Hardshell Abrasive Language

Recently Jason Brown, Hardshell "apologist," accused me of using "abrasive" language both when I was with the Hardshells and now in my writings against the Hardshells. But, I could write a lengthy book with citations from Hardshells being guilty of the thing of which Jason accuses me. The Hardshells "take the cake" when it comes to using abusive language against other Christians. In this posting I will give some examples of this from Elder Harold Hunt, a leading Hardshell, who used unbecoming and abrasive language against my father in a pamphlet titled - "Was Adolph Hitler A Godly Man," published in 1997.

Elder Hunt was one of the elders in the Powell's Valley Association that declared non-fellowship for my father for believing that Satan was a fallen angel from heaven. Elder Hunt had promised my dad that he would oppose Elder John Robbins and others in their attempts to make such views a test of fellowship. Yet, when the "Oak Ridge Council" convened, Elder Hunt did an about face and sided with Robbins and the Powell's Valley brethren, and declared dad and our church in disorder. Ever since that time he has had a grudge against my dad, even though they were formerly close friends.

In this pamphlet Hunt calls dad a "heretic" for believing in the fall of Satan from heaven as Luke 10: 18 states. (pg. 3) He also, on the same page, accuses dad of being a member of "a cult of admirers of Adolph Hitler," a gross fabrication. On the same page he says that "the Lord's service is no place for a coward." This is odd seeing that Elder Hunt was so afraid of Elder Robbins that he broke his vow to my dad and allowed Elder Robbins to make the issue of Satan's origin a test of fellowship, and turned his back on his ministerial friend.

On page five, Elder Hunt writes:

"We do not need any such thing in America, and we do not need anybody among our Primitive Baptist people, defending Adolph Hitler, and pretending he had the right to do what he did. The issues are too serious for us to beat around the bush. Our people must be informed.

The man leading up this movement is Eddie Garrett, of Middletown, Ohio. Elder S. T. Tolley, of Atwood, Tennessee, is aiding and abetting him to the best of his ability."

Is all this not rather "abrasive"? Is there anything wrong with the spirit of Hunt in writing such things and spreading such slander? Does Hunt manifest a kind and gentle spirit? Does he manifest a love for dad? A desire to win him over?

First of all, dad had only said that what Hitler did to the Jews was a result of the judgment of God upon them. Is that not true? But, how does this condone what Hitler did? Hunt shows a gross ignorance of scripture to deny that the Jews are under judgment and that God uses evil men to inflict wrath upon his people without blessing those evil men. Did God not use the Assyrians and the Babylonians to destroy his people and yet condemned the Assyrians and the Babylonians?

On page five Hunt wrote:

"Eddie Garrett has been rejected by the main body of our people for over twenty years."

But, who made Hunt a judge of such a thing? How does he know what "the main body" of Hardshells believe about dad? It is quite obvious that Hunt is simply out to do harm to dad. And why? Because he opposed the schismatic spirit of the Powell's Valley brethren?

I was at the "Oakridge Council" and recall some of the Hardshells pointing at dad and saying - "he is the devil." Isn't that rather abrasive?

On the same page Elder Hunt says:

"I can understand why Eddie Garrett would want to injure our people, having been shunned by our people for all these years. But, I cannot understand Elder Tolley's actions..."

Was not Elder Tolley part of the "main body" of Hardshells? Does Hunt not contradict himself?

On page six Hunt says;

"Our people rejected Eddie Garrett for good reason..."

Because he believed what Luke 10: 18 says? That was "good reason"?

On the same page he wrote:

"I have no ill will toward Eddie Garrett as a person; it is his doctrine that I oppose."

What a lie! Hunt shows all kinds of "ill will" towards dad "as a person." He tries to say it is dad's view of the origin of Satan and his view that the Holocaust resulted from the fact that the Jews were under God's wrath and judgment.

He says, on the same page:

"There was a time when he and I were very close."

And, what changed things? Was it not the cowardness of Hunt? Because he had no backbone and could not do battle with the pope of the Powell's Valley Association? That he feared for his own standing?

On the same page he wrote:

"I would be happy for him to be back in line with our people--if it was not for the doctrine he preaches."

What a lie! Hunt shows how he is very happy that dad is scandolized!

He also says, on the same page:

"I can imagine how I would feel if that was the case with me."

Yes, and his wanting to be accepted by all caused Hunt to turn his back on his friend! He showed how he was more concerned with his own standing in the Hardshell cult than to stand for what is right.

On page seven Hunt wrote:

"But, the Primitive Baptists do not need for Eddie Garrett to be rehabilitated."

He earlier said that he would love to see dad "back in line with our people," but now he says just the opposite. The truth is, Hunt is glad to see his friend scandolized.

Hunt says further, on the same page, that "those bars need to stay in place." What bars? The bars that disfellowship any who believe that Satan is a fallen angel? Why would anyone want to be in such a cult who are always creating bars of fellowship over non-essential matters? Among such schismatics?

Now, in conclusion, let us ask the readers about Jason's charge that I am abrasive in my speech - "am I as abrasive as Hunt?"

I might begin a series of postings in the future where I cite the numerous examples of abrasive speech from various Hardshells of the past and present. When this is done, it will be obvious that the Hardshells have no right to accuse anyone of using abrasive speech, for they are the world's worst.