Saturday, April 9, 2016

Frank Riley: Confidant of R.E. Rhoades and an Elder of the Maranatha Bible Society


If there is one word that is the summation in total of the MBS, it is the word “Farce”. I can recall an opinion I have both spoken and written about Ken Brandt, their now president: I regard him as the personification of this word…farce.

When did I first become aware of the farceness of the MBS? In apologetics there is what is called the rule of first usage, the meaning and interpretation of a passage of scripture is framed by the words of the passage (no kidding). What are the key word or words of the passage? Then, where is the word first used in the Bible.

When was the first time I uttered the word Farce in relation to the Maranatha Bible Society? It was at Frank Riley’s, and a short time before the 2nd time, while I was an active member of Riley’s puddle of vomit, that the fellowship in Medina was planning the final details for a booth at the Cuyahoga County Fair.

At the time my mother and myself had been involved with the MBS for a little over two years. Also at the time my perception that this Biblical-Biblical, Doctrine-Doctrine “Body of Kryst” fellowship’s preaching did not line up with their actions was fairly well formed.

A very condensed overview of the main points of their hypocrisy is in order:

·        Lee Heise’s genealogies
·        Harry Heise’s preterism
·        Harry Heise’s “Original Greek” bible
·        Frank Riley’s toleration of all of the above

I can’t remember why, but I went to Medina to see Frank Riley, it was a summertime Saturday afternoon. I’m not absolutely sure, but it had something to do with the preparation of the Cuyahoga County Fair.

A slight digression; When I first became associated with the MBS, I had never heard of “preterism”…to make a long story short, I found out, and I found out real good.

Well anyway, what ever I went to Riley’s for was accomplished and thereafter I voiced my displeasure to him concerning the fellowship’s toleration of heresy, i.e. both Harry Heise’s preterism and his “original Greek” bible. I can’t remember my exact words but I can remember them close enough, I told Frank Riley:

“If you allow Harry Heise to participate at your exhibit, as a representative of the Maranatha Bible Society, your outreach at the Fair is a farce!” All he did was frown.

A short amount of time passed, and Riley was doing the last minute preparations, he was having difficulty in that he did not have a sufficient number of fellowship members to man the booth. This I also remember, it was a Wednesday evening at Bible study. Riley told the gathering the situation of manpower for the booth, he then proceeded to recruit volunteers. I asked me outright if I would participate, my answer was:

“Absolutely out of the question and you know why!”

He made sort of a half ass remark in an attempt to comprise with me, that the time periods of Harry Heise and myself being there would not coincide. I told him it didn’t matter (a farce is still a farce). This all happened in the presence of everyone there that evening, and it went right over their heads.

Extenuating circumstances: Frank Riley had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. This was going to be the last county fair in which he would participate, and everyone knew it. This was most likely the reason that some people rearranged their schedules so as to accommodate Riley.

Shortly thereafter he died. My mother and myself DID NOT attend his funeral.

Hey Ken Brandt, My friend Ralph didn’t think your (that’s right your) new improved addition of Progressive Revelation is worth two dead flies. As for the other two books, he gave them to me too (so everyone knows, Ralph had to threaten Ken to send the books, so as good will gesture, Ken also sent a copy of “Absolute Predestination” by Zanchius, and “Identification of the Believer in the Gospel of the Grace of God” by the King Farce himself.)

An amusing proclamation concerning Frank Riley on page 4 of Absolute Predestination:



Hey Ken, you don’t even have this in the right book!

So you think he was a blessing to all who knew him do you? No, he was not! I knew him and my mother knew him and one other person whom I shall not name knew him, and we all thought he was a little farce (for the reader, “little” due to his physical stature). Why do you think we didn’t attend his funeral.

Oh, he was a testimony for sure, a testimony to Paul’s letter to Titus, chapter one verse sixteen.

Watch this video - https://youtu.be/i2b4dlB0keg

Written by my Hand:

Allan Lewicki