Dr. Robert Sumner passed away in December 2016. The Biblical Evangelist newspaper is no longer being published and the ministry of Biblical Evangelism has ceased operation.

The remaining inventory of his books and gospel tracts was transferred to The Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles and may be ordered here.

Off the Cuff (Part 1)
Dr. Robert L. Sumner

We wish all our wonderful readers a blessed and fruitful New Year! May 2007 be the best one in your life thus far in terms of accomplishment for Christ and “fruit that remains.” And please pray that The Biblical Evangelist will have a wonderful year of service for Christ, influencing saved and lost alike in spiritual things.

And speaking of the New Year, we are printing a sermon on that subject by B. B. Crimm, who billed himself as “the Cowboy Evangelist” (there must have been several hundred to do this over the years; I’m tempted to say several thousand). Crimm was one of the most colorful of the whole bunch, however, and the tales told about him leave folks with mouths wide open in awe. We were just a young twenty-something pastor in Texas when he came to the Oak Street Baptist Church in our town. I went to hear him several times – and they may have had him back for a second meeting; I’m not sure at this late date. He sat down to preach and had a portable ‘railing’ which he could hold on to if he wanted to pace back and forth. When we obtain sermons by illustrious men of the past we like to give readers a sample, so here is Cowboy Crimm! This one was provided by Columnist Jim Lutzweiler.

How often do you hear or read a sermon based on the Song of Solomon? We are printing one in this issue from the pen the powerful Southern evangelist under whose fervent preaching the editor’s father came to Christ, John Ham. It is certainly easy to find grace in this beautiful love poem of Scripture.

And because we believe so strongly in tract distribution, having practiced it passionately and profusely over the years, we are printing (as part of our review) an article about it appearing in Christ’s Last Command, a book on evangelism by Peter A. Steveson, long associated with Bob Jones University. Read it carefully, and then do it! As Dr. Sumner Wemp would say, then ask, “God uses tracts! Do you?”

We are also, in obedience to Jude 3-4, issuing a warning and a call to action about “evangelical” radio and television stations promoting heresy on unsuspecting hearers and viewers. James Kieferdorf (he did all the work and all the research) collaborated with the editor on a needed, timely article exposing what is being done. I might add, the article is being printed only after exhausting all efforts to get owners and managers to act responsibly themselves.

It was 33 years ago this month, on the 13^th of January, that Noel Smith stepped from earth to Heaven. Our former assistant editor, Doug Kutelik, wrote a fascinating recollection of this good man and we are reprinting it in this issue as a tribute and memory to Smith’s noble ministry. Your editor first met that BBFI hero when we were both speaking at one of Bob Jones University’s annual Bible conferences. I became a fan!

And, finally, we are printing the first installment of an article in our Bible Study corner by the editor dealing with the history of evangelism’s impact from the first to the 21^st century. We think you will find it interesting.

MEMORIALS!

One of our very dear earthly friends left this polluted hemisphere for the pure air of Heaven in late October. Dr. Charles U. Wagner, who was on the board of Biblical Evangelism and long a faithful columnist for The Biblical Evangelist (“Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver”), finally succumbed to cancer after a long battle. Three different kinds of chemo had failed to check the advance and he had just started a fourth. When I talked to him on the phone shortly before his promotion, he said, “I can’t lose. I have a ‘win win’ situation. If God sees fit to heal me, I win. If he takes me to Heaven, I win.” On October 22^nd he won big! Dr. Wagner was 77.

A graveside service was conducted in Hudson (FL) – he had a winter manufactured home on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute and conference grounds in that city – and a memorial service at his former church in Covington (KY). After graduating from the Detroit Bible College, he pastored in Michigan and New Jersey, then led congregations out in Washington at Richland, Everett and Tacoma. His final pastorate was at Calvary Baptist in Covington (KY), where he still held the title “Pastor at Large” at the time of his death. Even though he was preceded in that pulpit by such illustrious men as D. B. Eastep (who served for more than a third of a century) and Warren Wiersbe, the Kentucky Post quoted a deacon there as saying, "The church moved forward on a lot of fronts while he was the pastor." In the dozen years he led the congregation they “built a multi-purpose building, expanded its outreach, and doubled its missionary giving.”

As an educator, he served as president of Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma and later as president of the Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College and the Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary. He also ministered as adjunct professor at Tennessee Temple University, the Baptist Bible Seminary of Clark Summit (NY), and Word of Life Bible Institute at its Florida, New York, Canada and Argentina campuses. The Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary (now Masters College and Seminary) honored him with a Doctor of Divinity. Yet he was hardly a stuffy theologue and he had a great sense of humor, even naming his boat ‘Visitation’ so, he joked, if a deacon called when he was out fishing his wife could say he was “out on visitation.”

Throughout his long, half-century career of serving Christ Dr. Wagner remained faithful to the fundamentals of the Christian faith and stood tall and strong against the evils of the day, both outside and inside the professing church, even when it was unpopular to do so. His reward will be great. A recognized scholar, his personal library contained over 10,000 volumes and he wrote several books and booklets, including The Pastor: His Life and Work – which experienced at least two revisions, the last in 1998 – and a massive devotional book, Winning Words for Daily Living. He also wrote several works of poetry, Sunday school curriculum for the Regular Baptist Press, and Bible study material for Word of Life. And, of course, he faithfully wrote his “Apples of Gold” column in this magazine for many years.

He is survived by the wife of his youth, Ruth; a son, Mark, who succeeded him as president of Northwest Baptist Seminary; a daughter, Susan; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; plus a host of friends around the world. Memorial gifts may be given in his name to the Northwest Baptist Seminary, 4301 N. Stevens, Tacoma, WA 98407.

Wagner, a hardnosed preacher who fought sin and compromise with all his being, was also a tender poet. What he would say today about his cancer and death he wrote long ago in his Reflections in Verse under the title, “He Maketh No Mistakes.” Here it is:

“He maketh no mistakes, He knows

   Life’s future plans, and then bestows

Sufficient grace to meet the need

   With waters still and pasture feed.

“He maketh no mistakes, for when

   The storm seems greatest, then

The peace be still is clearly heard

   On the tempestuous waves which stirred.

“He maketh no mistakes. Delay

   Ordered by His command today

Is a development of plans

   He has for us in Life’s brief span.

“He maketh no mistakes. What thrill

   In knowing that His smile is still

Upon our lives, and that each hour

   Depends on His infusing power.”

His life verse was, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” What a change he has experienced now, really “to glory.”

We’ll miss you, Charles – but He does, indeed, make no mistake.

Another ‘saint went marching in’ during November. On the 17^th, Pastor John Ballentine experienced that joy. He was a longtime Fundamentalist and we printed his message about John the Baptist, "John's Shoe's Need Filling," as recently as our March-April issue last year. He was a strong leader among the Minnesota independent Baptists, preaching powerfully against ecumenism and Communism – as well as presenting a positive redemption message through Christ. Memorial gifts may be given to the Community Baptist Church of Woodbury (MN) or the Bryant Avenue Baptist Church, 5601 Bryant Avenue, South Minneapolis, MN 55419.

MILESTONES

We should have mentioned this last year but the 40^th anniversary of the paper took all our attention. Our 24-page soul-winning booklet, Heaven Can Be Yours! was published 50 years ago last year, in 1956, when the Sword of the Lord Publishers released 10,000 copies. The following year, Zondervan Publishing House printed nearly 102,000 copies and today the total circulation stands at over 2,250,000 in English, plus well over a dozen foreign languages. We rejoice in each and every soul it has reached for our Lord Jesus Christ. May there be thousands more!

Other of the editor’s titles still in print include Evangelism: The Church on Fire! (over 46 years); the companion Biblical Evangelism in Action, a manual on soul winning, over 40 years; Hell Is No Joke! (nearly 48 years, recently reprinted); Man Sent from God (the biography of John R. Rice, over 47 years); our little book, Mormonism: A Soul Damning Religion, has been in print over a quarter of a century, and The Wonder of the Word of God well over a third of a century. Some of our smaller booklets ($2.50 series, postage paid) have been around much longer. My first small book was printed in 1952, during a pastorate in Texas, and my first hardbound a couple of years later (in 1955). I now have 37 titles in print and the 38^th ready for publication.

Speaking of milestones, the church in Norwich (NY) my grandparents, Dr. & Mrs. Fred I. Sumner, helped launch, Calvary Baptist, will celebrate its 110^th anniversary this year. Dr. Sumner, a dentist by profession, was the first Sunday School Superintendent and a faithful servant of Christ. He was also a friend and co-worker of the famous dispensationalist, Clarence Larkin (in fact, he named my father in that gentleman’s honor, Clarence Larkin Sumner) and some of the other leaders of that era.

Another milestone involves Shepherds, founded 50 years ago in 1957. The General Association of Regular Baptists (GARBC) launched this home for the mentally disabled and has done a fantastic job over the years, as the performance of their teams when visiting churches has made abundantly clear. May God bless them in their good work.

Still another milestone happened late last year when our good friend, Robert Ford Porter, who took over the ministry his father launched, Lifegate, Inc., turned those reins over to his son, Mark, who became Chairman of the Board and President. Bob Porter, whose health is not the best, held those positions for 60 years and remains on the Lifegate board, holding the title Chairman Emeritus. We salute all involved and marvel at the work they have done, especially in making God's Simple Plan of Salvation the most widely-used and blessed of any tract for all time!

On the scientific realm, the Institute of Creation Research, located in Southern California, has opened a branch in Dallas, named the Henry M. Morris Center for Christian Leadership. It is intended to “combine various aspects of ICRF’s national ministry and education in this new facility.” There is a special room in the new building dedicated to his memory. Featured are his desk, library, file cabinets and other personal items. An open house took place on September 30^th for the new facility.

KNOWN ONLY TO GOD!

Every once in a blue moon something happens to get us more than just a little excited. It happened again the other day when Mrs. Sumner came back from our mail box (we have one of those cluster things some distance from the house; in good weather it is good exercise, in bad weather it’s a pain) with a small package that had no return name/address. There were no cancellation marks to tell us what city/mail center it had come from, either. In this age of anthrax, small bombs and all the rest terrorists stay awake at night trying to dream up, it caused a little alarm. However, I assured her that since it was insured, the postal department had to have a record of who mailed it and where they resided – so surely there was nothing amiss.

Mrs. Sumner opened it and inside was a beautiful China clock, decorated with doves and beautiful pink rose buds, set in a book frame complete with a gold cross. The familiar poem was inscribed: “God didn’t promise, days without pain, laughter without sorrow or sun without rain. But God did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and a light for the way. And for who believe in His Kingdom above, He answers their faith with everlasting love.”

They she pulled out an envelope that was marked “For the paper.” Inside were five $20 bills and two $50s. We were rejoicing over it when she looked in and saw another envelope on the bottom of the box. I pulled it out and written on the outside was: “Dr. & Mrs. Sumner for you – for your personal needs. From a friend.” I ripped that envelope open in a hurry (as you can well imagine). There were five bills in it, each with a picture of a great American on the front, Mr. Benjamin Franklin himself. If you are like me, you might not know what currency Ben’s likeness is on, but the bill itself is worth $100. That’s right: an anonymous gift for your editor and his wife of $500! Lest you misunderstand, I hasten to say that doesn’t happen very often (as noted above, “once in a blue moon”). In fact, I don’t ever recall it happening one time prior in all my 84 years!

Yes, whoever did it is “known only to God.” But He does know and He also knows how very grateful the Sumners are (and Biblical Evangelism also, for the gift it received). The donor(s) won’t get tax credit from Uncle Sam, but their reward will be much, much greater when the crowns are distributed at the Bema Seat.

It doesn’t seem like much, but we simply say, “Thanks, in Jesus dear Name!”

THE LAST ELECTION

Democrats have taken back control of the country. Our destiny is in their hands (your editor is a registered Independent, but he votes mostly with the Republicans because more of them are fiscal and social conservatives). The new Speaker of the House, Nancy Polosi of California, has in the past described the President of the United States as "a liar," "dangerous" and an "emperor with no clothes." Her home base is the Sodomy capital of America and she is so liberal she makes other liberals in her party almost seem like conservatives.

Neil Cavuto, who chairs FoxNews’ "Your World," dealing mostly with finance, had Nancy Pelosi on his show back in 2004. It was when the mayor of San Francisco was marrying Sodomites and he asked first if she approved of his action, then if she approved of Sodomite marriages. She answered "yes" to both questions, even though the mayor’s action was against the law. She is now the #1 Congressperson in the House of Representatives, third in line for the Presidency!

As for the marriage amendment, she said, “My goal is to defeat that resolution.”

Her very first act of leadership, however, didn’t fare very well for her. When she tried to get a buddy into the post of House Majority Leader immediately under her, the peers in her Democrat party snubbed her and selected a different man.

Charles Rangel of New York has become top dog of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, in control of our tax laws. Mr. Rangel has never seen a tax he didn't love and it is scary to think of a man with his ambitions and ideals in such a position. In short, brace yourself.

In a seat that wasn't decided until a run-off in December, Congressman William Jefferson defeated fellow Democrat Karen Carter. Since both are black and Democrats, neither race nor party was an issue and if Carter had won she would have been the first black woman from Louisiana ever elected to Congress. Jefferson, who has served Louisiana in Washington for eight terms (16 years), is the same fellow under investigation by the feds after $90,000 in 'cold' cash was found in his freezer. The folks in the Pelican State have voted before in similar situations for similar candidates. Back in 1991, they voted almost 2-1 for Edwin Edwards in a governor's race when thousands had bumper stickers on their vehicles, "Vote for the Crook! It's Important!" Edwards was later indicted, convicted, and is confined today in a federal slammer. Apparently history is repeating itself.

In the senate, Hillary Clinton told reporters, "Health care is coming back." To the point, the health care plans she tried to ram through early in her husband's reign will be back on the table. If enacted, they will finish bankrupting Social Security and ruin health care for all of us. And her fellow conspirator from New York, Charles Schumer, promised there would never be another Samuel Alito put on the Supreme Court.

If you understand by the above that I am nervous, you are right.

Why did the Republicans lose? We think The Patriot summed it up best: “Overspending in Congress; inept handling of Social Security, tax and immigration reforms; and bloated government are what the GOP has to show for its complete control of Capitol Hill. Several moderate and liberal Republicans who played a part in these shenanigans got the gate on Tuesday, among them Lincoln Chafee, Deborah Pryce and Curt Weldon. Regrettably, they took Rick Santorum and a number of other good Republicans down with them.”

The Wall Street Journal offered the Republicans some sage advice saying: "The answers aren't all that complicated: Revive the reform convictions that earned them power in the 1990s, and start that process in the House of Representatives by electing a new slate of leaders." Alas, instead of "throwing the bums out," they put the same ones back into their positions of leadership. Expect "more of the same."

Robert Spence put it like this: "With the Democratic victory in the midterm elections, one big winner was the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). The American Islamic pressure group now has a chance to advance its agenda in numerous ways, with energetic water-carrying by, among others, the Speaker of the House, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and the first Muslim member of Congress."

Regarding the latter, Keith Ellison, took his oath of office with his hand on the Koran, defying American tradition (every member of Congress sworn in during the 230-year history of this country – Christian, Jew, Mormon, Deist, secularist, even atheist – has taken his/her oath with a hand on the Bible). Does this mean that the Muslim gentleman from Minnesota will give his first allegiance to Islam? There were five Muslims running for Congress, but fortunately only one succeeded.

Dennis Prager responded to the announcement of Ellison’s intention: “He should not be allowed to do so – not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization. First, it is an act of hubris [i.e., “excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance” – Editor] that perfectly exemplifies multiculturalist activism – my culture trumps America's culture. What Ellison and his Muslim and leftist supporters are saying is that it is of no consequence what America holds as its holiest book; all that matters is what any individual holds to be his holiest book. Forgive me, but America should not give a hoot what Keith Ellison's favorite book is. Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress. In your personal life, we will fight for your right to prefer any other book. We will even fight for your right to publish cartoons mocking our Bible. But, Mr. Ellison, America, not you, decides on what book its public servants take their oath."

Cal Thomas, a columnist we admire, may have summed it the elections best: "The biggest winners in [the November] election were the enemies of the United States, who see the results as confirmation of one of their doctrines: the United States is weak and does not have the commitment to fight a protracted war."

As usual, a host of State measures were on the ballot all over the country – over 200, in fact. Voters in seven – Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin – adopted constitutional amendments to ban “same-sex" marriage and lost one by a hair in Arizona (where blame was placed on confusing ballot language, causing many, apparently, especially senior citizens, to vote against it who thought they were voting for it). It passed in Tennessee by 81% of the vote, including 77% of the "under 30" vote. The victories in Colorado (two were on the ballot, one of which would have given same-sex couples legal benefits equal to marriage) came in spite of Mike Jones' election eve attempt to turn the tide by his revelations regarding Ted Haggard, who helped write and promote one of them. It even won in radically liberal Wisconsin where the amendment banned, in addition to same-sex marriage, any type of civil union – and it joined Michigan and Oregon as a State voting for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, but still banning same-sex marriage. The Sodomites must be getting discouraged!

Here in Virginia, the winner of the Senate seat, James Webb, opposed the amendment but it won anyway. A total of 27 States now "constitutionally" oppose same-sex marriage. However, thanks to the liberal judges who legislate from the bench, all these laws are unsafe and a national amendment is desperately needed – something probably even more difficult now that the Democrats, who have always fought it, control Congress.

Colorado, Nevada and South Dakota tried to legalize marijuana. They lost. But believe it or not, 3.5 million Californians voted against requiring parents be notified 48 hours in advance that their minor child was having an abortion. Planned Parenthood, the professional baby killer organization, invested millions – outspending the opposition 5-1, with most of its ads using scare tactics and misrepresentation. Probably few know that PP's original position was that abortion is murder; in fact, probably few supporting it today are aware of that! The same requirement was defeated in Oregon, where nearly a half-million voters said ‘no’ to informing the parents of such minors.

Nebraska, Ohio and Rhode Island defeated gambling measures, even though outspent by millions – in Ohio the pro-gamblers spent over $20 million and Rhode Island backers, including Harrah’s, invested over $15 million; you might say they gambled big and lost! On the other hand, a measure to repeal video lottery lost in South Dakota and Arkansas removed its ban on bingo and raffle for charity – opening wide the door for the Roman Catholic churches, of course, who love to support their clergy with gaming monies. 

Missouri voters narrowly approved (50.7 to 49.3 percent) both emberyonic stem cell research and therapeutic cloning (!), outspending the opposition about 29-1. The "show" put on for the cameras by actor Michael Fox – who later admitted he hadn't even read the measure – didn't help the conservative cause. Opponents of the measure are talking of testing it in the courts. We hope they do.

Strangely, liberal Wisconsin voted by a 56% majority to ask the Legislature to reinstate the death penalty in cases where DNA supports the conviction of the killers.

[Much of the above was taken from Baptist Press releases and secular sources.]

FAME IS FLEETING!

There was a time when the name of Joseph was on the tongue of every individual above infant in all the land of Egypt – and undoubtedly neighboring nations as well. He was the ‘savior’ of the people, the most prominent individual other than the Pharaoh on the throne. Yet the time came, when the Israelites wanted to leave the country, that they were thwarted and opposed because a new Pharaoh was in command, “one who knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8; Acts 7:18). Joseph’s fame was long gone!

Some years ago, wanting to give our grandchildren some good memories, we started taking our children and their families on short vacations. When it came the turn of our youngest – who was unmarried at the time, but now the husband of one and the father of three – we went to the Florida tourist trap, Orlando. Since we always attend church on Sunday and Wednesday when not preaching – even on the road – we went to a nearby church on Sunday morning. I did not know the pastor at that time, but I understood it was a good church. When we went back on Sunday night the pastor seemed surprised, came back to where we were seated and chatted awhile, then questioned, “Would you be willing to speak tonight on short notice.” No problem, I assured him!

I’m a little embarrassed to talk about it now, but he had his young people and children sit down front in the center seats and when he introduced me he went on and on about how these young people were about to hear one of the old-timers (he got that right) of Fundamentalism, one of the great men of the 20^th century (okay, so you wouldn’t expect him to be right twice in a row), and how later on they would be honored to have heard me – so they were to “listen up” carefully and remember my message.

I received a telephone call from the current pastor the other day, but I digress.

I should note first that I wrote an editorial about this church’s denominational affiliation, saying frankly I felt it had made a serious mistake by a recent action it had taken, explaining the problem. I wrote very kindly, praising this group in several ways.

Alas, the telephone call from the present pastor of that church in the Orlando area – just days after the paper came out with those editorial comments – was asking that we drop his church from our mailing list. This Pharaoh (pastor), who knew not Joseph (Sumner), apparently could not take constructive criticism. No problem. It will save us money and he had never, as far as I know, sent us one thin dime. Like what I said about his denomination in the action it took, he is the loser, not The Biblical Evangelist. He will lose all the benefits of the information and blessing herein.

But it is a reminder that fame is fleeting and what really counts is not man’s approval, but His! (Although under no circumstances am I comparing myself to the biblical Joseph – just that the actions were similar!)