The Freed-Hardeman Lectureship came to an end Thursday and brought a close to Crying Out to God: Praise and Prayer in the Psalms.” This 73rd annual lectureship was well attended with over 2,000 registrants plus the student body.

Winford Claiborne, the well read host of the International Bible Hour led off at 7:30. Claiborne’s great strength is his intense familiarity with the most dangerous social and cultural movements. Unyielding in his defense of truth this former lectureship director the peace that comes when brethren dwell together in unity.

Bible Department Chairman Billy Smith addressed the 8:30 group on the subject of Godly hope. Later in the day listeners were still commenting on the strength of that lesson.

Dr. Jack Lewis, an impressive scholar with earned Ph.D’s from both Harvard and Hebrew Union, discussed Psalm 51:5 where David declares that he was conceived in sin. Lewis noted that this had become a favorite proof text for those who hold Calvin and Augustine’s view of original sin. Through a careful analysis of the text, the language, the context and other parallel passages, Lewis demonstrated the fallacies of the total depravity doctrine. As with all lessons, recordings are available through the University website.

Open Forum ended on a quite note. Ralph Gilmore has done a remarkable job of encouraging critical thinking throughout the week. Not everyone agrees with everything they heard. However that is the strength of Open Forum. It forces people to rethink and re-evaluate their ideas and positions.

Next year the Freed-Hardeman Lectureships will focus on 1st and 2nd Corinthians. I am already planning on being present for what will surely be enlightening and very pertinent to the present age.

The Freed-Hardeman Lectureships continued Wednesday in Henderson, Tennessee despite the cold and windy weather. However it has been dry which is also appreciated. Last year the lectures were assaulted by a tornado that struck Union University just north of Jackson, Tennessee. Aside from the cold, this has been a week of great weather so far.

Jason Hart of the Sycamore church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee was the speaker Wednesday morning at chapel services. His assigned topic was a continuation of the study of Psalm 23. Specifically he addressed verses 4 and 5. Jason used an approach called an expository sermon to deliver this message which is perhaps the most difficult style of sermon to adequately prepare. The message was perfectly honed to give a great sense of security and protection in our God.

During chapel we were blessed to sing a song that many of you know, “I Love  the Lord.” The great blessing came in that the author of the lyrics and the music, Tommy Webster, led us in singing it. When the man who wrote the song leads it, you know you are getting just what he intended.

Among the afternoon sessions at the Freed-Hardeman Lectureship was Alan Highers and Robert Taylor Jr. Highers answered the question, “Must we choose between Christ and the Church?” He gave a vigorous defense of the intricate relationship between the two. He reminded us of those within our own ranks who have sought to discount the church and he warned of the need for sound preaching to properly teach and remind Christians of the central role of the church in salvation.

Robert Taylor presented a deep and thoughtful discussion of “Christ, a Priest Forever.” Moving easily between new and old covenants, Taylor discussed the unique role of Jesus Christ as our High Priest.

The Open Forum, led by Ralph Gilmore has been rather quiet this year. Gilmore’s thoughts and ideas, although demanding and challenging, have been been generally accepted. Some discussion did follow his assertion that so-called “contemporary Christian music” may be acceptable edification for the private, non-worship entertainment of the Christian. He did firmly assert the absolute necessity that worship music be acapella  but differentiated between those times of deliberate, intentional worship and times of entertainment or edification. Some discussions also center on choosing a reliable Bible translation with Giilmore giving a broad lesson on the history of ancient Greek texts. He did stop short however of actually endorsing a given translation.

One of the key reasons for Open Forum is to cause brethren to stop and think about their beliefs and understanding. There is no power in the forum to compel belief in a given statement. But it does cause the listerner to pause and reconsider things which he has always believed. To this end the Forum is always a huge sucess. Truely, a faith not worth struggling with and constantly thinking about is really no faith at all!

A beautiful day in Henderson, Tennessee for this second day of the annual Freed-Hardeman Bible Lectureships. By nightfall the temperature had already dropped to 25 which promises a real chill for Wednesday morning.

Two of the morning sessions were in Chapel Hall which is inside the Old Main Administration Building.

This building was constructed in 1908 and remains in use today for classes and offices. A small museum and archives is also located in Old Main. When I first came to Freed-Hardeman in 1978 I attended chapel in Chapel Hall. Although a new a much larger auditorium was used during the year we used Chapel Hall in the summer months.

Hopefully the powers that be will fund some much needed restoration of this fine building. Water stains mark the interior ceilings and photographs of some of the great preachers of the restoration and presidents of the school are damaged and slowly fading away. A nice coat or two of paint would be nice. The original building is the right 3/4’s of the photograph. The left most portion was added years later. It sits fronting East Main Street in Henderson and is one of the most recognizable buildings in town.

Excellent Speakers at Freed-Hardeman

Cecil May, Chairman of the V.P. Black School of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University spoke on the subject of patterns in worship. Many belittle the churches of Christ for their demand that we rely upon patterns of faith and worship found in Scripture. May upholds the need for patterns but did note that some try to establish patterns where none actually exist.

Tom Holland from Riggs, Tennessee and a well known author next spoke on the topic of the heart as found in the book of Psalms. Tom is a regular at the lectureships and is always met with a large crowd. Such was the case today. Although I had never considered it, it is remarkable just how often God speaks of the heart especially in the Psalms.

Open Forum Continues

Ralph Gilmore continued his discussions in the Open Forum. I had commented yesterday that I suspected we would hear many more comments about the subject of marriage, divorce and remarriage. However lectureship director David Lipe asked that we move on to other subjects so that the forum could address the widest number of issues during the four days.

The role of women in the church remains an area of much discussion within our brotherhood as well as with the religious world generally. That was the central subject today. Of course the Open Forum does not set policy or make decisions for the brotherhood. Even congregation is autonomous. The forum serves as a place of discussion only. Nevertheless, it was the general consensus that Paul’s writings addressed the role of women within the assembly of the church when brethren came together. Most all affirmed that understanding. Some discussion remained on the use of women as interpreters but that was largely limited to one or two people.

The Open Forum is always interesting. Probably 99% of the comments are carefully considered and charitably worded. Sometimes brethren embarrass themselves. But all considered, the Open Forum is an excellent venue for persons wishing to have some notions challenged and to be caused to think critically about important matters. Only by a thorough, thoughtful review of all teaching can we even hope to know the will of God. The man who refuses to think for himself is doomed to make someone else’ errors.