READERS' EXCHANGE

 

I hope my sunset years will last years longer, but we may be gone tomorrow. There is a lot of work I want to do. I am working on an autobiography. I shall not tell you who it is about. —James D. Bales, Searcy, AR.

The notion that our Church of Christ is an exact replica of the New Testament church is as ludicrous as the man who claimed that an axe he had in his possession had been in the family for a hundred years. Upon being questioned closely, it was discovered that the axe that his grand-father had owned had had four handles and two heads. Brethren, God has millions of Christians who never heard of Barton Stone, Alexander Campbell or Marshall Keeble. — Ivory James, Jr., Riviera Beach, FL (In a speech at Gold Coast Restoration Forum, Miami)

The Church of Christ that I attended last Sunday had a sermon that really surprised me. You could not have improved on what was said. They used to be an “us only” group but they have become non-judgmental of brothers who differ in opinions. — Margaret Williams, San Angelo, TX.

(We can take heart that there is an increasing number of reports like this. We are at last tiring of our sectarianism and are hungering for something more. — Ed.)

When will we learn to show mercy? When will we become patient until others have time to learn? When will we accept the fact that in some things we are wrong ourselves? None of us is a perfect composite of all truth. We have decided that we have it, and that if others want it they can come to us and get it. Reuel Lemmons in Image (Reproduced in Pulpit Helps, August, 1986)

(Many are encouraged that a Church of Christ publication is saying things like this. That it is picked up by the general church press shows that we will be listened to when we show more openness. But I admit to a bit of curiosity as to what Brother Lemmons would name when he concedes that the Church of Christ is wrong about some things. Have we been wrong, for instance, in making instrumental music a test of fellowship? Have we been wrong in claiming to be the one and only true church? Have we been wrong in claiming to be the only true Christians? Have we been wrong in saying that we are not a denomination while all others are? Those who would lead us to green pastures might help us more if they would be more like the way insurance policies read, to wit. We have been wrong, namely . . . When a prophet starts naming his people’s sins, he really gets their attention — sometimes more than he asks for! — Ed.)

The things I’m reading in Restoration Review, One Body, Integrity, and Image are encouraging for the most part. I’m not quite so pessimistic as I was for awhile. God will work it all out His way, I’m sure. We just don’t want to miss His boat! — L. A. Boyll, Indianapolis, Jn.