In the present time, months and years past, many of the Guardian of Truth Foundation have argued that they are practicing “individual action in concert with others” rather than Institutionalism (Tom Roberts; Must We Divide Over Every Issue; 2008 Truth Magazine Lectures; Open Forum; audio available upon request). However, the moderator of the Truth Magazine Lectures this year plainly stated the following: “We are a human institution... We’re not here to tell people uh, because we are some organization that they must do this or what we are trying to find the truth, and share it with others, that’s what this forum is about” (Forum Moderator; Must We Divide Over Every Issue; 2008 Truth Magazine Lectures; Open Forum; (audio available upon request). As of August 25th, 2008, the audio for these quotes is on the Truth Magazine website (http://www.truthmagazine.com/2008_lecture_mp3_ppt.html). If the G.O.T. decides to remove this audio from their website (I wouldn’t be surprised if they did): SEE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR THE MP3 FILE. I listened to this open forum and I have to say, these guys are all JUST AS LIBERAL AS MAX LUCADO, AL MAXEY, RUBEL SHELLY, etc. They reject the Scriptures as their source of authority and simply play on arguments twisting the Scriptures (II Peter 3:16-18). Then, they try to shift blame by saying that those of us asking for Scriptures for their UNAUTHORIZED practices are being divisive. HMMM. Tom Roberts and Ron Halbrook sound just like every liberal I have ever heard trying to justify their unauthorized practices as a liberty via I Corinthians 8 and Romans 14. Their arguments allow for church gymnasiums, fellowship halls, usage of the church’s resources for social events such as weddings and funerals (Tom Roberts explicitly stated such in the above forum), etc. which are all the language of Ashdod (Nehemiah 13:24 and I Peter 4:11). Then, they build their straw men and tear them down. They talk of inviting their adversaries to their lectureship and wonder why they didn’t come. I don’t know who they invited, but how could anyone come and participate in that which they oppose. That’d be like a whore inviting me to a strip club to talk about lust. Here’s my invitation to all G.O.T. board members, come on down any Tuesday or Thursday evening to El Paso, in the midst of the assembly, and let’s see where the truth lies. I’ll publish the audio online for all to hear. The church will be the institution overseeing the discussion (I Timothy 3:15) rather than a HUMAN INSTITUTION. No arguments, just book, chapter, and verse (I Corinthians 4:6). We know none can accept this invitation. WHY NOT? They cannot provide one Scripture to authorize their cause! Ron Halbrook started his discussion by using Ecclesiastes 4:9 to justify human organizations conducting Scriptural work. Listen, Ecclesiastes 4:9 no more authorizes the formation of any human organization to do the work of the church than it authorizes a third party in the marriage bed using an argument of two women / men are better than one. Then Ron fatally errs in using Matthew 18:15-17 to justify his beliefs. Why is it a fatal error to his argument? Well, if you will read Matthew 18:15-17 you’ll notice what “organization” God chooses to be involved in spiritual work. HINT - He does not say a bookstore, magazine, college, etc.!!! Ron, Tom, and other liberals cannot use the Scriptures to authorize their institutions because the Lord never authorized us to form any man-made institution to do His work either individually or collectively funded. These men would and have argued that mechanical instrumental music being used in worship is sinful because it is unauthorized (Colossians 3:17). Those in error on the subject would throw the same arguments these guys use for their institution right back at them. Brethren, when I came out of Institutionalism I had to learn that my human reasoning was flawed (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25, Jeremiah 10:23; cf. Isaiah 55:7-9). Ron, in his “lesson”, tried to justify the G.O.T. by saying Judas carried a money bag and that was a treasury outside of the local church. I guess Ron has not figured out that the church had yet to be established (Acts 20:28; 2:47). Then Ron tries to argue about individual and collective action. Again, this sounds like other liberals who argue for their views. The extreme left argues “there is no difference between the individual and the local church”. These ignore I Timothy 5:16, I Corinthians 7:2-4, and a host of other Scriptures showing the difference between individual work and collective work (again, only through the local church). Now Ron talks of “joint action” to invoke his institutions. As I said before, he’s no different than all the liberals I have ever heard preach. Frankly, he makes me want to puke (Psalms 139:21-22). Like the other liberals, Ron sets up a variety of syllogisms to conclude his unauthorized practices, but he cannot provide God’s command, example, or necessary conclusion authorizing a human organization being formed to carry out His work! Interestingly, Ron then argued that his involvement with the local church involves his fellowship with God while his participation in human organizations does not. I am not sure why this point is risen, but I know for sure he does not understand that ALL WE DO involves our fellowship with God (I John 1:3-7). He argues that we might use I Timothy 3:15 to argue against human institutions. RON, the point is that you have NO AUTHORITY AT ALL FROM GOD TO FORM ANY ORGANIZATION TO DO HIS WORK! Brethren, I am no prophet, but I know for sure this error will lead to more ungodliness (II Timothy 2:16). Since the Scriptures are all-sufficient (II Samuel 7:1-7, II Timothy 3:16-17, and II Peter 1:3), we must therefore conclude human institutions doing God’s work is not GOOD WORK! Notice an inspired example of how this subject should be handled: “And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: And those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel? And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you” (Numbers 9:6-8). |
G.O.T. Openly Admits They Are A “Human Institution” By: Brian A. Yeager |
The Liberals Forming Institutions Cannot Have A Bible Discussion! |
Conclusion |