READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I notice that you say that the church has no name at all. Of course the church (Bride) has a name, but you won’t find it in the NT. How would you like to be attached to a nameless woman or bride? You will find the God-given name is Hephzi-bah (Is. 62:4). I am starting a drive to have Churches of Christ take down their signs reading “Churches of Christ” and underscored by Ro. 16:16 and have them replaced by “Hephzi-bah” and underscored by Is. 62:4. Different localities can further identify themselves as “Non-Instrumental” or “UnColored” or whatever. This would make us super-scriptural, don’t you think? But I ain’t expecting no stampede! - F. L. Lemley, 128 N. Norwine, Bonne Terre, Mo. 63628

I spent a little time with the Church of Christ in our town. We have two of them here, one that uses literature and one that doesn’t. It broke my heart to note their refusal to accept me as a brother in Christ. I didn’t realize that our salvation was dependent upon the right or wrong use of instrumental music. By the way, I am an organist and pianist, so I guess I am really off the track. But it is such periodicals as Restoration Review and Mission Messenger that is encouraging to me. We had a lady sing with an interdenominational group in the city at our church. She was from the Church of Christ. I told her in public that it was great to get to know other members in the family of God. —A. William Johnson, First Christian Church, 432 E. Pleasant, Tulare, Ca. 93274

(The Restoration Movement was launched on the premise that fellowship is based only upon what is clearly set forth in scripture and not upon private opinions. Those who make the instrument a test of fellowship are violating that principle rather than upholding it. —Ed.)

I’ve been getting your little paper for about two years now, and its been such a blessing to me. I get papers from all sides of the Restoration Spectrum. When yours and Carl’s Mission Messenger hit the mailbox, its like a breath of fresh air. Reading diverse material is a great learning experience. My only sorrow is that Mission Messenger will close this year, for it has been such a blessing to me. —Jack E. Wallace, 4114 Sunrise Blvd., S., Mogadore, Oh. 44260

(While there is no way to replace Mission Messenger, it will be good news to many that Carl Ketcherside will be writing for this paper, beginning the month following the cessation of his own paper. Details of this will be given in the fall. —Ed.)

I read your article “Textuary vs. Expository Teaching (or Preaching)” and I appreciate your interest in keeping Bible texts in their context. But may I exhort you to do the same thing in your articles in Restoration Review! Re-read your own articles, especially the one bearing the above title and be reminded that you are guilty of doing what you accused one of your teachers who delivered the sermon in Ryman Auditorium. What did he teach in that textual sermon that fouled up the scripture so grossly? The Bible is its own best interpreter and the analogy of the Faith (Ro. 12:6) will bear this fact out. —Jimmy Vest, Chestnut Dr. Church of Christ, Doraville, Ga. 30340

(The text he fouled up was “If a man hath not the spirit of Christ he is none of his” in Ro. 8:9. He made this apply to having the attitude or temperament that Jesus had, especially in reference to truth and error. In my article I endeavored to point out that in its context this is referring to the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In this journal we make no claim of being completely free of the errors we seek to correct, just as any other teacher in any other teaching situation. But we thank our brother for the admonition and we shall give heed. —Ed.)

Especially did I appreciate reading again the clear distinction between the good news and the didache. Since being convinced of the difference myself and having tried to share it with others, 1 find how deeply entrenched tradition is. I have asked many to give one verse where the two are the same and used inter-changeably or where the good news is to be heralded to the assembly of believers, but I haven’t had the first verse mentioned yet. The other day I saw a list of “sermons” that a brother was giving to an assembly of believers, advertised as a “gospel” meeting. The subjects included the orphan home issue and liberalism in the church. I thought, what a terrible abuse of such a tremendous word! - Michael Hall, 1515 Huron St., Niles, Mi. 49120

I received the supply of back issues. I read one every day, and will probably read them all again. All I can say is that I never got such a bargain for three bucks. - J. A. Poer, Crown Point, In. 46307

(Others of you might try this. We’ll send you a random selection of back issues, dating back ten years or more, 18 of them for 3.00 while they last. —Ed.)

This journal is published each month except July and August. This is the June issue, Vol. 17, No.6. The next issue will be our September number, Vol. 17, No. 7. You may subscribe at anytime of the year for $2.00 per annum, two years for $3.00. You may request back issues at 20 cents each as they are available. Bound volumes are available back to 1967.