READER'S EXCHANGE

 

When both parents pass away there is a change which takes place in a person. Now that my father is gone as well as my mother I know I can never in this life ask for their advice. It now falls on me to "play the man," knowing that I am now the head of my class. It makes a difference in one's life-view. My father was a good man. -Loyd Hall, Gatesville, TX.

Thank you for such a good publication. It keeps me hopeful for the future of the Churches of Christ -Marlene Oehlschlaeger, Princeville, OR.

There are sweeping changes taking place in Churches of Christ all across the country. It is the biggest reformation of thought that I have seen in my 33 years of life. While I would credit those whose goal has been to stimulate us to think and to change our unbiblical and ungodly attitudes, I also credit the availability of readable translations of the Bible. While the King James and American Standard versions may be acceptable, they are difficult for one who simply wants to find out what God wants him to do. Many of us have been illiterate when it comes to reading the Bible for comprehension. Now that we have the NIV, the RSV, and the New American Standard there is no excuse to remain ignorant of the Bible. But it appears that there is an "old guard" in the Churches of Christ that does not want people reading these versions and prefer that the people remain ignorant and thus be dependant on them for an interpretation of the Bible. -Randy Travis, Madisonville, KY.

There are two things about the Disciples gathering in Indianapolis that I took great comfort in. First, I was thrilled that liberals and conservatives, and even independents, non-instrument folks and our U.C.C. friends could gather together to approach the issues of the Christian Church 19 years after restructure. We've at least started the process of accepting one another again. Finally, 1 remain hopeful of the future. The region of the Christian Church in Pennsylvania has superb leadership and is developing a holistic ministry that is equipping the believers to carry out an evangelistic ministry. We have many other vigorous organizations that contain a strong evangelistic edge in the Christian Churches, also. -Larry 0. Toney, First Christian Church, New Kensington, PA.

We are aware that the final word has not been spoken on women's role in the life of the church. We are trying to steer a balanced and steady course that will not seriously offend the sensitive consciences on one hand yet not violate basic Biblical truth on the other. Troy church has engaged extensively in the study of the ministry of women, from the Hebrew scriptures and Greek and Roman culture to Jesus and the New Testament. -Joseph F Jones, Troy Church of Christ, ML