The Mixing of the Seeds

Let us notice this mixture in the world of zoology. It is possible to mix a species within a species, but there is a point when a dead-end is the outcome. Take, for instance, horses and asses, two definite natural species, which are so much alike that they are classified as belonging to the same genus. But they differ in number of chromosomes in their germ or “marrying” cells. The ass has thirty-two chromosomes and the horse nineteen. The product or offspring of mating a horse with an ass is called a mule. Male mules are always completely sterile. No colt has ever been born which had a male mule for its father. In rare cases, however, (and very rare) the female mules have produced colts, provided they were mated with jacks (male asses) or stallions (male horses). But the offspring of the female mule and stallion are such as to show clearly the wide difference between horses and asses. Insofar as female mules can be parents at all, they are actually horses. They look like a combination of the horse and ass, but they can breed only like horses. Now what does this mean? Whenever a female mule is mated with a male horse (she can never be mated with a male mule because all male mules are sterile) the female’s offspring, if she has one, is in all respects a horse. It looks like a horse and breeds like a horse. And whenever a female mule is mated with a male ass and a colt is born, this colt is in all respects a mule, an animal just like what is produced from an original cross between a horse and an ass. The female mule loses its power to pass on in its germ-cells any of its ass-parent’s nature. They have even tried to breed an ass with a zebra, a creature belonging to the same genus as the horse and the ass. And like the mule the ass-zebra hybrid is sterile. The Canadian government for many years worked on crossing a bison and cattle. But when bison and cattle are mated, nearly all the progeny are still-born if a bison male is crossed with a female cow. There are fewer mortalities when a bison female is crossed with a male cow. But then sterility enters, just as it does in the case of the mule.

What is the point in this analogy? It becomes a classic illustration on the “spiritual hybridization” taking place in many of the churches today. We have heard so many speak of the Billy Graham crusades, saying that they do not fully agree with him, but he is preaching the Gospel, and no doubt God is saving many through him. If we take this line of reasoning, we would have to say the same thing of Oral Roberts and the problematic fornicator Jimmy Swaggart. If a preacher only thinks of getting the people “saved” (whatever that means), it is evident he has no concern of what follows the “experience.” What kind of fruit will come from a compromise, yea, an apostate meeting? If we let the horse represent the Fundamentalist message and heart and the ass represent the apostasy (and it is a good analogy, for the ass is a type of apostasy in the Bible), then what will be the offspring of such a sowing together? Such a seed will have defiled fruit. We will not state that no one is saved in these meetings, for the Word of God may be believed by a heart, yet heaven gives no credit to the apostate preacher (Matthew 7:22-23). But the overwhelming majority of “converts” from such meetings are like the offspring of the horse and ass, a mule, a dead-end street, sterile, no fruit for God, not saved. But perchance there is that rare one (like the very rare female mule), who is saved by the grace of God in these services: their union with the “ass” will have to be broken, or a dead-end street will be the outcome. The only hope would be with a horse (the true fundamental seed) whose offspring would have to be a horse.

There is much religious breeding going on in America; and now, through its influence, American Christian breeding is taking place throughout the world. But the result is defilement of fruit. The Bible tells us we will know people by their fruits. “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matthew 7:17-18). This is a principle of fruit! A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. This is the biblical commentary of men such as Billy Graham. The species will always produce another like itself. And yet mixing the seeds within the species or genus will defile the fruit and offspring. You cannot mix Jesus and a gospel “of another kind” (allos) similar to Jesus. The horse and the mule are like one another, but the chromosomes and the seed are not the same. Preachers have become so desirous of the evangelistic statistics that they tend to mix a little of another seed in the vineyard.

Isaiah 5, in presenting the parable of the Lord’s vineyard, speaks of a wild fruit. This Scripture tells that the vineyard should have brought forth grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. This word for wild grapes is bushim. It literally means “to have a bad smell.” Yes, fruit was brought forth; everything seemed to be all right, even up to the stage of maturity. But when the grapes were harvested, placed in the winepress, and crushed under foot to bring forth wine for the master, the grapes brought forth a bad smell.

When we view a mixing of the music, especially in children’s music, we may not think that it is bad. When we hear eclectic music from Fundamentalist composers (a little country western, soft syncopation, etc.) how will it affect the child later? After all, we are seeing fruit. But what kind of “Christian” will he be when he becomes an adult? What will the fruit be then? The fruit of a seed can never be changed. We can never expect to use a little darkness early and then believe a child will turn out right and pure in the end. Whatever that seed is, the fruit of that seed will be the outcome. Recall the words of Galatians 5:17 concerning the flesh and the Spirit: “these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” They are not compatible; there is a marked separation between the seeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. And God forbid we mix them.

Another principle of Scripture is found further in Deuteronomy 22, “Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together” (verse 10). This law of separation deals with trying to use two different animals in service together. Again, the ass is the unredeemable animal in the Bible, but then the ox is an animal noted for domesticated servitude. They are animals of two different natures. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” A few years ago the author was given a four-page newsletter concerning the “goings-on” of a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is noted for its Neo-Evangelical position. In the spring of that year, Jerry Falwell (who certainly has shown his fruit in the recent acceptance of Billy Graham at his school) and Dr. Guillermin (president at that time of Liberty Baptist University) were present for the commencement address of this church’s Christian school. Before this commencement the Fundamentalists’ World Congresses had already declared that Mr. Falwell was a Neo-Evangelical (how much further can one go in compromise in taking leadership of a Charismatic television network like PTL?). But his attendance to the church in Charlotte was not surprising. What was surprising is that a Fundamentalist family, noted for its talent and ability in singing and music composition, was coming for several days to present a “Majesty in Music” seminar at the end of the summer in that church. Pictures and write-ups of both events were displayed in the same newsletter. This family has written much music for church choirs and children; the reason for their compromises is simply the response, “We want to go where the fish are.” How will this publicity affect the babes in Christ in the Fundamental ranks and music composers who are looking to them for guidance and example?

Paul in writing to the Christians in Corinth was writing to a church that was boasting of the gifts of the Spirit, yet was carnal in life. This cannot be. For again, these are contrary the one to the other. Paul declared in II Corinthians 6:14 the following:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord, [or what symphony or harmony] hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

How often these verses are quoted in safety: that Christian men, although they minister with Neo-Evangelicals, are comforted that they are not ministering with “unbelievers.” Though the first phrase uses the term “unbelievers,” the continuation of the passage presents “principle.” We cannot mix “light” and “darkness” of principles. The Neo-Evangelicals cater to the use of “dark” workings and principles. We are to be separated from them because they use the principles of the world in the mixing of their seed. Paul goes on to state,

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

But Paul continues in 7:1,

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness [pollution] of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God [or by the presence of the Lord within].

It must clearly be acknowledged that biblical separation is not an option for the Christian; it is a necessity for the Christian life. One of the characteristics of our age in the world-system is the cry for unity and the hope to become the melting pot of society. We find ourselves in the ankle part of the feet of Nebuchadnezzar’s image mentioned in Daniel 2. Iron and clay cannot be mixed, but the world-system is endeavoring to do so.

The World’s Hatred for Division and Separation

Everything in the natural realm that God divided in the beginning, man is endeavoring to bring together. God divided the nations in Genesis 11. Acts 17:26 says, “And [God] hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.” Acts 14:16 states, “[God] in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness.” The world-system is truly pressing to unite in cause against God (as mentioned in Psalm 2), to bring back the days of Nimrod. The ERA was the hallmark attempt to bring together male and female, the unisex look and philosophy. Yet, the Bible clearly states in Genesis 1:27, “male and female created he them.” Even though God made a separation of gender, there is a world movement to destroy that appointed separation by God. The crossbreeding of plants and animals (and no telling what else is in the experimental stages behind the doors of the world’s laboratories) is all part of the end-time battle to exterminate God from His sovereignty and His sovereign appointments. We are hearing of economic unification, the European Common Market, the international pressure to alleviate Northern Ireland’s Protestant entity, the urge to force South Korea to join North Korea, and the recent takeover of Hong Kong by the Chinese. Religious entities are coming together; barriers of the past are now being torn down. The world views the Protestant Reformation as simply the clashing of two personalities at that time of history, Martin Luther and the Pope, and believes that if they were living today, there would be no division. The cry is to tear down the walls and build charismatic bridges to Rome. The détente (an endeavoring to ease strained relationships) which began in the days of Gerald Ford, ten years later with Henry Kissinger became a call for America to build a bridge to Moscow and China. Government schools in America are pushing for consolidation, which will destroy what little parent participation in education there is. Integration is in every facet of human existence; every concept of life is part of the floating mass we are breathing. And the music is becoming more eclectic in style with integration and synthesization. (This will be taken further in another chapter.)

Many believe this unification is the way to build a church. They have found out that the more they compromise, the more they attract the people. We are not stating that smallness is automatically right; but increase does not automatically mean the blessings of God. The greater blessing could ultimately come by being separated. Abraham could not have saved Lot if he too were in Sodom; his separation from his nephew became his nephew’s deliverance (Genesis 14). This brings out another truth about biblical separation: sometimes separation is demanded from a brother. Paul presents this in II Thessalonians 3:14-15, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” Why do we separate ourselves from a disorderly brother? Because we hate him? No, for we are not to count him as an enemy. But we are to have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Paul furthers his words with the hope that his ashamed, disorderly brother will long to return to the fellowship of the brotherhood. The separation is so that he will return to the path of truth and righteousness. Separation is not just from apostates, but also from disorderliness. How often we fear that a division in a church will come by this need of separation. Yet, Paul states in I Corinthians 11:19, that sometimes divisions are proper, for they bring clarity of truth among the people. We may have to separate from those brethren who are music composers because they practice mixing truth and error, light and darkness, and those “divers seeds.” Why must it come? In order to save the harvest of the good and the pure.

The Pedigree Birth

Biblical separation’s purpose is to keep us unspotted from the world. So many things are changing today; it is rare to find purity in any art form. Classic education, classic artists, classic Christianity—the whole world seems to give in to the mongrelization, the integration of the arts. This mixture seems to be about the only thing that will sell the music and the records. Perhaps it is time that we do as God commanded Moses to do with the children of Israel: “And they declared their pedigrees after their families” (Numbers 1:18). The word pedigree is the Hebrew word Yalad meaning “to show one’s birth.” How often we have reflected upon the laws, the appointed boundaries of separation that God gave to His people: marriage within the tribe, specific dietary foods, laws of leprosy, laws for motherhood, laws concerning nakedness, etc. We may look at these commandments and think, “My . . . I’m so glad that all of this is done away with in Christ.” But, dear friend, we cannot throw all those things away and simply call them Old Testament truth for the Jews. Remember, behind every physical law there is a spiritual law. The great hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” tells us, “Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race.” Peter makes that clear in I Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Yes, we must see the spiritual law behind the physical law. Paul in Galatians declares we are the seed within the Promised Seed, which is Jesus Christ; Romans 2 declares it is not one who is a Jew outwardly but a Jew inwardly. It is not circumcision of the flesh but circumcision of the heart. We must view the laws of the Old Testament in the light of the spiritual, such as the food diet for our soul, feeding on those things which chew the cud and have the split hoof (Leviticus 11). Our talk or language must agree with a split or separated walk. (There are even some jokes preachers tell in pulpits that the hearer does not know whether it is shady or clean.) Some things we could potentially feed on seem to have a Christian witness (certain books and magazines identified as Christian) but are not separated in the walk or character; other things might seem to have a separated walk, but do not talk straight. The chewing of the cud represents those things which we can feed on time and time again and still find beneficial to the soul. These are the open things in life. But then there are hidden things found in the sea: they must have fins and scales (direction and protection). The Christian must know where he is going and have protection from the spirit and influence of the age. Yes, just as there are clean animals and unclean animals, so there are clean and unclean things we feed on, whether in the common market of life or under the garb of Christianity. They must be checked by the authority of God’s Word; if they are not clean, one must separate himself and his family from them.

Where is the Pedigree Today?

Where is the pedigree Christian today? Where is the one who can say, “My life can be found in the book, the Bible.” Where is the pedigree Christian music of today? It is not that we hate innovation and freshness; we just must make sure that our music is according to the pedigree standards of the Scriptures. For when Israel mixed with the seed of their enemies, the pedigree was lost. Over the years I have found in speaking with musicians and preachers that only those who truly have a love for Christ will see the heart behind the laws and principles. The Old Testament laws may be viewed in a harsh way; but when Christ was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Though one will not find those particular words in Exodus 20, Christ revealed the “heart” of the law, which is a love for God. This is a great problem today in many Christians’ hearts concerning biblical separation: they only see it as legalism or an enemy of grace. But we cannot view the Christian life as a loose one, with the contentment that the blood of Christ is constantly covering it. But one who truly loves his Lord will find the reason for biblical separation; it is love for the Master, love for the Saviour. But one who does not have that love will desire a few little things of the world integrated with his Christianity, just a little. Just a little of the sound of the age to satisfy the old man, to appease the Ishmael nature—the Church seems to be full of such people. If you are a musician who sees this truth, this principle, do not compromise when you go to a church that enjoys a little more contemporary sound; do not change your repertoire for them. The only way we can call the people back to sound, biblical music is to give them a steady diet of it, taking them off the cotton candy that has no substance to it. We are not looking for numbers; we are looking for pedigree.

A final word in this chapter may be appropriate. There is a story told in Ezra 10 concerning a very delicate action that the man of God had to take. Ezra had returned from the captivity in the year 458 b.c. to Jerusalem. He was a priest and a scribe who had set himself (Ezra 7:10) to prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach Israel. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he saw the great mingling that had taken place of the holy seed of Abraham with the people of the land. Even the princes and the rulers had been first in this great transgression. This was one of the major problems that brought about the captivity almost 175 years prior. Ezra now saw that the same problem was happening again. Through these mixed marriages alliances were being made. How did this minister respond? Well, it deeply moved Ezra to grief. He rent his garments, plucked the hair of his beard, and sat down astonished. In reading God’s Word he knew what this sin of the people would do and where it would lead. It would bring them to judgment all over again. The depth of the sin was seen in the wives they had married and their offspring, their fruit of the forbidden union. There was only one thing for Ezra to do. He commanded them to get rid of their wives of the land and their children. And thank God, a remnant was desiring for it to be done, for they too knew that God would this time destroy the people forever. We read that one of the young men was the son of one of the princes who committed this sin of marriage. Yet he stood before Ezra and said, “Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.” (Ezra 10:4)

Would to God, a remnant would rise up and acknowledge that our forefathers’ sins of compromise are being evident again in those who made the exodus from the systems of the apostate denominations. Could it be that we Fundamentalists who made the exodus from such denominations, we who have experienced revival in Jerusalem, are now following the same pattern of compromise? Is our music following the same path Bill Gaither took back in the late 1960s? Will we not learn from their compromises, their sins, and their present spiritual destruction?

May God give us the courage to change and rid ourselves of those things that are creeping in and becoming part of our worship services and even our way of life. Biblical separation must be the guardian principle of our Christian life, or we will follow the same path and come to the same end of those we left.