Vol.XI No.XII Pg.2
February 1975

The Debacle Unfolds

Robert F. Turner

Those who read Plain Talk regularly know that we have taken little notice of the internal mess in the Highland church, Abilene. We are, of course, concerned about their unscriptural alliance with Herald of Truth and the effect upon the church generally. In July, 70, we reviewed John Allen Chalks endorsement of the redemptive quality in the homosexual movie, Midnight Cowboy; and in Sept. 73, we bled with bro. Cawyer over the doctrinal error (the brink of Pentecostalism according to former elder Cawyer) to be found there. Now, one thing we wrote (re. Cawyer affair) was recalled recently when we read a lengthy attack which B. R. Harper, former preacher for Highland, and almost a charter supporter of H.O.T., made against the Highland elders and the H.O.T. set-up.

We had said, As the Highland debacle unfolds we will see further evidence that H. of T. is an institutional entity, not the church alone.

Now bro. Harper writes: Their letter states this retirement is to run until his death or as long as the Herald of Truth program has it to pay — whichever comes first. Did you notice that the Highland Church of Christ, for which I have worked for 28 years, did not obligate themselves as a church to pay me one dime? They only agreed to pay me this retirement as long as they could take it from YOUR treasuries in Radio and Television land. This did not bind Highland and the elders to do anything for me as a church. . .They stopped W. F. Cawyers retirement in less than a year! Unconditional? Pshaw! (He then says-) A SOCIETY They seem to be separating the Herald of Truth from Highland Church of Christ. Such distinction would be exactly what the anti brethren accused it of being at its birth.

Thats right, bro. Harper; and despite your apparent shock that they would make such a distinction, notice your own language. — as long as they could take it from YOUR treasuries in Radio and Television land. You know, deep in your heart, that the money sent to Highland for H.O.T. is NOT alms as per. 2 Cor. 8: etc.; made the property of Highland, so that she is doing her own work via radio and TV. You know that Highland is simply the organizational medium for a brotherhood (churchhood) project, and that money in the special H.O.T. fund is the pooled fund of thousands of churches. I wrote (Sept. 73) — we will see further evidence that H. of T. is an institutional entity, not the church alone. Do you suppose I may be a prophet, or son of a prophet?