Pilgrimage of Joy. . . No. 50

NOTHING IS AS IMPORTANT AS JESUS
W. Carl Ketcherside

The year of 1972 will never be forgotten by Richard Nixon. It must both thrill and haunt his every waking moment. It was the time of his greatest triumph. It was also the beginning of his downfall. On November 7 he was re-elected to serve a second term with a vote well in excess of forty-seven million. In February, accompanied by Henry Kissinger, he had gone to Communist China. The television screen in every American home registered the progress he made in his negotiations. It was a time of exhilaration for him. His goals were being realized. His dreams were coming true.

On the night of June 17 occurred the Watergate break-in. Those who were apprehended had electronic equipment in their possession. The incident was not at first seen in its full potential. The poison in its fangs was well concealed. On June 22, and again on August 29, President Nixon assured the nation that no one in his administration had anything to do with it. But after his re-election, the serpent began to uncoil itself, striking first at this one and then at another. Before it was over the pride of the haughty would be humbled. The dream temple would lie in shattered ruin. A hero would become a villain. And disillusionment would spread like a pall over the nation.

On May 2, J. Edgar Hoover would die of a heart attack in Washington. He was 77 years of age. He had been Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 1924. Hated by Communists and fellow-travelers alike, he had seemed like a towering rock against those who would undermine our national ideals. He had been at the forefront of the battle when roving gangs sought to pillage us. As he grew older, the first accusing fingers were pointed in his direction and he had to reckon with a new kind of opposition. His opponents carried briefcases filled with statistics rather than machine-guns filled with bullets. It was like an old stag brought to bay by the pack yapping at his heels, making his last stand with his back against the mountain. On May 15, Governor George C. Wallace was shot by a 21 year old drifter, Arthur Bremer, in Laurel Maryland. The day after Christmas Harry S. Truman died in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 88.

I began the year in sunny California in Escondido. The “College of the Bible” attracted brethren from all over the region. I spoke each night at the congregation and held an open forum each morning. Men and women seemed intrigued by the fact that they could ask anything they desired. We did not always agree but we had a glorious time in the Lord. No one asked whether you were this or that. It seemed enough that all were in Christ, all wanted to learn, and all were teachable. Between sessions I addressed civic clubs in the area and spoke to other special groups. In all of these encounters I kept in mind the motto of Alexander Campbell: “He that would plead this heavenly cause must stand before the people with peace in his heart, union upon his lip, and truth in his eye.”

The last of January I returned to Florida College for the lectureship. An attack upon the principles which I espoused was to be made and I wanted to be present for it. When I was there before G. K. Wallace, Pat Hardeman and Bill Humble were the prominent figures. All of them had occupied really prime spots on the program. Now all of them were out. Their names were not even mentioned. I met with a number of students, at their request, in a room in the men’s dormitory for several hours in the afternoon. They were full of questions. I answered them without reservation. It was suggested that I appear before everyone and take their queries. The school, which was presided over by James Cope, would not allow such an arrangement as if it were part of the lectureship proceedings. It was arranged that it be held at 10:00 o’clock after all regular activities were over. It was to be in the building of the University Church of Christ.

Standing room only was the word which went forth fifteen minutes before the scheduled time. Every conceivable niche was filled for the meeting which lasted three hours and finally ended at 1:00 o’clock a.m. It provided the greatest excitement of the lectureship. I spoke for thirty minutes on my concept of fellowship. I was followed by Robert Turner, who admitted that he had only read a copy or two of Mission Messenger. I then sat down on the platform with Brother Turner, and we were joined by Ferrell Jenkins and Harry Pickup, Jr. It was interesting to watch the men who did the questioning. Some of the older preachers imagined themselves to be prosecuting attorneys with myself as defendant. Since I refused to accept the role or play their game they did not know what to do next. They were accustomed to someone who rolled over and played dead when they queried him. An occasional student seized the limelight to establish himself as one of “the faithful” But the majority of the audience listened seriously and soberly.

I am convinced that great good was done, especially with the more observant and erudite students. I have seen reports in the more partisan journals that at least fifty of the most brilliant students in the sect have been affected by my plea. It would seem that this fact alone would cause the party leaders to take thought. If only lazy and sloven students were affected it might be brushed aside as of little consequence, but when top-notch students see the value of the priorities emphasized it is another matter. Since that fateful night in the history of our modern thrust for renewal I have done a lot of thinking about the brethren who oppose support of what they call institutionalism.

I reject the brand of “antis” as applied to these brethren. It is silly and childish. All of us are “anti” on a lot of things. In some respects their contentions are but an extension of some of my own former efforts. But the charge quite frequently made by their opponents that they “out-Sommer” Daniel Sommer is not to be credited. Their position is not the same as his. I knew Daniel Sommer personally. He was often in my home. He ate at my table and shared with me his thinking. The brethren at Florida College are not espousing a warmed-over version of the Sommer ideology.

I think the rise of the party is a phenomenon which occurs at periodic intervals in every group which is based upon a legalistic stance for its survival. The only safeguard against it is the investiture of one man with infallibility, and the universal recognition of him as the authority. As long as that authority is respected and revered the organization will remain intact. It is because of the erosion of authority that the great monolithic structure of the Roman Catholic Church is faced with such problems in our day. The seeds of division are inherent in every legalistic group. Given the correct conditions they will germinate and a fracture will occur.

The regarding of the New Testament scriptures as a written code of laws coupled with the idea that God provided an exact pattern to be meticulously followed in all ages has operated in such a way as to defy the lordship of Jesus and substitute the rule of dominant men. These have generally been editors among the various segments of the Churches of Christ. Sometime they have been elders who were inflexible. Every time the culture altered division has occurred. Every time someone learns something a new schism occurs. Division is part and parcel of the attitude toward the plan of God. It is not at all a question of respect for the authority of the Word, but of respect for a particular way of looking at it. Many men have deep regard for the revelation of heaven who do not have the same regard for the interpretation of an editor.

As I view it, these brethren are guilty of profound errors in their reasoning. They do not distinguish between the gospel of Christ and the doctrine of the apostles. They do not understand the nature of worship. They do not understand the nature of fellowship. They have arisen as a protest movement against what they considered certain abuses, and allowed it to gravitate into a separate and exclusive party. This was the great mistake. Brethren may think as they wish about Herald of Truth, and they will do so. They may support it or not support it. They may watch it or not watch it. But when either group creates a party around its deduction it becomes factional. And factionalism is a sin. This makes their opinion as important as the death of Jesus. One must believe it to be regarded as in the faith. It becomes an unwritten creed. But nothing is as important as Jesus --- just nothing!

Of course each party attracts those persons who thrust themselves into prominence by intemperate and injudicious statements. They generally prove to be an embarrassment to those who sigh for Jerusalem and are sincerely saddened by division and strife among the saints. Partisan papers agitate the situation by publishing almost vituperative reports against those who disagree with them. H. E. Phillips wrote in Searching the Scriptures, a monthly periodical, about “the despicable doctrine of fellowship.” Others were almost as uncouth in their attacks. But none of these things move me. The road of a reformer has always been a rocky route to travel. But there are great rewards.

Changing the subject, two deaths occurred during the year that were of some significance. Alexander Campbell Johnson, Jr., died at the age of 74. Maria Louise Campbell Barclay died at the age of 105. Both of them were the great-grandchildren of Alexander Campbell. Alexander himself had died on March 4, 1866. It was the Lord’s Day and just as it drew to a close he was called to his eternal rest. Now his great-grandchildren were going home at an advanced age.

March 6-10 found me at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Because of a building program our meetings were held in the YMCA building. I arrived just in time to see a member of a rock music group baptized. The leader had been in the hospital as a result of a real bad drug trip, when a candy-striper met him, told him about Jesus, and changed his entire life. His conversion had a great effect upon the other members and one by one they discovered the tug of the Galilean upon their hearts and made the great transformation. They were a jovial group who had tried everything the world had to offer.

They conceived the idea of writing Jesus words to some of their tunes and belting them out to the far-out generation who made the scene.

They suggested that we make a joint appearance on the university campus where they had been “big time” before. I agreed and they secured Presidents hall. By this time they were calling themselves HOPE, and they put up posters all over the place with our pictures and the inscription “Hope With Carl.” I was astounded at the drawing power they exhibited. The great hall filled completely and students and faculty jostled for standing room around the walls. They spilled out into the hall.

For almost an hour HOPE played and sang. I did not understand a word they were saying. They testified of their faith and then introduced me as “The Answer Man.” I went for fifty minutes. The questions were terrific. Some tried to trip me up as the Pharisees had done with Jesus. I sailed through the troubled waters without a break. Many of the questions were significant and penetrating. The entire thing was televised. It made the meeting. The night sessions were filled with people. The day sessions produced an interested group who were eager to know. I am pleased to report that all the members of the rock music group went back to school. One became a schoolteacher. The other four became preachers of the gospel. God works in wonderful ways and through all kinds of agencies. How wonderful of His grace to turn drug users into disciples of the Nazarene and into useful servants of His kingdom.