I’ve been thinking about this question a lot recently, because it takes a bit of my time which could be used elsewhere, and it has since I started it a few months ago. If you just happened upon the blog, and wondered why someone would take the time to blog about the teachings of three men who nobody knows anyway, I suppose that would be a valid question.
To be concise, it is because I have seen the damage that these men do to people, and it makes me pretty angry. Now, I don’t mean that they set out to damage people – I think they think they are really “serving the Lord” (Rom 12:11). However, Jesus talks pretty seriously about being able to recognize people who are teaching Truth by their fruit (Matt 7:16). Let’s look at some of the fruit from Johnny Robertson, James Oldfield and Norm Field’s work in particular, and the work of the fundamentalist Churches of Christ in general.
The Mysterious Case of Jason Hairston
I mentioned Jason’s blog in my last posting, and I need to talk just a bit more about this, because it’s such a glaring example of rotten fruit. Now, you need to understand that my thoughts on this are not clear, because none of these men have come clean in public about the situation. My understanding from sources close to the subject is that Jason is really have trouble with his spiritual identity after his time spent with these fundamentalist Church of Christ men.
Unfortunately, this is not an exclusive result for exposure to men like this – just go over and take a look at the website for ex-church of Christ folks – click this link – you’ll see plenty of people who have been damaged in similar ways to Jason – some to the point of renouncing belief in God altogether.
If, by starting a blog like this that questions their teachings and examines their doctrine outside of their control helps even one person to NOT leave God as a result of confusion sown while under their influence, it will be worth the time spent.
Holding Them Accountable When Nobody Else Will
Now, given, this would be a task more easily achieved if the men would actually participate in our discussions, but I do my best to do this without them. I haven’t figured out the way to be the most organized about this, because over the past few months of study, I’ve realized that there are some pretty big errors in their teaching – mostly dealing with the bonds they put on others and themselves. And even their arguments for “speak where the Bible speaks, silent where the Bible is silent” (is that a creed?) are inconsistent when you put them under the microscope. Look at my discussions with Nova about Joshua and the city of Jericho to see an example of what I mean.
Looking for the Galatians 5:22 Fruit
Now, you really need to get into a deep study of what the Law meant to the readers of the NT, but I think it’s important to say that you hear these men talk quite a bit about the restrictions placed on Christians with the NT, but you very rarely hear them (at least on their TV programs) talk about the following “Galatians 5:22 Fruit”:
A) It’s not a “Galatians Fruit”, but being FREE in Christ (occurs 59 times in Scripture) – John 8:32; 36; Rom 6:18; Gal 4:31; 5:1; etc.
B) The Joy of the Lord (occurs 165 times) – 1 Pet 4:13; 1 John 1:4; Gal 5:22; etc.
C) Hope (occurs 130 times) – 1 Pet 3:15; Heb 3:6; 2 Thess 2:16; etc.
D) Peace (occurs 429 times) – Mark 4:39; Luke 2:14; 2 Cor 13:11; etc.
You could go on.
Now, I can almost hear their rebuttal – and let me answer before it’s stated: men, I know that freedom without law is chaos, and that Scripture does have very serious things to say about the way we should conduct ourselves. That being said, however, I would think that a church that was truly living in the Truth (especially to the point of broadcasting that everyone else is living in error) would have a better grasp of the balance between the two.
If you go onto the websites of these men and watch some of their video clips, you’ll see that there is NOT a balance. The impression I get from watching these men is that they get their biggest joy from putting other people in their place. This is part of the reason that Johnny Robertson lost the debate with Armando Deloa. If he’d have demonstrated more of the character of God and less of the wrath, his arguments would be much more compelling. But, after interacting with Shawn Paden over at http://www.topix.com, I’m beginning to wonder if it is possible for these men to be able to show grace and mercy – or even to admit that they are wrong about something – not even doctrinally, but personally. That’s a big Matt 7:16 warning.
Well, that’s enough for now. I hope that it helps folks understand. Again, I don’t have a beef with all Churches of Christ – just these sorts who claim that if you aren’t in the church where they assemble, or if you aren’t in a church that teaches exactly what they teach, then you aren’t in the Lord’s Church.
As always…
Sola Dei Gloria!
Nathan
Answering the Church of Christ 
They will never come clean about Jason. They know that if the word were out to everyone that Jason has not only left on bad terms, but he now does not believe what Johnny so masterfully convinced him to believe…
…if one of their own preachers left and now doesnt believe their doctrine…what a blow that is to the supposed view these men teach.
Maybe Charles Roark could be sent this information and I am sure he would let it out
nathan,
this happened maybe one or two years ago,
one sunday after johnny’s show was over i called in and spoke to him off the air.
he said that A.C. Smith, a baptist minister from the ringgold area was still in the studio and would be listening in.
he was just on the show earlier.
i told johnny that he seemed to love to take the statements of callers who had only a small amount of bible knowledge and
run with their misstatements.
of particular interest was his preoccupation with another baptist
minister Brian Edwards.
whenever i heard mr Edwards call in he always seemed to get
flustered and eventualy would say something unscripturall.
anyone who watched during that time would agree.
it was at that time that johnny said with, mr Smith listening
that he either enjoyed or took great pleasure in making Brian Edwards look like a fool.
i told him at least he admitted it.
a few weeks later i called mr Smith and asked him about the conversation and he told me that i recalled it correctly.
he couldnt belive that he would say that in front of him.
jump foward to another sun show and johnny said on air how much he cared for Brian Edwards and that he was concerned for his soul.
well i couldnt pick up the phone fast enough,and i asked him
on air about what he had just said and if he recalled what he had said several weeks earlier….at the time i didnt belive
he would deny it. he told me on air that he would never say
anything like that.
i then reminded him that his in studio guest, mr SMITH had heard every word. he told me he wasnt a credible witness
be cause of a misstatement he had made on his show.
so i was dismissed and labeled a liar.
so i caught him in a lie when he really didnt need to lie
even two witnesses wasnt enough for him.
tells you alot about his mettle, dont you think?
lee
nathan.
are you there?
IS THIS THING ON?
I’m here. What can I say? Your post said it all, I think.
Nathan
I havent heard much about the preaching school lately?? Wonder why not??
Now the big thing is April 6th. I guess he-Johnny will tell everyone that some baptist church has changed to his doctrine. He keeps acting like countless people are standing up for him and the denominational people are putting down their own churches and demanding that their Pastors stop the loud music…come on Johnny thats old stuff….this was even complained about back in the 80’s….we all know that some churches play too loudly and that some resemble a dance hall or club….this is not something new….
btw, I loved how you took Jasons deabte and used it last night….where was Jason though 🙂
First hand experience has convinced me that Nathan’s ideas are correct. I have for the most part “never” seen any real Christian love from these people. They will give me books and articles to read but when I give or ask them to read something that they do not agree with they refuse. They will not even consider any information that might challenge or even might change what they believe. I honestly think that they are afraid they may actually find somethings that are true, and just maybe, deep down in their spirit, they just don’t want to take the chance they may be wrong. Of course most all people know the Scripture about faith, hope and charity(love), and the greatest of these is “love”. I have rarely seen any members of the Church of Christ practice this. There are many other things I could tell you, but it’s late. I would like to write again soon. Thanks for reading this. pns