READERS' EXCHANGE

 

We think your paper is tops and hesitate to criticize or make suggestions. However, I feel I must do so. Just what do you hope to accomplish in forsaking the generic he/him for she/her? You’ve had a little fun with it, so why not return to the normal way of speaking? It is just possible that some of your subscribers might take you for a nut or a secret agent of Bella Abzug and the woman’s lib. No fooling. --- Willard Vanderford, Tulsa, Ok.

(I’ve accomplished my purpose, to get people to think! By whose standard is he generic, referring to both sexes? Why not let she be generic? It is but one more reflection of a tradition of male dominance. Why should Scripture read, “He that hath the Son hath life” instead of “Anyone who has the Son has life”? Bible translators are presently seeking ways to correct this. I have not forsaken the he/him thing, but occasionally use she/her, so as to make a point. The sisters love it! When I taught at a woman’s university we had a dean (an English professor, who else!) who insisted on referring to “the student” as he/him, when they were all women, insisting it was generic! But I am not necessarily a women’s libber. Just a libber! ---Ed.)

I’m glad that our son phoned you concerning his approval of “Jesus: The Restoration Ideal.” I too agree with the article. You may recall that I phoned you several months ago to the effect that “the party spirit” (a work of the flesh) is our real problem. --- E. L. Keesling, Arlington, Va.

I continue to appreciate RR and your stimulating and helpful writings. God has used you to bless so many through your writing. Keep up the good work until He comes. ---Roy Weece, Columbia, Mo.

(If the Lord wills, Ouida and I will do our thing with this journal “through the 80’s,” as we are putting it, which will make four decades, which may be too long. But we take the months and the issues one at a time, and no one knows the time or the hour we will close down. We are only saying that we are at His disposal. Until He comes! It is an interesting way to put it. If my friend, David Reagan, whose favorite sermon is “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” is right, the Missouri brother’s exhortation is in order. I like the idea, editing this paper until Jesus comes, but that could make me the editor with the greatest longevity in history. Who really knows? One thing for sure, I will rejoice to see Him. When I asked Carl Ketcherside about seeing Jesus, he said, “I’ll hug His neck.” The time may not be all that important, but the reality of it is. --- Ed.)

I have been a member of the Lord’s body (and of the Church of Christ) for 25 years, and some of my most encouraging moments have been in reading your publication and learning that all Christians are not blind. Fortunately I am now part of a great fellowship with the Church of Christ in Belle Chasse, La. We are trying to relate to people’s needs. --- Dan Jones, New Orleans, La.