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Encouraging Reader Responses Brethren, I am sharing these responses – not to promote myself, but to encourage those who believe they are isolated in their stance for truth. These letters also serve to prove the fallacy of some brethren’s claim that opposition to the post-civil-divorce "putting away" is a “peculiar” position. There are still 7000 whose knees have not bowed to Baal (I K. 19:18)! * The author's names and identifying information have been removed to protect the “innocent.” Recent responses are first. Hi Jeff, I have been enjoying your web site. 12-31-02
Brother Belknap: Thanks for your arduous work in fighting the complacency on “mental divorce” and its implications… Obviously, the Bible does not consider subsequent relations to justify the “innocent” party in remarrying… 12-26-02
Thanks Jeff for the effort in making this issue
easier to explain.
Hi Jeff
Jeff, Thank you for all your info. keep up the good work. 11-28-02
Brother Jeff, You worded the proposal excellently. Any word yet from anyone?… 11-6-02
Jeff, Excellent article by Dave Lytle/Barney Keith… 10-31-02
Thank you Jeff for those words! 10-25-02
Jeff,
You can add another item on the list: You just knew I had to get that one in <grin>, 10-25-02
Dear Jeff.
Dear brother Jeff,
Hello Jeff, “We are happy to publish a journal which allows those who disagree with us room to express their disagreement. Other journals have a closed door policy which does not allow dissent. When something is published with which one disagrees, he has no way to express to the same audience his dissenting view. Inasmuch as no editor is infallible, a closed door journal is vulnerable to the mistaken ideas of its editor(s) and staff. The same as is true about closed journals, needs also to be said about closed web sites. Brother Scott refuses to post my original article or my rejoinder to him on his web site, even though he requests me to publish his material in Truth Magazine.”
“Printed elsewhere in this issue is a response by Wilson Adams to my editorial ‘A Movement Gathers Steam’ (August 1, 2002). We publish a journal in which dissent is not excluded, in which both sides of an issue may be heard. Therefore, we are happy to provide brother Adams free space and an audience to disagree with us. Not all papers have such an open format. I accept that brother Adams is writing "humbly and with animosity toward none" and hope that he will assume the same toward me.” Obviously, the only dissenting views they allow are the ones where they thing they have the upper hand. If it is a dissenting view that they cannot defend, or might make them look bad, he won't get near it... 10-14-02
Brother Belknap, Keep up the good work you are doing! Also, please add me to your e-mail listing so I can be kept informed on what is taking place in regards to this issue. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. 10-19-02
Jeff,
Hey, one of those visitors to your site who
downloads much is me! I keep a mirror of your site on my machine.
Brother Jeff, I enjoy your web site and find it very informative… Thanks, 9-23-02
Jeff, good article Jeff, 9-9-02
Dear brother, A Closer Look at the use of APOLUO - CHORIDZO - APHIEMI by Fred Seavers, It’s Not about Apoluo and Procedure by you, The "Race To The Courthouse" Charge by David McKee and Willis on "Biblical Putting Away by you. I tell you brother, those particular articles have helped me tremendously. I have actually thought about some of the questions that were raised & you answered. In particular, I was faced with a brother some 6 years ago who believed 1 Cor. 7:11 ALLOWED two equal alternatives. He said that he had not had to apply that yet, but that in some cases he would have to allow divorce for reasons other than fornication as long as they understood they could not remarry. That made me really examine that verse and understand what repentance DEMANDS when someone has committed the SIN of divorce…My point is this, it took MONTHS of hard thought and discussion for him to finally see it because he had to get past his preconceived & erroneous beliefs about what that verse was talking about. So, do not give up. Your hard effort and study will be of service to those (like me) who are now better armed and equipped. It will also be of service to those honestly in error (though it may take them a while to see it). Although I am sad to see the brethren referred to & quoted (Osborne, Willis, Halbrook) teaching error, I must also say that any of us who teach publicly are subject to public criticism (especially when we are wrong!). I thank you, brother, for your good demeanor, appeal to scripture & sound logic. Also, do you have Fred Seavers, & David McKee's e-mail addresses? I would like to write them, too. in Him, 9-8-02
Dear Jeff,
bro. Jeff: Why want the other magazine print your articles? Especially Mike Willis. That is very strange to me. If you could help me out with this understanding I would really appreciate it. thank you, 9-5-02 Jeff, what is interesting is how inconsistent the boys are, as they are after anyone who does not believe the 6 days are literal, but they fellowship each other with differing views on MDR! ….Thanks for your website!!! Brotherly 9-5-02 Jeff, I appreciate very much your up dates. Keep them coming. 8-21-02
Brother Jeff
Hello Jeff,
Jeff,
Jeff...
your e-mails are very informative & much
appreciated…
Jeff, ...There are plenty of false teachers in the brotherhood that would accommodate him. Their false teaching will lead many to destruction. Hopefully, by your and the others teaching, the young man will come to see the truth. Have a very good day. 8-8-02
Jeff, Isn’t it sad that we have come to this point, having to identify and explain every word and phrase so some will not confuse the (seemingly) plain and simple? Good work, Fred. 7-24-02 Dear Jeff, …We ARE SO PROUD of your stand for the TRUTH on the MDR issues. Thank God we have a man with your abilities that can defend the pure WORD OF GOD!! Keep up the good work and my God bless you and your family in your efforts... God Bless, 7-24-02 good article Jeff 7-24-02
Dear Jeff,
Brother Jeff,
Jeff,
Jeff,
Jeff,
I just read “Enough with the Strawman”
To Brethren Belknap and…, “There is nothing more frightening than an active ignorance” (Goethe). Brotherly, 7-11-02
Jeff,
Jeff, From my own study, about 30 years ago, I came to the conclusion that the “mental divorce” theory is error. Jesus said, “...And whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” The end result of the teaching of some preachers in the brotherhood is, “And whoever marries her who is divorced DOES NOT commit adultery.” Have a very good day. 7-11-02 Jeff, since he and others cannot get the scriptures right, it is not surprise to me they cannot get what you and others teach also. 7-11-02
Jeff, He charged me with being a Belknap follower. I’ve told him that if he does not want to deal with the real issue our communication will be cut off. I suspect that will happen… Keep the faith. 7-11-02
Jeff, Keep your chin up. I’m getting the feelings that you were telling me a few weeks ago. This is picking up speed and the truth is being heard. Keep up the good work! 7-11-02
Jeff, GOT exposing Christianity Magazine was the right thing to do and now it is the right thing to do to expose the GOT writers for the same reason 7-9-02
Jeff... Hang in there, brother, or you’ll have the situation we have had in… Thankfully, the great number of men out here are now contending forcefully for the truth. 7-9-02
Jeff, OUTSTANDING job on addressing this recent mumbo-jumbo that is being promoted > and defended. I simply cannot believe the lengths some are going to in trying to prop up such a twisted and weak position. Thank you for writing this! Brotherly, 7-6-02
Jeff, ...dealing with the weak ‘defense’ that we should not make this an issue over which we divide – that we should “all just get along.” Pray for me in the meantime that I may put it truthfully and plainly. Hypocrisy still seems to be the plan of action for some. 7-5-02
Jeff, If you have contact with anyone looking for someone to speak on the issue I would be happy to do so. (I know likewise you are capable and likely would accept the invitation yourself). I’m pondering how I might get a public format in which to preach on this subject. Like a three night lecture with open forum afterward. If you have any ideas let me know. Brotherly, 7-5-02
Jeff,
As more of these inconsistencies appear, I
wonder if at some point it might be profitable to “go after” Truth Magazine.
Bro. Belknap,
Dear brother Belknap,
Jeff, Great chart! Keep up the good work. I appreciate your stand for the truth. Have a great day! 6-27-02
Jeff,
Jeff, It is interesting that some brethren have charged “misrepresentation” when their error is pointed out. I say “interesting” because those same brethren are sometimes accused of misrepresentation when the aggressively expose those who hold the Bales-Hailey positions on MDR. Error is error no matter who teaches. Both doctrines (mental divorce/the Hailey doctrine) allow and encourage people to either enter or stay in or enter adulterous marriages. Keep the faith brother. 4-26-02 Jeff,
Jeff, Back in 1959 Bro. Hailey preached his unbelievers are not under the law of Christ at Palatka, FL and H E Phillips, Harry Pickup, Sr & Harry Payne also spoke there as they had a man who was baptized but unscriptural divorce. Dennis Reed was there, recorded it and to my knowledge no one made it public what Bro Hailey was teaching. When I was in FC I heard rumors about his views but never could find them in print nor would he talk about them in class. So when J T Smith made a statement in the GT that it began to come out. But those who cried out were condemned. Now Ron, has come out and told his views and I am really amazed he would do this as he had the series on Trends Pointing Toward A New Apostasy. Now he has accepted a false doctrine, and I am wondering how much he is preaching it in gospel meetings & at home? My point is, in the NT false doctrine & teachers were made known. When I was at…I told about our neighbor & his round barn and how is began to fall down when part of the roof blew off. My point was as the farmer sat on the porch and did nothing, so our spiritual house can fall down. Three families had a fit because I called his name. The man was our neighbor, in Indiana, and was dead when I told the story. I asked them if I could tell Gal. 2:11-14 and they did not want to answer. We cannot sit by and be silent. 3-27-02 Now I am just 68 yrs old, so what do I know. When they keep saying that the court putting away is not biblical putting away, do they not accept the court putting away the fornicator? Do you know of anyone advocating that the innocent must put away the fornicator after the court acts? So, all that I have read they accept the court actions against the fornicator, but they do not if there is no fornication, is this right? Now is this not two putting aways? 3-27-02 …If you will look around over the brotherhood, many are not buying this new 2nd putting away doctrine & Halbrook’s also! 3-26-02
Jeff, JEFF; I ENJOY YOUR ARTICLES..... 3-18-02
Brother Jeff:
Jeff, In Like Precious Faith, 3-18-02 Jeff & David, look at this. Look at p. 8, 3rd paragraph. Tim says “Having defined my terms, if I decide today to break my marriage with my wife, I have the power to do so, and so does she. I could accomplish such by simply leaving her and never coming back, or I could divorce her through legal channels.” Now he does not know what divorce is. Just leaving and not coming back is not a divorce! It is separation, but not in any way is it called a divorce. However, he now is saying it can be done by legal means. There is a “procedure” - and he just admitted it, but all of his writings before he has said there is “no procedure.” Let me know if you have seen this and what you think. All the examples he gives still do not make a “divorce” unless there has been some kind of action accepted by all parties. 3-15-02 Tim is arguing about the procedure, when I know of no one who is doing this. This is a smoke screen, for one can be put away without fornication, and Jesus taught it was adultery to marry this one. 3-15-02
Hi Jeff, However, we are getting a refund for our taxes and may be able to help someone on a one time basis out of that money. Let us know if (and who) we can help. Thanks! 3-9-02
Jeff & David, the new articles are excellent! Jeff, Mark 8:38 – “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed” I think you could boil the whole issue down to this verse! 3-8-02
Hey Jeff,
Jeff, “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you shall reap if you do not lose heart.” I will try to help you not to lose heart. I am glad you and I are on the right side and the same side of this endeavor. 2-22-02
Jeff, I pray that you will see the good you are doing and understand the gradual nature of the work before you. In time more good brethren will stand, however that group will always be small compared to those who glory in or fear carnal power. In Christian Love, 2-19-02
Hello,
Hi Jeff, “The irony of this charge is that Stan claims I have sinned in violating civil (copyright) laws, which, of course, was done in an attempt to OBEY God’s COMMAND to expose error (cf. Eph. 5:11, 13). However, where civil law would merely nullify a divine “LIBERTY,” brother Harry (whom Stan defends) argues that we should not recognize it, for doing so would allow man’s law to usurp God’s. If this is not a double standard, I don’t know what is!” Outstanding point! Actually, your whole Rejoinder was very well done and kindly delivered…. Again, very good article. Your brother, 2-6-02 I would like updates as you get them. Windell Wiser’s article is about as plain as you can get. It is either take it like God’s says, or pervert it! 1-29-02 Jeff, they agree that going to court is alright to divorce for fornication. But then they disagree about going to court without fornication. Then they make another procedure and say after the court grants the divorce, then the innocent can say, “I put you away.” They are the ones who press the procedure which they cannot find! Strange, they accept the procedure for one but not the other! 1-29-02
Hi Jeff— Anyway, I have checked your site to consider the issues regarding putting away, and you have given me a lot to ponder… 1-25-02
Jeff, Looks like a lot of people are getting to read your excellent material. You’ve done some very good work with your site.
…After reading your exchange with bro. Cox, I have the feeling that Stan probably wasn’t too pleased with another review of the debate.
I know that you have labored hard on this cause throughout 2001. I hope you have time to get some rest and relaxation with the family (Mark 6:31-32). If you are ever in the…area, you have room, board, and hospitality for as long as you like. Please take us up on it sometime (I have a very large library so you could do research while you vacation). Your brother, 1-22-02
Jeff, Thanks for all the e-mails on the Mental Divorce Issues. 1-22-02 Dear Jeff, keep up the good work. You're doing great. I appreciate also what Dave Lytle said. What is amazing to me is that this is exactly the approach used in the creation controversy: the spirit of compromise in the face of the clear bible teaching. I'm sure anxious to hear what Osborne and Haile (if he controls himself) and others have to say in response to your material. God bless you. 1-21-02
Jeff,
Jeff, Thanks for sharing the good news from the young preacher in…. Your work (planting and watering) has allowed the Truth to ##### the good hearts of men. Your brother, 1-17-02
Jeff,
Dear brother Jeff: As your e-mail to me says that you have the truth on your side, many other brethren feel the same way concerning their views. While I do not that there can be a multitude of beleifs/interpretations of scripture, I do believe that many have erred in this area of study. Again, I apologize for my attitude of ignoring your e-mails and will commit to reading your material and that of others that appear on your website. In His service and yours 1-16-02
Jeff Your Brother 1-16-02
Hello Mr. Belknap, Thanks! 1-16-02
Hi, fellow laborer, 1-15-02
Thanks, Jeff
Hi Jeff! I figured you’d have something to say about Tim’s article…
Keep at it. I know this type of work is tiring (and at times discouraging). I admire your zeal to keep the Bible Study going when others would like to shut it down.
Your brother, 1-12-02
Dear Brother Belknap: I heartily commend you for your sound defense of the truth on this subject and for you kind way of exposing the sophistry or Bobby’s reasoning (?).… 1-9-02
Jeff,
Hello Jeff, Anyway hang in there and don't let these nay sayers get next to you. 1-5-02 Jeff, It seems to me that so long as brethren are not afraid to calmly (yet boldly) discuss various disagreements, that understanding and agreement among honest hearts will result…. Thanks! 1-5-02
Hello Jeff,
Jeff... But, of course, it was not easy in the days of the Lord, either – indeed, it was a hard teaching that even the disciples stumbled over – but we plod on in the truth. Is it not amazing that errors on MDR continue to arise, even as we consider that we have won another battle? …and go on doing what you do best: Refuting error. Peace, in the Lord, 1-4-02
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