READER'S EXCHANGE

 

I have been a preacher for the Church of Christ for three years now, and was raised in the church. I want to thank you for your thought-provoking issues, especially the ones on fellowship and unity. You have opened a new door in my spiritual pilgrimage and for that I am thankful to God. While in one of our Christian colleges I took a course in Restoration History, but we were never taught about the unity aspect of the movement. I am amazed to discover some of the things that Alexander Campbell taught and now I realize that most Churches of Christ would not hesitate to disfellowship anyone who teaches some of the things he taught. While it is discouraging that we have moved so far from such grand teaching, I am nonetheless encouraged that many of the Churches of Christ are breaking out of the old molds and looking at God’s word afresh and many of our preachers would like to see us grow in the area of unity and fellowship. —Name withheld.

Your November issue surpassed them all. I loved it. I read your stuff and get mad and think and finally have to admit you’re right, even when I don’t like it. You have ruined some fine sermon texts. This one I liked and didn’t get mad even once. I especially agree that after death to this world, we’ll be growing and going for the Lord, maybe on our own Star Trek. Only it will be much grander than we can imagine, as you suggested. —Rod Cameron, Converse, IN.

I recently conducted a three-week class on the Restoration Movement and showed the class your journal. Here is a list of those who are especially interested in knowing more about the principles which you discuss. —Jerry Hughes, Dickinson, TX

Many of these names are people who will read your paper but might not subscribe on their own. I pray that our people might come through these times focused more on Jesus and less on the “Church of Christ.” —Sam E. Lee

(Some of our most appreciative readers first received the paper as a gift. You know people that would respond to what we are saying with a little encouragement from you. In clubs of four names or more, including your own renewal, the cost is hardly a factor at 3.00 per name per year. —Ed.)

If we deny love and fellowship to our Christian neighbor because he does not embrace all of our dogmas, we are rejecting one for whom Christ died. How then can we say that we love God whom we have not seen? Think!, please —Steward A. Hanson, Sr., Long Beach, CA.

A young business man recently visited our congregation and preached a beautiful sermon on grace. As I congratulated him on his open mind reaching a bit deeper than we usually do, he seemed very pleased. But an older member sidled up to hear our conversation and his changed expression said a lot. How our old brainwashing does endure! —Rose Temple, Wallowa, Oregon.

Just this evening I finished reading your anecdotal history of the Stone-Campbell Movement and I was so impressed with it that I had to write you. Of course you have been collecting the information for a lifetime, but you have put it all together for such a wonderful overview of the movement. Your questions and projects at the end of each chapter surely are thought-provoking, and I predict that your book will become a required textbook for a class in Restoration history. —Louanna Bawcom, Searcy, Arkansas

As a satirist I am inclined to rewrite Acts 2:38 so as to exclude divorce from forgiven sins. A Church of Christ preacher in Florida refuses to baptize any divorced person. That is terrible! —Lee Keesling, Arlington, Va.

(One of the impressive facts about apostolic preaching is that no such lines were ever drawn. While divorce was as common then as now, if not more so, the call of Christ was extended to all. It must be so today. Anyone can come to the Christ and be forgiven of any sins, whatever those sins may be. —Ed.)

I have read with much interest and enjoyment your excellent series on the Christian world view. I have thought of the Communist socialist ideology and the danger with which it threatens the world. Deeply involved in this humanistic ideology is the doctrine of the perfectibility of man, which assumes that man is basically good and if given the right environment can perfect himself. But the Christian believer sees this as a usurpation of the sovereignty of God, who alone has the power to bring man to perfection on that day. —Harold Fritz, Waynesville, Mo.

Your welcome publication arrives regularly at our house. It is like a monthly visit from the Garretts, and we relax in the comforts of our home and consider its contents. But do we the readers realize the work and research that goes into each issue. I’m sure we would be surprised and humbled if we knew the hours it takes both of you to ready the paper for mailing. I’m afraid we relish and glean the fruit of your labor of love without considering what we might do to help. The subscription price is meager, so we must show our appreciation by sending in subscriptions for others and an occasional contribution. —Homer and Elva Matson, Jefferson, Oregon.

My husband and I really enjoy the paper. We especially look for the reports on how our churches are changing. We, too, are changing in our thinking. —Wisconsin.

Since reading your The Stone-Campbell Movement I have become an avid reader of Restoration Review. I may have stacks of medical journals to be read, but when your journal comes I read it cover to cover that day. I have been frustrated by the subtle attitude’ within Christian Churches/Churches of Christ that we are right and that there is little room for varying opinions. I long supposed that I was the only one who felt this way, and I once felt guilty for having such great fellowship with a Baptist brother. Your writings have shown me that I am part of a growing number among us who have the same spirit. —Dr. Steve Plettner, Kulpahar, India.