Along the way, we are blessed by spiritual giants in this life. On Saturday, I represented our church at the memorial service for Russell Dilday, our first pastor at Tallowood. Carol Kleckner and Susan Barnes Lerner sat with me. We laughed at funny stories and wept as the family and wonderful ministers eulogized Russell and honored God. The music was magnificent. My professor and friend, Jim Denison preached a powerful word, remembering how Russell had been a spiritual father to him. I wept with him as he preached and pointed us to hope in Christ. Russell’s spirit lives on in Jim’s ministry and I hope in many of ours like Jeff Warren and me who called him President of our seminary.
As Jesus drew near the cross, he confronted his accusers and contrasted their formal religion with the fiery faithfulness of John the Baptist. He turned over the tables of the money changers and called for the temple to be restored as a house of prayer for all nations. Still teaching through parables, Jesus told about a father who asked his sons to work. One said he would but didn’t. The other said he wouldn’t but did. Jesus asked, “So which one did what his father wanted.” The crowd agreed that actions speak louder than words. Then Jesus told the Pharisees that the tax collectors and prostitutes who repented at John’s words would enter the kingdom of God before them, because they put the truth into practice.
Had Jesus been trying to avoid a cross, he would have just gone along to get along. It was risky to exalt his cousin John who had been killed for telling the truth. Jesus refused to cower at their threats. Instead, he knowingly confronted falsehood. This hastened the process of the leaders condemning him to death. I suppose if my friend Russell had been willing to look the other way and be quiet when others were being mistreated, he could have kept his job at Southwestern. But he spoke the truth to those in power and they made him pay a grievous price, locking him out of his office like he was some kind of criminal. The seminary he led is now a mere shadow of what it was. History has proven that Russell was right. He not only talked about the Bible and wrote about Biblical authority, but he put the teachings of Jesus into practice, even forgiving those who mistreated him. I can’t remember their names, and I can’t forget his.
Talk is cheap. We may jump and shout about how true the Bible is. But the only Bible we really believe is the Bible we live. Those who led the purge of our seminaries have fallen into disrepute. But the name of Russell Dilday is held in honor by people who speak and live the truth. Jesus’ story reminds me that I need to repent, too. My faith must go beyond words to action. I want to do what the Father asks me to do. Do you? Our obedience may encourage others to obey when their faith is tested.
