READER'S EXCHANGE

 

In reference to William Barclay in the April issue, maybe we could make him an honorary member of the Church of Christ?—Numa Crowder, Macomb, IL.

I had just received your history book when your card arrived. I have been able only to leaf through the book but hope very soon to study it through. Your authorship is ample guarantee of the merits of the book. I remember your work from its early beginnings and have very much appreciated it through the years. I still remember with gratitude the opportunity I had to meet and talk with you at the Unity Forum in Nashville in 1974. As I approach 72 I am still in full time ministry plus a number of extracurricular activities.—David H. Bobo, Fountain Square Church of Christ, Indianapolis.

How did Christ answer the question of liberal-conservative? He said John the Baptist came appealing to the conservative while he appealed to the liberal (Lk. 7:31-35) and both were rejected. “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (verse 35). I take this to mean that those who learn to love, as the two commandments and the new commandment teach, can accept both extremes and come up with a balanced Christianity. It is extremism that keeps the gospel from spreading. Today in America the stress is on “the church teaches” instead of “Christ teaches.”—Bob Wilson, Cincinnati, Oh.

I have really enjoyed your publication for the last year. It is so refreshing to find someone in the Church of Christ who acknowledges that it is possible we don’t have all the answers. I have for years feared that our attitude was much closer to the first century Pharisees (who also had all the answers) than the first century church as we have claimed. We should examine the Lord’s comments in Jn. 5:19-47, with particular emphasis on verses 37-42. If we read this with open hearts I believe conviction could very well result. There are all kinds of Christians out here who feel most comfortable with Church of Christ general doctrine but have a great problem with the dogmatism attached to the peripheral issues.—Don Harris, Garland, TX.

Congratulations on an outstanding issue (May). I read it from cover to cover without putting it down. I was especially impressed by your article on baptism. It took a lot of courage, and I imagine you will receive a lot of flack, but PTL! But I must challenge one statement. The Bible never says we are “saved by baptism.” 1 Pet. 3:21 says “In like manner baptism saves you,” or “baptism,’ which corresponds to this, now saves you. He is using a comparative analogy to the water of Noah’s flood, and it is obvious that Noah was not saved by the water but by the grace of God.—David Reagan, Box 527, Plano, TX 75074.

You continue to tax my thinking. You make me think about things and problems that I had rather shun, but honesty will not permit me to do that. While I maintain that you are way out in left field on a number of subjects and I’ll tell anyone “Read brother Garrett’s writings with great caution!,” I’ll also tell them “Be honest and open!”—Tharon Wayne Marshall, Gurley, IL.

When I was a child I knew the people of the Church of Christ where we were members as friendly, congenial folk that seemed like members of my family. To be with them was like being with relatives, and being at church was like being at home. As I grew older and attended high school and college at Lipscomb I began to learn a different side of the Church of Christ. The narrowness, the pettiness, the self-righteous sectarianism, the vicious attacking and fighting over contrived issues showed me a different aspect. . . I began visiting the Park Ave. Christian Church (New York City) and to read Garrison and DeGroot. It soon became clear to me that I had re-found my long-lost church home. The warm, loving spirit of the people was overwhelming, and I began for the first time in many years to experience the church in a setting that was not judgmental, self-righteous, legalistic, or unpleasant in general. I have been at home with Disciples ever since those days and can’t help wishing the same joyful and creative experience for all my former Church of Christ friends that are so cramped and distorted by the legalisms of restorationism.—Name withheld

(This man’s family was very influential in the Church of Christ in Nashville, and we give part of his testimony to show that disheartened Church of Christ folk find their way out of what they see to be a predicament in different ways. Some can go to the Disciples or to the Christian Church, and thus remain within our historic heritage, and some cannot. Some go to other denominations or to the Bible churches. Some unfortunately quit church altogether. Some remain and endure considerable discomfort in hopes of changing things. Ours must be an attitude of forbearance, realizing that when our sisters and brothers choose to leave us they are not necessarily leaving Christ or his church. And we must be most helpful of those who are still with us, who are suffering like this brother once suffered.—Ed.)

I have felt for sometime that the movement as a whole had something vital to give specifically to this day in an emphasis upon a truly rational and genuinely warm approach to the Bible . . .I think that an offense to the mind is in fact an offense to the heart. - Roger Carstensen, Athens, Ga.

We regret to be a month behind in our mailing schedule, which is due in part to back-to-back illnesses of the editor, a kidney infection and then hepatitis. But you should receive your next issue, the September number, during that month. You will remember that we do not publish in July and August.

Dave Reagan, who leads our tour to Israel in November, says that one is safer now in Israel than before, for the PLO is no longer firing into Israel. Send for a brochure if you think you might be able to make the trip with us. If ever you plan to go, this should be the time.

We have now sold nearly 750 copies of The Stone-Campbell Movement by Leroy Garrett from our office alone. The reviews and responses are encouraging, especially from the rank and file. It is readable, entertaining, and informative, they say. The price is 21.95 postpaid. You should do yourself a favor and read this book.