12-21-93

Dear John,

Thank you for the calendar, letter, and information on the new Biblical Counseling major. I have greatly appreciated your ministry, the college, and seminary. I am grateful for the commitment to the Word of God, and the light that shines forth as a result in the midst of this dark age. Yet, I can not say that I can respond financially at this time as you so appealed (I do pray regularly for you, the ministry, the college, and the seminary).

It is distressing for me to see our Lord dishonored. He is awesome, Holy, perfect in all His ways, and a God who does as He pleases (Psalm 115:3). Certainly, if we pray according to His will, He is gracious towards us in granting our requests (1 John 3:22). As you know, our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He is not poor, and He will support His people and accomplish His purpose on this earth. Why don't we believe Him? Why don't we believe Him when He says, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Where is the faith on this earth (Luke 18:8)?

Apparently, you do not believe that you can ask Christ to provide, leave it entirely in His hands, and trust Him to do so. Does it honor our Lord, in the midst of a society that is sick of appeals for money from all these supposed "Christian" ministries, to appeal for money as you have? Is our God poor? Or, do we have our own agenda?

Are we not to do all things to the glory of God? How does appealing for money fulfill this goal? Actually, I believe it destroys it. Are we not to do all things "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). Can you actually picture Christ asking for money, as you have? This does not display the Christ I see portrayed in His Word. Maybe I have missed this part of our

Savior. When times were tough, did He ask the people around Him to help out financially? Maybe you can help me see this character of our Lord that I have missed. So far, all I have seen is "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head".

It is true that Paul encouraged the Corinthians to help the poor and fulfill their previous financial promise, but this was not in the vein of building or maintaining an institution. Are you afraid of what might happen if you don't appeal for money? Who's will and agenda are we desiring? Certainly, our prayers are not in vain. Unless, of course, the Lord has other plans.

I would hate to see the college or seminary go under. But I hate much more intensely to see God dishonored, and the character of our God misrepresented by our lack of faith. You must be familiar with George Mueller. Did He not honor Christ in this way? Most profoundly!

Furthermore, I would like to comment on the new Biblical Counseling major at The Master's College. With such a counseling major implemented it becomes apparent that we have missed the boat in regards to the attack of Psychology on the church. The very fact that we think such a major is necessary proves we are following the coat tail of the world being intimidated by their supposed "knowledge" and obviously being influenced by the world's foolishness.

If 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is really true (and I believe it is), why is it that we would create a "Biblical Counseling" major when we already have a seminary, and a Bible major at the college.

Apparently, you can be taught the Bible, but be completely unprepared to counsel from it! What kind of Bible teaching is this? What kind of "Bible" major is this? 2 Timothy 3:16 says

that the Scripture gives you all you need. But, in implementing a "Biblical Counseling" major, we foolishly admit (by our actions, not our words) that the Bible, being taught to students in the

"Bible" major, is not adequate to equip them for every good work (for counseling). Psychology attacks the very core of our faith, and we, the church, have been intimidated by all their supposed knowledge.

The pastor (the seminary student), being properly prepared in the Word of God, has all he needs to counsel or do anything that God would have him do. But, apparently, we do not believe this! Here, this whole time we have been teaching people the Word of God, and have they been incompetent to counsel? The pastor should be the "Psychologist" (for want of a better term). The student who graduates with a "Bible" major should be the "Counselor". Or, maybe we have not been doing a very good job in the Bible major and seminary in teaching God's Holy Word.

John, I am distressed. I have written to you several times and very rarely do I hear back. I understand that you are overwhelmingly busy, and I hold no grudge against you. I respect you greatly. You have been a tremendous blessing in my life and many others. I am consumed with a concern for Truth, the glory of Christ, and His kingdom. Please at least consider what I say. I am completely and wholeheartedly committed to the Word of God. I am convinced that God has called me to teach and preach His Word (in fear and trembling I am, 2 Timothy 4:1-2). But, as I do so, I find great opposition to His Word. I am not filled, I trust, with my own opinion. I desire correction from the Word. I guess what I am saying is, I am sorry you have not been able to respond to my letters (etc.), and, at times, I wonder if you ever get them.

So, be that as it may be, I will continue to pray for you, the college, the church, and the seminary that Christ will ever and always be exalted in all that is said and done.

May you continue to enjoy Christ as your all in all.

In His Love and Service,

Darwin Fish

P.S. Just after I wrote this letter I received in the mail a letter from you and the Christmas book. Thank you for the book and the encouragement.