Hi!
I have read this entire thread. I did so intentionally so I would be able to rightly reply to the main points of discussion. First let me state unequivocably (sp) that I am not a "Ruckmanite" as defined by the majority in this thread. However; I am a Ruckmanite if you would label me as such because I have been trained by a man (my Pastor) who was directly trained by Doc himself. I have heard him preach and "chalk-talk". I do own a few of his books.
The Mark of the Beast being one of them. Others include
Church History Vol. 1 & 2, and Problem Texts, Errors of the King James Bible. Yes, Doc does teach some very 'far-out' doctrines. Some of them border on even Mormonism. For example, the idea that we Christians will populate space. Hmmm
I personally can see no Biblical support for many of these ideas of his. We had a saying in Bible Institute,"Doc has a bunch of gristle in his meat" My own Pastor did not display the 'mean-ness' of Doc and on occasion would warn us not to imitate him. But we all did admire one very important thing about Doc. He was not shy about saying exactly what he meant when dealing with bible correctors. We did not like his method, but we sure liked his 'fire'. Now I know, some of you will misinterpret this. That is your business, not mine. I liked Doc's spunk. I detested his vulgarity. I would not recommend some of his books to anybody. It takes a bit of dedication to wade through his constant tirades against certain "scholars" to glean what meat there may be in his books.
For example, His treatise on Church history is well done, I thought. Then again, his pages-long tirades and rabbit trails should have been sent to a competent editor for readability. I suppose his 2 volume work would easily have been condensed into one and maybe a half. LOL
I truly feel pity for him. He should NOT be in a pulpit. He has spoken of the "knock-down-drag-out screaming fights" in his home with previous wives. This can not be a very good example of a pastor's home. In fact, it is scandalous! He does not need a pulpit to preach in prison nor on the street. Which is exactly where MOST of the conversions have happened that another writer on this thread talks about. So to you defenders of Ol' Doc. Quit it. I've met the man. He is no icon. He is just an old man who has gotten full of himself in his old age. He needs to quit graciously, but he will not. I used to subscribe to the BBB. (Bible Believer's Bulletin) He
is full of himself. And that's a shame. And to you who only know what others have written to critique him; you really should see him at least once, he is
quite the preacher. You would LOVE his chalk talks. And by the way, he DOES love sinners so much that he will not quit telling them of Jesus. He still goes down to the streets to preach and bring 'em in. He believes he is right in what he does. That does not mean that we should imitate him nor endorse him. But it also does not imply by default that we should attack him either.What ever happened to praying for such an one? Yes, speak out against his error, but do not detract from his efforts to win souls for Jesus. How many of you have preached in prison? I have. Although a 'captive' audience, they are by no means very receptive sometimes. It takes a certain "realness" to get through to them. Maybe Ol' Doc should have just stayed at it in that ministry, hmmm? Today, a Ruckmanite is a term used in derision much the same way the term "Ana-baptist" used to be. More is the pity.
Sign me; once an admirer, but now a pitier.
Av1611jim
