READER'S EXCHANGE

 

Concerning Restoration

A recent bulletin editorial from the pen of Charles Hodge reminded me that the church is not in the antique business. People talk about the good old days a lot (usually we had no air-conditioning and barely could afford to pay our preachers). We embellish “back when” and make it better than it ever was. Frankly, I don’t have any desire to go back in time.

Restoration is one of our key words. It implies that we arc in the antique business. An elder friend of mine has a neat car under wraps. It is a 5-window, 1934 V8 Ford Roadster Coupe. He intends to restore it. I want to ride in it some day during one of our parades. But the church isn’t a car or a piece of furniture.

What’s my point? God never called us to restore anything. He did commission us to get the gospel to the whole world. But He never compelled any generation to duplicate the forms and rituals of a first century Jewish culture. And we make a big mistake when we try to do it. We make an even bigger mistake when we say we are first century Christians. That’s impossible! If we are Christians, then we are 20th century Christians.

I’m not disparaging a unity movement that called for the uniting of Christians. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I hold no ill will toward our esteemed pioneers, such as Campbell and Stone, but a unity movement that produces 152 more sects (Dan Ander’s estimate) doesn’t appear too successful to me. Again I say, unity is in a Person, not a movement. Let us be simply Christians, nothing more and nothing less, in whatever century we find ourselves.—Steven Clark Goad, 371N. Palm, Blythe, Ca. 92225.

I appreciate the challenge you always give in getting one to think rather than parrot. I am looking forward to the last year, but hate to see the publication end.—Bernie Crum, Flat River, Mo.

I read the paper from cover to cover as soon as it comes in the mail. In fact my friends benefit because I share its contents with them. Thank you for having the courage to spread the good news of God’s mercy. The disunity of the Christian community pains my heart. I pray that more and more Christian people take Christ’s call for unity seriously.—Frances Monroe, Dearborn Heights, Mi.

Some of us who knew Jimmy Swaggert and have followed his worldwide ministry through the years are distraught over his latest fiasco. Jimmy needs help. His problem, as I see it, is that he has never been able to humble himself enough to seek help out-side himself. I knew him as a teenager down in Ferriday, La. where he grew up, and have marveled at his rise to become the leading TV evangelist in the world. It is tragic. I feel sorry for his family and the people working with him. Some authorities think sex addiction is worse than alcohol and other drugs.—Chaplain Talmadge McNabb, Brown Mills, New Jersey.

We have had a lot of sorrow in the past six months. When I studied under R. H. Boll he often quoted a poem I committed to memory that has meant a lot to me.

I walked a mile with laughter,

   She chatted all the way.

But I was none the wiser

   For what she had to say.

I walked a mile with sorrow,

   Yet ne’ er a word said she.

But, Oh, the things I learned

   When sorrow walked with me.

—Antoine Valdetero, Jennings, La.

I greatly enjoy reading your publication. It has been a major source of spiritual support for me over all these years. I suppose all good things do eventually come to an end. I pray God’s richest blessings upon you and yours.—Virginia Crawford, Melvin, Ky.

Please find enclosed my subscription for the final year. Maybe it is time and for the best, but not because you are slipping. The last few paragraphs of the November issue on the OT relevance is among your best, or anyone else’s. Hang in there for another year and see what good you can do.—Giff Roux, Wood River, Illinois

What a treasure of good reading you send us! We both read “Our Changing World” and “Readers’ Exchange” first, which are sort of soup and salad courses. The rest of the paper is the meat. We hope we can meet you some day.—Wanda and Gene Hatcher, Franklin, Tn.

(Ouida and I often think of all the dear friends we have that we have never met and may never meet in this world. We can say of them as Peter said of another One that we have yet to meet—“whom having never seen you love” (1 Pet. 1:8). Our final year with you will surely be our very best, and who knows but what many of you will get to come visit us—just don’t all come at the same time!—Ed.)