Churches Of Christ/non-members reading aloud

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Expert: Brent Jobe, DVM - 1/5/2009


Question
Recently during a Wednesday night Bible class their was a young man who has been studing with a member of the church for about 6 weeks. During class the teacher asked for "someone" to read aloud a particular passage in the Bible.."Kevin" said I will.. he was then told in front of everyone.. NO YOU are not ALLOWED.. then told i will expain later.. it was for ME , a member myself, very degrading and humiliating.. as for "Kevin" he was VERY UPSET and HURT and EMBARRASSED..he said he felt like he had done something wrong and was called out in front of class as punishment.. i felt so bad for him.. WHY was he not allowed to read.. is it not BIBLE CLASS .. a nite WE as Christians set aside to gather to READ and LEARN from GOds word?


Pam

Answer
Pam,

First of all, I am genuinely sorry that such a response was made by the teacher:  I personally think the "teacher" needs to be taught.  This was not a worship service - it was a Bible class, and anyone should be able to read God's word aloud.  By "anyone", I mean both male and female, adult or child, and members or non-members.  What would this same teacher do in a class of 11- and 12-year-olds in which some of the children are members, and some are not?  It appears that if a non-member is not allowed to READ ALOUD from the bible, then he would simply not be allowed to speak at all:  that is false logic because it is based upon a false premise.

About the best you can do, I think, is try to make lemonade out of a lemon and use the entire situation to explain the difference betweeen a worship service versus a Bible class.  The teacher is in error, and I, for one, would like to hear the "explain later" part.  You are correct.  If you would like any further details, then let me know.  I would re-read the conversion of the Ethiopian eunach in Acts 8.

Best wishes,

Brent Jobe, DVM

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Brent Jobe, DVM

Expertise

Specifically able to help one defend the plan of salvation, especially immersion for the remission of sins with emphasis on both the English and Greek. Very able to assist someone in refuting the doctrine of salvation by faith only before and without any further acts of obedience. Capable, but certainly not a scholar, in other areas of doctrine: church organization, music in worship, eternal security, etc, but do not claim the same degree of knowledge of these subjects. I would view myself, as well as the church that I attend, as very mainline, possibly (and hopefully) tending toward conservative. I can express the liberal viewpoint, if one so desires, although I believe it to be dangerous and divisive.

Experience

Avid reader and possess original editions of most debates concerning baptism and faith alone. I am familiar with both sides of the issue, and have probably heard every argument advanced against the necessity of baptism. I truly feel that I can help other members of the church who may have been asked difficult questions, and I will take the time to thoroughly answer - in English, Greek, and possibly ancillary statements, though uninspired, from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd century Christians. Member of the church for about 30 years - 6th generation at the same congregation.

Organizations
Religiously, none other than the local congregation. Professionally, of course, quite a few, but none that would apply in this context.

Education/Credentials
I am a veterinarian (DVM) by profession and have practiced for twenty years. Almost all of my religious education other than the usual (family, attending services) was derived at the feet of Foy E. Wallace, Jr. If I cannot answer your question, I have direct contact with Judge Alan Highers and Dr. Jimmy Allen, both men of considerable knowledge and debating experience: if I am not satisfied with my answer, I can call upon them for additional information. The writings and sermons of N. B. Hardeman are among my favorites.

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