For over four years brethren
have freely written negative information about the Brown Trail School of
Preaching, through various means of which I have refrained to publicly
address. As part of a recent internet communication some have encouraged
people to view a web site to consider information “about Brown Trail and
Dave Miller.” It encourages those who do so to “Consider carefully before
sending money to anything he is involved in.” Another comment encourages
readers to view the same web site “For the truth on Brown Trail School of
Preaching and Dave Miller. Must read before sending any support checks.” The
author of these statements included his name but did not provide information
on who he is, or how one might contact him for verification of his
information and the purpose of his accusations. It would seem to me that he
would want to do that since we are to “provide things honest in the sight of
all men” (Romans 12:17) and he writes concerning the “truth on Brown Trail
School of Preaching…”.
It is not the intention of
this brief article to deal with personalities involved in this issue, or
exhaust pages in defense of one side or the other of the entire matter that
has gone on for some time. Its purpose is to provide brethren who
want to know what is presently being done and taught at the Brown Trail
School of Preaching an avenue for which to obtain this information. In
view of this please consider the following information and follow up as you
desire.
First, it must be understood
that Brother Dave Miller is no longer associated with the Brown Trail School
of Preaching in any way, and has not been involved with it for four years.
What may or may not have transpired several years ago between
administration, teaching staff, students, or whoever has nothing to do with
the present program at BTSOP. In view of this, why should brethren be
encouraged to give consideration to events that happened several years ago
prior to “sending any support checks”? If brethren feel that certain
brethren who were once associated with the school are in error let them take
it up with them. Why is it being suggested that the present administration
and student body be denied the necessary funds to carry on our work based
upon the mistakes (whether alleged or true) of men who are in no way
presently associated with the school? What preacher or eldership would want
to be told they were going to be judged on the activities of the previous
preacher or eldership? None that I know of!
Secondly, accusations of
Crossroadism, student abuse, et al are matters that, if they must be taken
up, must be done so with those other than the present school administration.
At the end of this article I am
providing names and email addresses of present students and alumni who are more
than willing to discuss with you how they are or were treated, and what is or
was being taught during their school association. It would seem to me that
brethren who are interested in the school would be glad to hear from these men
their assessment of these matters. If there are matters that are in need of
repentance by past school personnel, or students, starving our present students,
or closing the doors of the school due to the lack of funds, will not cause that
to happen. Surely we can see that.
Third, accusations of false
doctrines being taught at BTSOP are simply not true! Oh, I can hear brethren who
are dissatisfied with the teachings of the New Testament on Marriage/Divorce/
and Remarriage call us false teachers. They have done that for years so why
would we expect anything different from them? The same could be said when we
defend numerous other Biblical doctrines. But just because brethren, who have
gone off the “deep end” into the “cesspool” of liberalism, indict us as false
teachers has no bearing on the truth. A list of our convictions is available on
our web site. You will see that we stand where we have always stood on the
doctrines of the New Testament.
Brethren, can we not see where
“parroting” statements, such as “BTSOP is teaching false doctrine”, with no
verification of such, can cause such an amount of damage to the school that we
may never be able to overcome it? Let me give you an example of this and how
far it has gone. One person claimed that we have an instructor who is teaching
“theistic evolution” in one of our Fundamentals Courses. He went on to say that
this instructor is a graduate of one of our “left-winged” Universities (I
purposefully have left out the name of the University, although the statement
when made in its original included it.). The truth of the matter is, we have
two such Fundamentals Courses and I serve as instructor of both. Admittedly, I
have been on campus of the University mentioned. However, I am not a graduate of
it, nor have I taken a course there. Additionally, I firmly teach against both
the “general” theory and the “theistic” theory of evolution. I could fill pages
with similar statements by good brethren who have been misled by some who
continue to spread the “word” about BTSOP.
Brethren were mistakes made in the
past by individuals involved with the school? No doubt! But should we, the
present administration and student body be forced to pay the price for such? Are
there brethren who may need to repent of deeds done? Perhaps so, but it is not
the intent of this article to argue that matter. It is my intent, though to ask
you to please consider what we are now doing “…before sending any support
checks.”
Listed below is, first, my
addresses, telephone numbers, and email address.
Secondly, a list of our present
instructors, many of whom have been preaching for years and are known for their
conservative stand for the truth. Consider whether these men would be associated
with BTSOP if what we are being accused of were true.
Third, a short list of Alumni and
their email addresses. Some of these Alumni were students during the time under
consideration. These men have given me their permission to include their names
and email addresses so those who want to hear, as Paul Harvey would say, “the
rest of the story” can contact them.
Finally, a list of the present
students and their email addresses. They too have willingly agreed for me to
list them for anyone wanting to know what is presently happening and to have an
“inside” source of information.
May we “rejoice in the
truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).
In His Service,
Robert Stapleton
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Robert Stapleton
INSTRUCTORS:
Willie Alvarenga, Gerald Ball,
Charles Billingsly, Bill Burk, Perry Cotham, Robert Dodson, Ken Gardner, Ken
Hope, Heriberto Martinez, Randall Morris, Hardeman Nichols, Obed Rodriguez,
Heath Stapleton
ALUMNI:
Requests for this information was
made to a short list of alumni for which the majority responded. Those who did
respond were in the affirmative. Additionally, others learned of the list and
asked to be added.
STUDENT BODY:
I remind you, these men have
volunteered to have their names on this list. Some who do not have email gave
their telephone numbers. Please note the E following an email address indicates
English Department while the H indicates Hispanic Department. Some in the
Hispanic Department do not speak English as their first language.
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