READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I appreciated the excerpt from Diognetus. The apostolic fathers are precious witnesses to those early years and present us with examples of faith and loyalty that almost pass belief. The writers of the whole ante-nicene period are fascinating and profitable to me … I hope Pat and Shirley Boone do not let themselves become discouraged and sever all connection with us. The brotherhood needs his zeal and dedication as well as his talent. A fresh breath of spirituality is blowing through the church today, not only in the Churches of Christ, but in others as well, and there is a place for Pat and Shirley and their daughters. They may mistake the meaning of some of the things of the Spirit, but time and experience will bring correction. - Vernon Parrott, 426 Live Oak Lane, Weatherford, Tx:76086

The series you did on Alexander Campbell were truly enlightening, with a human interest effect. You wrote as if you had traveled with him and known him personally. Now I better understand why you have such admiration for him and the contribution he made to the Restoration Movement. —Ted Cline, 2938 N. 40th Dr., Phoenix, AZ. 85019

(Ted is a discerning man. I wondered how many would notice. I was with old Alex on those journeys! —Ed.)

Do I sound bitter? I’m trying not to be. Several years back I refused to worship with the _____________ Church of Christ and I have not since. I am beginning to understand, with Paul’s help, that this may not be right. I have felt that to worship with a group would mean I would be supporting and agreeing to what they represent. I now wonder if we could not witness to the new joy and freedom Christ has brought to us by just being there. But I find it very hard to sit still and listen to things I do not believe and cannot agree with . . . I wish I could be as positive as you are about the Church of Christ. Maybe you can help me. Frankly I can’t find much to be positive about. We find very few people we love. —Name and address withheld

(I wrote these people that there is more cause for hope than they realize, and that, yes, their ministry can be real wherever they are if Jesus is real to them. And, really, we need not waste energy worrying about people. If we will but allow the light of Christ to shine through our lives, we need not bother about reforming others or measuring the rate of change. People who want Jesus will turn to those in whom they see His presence. That is our task. —Ed.)

The Appalachian Bible Belt is a place for testing one’s spiritual depth. The Law is evident and the fires of Hell burn brightly. I often wish I could invite you here for a mini-meeting, but being an outcast I would be unable to get many to attend. We are presently attending the Presbyterian Church, but there is something lacking for an old “Campbellite.” —Rich Thornhill, Box 837, Grundy, Va. 24614

(I wrote Rich that I would try to schedule his place on my next trip that way. It is our “outcasts” in such places as the Presbyterian Church that I am interested in encouraging, not necessarily many. —Ed.)

The phrase from Diognetus which you quoted seems to me the key to the pilgrim church idea I have been working on - “Their existence is on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.” — Bob Fife, Milligan College, Tn. 37682

Your paper is unique. I enjoy reading it very much. I am constrained to believe that your beautiful, efficient wife does most of the thinking and writing —as most all preachers I ever knew are downright lazy. —E. C. McKenzie, 710 Big Rock St., Canton, Tx. 75103

(If I have any way to escape this judgment, it would have to be that I am not a “preacher” in the usual sense. And I suspect preachers might have something to say about the indolence of non-preachers. But Ouida and 1 have a lot of fun out of the playful letters of our readers. It takes a sense of humor to keep this old world going. Yet there is wisdom in our brother’s words. He knows his women, that’s for sure —and preachers! —Ed.)

We have made great strides since you were here. My husband is no longer afforded a part in public worship, even though we still attend the same congregation. His special gift has been in prayer, and the congregation has appreciated this gift so much. Of course it hurts to be rejected (by the powers that be), but we have been used of the Lord in a prayer ministry in a private way. The Lord continues his goodness to us in every way. —Name and address withheld