READER'S EXCHANGE

 

Toward December 1992

We regret that Restoration Review is coming to a close much sooner than we like. What a delight to find it each month in our mail box. Like a good friend it will be greatly missed when gone.—Homer Matson, Jefferson, Or.

We are grateful for the work that you have done and the blessings it has brought to so many people.—George and Betty Montgomery, Wood River, FL.

Your paper has helped to truly set me free and has brought me into a closer walk with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—Chuck Weinsheimer, Doylestown, Oh.

Thanks for the many years of thoughtful writing. I am excited to see many of our mainline Church of Christ leaders quoting (albeit no names mentioned) you and Carl Ketcherside and moving in a new direction.—E. LaRue Bennett, Indianapolis, In.

I know that everyone should get to retire and not have to work so hard, but you will certainly be missed. Who will pick up the banner? What will we do without hearing from you?—Barbara J. Fudge, Ft. Walton, Fl.

It would be great if you could find someone remotely, at least, like yourself, who could carry forward the tradition of this irreplaceable ministry of journalism. There simply will be no way for all of us who have been in your debt adequately to measure the impact of your thinking across the Reformation tradition.—Roger N. Carstensen, president, Institute for Biblical Literacy, Athens, Ga.

We are delighted with the autobiography of Carl Ketcherside. Right now I’m reading about the break-up in the family of Daniel Sommer, a man highly esteemed by my parents and often in our home. His paper was our paper while the Gospel Advocate and Firm Foundation, never. It is all interesting to me but sad.—Mrs. Arthur Voyer, Paden City, WV

I have received some negative response to my last article in Restoration Review (May 1991 issue). Several preachers visited with me and wrote to me and about me. However, most people have been very positive and in agreement.—Doug Hale, Lubbock, Tx.

(I was pleased to report to Doug that his article had such an impact on one man that he read it in its entirety publicly at the North American Christian Convention in July in Denver—Ed.)

We had a wonderful time visiting the old cathedrals in England, that, sadly, are more the testimony of the past than evidence of a vital religion today. Weren’t able to see Stott’s church in London, but did see Swift’s church in Dublin, Anselm’s in Chester, Donne’s in London, and John Knox’s old church (St. Giles) in Edinburgh. All of this made me appreciate even more the vitality of our little Quaker Ave. Church of Christ in Lubbock and the good things going on among us today.—Tom Langford, Lubbock, Tx.

(The Quaker Ave. church that Tom refers to is one of our non-Sunday School congregations. One of God’s surprises has been the interest that these churches have taken in unity and renewal among our people. It may prove to be the case that our “right wing” will do more to save us than anyone else.—Ed.)

Alexander Campbell’s way of describing the relation of “grace given and grace appropriated” was to say, first, there are no conditions for the procurement of grace, but, second, there are conditions for the enjoyment of grace. He provided some powerful analogies to support this view.—Bill Richardson, Turner, Or.

Yes, the church of today must rethink its position and make some changes toward a Christ-centered and Biblically-directed life.—Homer Hailey, Tucson, AZ.