Allen Johnson
Rt. 1, Box 119-B
Dunmore, West Virginia 24934
February 21, 1993
Mr. R. Lamar Vest, General
Overseer
Mr. Homer G. Rhea, Editor, Evangel
Church of God
1080 Montgomery Avenue
Cleveland, Tennessee
37320-2250
Dear People of The Church of
God:
This letter involves a question of concern. I am not affiliated with your denomination,
but have high regard for one of your pastors who regularly visits the nursing
home where I am employed. His ministry
is genuine, humble, and I believe effective to the elderly there. At times he drops off copies of Evangel for anyone interested to pick up
to read. At times I have looked through
these issues and have sensed within your denomination a dedication and
commitment to the gospel, and a desire to integrity of following the scriptures
through the leading of The Holy Ghost.
I was looking at an old issue recently which has rather
disturbed me, namely the July 1992 issue announcing your Assembly in New
Orleans.
On page 7 an announcement trumpeted Oliver North as a
featured speaker at a Laity & Pastors Luncheon. Oliver North?!!
Obviously he is a hero to your denomination, because your
ad mentioned an autograph session, and the cost of paying $20 per ticket would
be accepted, I would think, only by ardent fans. But why would Oliver North be a hero to The Church of God? And why should he gain "...the respect
of the vast majority of freedom-loving Americans?"
I am interested in his Christian testimony, especially in
that as far as I know he has not repented of the violence and deceit he has
clearly engaged in.
Perhaps The Church of God believes that might makes right. Or that the ends justifies the means. Or that terrorism is justified as long as it
is directed toward the enemies of ones country.
On closer inspection, however, a more profound
theological concern arises: In your 14
point Declaration of Faith while Jesus is confessed in Trinitarian doctrine, as
intercessor, and as blood Atonement, nowhere is He confessed as Lord, in the
sense that his ethical teachings as witnessed in the New Testament scriptures
would bear upon the believer. By this
omission I would conclude that the Church of God would not take, say, The
Sermon on the Mount seriously as a rule over all aspects of ones life. Perhaps this is at the root of why your
adulation of Oliver North is puzzling to me.
I do notice in your Declaration of Faith article 4 which
states that all have sinned and are in need of repentance and forgiveness. Articles 6 and 7 point to a status and
standard of holiness. But what is the
measure of holiness, and how does Oliver North so exemplify this in his Christian
testimony and witness?
I do not presume to know or judge the secret recesses of
Oliver North's heart, or anyone else for that matter. However, there is the task of discernment to fidelity to the
gospel, to Jesus Christ. The conduct
and ideology of Oliver North to my mind is in considerable discrepancy to the
teachings of Jesus Christ. Matthew
7:15-27 is instructive and sobering, especially considering the placement of
these verses at the close of a long dissertation on ethic.
Therefore I would be interested in your reasoning
behind your endorsement of Oliver North
, as well as your theological understanding as to the role of Jesus as Lord.
Thank you for your considerate attention to this
letter. I trust you will give it
prayerful and humble deliberation.
With Respect,
Allen Johnson