Back to Steelite Controversy Correspondence

December 13, 1995. Reg Barrow to Chris Coldwell. Reply

Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 22:58:26 -0700

From: (Reg Barrow)

To: Chris Coldwell

Dear Chris:

Please disregard my previous email as I had sent a letter that had not been completed yet.

Now, regarding your last email, I must say that I am far too busy right now to enter into any discussions with individuals over disputed points of theology. This is even less necessary if those very points need to be discussed in future Presbytery meetings anyway.

Please don't misunderstand me. It is not that I would not like to pursue this matter with you or any (of the many) others who disagree with what I have written (at one time or another), but rather that at this time it is just not a priority.

I've just printed 19,000 catalogues (which contained the newsletter in question, by the way) and am preparing for a new catalogue run of over 100,000 (D.V.). I've spent three solid months writing just to get the first catalogue done and expect as much in preparing the second. This is in addition to the administrative duties of SWRB. This last catalogue would probably run from 200 to 300 pages of text if it was set up as most modern books are today. I have published approximately 300 new bound photocopy books in the last year and added well over 300 new cassettes also. All this takes time and is an ongoing work. Furthermore, a large home page on the web is being developed and I hope to open a local retail outlet soon. I've also been looking into television and radio outreach. Moreover, about 50 separate groups or individuals have expressed a desire, through some of SWRB's distribution work, to plant new churches where they live. We are limited in staff and funds and therefore I must budget my time wisely. Even now I get very little opportunity to sleep and must be very careful to make sure that all my family duties are discharged in a way that pleases our Lord (and blesses my wife and four children).

If I entered into discussions with everyone who writes or calls to disagree with my views I am sure that I would never get another catalogue out - or even see my family again for that matter. I can't believe that this would be honoring to God (as much as I would enjoy responding to all the detractors).

I hope that you understand and that you will learn much from the debate of this subject as it arises throughout North America (and the rest of the world). Because, to be honest with you, I am aiming at the whole world, not just one individual here and there. Moreover, I have recently published a number of bound photocopies which support my position and have plans to do many more. In due time you will see them (for you should get my new catalogue in a few weeks) and, Lord willing, this will help you to become better informed concerning the Biblically (and historically) faithful position regarding separation and the church.

Our prayers are with you and all the brothers in your area.

I'll leave you with one Scripture to ponder,

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Rom. 16:17)

And something from the WLC,

The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted of God himself; tolerating a false religion... all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever... all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed. (Westminster Larger Cat., part answer to Q. 109, 1648, emphasis added).

This agrees exactly with what I have written in my newsletter.

Furthermore, can you tell me how one is not neglecting the pure worship of God in a church which sings only man-made compositions? He is commanded by God to sing Psalms (only) in the public worship, and his elders are commanding him not to. Additionally, in the place of the Psalms of God the elders are substituting their idolatrous hymns. Just remaining quiet during the singing is a sin of omission, for you are commanded by God to be singing Psalms during this time of public worship. Moreover, not challenging the elders or a Presbytery which does such things (i.e. commits public idolatry) is the way of the coward, and violates the ninth commandment, for it is "undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others (WLC Answer 145). Any elders who command such things are corrupting the worship of God and doubly accountable for they are leading others into sin also.

Please don't respond, just think about it for now. I do not have time to continue this discussion any further. It is nothing personal, I just can't keep up right now.

Just read your new email as I finished this letter. I am glad to hear that your elders will be contacting our elders to discuss this matter. I hope that it all works out well and that at the end of the day we are all on the same page.

Thank you for your concern.

Sincerely, Reg Barrow President,

Still Waters Revival Books