This same principle holds true in our reading; in reality, we become what we read. Now, before you react, let me take some time to develop this. Shallow minds, as a rule, read very little. One must take in massive amounts of material and sort it out in order to give back anything worth considering.

I am fully aware that the correct place to begin is with the Bible. We live in a day when pastor and people often are not well read. They are likely to know a lot ABOUT the Bible, but not a lot OF the Bible, seldom going beyond simple historical facts and isolated proof texts. It is my view that history is another very important area. Seldom do we hear of great preachers who are not also good historians. We ought to make much of the Word; one can, however, possess a lot of information and yet be unable to put it into a theological form which will make him sensitive to error.

Serious preacher talk often turns to "What are you reading?" Try that one on each other. In time, I will tell you what I am reading and why. I read about 30 periodicals a month. Much of that reading relates to current events and theological issues. There has been a lot of bitter criticism towards some of these, which are tabbed as "scandal sheets". Such statements are often more a confession than they are an observation.

Many of my friends have been caught up in new movements. Without even asking, I can tell what they are reading. Reformed theology has become the rave of Evangelicalism and is sweeping Fundamentalism. Once again, it is obvious what these people are reading; it is equally clear what they are NOT reading.

Please let me make myself clear. I am not advocating that we limit our reading. The truth is, we need instead to broaden it. The one conservative news magazine that I recommend is The World Magazine. If you are familiar with it, you know that it is based on reformed theology. At present, I am reading "True Revival", written by John H. Armstrong. If I had not already known before beginning the book, just a couple of chapters would have told me he is a reformed theologian. Along with other friends, I read many of these articulate men.

Let me be quick to tell you that this is not all I read. It appears that many favor a diet that includes far too many of these celebrated writers.

When a preacher/teacher/professor spends most of his time in the reformed masters, past and present, it becomes very obvious. Since the reformed hermeneutic is not a Biblical hermeneutic, their conclusions about significant doctrinal matters are telling.

I tell students that, in this day, when a man repeatedly uses a word such as "Kingdom", "Body of Christ", "Elders", "Redemptive Theology", or "Sacrament" without including a clear explanation, they had better put their thinking caps on. All of these words may have valid use, but they are the "buzz words" that surround the hive of a movement which challenges the sufficiency and authority of Scripture.

Frankly, I am shocked that hundreds of Baptist pastors can read an intelligent article by a man who poses as a Baptist, but uses a reformed hermeneutic, without so much as one blink. In fact, it is this kind of man who has become the darling of poorly read fundamentalism.

You know my commitment to deal with the Neo-Liberalism in our midst. Anyone can deal with the old-line liberal and get a big AMEN; on the other hand, you take your life in your hands when you are forced to deal with wrong in our ranks.

In the late 50's, I began my theological study. The only people who ever used the term and supported the concept of "building the kingdom" were old-line liberals. Now, it is almost impossible to get through any article by one of the untouchable gurus without having this term thrown at you. The sad thing is that the average pastor does not have a clue as to what it means or where it came from. We are not even "building the church", let alone the universal kingdom, or the kingdom of Christ, His millennial kingdom. The very arrogance of such a statement is shocking, but then one would have to know why people actually believe that.

Probably the most misused term in our circles is "The Body of Christ". How much Bible would you have to read on the subject to know that a local church, or a group of living Christians meeting for prayer, is not the Body of Christ? Held high in esteem are men who use reformed/presbyterian polity and are accepted as Baptists. Why do all the power brokers sit idly by and nod?

Part of the answer is that they are reading the wrong materials, or they are not reading at all. One of the reasons I read other men is that they make me think. They challenge my positions. Please note, however, that just because a man is articulate, intelligent, well-read, and persuasive does not necessarily mean he is right; in fact, you will not know whether he is right or wrong unless you read, read, read, and think, think, think!

The Bible is first and foremost, no debate, but you are what you read, or do not read, and everyone who listens to your response and is in tune will know what you read. YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ.

Before any of us jump on the marketing crowd that openly professes a hatred toward doctrine, we ought to clean our own bird cage. At least they are bold enough to say what they don't believe while, on the other hand, it appears that many professed fundamentalists do not know what they believe. If I am wrong, then why do I keep hearing and seeing reformed theology coming from their lips and pens?

"The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." II Timothy 4:13