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The apostle John clearly warned about complicity with false teachers: “For he that biddeth him God speed is apartaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9). This includes offering support, in word or deed, to men, congregations, orschools that have compromised the Truth. In a previous article, I pointed out that even sound brethren sometimes dothis by publishing articles by liberal brethren in church bulletins they edit.
This is also done when activities of liberals are publicized in church bulletins. Occasionally, even carefuleditors do this due to ignorance of the source, sponsors, or implications of an event. Sometimes a liberal brother willeven sneak something into a bulletin when the preacher is out of town. However, when such things are consistentlyseen in the same bulletin it is evident that the editor considers them harmless. It seems almost as if some feelobligated to print every announcement they receive, regardless of its source or content.
When a sound church announces (by bulletin or otherwise) activities of congregations that are known for theirliberalism (or programs that feature liberal brethren), it is promoting liberalism! It is giving its approval to saidactivities and brethren. It is encouraging sheep to visit the dens of wolves. Do not these brethren see that at the verybest this practice is sending terribly confused signals to the members of the congregation and to all others (includingthe liberals) on their mailing lists? Sometimes the same bulletin will oppose one error while promoting another.Preacher “A” in a given congregation may take a strong stand on page 1 against the Discipling Movement, whilepreacher “B” (on page 4) is urging folks (young and old) to participate in a giant “youth rally” sponsored by andfeaturing liberal brethren.
The liberal brethren expect their cohorts to help them publicize their activities. They must do a lot of laughingbehind our backs when they see bulletins of sound churches helping them advance their cause by publicizing (andthereby endorsing) their activities!
We are to “have no fellowship with the unfaithful works of darkness” (whether moral or doctrinal) andencouraging people to attend the activities of apostates is inescapably a form of fellowship. Rather than encouragingpeople to attend the programs of apostates (and thus engage in fellowship with them) we are commanded to “evenreprove them” (Eph. 5:11).
[Note: I wrote this article for, and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, October12, 1989, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
