RESPONSES FROM PREACHERS

RESPONSES FROM PREACHERS

[Distributed by Way of Life Literatureâs Fundamental Baptist Information Service. These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites and cannot be sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal is not devotional but is TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. If you desire to receive this type of material on a regular basis, e-mail us, give us your name, address, and the name of the church you are a member of, and request to be placed on the list. Please note that this is not a free service. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and each subscriber is expected to participate. To unsubscribe or to submit a change of address, send your name and the request to fbns@wayoflife.org. This is not an automated list. Changes in the database often require two to four days to activate. Some of these articles are from O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 17th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site -- http://www.wayoflife.org/. The End Times Apostasy Online Database is also located at this site.]

September 26, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - A couple days ago I asked to hear from some of the preachers who read my material. The reply has been absolutely overwhelming (I stopped counting at 100, and that was only eight hours after I published the request), and I want to thank each man who took the time to write. It has been a tremendous blessing to hear from you. We must get our encouragement directly from the Lord or we will not have victory in the ministry, but it is nice to get a little encouragement from the brethren once in a while, too!

I want to share a few of these. Many readers have told me that they enjoy reading this type of thing. If you are one of those, you will enjoy these comments. If you are not one of those, hit the old delete key.

I thank the Lord for these comments. If there is anything good in my life and ministry, it is entirely the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I don’t reprint these merely to reveal what people say about me, though. I wish I could publish dozens of the letters in their entirety, because they contain very important thoughts which strike at the very heart of the spiritual battles preachers face in these last hours. I would think any man of God would be encouraged to hear the following statements in this wicked hour, and that is exactly what I am hoping to do by publishing these. Praise God that there are many men out there who do not think it is unrighteous to preach against sin and error. Please also remember that this will be posted on the Internet for a wide variety (that is an understatement!) of people to read

"It is not surprising that a man would write and be upset when you publish articles designed to report the truth. That he would identify himself as a fundamentalist is also not surprising in light of the blurring of distinctions in our day. I must call attention to his judgmental spirit as he condemned what he called ‘slander and gossip’, while at the same time ignoring facts that are presented to him. ... I for one am not able to research all the issues you do. I appreciate the articles delivered to me with the facts to back them up. I appreciate the corrections that you make when you realize you have missed something. Truth does matter! I do not look to your articles for encouragement but for facts on the happenings of our day. I look to the scriptures for my encouragement, but must also confess that it is VERY encouraging to me to have a man stand for truth when so many are happy to sweep it under the rug and ignore it in the name of ‘unity’ or ‘encouragement’. I prefer the love of God’s Word that stands with truth. Keep on the track God has led you to."

"I was appalled and dismayed by the letter you received from this Fundamental Baptist Preacher concerning the subject matters of your articles. I for one am grateful to God for someone who will stand up and proclaim ‘all the counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27). ... Growth comes from learning what is right and being able to discern what is wrong. Consider the statement in Hebrews 5:13, ‘But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.’ Notice that the next chapter begins with the exhortation to move on from basic issues and pursue others with a discerning mind. ... I think that even our Baptist spheres are becoming enthralled with the concepts and programs of the ecumenical and new evangelical movements. I have even found myself becoming desensitized by the continual bombardment of these philosophies by the ‘Christian’ media, press and radio. It is refreshing to read your articles, for they help my mind and spirit once again become settled and grounded in the truth. These truths that you write about are not only insightful, but help me to continue on a daily basis with a firm grip on the reality of the Christian walk and lead others in ‘paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.’ Keep up the good work, Bro. Cloud! I am edified and strengthened by the work that you do. You have done and are doing a great service to the truth and to God! God Bless!"

"I enjoy your articles and now two men in my church read your e-mails and enjoy them. One man was effected by ‘Are Men Lusting After Your Wife or Daughter?’ I think that changed his life and for this I am thankful. No. I do not think you are negative or unedifying. I think that many preachers today would like to skirt the sensitive issues and I believe this to be cowardice. We have to answer to God for what we say behind our pulpits. Its time for preachers to sound the cry for truth in this compromising world!"

"Please, continue what you are doing. I simply cannot express how much I appreciate your help, your writings, your studies, your materials, your research. I just received in the mail my copy of your Encyclopedia. My wife and I, like children, checked the mail box each day, waiting for it to arrive. I was shocked by it. It was not what I expected. It was far better than I anticipated. We read together various parts of it last night. Thank you for not compromising. Thank you for being an inspiration to me. Thank you for your instruction; I must admit, you have done the work, the research, and I am able to refer to your work as I study."

"The whole ‘religion of man’ thing in evangelicalism mitigates against truth. No question that it is wrong to give truth with a bitter spirit. But those who have lifted man to the level of God, do not want to hear truth and when you give them truth several times a week the only possible response, that you are judgmental, mean spirited etc. The question I would like your writer to answer is not what HE thinks about what you write but IS IT TRUE. When it is not, you will hear from me. Until then keep it up brother, when you are silent the worms won’t have to run for cover anymore."

"We understand that you are just a man and that the best men are men at best, but we are behind what you are doing. Praise the Lord for men that will stand on the Word of God without fear of others and without compromise. You are among a small group that hasn’t given in to the pressure of being ‘religiously’ correct. You stick by your stuff. We need more preachers out there that will, ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Isaiah 58:1"

"Although I am not a preacher yet, I soon hope to be. I find your writing to be a help in pointing out problems in the world. I am finding that Christian men in general are not standing up and standing apart for GOD’s sake. Thank GOD that you are not afraid to address these issues. I have not found your writings to be of bad taste. I have not found your writings to be slanderous. Don’t be discouraged."

"Thank you for sending me the wonderful information that you do. I find it very edifying (if I understand this word correctly, meaning to build up simply) to me as a church planter here in the northern part of Maine. Praise God for your stand. Keep on standing and by the marvelous Grace of God we want to stand with you."

"I believe this man was totally off base in his comments to you. I do not believe that exposing a doctrinal reprobate is gossip or slander, how ridiculous! You are simply obeying the command of God to ‘mark them.’ I appreciate your ministry and the way you help keep my people pure by informing me of doctrinal error that otherwise I would not have known."

"Thank you for the FBNS. I do not think that I would call ALL of the articles edifying, although many of them do bless me. But ALL the articles are valuable in illustrating the extent of the apostasy in modern Christianity. Basically, the anecdotal articles confirm what I see all the time, and having them to quote strengthens my preaching on the subject. The REPORTS are likewise valuable if I sense the need to denounce some preacher or movement in a sermon, which is not my usual content, but a necessary part of ‘reprove, rebuke and ‘earnestly contend.’"

"Please stay just the way you are right now. Don’t give an inch!! Your ‘News Letter’ is a source of both blessing and edification. Your messages are re-posted on the Fundamental list from time to time, and have been a great source of information as well as a good standard for the consideration of all of us who desire to stand firm for God in these last days before He comes."

"Please do not let these milquetoast preachers get to you! I enjoy your articles and find them a valuable resource in knowing what is going on. If these weak-kneed brethren want to be fed milk they should go elsewhere. I want to know what Satan is up to and I do not expect you to pull any punches in telling me. By the way, I am a Baptist preacher. Keep up the good work!!!"

"In response to your e-mail concerning this preacher who charges you with slander, etc., I have to say that in my own experience as a fundamental, Baptist pastor, if I didn’t let my people know what was going on outside of our church, and if I didn’t ‘name names’ on occasion, we would cease to be a fundamental Baptist church! Between ‘Christian’ radio and TV, the material offered at the ‘Christian’ bookstores, and all the appeals that come through the mail, unless a pastor is going to have some backbone to speak up and let his people know what is right and what is wrong according to God’s Word, it won’t be long before his congregation drifts into compromise. I have found that no matter how careful you are and how strongly you preach, you are always going to have some people who ‘dabble’ with the radio and TV preachers and their ever-expanding ministries and then, perhaps naively, want to ‘help’ others in the church by turning them on to the ministries they have found. ... There is no way you can effectively guard the local church from wolves in sheep’s clothing without naming them. Generalities will not do it. ... In reference to your article on Elisabeth Eliot and the Rice family, last year my wife took some of our ladies to a woman’s conference and one of the ladies associated with the Joyful Woman magazine was the speaker. They gave out subscriptions to pastor’s wives. When I looked over the magazine (having not seen it in years) I was immediately struck by the new-evangelical flavor of the magazine and then recently noting that at their major conference they would feature Kay Arthur! Worse, the conference would be held at a church that I thought had been a solid fundamental work at one time. I told our church , from the pulpit, that if this year’s ladies conference featured anyone from that crowd, our ladies would not be attending...and I told them why. You have to do it! We can’t bury our heads in the sand and pretend that all is well within Christendom. Paul writes, ‘For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?’ (1 Cor. 14:8) Telling the truth is not slanderous. Warning the flock is not malicious. You are providing a valuable service whereby we pastors can have access to information we might otherwise miss, and that, I believe, genuinely helps our ministries. I close with two references from Isaiah: ‘Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge...’ (Isa. 5:13); ‘Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil’ (Isa. 5:20). I stand by you in your attempt to help the preacher and strengthen the church. I am sending my offering along (snail-mail) to help in your work."

"I, for one, have not been offended by any of your articles. I am however amazed at the research that you have put in to some of them. You are providing INFORMATION that is very difficult to come by. Thank You! ... Paul told Timothy to reprove, rebuke and exhort. 2 out of 3 are negatives! It comes with the job! No preacher enjoys the negative stuff, but it is very necessary. Thank You for your ministry and service."

"I am not going to agree with everything you say. It is not possible. We are fallen creatures. My wife and I don’t agree on every issue of life and she is the most wonderful Christian wife in the world. But, I’m not going to divorce her over these minor issues. And that is the point. We live in a wicked day and wickedness needs to be ‘marked’. I find FBNS to be very edifying. Keep up the good work."

"I find your articles informative, helpful, challenging, and sometimes humorous. Your articles are well researched, pertinent, and balanced. Your News Service, database, Encyclopedia, and books are wonderful resources and I know that a number of folks in our church are benefited by your ministry. Thank you for your edifying ministry! 1 Cor. 15:58"

"I do not find your writings negative at all but instead is balanced and fair. Furthermore, whatever stand you take, you back up with reasons and scriptural exegesis. Though I do not always agree with everything you say, on the whole I am grateful and thankful that you are frank in stating plainly the hard teachings of the Bible. Do not give up but continue to write as it is sorely needed in this dark apostate hour."

"I am only a teacher of an adult Sunday School class, not a pastor, but I find your information to be incredibly useful. People are waking up and seeing things in a light that none of us had noticed before."

"I have found many of you articles eye-opening and strengthening. Many of the topics that you have discussed, are areas that I had an uneasy spirit about or had a real concern. Then an article would be posted that helped to solidify and provide a basis for (biblical and other research material) for my concern. Now I could take a stand, I was not alone. Thanks for helping to build the walls to help protect my heart, family and those we touch."

"The claim that you are not edifying is from a limited point of view that is predisposed. To claim that would be to deny ‘O Timothy’, your Encyclopedia, and news articles given to the list of subscribers. My point, if you can’t take the heat... I am glad this resource is available for me. I can use the material as I desire. I have not found anything that would express untruth or be offensive to a Bible Believer. The work is a help and a resource for those who subscribe."

"I am a young man currently training to fulfill God’s call in my life to the ministry. In response to your latest release, I must tell you how edifying your material is to me, for there are so few other places where one can receive such up-to-date information concerning what is occurring in Christendom today. Having studied journalism and media law and having earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, I find it incredible how ‘Christian’ people today misuse and do not even understand what it means to ‘slander’ or ‘maliciously gossip.’ Individuals use these words without even having the slightest idea what ‘slander’ and ‘malicious gossip’ is from either a theological or legal standpoint. It also amazes me how ‘Christians’ think religious individuals, leaders and organizations seem to be exempt from public scrutiny. No, public leaders and religious movements are completely open to public scrutiny from both a biblical standpoint and a journalistic standpoint, just as the leaders of our cities, counties, and federal government are open to public scrutiny and are accountable to those whom they serve and represent. It is sad that so many people think that anyone who questions religious leaders or analyzes religious movements or organizations is only feeding people with ‘negative information.’’ If it were not for you and a few other men who publicly test all things by the Word of God, pastors and young men training for the ministry today would think that everything happening in the realm of Christianity was fine and acceptable in the sight of God. Anyway, I am rambling now, but thank you for your stand and may God continue to bless you in your ministry for Him."

"It is discouraging to hear that those who claim to be Fundamental are attempting to demean your ministry. Please continue the work for Christ. As you know, we are to earnestly contend for the faith. Such a stand will always place you in opposition to the world and, sadly to say, at odds with some of the brethren. For years I was a Southern Baptist. I believed the Book, and preached the Book. However, the Holy Spirit dealt with my heart in early 1996 and after several months of wrestling with the issue, I left the SBC. I could no longer personally support the compromise and new evangelicalism in the convention. It is with firm conviction that I am now an Independent, Fundamental Baptist! I said that in order to point out the fact that what Independent Baptist preached about and criticized the SBC for doing ten years ago is exactly what they are doing now! They do not seem to realize that once you compromise, there is no stopping. It leads to a perpetual downslide. It has been disheartening to see the compromise among former Fundamental churches. Churches that were once bulwarks of the faith have now dipped their flag in the well of compromise. The contemporary music, the dramas, the programs have replaced old-fashioned preaching. The fulfillment of Paul’s word to Timothy has taken place. . .i.e., they have swapped preachers for teachers (II Tim. 4:2-3). I’ll agree that sound Bible teaching is necessary, but there needs to remain Biblical ‘preaching’ that stirs the hearts of the hearers. ... Bro. Cloud, Keep sounding the alarm! Keep contending for the faith! Don’t Let Up! May the Lord bless your gracious spirit and faithful work for His glory."

"In response to ‘A Little Help from you Preachers,’ please keep on doing what you are doing. I think God has a different calling on all our lives. Some, because of their personality, upbringing, training, etc. may be ‘more positive’ or ‘more negative’ than others, and God uses both types of leaders in different ways in His vineyard. This man wants to put you in a box and say you must be just as positive/negative as he. Don’t you dare do it. Do what Got has prepared and gifted you for. When I need to be updated on what the trends in various ‘Christian’ movements are, I go to you. God has used you in this capacity in a great way. As long as there is charity in your spirit, just always give us the TRUTH."

"Although I don’t know you personally, I sense in you a kindred spirit, both as a child of God and as a defender of the faith. Your uncompromising stand is admirable, especially in the face of ignorant and misguided criticism from men (and women) whose hubris is appalling. Brother, I commend you for your love for the Lord, your consistent testimony, and your contention for the truth. If I can ever be of service to you, please call on me."

"I just read through your e-mail about the letter you received from a fundamental Baptist pastor who wanted off your ‘negative and hurtful’ e-mail listing. I couldn’t agree with you more and him less. I understand the need for ‘edification,’ but that is the primary responsibility of the local church—edify the saint through the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and the fellowship of believers. When I subscribed to your service (FBNS) I wasn’t subscribing to a ‘local church.’ Rather, it’s simply a news service (like the name implies). Your ‘purpose statement’ for the FBNS is clearly stated: exposing error, apostasy, dangers, etc. in these apostate last days. I have no problems at all with that. Frankly, we need it! Too many of God’s men today have traded in their ‘battle gear’ for a pastel pink Precious Moments NIV. ... Your ministry helps me protect my flock by making aware of the ‘wolves in sheeps clothing’ out there in the ‘real world.’ ... You are an encouragement to me in the ministry. Your dedication to the study of the Word of God and your commitment to research is an ‘inspiration’ (it motivates me). Your articles, though I may not agree with everyone of them or every point made, are invaluable. I subscribe to your mag O Tim because it’s valuable information for me."

"I thank you for sharing with me about the response from this brother. I don’t agree with what he did or wrote, but I do understand it. In these last days, as many depart from the faith, Christians, I mean God’s people, are weary. They are tired of the bad news and want a little encouragement. There are many in our Fundamental Independent Baptist circles who feel it is their God given right to beat up God’s people from the pulpit. There is very little grace in their preaching. Instead they are caustic and harsh, and nothing anybody does is good enough. I have been brought under conviction by the Lord that I was to preach the truth, but to do so in love and meekness with grace. ‘In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth’ (2 Timothy 2:25). ‘Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye aught to answer every man’ (Colossians 4:6). I believe, as we expose error, that we need to positively encourage Christians that they are capable of holiness and righteousness, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Please don’t get me wrong. I believe you accomplish these verses completely. I have been distraught about the subjects you write about, but only because of the compromise on the part of those who are the subject of your articles. On the flip side, I found your article on ‘Arrows In the hand of a mighty man’ very encouraging. I think our brother’s problem is that he can’t handle the meat of the word. There are many Christians who can’t. I think a pastor needs to be careful to understand this truth. There are some who will never wean off the milk. Your articles are for the mature Christian. I would not recommend them to the immature. You clearly state that your articles are for Preachers, and if a man can’t handle the truth of what you are publishing, and make positive use of it in his pulpit ministry, then he probably shouldn’t be in the pastorate. I remember when I watched a James Dobson video series in my home church. It was such a blessing to me as a young man preparing to raise a family. Most likely many preachers can’t recognize that because a man has wisdom in one area that it doesn’t make him infallible or subject to change. It breaks my heart to see Mr. Dobson take the ecumenical stand that he does, and anyone who would try to defend it is sadly misled. It should be with broken heart that we expose compromise, but unfortunately many preachers find it difficult to be gracious. That is why I enjoy your writing. You expose error with grace and salt. Those who get offended are offended with what you have to say, not how you say it. Please continue with your stand against error and apostasy. May God grant you the grace to do so."

"As a pastor of a Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in the Texas Panhandle, I can honestly say that I not only find your articles for Digging in the Walls, but also the entire O Timothy publication edifying to a very high degree. I’ve never seen one instance of slander in any article which Bro. Cloud has written. That one would find the content of Bro. Cloud’s writing unedifying exposes either blind bias or a deceived condition on the part of the reader."

"Yes, your articles have been a definite help and edification in our ministry in Ivory Coast, West Africa. Living on the mission field makes it somewhat difficult to stay current on everything that is going on back home and everywhere else. O Timothy and the articles that come via e-mail have been a tremendous help in the formation of the preacher boys in our Bible Institute."

"I thank the Lord for one of my missionaries that directed me toward your O Timothy magazine a few years back. When I was able to get on the Internet, I was thrilled to begin receiving, almost daily, the articles and reports from you that are a tremendous help to my ministry. The one thing that struck me over the past few years is the balance that your ministry has. For instance, I have not always taken the position you do on the King James Bible. I believe it was because of ignorance. Over the past several years, your material has been most helpful to understand what is really at stake, what the real issue is concerning God’s Word and the attempts of Satan and modern day ‘theologians’ to undermine it. Your approach, to me anyway, has been not over-emotional, not too technical, but very understandable and well balanced to instruct on this issue. ... I thank God for you and your ministry. It is a blessing to me and I believe the information will assist in the protection of our little church in this apostate hour. Keep faithful to God’s Word and remain bold in this day when so-called ‘good men’ are caving and catering to the devil and this world. By the way, I appreciated your sharing the article ‘Cross-Pollinating Baptists’. That accurately pictures what is going on in far too many ‘independent, fundamental’ churches today.

"I use your material almost daily. I find it all completely researched and have no fear in passing it on to my people. I would truly miss it if it ever were to be stopped being made available."

"I am an Independent, Fundamental, Pre-millennial, Pre-tribulationist Baptist Pastor ... I use the information for God’s glory in being enlightened as to ‘certain men who have crept in unawares’ Jude 4. I do not have enough time to research the masses of literature to find all of the things I need to know in these days of apostasy. I have a responsibility to inform my people about the danger facing them, Heb. 13:17. There are many of us who need and use your material in the work of God, so please keep up the good work."

"Your articles are very edifying and informative. The negative aspects of your articles are necessary just as the negative aspects of the Bible are necessary. Marking those which cause divisions contrary to good doctrine is not slander or judgmental. No one can be ‘edified,’ regardless of how close he considers himself to be to Jesus, if he is not protected from the dangerous false doctrines that are so rampant in these end times. A child is physically ‘edified’ through bitter medicine as well as through healthy food. ... David, you and I know that most of these guys who rant about ‘negativism’ have plenty of negative in their lives, as well. Most of them watch the news or read the papers. Most of them get together with their cronies and talk about the things they don’t like. Some of them are probably talking about you today after the incident you mentioned! The man you mentioned is probably telling all his friends about the "stand" he took against you and feeling pretty self satisfied They are not upset about the negativism, but about who it was directed at—usually one of their pet sins or favorite sinners. Fundamental Baptists have always been accused of being negative and unloving. Now it is compromising Fundamental Baptists who are doing the accusing. Thank you for carrying the torch of truth in these ‘1 Tim. 4:1’ days."

"I wanted to write you and let you know that I enjoy your articles, and have used pieces of them to print and give to my assistant Pastor’s, or use a part of them for an illustration in a sermon. Keep up the good work, and keep sending them. It is amazing how many ‘Independent, Fundamental Baptist’ pastors, can’t handle things just being straight and right. You can tell a lot about a person by who they are for, who they are against, and who they take up for. If someone doesn’t call names, then how are people going to know."

"I cannot begin to tell you of the help you have been to my ministry since I learned about you almost two years ago. I’m a better servant of God, being more informed by your ministry, and yes being challenged to continually examine what I believe and preach to see if it is in accord with the Word of God. Two years ago for example, I was weak on the KJV issue, but your materials gave me the information I needed to see the truth and the conviction to take a stand for it. I was in an unbiblical relationship to a mission board, and yesterday, I mailed my resignation letter and I’m now sent out from a local FBC [fundamental Baptist church]. ... God bless you for your strong, uncompromising commitment to God’s Word, and the will to put forth such hard work in order to obey God and do His will. Brother Cloud thank you for the blessing you have been to my ministry, don’t quit and don’t change! 1 Cor. 16:13"

"I am a Baptist preacher in Green Bay, WI. You are doing a fine job as far as I am concerned. We don’t agree all the time, and at least once you have spoken against a friend of mine by name. So big deal! If I or the next 100 preachers can hold the truth in temerity, maybe it isn’t the truth we are holding on to. A stone thrown into a pack of dogs will generate sound from the smitten dog. If he would keep quiet, even the other dogs might think him wise. At least, others would not know about his sore spot. We are losing our manhood in the ministry to wimps who can’t take what used to be expected of a man. If you have the courage of your beliefs, then promote them brother, and let the wimps travel with the other dogs! The truth can stand upon its own legs, but most often uses the legs of a real man. Sock it to ‘em. We are in warfare brother, and we don’t weep when the enemy gets hit, nor apologize when the brethren standing too near the enemy gets rocked!"

"I am a fundamental Baptist Preacher ... I have been on the mission field for over 7 years. I find the comments of this man reprehensible. You have always been faithful to Jude 3 and it is very much appreciated by the majority of fundamental Baptist preachers. God Bless you and keep up the good work."

"I think you put it very well in your last paragraph, if it’s not true throw it out. I for one do like your articles. But no, I don’t accept them as ‘GOSPEL.’ I have a Bible for that. I do take them as someone that has taken the time, and ministry, of warning others. I am unable to research the vast amount of information you have sent me. So I am VERY appreciative (thankful) for your ministry. And, yes, some of the revelations that you have given have been a surprise. But when I took the time to check for myself, I have not found fault with your articles. I have been blessed by your articles, and books, and look forward to receiving them. I am not ashamed to say that I am an Independent Fundamental Baptist Pastor. Our church may not be large, but we know where we stand (on The Word of God). I appreciate the truth you shed on subjects and personalities; and if labeling a heresy or a heretic is wrong then I guess Romans 16:17 was a misprint in my Bible (BUT I DON’T THINK SO!)."

"I appreciate the Fundamental Baptist News Service. It is informative and inspirational. I appreciate the stand taken for the truth and the absence of compromise. ... In response to the so called fundamental Baptist preacher who wanted to be dropped from the Fundamental Baptist News Service, I am an independent, fundamental, Baptist to the core, preacher and have been for over 30 years now. I have started a Baptist church from scratch, and pastored two others. When I was saved I became a Bible believer (KJV) and haven’t stopped. When God called me to preach seven years after I was saved, I had no idea of the extent of the apostasy and opposition to the truth there was in churches. I was amazed to find pastors, evangelists and missionaries who would compromise the truth to further their ‘ministry.’ If there had not been men of real integrity; and, if I had not been so well grounded in the Word by my pastor; I would have gotten discouraged and quit a long time ago. I do not find you, Brother Cloud or the Fundamental Baptist News Service overly negative. One must be negative if he preaches against sin and apostasy. I have found in the Word of God that Israel was critical of the prophets who brought God’s message against sin and idolatry. They ridiculed, beat and imprisoned Jeremiah for his message, but Israel fell just as he prophesied. Our churches are falling at an incredible rate. All preachers should get real negative about that. It sounds to me that a rock was thrown into a pack of dogs and the one who got hit started yappin’."

"I did want to take the time also to tell you that I am very encouraged by your writings. What you speak forth has caused me to examine more closely the scriptures, and as such, have drawn me closer to the Lord. Thank you for being a New Testament prophet, boldly forth-telling the word of God. Though I do not agree with you 100% on all issues, I am edified by your writings."

"I read every article and appreciate the time you take to write them. I might not agree with everything but as you have mentioned that is up to the reader. I will say that I do agree with almost everything you have written that I have read! I do feel sometimes you come down a little hard on certain issues but on the other hand when will they get the message. It is so true that people are not willing to take a stand and we are getting caught up almost daily in snares that we need to beware of. You have had some informative articles about Billy Graham, Louis Palau, Jerry Falwell and groups such as the Promise Keepers and the association with catholic groups which is also involved with the Promise Keepers. I had heard some good positive things about the promise Keepers and have a friend that teaches at Liberty but that doesn’t make it right. You have helped me to be aware of what is going on and I appreciate that. I am a Baptist missionary here in South America and can not keep up with all that is going on and for that very reason I want to receive your material."

"Your work is valuable and edifying. This is a day of declension, error, compromise, and deception. To argue that the man of God must be 50% positive is not Scriptural. All over this land, wolves have crept into pulpits. They have changed the Gospel, and robbed it of it’s power and purity. ... To attack your ministry for being negative is to also admit that a person is living in a fantasy land without any understanding for how Satan is waging war against the few Bible-believing churches that are left in each state. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your missives every day and am blessed by them...."

"I certainly do appreciate your work with FBNS and encourage you to keep up the fight. While I am not saying that I am never ‘edified’ by your work on FBNS, that is not why I subscribe or read it. I do so for information. As a pastor I rarely have the time to stay as ‘plugged-in’ as I would like to with all that is going on. Your list is a great help in that area. Unfortunately, it is the things that are going on today that are not edifying. Keep up the good work!"

"My opinion of your ministry is that it is a blessing. You have a way to see things quite clearly and seem to speak with a clear conscience on many hard issues. It is refreshing! The Encyclopedia is a blessing and so are the books we are ordering from Way of Life Literature. My family appreciates the ministry, I do as a missionary, and your own heart is free of charges before the Lord, so keep on calling it as you see it. If you see it wrong, the Lord will even show you this. You can’t help but step on some toes as you go, at least that means your not just standing still, you ARE doing something. They say if they are kicking you, it’s because you are ahead."

"In response to your note yesterday about criticism for being negative by an anonymous writer: don’t let him or the others get to you. You are doing a valuable service for us out here in the Bible teaching ministry. There are many people and events that come to my attention for which I need background material but haven’t the time to search it out. You have filled a big void for me in that regard. Many of these people and events that I encounter are attacks on the spiritual life either openly or covertly. Your commitment to providing a defense against such is to be praised, not condemned. It is perfectly in keeping with the admonition in I Thess. 5:21 to examine everything carefully and I Cor. 2:15, ‘...he that is spiritual judgeth all things...’ The very nature of your ministry makes for the negative side to things you examine."

"Here is one preacher who is getting a lot of valuable and Scriptural information from your E-Mail service. I too read the messages concerning Elisabeth Elliott and The Joyful Woman. It’s too bad that the truth concerning these and other vital issue doesn’t set well with a few (I hope) ‘fundamental’ Baptists. The pastor you referred to without name is confused. He needs to realize that your service is to inform in this day of great apostasy. I have know a number of ‘fundamental’ Baptist who have refused to face the issued head on and as a result are now compromising in a big way. Keep up the good work. I believe the Lord is in it."

"I too have found that your articles bother me at times. I may not agree with everything you say, and may at times know one of the men you are referring to, and know that he has sent a wrong message or been misunderstood in his message but still believes the truth. But, we need to be stirred to action as men of God who have been called not only to deliver the truth of God’s word, but to defend it. Slander and Gossip are products of lies or listening to the lies of others. In every case that you have openly opposed another Fundamental Baptist preacher, or anyone, you have quoted from some publication or broadcast the words of that very person or group. In these last days we need to know who will stand with us and who will abdicate to apostasy. My hope is that we may see in ourselves the tendency to go along with the crowd and be brought back to the reality of our mission. That mission is to take the WHOLE Word of God to a lost and dying world. As long as we base our reports on the truth, and compare that truth to the truth of God’s Word, we are not guilty of slander or gossip. Keep up the good work. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ we need to not only to fight the battle, but each of us must also be watchmen over the camp! It is a sad day when so many sheep are sympathetic to the wolf and enabling him to enter the flock undetected under the guise of unity. Doctrine is the only basis for unity in the church. ‘How can two walk together except they be agreed?’"

"I appreciate your articles and updates on the current religious scene AND your sensible and forthright stand for the truth of the Word of God. Many, many times you have sounded the clarion call to some area in my life and ministry which has helped keep me on track for the Lord. Keep up the good and godly work. Your articles ARE needed in this apostate hour; the Lord knows there are enough compromisers. You are a breath of fresh air in the muck and mire of these mealy-mouthed, milk-toast, meandering men of meaningless ministries."

"I have been receiving this news service for about a month now, and I am extremely pleased to hear I am not the only one contending for the faith. It is true, appearance would seem to indicate your topics are a little on the harsh side, but I consider them to be quite edifying. They have strengthened my own faith and doctrinal position. They have reassured me that all have not ‘bent the knee’. They are quite a blessing. Please disregard this ‘fundamental Baptist’ preacher and ‘keep on keeping on’."

"There are those preachers who blind their eyes to the truth or refuse to face facts. I enjoy being kept informed. The man who wrote the post should read Titus 1:13; I Timothy 5:20; II Tim. 4:2. Did not Jesus turn the tables over and DRIVE the money changers out of the temple? How about great men like J. Frank Norris who fought against modernism; false teachings etc. among his fellow Southern Baptists and his own alma mater. John R. Rice did not mince words with a brother when you disagreed with him. I could go on and on. The man who wrote is very shallow in his thinking. If we men of God, hide our eyes to the error that is going on today and do not cry out against it; we will, by default, let the evil take over our pulpits and churches and our very own selves. We need men of courage and backbone."

"Most of the individuals who call themselves Independent, Fundamental, Bible-believing, Separated Baptists these days have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what it means to be such a person! The city in which I pastor is littered with pastors and churches that used to stand with the Bible, but now they do in word only. I am constantly appalled at what passes for Biblical Christianity today! Your articles have ALWAYS been timely and true to the Word of God (KJV). They are a tremendous encouragement to me and they are always shared with the people of our church. Keep up the good work and just tell the naysayers you’ll see them at the Judgment Seat!"

"I don’t agree with your ‘pastor friend’. I do believe that your ministry is edifying. Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary defines ‘edify’ as ‘to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually, uplift’. Your ministry is very beneficial to Independent, Fundamental KJV Bible Believing Baptist Pastors. The amount of research that you do is incredible in uncovering the various doctrinal errors that abound amongst those that claim to be Christian. It would take too much valuable time for each and every pastor to try to research each of these areas as thoroughly as you have. There are plenty of feel good sites out there where one can get the feel good edification that your ‘pastor friend’ mentions. What we need is more pastors that are willing to call an apostate an apostate. You’re a man after my own heart and I feel I’ve known you for a long time. Keep up the good work and don’t bow down to those who would have you stop from ‘reproving the unfruitful works of darkness - Eph 5:11-13’. Thanks for helping us earnestly contend for the faith."

"I find your post very good. and to me they are uplifting. They lift us out of the trash and into the truth. I can just believe that the devil hates you with a burning hatred Because from what I see you have exposed him for what he is. and exposed his tactics for what they are. We pray for a Hedge of protection for you and your family Stay in the Word. Keep your eyes on heaven. Don’t compromise. because you have a long way to fall."

"I do not find your articles negative. You present the facts to your readers in a fair manner so they can be informed and keep up on what’s going on out in Christendom. Any pastor who takes his responsibility of protecting the flock of God needs to keep informed so he can carry out this responsibility properly. Keep up the good work. Just knowing that you are willing to take a stand against some things that are not ‘religiously correct,’ that you are willing to correct mistakes, and that you try your best to check out the facts ahead of time gives me confidence that your articles are correct."

"I find your mail worthy of receipt and (often) retransmission either electronically or in hard copy. With all the soft, cowardly non-confessors we have in pulpits and elsewhere, you need neither be surprised at such protests as these nor deterred by fluctuations in popularity. ... So what if I cannot agree with all you say. I’m impressed you’ve got the guts to say it!!!"

"Thank you for taking the time and doing the research to provide us with accurate information on what is happening religiously in our world. ... We just passed the 26th year as pastor of the same church we started here. My experience has taught me that if I take a position on error before it gets in the church, the church comes out better. Many of the things you have revealed, I would not have know about if it had not been for men like you. It is a blessing to know ahead of time so as to be prepared. ... Many preachers today will not deal with these issues. Then when their church is a mess, they move on to another church. They do not personally hold to false doctrine or error but they do not deal with it or warn their people about it. And in that, they disobey our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks for your good work. You have shown a good, Christian spirit in dealing with error. Keep on."

"I was fortunate enough to be saved in and serve in a conservative fundamental Baptist Church which had a pastor who named names/ exposed heresy/ exposed heretical movements/ apostate organizations and those who preach another gospel (which is not another).He didn’t beat around the bush on issues such as women’s clothing/ hair styles / homosexuality / abortion / ecumenism, etc. He expected men to be men, women to be women and Christians to be separated from the world , the flesh and the Devil. He maintained a strong position on music and dress standards . Many men including myself went into the ministry from that church and hold to the old time gospel message. I thank God for him and I am thankful for you . Sometimes we who try hard to do these things seem to be very alone. It is good to know you are there. I often quote from your articles. ... Brother stay with it ! Jesus did. Most of the preaching in the Bible is such as I have seen you write."

"I have been receiving your reports for several months now. I DO find them edifying! We as believers need to know the truth about what is going on out there. As you mentioned, I fall into the category of one who doesn’t agree with everything you have to say, but almost everything! I appreciate your spirit. I believe you are fair. ... The skill and spirit of your report was a great blessing to me."

"Just a note to encourage you to keep up the good work! We need you there digging into these issues so we can stay informed and keep our people informed and warned about the vipers all around us in this wicked day! I leave you with the same advice with which God left Jeremiah—Jeremiah 1:7-8 ‘But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.’"

"To be honest with you, Bro. Cloud, all I can truthfully say is ........................... PLEASE DON’T STOP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE.... Up here in Canada, you are the only link to what is happening in so-called Fundamentalism."