READERS' EXCHANGE

 

Thank you very much for that very exciting issue on Barton Stone. Thank God for you and other people who lift a strong voice now and again to those sturdy pioneers. We are the inheritors of something noble and good. —Perry Gresham, Bethany College, Bethany, W. V. 26032.

I was baptized 50 years ago and have been associated with the Restoration Movement since 1923. I served the instrumental congregations, but I have recently found something that has drawn me toward my brethren in the noninstrumental congregations, especially one group here in my own city. —J. B. Welsh, 826 Central Ave., Kansas City 66101.

(One mark of a united church is that our brethren will be able to move from one group to another without it being a big deal. We are sectarians so long as we hail such a move as a “conversion.” Because of justifiable differences we will have congregations that are unlike on the millennium, methodology, or instrumental music, but there must still be free exchange and communication between them. —Ed.)

Concerning your point about miracles being observed (your article on spiritual gifts), it would depend on the spiritual nature of the observer. Paul tells us that spiritual things can neither be known nor discerned by the natural man (1 Cor. 2:1 4). Perhaps we would all observe more if our spiritual eyes were opened as in the case of the young man in Elisha’s camp at Dothan. The angels and the chariots of fire were there all the time, but the young man couldn’t see them until his eyes were opened. —Lee Keesling, 4728 S. 29th St., Arlington, Va. 22206.

(While Lee’s point is well made, the idea I was suggesting, drawn in part from a definition of miracle by Bultmann, was that for an event to be a miracle it had to be observable by those around, to witness to them that .the phenomenon cannot be explained naturally. So it would be a demonstration to the unbelievers as well as believers. One would not have to have special insight to see that water was transformed into wine or that a dead Lazarus was made to come alive after being dead several days. The point is that however disinclined one would be toward the supernatural, he would have to admit that something beyond human power had taken place. If Bultmann is right that a miracle is always observable, then all those things that God must do abundantly, such as dispatching angels to rescue us from an impending danger (which no one sees and even we ourselves are unaware of), would not be miracles. Bultmann uses providence for the things that may well be supernatural, but not wonders (that is, seen by men). The larger point has to do with whether miracles have ceased. One so arguing needs to be careful how he defines his terms. —Ed.)

We are ourselves beginning a new ministry, as I will begin my advanced training in surgery in Rochester, N. Y. Although we finally feel led of the Lord to seek elsewhere than the Church of Christ for continuing growth and fellowship, we do not want to lose touch with our great heritage and our beautiful brothers and sisters who in Jesus and in the Church of Christ. We still pray with Jesus “that they (we) may be one.” —Mike and Nina Gehl, 253A Elmwood Terrace, Rochester, N. Y. 14620.

(I would that all who leave us (or take a sabbatical!) could do so with such love. More of us are beginning to realize that one does not necessarily leave Jesus when he leaves the Church of Christ. And rather than it being a lack of spiritually that prompts it, it may well be a greater commitment that causes it. While I understand, it still grieves me for such ones to leave, for they are among the very ones we need so badly. Why don’t we also show that we can love like this by writing to Mike and Nina and sharing with them in the Lord. —Ed.)

I would like to thank you for introducing me to the American Bible Society. I’ve enjoyed helping send the Bible around the world to those who do not have it in their own language. Also for information that is allowing us to enjoy helping the LeDoux family in Vietnam. It gives me more pleasure than building church houses and many other things we see “the Lord’s money” spent for these days. —Marguerite Mouser, Box 104, Rt. 4, Tullahoma, Tn. 37388.

We thank God for your publication and for your willingness to accept as brothers in Christ those with whom you disagree. How wonderfully our God works through the personalities of those who are open to His Spirit, and who truly are convinced that Jesus is both our Savior and Lord. May he bless your efforts toward unity and spiritual concern for all who are willing to let go of self and let God guide us in any way He sees fit regardless of the molds into which our brothers have confined us. What a joy to read publications that are open, informative, and challenging. The Lord is our strength and joy! —Helen Berg, 2401 Green Ave., Port Arthur, TX 77640.