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A Balanced Christian Discerns Extremes
A BALANCED CHRISTIAN DISCERNS EXTREMES provides balanced biblical teaching regarding poverty/prosperity; positive thinking; Sacred Name; grace/works; eternal security/conditional security; situation ethics; open pulpit; Bible contradictions; hearing God's voice; knowing God's will; instrumental music; ministry attire; sanctuary styles, silence of women in church; etc.
96 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
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May 27, 2025
WOODROW ADDRESSES MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN CHURCH, WOMEN SPEAKING, AND MORE
Ralph Woodrow was the author of ‘Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern,’ but he recanted this book in 'The Babylon Connection?' He also reconsidered his former rejection of tha Christmas celebration in 'Christmas Reconsidered.'
He wrote in this 2005 book, “A book about a balanced Christian life, at first glance, may seem less exciting than one with prophetic speculation, or a flamboyant exposé regarding doctrinal differences. But in the long run, the PRACTICAL lessons about balance can be of greater importance… The principle of balance may be seen in the word ‘moderation,’ defined as: ‘avoiding EXTREMES of behavior or expression; the observing of reasonable limits.’ The Bible says: “Let your MODERATION be known to all men.’” [Phil 4:5](Pg. 1-2)
Of the contrast between ‘grace’ and ‘responsibility,’ he comments, “Those who emphasize grace might quote Hebrews 5:8, that Christ is ‘the author of ETERNAL [not temporary] salvation.' But those who emphasize responsibility could quote the rest of the verse, that Christ is the author or eternal salvation ‘unto all who OBEY him.’ Notice how God’s grace, AND man’s responsibility, were intertwined by all these New Testament writers. This close proximity shows THEY did not see any conflict to these statements---and neither should WE!... we should not pit one set of scriptures against another.” (Pg. 27)
He observes, “It is not uncommon to have a congregation to have some who believe one way and some the other. Is believing in eternal security---or NOT believing in eternal security---so important that a church should split over it? So many times people feel obligated to wave one banner or the other. I would suggest a third position… Find the biblical balance by avoiding the EXTREMES on both sides, accept the SCRIPTURES on both sides, and accept EACH OTHER as members of the family of God.” (Pg. 31)
He reports, “Two young men, who were attending a Bible school, had part-time jobs at a sporting goods store. They tried to ‘witness’ to every customer that came in! When the boss reprimanded them, they felt they were being PERSECUTED! But a minister connected with the Bible school… told them they should QUIT witnessing on the job. He wisely pointed out that the boss was not paying them to preach, but to sell sporting goods!” (Pg. 41)
Can musical instruments be used during worship? “When writing to Christians at Corinth, Paul mentioned the use of the flute, harp, and trumpet as an illustration (1 Cor 14:7-8). If he believed it was wrong to use musical instruments during worship services, this would have been a good opportunity to make that point…. For any who suppose musical instruments are not mentioned as a part of New Testament worship, what about the book of Revelation that mentions HARPS---thousands of them? [Rev 14:1-3] ... In these passages, singing and harp playing are mentioned in a WORSHIP context, and that within the HEAVENLY realm. If thousands of harps were not improper in Heaven, we fail to see that it is UN-heavenly to use them in church.” (Pg. 52)
Can women speak in church? “As Paul wrote about services conducted in an orderly manner, he also addressed a situation involving women, at Corinth---they were to be SILENT in the church. Failing to understand his words IN CONTEXT, some have raised radical conclusions on those few words! In the ancient world, if education was available, it was for men---seldom for women. Consequently, it was more difficult for women to understand things that were being preached. Desiring to understand, they would speak out, asking questions. This had become a distraction, causing confusion in the services. Instead of doing this, Paul said they should wait and ask their husbands at home. It was in THIS context that Paul said, ‘Let your women keep silence in the church.’” [1 Cor 14:34-35]
“If this statement is taken in an absolute sense, it would not only rule out women preaching---it would mean women could not sing, testify, make announcements, or have ANY vocal part in a church service. It is commonly overlooked that just a few verses before, Paul said in effect, ‘Let your MEN keep silence in the church.’ If a man gave a message in another tongue, it was to be interpreted. But if no one with the gift of interpretation was present, ‘let HIM keep silence in the church' [v. 28]… that Paul did not require a TOTAL silence of women is evident; earlier in the same book, he referred to women praying and prophesying at Corinth (1 Cor 11:4-5; cf. Acts 2:17, 21:9) (Pg. 61-62)
Woodward’s book will be of keen interest to Christians researching such topics.
Ralph Woodrow was the author of ‘Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern,’ but he recanted this book in 'The Babylon Connection?' He also reconsidered his former rejection of tha Christmas celebration in 'Christmas Reconsidered.'
He wrote in this 2005 book, “A book about a balanced Christian life, at first glance, may seem less exciting than one with prophetic speculation, or a flamboyant exposé regarding doctrinal differences. But in the long run, the PRACTICAL lessons about balance can be of greater importance… The principle of balance may be seen in the word ‘moderation,’ defined as: ‘avoiding EXTREMES of behavior or expression; the observing of reasonable limits.’ The Bible says: “Let your MODERATION be known to all men.’” [Phil 4:5](Pg. 1-2)
Of the contrast between ‘grace’ and ‘responsibility,’ he comments, “Those who emphasize grace might quote Hebrews 5:8, that Christ is ‘the author of ETERNAL [not temporary] salvation.' But those who emphasize responsibility could quote the rest of the verse, that Christ is the author or eternal salvation ‘unto all who OBEY him.’ Notice how God’s grace, AND man’s responsibility, were intertwined by all these New Testament writers. This close proximity shows THEY did not see any conflict to these statements---and neither should WE!... we should not pit one set of scriptures against another.” (Pg. 27)
He observes, “It is not uncommon to have a congregation to have some who believe one way and some the other. Is believing in eternal security---or NOT believing in eternal security---so important that a church should split over it? So many times people feel obligated to wave one banner or the other. I would suggest a third position… Find the biblical balance by avoiding the EXTREMES on both sides, accept the SCRIPTURES on both sides, and accept EACH OTHER as members of the family of God.” (Pg. 31)
He reports, “Two young men, who were attending a Bible school, had part-time jobs at a sporting goods store. They tried to ‘witness’ to every customer that came in! When the boss reprimanded them, they felt they were being PERSECUTED! But a minister connected with the Bible school… told them they should QUIT witnessing on the job. He wisely pointed out that the boss was not paying them to preach, but to sell sporting goods!” (Pg. 41)
Can musical instruments be used during worship? “When writing to Christians at Corinth, Paul mentioned the use of the flute, harp, and trumpet as an illustration (1 Cor 14:7-8). If he believed it was wrong to use musical instruments during worship services, this would have been a good opportunity to make that point…. For any who suppose musical instruments are not mentioned as a part of New Testament worship, what about the book of Revelation that mentions HARPS---thousands of them? [Rev 14:1-3] ... In these passages, singing and harp playing are mentioned in a WORSHIP context, and that within the HEAVENLY realm. If thousands of harps were not improper in Heaven, we fail to see that it is UN-heavenly to use them in church.” (Pg. 52)
Can women speak in church? “As Paul wrote about services conducted in an orderly manner, he also addressed a situation involving women, at Corinth---they were to be SILENT in the church. Failing to understand his words IN CONTEXT, some have raised radical conclusions on those few words! In the ancient world, if education was available, it was for men---seldom for women. Consequently, it was more difficult for women to understand things that were being preached. Desiring to understand, they would speak out, asking questions. This had become a distraction, causing confusion in the services. Instead of doing this, Paul said they should wait and ask their husbands at home. It was in THIS context that Paul said, ‘Let your women keep silence in the church.’” [1 Cor 14:34-35]
“If this statement is taken in an absolute sense, it would not only rule out women preaching---it would mean women could not sing, testify, make announcements, or have ANY vocal part in a church service. It is commonly overlooked that just a few verses before, Paul said in effect, ‘Let your MEN keep silence in the church.’ If a man gave a message in another tongue, it was to be interpreted. But if no one with the gift of interpretation was present, ‘let HIM keep silence in the church' [v. 28]… that Paul did not require a TOTAL silence of women is evident; earlier in the same book, he referred to women praying and prophesying at Corinth (1 Cor 11:4-5; cf. Acts 2:17, 21:9) (Pg. 61-62)
Woodward’s book will be of keen interest to Christians researching such topics.
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