READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I do enjoy your paper so much, especially when you express your own ideas. I am so tired, Lord forgive me, of the sameness of the thought of most of my brethren in recent years. It is a wonder the church doesn’t die out with so little, if any, reliance upon the Holy Spirit. Praise God that many are learning. — Mrs. Zoe Kelly, Dallas, Texas

I can’t help believing more and more people are turning from sectarian tradition to more Christlike attitudes, and I feel God is using you all to have a big part in this change. — Mrs. Margaret Williams, 1250 Afton, Houston 77055

As for what Ira Rice said about Roy Osborne, quoting 2 John 9-11, I can say that I have heard Roy Osborne preach over a period of 15 years. When I heard him for the first time it was like having a breath of fresh air. He teaches the Bible as a total picture and Christianity as a daily way of life. I grew up exposed to the Church of Christ only, baptized at 13, and the only teaching I ever got from preachers before attending Pepperdine was a God of fear nothing about grace or the Holy Spirit. It was all on “first principles” or why we don’t do this or that. I never learned the principles of living the Christian life and individual responsibility until I heard the likes of Roy Osborne. As for what I read in Ira Rice’s books, I find deceit, envy, slander and pride. He praised a church in Texas for studying his book in Sunday School! — Pat Bryant, 1449 N. E. Hillside Terr., North Kansas City 64116

Warmest greetings from South of the border. Though we are not normally given to writing “letters to the editor,” we are making an exception in your case. We were so thrilled with your latest article, Must Religion Be Oppressive?, that we decided to write and tell you so. It is exactly what our brotherhood needs and we want to encourage you to write more along these lines. Praise God for a paper that lifts up Jesus, the One who promised rest to the weary and heavy-laden. — Vic and Gloria Richards, Apdo. 1, La Junta, Chih. Mexico

I am trying to follow the Lord’s will in my life and I have to be honest that at this point I am in a vacuum. I don’t totally agree with you — nor did you ask me to! I do believe that a congregation can only be transformed as they open their hearts to the Lord. The only thing that I can provide is the leaven, because the Lord dwells in me and if I am there, he is there. However the question that comes to me again and again is how long does the Lord call upon one to remain in a situation where people are happy and content with the status quo, and when you attempt to speak of the Lord in ways they do not understand, nor care even to examine, you become a suspect and must be walled off. I do not see the Lord as continuing to hammer at hearts. He did not persuade those who turned away to return. He did not say to the rich young ruler, “Then follow me with what you are willing to give up and some day you may be willing to give up more.” — Mrs. Pat Lane, 3930 Riley A ve., Terre Haute, In. 47803

I am sorry you feel the way you do about home congregations being kept auxiliary to the organized assembly. I don’t believe the N. T. teaches an organized assembly. This organization stuff is what has caused denominationalism, including the Church of Christ. In the beginning Christians simply assembled for the breaking of bread, teaching, and prayers, with no organization. They just assembled, and there were no hangups over whether someone did not look and smell like somebody else. We act like the scriptures say a Christian has a duty to some organized congregation. I am not asking you to agree with me, but to give me freedom in Christ to do what I believe correct. — Seth B. Dodge, 711 Howe St., Dallas, Or. 97338

It is a sad commentary on what has happened in our congregations when one equates bondage with identification with them and freedom with being detached from them. Congregational life, under the guidance of dedicated shepherds, enhances one’s freedom. Our problem is that neither congregations nor their officers are what they should be, and they have consequently made people less free than if they were detached. This means that we must find true pastors to tend the flock, not junk the Lord’s plan that every sheep have a shepherd. Our good brother is wrong in saying that “They just assembled,” for the scriptures make it clear that each congregation assembled “with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:2), and churches were “set in order” (organized) by the evangelists, indicating that simply meeting together was not adequate (Tit. 1:5). — Editor

I appreciate your work so much, for it keeps me optimistic in the work of the Lord. Your writings are a constant source of teaching material as well as a springboard for action and living. — Jess Wilburn, Box 22, Broken Bow, Ok. 74728

By lifting a penny here and there as the plate passes, and by holding out on my little boy’s lunch money, I have saved this dollar, Mr. Garrett, so that I might have the spiritual illumination offered by your masageen. Please send it along for awhile yet. — Robert Meyers, Wichita State University

I asked my husband today if he was ready to “stand up and be counted.” The Christian Church wants us to speak on mission work. The other preachers in town will think we “‘done gone to the devil!” It will be interesting to see which way the Lord leads us on this one. Were you ever a preacher? When we came here it was our first located work in the states. I am having a big problem with it now, and would go back to on the “first boat” if I could talk my husband into it. I have this fear of going too far in my conversation and getting my husband fired. But on the other hand I feel guilty for not coming out with what I believe the old fear of “the man that controls the pocket book controls all.” I would dearly love to be an ordinary free layman. I think I could stir up some dust then. Pray for us, as we will for you, and write a line if you have a minute. — Preacher’s wife, name withheld