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BIOLfl COLLEGIANS ITINERARY
APRIL 23rd AM.
Biola
First Baptist Church Wasco, California Grace Baptist Church Santa Maria, California
Hour
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APRIL
B R O A D C A S T E R M onthly P u b lication o f th e BIOLA FELLOWSHIP
First Baptist Church Monterey, California West Bray Bible Church Berkeley, California North Valley Baptist Church Redding, California Evangelical Menonite Brethren Church Dallas, Oregon Salem Academy Salem, Oregon First Baptist Church Shelton, Washington Benny Park Lutheran Church Seattle, Washington Esperance Baptist Church Edmonds, Washington Westminster Chapel Bellevue, Washington King's Garden High School Seattle, Washington Broadway United Presbyterian Church Bellingham, Washington Westside Baptist Church Yakima, Washington Lent's Baptist Church Portland, Oregon First Baptist Church Grant's Pass, Oregon First Baptist Church Lodi, California Central Bible Church Modesto, California Butler Avenue Menonite
APRIL
APRIL
Vol. 7
No. 5
APRIL
MAY, 1967
Editor ............ .......AL SANDERS Production .............. BILL EHMANN Printing ................. CHURCH PRESS Published monthly by the Radio Dept. B IO L A S C H O O L S & C O L L E G E S 13800 Biola Avenue La Mirada, California 90638 STA FF President .......... S. H. SUTHERLAND THE TROUBLEMAKER — Water Wilson ............. 3 PASTOR'S ARE PEOPLE — Helen Frazee-Bower ...... 5 PSALM 19 — Al Sanders .. 7 PARABLES A N D PEARLS ....17 PANEL DISCUSSIONS ...... 26 COLOSSIANS — Lloyd T. Anderson ........31 COVER: The Biola Collegians, directed by Prof. Loren Wiebe. See schedule for church loca tions. CONTENTS CHRIST,
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BIOLA CHORALE ITINERARY
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Evangelical Free Church Chico, California
Continued on page 22
YOUR CHRIST IAN W IL L Did you know that thero is a way to invest in Biola for the training of students while saving costly estate taxes! Ultimately you may be able to leave more money for your loved ones. As a Fellowship member you are under no obligation when you write for information or counsel. B IO L A S T E W A R D S H IP D E P A R T M E N T
There is still the offense of the cross that divides men. When I was in Chicago as a medi cal student, I was on the Board of Charities. My district was the sec tion around the stockyards. There were numerous calls that came in for help medically and I would go to the family in need. It was quite re vealing to see that they wanted the medicine, but when I offered the Gospel, they had no interest in Jesus Christ whatsoever. You see, they want the kindness that goes with Christianity but don’t want the Sav iour Himself. They wanted us to be good to them but they didn’t want the One who makes men good. How true it is that men would like God to be good to them but they don’t want Him to get too personal! These people have a contempt and hatred for the Gospel. This is a picture of the human heart. Christ sends a sword, bringing trouble between fa ther and son. Look at the story in the Bible of the prodigal. A man wants to escape punishment but he doesn’t necessarily want to live with
H ave you ever thought of the fact that the Lord brings trou ble? He is the one who sends a sword (Matt. 10:34). It sounds like a paradox that when He is the Prince of Peace He should also bring trouble. While His mission of re demption brings peace to troubled hearts, yet it also upsets people, for the Lord Jesus makes a tremendous division wherever He goes. In John 6:66 we see a split among people. They had questioned Christ’s sov ereignty and His right to rule. As a result, some of them left Him. It has always been true of man that he re bels at anyone’s authority over him. For this reason Christ was crucified. In John 7 :43 we find another divi sion among the people. This time it is about Christ’s deity: whether He was God or not. It is the same today. There are numerous people who will agree that Jesus Christ was a good man but they do not be lieve that He is God. In John 9:16 there is division be cause of His power. Some accused Him of working miracles because He was in league with the devil. What a terrible thing to ascribe to Christ] Such blasphemy the world has never seen. In John 10:19 there is a division ueoause of what Christ said. Did He nave a right to make such state ments or was He a fraud? Could He enforce that about which He spoke with such authority? There was a division among the people. It has always been true with the human race, and it certainly is so today, that people want goodness but no God. Charity organizations abound everywhere wanting to help people’s physical needs with no thought for their never-dying souls.
Mrs. Louis T. Talbot (right), wife of Biola's chancellor and former missionary to India, has the opportunity of talking with one of this year's foreign students on the Biola Campus. Coming from India, his name is Ephraim P. SuderRao. As the picture reveals, there is always a happy smile on his face.
saved. They can’t pull together. One has to give up, and it’s very seldom that the unsaved person gives up to the saint. The Lord tells us that th o se who are heavenly-minded should not be united to those who are earthly-minded. One is going up and the other is going down. One wants to talk with God and the other hates God. One wants to live for the Lord and the other doesn’t. Do you see this division that comes in? I won’t marry an unsaved person to a Christian. Through the years I have been marrying people I have never done it, for too many trage dies result. Division comes in almost immediately unless the other person finds Christ. Yes, in such instances, Christ brings trouble. I f you want to have peace, beloved, go to the Prince of Peace, trust that lovely Saviour, and keep company with those who belong to Him so that you will want to pray and live for God, serving Him faithfully until Christ comes again. * * * L O S IN G T H E V I S IO N Despite h er overwhelming success and public acclaim , the fam ed singer Jenny Lind turned aside from her en chanted audiences. When she aban doned the stage, no one could under stand it. Granted the privilege o f a special interview , a rep orter asked the question which the world wanted an swered, “Why?” When he reach ed her home, he found her sitting on the fron t porch with the B ible in h er lap. I t was n ear the end o f the day and the sun was ju st setting. H er touching re sponse was, “Why have I given it all up? Because I found I was losing my taste fo r that which is even more im portant, this B ook and the eternal truths o f which it speaks.” What a penetrating testimony! The B ible teUs us to put on the new man which is re newed in knowledge a fte r the image o f Him that created him. May the fo rcefu l exhortation be pressed close to each o f our hearts today to set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth. 4
the One who made deliverance pos sible. It is this way with so many who want the forgiveness of God, so that He will blot out their sins and put away their guilt, taking them to heaven eventually but as far as want ing to walk with the Lord who ac complishes all of this, that is a dif ferent matter. Universally, men want to be good and lovely without the Saviour. They want to be right eous and upright if it doesn’t cost too much. Bringing in Christ is where the trouble begins. There are three battles going on constantly. The flesh is against the spirit, the devil is against Christ, and the world is against the Father. Look at your own life and you will find it’s so. Consider the marriage of a believer with an unbeliever. What a tragedy! A Christian is joined up with a dead person. The Bible says, “Thou shalt not link an ox and an ass together.” The ox represents the Christian, the ass represents the un-
Mr. Roger Booth, manager of radio station KBBW, Bioia's full time San Diego radio voice, is pictured above as he interviews per sonalities for one of the daily Gospel programs.
PASTORS ARE PEOPLE
by Helen Frazee-Boiver
I N my many years of Christian ex perience I have received the gos pel from the lips of many men of God — some brilliant, who spoke with great eloquence; some humble, who spoke with great simplicity. From each I received a blessing. In fact I can say, in all honesty, that almost never have I gone to the House of God and come away empty. Part of the reason for this may have been that, like the lame man at the gate called Beautiful, I looked on these men “expecting to receive” something. But mostly because God honors His Word wherever and whenever it is preached in sincerity and truth. Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” And He does. Any man called of God to preach the gospel has been chosen for the most exalted position this world has to offer. It is certainly with no thought of detracting from the hon or of their position that I make the statement, “pastors are people.” The words are not meant to convey the thought that they are merely people, but rather that they too are people. Pastors are people! They have feelings. Few of us would think of criticizing a fellow member of the congregation for the way his wife dresses, or his children behave, but we seem to think it is our business to keep an eye on the pastor’s family. Did you ever head, “Why are preach ers’ children always the worst?” The answer, of course, is that they are not. It is only that more people ob serve them. Ministers are public ser vants; but their families are not public property. It is true that “a city that is set upon a hill cannot be hid,” but that is no reason for throwing stones at it. What would be considered rudeness, if spoken of
anyone else, is sometimes said of the pastor’s family, with an actual sense of having fulfilled a righteous obli gation ! Pastors are people! They get tired. They have physical limitations. It is no easier for them to work constant ly than for any other human being. Even Jesus became weary; else why was He asleep on a pillow during the storm at sea? How prone we are to ask of the pastor, “Where were you when I was sick?” as though we were the only people he had to look after! Our individual troubles are not unique to the pastor: they are part of a long succession of similar expe riences covering the entire congre gation. No matter how much one may long to do for others, human strength cannot be stretched beyond a certain limit; there is a breaking point for all men. One of the finest sermons I ever listen ed to was preached by a pastor who had been up all night with a dying man. Un doubtedly his message was enriched by this experience. Nevertheless, his life was shortened because he spent his strength too freely for his people. Because few pastors will share them selves when they feel they are need ed, it becomes the obligation of the congregation not to make thought less demands upon them. Pastors are people! They make mistakes. Just because a man is called of God to preach the gospel, he is not necessarily placed beyond the possibility of making human erors. The Scriptures say that we shall be like Jesus — “when we shall see Him as He is.” But until that time, we are in the flesh and are heirs to the weakness of the flesh. All of us are capable of mak ing wrong choices, unwise decisions,
there must be something there that a man can find nowhere else. The pastor’s privacy needs to be guarded by his congregation. Over against this fact there stands another op posed to it, but equally true. Because pastors are people, they are often a little lonely. The very nature of their task makes them that way. They have been set apart by God for a holy work, and they must spend much time apart with God, in preparation for that work. For this reason they may often seem aloof. The man in the pulpit has been dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High,” and it is as unfair to expect him suddenly to come down to earth at the sanctuary door, as it would be to expect Moses of the shining face to come down from the mountain to inquire, “And how are all the children?” The pastor’s aloofness may trou ble him more than anyone else. He must not play favorites with the members of his flock; he dare not discuss his problems with anyone in the congregation. He is a man who “must show himself friendly,” yet have few intimate friends of his own. If he seems a little aloof, don’t forget that he is a little lonely too. Pastors are people: very special people, to be sure — chosen vessels of the Lord, to be used of Him that others might come to know the Sav iour — but human, nevertheless. As people, they have feelings, physical limitations, human desires, weak nesses as well as strengths — even as you and I. Perhaps they would like us to remember this sometimes. Perhaps the greatest service we can render our pastors is to grant them the same understanding we would extend to any fellow-Chris- tian; and not expect more of them than we would have them expect of us. * * * Grief can lake care of itself; however, to get the full value from joy it must be shared with others. 6
unfortunate remarks. We all exhibit flaws and make errors. To lead the victorious life should be the goal of every Christian — not just the pas tor; and to expect perfection in him, that we do not achieve in ourselves, is unfair. Pastors will sometimes make mistakes. These are God’s con cern, not ours. The Scriptures say, “To his own master he standeth or falleth.” Indeed they say more, “Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Pastors are people! They need pri vacy. Because men of God, like men of medicine, are on 24-hour call, their private life is invaded con stantly. The pastor has less time with his family than the average man — but needs more. He, who gives constantly to others, has need of the comfort, understanding and warmth that are the basic portion of life within the family circle. Un necessary phone calls to his home rob him of his all-too-brief oppor tunity to be alone with his own. The surprise “I just dropped in” visit you were planning to make may be more than a surprise. It may be an intrusion. It is God Himself who “setteth the solitary in families;” so
Dr. Bolton Davidhelser, at the science desk, lectures a group of students at Biola College. The room is the new science facility which features closed circuit television. In this man ner students may closely observe the experi ments and specimens via a special television microscope connection. The room is built on tiered levels so that the view is unobstructed.
PSALM 19
by Al Sanders
O NE of the most majestic portions of Scripture is the 19th Psalm. The first part of this, which we have been discussing in previous broad casts, deals with the creation of the universe by God. The first six verses concern the Lord’s revelation to man through nature, while Psalm 19:7-9 clearly shows Him in His righteous law. You see, the first section con siders the revelation of God through His works, but now we see Him re vealed in His Word. How beautifully the Scripture is put together! Now, while this is a thrilling thing to contemplate that this first book of God reveals Him basically in great ness through the glory of nature, the second aspect of Him comes from the Bible, truly the book of God. It’s in teresting to realize that throughout the Word of God two principal names are given to our Lord. There are many others, of course, but these are found frequently. F irst is the word, El, which means “the Creat or.” The second is “Jehovah,” which means the “Covenant Keeper,” the One who exhibits His unchanging love for us. Note, in the first portion of this chapter, the word E l is used. As an example, in the first verse when it refers to the glory of God, it is to Him as Creator. However, when we look at the second book, beginning with verse 7, we see that the word Lord is “Jehovah.” The Jews shrank from pronouncing His name, it was so sacred to them. The translators throughout the Old Tes tament, whenever this word appears, put “LORD” in capital letters. It’s a good way to remember. Beginning with verse 7 of Psalm 19, we have six statements in the original, each one of 10 words, and each giving us some different and pertinent truth about the Word of God. Various
shades of meaning are seen. For com parison , consider the 119th Psalm and underline the many dif ferent terms which are used for the Word of God. In each verse there is a different expression such as, “testimony,” “ways,” “p recep ts,” “statutes,” “righteous judgments,” “law,” “commandments.” This, of course, does not simply refer to the Ten Commandments, but rather to the entire counsel and truth of God. Psalm 19:7 tells us that God’s law is perfect; that is, there is no flaw or defect in it whatsoever. Man’s first necessity is to be con verted, reconciled to the Lord. To be converted means simply to “bring back” man’s spirit. The Bible re minds believers, “You who were dead in trespasses and sins hath he quickened” or made alive; He has brought man’s spirit in tune or fel lowship with Himself. He alone can refresh and nourish the inner life as food restores the body. We’re not going to find help watching TV or reading improper books. It’s the Bible we need. Here in the last part of Psalm 19:7 we are told “the tes timony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” The term testimony refers to the divine witness as to what God is, and that it is sure in dicates its reliability, that it is worthy of being followed absolutely. Incidentally, you know, it’s said that man is reliable. In a sense this is true, if you consider that he lied once and he no doubt will lie again. So that means he’s “reliable!” This is not true of the Word of God. It will make wise the simple. Don’t let the term concern you, for it does not refer to intellect at all but means those who are humble. Too many people are proud of their humility. The familiar whimsical motto dubi- 7
ously declares, “My mind is made up already. Don’t confuse me with the facts.” Some people just aren’t in terested in hearing about the truths of God’s Word. Verse 8 tells us, “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” Here we find statutes sym bolizing the divine directions God has given for obedience or correc tion. The Lord presents man with the straight road to follow and as we do so, we find true contentment and satisfaction in it rather than as a result of mere outward circum stances. Now, let’s pause a moment, looking back to see our progress. We have wisdom, followed by joy. But we still need guidance and direction which is promised to those who have fel lowship with the Lord and meditate in these truths. The last part of Psalm 19:8 assures us, “The com mandment of the Lord is pure, en lightening the eyes.” These divine decrees righteously made by God are truly authoritarian. Revelation is like pure water, when we can see our own reflection in it. Have you been having trouble seeing the pathway properly? The Scripture is like an oculist, or an eye surgeon, who is able to remove cataracts that we may behold God in all of His fullness. As we continue on in verse 9 we are reminded, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” The word fe a r often suggests something mysterious, dangerous and forebod ing. But the meaning here is some thing altogether different and really beautiful. It has nothing to do with being afraid, but represents rever ential trust. It is the settled habit of the informed soul resting in God. That it’s clean shows that there’s no pollution in it which means it can not decay. There’s no insidious bac teria to cause any corruption. Be cause it is of the Lord, it endures forever. What do you know of this quality? With governments of the world shaken, how consoling it is to
know that God remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. Verse 9 concludes with the state ment that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. The term judgments here has refer ence to judicial decisions, or decrees of Jehovah. They are true, never false, but always faithful. In other words, they “square up” with each other. All parts of the Word of God support each other, fitting together perfectly. This is what we mean by the plenary inspiration of Scripture. JEHOVAH-RAPHA Exodus 15:26 He bore the Cross, endured the stripes For my body and soul, He suffered ill that agony That I might be made whole. How could I turn on such a love, Its priceless healing touch; For no one else coul.d I reject The Christ I love so much. The Sanctifier of my life The Giver of my peace. The One who brings joy out of gloom And from my pain release. I praise His Name for all He means To me upon my way, To be His humble servant here I most earnestly pray. I want to follow where He leads, Lay my own plans aside, To trust His judgment for my life To let Him be my Guide. My Saviour, Pilot, Healer, Friend, M y hand in His I place, In perfect trust from now until I see Him face to face! Verse 10 of Psalm 19 reminds us to remember, for we seem so quick to forget the fact, that they are more to be desired than gold. While we all may agree with this in principle, just how interested are we in the study of God’s Word? We’re living in an age when money has become our god and sex its high priest. Here, the Psalmist says, is where the real treasures are to be found, even in a materialistic, secular, af fluent society. The Word of God is 8
committed one sin a day, at least one? All we need do then is to mul tiply that by 365, then multiply the figure by how many years we’ve lived. All of us have sinned on the T H E S T I N G Y O L D W O M A N A stingy Grandma was hatching geese, And prayed again and again, “Lord, I promise to give You one goose, If you will give me the ten." Well, sure enough He answered her prayer, And ere her praying did cease, She looked one morning and there in joy She found her ten little geese. But one was crippled she sadly saw, And gave her head a quick nod, " I promised one to our Father above— That's the one I'll give to God." Nine lively geese all thrived and grew, But the tenth, it's sad to say, Grew weaker, yes weaker, that until It finally passed away. The stingy Grandma did not mind (You'd think that she really would;) But in her heart— that selfish old heart— She felt she'd done all she should. She talked to God; here's what she said, "I'm sorry, Lord, but I tried— The goose that I gave You— well you know That goose. I'm sorry, it died!" How many of us, I wonder sometimes, Give God "crippled geese" every day? The gifts which no one else would want, Things we'd just throw away? He wants the love that prompts our best, He's worthy of all we can give; Don't be like the stingy Grandma— Give a "goose" that's going to live! average of many more times than just once a day. The number prob ably couldn’t begin to be computed for there are not only sins of which we are aware, but also sins which 9
“sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” As we come to Psalm 19:11, a very practical exhortation is given to us concerning the Bible. “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great re ward.” We are rightly reminded to avoid all appearance of evil. As far as reward is concerned, this doesn’t have specific reference to what is called “pie in the sky, by and by,” but rather the rewards spoken of in Scripture, such as in I Cor. 3:11-13 and II Cor. 5:10 where as believers we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ and our work shall be tried, so as by fire. Our efforts done in selfish pride will be like wood, hay and stubble, completely consumed in the flames. That which has been done in the power of Christ, and for His honor and glory will come from the fire as refined gold, silver and precious stones for us to enjoy throughout all eternity. How shrewd an investor are you? If you knew of a piece of land you could pick up for a song, which would be extremely valuable in just a few short months, you’d probably want to invest in it. The apprecia tion would be fantastic. That, my friend, is just exactly what God is offering. When you invest in the treasures of His Word, you’ll be rich, not just for time, but also for all eternity. So, the first six verses reveal God in nature, the next three in His Word, and now, the last section of Psalm 19 shows Him in the highest area of truth as He is so wonder fully revealed in our own personal experiences. You see, the skies tell much about the Lord, with the Scriptures revealing even more, but the human soul unfolds the most of all. In verse 12 we read, “Who can understand his errors?” To put it in language we might use today: “Who knows how many sins he’s commit ted?” How about it? Do you have any idea? Would you say that you’ve
own defects generally escape our scrutiny. Oh how easy it is to see the problems of others; they are very clearly in focus, to be sure. As we analyze our own shortcomings, it is a far different matter. Bodily d is e a se will generally manifest itself in some sort of pain or physical symptoms. It’s true that some forms of cancer unfortunately will gain such a hold on an individ ual that he is unaware until excru ciating pain grips him. At the start, he may not fully realize the destruc tive power at work within him. Like wise, the peculiar characteristic of moral disease is that it works on us secretly. Do you see what David had in mind in asking for cleansing from “secret” sins? These are transgres sions we may not feel or to which we have become insensitive, yet we know from the searchlight of God’s Word that they have a tremendously destructive effect upon our lives. The sins we confess might be likened to the farmer’s samples of grain which he brings to the market. In other words, there are many more where these came from. Actually, sin can only really be fully measured when we resist it, or when we stand our ground. It is when we turn back temptation by the power of God’s Holy Spirit that we can sense this tremendous strug gle of the soul. Unfortunately, all too frequently our conscience has be come dulled and we don’t fully ap preciate the fact that God is trying to speak to us. In a sense we’ve turned our backs on Him. An Indian Christian was asked to define conscience. He explained it by saying in language I ’ll para phrase, “It’s a three-cornered thing which when I do something wrong begins to move around in my heart. As it rotates, the points hurt me, but I’ve found that when I just over look it, not heeding it at all, even tually those points begin to wear off as they go around rapidly, and then I don’t feel them at all.” The Bible 10
may have escaped us, transgression of omission as well as commission. So David rightly asks, “Who can un derstand his errors?” To say one is guiltless is like a man who would knowingly hide a criminal in his own. house. In James 1:23-24 we read, “He is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Haven’t you some time looked at a picture of yourself only to remark, “Is that really I ? ” The face seems so un familiar reflected in photograph or even mirror. I suggest that if this is true on the outside, think of what we are like on the inside, where no one but God can see. There is a fugi tive criminal who dwells within us, whom Scripture refers to as the old man or the old nature. For this rea son we are to crucify the flesh with all its affections and lusts. But you see, the problem usually is that our
Mr. Merv Fishback (right), executive admin istrator of Biola's Phoenix affiliate, the Ari zona Bible College, points out the place on the map to which graduates of ABC have gone. With him is the president of this year's study body, Mr. Larry Corcoran, who is also pastor of the Westside Bible Church In Phoenix.
refers to a man who continually sins as having a conscience which has been seared as with a hot iron. This comes from not yielding one self wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the power of the Holy Spirit. Too often we allow ourselves to be subdued by temptations which Satan so cleverly puts in our way. It’s not easy to estimate the wind’s power blowing across an open plain, but when it hits trees, or perhaps a flag, the obstruction shows the wind’s in tensity and velocity. So it is if we would see the power sin has over man. The moment we begin to re sist, its force is clearly evident. Robert Murray MacCheyne, that famed Scottish man of God, died at the early age of 28, having lived more than one lifetime burning out for Christ. He was asked why it was that people came to hear him preach. He responded, “Perhaps the reason so many of the worst sinners want to listen to what the Lord says through me is because they have discovered such a likeness between their hearts and mine.” His exhortation is a good one for all preachers and Bible teachers, who know that they must preach first of all to themselves. So, in this way when we speak to others we’re really telling them how God’s working in our own lives. The prob lem is, however, sin often makes us afraid to know ourselves. Have you ever been injured seriously enough to require some stitches? After the doctor finished bandaging up the wound, we have been hesitant to look at the injured area, knowing how ugly and awful it was. We don’t like to see the hurt part, unless we have some morbid curiosity. Even so, man doesn’t like to have his easy tranquil ity disturbed by spiritual anxiety. Perhaps you have heard of the African Queen who had never seen a mirror. A merchant came to the area, bringing goods to trade. She was to exchange some of her gold for his trinkets which she foolishly considered more valuable. A beauti
ful chrome-covered mirror caught her special fancy, and in bartering, the trader exacted a high price. The ugly queen, however, looking at her self in the mirror for the first time, was so horrified with the apparition that she ordered the trader banished from her coast, declaring that should he ever return to the village, he would surely be put to death. The mirror was dashed into a thousand pieces. She was not willing to see herself, and was furious because she didn’t know any better. A lot of people right here in our own land are even more foolish, as they reject the perfect mirror of God’s Word for they are not willing to see themselves in it for what they really are. The Scripture calls for spiritual cleansing, yet too often we’re not willing to come to the place of com plete surrender to the Lord. We sel dom take time to confess all our sins. We may mention those things which may particularly bother us, and then wonder why we can’t find real joy which God has promised. If we were honest with ourselves, we might say that there are some sins we like just a little too much to give up. Do you rem em ber about the dragon’s head in mythology? When one was cut off, ten more grew in its place. The parallel is that unless sin
Dr. Louis T. Talbot (right), chancellor of Biola, enjoys a time of fellowship with his life-long friend. Dr. Ray A. Myers, chairman of the Biola Board of Directors.
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fulness and depravity of the human heart. So, in Psalm 19:12, David rightly prays, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults.” This means not only things done out of the view of others, which would include both deeds and thoughts, but also those which have become habits so much so that we never think much about them any more. Let me illustrate. Have you ever known anyone who is unpleas ant to be around? I think the Word of God clearly teaches us that it’s a sin for a Christian to be critical, sour-dispositioned, filled with tem per, possessing a loose tongue, and always being cynical. Yet, aren’t these things common to many Chris tians? They have followed in such pathways for so long a time that they no longer consider them sin ful. We’ve justified ourselves. It’s not a case of gossiping; it’s merely telling someone the facts about what’s going on. We don’t lose our temper; we’re merely exercising our prerogative of righteous indigna tion. Of course we’re never sour; we just happen to be more objective about life and our fellow man. Perhaps you have heard the an cient legend of the blacksmith who
is confessed, this terrible disease, infecting the soul, will continue to creep its way across the pathway of our minds until our character gradually deteriorates. Think for a moment about the income tax situa tion. According to statistics, from 75% to 80% people in our coun try cheat on their income tax. Now, if it’s true that 93% of the popula tion belong to churches, it must be that a lot of church members, even professing Christians, are dishonest with their government. So as the c h a r a c t e r gradually deteriorates, man loses his concern about sin and its eroding effects. At the office, someone may help himself to the company’s stationery, pencils, paper clips, and so forth, justifying or ra tionalizing the activity by thinking, “They don’t pay me what I ’m worth; anyway, they don’t even know they have them.” The basic problem here is that we’re not judging sin in the light of the Word of God, but by principles of man, many of which are embodied in what is known as the new moral ity. In other words, something is only sinful if a man is caught. This is the basis for lowering moral standards on sex. We can’t possibly measure sin by what other people say of it, no matter what kind of deci sion our Supreme Court may hand down. The only way to judge sin is by what the Bible tells us, for these standards never change or vary. It’s rather interesting to note how that men are seeking certain th in g s which are now against the law, while those things now legal they would have made illegal. Just the listing of them is quite a commentary on the times in which we’re living. As an example, there is a concerted effort to legalize abortion, homosexuality, LSD, marijuana, adultery, and gam bling. Things which these people would have declared illegal are capi tal punishment, prayer, censorship, and police investigations. If nothing else this certainly reveals the sin
Dr. Earl V. Pullias, Chairman of Higher Edu cation, USC, addressed a recent gathering of Southern California representatives from colleges and universities sponsored by the greater La Mirada Chamber of Commerce in honor of Biola. Dr. Pullias has assisted the ministry of the school as a counselor in its program of accreditation. During the month-long program La Mirada honored Biola with special citations presented by the city, county, and also the California State legislature.
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was extremely strong. He constantly boasted of his ability to make chains no one could break. Likewise, he claimed he could snap anyone else’s chains. People would bring him chains from time to time, but he had little trouble finding a weak link. Then, one day, he fell into the dis favor of his king, and was thrown into prison. Aside, to his friends, he mocked the chains which held him, boasting that no one’s chains could hold him; he could break the very best. When the guards weren’t look ing, he began carefully sifting through each link, one after the oth er. He went through them several times until in desperation he came to the horrible realization that they had bound him with his own chains! If anything, this is an exact picture of what the Psalmist, David, had in mind. The little iniquities become so much a part of the warp and woof of our lives, they are as secret sins in the sense that they are now habit ual and we no longer think of them as really sinful. You see, we have become bound by our own chains. Science tells us that we may carry germs in our system for years with out any danger. They remain dor mant and harmless. Then, when cir cumstances are right, the body weak or lacking proper care and nourish ment, these germs may seek the op portunity to break out and gain the upper hand. Cancer sometimes works this way. What a picture of sin! It is in such an insidious manner that sin seeks to work. Magazines and newspapers have printed stories in recent days about some of the new electronic gear which can be used to eavesdrop, or just plain “snoop” on people. A de vice was recently shown in New York City looking like an ordinary telephone. Dialing the number of an individual somewhere else in the United States, without that person’s phone actually ever ringing, and without his lifting the receiver, the person instigating the “snoop” can
Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland (right), president of Biola, chats with Rev. Don Rood, Western sec retary for the Pocket Testament League.
hear everything that goes on in the room, with the victim totally un aware of what’s happening. Without his knowing it, his telephone becomes a sensitive microphone. This is a lit tle disconcerting, to say the least. But all these new electronic gadgets cannot even begin to compare with the fact that God’s ears are always open. His eyes never close, and He knows and sees. This should give us pause for concern and introspec tion. Have you seen these glass beehives where the interested person can watch the creatures at work? Even so the Lord has nothing hidden be fore Him. This is why He calls us to cleansing. The wonderful part of it is not only our initial and immedi ate acquittal promised in such verses as I John 1:9, but also something more wonderful. Because of the fin ished work of Christ on Calvary’s Cross, we can also claim deliverance from the power of sin. The Holy Spirit wants to keep us from going back, committing the same sinful deeds over and over and over again. Could you single out the most holy man in your church congregation and ask him if he would mind making known to all the people his every thought for the week, or even for the day? He might be tempted to offer you the biggest bribe possible, or at least an alibi, because there are no individuals without sin. What clearer words are there than “All
presumptuous sin, or that terrible iniquity, that would lead to death. David says in this Psalm, “Let them not have dominion over me.” In other words, he abhores iniquity and does not want it to be the rule and prac tice of his life. We receive a number of questions here at “The Biola Hour” concem- Since Christ my Saviour keepeth me? He goes before His blood-bought sheep O'er mountains high, through valleys deep. Afraid— of what, I pray, Since He doth hold my hand alway? He turns the darkness into light, And fills my soul with pure delight. Afraid— of stormy sea, And what the future holds for me? He sees the path that I must go. And guards me in my walk below. Afraid— that He'll forget When hope is dim and fears beset? Ah, no, He'll come In might and pow'r. And keep me through the darkest hour. Afraid? How can I be, When Christ the Lord doth watch o'er me? He never slumbers day nor night, And so my heart doth know no fright. Afraid— when at the end Cold death shall cherished plans all rend? E'en then His way I know is best, And so I'll praise Him for sweet rest. — J. M. Carlson ing different portions of Scripture. One of the most common concerns I John 3:9, which tells us, “Whatso ever is bom of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is bora of God.” To understand this portion, we need the context and background involved. The proper translation de- AFRA ID Afraid? Why should I be,
have sinned and come short of the glory of God” ? The problem is that the pleasures of this life become so entrancing that we tend to overlook the promises of God’s Word. Do you recall the legend of the lotus eaters in mythology? Soldiers, having waged an extensive and costly battle, were coming home victorious. As they passed th rou g h the strange land of the lotus, their taste so turned to rapacious craving for the narcotic herb that their minds became affected. They fell into a dreamy state and lost all ambition to go on. They quickly forgot that for which they fought, as well as their loved ones at home. So are the pleasures of this life as they work upon us through the temptations of Satan. Verse 13 of Psalm 19 declares, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins.” These are sins, which like all iniquities in a basic sense, are really o p e n rebellion against God. It’s interesting to note that atonement is provided in the Jewish law for every sin except this one. Nothing is available or pre scribed for sins of willful presump tion. We read in Scripture, “But the soul that sinneth presumptuously shall have no atonement. It shall be cut off from the midst of my people.” Secret sin, you see, is a stepping stone to presumptuous sin, which has sometimes been called in the New Testament the sin unto death, spoken of in I John 5, as well as II Corinthians 3. We read of it in connection with Ananias and Sap- phira, (Acts 5:1-11), who not only sinned secretly, but also presumptu ously before the Lord. The Bible does reveal in a very sobering manner that there are some sins which are so grievous to God that He sends physical death, in order that souls might be preserved unto eternity. You see, when a believer comes to the Lord Jesus Christ, he can’t lose his salvation; He can’t be unborn. Yet there is the very real danger of
dares that a Christian will not let sin be the practice or the norm for his life. A certain fellow received Jesus Christ as Saviour, and quite naturally wanted to join the church. He was asked for his testimony. The deacons inquired, “Do you know that you were a sinner before you came to Christ?” He readily admitted that he was. One continued, “And how about now?” To this the young man’s ready and apt reply was, “Oh, I ’m still a sinner, but you see, before I was a sinner running after sin, but now, I ’m a sinner running away from sin!” This is exactly what David’s talking about. He prayed, “Don’t let sin have dominion over me; let it not rule my life.” Finally, to complete our study of the 19th Psalm, there is this beauti ful paean of praise and practical benediction which comes into focus, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be accept able in thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” You see, we need to pray earnestly the 19th Psalm in the fullness of our hearts so that we won’t have to write the 51st, in which David had to pray, “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit within me.” The problem is that while the words are right, the practical application is lacking. He is saying, “Let the words of my mouth be in accordance with the way I think in my heart.” To day it’s unfortunate there are many who have the Lord on their lips but the world in their hearts. Sir Isaac Newton declared, “I can take my telescope and look millions and millions of miles into space, but I can lay it aside, go into my room, shut the door, get down on my knees in earnest prayer, and see more of heaven and get closer to God than I can assisted by all the telescopes in the world.” What are the meditations of your heart? On what do you feast and dwell? Years ago, in a little province of Spain known as Segovia, a large
reservoir had been constructed cen turies ago. It contained the water supply for the community. Built only with mud, it stood as an architectur al masterpiece for the area. Later, civic leaders, recognizing its histori- D O N 'T B E A F O O L You say you don't believe in God, The Bible is untrue; That Jesus wasn't virgin-born, He never died for you. Suppose you're wrong, how will you feel, For all the things you've said. For ev'ry time you've cursed His name, And for the life you've led? You're mighty small to challenge God, I think you will agree. When He had made the moon and stars. The sun, the worlds, the sea. And you stand back to criticize, And say you don't believe; I wonder what the Lord must think, And how His heart must grieve. You'd better start to mend your ways Before it is too late; Or some day you'll wake up in Hell (That's the Bible, plain and straight), And there throughout eternity. You'll weep both night and day. To think you let the chance go by, And Heaven slip away. So why not stop your unbelief, And give the Lord your heart? Repent today of all your sin. For Heaven make a start. And then you'll find His peace and rest, And joy you never knew; When you believe that Jesus died On Calvary for you. — Walt Huntly cal value, decided to take steps to preserve the reservoir for all pos terity. They planned to have it emp tied, then cement it in, reconstruct ing it as needed, so that it would have permanence (although it had
already been in existence for hun dreds of years). When it was emp tied, tragically the dry reservoir bot tom cracked and deteriorated: ce ment only forced it further apart, and the project had to be scrapped, with the Segovian reservoir now left in ruins. It can happen in our own lives. When we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, He gives us the fullness of His Spirit. But sometimes, we quench the Spir it; sometimes we turn Him aside, not listening to His voice, our media tions of heart are not on Him. This is where the problem and the danger come in. Our hearts are empty and dry. Oh Lord, may the words of my mouth be in accordance with that which I say in my heart. So often when we pray or when we talk, it’s because we are concerned about oth ers and what they will think. Fre quently we receive mail from people who say, “I am afraid to pray in church because I don’t know how to talk to God out loud.” Basically, what they’re saying is, “I am so proud that I don’t want people to think little of me in case I get my words all twisted up.” Listen, what the Psalmist is talking about is that if the meditations of your heart are correct, the words of your mouth can’t but exactly coincide. After all, the only One we have to please is the Lord Himself. The reason why we want to please Him is because He is our strength, a word coming origin ally from “rock,” the One on Whom our lives are safely anchored. There are a lot of things to which people are attaching their lives today: money, possessions, social standing, political prominence, and on down the list. All of these, however, will come to naught, for only the Lord can be man’s Strength, Rock, Refuge, and Redeemer in the storms of life. Are you solidly anchored to Jesus Christ? God grant that it may be so. * * * Men may make riches; however, riches will never make a man.
ONE DAY A T A T IM E One day at a time, with its failures and fears. With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears. With its portion of pain and its bur den of care; One day at a time we must meet and must bear. One day at a time to be patient.and strong; To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong; Then its toiling shall pass and its sor row shall cease; It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace. One day at a time— but the day is so long. And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong, 0 compassionate Christ, be Thou near all the way; Give courage and patience and strength for the day. Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet, "Yea, I will be with thee, thy trou bles to meet; 1 will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve; I will not forsake thee; I never will leave." Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear. Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care; Why should we look forward or back with dismay? Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day. One day at a time, and the day is His day; He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay. His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone; As the day, so the strength, that He giveth His own. — Annie Johnson Flint
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parables and pearls
(AS FEATURED OVER THE BIOLA HOUR)
ROOTS OF LIFE Many o f you have seen the beautiful night blooming cactus which parades its glory and spreads its frag ran ce across the moonlit deserts o f N e w Mexico, Texas and Arizona. What is so fascinating is its secret life, which has an interesting spiritual parallel. Ben eath the su rface, buried deep in the sun-parched sands, there are enormous roots, shaped like turnips, many weigh ing from 60 to 125 pounds. E ach is a veritable reservoir which stores up enough nourishment to take care o f the plant over a two-year period o f drought. R egardless o f w eather conditions, the blooms and arom a are sure to pervade the desert each year, usually about the latter p art o f June. How f a r down do your roots go? * * * Some people carry their religion on their shoulders like a burden instead of in their hearts like a song. * * * A VO ICE FOR GOD While walking along a country road one day, a minister, who had been criticized by townspeople fo r always getting excited about the things o f Christ, saw a landslide in a gravel pit. Three men, all laborers, w ere buried alive. He shouted at the top o f his voice, calling fo r help. People in the community about a mile aw ay heard him and came running. It was in terest ing to note that no one blam ed him fo r his earnestness then. Yet he had used the same emphatic tone to warn sinners to “fle e from the w rath to come.” How inconsistent it is that some Christians will shout themselves hoarse at some sort o f a gam e, but when it comes to using their voices to praise the Lord, they are strangely silent. The P salm ist declared, “L e t us mag
n ify the L ord together.” Remember, God’s praises always sound best in concert. Have your harp tuned so that at any time you can burst fo rth in song and praise to the Lord. Often those whom we hear speak the least on earth are best known for their talk in Heaven. * * * LOOK A N D LIVE P erhaps you’ve seen the painting o f the stormy lake and the lone man row ing the small boat across the churn ing billows in a desperate struggle fo r his very life. The skies are dark and angry, with the exception o f a small r ift in the clouds where one lone star shines through. The man obviously has fixed his gaze upon this as his last hope fo r survival. The caption which the craftsm an has appropriately given, is as though the words came from the. sailor’s own lips, “I f I lose that, I ’m lost.” What a picture fo r us in these busy and fru strating days in which we live! The storms o f life thrash all about us yet God has told us to look up i f we would desire unm istakable direc tions fo r this pilgrim journey. This is why we are told to be “looking unto Jesu s, the author and finisher o f our fa ith .” Shallow minds like shallow waters are easily ruffled. * * * LISTEN, SON Listen, Son, I ’m saying this to you as you lie asleep, one little hand crum pled under your cheek and the curls still wet on your damp, dirty little forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Ju st a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my p ap er in the living * * * * * *
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