Brethren:

In the thread entitled “A People of the Book” we had made a suggestion which we remain convinced was a good one that could be of benefit to all who write in the forum and who read and lurk in it. But the suggestion was soon forgotten because of deliberate efforts to derail it by starting controversies, which took our attention away from it. And therefore I thought it would be good to make it a subject of another thread so that those who comment upon it, if they stay on subject will not be allowed to derail it in this fashion again. I will now quote our words concerning that suggestion and ask again if we could begin to take it seriously and take some action upon it as follows:

“I recommend Brethren that we take this attitude of being a “people of the Book” and practice it in this forum. I have a suggestion. Let Brother Danny (our new sheriff in town) "assign" to those of us who write regularly in this forum, who are willing to do so, a book from the Bible. And to write weekly about it, after having studied diligently and researched the portion of the book he is coving for that week until we have covered the entire Bible. I believe that such would not be without some controversy in some places but mostly such would edify us. Especially if we approach it with the highest respect for God and his people the saints of God. By this means we might be steered away from some of the absurd and silly controversies often seen here and find a closer walk with God ourselves. And the preachers in this forum will have plenty of “sermon material” taken from the fountain from which the gospel originated and guided by the Holy Spirit through his word to teach the truth and walk uprightly. Please brethren. Let us begin now, in this forum to discuss in a systematic way THE BOOK. And let us do it with the ability that we have. We do not need “scholars” to explain it all to us. We can understand it for it is not just an “ancient book” of interest and value for scholars and archeologist. It is the word of God written to man. It is the precious word of God and without it and all that it teaches us all of our “petty controversies” (By comparison) are nothing more than moot! Let us do this, brethren. It is hard word but a worth work. Let us expound upon the word of God in this forum. You will find it to be far more interesting than so- called “contemporary brother hood issues” and comments upon the politics of the times we live in. And I am not condemning the discussion of such topics nor saying that they should cease. But I am saying that they should take a far “back seat” to this most important thing. Let us lead our readers “back to THE BOOK”. Let us do so by a return to the constant exposition of the word of God by competent men among us who are willing to do the work. Please give serious consideration to this suggestion my brethren and let us know by you comments if you agree to be, along with us, a “people of the book” in this forum.”

Now, we received from one person in this forum, Brother Faris, a vote that we do this and a good suggestion that we ask or invite Brother Sam Lovall and Brother Benjamin Reeves to join with us in such an endeavor. I agree with him that these two men could contribute much that is significant to such an activity in this forum and therefore agree with his suggestion.

If we should decide that such is a good idea that we should pursue I would recommend that we follow a plan of study which would take us through the entire Bible in a reasonable period of time, even if it were a lengthy period. It might be good to allow that all comments written on a specific book be assigned to a thread and that any responses to it be assigned to a response thread. By which I mean a thread designed specifically for a response to the comments written in the initial thread by the author. This way, the writer, who has put much effort into such a work could be assured that his comments would be all contain in one place without interruption and unnecessary side issue to divert him from his purpose and train of thought. And the response thread could allow for any portion of such comments, as other might like to make concerning the book to be collected in one place and kept mainly on subject. But allowed to go in various other directions or suggest other practical applications and homiletic ideas suggested by the original thread. These are just some ideas of how we might proceed should we decide that such would indeed be a good thing for a “people of the book” to do. It might help promote more study of the word of God itself instead of focus on various issues current among us. If we understand God’s word we can better apply its teachings to various issues that arise in the church from time to time that may be in opposition to it divine teachings.

I strongly recommend such an endeavor. Please make your comments upon the value of such a work in this forum.

Your Brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001

Answers

An excellent idea Lee. I do hope that you men will take up this idea and share with the forum your studying of "The Book".

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Sister D. Lee:

I appreciate your following words:

“An excellent idea Lee. I do hope that you men will take up this idea and share with the forum your studying of "The Book".”

And, as I had expected, you are as always among those who love the Lord and the truth of the doctrine of Christ revealed by the Holy Spirit in “the holy and inspired BOOK OF BOOKS written by the KING OF KINGS. Which He designed to be the rule of faith and practice for all genuine subjects of His kingdom. You are indeed among those “peculiar people” that “holy nation” which has ever in all ages been known as a “people of the book” because they are a people that belong completely to Christ who is their Lord. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:14) “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Per 2:9). For just as the Jews were a “peculiar people” because they obeyed God so Christians are the same today. “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:” (Ex. 19:5) “For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.” (Deut. 14:2).

So, we are not like the other people in this world. (1 John 2:15-18). God tells us in His word what to think and what to do. His will is our will and his every command is our duty, which we do with a willing heart. WE listen to him as much, if not more that we cry our to him in prayer. And when we pray we say, “THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN”. Therefore is it snot unreasonable in the least that we should be know as a people guided by THE God of heaven through the book, the Bible, which is a divine revelation of His will to us.

And I have no doubts that the other faithful brethren who write in this forum are also among God’s people who love His every word and live by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God will join in this effort to teach that word in this forum. I assume that several of them may at the moment be involved in controversies that do not permit them sufficient time to commit themselves to such an endeavor. But it is my sincere prayer that they will find some time to at least offer some words of encouragement toward this suggestion in this thread as you have done. For it does seem at the moment that only you and Brother Faris are in agreement that we should demonstrate that we are a people of the book by giving regular and diligent expositions of portions of the scripture in a systematic and organized way in this forum. For thereby God, in his word, will suggest to us the important areas of discussion in this forum. For are we not taught, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8). Therefore, if we, by reflecting upon the subjects suggested by the word of God, look to God as the one who shall decide what we will consider as worthy topics of to be discussed among faithful Christians in this forum. Then we shall be assured that we will be edified in the most holy faith (Acts 20:32) which “comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD” (Romans 10:17). There could not ever be any better way to strengthen our faith and build up the body of Christ then to pursue such a course.

Anyway, thanks again for your love and support of the truth taught in God’s eternal and inspired word. Because I am convinced that we have many faithful Christians reading this forum and several who write regularly in it. I am not discouraged that we have not yet heard from them any “AMEN” to the suggestion that we study the word of God in this way in this forum at this time. And that we always study God’s word in this way throughout our lives till that great day when we shall “be like him, for we shall see Him as he is”.

Your Brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2001