READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I was born and raised in the Churches of Christ. At age 12 I was converted to the Churches of Christ. In my mid-twenties I was converted to Jesus Christ, and no one will ever be able to pressure me or intimidate me into trading my allegiance to Jesus for allegiance to some human system like the Churches of Christ.—David R, Reagan, Central Church of Christ, Irving, Texas

Our services are much different from those in the States in that we meet in houses with dirt floors and small poles laced together for walls. Through the walls we can see a sow feeding her pigs. Last Sunday a wild pig was tethered in the room. Those passing by to lay their contribution on the table had to stay clear and those near it were hesitate to kneel too close to it. So we have odors to put up with and we keep busy fighting off mosquitoes.—J. C. Reed, Flores, Peten, Guatamala

I hope that you, Ouida, Carl and Nell are around to see the full fruit of your efforts. Already we are seeing the first fruits. Praise the Lord for his mighty work through a bunch of clay pots!—John Trotter, Columbus, Georgia

(A bunch of clay pots! That really puts us all where we belong, and it is right from the Scripture. —Editor)

Your attitude has helped me to be aloof of petty opinions which have become a doctrine for many of us. The righteous will prevail in spite of self-righteousness. --Charles Steele, Richmond, Kentucky

As a minister it is my job to proclaim the whole counsel of God, not the law only but the gospel as well. People come to me with questions about divorce and remarriage which have no “right” answers according to the divine ideal. They have gone too far for that. But I see my responsibility as going beyond speaking the law. I am to speak God’s agape, and I cannot ignore human sexual needs, the need of children for two resident parents, emotional stability, and moral direction where people are. There must be a wrestling with the guilt of divorce, and this can take place either as an honest Bible study and prayer in the traditional pattern, or as counseling in which the dimensions of the alienation are explored in the divine presence and corrections of mind and spirit are integrated into the personality. But this is all done in the context of the gospel—the good news of him who has given us everlasting hope.—Daniel Griglis, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

I have found in my short span of life (57 years) that everyone has his own brand of love. If one will line up with a certain party, they are the most loving people this side of heaven, but if you don’t line up and simply choose to be a no-party Christian, they don’t know you from Adam’s off-ox. And, brother, I know what I’m talking about, and I think you do too.—Seth B. Dodge, Dallas, Oregon

Someone had you send me the Restoration Review and I like it so much that I want others to have it. I’m enclosing a check for ten dollars, the club price, and my renewal is one of the names. Thank you and God bless you.—Nora Hudson, Wetumpka, Oklahoma

(This continues to be the most effective way of acquainting more people with this journal. We encourage you to think of four others when it comes time for you to renew. You stand a good chance of blessing someone.—Editor)

I am not angry with you but disappointed. For years I have considered you a hero of the faith, a warhorse of the restoration. I think the Master teacher might reprove you on two statements in your “Pilgrimage to Princeton.” These are: “These Presbyterians are also my sisters and brothers in Christ,” and “The essence of the faith . . . can be the only basis for a united church.” There are certain sine qua nons in God’s economy: faith, repentance, confession and baptism. The Presbyterians have not been scripturally baptized and I think you should not call them brothers.—Frank Kerns, Rush, Colorado

(Such ones would not be my sisters or brothers because they are Presbyterians, but in spite of that. There are no Presbyterians or “Church of Christers” in Christ. Only Christians are in Christ, and they are all my sisters and brothers. Yes, of course, they are to be “scripturally” baptized, but let us not be judgmental on that point.—Editor)