READER'S EXCHANGE

 

If there is one thing we in the Church of Christ need to re-examine it is hermeneutics. What a mess we have made of it! Often I have heard it said that the New Covenant is the New Law, which is the New Testament. Until we overcome such thinking there will never be unity, for this is "intellectual predestination," which is that only by being smart enough to interpret the Bible correctly can one be saved, and we are the ones who define what "correctly" means. — New York

I really appreciated "Is the Bible to be Taken Literally?" in the February issue. I think I will copy it and distribute it to my Sunday School class if that is acceptable with you. — Frank Musgrave, First Christian Church, Chehalis, WA

You and Carl Ketcherside have been two of the most influential people in my life and I am thankful that you have stirred up the brotherhood to think about where we are and where we're going. I go to Haiti in March with a Methodist group to build a school. Please pray for the work there. — Norman Hawbaker, Decatur, IL.

For many years we have respected and appreciated you for your work among us. We join with you in gratitude for our God who is our Rock, our Hope, our Refuge, our Tower of Strength. We weep with you as we share the sorrow of separation from loved ones. And we share with you the desire to love and to help, and "to keep our heart fit for His holy sight" as Ouida's favorite hymn puts it. — Bob and Mary Lou Martin, The Church on the Hill, Kimberlin Heights, TN.

The strength of your articles have added to my vision of knowing Jesus Christ and understanding His church. They have helped in times of trouble within the local Body; they have made me hurt more whenever I see the Body hurting or splitting; they have driven me to proclaim His majesty overseas, where I hope to be in 18 months. — John A. Robinson, Vancouver, WA.

May our Lord continue to use you to the increased love and brotherhood of His people. Give our love to Ouida. When our children were growing up Harold was gone so much, and I could not accompany him. I can empathize with you, Ouida. We admire you for your faithful ministry to your mother. — Roxie Thomas, Conway, AR.

(Many ask about Ouida's mother's condition. Soon to be 91, she is very frail and feeble and senile, but otherwise in good health. She occasionally fails, which is especially a problem to Ouida when I am not home since she cannot lift her by herself. Ouida was touched by the story of Mother Teresa who not only taught her nurses to succor the diseased and dying on the streets of Calcutta but to do it with joy. So she not only wants to care for her mother but to do it with joy, which I would say she does, beautifully. Mother Pitts has now been with us five years, and, bless her heart, she still supposes she is just visiting, and frequently talks about going home to see her mother, who would be 120 if still living. What a mystery life is! — Ed.)

You might be interested to know that the West Amarillo and the Forest Hill churches merged last summer. We were sister congregations in the non-Bible class branch. Our leaders are all very compatible and working well together. Thank you for your love, for caring enough to stretch our minds through the years, for being sweet friends. — Helen and David McCormack, Amarillo, TX.