The Example of Earl West

When I was in college, I took a class on Restoration History. We had to buy two textbooks for the class – The Search for the Ancient Order, Volumes 1 & 2 by Earl Irvin West. Naturally, the course focused on the history, not the man who wrote the books. So initially I did not pay much attention to the author.

However, I stumbled across something interesting recently about Earl West. In June 1951, West was introduced as the new book reviewer for the Gospel Guardian. Notice a portion of his introduction:
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Take Courage

In concluding His final address to the apostles before His arrest, Jesus told them to be courageous in the face of the hardships that would be coming against them.

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Courage is the confidence and conviction to do what one knows to be right, regardless of the consequences. The apostles needed courage to carry out the Lord’s instructions without being deterred by the persecution that awaited them.

As Christians, we also need to have courage today. The Lord has left instructions for us to follow. We are to “observe all that [Christ] commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Furthermore, we are warned that we will become a target by following the Lord’s instructions. Paul said, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

How can we “take courage” (John 16:33) so that we will be able to endure the sufferings that will come for the cause of Christ?
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Introduction to the Book of Proverbs

Notes on Proverbs

Many books have been written in which the author claims to be imparting some wisdom to his readers. What makes the book of Proverbs different is the author and the source of his wisdom.
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Preface to the Study of Proverbs

Notes on Proverbs

The book of Proverbs is filled with practical wisdom that can be used in everyday life. It shows us the wisdom that comes from above and calls us to pursue that instead of the wisdom of the world.

The purpose of the book of Proverbs can be found in the opening verses:

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion, a wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles” (1:1-6).

These verses mention five things this study is designed to do and will help us do:
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Practical Ways for Developing a Better Understanding of God’s Word

Bible Study

At the start of the new year, many have made the determination to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Bible. This is certainly commendable. The Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It contains the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68). The gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). No book is more deserving of our attention than the Bible.

It is one thing to want to grow in knowledge of the Bible. It is another to actually do it. So as we begin this new year, I want to consider some practical ways in which each one of us can develop a better understanding of the word of God.
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Notes & Observations: Plans for 2013

Greetings to all, and happy new year!

In the new year, the material posted here will be a little different than the previous year. In 2012, I posted a short article each day based upon a portion of the text from my daily Bible reading. Occasionally – actually, just four times last year – I posted a brief note about something I learned in studying about the history of the Restoration Movement. In 2013, I’m going to change this schedule a little bit.

Before getting to the plans for the new year, let me first say something about the previous year. When I made the decision to read through the Bible in a year and post daily articles about what I was reading, I knew I was being a bit ambitious. But after finishing it, I am very glad I kept up with it and finished. If I could offer a suggestion for you in your reading and study of the Bible it would be this: develop a regular habit of reading, and then don’t just read – write something down. It doesn’t have to be an article like what I posted here. You could take notes as you read. You could keep a journal and write down something that stood out to you in the text. You could keep a list of questions you have about what you read. There are other possibilities as well. But I have seen in my reading, and I believe it would be true for most others as well, that reading and writing helps in absorbing the Scriptures more than just reading alone. So my suggestion for you is to develop a regular habit of reading the Scriptures (you can use a Bible reading schedule or not, just as long as it’s regular) and then write down your own notes and observations from the text.

Now, here’s what I have planned for this blog in 2013. First of all, instead of posting daily, I plan to post new articles twice a week (most likely on Monday and Thursday). To begin the year, I’m going to focus on two things:

  1. A study of the book of Proverbs
  2. More Restoration history

I plan to post some of the interesting things I find about Restoration history twice a month (the second and fourth Thursdays). Every Monday and the remaining Thursdays will be devoted to Proverbs. This study will be based upon outlines I put together for an adult Bible class I finished teaching about a year ago. This study should last until sometime in June.

For the second half of the year, I’m mulling over some options:

  1. A study of the gospel of John
  2. A study of the Pharisees
  3. Examples of courage in the Bible
  4. Raising godly children
  5. Making wise investments (spiritually, not financially)

If any of these look particularly interesting to you, let me know, as that may help me decide what direction to take. Or if you have other suggestions, I would be open to those as well.

Thank you for your interest in the material here. I hope you’ll follow along with the new studies.

“They May Have the Right to the Tree of Life” (12/31)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Revelation 19-22.

Those who believe salvation is by grace or faith alone will often charge those of us who believe that obedience is necessary for salvation as trying to somehow earn salvation. While we should answer this false charge, we must also not be afraid to affirm all that the Scriptures teach. Notice these words near the close of the final book of the Bible:

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

We will be judged according to what we have done. We will be rewarded if our deeds are good when judged according to the Lord’s word. If we wash our robes, or “do his commandments” (KJV), we will enter the city and partake of the tree of life.
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