Bouquets and Brickbats

NEW MEXICO: I hope that all the mud slinging coming your way is not to disheartening. God's Word gives this seldom sought after promise: 2 Tim 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

I have always taken this to mean that I may possibly be doing something right when it results in persecution. May the Lord Bless you and yours.

MISSISSIPPI: Please accept this love offering and use it in whatever way you see fit to promote God's Word. I know that’s what you are doing. I bid you God's speed as you go forward. I have enjoyed your paper for many years . . . Thanks for your writing concerning PKs and the "Explanation of the Gospel." May God continue to work through you. May the Holy Spirit guide you daily.

MICHIGAN: While reading the 'Grace Proclamator and Promulgator' I noticed that some people were attacking, or at the least, questioning your integrity and dedication to our God. Well, you have made front page news again. You are ever so popular it seems. I think maybe the Devil does not like you at all! He must be very angry with you, since he would raise up false accusers even from among your brethren, who are supposed to be your friends.

I am reminded that the enemies could not find sufficient charges against Jesus. So 'the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness ... though many false witnesses came .... at the last came two false witnesses, and said... ' (Matt. 26:59-60). There can be found such people (false witnesses), even amongst God's people. Generally these are the weak minded who will advance a rumor without consideration of substance, source, or the consideration of confronting you on the matter. (I notice that the Apostle Paul 'withstood him' (Peter) 'to the face, because he was to be blamed' Ga. 3: 11). I find it complimentary when men must make up lies against the man of God, because what they are saying is, 'there is no falsehood about him, we must create a lie if we are to ever destroy him.' In their ignorance they have, not meaning to of course, paid you a great compliment. I suggest that since God can make a donkey talk, he can take a lie of man or men, and turn it into a compliment for His faithful servant! They 'thought evil against me:' (you) 'but God meant it unto good... ' (Ge. 50:20).

Then I am reminded, Dear Brother, what can one expect when he stands for righteousness? 'Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you .... and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely.' By so doing they ignorantly cast you amongst some very righteous and great men of God, 'for so persecuted they the prophets' (I think of Moses, Elijah, Nathan, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Malachi, etc. Not bad company to be identified with is it?), 'which were before you' (Matt. 5:11-12). You speak well when you state 'Those who know me and have known me know that I do not change my convictions or compromise my convictions for position or monetary gain.' This is the Wayne Camp I know, and have known for 27 years! Amen! 'Consistency, thou art a jewel.' Greater is what Jesus said for you, than what man can say against you.

I remember two statements from one of my most respected instructors from seminary, 'truth will always come out' and 'a lie is like a fish out of water, leave it alone and it will flop itself to death.' Thank God for making you such as you are my dear brother. Continue your good labor for our Lord.

On another note, if the Promise Keepers had kept their promises, marriage vows, etc., in the first place, there would not be the 'need' for such an organization. It staggers my mind that such a large number of men (Christian men?) have been unfaithful, terrible fathers, terrible husbands in our nation. I do not believe this campaign is really working anyway. The same men keep coming back to confess and 'vow' again and again. I thought that Christian men, if any men in our nation were going to be faithful to their wife's, good fathers, etc., it would be them! What have their Pastors been preaching? Oh, it just came to mind: their Pastors are at these same meetings confessing the same sin of breaking their vows! Now I understand Amos 3:3, 'can two walk together, except they he agreed.' These all have something in common. I do not mean their vows, but their broken vows to wife and family. Maybe there should be an organization started and named, 'Promise Breakers of Marriage and Family.' It could be called PBMF rather than 'PKs' (Promise Keepers—which they obviously are not).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I should point out that the Brother who was e-mailing the lie widely, has apologized for his part in spreading this absolute falsehood about me and Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church. On the other hand, he told me that "more than three good brethren" had told him this lie. The more than three "good" brethren who were spreading the lie have not responded or apologized.]

ILLINOIS: We would like to receive The Grace Proclamator and Promulgator. We find your unflinching stand for the truth refreshing. We need more men who have more of a fear of God than of men! Continue to be valiant for the truth.

TENNESSEE: [EDITORS NOTE: Due to the nature of the following letter, I am leaving the identity of the writer in it.

Dear Bro. Wayne,

As you know you and I have very little that we disagree on in the word of God. The things on which we do disagree have never been allowed it to hinder our fellowship. I wanted to write and say that I believe that the issues in the paper have been very enlightening to a lot of readers concerning how one of the Lord's churches is started.

If you recall, Bro. Mike McCoskey, you, and I (Jack Duplechain) went to Ghana, West Africa, in 1994 at the request of some who desired to be baptized and the preachers ordained and the churches set in order. We did this by the authority of the Raleigh Springs Baptist Church of Memphis, TN, where I have pastored for 10 1/2 years. You were sent by and with the approval of Pilgrims Hope and Bro. Mike was sent by and with the approval of Beverly Manor Baptist Church.

I recall that day on the river bank, after we had baptized a number of people including the preacher's that would be working to set in order the rest of the people in 5 different locations in Ghana. We simply, and I believe scripturally, told them that as we had done—that is set them in order—they were to do likewise. They never joined our church here in America. We never took a vote to make them a church. We never lettered them out of another church. I believe that they are as much a church as any of those who do it a different way.

When the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch he did not go there with a vote to start a church, but rather to see if the grace of God had been there and it had. Here is what he did. Acts 11:20-23 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

What is wrong with churches doing this? Not a thing, as I understand God's word. Instead of unchurching people who have baptism and have covenanted together and become a church, we ought to encourage them. I stand with the BIBLE! What it says I will do to the best of my understanding, but I will not give in to the doctrines of men. Let me close and say, that I believe that Christ started his kind of church and promised that she would be here till he comes, and I believe that to be the truth. —Eld. Jack Duplechain—

IOWA: Wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the July GP&P. I think your answer to the puzzle is right on. How gracious God is in His providence, that He has even protected us from ourselves. It's sad that it is necessary but it is sometimes. The letter from Oklahoma is interesting. We cannot be satisfied with being "practical" when it comes to Bible doctrine. The Methodist's are so practical that they baptize with a damp cloth. Don't fall for the idea that you're "butting a stone wall". We musn't give up the fight for the truth because our enemy seems to be strong. Goliath looked to be invincible in the eyes of everyone but David. He went against him in the power and might of the Lord—and won. Even if we cannot perceive victory though, it doesn't excuse us from defending the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

FLORIDA: Could you please start mailing us your paper. Thank you and may God continue his blessing upon you, your family, and your church.

MISSOURI: Please add me to the mailing list for The GP&P. A friend loaned me his April '98 issue and I found it very informative.

Your article on PKs has been very helpful. I've been trying to get a better understanding of its methodology. You gave it to me. Keep up the good work.

CALIFORNIA: I want to say "AMEN!" to your "Position Pungently Stated," in the June issue of your excellent paper. I say "Amen" because you presented Scripture, which is more than these dishonest "pedigree pushers" even attempt to do. They talk much of a "Scriptural" church, but really don't follow the Scriptures or they wouldn't be arguing with you. They spell Scriptural P-E-D-I-G-R-E-E, and Christ C-H-U-R-C-H. Bro. J. R. Graves made it plain that he and Bro. Pendleton had no intention to divied the denomination and start a new sect, but that is exactly what these advocates of man-made pedigree are doing. They present no Scripture and are totally ignorant of history.

WWW: Subject Promise Keepers: Thank you for your honesty to the Scripture. It is refreshing to find a true brother in Christ on the Internet. Again thank you and I will be following you on the net.

NORTH CAROLINA: Dear Mr. Camp or is it Satan: I feel the need to expose evil when I see it and I feel you are full of evil. I have been to Promise Keepers and I have listened to Dr. James Dobson for years and feet he has a love for Christ that you can't even conceive. I feel really sorry for you but even more for your church that you must be leading straight to hell. Sure you may know the scripture but so did Satan. I pray that God will convict your heart and change your life before it's too late. Here's a scripture I think could help you—it's John 3:16. Please get Satan out of your church and life. Stop trying to separate the body of Christ.

WWW: obviously you have never been to a assembly.there is no preaching of hate and satan is scared to death of promise keepers.i suggest you sit down and start reading your bible again,and quit taking scripture out of context.i guess satan wants men to stand up and be men of god and provide a healthy ,stable ,moral,christian home.why dont you bury your head in the sand along with the women from n.o.w.

WWW: Vain Babble! God help you the Day you stand before Him! You had to work hard to make you unvalid arguments. I can't believe I took time to read it much less respond to a hypocrite.

WWW: I don't know where you get your imformation about Promise Keepers but you have defamed something that God has created and call it of Satan? I pitty you for the judgement you shall recieve. I have attended PK and it is the greatest movement of God that I have ever seen. I think that you are living in the Old Testement or you just pull what you want out of the Bible, that you see fit, and leave the rest. If you quote the Bible then you must quote the Bible for what it says not what you want it to say. That is what is wrong with this world. People won't unit for a good cause and leave it at that. There are people like you that always cause problems. I hope that you get to visit a PK meeting and see the truth that it stands for. Gods blessing on you and yours.

WWW: You are of the devil. Your articles are a joke as is your relationship with God. Why? Let's get back to simple concept of "What would Jesus do?" Suppose you are uneducated enough to actually believe what you are writing, is this the way to go about it? Bad mouthing people and programs? You should listen with and open mind to what God is telling you for your life. I find it hard to believe that God would tell you to write a web page and slam those around you. Your articles start off with a slam on the Promise Keepers and end up being an entire page on Dr. James Dobson. Your mind is wondering [sic. wandering] and your thoughts are vague. Let God handle the situation... not you. For I believe God... not you. "As I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

WWW: From Navy Fighter: I think you are just confused and don't have anything better to do with yourself! You need to watch what you say and do!

WWW: I am a new member of PK and am also a former bible college student and a missionary's son. I have been in church all of my life and I have studied the Bible intensely so I feel that I have the right to say that the Promise keepers men's group is a good ministry of a God fearing and serving church. I have seen several men saved in the meetings and some of them are with the Lord right now. All PK members that I know are also active serving members of local churches. You are being used by Satan if you think that this ministry is not 100% of God. If it is of the Devil then God would turn His back on it and those men I know that were saved in the meetings and are now serving God in their local churches would not be saved. Who are you to judge weather [sic. whether] a man be saved or not? You need to be careful as the Bible is very clear about those who Judge. I have never heard a member of PK say anything bad about you but you seem to be trying awfully hard to talk bad about PK. One of the themes of the PK is "Men of Integrity" and right now you seem to have no integrity so maybe you need to go to a PK meeting and get saved like my friends did. I will pray for your soul.

WWW: It seems that you have written your arguments with a great tone of hatred and anger? I am sure that you know that we are to follow Jesus Christ, as it says in Corinthians, Chapter 3, we are not to follow Paul or Apollos or is it is in this case, the Promise Keepers. We are to focus on Jesus Christ, this is our foundation. I am sure that any religion or Christian organization has sin or flaw in it, because it is of man.

You are attacking individuals on the basis of sins that they have made, ome of which are misinterpreted because you have taken them out of ontext. Focus your efforts on bringing men to Christ, not discouraging them from Christ. Don't focus on their faults or sins.

WWW: The error is in you! I can't believe that you want to put down such a good thing like the promise keepers. They stand for what a man of god should be like. I can only hope and pray that you will some day see this. Remeber what the Bible says about false teachings and what happens to people that give false teachings. God Bless and you are in my prays.

WWW: You are out of your mind!!!!!!!! Try reading the Holy Bible with your whole heart, not your head. People like you are dangerous to the cause of Christ. You seem to be a judgemental, legalistic, divisive, hair-splitting holy roller content to further divide Christians for the sake of your cause (whatever that is). You are the one being deceived. I will pray for you.

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Friday, March 04, 2011