Thomas B. Warren

[Johnb]

In 1973 I had my first Graduate class under T.B. Warren.  I spent half my time writing down words I did not know and hoping I spelled them close enough I could look them up later.  He was the king of logic.  He was a little arrogant but still had a likeable quality about him.  Some of his students had T-shirt that said "If it is the case..."  You have not known fear until you wrote an argument then had to defend it in a private session with Warren.  There was no way to win.  Even though my views are much different today that Warren's it was the logic he taught me that lead me out of legalism.  I understand that all his children left the CoC and we know the story of his prize student Rubell Shelly.

[s1n4m1n]

It would be interesting to see who Mr. Warren's teacher was. Maybe it would be a direct lineage to Robert Milligan and ole A.C himself.

Ken

[Johnb]

He recieved his BS from ACU, Masters at Houston U and PHD from Vanderbilt U.  So I really don't know who the great influience on his methods and logic would have been.  In spite of his legalism Thomas was a very bright man and one I have aways respected even though I no longer accept the conclusions of his logic.

[marc]

God.  Just like Paul.

[Johnb]

Marc
I do believe T.B. Warren was a Godly man.  Although he put up a gruff front he was kind and compassionate.   He was Rubel Shelly's mentor at FH then he moved to HGSR the same year Shelly started there.  I think the changes Rubel made was a great loss to both men. 

[marc]

I think the person who I have heard say the very thing I posted is a godly man as well.  The inference is, however, that just as Paul separated himself from others when he first became a Christian (as related in Galatians) and was influenced by no one but God, we too can throw off the influence of humans, turn to the Bible and listen only to God.  I would bet that Warren might say something similar.

I don't buy it, though.  I don't think that we humans are as coldly logical as we believe.

[Johnb]

I agree Marc.  After 7 years of training under Warren Rubel had the logic down.  I saw him debate a denon. preacher (can't remember which denom)  Rubel distroyed him.  I rember thinking 3 things as I sat through the debate.

1. I would not want to debate Rubel Shelly on any subject.
2. If I had a personal problem I would go to the denomination preacher with the kind loving Christ like attitude that he was debating.
3. That Rubel had the logic but not the conviction of Warren that he was absolutely right.  I predicted at the time that he would not remain as a legalist. 

I have not seen Rubel in years but I did exchange a few emails with him.  He has paid a heavy personal price for following his convictions.

[OkiMar]

Thomas Warren was a brilliant man. I read the Warren-Ballard Debate many years ago, and I thought it was a classic.

See Warren-Flew Debate on the existence of God
http://www.thebible1.net/video/warrenflewdebate/

Sermon
http://www.hattoncoc.org/kept_faith.html