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One of the most significant debates conducted among brethren, Nov. 20-24 near Corinth, Miss. The Strickland church building was packed with people standing. Many brethren came from other states. Good order prevailed; both debaters acted like gentlemen. Albert Hill moderated for Highers; Carrol Sutton moderated for Bingham.
The first two nights Highers affirmed:
It is in harmony with the scriptures for churches of Christ to contribute from their treasuries to benevolent institutions such as Childhaven, Southern Christian Home and others of like character." Highers showed that it is necessary to have a home in order to supply the needs of orphans. From Eph. 6:4 he showed that the parents are charged with "the whole training of the child." Child care is, therefore, a responsibility of the home rather than the church.
Bro. Highers pressed bro. Bingham to tell the audience if the audience could take a dime from its treasury to support an orphan child not old enough to be a member of the church, regardless of whether the child was in an orphan home or not. Finally, in his last speech of the third night, he answered the question. He took the position that children are saints. This position was absolutely taken to avoid saying the church could not help unaccountable children, although this is the position these men usually take. He also stated, "But if they (orphans) were left destitute, I'd let the money be taken out of the church treasury before I'd let them starve." He was affirming that the church could help saints only. By this statement he fortified his statement in the debate, and deserted many of the brethren identified with him.
Bro. Highers emphasized the fact that little children are poor and innocent, but that does not mean they are saints. The word "saint" after Pentecost always refers to members of the church (Phil. 1:1; I Cor. 14:33); those who are sanctified are those who have been washed (I Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:25). Little children are not "washed" (baptized), and they are nowhere called "saints" in the N. T. In showing the church is authorized to assist more than saints only, bro. Highers strongly introduced, repeatedly - II Cor. 9:13; Gal. 6:10 and James 1:27.
I have had the privilege of working closely with bro. Highers in other debates. I count him as being unusually gifted on the polemic platform. I contend that the banner of truth was held high in the hands of our beloved and esteemed brother in Christ - Alan Highers. We know already of much good accomplished by this discussion. Thank God for truth and for those who will contend earnestly for it.
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Alan Highers vs E. Earl Bingham (Benevolent work)
January 4, 1968
Near Corinth, Mississippi
(By Albert Hill)
January 4, 1968
Near Corinth, Mississippi
(By Albert Hill)
One of the most significant debates conducted among brethren, Nov. 20-24 near Corinth, Miss. The Strickland church building was packed with people standing. Many brethren came from other states. Good order prevailed; both debaters acted like gentlemen. Albert Hill moderated for Highers; Carrol Sutton moderated for Bingham.
The first two nights Highers affirmed:
It is in harmony with the scriptures for churches of Christ to contribute from their treasuries to benevolent institutions such as Childhaven, Southern Christian Home and others of like character." Highers showed that it is necessary to have a home in order to supply the needs of orphans. From Eph. 6:4 he showed that the parents are charged with "the whole training of the child." Child care is, therefore, a responsibility of the home rather than the church.
Bro. Highers pressed bro. Bingham to tell the audience if the audience could take a dime from its treasury to support an orphan child not old enough to be a member of the church, regardless of whether the child was in an orphan home or not. Finally, in his last speech of the third night, he answered the question. He took the position that children are saints. This position was absolutely taken to avoid saying the church could not help unaccountable children, although this is the position these men usually take. He also stated, "But if they (orphans) were left destitute, I'd let the money be taken out of the church treasury before I'd let them starve." He was affirming that the church could help saints only. By this statement he fortified his statement in the debate, and deserted many of the brethren identified with him.
Bro. Highers emphasized the fact that little children are poor and innocent, but that does not mean they are saints. The word "saint" after Pentecost always refers to members of the church (Phil. 1:1; I Cor. 14:33); those who are sanctified are those who have been washed (I Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:25). Little children are not "washed" (baptized), and they are nowhere called "saints" in the N. T. In showing the church is authorized to assist more than saints only, bro. Highers strongly introduced, repeatedly - II Cor. 9:13; Gal. 6:10 and James 1:27.
I have had the privilege of working closely with bro. Highers in other debates. I count him as being unusually gifted on the polemic platform. I contend that the banner of truth was held high in the hands of our beloved and esteemed brother in Christ - Alan Highers. We know already of much good accomplished by this discussion. Thank God for truth and for those who will contend earnestly for it.
VIEW NEXT REPORT >>
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