Warren Christian Apologetics Center
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B. C. Goodpasture

 

Benton Cordell Goodpasture (1895-1977) began preaching October 18, 1912, at Holly Springs, Tennessee. He did full time local work in Shelbyville, Tennessee; West End Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia; Poplar Street Church of Christ in Florence, Alabama; Seminole Avenue Church of Christ in Atlanta; Hillsboro Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee.
He has contributed to Gospel Advocate magazine since 1920, and he served as the publication's editor from 1939 until his death in 1977.
He was a close friend and associate of Dr. Thomas B. Warren. Concerning Goodpasture, Warren wrote, “It is not easy to put into words the deep sentiments which we feel for this great and good man” (Spiritual Sword. 4. 2: 1). Perhaps the deep feeling of Thomas B. Warren for B. C. Goodpasture is best seen from the dedication inscribed in Dr. Warren’s signature work—Have Atheists Proved there Is No God?:

To
B. C. GOODPASTURE
valiant soldier of the cross

BC Goodpasture.jpg
 

HERE AND THERE

The word of God is powerful. It was mighty in creation. God “spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9). It will be authoritative and irresistible in the judgment.

Gamaliel Bradford, the well-known American biographer, admitted he was afraid to read the New Testament. It was superstitious fear. He was afraid it would change his long-cherished ideas and attitudes. It would, if he had given it a careful and sincere reading. Two prominent Englishmen, Gilbert West and Lord Lyttleton, agreed to assault the Bible and Christianity; but before they began their attack, they agreed honestly to examine the Scriptures. The result: Gilbert West wrote his Observations on the Resurrection, an able defense of the biblical account of our Lord’s rising from the dead; and Lord Lyttleton wrote his Observations on the Conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul, another masterpiece in apologetics. In later times, Sir William Ramsay went to Asia Minor with the book of Acts in his hands, expecting to discredit Luke as a historian. But his findings vindicated Luke at every point and changed Ramsay. Arthur T. Pierson has well observed: “If there is one candid doubter living who has faithfully studied the Bible and the evidences of Christianity, he has not yet been found” (Many Infallible Proofs, page 13.)

By all means read the Bible.

Jesus, in his farewell message to man, enjoined the preaching of the gospel to all nations unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16). He was not unaware of the changes, of every kind, that would take place before the end of the age. He knew the discoveries, changes, problems that would arise. He knew the “end from the beginning” (Isa. 46:10.) Yet, he commanded that the gospel be preached to every generation until, and including, the last.

This means that the gospel is “relevant” to every generation. The methods of preaching and teaching it may change, but the gospel remains the same. Human needs are basically the same. When Paul and his companions received the invitation, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us,” they “concluded that God had called” them to “preach the gospel unto them.” In the thinking of the great Apostle the prime need of the Macedonians was the gospel. He never planned to “involve” himself primarily in “slum clearance” or “ghetto problems.” He never delivered any “manifestos” on “racism” nor pronounced any “ultimatums” on the evils of slavery. No, God had sent him “to preach the gospel” (1 Cor. 1:17). He “was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). He felt that woe was unto him if he preached not the gospel (1 Cor. 9:16). The most effective help he could extend the unevangelized masses of Europe was to preach the gospel unto them. His idea of preaching the gospel did not mean delivering a few lectures on sociology, slum clearance, or slavery; but rather, declaring “Christ, and him crucified.” The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). It saved men primarily from their sins. But it will do more. It will save men from the social and racial evils that afflict them. Slavery was prevalent in the first century; yet, Christianity did not meet slavery “head on”; but rather dealt with it indirectly. It has destroyed slavery where it has gone.

The gospel, unmixed with the doctrines, theories, and commandments of men is what the world needs. It is as “relevant” now as it was when first proclaimed on Pentecost.

B. C. Goodpasture
Gospel Advocate
 Vol. 64. No. 35 ( Aug. 31, 1972), p. 546

Paolo DiLucaComment