Drawing the Line

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 9]

     In Old Paths Advocate, for September 1, 1957 occurs an article under the above heading, written by one of the editors, Bro. Homer L. King, and we reproduce it here because of its implications.

     "Now and then, a brother or even a few brethren will in haste, impatience, and impulsiveness decide that they want to disfellowship the brotherhood, all because the brotherhood does not see an issue, or more than probably, an imaginary issue or opinion just as they see it, or just because the brotherhood will not go along in the radical view and action, which has, as a rule, become a hobby,' the only important thing in the world--the one important thing above all others that needs to be preached and talked--dreamed of by night, thought of, and talked of by day. Remember, brethren, that just as long as we have different degrees of knowledge, there will of necessity be differences arise among brethren; but they should not, and need not, cause open division and disfellowshipping among brethren. My brother, think seriously, study much the word of God, and pray much and earnestly before you take such radical steps. You may be the one who is in the wrong. There are a few brethren and a church or two who disfellowship me, but they fellowship good brethren and churches who do fellowship me, and they use my fellow-preachers who fellowship me--what of consistency?"

     There are two terms used by our brother in his thesis which are employed in a sense in which they are never used by the Holy Spirit. One is "brotherhood" and the other is "fellowship." To Bro. King "the brotherhood" consists of those who subscribe to the policies and programs of the editors of Old Paths Advocate. "The brotherhood" of the new covenant scriptures embraces every person on this earth who has acknowledged the divine Sonship of Jesus of Nazareth and who has been immersed in His name on the basis of that faith. Much of the brotherhood has not even heard of some of the issues over which Brother King would "disfellowship" them, and they are wholly unaware that a few brethren have impulsively decided to "disfellowship the brotherhood." We need to face up to the fact that those who claim to represent the body of our Lord have created a whole bunch of "brotherhoods" and the title brother is not bestowed because of our relationship to the same Father, but because we subscribe to the same "hobby."

     Bro. King should not too severely criticize those who decide "they want to disfellowship the brotherhood" for he made the same decision, but actually the whole problem relates to what constitutes fellowship as God regards the word. Once the scriptural connotation is understood, no one will ever again use the expression "disfellowship the brotherhood."

     Our brother needs to be commended for a recognition of the fact that so long as there are various degrees of knowledge, there will be differences among brethren, but these need not cause division "and disfellowshipping." His prescription for serious thought, copious study and earnest prayer, is certainly excellent and needs to be heeded by all of us. In view of this expressed attitude and recognizing that differences need not cause division, I make the proposal to the brethren who compose "the brotherhood' of which Bro. King writes that we meet for three days of earnest prayer, serious study, and sincere meditation, with a view to begin a healing of the breaches which have troubled the restoration movement. I will recognize and treat them as brethren, and will manifest a love for them in Christ, so that if we cannot come closer together I will certainly not widen the gap between us. Perhaps we have been held apart over an attitude that is wholly without justification. Let us explore means of working together. I await their proposal for implementation of such a meeting for prayer, study and meditation with a view to coming closer together.