OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

It appears that we have inadvertently become involved in a small dispute, stemming from our commendatory remarks about Tom Warren in his recent debate in Denton. I have received a reprint of what Dr. Warren said about Prof. James D. Bales of Harding College in his book, Keeping The Lock In Wedlock, charging him with holding views like those of Ketcherside and Garrett, especially in reference to distinguishing between gospel and doctrine which he suggests is what led us astray. Dr. Warren was not surprised, therefore, when Prof. Bales was commended by Restoration Review, and he states unequivocally that he would be alarmed if he should ever be commended by this journal. And we did just that. Well, you can’t win them all. As for our views on gospel and doctrine leading us astray, we suppose Dr. Warren would also say that “this error,” as he describes it, is also what corrupted both Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Isaac Errett, and J. W. McGarvey, to name only a few, who also made this distinction. The Campbells went so far as to say that the failure to make such a distinction was the cause of many errors.

David Reagan sent us a Xerox copy of a certificate issued to Raccoon John Smith, the famous pioneer preacher, by the American Christian Missionary Society in 1861. It is signed by A. Campbell, President. It certifies that Smith was a “Director for Life of the American Christian Missionary Society” by virtue of a $100.00 donation made in his behalf by Alexander Campbell. While we appreciate having this historical document, we are fully aware that it would serve as an indictment against these two leading pioneers by the powers that be in the Church of Christ today, which has an “anti-Society” condition for fellowship. Raccoon John Smith a director of the missionary society! His membership fee paid by Alexander Campbell, who also signed the document as president! To whom shall we turn? Even the exemplary J. W. McGarvey, while anti-organ, was also for the Society. If these men lived today, they could not belong to “the true church.” But we hope this notice will not cause these good brethren to be disfellowshipped posthumously. If this happens, we’ll accept them into our congregation here in Denton. Since we have some dis-spirited bodies we should be able to abide some disembodied spirits!