Jesus’ Older Brother?

Good Morning! I enjoyed reading your article on James. A learned friend of mine told me that James was the OLDER brother of Jesus. This would indicate that Joseph must have been married previously to fathering Jesus. Is this supported in scripture? He sites the book, “The Rabbi Jesus.” I read the book as well and the author did say this, but I can’t find where it says this in the Bible. Thanks for your help and God bless you. Larry Schneiderman, Minnesota The reason that you cannot find biblical references to Joseph’s prior marriage or James being the older brother of Jesus is because nothing appears in the Bible to substantiate either claim. Likewise, the reason that the book to which you refer does not cite biblical references for its claims is that there is no Bible for such presumptuous statements. When it comes to religious matters, one is not as “learned” as he needs to be unless he resorts to God’s Word and recognizes it as the only authority in religion. “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men…” (1 Corinthians 3:18-21; see also 1 Corinthians …

More on the Mode of Baptism

[The querist of the preceding question posed it to both the Editor and the Associate Editor. As it turned out, we both answered it, and since both responses provide complementary information with minimal overlap, we are pleased to print both replies.] It is good that you “agree totally” about baptism for, “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Peter 3:21), and “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). The word “baptism” has been anglicized, or simply brought into our English language from the Greek word, baptizo.  This word means to submerge. The Greek poet Homer wrote about ships being sunken in his epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, and the word he used to describe that was a form of baptizo. There is no doubt that this word means different things today to many people. Indeed one dictionary I have defines baptism as the “application of water in a religious rite.” Yet, even if words may change their meaning, and they do over time, we still must understand what the word meant to the people of New Testament times. If you read over Acts 8:36-39, (the account of the Ethiopian Nobleman), you will see that both Phillip, (the baptizer), AND the Eunuch, (the baptized) went down into the water.  Such would hardly have been necessary had Phillip seen fit to simply apply some water to the Ethiopian’s forehead. Read also Romans 6:1-11 and you will also see words like “buried” and “planted” in reference to baptism. Baptism is also …

The So-Called Mode of Baptism

I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. When you are baptized, does your whole body have to be dunked? or if preacher puts water on your forehead in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit is it just as good? Some English dictionary definitions for “baptism” may describe it as immersion in water, pouring water or sprinkling water. However, any dictionary merely reflects the current usage of a word. Therefore, a contemporary dictionary is unsatisfactory for the reliable definition of biblical words. After all, no one expects to be judged in the last day by the dictionary, but we understand that all of humanity will be judged by the Word of God — the Bible (Revelation 20:12). The Greek word for baptism is baptisma, which means: “consisting of the processes of immersion, submersion and emergence” (Vine) or “of Christian baptism; a rite of immersion in water as commanded by Christ” (Strong). The Greek word for baptize is baptizo, which means: “to dip” (Vine) or “to dip in or under water” (Liddell and Scott). The Greek words for sprinkling and pouring are rhantizo and katacheo or epicheo, respectively; these words are not used in Scripture to refer to Christian baptism. Only words meaning immersion in water are used in the New Testament to refer to Christian baptism. Even without resorting to Greek dictionaries, one can easily ascertain from English in the Bible that Christian baptism is intended to be immersion. Two passages in particular describe baptism as a burial or planting (immersion) rather than some other type of application of water. “Know ye not, …

Can a Divorced & Remarried Man Be a Church Leader?

I have a very important question about preachers. Is it right for a preacher to be divorced and remarry and still preach the word of God? And also if you have been divorced should you teach sunday school? Need answers please and where to look it up in the Bible. I know it tells about deacons in the Bible where they can only have one wife. Thanks Verdie Earhart Anyone (whether a preacher, Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder or any other person) whose divorce and remarriage does not conform to God’s instructions (Matthew 19:9, etc.) is not pleasing in God’s eyes. However, anyone (whether a preacher, Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder or any other person) whose divorce and remarriage does conform to God’s instructions (Matthew 19:9, etc.) is pleasing in God’s eyes, respecting that divorce and remarriage. Whether a Christian who has been scripturally divorced and remarried may serve as a Gospel preacher or Bible class teacher (or elder, deacon, etc.) is not a matter of biblical doctrine, but a matter of personal discretion (opinion) by a local congregation with which that person is being considered to labor.

Scriptural Way to Install Elders

Dear Sirs, I have Some questions for you. We have installed Elder where I worship. The men who was put before the congregation was objected to by ten different men with scriptural objections. The men in a men’s meeting decided to choose five men to review the objections. They decided that the objections would not prevent the me from serving. They did not interview any of the men making the objections. They called for a vote of the men and the men voted to install the men as Elders. I can not find scripture to support voting in Elders. Please give scriptural way to install Elders. Please respond. ~ Jimmy Harrison. The New Testament lists the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Besides what is intimated in the qualifications for elders, other passages indicate the duties of elders (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4). The New Testament also indicates that each fully organized congregation must have a plurality of elders — at least two (Acts 14:23; Acts 15:2-6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Timothy 5:17; James 5:14). However, the New Testament does not specify precisely how the selection process for the installation of elders should occur. Apparently, qualifications, duties and plurality are paramount considerations for the selection of elders and Christian men who are obviously qualified and who are able to perform the duties ascribed in Scripture to elders. Clearly demonstrating the attributes that elders must possess, the formality of appointment or installation as elders such godly men ought to be relatively painless and the obligatory …

Mixed Metaphors — Premillennialism

Hi Mr. Rushmore, My name is Arika Clark. I am currently finishing my education degree from a fundamental Christian College. I am taking a Bible class, and I am doing a research paper on how there will be a literal and physical 1000 year reign of Christ. In my paper, I am including rebuttals from people who believe differently. I found your website online and read through your outline of how premillennialism is incorrect. Which view of millennialsim do you hold? I am a premillennialist, however, I do not believe half of the things you quoted about the Premillinnealists. I belive that Christ’s death was on accident. He came to die for sinners so that we might be able to be cleansed before God so that we can approach Him in righteousness. He sancified us through His blood on Calvery. Christ reigns over the church and in my heart, therefore, He is not dethroned as you claim. After reading through the above paragraph several times, I conclude that the querist must have made a typographical error (that dramatically changes the intent of the writer) and meant to say that “Christ’s death was no accident.” Obviously, our Lord’s death was no accident, since it was the subject of prophecy (Isaiah 53; Matthew 16:21). It is further obvious from Scripture that souls are cleansed by the blood of Christ when they appropriate it to themselves in God’s appointed way (Ephesians 1:7). From Acts Two forward, these saved, blood-cleansed souls are added to the church …

Ebenezer

There is little doubt that thousands have sung, “Here I raise my Ebenezer” without knowing what they were raising. It is probable that many who read this article will know that it refers to the stone that Samuel raised between Mizpeh and Shen, saying, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 1:12). The word literally means, “A stone of help.” If God has helped you from the slavery of sin and delivered you from the bondage of Satan, you can say in grateful remembrance, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” If he has helped you over some mountain of difficulty or out of some deep valley of sorrow, suffering or tribulation, you can sing with joy, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” If God has straightened out some crooked pathway for you, or delivered you from some furnace of fire, you should say, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” If there has been raised from your weary back some burden, or some thorn removed from your pathway, you can properly say, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” If you have been given light in darkness, so you could see more clearly the right pathway, then you may say, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” In any case, it suggests redemption or deliverance. However, before we come to verse 12 of 1 Samuel 7 and decide to raise our Ebenezer, we need to consider carefully the things suggested in verses one through six. First, we note in verse two, “All the house of Israel lamented.” …

Bodily Exercise Profits a Little, But Godliness Is Profitable for All Things

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Aren’t we really glad that Paul said, “bodily exercise profits a little”? If he had said it profited nothing, some of us would not walk or run another step in our quest for a healthy body. One aspect of maintaining a healthy body is weight control. As we grow older, lifestyles and metabolisms start to slow down and we are soon looking at a bodily image that we really do not care to see. Do we know the five-word sentence that is the bottom line to maintaining a healthy weight? Eat less and exercise more. That is it! Yet, we Americans spend billions of dollars every year on spas, health clubs, gyms, exercise equipment, diet pills, liquid food replacements, surgeries, and on and on! God has given us the bodies that we are in and his expectation is that we will do what is necessary to keep them as physically fit as possible in order to continue serving him at our best. Paul reminds us that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us, whom we have from God and that we are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19). “For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:20). Prior to my retirement, …

The Worship of God — And Others

Second Kings 17:33-34 are verses that may catch and hold the attention of the curious due to the apparent incongruity of the statements made there. The verses read like this: They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods — according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away. To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel. Before raising several questions, it is worthwhile to note that the Bible, of course, records Israel’s frequent digression into idolatry. Their monotheism (belief in one God) often degraded into polytheism (belief in many gods). They paid homage to the gods of the Canaanites, who had lived in the land there before them. They would not have been so tempted had they driven out all those pagan peoples as God had originally commanded (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). However, they did allow many of them to live. Then, they intermarried with them. Over time, they began to worship the molded images just as their predecessors, and now, cohorts did. As a side note, it is interesting to note that recent archeological finds confirm the paganism of the ancient Israelites. The May/June issue of Biblical Archaeology Review contained an article by Ephraim Stern that highlighted the finds that confirmed the many temples at numerous sites and the goddess worship that took …

Bearing Fruit

What’s the easiest way to identify an apple tree? To see apples on it, of course! What is an apple tree good for if it doesn’t produce apples? Firewood! Is an apple tree still an apple tree even if it produces no apples? Yes, but it is an essentially worthless apple tree! What is the easiest way to identify a Christian? Again, the answer is to look at the fruit being produced! What kind of fruit do Christians produce? Some have argued that the fruit of a Christian is another Christian, but that cannot be supported logically or scripturally. The fruit of an apple tree is not another apple tree, but apples. How important is it that Christians bear fruit? Jesus answered that question when he said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2). This is a passage often misused today. Jesus is the vine. Of this, we can be certain. It is then argued that the branches are the various churches (denominations) found today. This assertion is not supported by the text. The branches are not churches, but individual Christians. Jesus further said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Further, he stated: “If anyone …

When the Honeymoon Is Over

My mind reels every time I read this story… The day had finally arrived for Jacob. For seven years, he had looked forward to making Rachel his wife (Genesis 29:18). He had served the better part of a decade for his bride-to-be and it had seemed but a few days to him (v. 20). Following the “wedding reception” (v. 22), Jacob’s father-in-law, Laban, brought his new bride to him in the evening. The newly married couple then spent their first intimate night alone (verses 21, 23). It was the custom to have a great festive week after a wedding, beginning with a banquet on the nuptial night, with many male guests invited. At the proper time, when the wedding formalities had been observed, Laban presented his daughter to Jacob as his wife. Although Leah was veiled, Jacob never questioned that it was really Rachel. The two sisters were no doubt sufficiently alike in stature and general mien, probably even in tone of voice, that the deception was fairly easy to accomplish on the unsuspecting Jacob. When he took her into his chambers and into his bed, it was dark, and no doubt much of the conversation that night was in whispers and in brief words of love. Probably also Leah had been arrayed in Rachel’s clothing and perfumes. It was not until the morning that Jacob actually saw he had been grievously deceived (Henry Morris, “Jacob and Laban,” The Genesis Record. Grand Rapids: Baker, 461). Amazing, isn’t it? Rather than sleeping with …

Jesus, A Bridegroom Twice

I. Jesus’ Present Bride John the immerser (Matthew 3:1) physically was a cousin of Jesus (Luke 1:36), and was his “friend” (John 3:29). Since John was “filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15), by inspiration he knew that Jesus spiritually would be pictured as marrying his church, and so the elated John, standing and listening to Jesus, rejoiced “greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice” (John 3:29). Ahead of time, John announced that “The bridegroom has the bride” (John 3:29). Figuratively, the dowry that Jesus paid for his bride was “not by perishable things (as silver and gold), . . . but by the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus’ bride is “my church” (Matthew 16:18) whom “he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). No one joins the church, but God adds “to the church daily the ones . . . being saved” (Acts 2:47). The “saved” are those who believe “that God has made” Jesus “both Lord and Christ” and have repented and have been baptized “into the forgiveness of” their “sins” (Acts 2:36, 38). Collectively, all the saved are the bride of Christ, whom he “loved” and “gave himself for” her,” having cleansed her in the washing of the water by” the teaching of “the word, that he might set her apart, to present her to himself in splendor, having no spot or flaw or any such thing, that she might be unblemished and set apart” (Ephesians 5:25-27). Thus the marriage …

Always Faithful

It must have been a very emotional scene as the Marine Commandant visited the young men who lay wounded on their hospital beds following the terrible truck bombing of their barracks in Beirut on October 23, 1983. One young marine, who was critically wounded and could not talk because of the tubes in his throat, made a sign with his hands as the General visited him. It was soon understood that he wanted a pen and pad in order to write something. Upon receiving them, the marine wrote the words “Semper Fi,” short for “Semper Fidelis.” The message, “Always Faithful” is a motto of the Marine Corps. In the face of death, in pain and discomfort, here was a person loyal to the cause, faithful even unto death. Our hearts are filled with admiration for young men with such courage, fortitude and faithfulness. My mind was filled with exhortations from the Holy Scriptures regarding the faithfulness of Christians to the Captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:10). The encouragement in Revelation 2:10, “Be thou faithful unto death…” must be understood in the light of the context. Many of the saints in Smyrna were being imprisoned and not a few were being killed because of their love for and their loyalty to the Lord. Regardless of the severity of the persecutions, Christians were urged to be faithful to Christ even if it cost them their very lives. If they would not recant but die confessing Christ, the Lord promised them “the crown of life.” …

Searched the Scriptures Daily

Visiting Two Cities In the first 15 verses of Acts 17, Paul visited two cities, Thessalonica and Berea. “…Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures…” (Acts 17:2). It was Paul’s practice at this time in his missionary journeys to visit the synagogue in the city he was visiting and preach the Gospel of Christ. He did this in both cities (Acts 17: 1-2, 10). The Gospel was originally a message for the Jews, who should have been prepared to receive Christ once he came (Romans 1:16). Paul did not preach just to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. The majority of the Gentile population was not looking for the Christ to come, because they did not have the same information that the Jews had. The Jews had the writings of Moses and the other prophets long before Paul preached that Christ had fulfilled these prophesies. The Law and prophets pointed to Christ’s coming as a King, Prophet and Savior. Moses spoke of Christ in Deuteronomy 18:15 and Isaiah wrote many prophesies about the Christ who would come. The Jews, having this information, were looking for a Savior. When Christ came, and was not the kind of Savior and earthly king they wanted, they rejected him and killed him. However, not all Jews rejected Christ. The first 15 verses of Acts 15 depict the two ways Jews reacted to the Gospel. Trouble in Thessalonica Paul spent three …

Elders, Pastors, Overseers, Shepherds and Presbyters

Leadership There is perhaps not a more misunderstood subject in religious bodies today than that of the office of leadership. Why is it that men have come up with such strange ideas concerning elders, pastors, overseers, shepherds and presbyters? If all are depending on the Bible as their standard of faith, how could there be such division concerning what these terms mean? Does the Bible send a mixed message to men; does it say one thing to man A, and yet another to man B, and in contradiction they are both correct? God forbid! “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33)! The Holy Spirit said through the apostle Peter, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). May we enter this study with a deep respect for the Holy Scripture “as it is in truth, the Word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13b). Dilemma There seems to be a dilemma among “churches” as to what “title” to give the preacher of the congregation. One could very easily turn on the local “religious” channel and find titles of all varieties. There is “Pastor X,” “Bishop Y,” “Elder Z,” all of which are words found in the Scripture. But does this mean they are authorized to be used in this sense? Is the preacher authorized to wear the name “pastor” as a title in connection to his name? Let us simply define these words, the way the …

Shepherding the Flock

(Gospel Advocate, Vol. 142, No. 5, May 2000, p. 13.) Paul and Peter both exhort elders to shepherd the flock. Paul said to the elders of Ephesus: “[Shepherd] (t)ake heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 ASV). Peter said, “[Shepherd or] (t)end the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2). The shepherd is a perfect example of what the elders are to be to the congregation. The shepherd rules the flock but does not lord it over the flock. He loves the flock and leads them gently along. The shepherd sees to it that the flock has food or pasture. He also sees to it that they have shade and protection and shelter. The shepherd examines the flock to see that they have no sores or wounds. He calls, and the sheep follow. The shepherd does everything needful for the sheep. Similarly, the elders must shepherd the flock of God. The good shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep. He will protect them against false teachers. He will refute the error and will lead them to pastures or sources of good food and nourishment. He will lead them beside still water or water that is …

Josiah Crossword Puzzle

(Crossword Puzzle is Internet Interactive; do the puzzle online.) You need Java enabled to view the crossword applet. Solution

The Legal Avenger

In ancient writings there was a Greek word used for the person who had the legal right to punish another person. The ekdikos was the person who could avenge an illegal act. He had the authority to bring justice against someone who broke the law. In 1 Thessalonians 4:6, we read, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.”  The word “avenger” is the Greek word “ekdikos.”  God is the avenger. God created the world. He gave us his laws and commands to follow. He is Lord of all. He has all authority. He has the right and power to bring justice according to his law. The context of the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians is purity. We must keep our bodies pure. We should only think on pure things. If we do not keep ourselves pure, God will avenge his law. God loves us and does not want to be the avenger against us. However, to be a Just God, he must avenge. Learn how to live a pure life. Study your Bible so that you will do God’s will. In addition, if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

He Speaks All Languages

Mithridates, the renowned king of Pontus and Bithynia, who was vanquished in war by Pompey, understood the languages of the five and twenty nations which he had under his dominion; he never conversed with the men belonging to these nations through an interpreter, but spoke with each in his own tongue just as fluently as if he had been a native of the same state. (Short Tales and Anecdotes from Ancient History by William Smith, 1866, p.50) God through prophecy had promised to send his Son. He had promised that his Son would bring a way so that all men could come to him. Before Christ ascended back to heaven, he told the apostles to go to Jerusalem and wait there. He would send the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles. In Acts 2:4 we read, “And they all were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Then in verse 8, we read that all the people listening said, “And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” This was the first outward sign that God was communicating with all men with his new covenant. God is Creator of all the world. He created man. He gave men different languages at the Tower of Babel. God can speak every language. He not only can speak the languages, he understands the languages. So it does not matter …

Parallels to a Proverb

While studying Proverbs Chapter 24, I was particularly impressed with verses 30-32. They read, “I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles [weeds] had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.” I have not looked on anybody’s rundown homeplace lately to receive instruction, but I have taken instruction at times from other things that I have observed. In studying these verses, the following couple of parallels came to mind. Of some Christians: “I went by the life of the slothful and by the actions of the Christian void of understanding; And, lo, his mind was all grown over with confusion, and uncertainty had covered the face thereof, and his confidence was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.” Of some preachers: “I went by the office of the slothful and by the study of the preacher void of understanding; And, lo, his sermons were all grown over with the doctrines of men, and vagueness had covered the face thereof, and the gospel was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.”

Applying Things to Everyone But to Yourself

It should go without saying that one’s attitude toward the Word of God itself will affect interpretation greatly. However, time and time again, in my studies with individuals, I have seen people willing to impugn God’s Word rather than accept the truth. In other words, they would rather imply that the Bible is inconsistent or wrong than admit being inconsistent or wrong themselves. The Pharisees were so intent on proving Jesus was wrong that they were willing to assign Jesus’ healing power to Beelzebub (Matthew 12:22-24). To this Jesus replied, “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men” (Matthew 12:31). Jesus told them that in their efforts to circumvent Jesus’ teaching they, in fact, had brought indictment against the Holy Spirit who had provided the means of the miracle. Likewise, when we take a position that implies that the Bible is in error, we have effectively committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, impugning the Source, because we are implying that what God says is not really from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Many people commit this moral felony when they refuse to examine the entire context of a passage. How many people have quoted Jesus saying, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), and then interpreted that to mean that all judging is wrong? Jesus also said, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Therefore, Jesus could not have …

Homosexuality: This Is Where We Part Ways

The phone call was like many we receive at our offices. Someone had come across an article on our Web site, and wanted to talk to someone about it. In the course of our conversation, the young man spoke passionately about his beliefs, defending what he felt was right. About fifteen minutes into the conversation, he made the following comment: “Yes, I feel like I must speak up and be heard, similar to the homosexuals today who desire equal rights.” Up until that moment, we were having a healthy conversation and were both able to communicate various views and ideas. But with those words, our conversation took an abrupt turn. I told this young man that this is where he and I “were definitely going to part ways.” (Obviously, this individual was not familiar with Apologetics Press, and our stance to defend New Testament Christianity). Having struck a nerve, the caller asked me if I was kidding. In amazement, he went on to comment that he could not believe I did not want all people to “share equal rights.” I assured him that all people were created in the “image and likeness” of God (Genesis 1:26-27), but that did not stop people from committing acts that God would not endorse (e.g., rape, murder, stealing). He then questioned my love for others, and asked, “How can someone who professes Christianity treat others with such disdain.” Sadly, the world has done an excellent job of teaching this young man that anyone who …

Tail Swallowing Religion

An article by Richard Kelley on the front page of the December 2003 issue of Therefore Stand made a very interesting (and telling) observation. Brother Kelley borrowed a practice from me where both he and I record information in computer databases about articles in religious journals we read, respectively. He is just getting started, whereas I have recorded this type of information regarding over 17,000 articles in several journals over the past three decades. He noticed that very few articles appearing in our journals either have references to Jesus Christ in the title of the article or are about our Lord. Brother Kelley rightly concluded that we need to preach Jesus more than we sometimes do, especially in our printed journals. “…Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21). In addition to brother Kelley’s valid observation, I have observed that most of the articles appearing in our religious journals fall in a category in my database labeled “Church Problems.” Granted, it is imperative that false teachers be “belled” (Romans 16:17-18), and teachers and preachers need to be screened by Scripture because there are false teachers  in and out of the Lord’s church (1 John 4:1). However, even were one to suppose, for instance, that 2 Timothy 4:2 portrays preaching as two parts negative and one part positive, still, preaching “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) requires much of what we preach to be positive and uplifting. Preaching that invariably relapses “to find fault with, correct” (Strong’s, “reprove” in 2 Timothy 4:2) and …