Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Jury convicts faith healers

Son nearly died because they refused to seek care

A jury convicted Daniel and Anne Marie Foster of conspiracy and endangering the welfare of their son, Patrick. (Daily News / Steven Falk)

by Marisol Bello
Philadelphia Daily News Staff Writer

A Common Pleas Court jury yesterday sent a stern message to Philadelphia's believers in faith healing: Take your sick children to doctors or face long prison terms.

The jury of four women and eight men found two members of the Philadelphia Faith Tabernacle Church guilty of not seeking medical help for their 2-year-old son after the boy developed a cancerous tumor that almost killed him. Church members believe in healing only through prayer, anointing and fasting.

The jury convicted Daniel and Anne Marie Foster, of Tacony, of conspiracy and endangering the welfare of their son, Patrick. "The goal of the jury was to send back that particular message to the church that they have to make some sort of adjustment in their faith so as not to continue endangering children," said juror Ralph Hirshorn. "Their beliefs may have worked well some years ago, but you can't do that now." "It's not going to change anything," said Anne Marie Foster's lawyer, Rosemarie Defino. "It's not going to deter future behavior among church members."

The case raised issues of the division between church and state, and how much the law should interfere in a person's personal beliefs. The Fosters' lawyers said the Fosters and their fellow church members believe in the literal word of the Bible, which states that only God can heal the sick. The lawyers argued the Fosters should be free to practice their religion as they see fit. But even though religious freedom is guaranteed under federal and Pennsylvania law, it is not a right when it endangers the community at large or the welfare of a child.

"The point is to hold parents accountable so they don't do this again," Assistant District Attorney Mimi Rose said.

Jurors yesterday agreed. It took them less than two hours to decide on a verdict they said was a clear-cut decision. Roshan Bagga, a juror from Roxborough, said the Fosters have a right to their beliefs, but not when they break the law. "They had no intent to harm their child, but the law states that while adults can do what they want, 2-year-olds are helpless," Bagga said. The Fosters face up to 14 years in prison, but they will probably not serve any jail time. Prosecutors will most likely seek probation.

During the trial, Rose said that after the couple discovered a large lump in Patrick's abdomen, they let the boy slowly weaken and dehydrate to the point of near death. The couple never took him to a doctor. Instead, they prayed and anointed Patrick with oil, but he continued to get worse. He was rescued after an anonymous caller phoned a Department of Human Services hot line and a social worker rushed the gravely ill child to a hospital. Patrick, who turns 3 today, has undergone surgery and chemotherapy and now stands an 80 percent chance of survival. He is living with Daniel Foster's brother, who is not a member of the church.

Daniel Foster, a 29-year-old carpenter who grew up in the religion, told the jury Friday that he opposed medical treatment. He said that if his son were to get sick again, neither he nor his wife would take him to a doctor. Anne Marie, 28, a homemaker, entered the church about six years ago when she met her husband. They've been married five years and have two other children. They were trying to regain custody of Patrick.

Commentary...... The Bible teaches that God answers prayers on behalf of the sick AND that the sick should use the medical means and services available through which health may be restored (Jas. 5:13-15; 1 Tim. 5:23). We are thankful to God that on this occasion, the false doctrine of men did not cause the death of an innocent child! -jrp-

ASSIGNMENTS - SUNDAY, MAY 17, 1998

Announcements: Rick Holt

Opening Prayer: Rick Holt / Sam Holden

Closing Prayer: Aaron Bass / Morris Bass

Song Leader: Rusty McGrew / Dan Head

Scripture: Ray Hollister / Philip Price

Lord’s Supper: Loren Parker, Jeremy Price, Wesley Holt

Building Cleanup: Haiths & Holdens

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http://members.tripod.com/~northsidecofc/index.html

Volume II, No. 13 May 17, 1998

Biblical Principles of Unity (Part 17):

Efforts to Defend Unity in Doctrinal Diversity

by: Joe R. Price

Fomenting “Another” Denominational Split?

Are we preaching unholy division by advocating unity based upon the truth of the gospel (which we can understand and obey, Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:16-18)? It has been alleged that

“Certain brethren are fomenting another “denominational split” that is going to result in another denominational “camp”. Now you will have the various MDR camps within the “institutional” and “non-inst.” camps. Then once those lines are well drawn, brethren will find some other issue to fight about and cause further splintering.”

This Christian’s choice of words is enlightening. The implication is left that the division which occurred over sponsoring churches, church support of human organizations and the social gospel was a “denominational split” which resulted in denominational camps! If that is true, then it had nothing to do with applying Bible authority and everything to do with following the will and wishes of men. Is this what happened? Shall we apply the divine pattern in all things (Heb. 8:4; Col. 3:17)? Or, does God grant us the liberty of deciding which matters of “the faith” are worth contending for and which are not (Jude 3)?

Anytime God’s people stand upon revealed truth and others are unwilling to “abide in the doctrine of Christ,” it is not the faithful disciple who is dividing the people of God (Jno. 8:31-32; 2 Jno. 9-11). In the 1950’s and 60’s brethren digressed from scriptural authority regarding the work of the church. Should we characterize those who pleaded with brethren to produce Bible authority for their innovations as the “dividers,” “denominational in thinking and practice,” and guilty of “splintering” the brotherhood? That is what the brethren who abandoned Bible authority for all that they practiced said! Now, our brethren can be heard making similar charges. Please hear the apostle tell us what is really happening in such cases:

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” (1 Jno. 2:19-21) (continued on page 2)

Must We Divide Over Every Disagreement We Have?

The answer to that question is “no.” Romans 14 properly defines the context and limit of unity in spite of differences. In matters of (authorized) liberties, we are to respect the personal scruples of our brethren and not press our own conscience to the disruption of fellowship and unity. At the same time, Romans 16:17 commands us to “note” and “avoid” (not be united in fellowship with) those “who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned....” The doctrine they (and we) learned is the gospel of Christ (cf. Rom. 6:17; 16:25-26). Thus, Scripture makes a distinction between the revealed doctrine of Christ and the personal scruples of men in matters which are “pure” or “clean” in and of themselves (see Jude 3 vs. Rom. 14:1, 5, 14, 18, 20). We dare not compromise the doctrine of Christ, otherwise we forfeit fellowship with the Father and the Son (Jno. 14:23; 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 2:5).

When division occurs by brethren departing from “the faith,” it will become evident who has God’s approval and who does not (1 Cor. 11:19). By comparing doctrine and practice with the scriptures we can reach a proper conclusion as to whether or not God’s approval is present (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Where Bible authority exists, so does God’s approval (Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 2:15). Where Bible authority does not exist, God’s approval is also absent (Gal. 1:6-10).

The dividers of God’s people are those who do not abide in “the doctrine which you learned” (that is, the gospel, Rom. 16:17). For example, it was the Ephesian elders who began speaking perverse things who caused the division in that church, not the faithful saints who obeyed the apostolic doctrine (Acts 20:29-32)!

God does not want His people to splinter over person opinions. But we must stand in truth, even when most people go in the opposite direction. Remember Joshua and Caleb? Were they a “splinter” group? Hardly. What about those 12 followers of Jesus? Just another “splinter” group of disaffected Jews? Hardly. Were Amos, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Ezekiel and the other prophets extreme fanatics for crying out against the sins of Israel and Judah? Hardly. Like Jeremiah, we must be careful to stand in the “old paths” of revealed truth, instead of crying “peace, peace when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:16, 14).

Conclusion

Are we guilty of trying to place man under a law of works and perfectionism when we seek to carefully obey Jesus in all things? No, not at all (Jno. 14:15; Heb. 5:9). By calling Christians to faithful obedience and service, are we guilty of focusing upon man and his own righteousness while taking away from God and His grace? Never (Lk. 17:10; Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 6:1-14). Is obedience to the gospel of Christ a doctrine of salvation by works of the law which brings Christians back into bondage after they have received freedom in Christ? Not at all (Gal. 5:1-7). Are we calling for division over every issue when we endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” by not having fellowship with error (Eph. 4:3; 2 Jno. 10-11). By no means. Are we guilty of teaching false doctrine and causing division in the Lord’s church for advocating Bible authority for all we believe and practice? No, we are not (Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 4:2-5).

This series of lessons has been an effort to help all of us examine our beliefs and teachings on the subject of unity and fellowship, and our ability to understand and conform to the revealed word of Christ. Every false teaching, left unattended, endangers the souls of men by turning them away from truth and grace (including error on divorce and remarriage, on fellowship and on unity - Gal. 2:4-5; 1:6-9; Jno. 1:17; 14:6).

Our focus (in teaching and practice) must always be upon God, for “we are unprofitable servants” only doing our duty (Lk. 17:10). But, if we do not do our duty (by faith obey Jesus), we will perish with the ungodly (remember Noah’s faith and God’s grace, Gen. 6:8-9, 14, 22; Heb. 11:7). We must live pure lives, teach pure doctrine and obey all the truth (1 Tim. 4:12, 16; Tit. 2:7-8; Heb. 5:9). May God bless us as we endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” so that all believers “may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us” (Jno. 17:21).

Love One Another Notes

{Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-11}

1. AGAPE - "Unconquerable benevolence, unde­feat­able goodwill."

2. "It does not matter how its fellow-men treats it...who its fellow-men

are...what their attitude is to it, it will never seek anything but their

high­est & their best good." - Flesh & Spirit, Barclay, 65.

I. WE ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER - Jno. 13:34; 1 Jno. 4:7-8.

A. We Cannot Love Each Other If We Do Not Love God - 1 Jno. 5:2; 4:19-21.

B. We Love God By Obeying God - Mk. 12:28-30; 1 Jno. 2:5-6; 5:3; 2 Jno. 6.

II. THIS IS LOVE: THAT WE WALK AFTER HIS COM­MANDMENTS - 2 Jno. 6.

A. You Love Me When You:

-Genuinely care about my well-being - 1 Jno. 3:17-18; Rom. 12:9-10.

-Encourage me to live godly - 1 Cor. 8:1.

-Correct me in love (Heb. 12:6; 1 Pet. 4:8); Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 2:11-14.

-Show kindness to me - Rom. 13:10; Eph. 5:31-5:2.

-In every way, you love me as you obey God! - 1 Jno. 5:2.

III. THE RESULTS OF LOVING ONE ANOTHER.

A. Testimony Of Our Discipleship - Jno. 13:35.

B. Fellowship W/ God - 1 Jno. 4:12, 16.

C. His Love Matures In Us - 1 Jno. 4:12 (2:5).

______________________

Common Denominators Of Growing Congregations

{Scripture Reading: Acts 9:26-31}

I. PERSONAL WORK TRAINING OF MEMBERS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL

RESPONSIBILITIES - Col. 4:5-6; 2 Tim. 2:1-7, 14-16.

A. See Yourself As A Teacher! - Col. 4:5-6; 2 Tim. 2:1-7, 14-16; Acts 16:33; Matt. 28:18-20.

II. EMPHASIS ON FAITHFULNESS, NOT NUMERICAL RESULTS - Rom. 5:1-5; 1 Cor. 3:1-9.

A. Christians Encouraged To Be Faithful In Sowing The Seed - God Will Give Results -

(Lk. 8:11).

B. No Quotas! - 1 Cor. 3:6.

III. EMPHASIS ON THE GOSPEL POWER TO SAVE - Rom. 1:16.

A. No Gimmicks, Entertainment Or Social Gos­pel Approach - Jno. 6:26-27; 2 Tim. 4:2.

B. The Method Of Teaching Gospel Was Not Empha­sized - Teaching The Gospel Was!

IV. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY (COMMITMENT) OF EACH MEMBER IS STRESSED

- Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Rom. 14:12.

V. MORE INTEREST IN WORKING FOR THE LORD THAN THE PROMOTION OF SELF

-Matt. 6:2-4; Jas. 3:16-18.

A. Just Do The Work & Encourage Everyone Else Who Is Doing The Work!