Silence Can Be Sinful, Vol. 2, Winford Claiborne

Oliver Goldsmith wrote “Silence gives consent.” This is the thrust of this follow-up work to Claiborne’s Silence Can Be Sinful (2002). Are we speaking out against the evils in our society and promoting Christian views? If we are not, who do we think will? If one needs fortification to motivate them to speak out for Christianity, then the Introduction of this book should be read and meditated upon. If one needs fortification to equip himself to do so, then this volume is a must for reading. 

Brother Claiborne is well known for his vast reading and research on a variety of social, religious, history and other pertinent issues. The fruits of his labors are manifested on each radio broadcast he makes on the International Gospel Hour. (There is also a web site, http://www.gospelhour.net/, that contain manuscripts and audio files from the program as well.) 

This work addresses several challenges we face as a nation. Issues such as: macroevolution, eugenics, racism, illegal immigration, cohabitation, alcohol, abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, homosexuality, government corruption, media corruption, marriage, and the sanctity of life. This volume provides excellent material that is well worth the effort to read and share with others when we have opportunity to discuss these issues. My concern is that we are more apt to remain silent than speak out as we have opportunity. Think how much better our nation could be if people spoke out more for God. I have heard reports of a “silent majority” which was believed to be morally conservative. This is sad, not that they are conservative, but that they are silent. Hopefully that will change. This work will well equip one to speak more effectively. 

One of my favorite chapters is “Pesky Bible Verses” where Claiborne quotes a religious advocate for homosexuality attacking scriptures forbidding their chosen lifestyle as “those pesky Bible verses”. Brother Claiborne uses the concept of “pesky Bible verses” against other areas of concern. For example, brother Claiborne writes concerning the Sermon on the Mount:

How do you suppose a liberal theologian reacts to these well-known words from Christ’s great sermon? “Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads to life, and few there are who find it (Mt. 7:13-14). These verses give bushels of trouble to liberal theologians like Robin Meyers. They are unquestionably ‘pesky Bible verses’ for all Universalists. (Page 75).

Another suggested use for this material--share with our young people. Parents want to shield their children from the harsh and evil realities of the world for as long as they can; however, there comes a time when they must be equipped to face the world. They need to be made aware of the issues they will encounter, how to respond to them, and how to fight efforts to move such evils into the mainstream in various ways including proposed laws. They need to have the resources to make effective arguments against the forces which would destroy our nation.

Originally printed West Virginia Christian, Vol. 17, No. 8, August 2010, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.