READER'S EXCHANGE

 

What the Church of Christ Must Do

I will gladly confess my own participation (sometimes subtly, occasionally overtly) in perpetuating disunity and discord among God’s elect—the very antithesis of that for which Jesus prayed in Jn. 17. I’m embarrassed and ashamed because of our exclusive hermeneutics that would edit one of our unity slogan to read, “We are the only Christians, not Christians only.” It also pains me to realize that our unity movement is one of the most fractured of all such movements in the 150 years of its existence. Have we learned the lesson that our unity is in a Person and not in some movement or uninspired theological hermeneutics? Yes, I repent.—Steven Clark Goad. Blythe Church of Christ, Blythe, Ca.

My heart was thrilled when I read your “What Must the Church of Christ Do to be Saved?” in which you called for a “Proclamation of Repentance “to be circulated among the various institutions and congregations of the Churches of Christ. I would make one addition. I believe the same petition should be circulated and signed by the Disciples of Christ and Independent Christian Churches also. This we should all do with prayer and fasting, and perhaps our tears should be mingled with the ink. I’m ready to sign!—Dean Melton. East Alton, Illinois

Your essays on “What Must the Church of Christ Do to be Saved?” are right on! But if your solution is accepted won’t that necessitate the death of “The Church of Christ’,?—Bill Gahr, Fenton. Mo.

(Yes, “The Church of Christ” mentality would die as all sectarianism eventually will. It is in fact already dying. But the Church of Christ as an intelligent, spiritual, and responsible people working as part of the church catholic for the eventual unity and renewal of all God’s people would be very much alive and making significant contributions.—Editor)

I heartily support the idea of a public confession of and repentance from our divisiveness in the Church of Christ. A proclamation such as the one you suggested surely would do a great deal toward healing old wounds caused by bad attitudes, and it would remove psychological and emotional barriers, clearing the way for God’s message.—Brian Casey, Newark, De.

(We invite you to write and give us your reaction to the series on what the Church of Christ must do, pro or con.—Editor)

One of the many reasons I enjoy your articles is that they often reflect an appreciation and awareness of the wonders of the world we live in. This is not usually the case with what I read in other Christian Church/Church of Christ journals. C. S. Lewis would probably have enjoyed “A Universe of Hope” in your December 1990 number.—Stephen Cobourn. Springfield. Illinois

You and brother Ketcherside have done so much for the cause of unity. I believe God raised both of you up in our time. Thank you so much. So much change for the good has come due largely from the influence of your fine paper and Carl Ketcherside’s Mission Messenger.—Ed Shroyer, Pekin, Illinois

Our preacher has been preaching on unity for several weeks. It is thrilling and refreshing to hear God’s truth proclaimed as we have never heard it before from a Church of Christ pulpit. You can justly have a feeling of pride for having contributed to the progress of many of us who have learned that God’s kingdom is wider than we ever dreamed.—Dixie Vickrey, Dallas, Tx.