Updated comment on The Exclusive Brethren web site in October 2007:-

            An article by Bruce D Hales entitled “LIVING OUR BELIEFS” and subtitled “The current way of life of the Exclusive Brethren” calls for some comment.

            It is noted that it is “The current way of life” that is being written about. This implies that the way of life may once have not been as it is today.

            FOREWORD - As to this one would say that until recently the secretive nature of the Exclusives may well have, at least partly, contributed to some misleading impressions gained by the media. A few years ago I asked a local estate agent about the former E. B. School at Ludgershall in Wiltshire UK. The reply I got was that the E. B.’s played their cards close to their chest. Subsequently I visited the E. B.’s school at Tisbury near Salisbury, Wilts UK on an open day and was told in effect that the E. B.’s wanted to show a human face to the local people. It may be mentioned here that Christ when on earth was not secretive. He was accessible both day and night. Think of Nicodemus who came to Jesus by night (John 3:1). Then Christ said: “I was daily with you teaching in the temple” (Mark 14:49). See also John 18:20/21. If anyone had difficulty in reaching Christ it was because of the crowds (e.g. Mark 2:4; Luke 8:19). Christ sometimes had to go up into a mountain in order to have a time of prayer (Luke 6:12; 21:37 and note also John 6:15).

            ETERNAL SALVATION - As to this one would have no objection to the first two paragraphs. However, we are told that we are to be a witness in the world, whereas in the next paragraph we are told that we are to be drawn away from the world. Which is right ? The answer would be that both are in a way right. Our witness in the world is to be to people, whereas we are to be separate from the world system. Christ prayed, not that Christians should be taken out of the world but that they should be kept from the evil (John 17:15). Mr Raven expressed it by saying that Christ is not exclusive of men, but what is in man - lust and pride (Letters page 302). The subject is a large one.

            The statement at the beginning of the next paragraph “The Brethren believe that God, not Satan is supreme in the human soul.” I do not understand. What is meant is a puzzle to me. What is said in the next sentence as to God having the majority may be true, but no Scripture is quoted to support it. Christ said of the narrow gate: “they are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). What does that mean ? It is good that Mr. Hales concedes that it is not only Brethren that will be in heaven.

            Preaching in the street to attract people to Jesus as Saviour is good, but why not encourage people to come to preachings in a room ? In days gone by there was a notice board outside Brethren rooms advertising the Gospel. Brethren other than Exclusives still do wherever possible. If we are moving on right lines God may add as he did at the beginning of the assembly’s history (Acts 2:47).

            THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION - This seems to be an obsession with Exclusives. It has already been spoken about in a previous paragraph (see above). As Mr Hales says we are to distinguish between right and wrong, etc. However what concerns people is that Exclusives have been condemning things like shared drains. This has brought the whole idea of separation into discredit and we may say made Exclusives a laughing stock. Separation should be a moral matter not a physical one. See 2 Corinthians 6 and Mr. Darby’s comments on the latter part of the chapter in his synopsis. Brethren do not really maintain the right to choose with whom they eat and drink, but lay it down as a rule that Brethren should not eat and drink with those outside their fellowship. Is that not so ?

            Brethren assert that they are following the commandments as set out in Holy Scripture, but no passages are quoted to support what they are doing. Later on in Mr. Hales article it is said that Exclusives do not practice corporal punishment. Is that following Scripture ? See my piece Chastisement on my web site www.gsimmonds.com.

            MEETINGS - As indicated in earlier comments Exclusives seem obsessed with meetings. Some may be able to sustain going to more meetings than others. When I was a child I was taken to more meetings than my Brother who was two years younger than me because it was considered that it would not be good for him to go to a lot of meetings. I doubt Exclusives would make such distinctions today.

            Am I not right that Exclusives read Scripture with blinkers (blinders) on ? That is Scripture is only accepted if it is not contrary to what is being put out by the current leadership ?

            CHURCH AND GOSPEL HALLS - Brethren in days gone by eschewed the term church as the New Testament Church of Scripture is the assembly and not a building. Further, using the term Gospel Hall as Open Brethren often do leads to the idea that Brethren are just a Gospel Mission movement. Brethren spoke of their halls as the room or the meeting room. Where I was brought up at Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire UK the room was known as Ebenezer Hall, a hang over from the days when it was a Baptist Chapel. Those that went there were known in the town as the Ebenezers and were often called after in the street using that name by children. Today the hall has been rebuilt as an E. B. Structure.

            THE FAMILY - This is an important sphere for Christians. It may be noted that this is the only place where Scripture is actually quoted to support what is said. The passage is Psalm 127:3.It may be noted here that Mr Darby wrote: "If you appropriate Old Testament promises and apply them to the church, you drag it down from heaven to earth." (Collected Writings Vol.32 page 242) Is not this what Exclusives are doing? As already noted corporal punishment is not practised.

            Much of what is said is good and would no doubt be endorsed by many non-Christians as well as by those of other faiths.

            The last paragraph of this section may raise the eyebrows of many Brethren. Scripture is specific: “Let [your] women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak...But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly”. One wonders how Exclusives reconcile this with the statement: “Women are free to ask questions and participate as they see fit at every conversational Bible reading.” One cannot see how they can honestly claim as they do (see above) that they are following commandments as set out in Holy Scripture. What they say they allow women to do may please those who are influenced by what is called Woman’s Lib but it is a delusion to think that the idea is in Scripture. I am not courting popularity in saying this!

            Exclusives separate themselves from all those not in their fellowship and avoid the World, but the impression one gets from reading this article is that the World has got within the Exclusives. As has been well said: “We may leave persons but retain their leaven” (Mark 8:10-20). The danger spoken of in Hebrews was of going back to Judaism (Hebrews 6:4-6). That in Galatians was of bringing Judaism into the assembly (Galatians 4:8-11). We may shut the front door, so to speak, but leave the back door open and allow the evil to get in. It bears thinking about.

            YOUTH - What is said largely sounds OK, but why do Exclusives involve themselves in politics ? What is the Scripture for that ? It really shows where Exclusives are getting to! A search engine applied to the ministry of JBS, FER and CAC shows that there are many places warning of the danger of Christians involving themselves in politics or indeed talking about it. See for example JBS Vol. 1 page 23; FER Vol.7 page 461; CAC Vol. 4 (An Outline of Numbers) page 392.

            THE AGED - The only comment that one would make here is that one has been led to believe that, at least, until recently young people were not allowed to go in for vocations such as nursing. I expect this was from the fear that they might become worldly. Wisdom would enter into the choice of a career. I obtained my accountancy qualification by studying at home, but this may not be possible for all occupations. I could have gone to a university but chose not to. I was not pressurised in any way. It may be noted that the Father in Luke 15 did not seek, according to the parable, to keep his younger Son at home.

            HOUSING - What Exclusives seem to be occupied with are the things of this life. If the ministry of Mr. Darby and others of that era is considered it will be noted that the practical details of this life do not feature prominently as they do in the article we are considering.

            EDUCATION - Why all teachers are from outside the Brethren community is not stated. One would suggest that this is something that needs changing. One notices that computer literacy is now an acceptable objective.

            HEALTHCARE - It is stated that there are Brethren doctors. How did they get their qualifications ? Did they go to medical school ?

            POVERTY RELIEF & WELFARE SUPPORT - It is not clear whether the benevolence spoken of is limited to Exclusives. Scripture teaches that we should do good towards all especially towards the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

            OUR ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY - It appears, as one has been led to believe, Exclusives have gone back to Sabbath keeping. Sunday is also kept free of work. It reminds one of the Pharisee who said: “I fast twice in the week” ( Luke 18:12). What is the Scripture for Exclusives practice ? Is the idea to go back to Judaism ?

            Churches and gospel halls are spoken of in the last paragraph. One wonders what the difference is between a church and a gospel hall.

            OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY - Why running ones own business represents a closer accommodation with the Scriptures is not stated. In the New Testament there are a good number of cases where persons were employed by persons outside the Christian assembly. What about Erastus, the steward of the city ? (Romans 16:23). What about those of Caesar’s household ? (Colossians 4:22) We also know that the wife of Herod’s steward was a follower of Christ (Luke 8:3). Some were Christian bondmen and were not free to chose for whom they worked (1 Corinthians 7:21).

            When I was in my teens I recollect hearing my Father and mother discussing whether my Father should start a business for the benefit of my Brother and myself. The idea was not followed up as it was thought that it would be more appropriate if we were living in the millennium which we were not.

            The use of statistics in the article suggests that Exclusives have become an organisation rather than an organism, which is what the assembly is.

            CONCLUDING NOTE - One appreciates that the article as a whole is directed at the public generally rather than at other religious churches or fellowships. However the overwhelming occupation with mundane matters does not commend itself to yours truly. Finally, the statement that the Exclusives lifestyle is based solidly on the Holy Scriptures is untrue. This is apparent from a number of things in the article as one has pointed out. One notices that Exclusives have come out of their shell to the extent of giving an E-mail contact address.

            To finish I will give a quote from Mr. Darby. “We are the epistle of Christ, and have to see that we are a good one, known and manifestly so before all men. Christ should be so seen in us that he who runs may read... Christ is before God for us, and we are before the world for Christ” (Collected Writings Vol. 32 page 239).