2004

Victory Over the Darkness, Neil T. Anderson. Ventura, Calif.: Regal, 1990.

Finished in August. I did a short review of this work here and here.

Restoring an Evangelistic Phenomenon, Roger E. Dickson. Winona, Miss.: Choate, 1986.

The subtitle "An Examination of New Testament Mission Messages" well describes the content of these 43 short chapters. A book every Christian should read. Not much here I'd differ with.

Redeeming the Times: Addressing Issues of the Church in the Present Age, Russell L. Dyer, Tommy F. Haynes, Jeff A. Jenkins, eds. Oklahoma City, Okla.: Clarity Pub., 2004.

Sixteen chapters deal with several hot topics, as well as with other topics not so high-profile, but which deserve good thought. The many typos and errors in the book frustrated my reading, but the content is good. I think Haynes went too far by saying, "The theory of essential doctrines being determined by the 'closeness to the cross' is foreign to scripture" (p. 64). Let us be careful that, in battling false doctrine, we don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Overall, though, a fine addition to our polemic literature.

God is the Audience, Owen Olbricht. Delight, Ark.: Gospel Light Pub. Co., 1991.

Finished 26 May 2004. Simple and forceful. We need more teaching like this centered on God.

Over the Vast Horizon: Authorized Biography of Guy N. Woods, Harrell Davidson. Obion, Tenn.: Harrell Davidson Publishing, 2003.

My first introduction to Guy N. Woods was his debate with a Pentecostal preacher in SE Mo., or west Tenn. when I was in high school. He effectively showed the error of that doctrine. Later, as a student at Freed-Hardeman University, I heard him direct the Open Forum. In Brazil, I had some contact with him on ham radio. So it was with interest I read his biography. It includes five of his meeting sermons and details his debates.

This is the form of name (J. Randal Matheny) I use when publishing material. Though sometimes editors have dropped the first initial, and a couple of times it appeared with two "L's" on Randal. At least, the Lord and my mother know who I am.

Some articles have been lost in ancient history. In the 80s I wrote an article for Heartland Harvest and another or two for publications whose names even are obscured by the haze of years.

21st Century Christian

Christian Chronicle

Global Harvest

Gospel Advocate

Magnolia Messenger

Power for Today

Voice of Truth International

Miscellaneous

Book reviews

Works of Poetry (in chronological order)

2002

2003

2004

Online

Edited 2011 Oct 22, for security

Randal began preaching at age 16 and served churches in Blackwell, Texas, Shiloh, Tennessee, Ashland, Mississippi, and Paragould, Arkansas, before moving to Brazil in 1984.

Randal studied Portuguese in the U.S. for two years and after a year and a half of study in Brazil was awarded the Certificate of Proficiency from the Yazigi Language Institute in Belo Horizonte in 1986.

His writings have appeared in Gospel Advocate, Power for Today, 21st Century Christian, Magnolia Messenger and La Voz Eterna. He is a staff writer for Biblical Notes and The Voice of Truth International, with a circulation of 60,000 copies. E-zines such as Daily Wisdom and Heartlight have published his articles. His poetry has entered such magazines as Times of Singing; Möbius, The Poetry Magazine; Chattels of the Heart; The Discerning Poet; WestWard Quarterly, and Christian Bible Teacher.

Randal and his family worked with a mission team to begin a new congregation in the city of Belo Horizonte, the nation's third largest city with 3 million population. After 10 years of evangelism, leadership training, and publications ministry, the Mathenys moved to the city of São José dos Campos, where the church had a small beginning.

Randal works with the local church in personal evangelism, Bible classes, and discipleship and music training. He has written or edited several books and publishes books, courses and tracts. He edits and publishes Edificação Magazine since 1987. He travels across the country teaching and preaching in churches, lectureships, and gospel meetings.

A vigorous Internet ministry has provided the Brazilian church with edification and evangelistic tools. In English, Randal edits Forthright Magazine and BrotherhoodNews.com. Together with Barbara Oliver, they launched Forthright Press in 2004, through which he published his book, "Choose!"

In 2010 Roy Davison named him co-publisher of the Old Paths Archive, a group of Christian websites with over one million visits a year.

Randal has also worked with the National Bible School, the Mt. of Olives Christian Camp, the Christian Corner youth care program, and the Lar Cristão Christian Home.

The Mathenys' work is overseen by the Somers Avenue church in North Little Rock AR.

Vicki has homeschooled their children and coordinates the busy home activities. She has spoken at women's encounters, teaches women in the local congregation, and hosts many gatherings and barbeques for fellowship and evangelism. She teaches a weekly women's class in the local church.

The Mathenys have three children and one grand-daughter.
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