READERS' EXCHANGE

 

Semi-Departure

. . . . . . . . . . . . .. Church of Christ has turned me off. I’ve joined the University Christian Church and have enjoyed it immensely. The typical C of C does little for me, Central being an exception. I’ve kept the news of my semi-departure from my parents. I think such a step was the correct one.—Name and address withheld

Recently I was sitting with a respected preacher for Churches of Christ, who expressed regret that there was not a place among us for some of the men who have felt called upon to leave us. The list of such men is growing embarrassingly lengthy. We can always say that such ones should stay with us and help correct the deficiencies, and surely that will apply to many who are tempted to leave. But some must leave to find peace. To such ones we must continue to be brotherly, for they are no less brothers than before. If anything, we must love them more. But the brother who wrote the above is not yet gone, for he does find solace in at least one of our congregations. Such congregations are becoming more numerous, and that, by the way, is part of the answer. More free churches. Free of the Establishment, I mean.

Gary’s Book

I read Gary Freeman’s book (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven). It’s a honey. I do not know whether he knew him or not, but he drew an accurate picture of the anti-premillennial preacher that I knew, and whose “fan” I was years ago. He made exactly the same objection to the song, “All Hail the Power,” and when he saw the Word and Work songbook, he was ready to go to war for the anti-premill cause.—Alabama

I have ordered a copy of Gary Freeman’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Heaven. Your review in Restoration Review is most interesting. The message which Harper and Row Publishing Company recognizes may be the danger to the health and well-being of our country by virtue of our people being enmeshed in the terrible isolation of the Church of Christ which is preserved, protected, guarded and exploited by ecclesiastical demigods.—Florida

It will be sometime yet before the verdict can be reached as to the value of Gary’s book. That it is a lot of fun is evident enough, and that he knows his people cannot be denied. As to how helpful it will be, well, those who read the book will decide for themselves.

Those Who Partly Agree

I read your paper while at ACC. Although I do not agree with everything in the paper, I do appreciate your spirit and the stimulation your comments provide.—Texas

I can’t say that I agree with all that you publish, but neither can I say this for any other publication. I do find it refreshing and stimulating to read something beside the party line for a change. I believe you are rendering a great service to “The Church of Christ.”—Florida.

I really appreciate your efforts to help bring about unity among brothers in Christ. I don’t awlays agree with you or other writers in Restoration Review, but it is like a breath of fresh air to be able to read the free expression of opinion. It’s a shame that this freedom is not more wide spread.—Connecticut

These are typical of many such letters, and we appreciate them every one. But I am always a bit confused as to why my readers feel constrained to tell me that they do nor agree with all that appears in Restoration Review. If I practiced this, I would have to preface every subscription I send out with a disclaimer to believing all that appears in said journals. I don’t agree with everything in anything I read, not even the Bible, for I take issue with a lot of things in Ecclesiastes and Job, as well as other parts. There is an interesting psychology in all this. Do you suppose Editor Lemmons down Austin way gets subs to the Firm Foundation with such attending statements as, “While I do not agree with all that you publish . . .”? Maybe such statements are made only to maverick editors like me, rebels of sorts. It could be a form of self-justification, as if it might not be quite right to subscribe. So they ease their conscience (or subconscience) by telling me that they do not agree with all I write.

So to those who wish to go on record as only partly believing I say God bless you. I am never surprised to learn that someone doesn’t agree with all we say. The surprise is, and a blessed one it is, that so many agree with anything at all!

Now why doesn’t someone write and tell me he agrees with all we have to say. That would be the day. The day for all of us to stop and examine ourselves once more.

But we love everyone of you, our readers, and we only ask that you keep on reading and thinking, writing and criticizing. I assume that there’s a lot you’ll not agree with. That’s why we publish the paper.