READER'S EXCHANGE

 

    We know members of the Church of the Brethren who during a serious illness called for the anointing of oil and prayers as taught in Jas. 5:14. The pastor and his wife performed the anointing, but someone upset them by insisting that it wasn't valid because elders is in the plural. I studied the passage in several translations and commentaries and it does seem to indicate two or more elders, but I find it hard to believe that what they did was contrary to God's word. --Evan W. Price, Astoria, IL.

    (This is an example of how some well-meaning people would turn the Bible into a legal code. Jesus has delivered us from such legalistic exactitude. If a sick believer in view of the promise in Jas, 5:14 calls for the elders of the church and but one elder comes, we can only conclude that the spirit of the Scripture is honored and that God will bless such faith. It isn't the number of elders that gives it meaning but the faith of those involved. --Ed.)

    The article on women and children in the November issue was exceptionally timely. I feel no need to be "liberated." The Lord did that for me. Though they may be rare, there are men who believe in the Golden Rule and so they treat women as Jesus taught. So, there's no problem if we will treat others as we would have them treat us. So with children. If children were treated from birth according to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount there would be no mental or emotional problems, except in the case of brain damage. Think what it would mean to a child to be treated always by adults the way those adults themselves would like to be treated! What child is never called "Thou fool" by its own parents? --Rose Temple, Wallawa, OR.

    Let me ask you to comment on Phil. 4:2-3. There may be more here than we have allowed. Paul says "these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers . . ." Were these women merely teachers of women and children? Did they chair some committee? Did they just do such chores as washing dishes, fixing meals, and the jobs usually expected of women? Or did they actually contend at Paul's side "in the cause of the gospel" just like Clement, a man? I am not trying to "free up" women from any God-ordained restrictions, but I do want to know what the will of the Lord is and follow it. --Charles Holt, editor, The Examiner, Box 21584, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

    (This kind of courageous thinking gives you an idea of what you will find in Charles' new journal, The Examiner. He will add your name to his mailing list for the asking. As for the women who labored at Paul's side, there can be no question but that it was gospel work. But this would not have to mean that they too were evangelists or public proclaimers of the word. Most gospel work, whether by men or women, is of the quieter sort, anyway, isn't it? --Ed.)

    Your publication preserved me through my Bible College years! I am now pastoring with an excellent staff at a Church of Christ (Christian). --Barry Tucker, Florence, KY.

    It is so good to be free in the Lord! We belong to a Church of Christ group on the fringe that is accepted only by a couple of congregations in the area. We have love, peace, and harmony even though we do not see eye-to-eye on everything. --Richard Kruse, Toronto, Ontario, CN.