READER'S EXCHANGE

 

You may not remember me, but one of your readers found it completely unacceptable that I had joined the Mormons, so she brought me to you. After reading Ropp’s book that you gave me, I confronted the Mormon bishop. He could not explain the changes in their doctrine that they called “God’s Word.” That was about 10 years ago. Thank you again.—Bob Spellmann, Roanoke, Tx.

(The book I would now recommend for someone caught up in Mormonism would be Charles Crane’s The Bible and the Mormon Scriptures, which we can send to you for $5.00 postpaid.—Ed.)

Your courtesy and charity to me has been touching. I have been battered and bruised by more than one “Campbellite” preacher of the hard line variety. Once I attended a religious brawl where two of them were going at me at once (all taped for dubious purposes), and I still have vivid memories of that one. When I was a youngster, my dear parents brought Church of Christ preachers to our home for those great meals, especially when there was a Gospel Meeting. Our local minister was a gentleman of great sincerity and holiness of life. I have fond memories of him and still remember snips of his good sermons. I sometimes visit his grave, which is near the grave of my dear father. He was John B. Hardeman, and I think he was kin to N.B. Hardeman. My father took us to the 9th Street Church of Christ in Mayfield, Ky. My mother was a Baptist but joined the Church of Christ several years after marriage. I became interested in the Catholic Faith at age 14 and entered formally at age 17. Early on I felt drawn to the priesthood. My mother now lives alone and is 92. She still drives her car and goes regularly to the College Street Church of Christ in Mayfield. My priestly vocation was aroused and fed by the great preaching in the Church of Christ. Were they ever good! I still recall some of the points and when I compare them to our Catholic beliefs they converge more than diverge.—Rev. Benjamin Luther, Paducah, Ky.

(This is but part of a great letter I received from a new friend. We found each other because we both are part of God’s remnant. He sends me important data on what is going on in the Roman Catholic world. I share part of him with you because Church of Christ-Christian Church folk seldom read letters by a Catholic priest, especially one brought up in the Church of Christ! I am impressed by the way he can take the good and the bad from his background and treat them alike. Are ex-Catholics among us equally gracious? I kid him about being a Lutheran all his life! He tells me that his name, along with his Catholic collar, raises eyebrows in some circles! And can you believe, as he does, that we agree more than we disagree? We start with a common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, which is the only creed the earliest Christians had. Not a bad start!—Ed.)

The Spirit is moving among Churches of Christ, the winds of change are blowing. I hope it is not to late.—Tony Thompson, Murray, Ky.

I believe that unless Churches of Christ undergo a massive transformation our movement will die.—a sister in Christ, Edmond, Ok.

I’m very encouraged about the changes taking place in the whole Church of Christ. You deserve a lot of credit for it. The 1990 theme at the Tulsa Workshop was unity, and there were some fine sermons, things I thought I’d never hear expressed among us. They were like water to my thirsty soul.—Edythe Lane, Wynne, Ar.