- Who is Allan Turner?
- What does Allan Turner teach?
- Why do you call it "re:thinking"?
- Why did you originally subtitle the site "out-thinking the pagans"?
- Do you believe you have a lock on the truth?
- What do you mean by the term "Church of Christ"?
- Do you actually believe non-denominational Christianity is possible?
- Do you believe in the Trinity?
- Are you a Charismatic?
1. Who is Allan Turner?
I am a 72 year-old white male who has been married to the same woman for 50 years. I am the father of two married children—a son and a daughter, and the happy grandfather of six wonderful grandchildren—four boys and two girls. After graduating from high school, I spent four years in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Policeman. After that, I became a deputy sheriff with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department in Tampa, Florida. Most of my time with that organization was spent as a criminal investigator/detective, during which I investigated everything from petty larceny to multiple homicides.During the late 60s and early 70s, I attended the University of South Florida where I majored in Criminal Justice. After resigning from the Sheriff's Department in the middle 70s, I ran my own private security consulting business for a number of years and was a licensed Detection of Deception Examiner (polygraph examiner) in the State of Florida. During this time, I was asked to serve as a deacon for the Nebraska Avenue church of Christ in Tampa, and started to preach in the Tampa area while continuing to support myself in private business.
In January of 1981, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky where I began full-time preaching work with the Wendell Avenue church of Christ, which in later years became the Taylorsville Road church of Christ. My association with this group lasted 14 years. During this time I made two preaching trips to India. I resigned from this church to preach in Kenya, East Africa for 3.5 years (we lived one more year there in 2001-2002). Since returning to this country, my wife and I have resided in North Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, and Georgia. I am a writer and publisher who continues to preach from time to time and serves the local church as one of its elders.
I have written for most of the magazines among conservative churches of Christ, editing, for a short time, Justice magazine (which dealt with church/state issues) as well as a widely read church bulletin. I am the author of four books: The Christian & War, The Christian & Idolatry, The Christian & Calvinism, and The Christian & The State. You can find out about these books by clicking here.
I think it fair that you know something about my political affiliations. For many years, I was a registered Democrat who, most of the time, voted Republican, and often was sorry I had even done that. Thoroughly disgusted with postmodern politics, I remain an unashamed Reaganite, although I sometimes didn't like what Reagan did. Nevertheless, I believe Reagan was certainly one of our greatest presidents.
Now you know a little bit about who I am and what I stand for spiritually and politically.
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2. What does Allan Turner teach?
As much as lies within me, I try to reflect a non-sectarian approach to the Scriptures, with a desire only to let the Bible speak for itself. I can honestly say that I do not try to reflect any one denominational creed (Catholic, Protestant, etc.) or one particular systematic theology (Calvinism, Arminianism, Pelagianism, etc.). What I teach and believe is the result of my own personal studies of God's Word. I ask only that you apply “The Berean Test” as you examine these articles and special studies (Acts 17:11).[ Top of Page ]
3. Why do you call it "re:thinking"?
Some have called it a "neat" title, and I think it is. It took me a minute or two to come up with it. "Re:" means "with regards to," and "thinking" is something we all do to one degree or another. By "thinking," I mean "to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference: REASON." And was it not God Himself who said, "Come now, and let us reason together"? Therefore, the God who made us what we are expects us to use our minds. He requires us to think it out and think it through, even in matters of faith. Actually, I should have said, particularly in matters of faith. You see, faith is not some Kierkegaardian leap into the dark existential abyss, as many today seem to think. It is, instead, a reasoned decision to trust the One who has proved Himself completely trustworthy. Was it not the resurrected Jesus who invited the one who could not believe in his resurrection without proof, to personally examine that proof (John 20:24-29), and all this without any reproof? Furthermore, it was that great apostle to the Gentiles who over and over again "reasoned" with his hearers, "explaining" and "demonstrating" the things associated with faith in Christ (Acts 17:1-4,16; 18:4,19; 19:8; 24:25; 26:25). Therefore, if one is not willing to think, then he simply cannot be a Christian.[ Top of Page ]
4. Why did you originally subtitle the site "out-thinking the pagans"?
I did not use the term "pagan" in any pejorative way. I used it to identify a group that rejects Jehovah as their God and the Bible as being a revelation from Him. Most pagans are quite proud to call themselves pagans, and therefore I used their own term. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a pagan as "a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)," or "one who has little or no religion and delights in sensual pleasures and material goods: an irreligious or hedonistic person." Webster's Third New International Dictionary (unabridged) defines a "heathen" as "an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible: pagan." When I originally said that Christians are called upon to out-think, out-live, and ultimately out-die the pagans, I was throwing the gauntlet out to Christian and pagan alike. I was calling upon them and me to do some thinking, and I'm convinced that if we do it, we'll all be better off. It was to this end this site was originally dedicated. I mention this here because many of the search engines continue to direct pagans to the site.[ Top of Page ]
5. Do you believe you have a lock on the truth?
No, certainly not! But, I do believe there is such a thing as Truth. Maybe I ought to emphasize this by saying, true Truth! I'm talking about Truth that is true whether anyone believes it or not. Unfortunately, in this postmodern world we live in, many no longer believe there is any such thing as true Truth. If that's the case with you, then you ought to go on to some other site, for you'll just be wasting your time here. On the other hand, if what I believe and teach is not true, I will consider you no enemy for pointing out my error. I've changed my point of view before, and, with God's help, I can change again if need be.[ Top of Page ]
6. What do you mean by the term "Church of Christ"?
My answer to this question can be found by clicking here.[ Top of Page ]
7. Do you actually believe non-denominational Christianity is possible?
Yes, absolutely! But, not unless we are willing to forego the creed books and think-sos of men and get back to the Bible. If the seed, which is the word of God (cf. Luke 8:11), produced New Testament Christians in the first century, then if we plant that same seed today, it will produce the very same thing—New Testament Christians. In your community, there is probably a group of these Christians meeting. They usually call themselves a church of Christ. If you're really interested in a restoration of the New Testament church, then contact someone from one of these groups near you. If you are unable to make contact with any of these folks, email me by clicking here. In the meantime, the churches of Christ salute you (Romans 16:16).
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8. Do you believe in the Trinity?
Yes and No. I believe that Jehovah is triune in nature, that is, I believe that the Godhead consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But, I do not feel obligated to believe or teach the doctrine of the Trinity as articulated by the Roman Catholic Church or any other man-made institution. I set forth my position on this in more detail in God with a capital "G."[ Top of Page ]
9. Are you a Charismatic?
No. I believe the Bible teaches the charismatic gifts were to cease when the Word of God was completed, or made "perfect" (1 Corinthians 13:8-12). For a critique of the modern Charismatic Movement, see my article entitled Charismatics and the “Greater Works” of John 14:12.[ Top of Page ]