READER'S EXCHANGE

 

The debate in Joplin on instrumental music went well. There were about 900 present, 90% of them from the non-instrument fellowship. I believe we made friends out of some who before felt estranged. —Don DeWelt, Joplin, Mo

I continue to enjoy Restoration Review and your open and candid appreciation of our historic struggles and your clear presentation of biblical materials.  Canada

Your piece on the Adventists was excellent. If they did not hold Saturday as their Sabbath and simply met on that day as we do on Sunday, their meetings would almost be without fault. I hold that Sunday is no holier than Saturday or any other day. Every day is equally holy to God in my opinion.  Buff Scott, Cherokee, Iowa

(Sunday may not be holier, but is it not in a special sense "the Lord's day" while the other days are not? And is it not significant that the early Christians ceased meeting on the Sabbath and made "the first day of the week" their day to break bread in remembrance of Jesus Christ?  —Ed.)

I remember a statement you made in an article back in 1982: "It is inconceivable that anyone who dies loving God will be lost." I believe that proposition and its truth has strengthened me in this conflict over the nature of baptism. — Texas

(Yes, humility before God and a love for God are basic to acceptance by him. A statutory command like baptism is necessary to the degree that one understands his relationship to it. Because of a sincere, loving heart one may be accepted by God who does not yet have a covenant relationship with him, as in the case of Paul who received mercy "because I did it ignorantly in unbelief' (I Tim. 1:13). Since Paul always loved God and was always sincere (Acts 23:1), God kept him on radar and brought him safely in. But Paul, as I understand it, did not have covenant relationship (in Christ) until he was baptized.  —Ed.)

Some years ago I was so legalistic that I'd argue with anybody over the color of his socks. It is so wonderful to he free of all that. I've wanted it so much for my brothers and sisters in the Lord.   Ed Shroyer, Pekin, Illinois

We were disappointed that you missed the gathering at Bering Dr. Church of Christ in Houston, and you missed receiving your Marty award, along with Carl Ketcherside. You worked a lifetime for the award and then missed the presentation of it! —Cecil and Lea Hook, New Braunfels, Tx.

(The Marty award, as I understand it, is a fun thing, or at least no more than half-serious. It is awarded to those who almost became martyrs but not quite. What I like about it is that it injects a bit of humor into our deliberations which are often too stodgy. We as a people need to take ourselves less seriously, even to laugh at our-selves more. And we can probably find some things to laugh about! — Ed.) 

Summer Plans 

While Ouida and I will stay close to home most of the summer caring for Mother Pitts, we will he out amongst them somewhat, with Ouida making a short trip or two. In June Ouida helps to prepare for the wedding of her niece who lives here in Denton and is dear to us both. On July 24 I will he guest speaker at the Lake Highlands Church of Christ in Dallas. In July I will take my grandson on our annual trip to Lampasas, Tx., and later in the month to Washington, D.C., a trip I have promised him for years. From there we will go to Milligan College for the School of Ministry and Family Camp, Aug. 1-5, where I will be teaching. After that he will fly home and I will go to Mid-South Christian College in Memphis for a week of teaching, Aug. 8-12. Ouida will go with me, the Lord willing, to visit Random Rd Chapel in Arkansas City, Ks., Aug. 21, a church that has long supported our publication efforts and where we have some very special friends. Sept 10-11. I will be with First Christian Church in Lawton, Ok. to help them celebrate the Campbell bicentennial. In the meantime I'll be preparing for India in October, and hopefully both of us for New Zealand in November to take part in the World Convention of Churches of Christ. But we will not be mailing this paper in July and August. We will see you in our September issue, and we hope you have a blessed summer. — the Editor