without the need of a human organization being formed.  Human organizations have no authority to do the work of the local church.  That was my point.

I have a question for you.  What Scripture(s) gives you the authority for the CHURCH to be supported by an ORGANIZATION such as you wrote of below?  No matter how good a thing may seem or how much good can come from something, it must authorized if associated with the Lord's bidding (II Samuel 7:1-7 and Colossians 3:17).  To you I am sure this is an emotional issue as realizing the truth could affect your monetary support.  Choose your Lord wisely.

Take care,
Brian A. Yeager
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
http://www.wordsoftruth.net

Brian:

Right on!  I don't remember the date of the Jenkins-Willis Debate on Florida College (about the mid-70's), but I remember the debate.  My wife and I drove from Dalhart, Texas to Houston (750 miles) to hear it.  We heard all four nights.

I said then and I still say that Jesse "shellacked" Cecil.  The last night I went to Cecil and asked him if he would approve of a one-man missionary society.  He said "Yes, I would have to in order to be consistent with my support of the Cogdill Foundation."

Thanks for your work.

Brian-

I have long contended for and espoused exactly the kind of thing you
state in this article.  Some folks are "getting by on a technicality."
Have you ever tried to explain to a liberal why "our college" is OK, but
their college(s) is(are) not?  Sure there is difference in funding, but
what about all the things you state?  It reduces the difference to a
technicality in my mind.  I have always felt that anytime men band
together for religious purposes and align themselves into some kind of
organization that they are just asking for trouble.  Things like FC and
"Truth" are creating issues and causing splits by appealing to this thing
they call the "brotherhood."  I have no objection to writing a few
articles, but preachers have more than enough to do in their local area
without trying to "care for" Christians all over the country/world.  You
know, we don't read of a "brotherhood" in the Bible in the sense that
they talk about it.  And there really should be no "brotherhood" issues -
we have enough problems on the local level without having national
organizations creating more.

Many will be critical of you for saying what you did about this subject,
but by my estimation, you are right on target with these observations.
When we blur the line between church and individual, we are playing into
the institutional folks' hands.  There are, as you know, some "powerful"
men at the organizations you mention that a lot of people will follow
blindly due to their "fame" and influence.  Don't let them scare you into
backing down!  I say that as an encouragement, especially with the false
teachings these folks have already successfully injected into
unsuspecting churches so far!  (deity/humanity, days of Genesis,
mdr-twice now!)

Regards,

From:
To: brian@wordsoftruth.net
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 10:01 AM
Subject: A Different Type of Institutionalism Among us Today

Dear brother Brian,

I commend you on your articles concerning the above issues. I am one of the elders at the church in __________________ . Brother _______________, who is the local evangelist, sent me copies of the above mentioned articles (Part 1 and 2). I would like to see corresponding articles also. I believe the Scriptural content is excellent and I appreciate your efforts. I have held for many years the position that you have put into print as we have developed another segmentation of institutionalism, but those who are involved with these institutions can not see the forest for the trees. I attended FC in the mid 60's, but have seen the increasing changes taken place and as I have gotten older and hopefully wiser see the fallacies of these such organizations; therefore not recommending them to any. They are under the control of men and men make mistakes. We must go back to the biblical ways of doing things to be pleasing to God. I guess "the straw that broke the camels back" was when the Guardian of Truth felt they had to compete with other world institutions. Many of those in this organization I have respected for years and I was classmates with many in the administration at FC now, but I can not condone much of their teaching or action.  I have stayed clear of Guardian of Truth and such like for many years and will continue to do so. If brethren, including elders and preachers, will do the work they should be doing in the local congregation there would not be enough time to get bogged down in institutions that God has not ordained. God has ordained local congregations to carry out the work of evangelism and that must be left for her to do. We help support 6 men plus the local evangelist and with the Lord's help we will continue and increase our efforts.

I encourage you to continue in your efforts to "Search for His ways".

brotherly,

From:
To: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 9:18 AM
Subject: A Different Type of Institutionalism
 

Dear brother Yeager,

I always enjoyed your articles and sermons.  They are always scriptural and insightful.  I've been mulling over your articles "A Different Type of Institutionalism Among Us Today."  I never attended Florida College as a student nor have I ever attended their lectures (And, given their stance on a number of issues I would recommend that faithful brethren not attend their lectures, nor send their children there for an education.).  I have only heard the name "Akin Foundation" and have no knowledge of their organization or operation.  Also, even though I buy a lot of books and materials from the Truth Bookstore, I have never attended the Truth lectures.  Thus, I have no interest in defending the practices of any of these organizations.  In fact, as to all of their activities and actions I must plead a great deal of ignorance since I have no intimate associations with them, nor do I anticipate having any in the future.

However, in all humility and sincerity I do have a question about a statement you made in your second article.  You said, "The local church is the only collectivity we find authorized in the New Testament to do the works of evangelism (preaching, supporting a preacher etc.), edification (i.e. worship, etc.), and benevolence."  I'm concerned that your statement would preclude actions and activities I believe are authorized by the New Testament.  For example, a brother and I regularly pool our personal money (not money from the church treasury) to help support two gospel preachers in the Philippines.  We also from time to time pool our personal money to send benevolence to needy brethren in the Philippines.  Other individuals in our congregation have also contributed their personal money (not money from the church treasury) for the latter purpose.  Also, from time to time, my family has held Bible studies in our home where several, but not all, of the members of our congregation have gathered and we sang songs, prayed and studied the word.  In each of the activities I've just described isn't there collective action since more than one individual is involved?  Therefore, according to your statement, I would conclude that we've been engaged in unscriptural activities.  If that's true, I don't want to engage in these actions in the future!

It seems to me that the logical end of your statement would have:  1) Precluded "those who were scattered" and "went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4) from joining together in groups of 2 or more to do that preaching, or for providing their own support; 2) Precluded "Paul and Silas" from joining together (isn't that what a collective is?) and "praying and singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:25); 3) Precluded Paul from staying "with them" (i.e., Aquila and Priscilla providing Paul with lodging) as he preached in Corinth (Acts 18:3); and 4) Precluded Aquila and Priscilla from joining together to take Apollos "aside" and explain "to him the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26).  Perhaps I do not understand a "collectivity".  I've looked it up in several dictionaries and it appears to me that at it's heart it is "a cooperative unit".  Were Paul and Silas "a cooperative unit" in the Philippian prison?  Were Aquila and Priscilla "a cooperative unit" as Paul "abode with them"?  Were Aquila and Priscilla "a cooperative unit" as they joined together to take Apollos "aside" and explain "to him the way of God more accurately"?

I'm not trying to start a debate, but I would like for you to respond so that I can better understand your position and make sure I'm not doing something wrong.  Again, I'm not defending FC, Akin, etc., nor am I trying to defend my own actions.  My only desire is to follow God and His word (Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11).  Again, I do not feel qualified to comment on the Akin Foundation.  Personally, I am philosophically opposed to the concept of Florida College.  I have an extensive background in higher education (I'm on the faculty of ____________________) and though I am not a prophet, nor the son of a prophet; I believe in our current social climate that an educational institution such as Florida College is destined to compromise with error sooner rather than later.  I believe, regardless of its scripturalness, FC poses a serious threat to the Lord's church, because in order to progress and maintain itself as a "accredited" school, FC must conform to the world's standards.  Perhaps there is also a danger posed by the Truth Foundation, I don't know.  However, it appears to me that your collective argument goes too far and would preclude legitimate and scriptural actions of 2 or more saints acting as "a cooperative unit".

My mind is open and perhaps there is something I'm just not seeing here (wouldn't be the first time I've ever suffered from "brain freeze"!).  I'm ready to listen and learn more.

Again, I commend you for the fine material you contribute and look forward to hearing from you.

Dear ____________:

Thank you for your email.  I think that your questions can be answered simply by some clarifications.  First, the word collectivity means, in part, "the people as a body " as defined by Webster.  Two, three, four, or five Christians going to Dairy Queen for ice cream is not a collective body.  It is concurrent action (two or more people doing the same thing at the same time).  The liberals would argue that whatever the individual could do the church could also.  They would say five Christians can go to Dairy Queen so the church can too.  I argue that every member of a local congregation may go to Dairy Queen, but they do not do so as the local church, they do so as concurrent action.  Such is true when two Christians decide to send money to a preacher.  Those two Christians, if they have not formed an organization, have acted concurrently.  When ten Christians assemble for private studies, as authorized by Acts 20:20, etc., they have not formed an organization called the Thomas Study Foundation.  Those Christians are partaking in concurrent action.

Paul and Silas, Paul and Barnabas, or any other duo, etc. were Christians preaching the Gospel concurrently.  They did not form the Paul and Barnabas college, foundation, or anything akin to that.  The same is true when I and another brother go out to knock on doors and try to establish studies with non-Christians.  We are not the local church, we are not alone, but we most certainly are not the Yeager Evangelistic Foundation.  The local church is the only body that God appointed to organize and do the works of evangelism, edification, and benevolence.  Do you see my point now?

Brotherly,

Brian A. Yeager
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
http://www.wordsoftruth.net

From:
To: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 10:16 PM
Subject: Re: A> Institutionalism Among NI Brethren

Hi Brian,

This is _______________.  I read your article and having grown up reading the GOT magazines at my parents home in my youth, this is quite disconcerting to me.   While my parents had visited many a lectureship while wintering in FL, they are close with a few evangelists who have discussed these issues and I'm sure it has made them re-think some things.

This subject is plain and simple at its heart yet needs to be 'chewed' on to get it digested well.  I very much appreciate your time and hard work at bringing these issues out in your bulletin, speaking plainly in detail and meeting all of it head on---I wouldn't expect any less tho.  :-)   Hopefully, you've pricked their consciences a bit by your direct responses and questioning their lack of scripture.

And, I had no idea that there were CHAPEL services, etc. at FC college or other places!!!   I asked _______________ this past week if it was there was a church at temple terrace.  And was the college run by the church or the church run by the college.

Brian, do you believe some of this comes down to money in the end or do some of these well-known preachers have blindness and pride that WE (conservative churches per se) can't fall from the path like the liberal church or denominations have.

Anyways, ________________ said he chatted w/ you a few minutes ago re: this so I'll not ramble on.

Keep the faith,

Dear ____________________:

I appreciate your taking the time to read what I have written and your efforts to "chew on it".  I hope the words written in those three articles will reach a few, but I know that many are settled already on the issues.  The college issue has long been debated.  You asked what I thought the cause is and I believe I could guess that it is "they love the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43).  It is my prayer that others will notice this and take a stand.  You folks keep on keep'n on.

Brotherly,

Brian A. Yeager
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
http://www.wordsoftruth.net

Brian,

Thanks for the article.  It is the truth.  Keep the faith.

Hello Brian,

You made some excellent points in the material you published to Biblelist.  Just wondering, have you receive any response?

From:
To: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 1:16 PM
Subject: Institutionalism Among Brethren
 

Bro. Yeager.

By being a part of a list such as Biblelist, or Sound Brethren, are you not doing what you are condemning in others.  These are lists (organizations of a sort) which are set up and run by men for the purpost of teaching/promoting the truth of the Gospel and exposing error.  Or is it the degree of organization or exposure that has you concerned?  Where is your scriptural authority for being involved in such an "institution"?  Did you as an individual set up SoundBrethren?  Are there other people involved in such?  Where is your scriptural authority?

Dear _______________:

The Sound Brethren list, which no longer exists, was my work (I am an individual).  It was not an institution.  It was a discussion forum, just like inviting Christians to my house to talk or making a three-way call and talking with people.  The Sound Brethren list did not host worship services, conduct a lectureship, or provide benevolent care.  It was an essentially an internet chat room.  The last time I read the New Testament, brethren (individual Christians) were permitted to communicate by way of private or public discussion (Acts 20:20).  Now, are you trying to say that since I had an email discussion list that this gives authority for Florida College and the Guardian of Truth Foundation to hold lectureships and worship services?  If I were inconsistent, which I am not, that would not authorize human organizations doing the work of a local church.  ___________, would you be opposed to a human organization that receives tax deductible donations, conducts a worship service, hosts a Bible Lectureship, and is under the oversight of a board of directors?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

Brotherly,

Brian A. Yeager
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
http://www.wordsoftruth.net

From:
To: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 1:59 PM
Subject: Flordia College

Dear Mr. Yeager.

I am a student that will graduate from high school this year.  I have been looking for a college to attend.  I am a conservative Christian.  My dad is a preacher.  He has recommended that I attend Florida College so that I can be around good people and get some training so that if I want to preach I can in the future.  Me and my dad have read your articles and have been studying the issue.  He graduated from Florida College.  After reading your articles I am not comfortable going there and he is not sure how he feels about it either.  He said he was going to write you soon and he knows I am writing you.  If I cannot go to Florida College, where can I go?  Both my dad and I understand where you are coming from.  Both of us are debating the ideas you presented.  In honesty - we both have agreed that what you wrote is the truth.  Really, i guess we are just trying to figure out what to do know.  I went to the lectures with my dad this year and looked at the campus.  I feel like I would be wrong in going there.  What do you think?

Sincerely,

Dear ____________:

Thank you for your email.  I appreciate the fact that you are in a difficult position.  However, your words indicate a very honest heart.  If I were you I would try to stay close to home and attend a school where you could study under your dad.  If your major is not available locally, find a location that has a sound local congregation preferably with a good eldership and preacher to study under (II Timothy 2:2).

Those are my thoughts,

Brian A. Yeager
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
http://www.wordsoftruth.net