Giving God the Benefit of the Doubt
B.H. Carroll was a famous, long-bearded preacher of a hundred years ago. In his youth he fought with the Confederate Army, and he was not saved until after the war. He became a great Baptist preacher in Texas, and he went on to lead in the founding of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1908. He became a strong advocate of producing trained ministers with passion. In his great work, The Interpretation of the English Bible, written just before his death, Carroll stated: "Only men of great heart, great preparation, and great power with God achieve anything worthwhile in the ministry." (Vol. 5, Nashville: Broadman Press. 1947. p.91)
Ever a lover of the inerrant Bible, Carroll encouraged Christians to trust God, when faced with Bible challenges. He stated: "When I was a boy, I thought I had found a thousand contradictions in the Bible. In the old Bible of my young manhood I marked them.
Well, I had then nearly a thousand more contradictions than I have now. I do not see them now; they are not there. There are perhaps a half dozen in the Bible that I cannot explain satisfactorily to myself. I don't say that my explanation of all the others would satisfy everybody. There are some that I cannot explain satisfactorily to myself; but since I have seen nine hundred and ninety-four out of the thousand coalesce and harmonize like two streams mingling, I am disposed to think that if I had more sense I could harmonize those other six; and even if I forever fail to harmonize them, God knows better than I know." (Carroll, B.H. Inspiration of the Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 1980. P.121)
He Didn't Move
One of the bridges that cross the Seine River in Paris is called the Pont d'Iena or Jena Bridge. The bridge was ordered to be built by Napoleon celebrating his great victory over the Prussians in 1806. The bridge which included five arches, spans 508 ft. and it took six years to construct. The bridge was opened over 70 years before Eiffel's famous tower was erected only a few yards away.
After Napoleon's Empire collapsed, and the allies had captured Paris, Prussian General Blucher decided to blow up that bridge. He wished to erase the record of Napoleon's great triumphant.
The Duke of Wellington, the hero of Waterloo, saw the bridge as useful. To stop his ally's plan, he posted an English sentry on the bridge.
The Prussians tried hard to get rid of the sentry, but he would not leave his post. It is recorded that the sentry stated: "You may blow up the bridge if you like, but I don't stir from here." The sentry didn't move, and the bridge was saved. (Cornwell, Bernard. Waterloo. New York: HarperCollins. 2014. p.319)
As the old adage states, "It is hard to overcome a man who won't quit."
A Slogan of No Value
The church at Pergamos was the third of the seven churches listed in the book of Revelation. In that city, the Greeks and later the Romans invested heavily with a hill filled with temples, amphitheaters (5), and a library reported to have contained 200,000 volumes.
West of the acropolis was the Sanctuary of Asclepion, a healing center dedicated to Pergamos' central god, Asclepius, the god of healing. The vast healing complex covered over 154,000 sq. ft., with gardens, spa, theater, and the trappings of idol worship. Many famous individuals visited the center, and various "doctors" trained there.
To reach the Asclepion, patients followed a half mile long, colonnaded street from the city. The "Sacred Way" ended with twelve steps leading up to the entrance. Over the opening was fixed a sign which read: "In the name of the gods, death may not enter here."
How foolish is this statement, for since the Fall of Man, death has roamed the world. The Bible tells us plainly: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die," Heb. 9:27a and that "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." I Cor. 15:26.
One day death will have its end.
Dr. Tom Wallace to Preach During Graduation Week
On May 3 - 6 we will hold the Graduation Week activities for Heritage Baptist College. A great line up of 14 preachers is planned, and one of the week's highlights will be the combined meeting of local churches on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. Dr. Tom Wallace, author, evangelist, and Vice President of the Sword of the Lord will be speaking that night. We will have special singing, and numbers of churches will be in attendance.
Dr. Tom Wallace is a friend to Christians and his messages are relevant and helpful. This is our tenth year to host this combined service, and we look forward to a special evening filled with great enthusiasm, kindness, and Christian unity among the churches.
Love's Worth
Every year, one of the special events of Graduation Week is the Alumni/Graduation Banquet. Dr. Randy Parker, of Greenfield, IN is scheduled to speak at the Thursday night, May 5th event. Dr. Parker pastors the thriving Bethel Baptist Church, where the Lord has blessed with many souls saved and a growing ministry. Dr. Randy Parker will spiritually feed your heart and soul.
This year, we will host the Alumni/Graduation Banquet on the Hopewell Campus, and the food will be catered by Gray Brother's Cafeteria.
Come and enjoy Dr. Parker's message, along with a night of good food, Christian music, and great fellowship. Please call Heritage Baptist College to make a reservation. (317) 738-3791 or (317) 246-8915.