Over twenty-three hundred years ago in the ancient city of Athens, Greece, tradition tells of a search for an honest man conducted in broad daylight with a lantern.  The person who carried out this search was a Greek philosopher named Diogenes.  He was a cynic, an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence.  Given his stringent standards and philosophy for life, it is very doubtful that Diogenes ever found anyone who met his criteria for honesty.  A few years ago, I did a column in regard to this same issue of searching for an honest man.  Unlike Diogenes with his rigid requirements, I believe that there are some honest and respectable people living among us.  Although they are not literally perfect and flawless, like none of us are, these moral and decent people are nevertheless living examples that such saintly and godly people still exist.  True, they are in a minority and perhaps belong to a dying breed that is nearing extinction.  Yet, they still can be found among us.  Such a man is Bishop Allen McArthur, our featured Dillon County resident in this article.
Bishop McArthur is the husband of one wife, Daisy Taylor McArthur; and they have been married for sixty-one years.  He is the father of six daughters.  Bishop McArthur has been in the ministry for forty years and is the founding pastor of Free Rock Apostolic Church in Clio, South Carolina, where he has served for thirty-four years.  I have known Bishop McArthur for nearly thirty-five years and through observation and personal fellowship, I have come to believe that in him we have an honest man.  In my estimation, there are certain things or qualities that a man must possess in order to certify him in this category.
The dictionary lists quite a few meanings of the word “honesty” that truly places Bishop Allen McArthur into this rare and somewhat elite group.  Here are but a few of them:  Free from fraud or deception; legitimate, truthful; and reputable, respectful.  Just these definitions alone disqualifies so many people in nearly every profession or walk of life from being a member of the club of those who are honest.  Regrettably, it is becoming very difficult to find honest people.  In all professions, this is the shameful truth and an indication to where our culture is heading.  There have recently been public disclosures of dishonesty in the banking institution, the political arena, the medical profession, academia, and so many other professions that are suppose to be institutions that are owned and operated by scrupulous people.  However, in my estimation, the greatest shame and scandal can be found in the very institution whose responsibility it is to exemplify honesty through both its teaching and the practices of those who profess to be Christians and followers of Christ.  It grieves me greatly to say that there are far too many Christian leaders, too many pastors, too many deacons, too many trustees, and others in leadership positions in the church that are not salt and light in their communities.  These non-committed (hypocritical) people are a reproach to Christ, as well as a hindrance and turn off too many unbelievers who love to cite such people as the reason why they do not go to church or believe in Christianity.  The recent and highly publicized accounts of priests, preachers, and celebrity church leaders like Bishop Eddie Long of Atlanta, Georgia who is accused of molesting young, under aged men has regrettably given the enemies of the Church much fuel and ammunition.
All of what we have considered is compelling evidence why men like Bishop Allen McArthur is important and worthy of us designating time and space to honor him.  I recently attended an event at the Wellness Center that was organized by his family and church members to commemorate his 80th birthday and his wife’s 77th birthday. Both of them are young in spirit and show little sign of slowing down any time soon from their rigorous responsibilities as shepherds.  We all have heroes and people we admire and desire to emulate.  There have been few people in my life that has encouraged and inspired me like Bishop McArthur.  Over the years, his dynamic preaching has challenged me in both my personal life and ministry to a greater degree of obedience and effectiveness.  His anointed singing, especially his signature song, “I Won’t Give Up,” has been a source of inspiration that has kept me hanging in there and pressing forward.  However, what have made me and many others who admire Bishop Allen McArthur have been these four things:  First, his loyalty to God, his wife, his family, and his congregation.  The scriptures ask the question, “…but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6)  Bishop McArthur is truly a man who is loyal, dependable, and trustworthy.  Secondly, his longevity in marriage and ministry speaks for itself.  In a day when many are not willing to hang in there in marriage or ministry, Bishop McArthur is a man from the “old school” who took his vows and obligations very seriously.  He is one who upholds the words from his marriage vows, “for better or for worst, in sickness and in health; and until death do us part.”  Thirdly, he is a down to earth and humble man without an arrogant attitude or inflated ego.  He is the kind of man who can praise and celebrate others.
Finally, as we have already established, Bishop Allen McArthur is an honest man, a man who is not deceptive, a man who keeps his word, pays his bills, and endeavors to walk in integrity.  I believe that if Diogenes was alive today and still in quest to find an honest man, perhaps he would certainly say, if he ran into Bishop Allen McArthur, “Finally, I have found an honest man!”