HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH EZINE

Who are our enemies? Saddam Hussein? Osama Bin Laden? All Muslims? All Arabs? All of the above? Opinions vary widely and imaginations run amok. But what are the facts and where did all this hatred come from?

The answers lie embedded in history and religion. Some certain aspects may seem unrelated to this and to other aspects, but behind most of the turmoil and hatred is the long smoldering hatred between the descendents of Ishmael and those of Isaac. This is especially emphasized after the advent of Muhammad and the Islamic religion.

Saddam Hussein is not a typical Muslim in that he has no love or regard for anyone, not even his own countrymen. He is of the Sunni Muslem group, one of 3 major groups in Iraq. Here is a link to the Columbia Encyclopedia's description of this group: Click Here.

Saddam was born on April 28, 1937, in a small village of al-Auja near the town of Tikrit. His early child hood was spent in a mud hut in a mostly Sunni Muslim part of Iraq, which is approximately (100) one-hundred miles north of Baghdad. Hussein's father, Hussein al-Majid, died or abandoned the family (depending upon who is reporting the story), within a short time of his birth. Accurate records are difficult to obtain in a country where Hussein's birthday is celebrated as a national holiday.

His mother married Ibrahim Hassan, a thief and very brutal, who abused Saddam and made him steal chickens and sheep which he would sell. No one knows if Saddam's own ruthlessness and cruelty was more of a hereditary factor or the result of his early years with this step-father. But his desire for power and his wild and ruthless efforts to obtain it started as early as his teen-age years. His history is lengthy reading but is interesting to see just what extent this man would (will) go to gain and maintain power.

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan has long been associated with terrorists and nations that sponsor terrorism. He embarked on a "World Friendship Tour" in 1996 that included visits to several states that sponsor terrorism: Libya, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, and Syria. During this tour, he denounced the United States as the "Great Satan." Farrakhan's good friend, Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi, said this about their meeting: Our confrontation with America used to be like confronting a fortress from outside. Today, we have found a loophole to enter the fortress and to confront it. On this basis, we agreed with Louis Farrakhan and his delegation to mobilize in a legal and legitimate form the oppressed minorities, and at their forefront the blacks, Arabs, Muslims, and Red Indians, for they play an important role in American political life and have weight in the U.S. elections. (Reuters, January 26, 1996)

Farrakhan is far more racist than is MAS founder Mohammed, but their overall goals are the same: the spreading of their peculiar brand of Islam among our nation's black population. This effort is going on in our nation's public housing projects as well as in prisons-where alienated black criminals are converting to Islam in increasing numbers.

We also face a potential threat of radicalized, anti-American Black Muslims within our military's chaplaincy program. According to the Center for Security Policy, as of June, 2002, nine of the military's 14 Muslim chaplains received their training at the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences (GSISS) in Leesburg, Virginia.

In March of 2002, a federal task force called "Operation Green Quest" raided the offices of GSISS, along with 23 other Muslim groups. Agents also raided the homes of Dr. Iqbal Unus, the Dean of Students and Dr. Taha Al-Alwani, the school's president. According to the search warrants issued at the time, these groups were raided for "potential money laundering and tax evasion activities and their ties to terrorist groups such as … al Qaeda as well as individual terrorists…(including) Osama bin Laden." The GSISS was raided because of its suspected ties to the World and Islam Studies Enterprise, a terrorist front group established by former University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian who was arrested in February, 2003 for being a leader in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The fragging of American soldiers by a Black Muslim in Kuwait City could be an aberration, but the teaching that Black Muslims receive creates a mindset that is predisposed to hate America, whites, and any war against Muslim terrorists. Daniel Pipes has expressed alarm over this incident. He says the Asan Akbar terrorist attack re-enforces what he said in January, 2003: There is no escaping the unfortunate fact that Muslim government employees in law enforcement, the military and the diplomatic corps need to be watched for connections to terrorism, as do Muslim chaplains in prisons and the armed forces. Muslim visitors and immigrants must undergo additional background checks. Mosques require a scrutiny beyond that applied to churches and temples.

Clearly, we face not only an external threat but an internal one from a dangerous, hate-filled Fifth Column.

(A segment of an article in "Traditional Values Coallition" entitled: Black Muslims: A Fifth Column Inside The United States?)

Many of our brethren across the country are sore distressed by the state of affairs in churches of Christ today. To say that many churches are undergoing change is a gross understatement of the situation. Radical changes in thought toward the authority of the Scriptures are allowing many churches of Christ to take very liberal views toward the work and worship of the church. With the "new hermeneutic" as their license (which denies that the New Testament reveals a pattern for our organization, work, and worship) the movers and shakers of institutional churches of Christ are leading their people toward the wholesale acceptance of a myriad of innovations and compromises with denominationalism. Our brethren are "re-thinking" such issues as instrumental music in worship and the role of women in the leadership and worship of the church. Additionally, many brethren are abandoning "book, chapter, and verse" preaching and teaching for a modernistic higher criticism which seized the pulpits of denominational churches many years ago. Moral issues such as social drinking, mixed swimming, divorce and remarriage, immodest dress, etc. are no longer preached about in sermons lest we appear too strict and legalistic. Even the plan of salvation is under serious attack. Many leading, influential elders, preachers, and professors are not too sure there is a "plan" as we have preached it. Baptism is being "re-thought" in some circles, and it appears that before long the necessity of immersion for the remission of sins may be abandoned altogether.

Within many of the churches troubled by these issues are some brethren who sense strongly that the church is "leaving" them. They see these changes as apostasy, but it is hard to break long-standing ties with friends and family and leave such rank infidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ and His will. They know the church is not what it should be doctrinally, nor is it even moving in that direction. The preaching is no longer distinctive and could be served up in any denominational pulpit in town. They have tried to warn the elders, the preacher, their friends and anyone who will listen. But they are considered "old-fashioned", "non-progressive", "anti", and even "legalistic." Eventually, the elders no longer listen to them. The preacher berates them for trying to hold on to a "1950 mentality." Each passing week brings more compromise, additional innovation, and bolder liberalism. What must concerned brethren do if they cannot get the church to listen to the truth?

A Case In Point: King Jeroboam of Israel introduced the apostate worship of idolatrous golden calves in an effort to keep the northern tribes from going to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:26-33). He even appointed non-Levites to his new "priesthood." Unable to stop such apostasy, many Levites had no other recourse but to leave Israel and flee to Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13-17). Remaining faithful to God meant separating from their homes and friends with whom they had previously worshipped. Doubtless it was painful to do this, but it resulted in the strengthening of Judah (v. 17). Men and women who stand for the truth always strengthen the people of God who are like-minded.

When John heard the announcement of the imminent destruction of "Babylon," he heard another angel warn, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." (Revelation 18:4,5). While opinions vary regarding what "Babylon" is in this symbolic passage, the warning is clear that God's people must flee from Babylon or perish with her. Even Lot was warned to leave Sodom or be destroyed with the salacious city (Genesis 19:13,14).

It is no different today. God's faithful people must no longer promote apostasy by tolerating it. "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord É"

Reprinted from the Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 11/9/97.

"Developing Leadership In The Church For The 21st Century" and a "Bible Foundations" course are offered to meet the two greatest needs in the church today.

The leadership book is a practical, 63 page book of 13 chapters with review questions. The character traits, work habits and characteristics needed in servant leaders are detailed, that men may be taught, trained and disciplined to become self-disciplined servants of Christ. $5.00 plus s/h.

The Bible Foundations study is a unique course, designed to be used either as a study by mail or as a one-on-one study. Fourteen lessons stress the authority of the Bible, the authority of Christ, rightly dividing the word, what it means to obey the gospel, and Christ's church on earth today. Review questions are designed to lead to obedience to the gospel. $2.00 plus s/h. Unlimited reproduction rights are granted to teachers in programs who teach students in foreign countries. For more detailed information or to order, write to Allard Publications: eallard@juno.com

Chula Vista Books is owned and operated by Mark and Teah McWhorter. We carry a wide selection of Bible related materials--ladies' books, childrens' materials, commentaries, apologetics, lectureship books, missions books, class books, debates, sermon books, church history, topical studies, Bible covers, Bibles, tracts, BCCs and more.

We also send out used book lists from time to time. Unfortunately we do not have a catalog at present but invite your inquiries. If you would like to be on our mailing list, send us your email address.

Mark McWhorter, 420 Chula Vist Mtn Rd, Pell City AL 35125, Phone 205-338-1843

Does your congregation have a web site? Can you add, update and delete information from your existing web site easily? If you answered no to either question visit The Lord's Way. This new service allows you to create a web site for your congregation and update it yourself whenever you want by simply completing online forms. The service is designed for any congregation that wants a web site that contains current, updated and fresh information but does not want to invest the time and money in learning about the inner-workings of the Internet. Your new site will be packed with information about your congregation. Visit us and take a tour!

The Christian's dilemma concerning war is a profound one. On the one hand, we are to hate no one's soul nor to wish to see them destroyed. Yet, on the other hand, there exists evil people who desire to harm us which makes it difficult to wish them well. It is a subject that requires much soul-searching.

My first encounter with this dilemma was in the early 1940's during WWII. I was too young for the draft and I was not yet a baptized Christian, although I was old enough to consider the problem. I had 4 older brothers, all of whom served in one branch or another of the military during that period. I saw some young men refuse to go under the "Conscientious Objector" law and I perhaps misjudged some of them, thinking they were only shrinking from their duty.

Then, after I was baptized into Christ in 1948, I soon realized that I would have to resolve my thinking on this matter seeing the development of the Korean conflict. After some considerable study, I determined that I could not kill, or assist in the killing of anyone and I actually determined that I would not participate in this war. I even notified my draft board of that decision. But, as the time drew nearer and nearer, I continued to read and to meditate upon the subject and changed my mind, again. And I went. I am thankful to this day that God spared me the actual decision of pulling the trigger to kill someone.

But my conscience is clear now of the fact that I went and would have done whatever I was instructed to do to the best of my ability. Our nation is imperfect and it is not a "Christian" nation, in fact I would estimate that faithful followers of Christ would amount to less than one-tenth of one percent of the U.S. population, but I do believe that our motives and objectives are perhaps the most moral of any nation in the world. Many people hate us, but with only a very small amount of justification.

Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should have never found out that it has no meaning. Just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know that it was dark. "Dark" would be without meaning. (C.S. Lewis)

(From the book "1001 Great Stories" by R. Kent Hughes. Courtesy Jade Books)

The theme for SELTC 2003 is "Go!" Based on the book of Matthew, this year's study challenges each of us to allow God to rule in every area of our life. We pray that this year's study affords you the opportunity to grow closer to God and each other. The date for this year's convention is April 18-20, 2003. We will be meeting at the Adam's Mark in Mobile, AL. For more information please visit our website at www.seltc.org or call 205-988-5808.

The Bear Valley Bible Institute, Scottsboro Extension (BVBISE) is half-way through it's second year of operation under the oversight of the elders of the Broad Street Church of Christ in Scottsboro, Alabama. The school is an extension of the BEAR VALLEY BIBLE INSTITUTE of DENVER. 40 courses (and eight out-of-class mini-courses) completed over a four-year period lead to the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The Associates Degree may be earned in half that time.

One course is taught each month (except July and December) in two all-day Saturday sessions along with outside assignments. The school is TUITION FREE. The only costs to the student are for required texts & materials, and a $5 fee each Saturday to help cover the teacher's expenses. The teachers are academically well-qualified and experienced gospel preachers who know and love the Bible as the verbally inspired and authoritative word of God, and who volunteer their time and work as a labor of love.

BVBISE is committed to training sound and able Bible teachers (men and women), and faithful gospel preachers for service in the kingdom of Christ. The format is designed to make this training possible for men and women who must continue their jobs and other pursuits while they study. Credit is given for previous college or preacher-school study. A preacher-school graduate may be able to earn the Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree in as little as four months of study. For more information please contact the Broad Street Church of Christ, 613 South Broad Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. Phone: 256-574-2489. EMAIL

A Miser sold all that he had and bought a lump of gold, which he buried in a hole in the ground by the side of an old wall and went to look at daily. One of his workmen observed his frequent visits to the spot and decided to watch his movements. He soon discovered the secret of the hidden treasure, and digging down, came to the lump of gold, and stole it. The Miser, on his next visit, found the hole empty and began to tear his hair and to make loud lamentations. A neighbor, seeing him overcome with grief and learning the cause, said, "Pray do not grieve so; but go and take a stone, and place it in the hole, and fancy that the gold is still lying there. It will do you quite the same service; for when the gold was there, you had it not, as you did not make the slightest use of it."...Aesop