READERS' EXCHANGE

 

Quiet Fanatics

Someone gave me the March issue and another issue of your paper. All I can say is “More power to you.”

I want to attend the next underground meeting. I am sick of the old formula: 3 songs, a prayer (cut and dried), another song, sermon, a song, communion (must be unleavened bread and no wine), etc. No Bible reading except a few quotes from preacher. No one says, “Blessed be the God of Heaven!”

Once at a colored church in Los Angeles a woman came up out of the water praising God. Was she ever “shushed up”!

My 17 year old granddaughter is Lutheran. One Sunday lately I attended. No choir. God was praised. At communion everybody kneeled, a sizable piece of wafer was put in each mouth as the minister quoted scripture, then wine from a cup. I am not joining however.

I admire that Dick Smith in the March issue.—California

We are attending a church here in Minnesota that is so conservative and traditionbound that new ideas are practically forbidden, so it is like a breath of fresh air to get your paper, as well as a couple of other “liberal” papers that are thought provoking. Only the hope that by staying I can help and a determination to be tolerant keeps me from finding a church home in another denomination.—Minnesota

Congratulations on the continual high quality of Restoration Review. I hope that you will always manage to continue to refrain from playing pope. Every time I read the . . . . . . I become almost physically nausiated at the degree of conceit required to pontificate.—New Mexico

After living over 85 years and being in the church over sixty, it is refreshing that we now have some journals that cause one to think . . . I am tired of slanted sermons and the “come to us if you want to be right.” Which one of thc 20 or more factions shall they choose, for all claim to be the simon pure facsimile of the early church.—Ohio

We must learn to protest quietly and peacefully. We have no use for the carnal weapons of hate and antagonism, but of love. Quiet and loving voices from within will accomplish more than thundering cries from without. One should be no more eager to leave his church home than his family home. lf we will surrender ourselves to Jesus, and ask Him to use us in His own way where we are, He will do so. lf He wants us somewhere else, that too He will reveal. We need quiet and loving fanatics.—Ed.

Reaction to Elkins Letter

The article by David Elkins is a solemn testimony to our arrival as a sect. Thank God many are waking up to our antiscriptural and intolerant posture. Too many in the church are just plain unconcerned.—Oklahoma

Don’t we, so often, just make Christianity a game. A letter like that one really makes me upset with Christianity and the uses people make of it.—Michigan

David Elkins’ experience is not too different from that of some of the rest of us. I have tried to be a free Christian all my life, but there are times when the pressures are very strong.—Kentucky

In reading the letter I found myself reliving much of my religious past. I was once in spiritual bondage, but no more!—Iowa

I receive quite a number of religious papers, but none get more attention than yours and Mission Messenger. I read them from “kiver to kiver.” Sometimes I smile and sometimes I sob. The letter this month from the young Michigan preacher was sob stuff. I know how to sympathize with the dear fellow. The Church of Christ establishment unchurched me and my family more than 30 years ago. It was the best thing that could have happened to us. “But as for them, they thought evil against us, but God meant it unto us for good” (Gen. 50:20) . . . I love you fellows, but wonder why you stay with the establishment when you seem to be in such disagreement with them.—Florida

“Letter from a Disturbed Young Minister” was indeed disturbing. David Elkins and I were fellow students at Harding. 1 heard him preach often. We have discussed many things together. Indeed, he is one of the most dedicated and sincere men I have ever known. His insights are profound and his ability to communicate superior. But, ironically, some auditor’s attitudes are so set that nothing can change them regardless of one’s ability to talk. Our prayers are with him and’ his wife, Sara Bea.—Missouri

I am surprised at myself that I am writing you to tell you that you should never have printed it. This coming from the “hunted” is like “witch hunts.” While I have no way of determining the total accuracy of this statement, I feel that he has been “wounded” in the place we all hate to be struck—our ego. I, and I feel sure that you also, have been the victim of our own immaturity and the only profitable course to follow is to GROW UP . . . You speak of the desire to see unity come to pass, but in the final analysis are you not contributing to spiritual and religious chaos?—Pennsylvania

David Elkins’ letter is so tragic, but many of us know it’s true. We must not think! Just follow the old party line. Of course, being a woman your thinking has surely been limited. So very young I learned that if you want anyone to listen, quote a well-known preacher. So I memorized what he said, in what paper and what time . . . I want to thank you for your raw courage and for the Review. I’ve read the last one five times—Oklahoma (a cancer victim, one “constantly in pain”)

Have just finished D. Elkins’ letter. My! How old memories flooded me. I counted my own “unchurched” letters and had 12 of them. Think of it, been canned 12 times. Wow!—Oregon

Your paper continues to be one of the few sources of refreshment published by our brethren. Especially touching was that sad letter by a former school friend of mine, David Elkins. I, too, have been the defrocked route and I know how he feels. Keep on challenging us with you timely articles.—Alabama

It seems that we have run off a lot of folk, doesn’t it? It just may be that they love God and serve Christ just as much as before. It is important for us to remember that in leaving the Church of Christ (or being run off) one does not necessarily leave Christ. It may be due to his love for God that one makes his departure, and not for a lack of it.—Ed.

 

This is the September, 1969 issue of Restoration Review, Vol. 11, No.7. The last issue was the June number. We do not publish in July or August. The ten issues for the year comprise a 200-page book, with introduction and table of contents, at the close of the year. You may reserve the hardbound edition in advance, but need not send any money. We would appreciate your help in introducing our efforts to your concerned friends, people who believe in being real Christians in a real world. In clubs of six or more you can subscribe for friends at the rate of only 50 cents per name. Otherwise 1.00 per year, though we encourage subs of two years at a time.