"Can two walk together unless they be agreed? Do two people have to agree upon
everything in the world before they can walk together? If so, no two people on earth will
walk together, or ever have done so. Shall we interpret God's word to forbid and make
absolutely impossible the unity it commands? But I am told that this does not mean they
must be agreed upon every thing. This surrenders the whole argument. Either two
people must agree upon everything in order to walk together or else two people can
walk together who are not agreed, and you will need to find a new text for the ridiculous
doctrine of unity based upon conformity." 1
"I walk with many with whom I disagree on some matters of scriptural interpretation. If I
did not, I would not walk with any, for I have yet to meet the person who sees
everything as I do. There is not a congregation on earth in which all of the members
agree, but many of them walk and work together in harmony".
"The RSV correctly translates it, 'Do two walk together unless they have made an
appointment?' " 2
"If God can walk together with me while I am learning, seeking, searching and yearning
to know more about His will, can I not walk with all others in Him who are in the same
condition?" 3
"In all of us, the powers of perception, retention, and rationalization differ. We can no
more understand alike than we can all look alike. It is for this reason that knowledge
can never be made a ground of fellowship any more than can physical stature or
appearance." 4
"If we conspire to take away the freedom of those in Christ who do not think, speak and
act exactly as we do, we only prepare a Haman's gallows upon which we will some day
be gibbeted.
"He who grinds a party axe will some day feel its keen blade and cold steel upon the
flesh of his own neck." 5
Amos 3:3 Conformity
1Nov. 1965, p. 163
2May 1963, p. 71
3April 1958, p. 7
4Dec. 1970, p. 180
5Sept. 1967, p. 141
CONTENTS
THE CHURCH