READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I would like to express my appreciation for what you are writing has meant to me since I began to read Restoration Review. I just wish I had encountered you and a few other brothers many years ago. It is a shame that one who is brought up in the C. of C. and attended a couple of church schools could be spiritually blind for so many years. It is a double indictment of myself and my supposed teachers.—Name Withheld (teacher at a Church of Christ college)

Occasionally we come to think that ours is the only group that has had a struggle. Things are happening all over. Just recently some fine families from the Christian Church came to us, swelling our number to almost 100. They are from an “instrumental church,” but that is no barrier between us.—Hank Allan, Church of Christ, 919 Laurent Ave., Caruthersville, Missouri 63830.

God be thanked for your Christ-like attitude concerning instrumental music. We must learn to apply the principle of Rom. 14 (and context) to all the unwritten creeds that some of our churches impose upon Christians. I confess I do find application most difficult. How does a minister speak and act so as to extend “fellowship” to those with whom he differs on “issues,” and yet not unduly disturb those who would “blow a fuse” at the thought of accepting those with whom they differ? Perhaps the answer is in the grace of God. —Mike Brashears, Rice Avenue Church of Christ, 6033 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire, Texas 77401 (Mike describes himself as “non-class, not anti”!).

The theme for the next two years is one that will fill a great need. Would you deal with 1 Cor. 14:34-35 and I Tim. 2:11-1 2 as soon as feasible? I had a mixed Wednesday evening class studying and practicing prayer, with several of our ladies participating so beautifully. Then someone started beating us over the head with these passages. So we are back to the traditional practice. I hope and pray that we can resume the more spiritually enriching sharing in prayers soon. Some of your perceptive insights can be helpful. - Claude Counselman, 760 W. J. St., Benicia, Ca. 94510.

(I do not plan to deal with these passages in the series on The Word Abused, but a piece will soon appear on “Women and Body Ministry” which may be helpful.—Ed.)

Your evaluation of Lemmon’s speech indicates that you classify Mission on the left. I would be delighted to see it cease publication. Where and with whom do you therefore classify me?—J. D. Bales, Searcy, Ar.72143

(I answered this good and dear man, whom I greatly respect, that I classify him as my brother beloved, and that I have no interest in seeing him in any other light. And I believe he considers me his brother, one that he loves, however far right or left I may be. Our brother will probably get his wishes about Mission and all the rest of our publications, for they will all end. “When that which is perfect is come, Mission and Restoration Review will be done away.” Possibly even before! J.D. only needs to be patient.—Ed.)

Please note that “McGarvey on Romans 14:3” as represented on page 371 of Vol. 16, No. 9 was actually written some three years after McGarvey died according to a note on p. 372 of the commentary on Romans quoted. Whatever may be true on the matter, I doubt that brother McGarvey considered instrumental music as a matter of indifference, unless he did change his mind after death.—Howard McClellan, 613 S. E. 33rd St., Edmond, OK. 73034

(We thank Howard for this correction. We believe it can be documented, however, that brother Pendleton, who wrote the last few pages following McGarvey’s death, correctly represented his views. He was non-instrumental in that he personally could not use it or endorse it, but he was not anti-instrument in that he did not make it a test of fellowship or a condition for unity. Brother McGarvey always continued in the fellowship with instrumentalists, as he did with Philip Pendleton, who finished his commentary for him. Brother McGarvey’s position is our position.—the Editor)

I was raised in a most traditional Church of Christ setting, but I am no longer tied to the traditions. We have a new congregation in Ithaca and we are not shackled by tradition. We also are not worried about what our sister congregations think. Your article on autonomy was most helpful in putting this into perspective.—D. R. Price, 119 Salem Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850

Your article, “The Woman I Cannot Forget,” was greatly appreciated. The simple reason: I am a Funeral Director. The experience you had in California is indeed legion. In the heart of every caring mortician lies the memory of many “forgotten people.” Speaking as only one from my profession, I thank you for calling this pathetic situation to the attention of your readers.—Rex Tilly, Gatesville Funeral Home, Gatesville, TX 76528

Harry Fox, Sr., a great irenic Christian, passed today. Blessed in the sight of the Lord! - Harold Thomas, Los Angeles, Ca.

How readily we editors assume that we have the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and how glibly we use the party jargon to please our constituencies! Or does the Lord perhaps read our papers and wonder about our definitions? - Edwin V. Hayden, Christian Standard, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Thanks for publishing Restoration Review. I cannot express in words how much looking honestly at the Church of Christ has meant to me. I felt and knew there was something wrong with our thinking but I could not express it. You are putting into words what has been in my heart and mind. Best wishes to you as you continue to make us think and see things from other perspectives that have a truly spiritual ring of truth to them. My prayer will continue to be that the Lord blesses you with wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that His purposes may be accomplished through you and others. ~ Pete Ragur, 3020 67th, Lubbock, Tx. 79413.