Sharing Our Mail

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     I want to commend you for the conciliatory manner in which you handled the elder issue. The synagogue argument is, of course, apart from the meaning of 'the husband of one wife.' Too, your argument of the synagogue as pattern may take you farther than you wish to go. Could a NT assembly have less than ten heads of families, for example? Not so with synagogue. Neither do I think you can prove that synagogue elders had to be married, i.e., in any list of qualifications such as we have in Timothy and Titus. It was understood that they would be, but such was true of every normal Jew. So with first Christians. And you think Paul could care for the church for years as evangelist, and yet not be qualified to do so as an elder?" --Leroy Garrett (Ill.)

     "I enjoy reading the MISSION MESSENGER and your thought provoking articles. I think that one of the great services that can be performed for humanity is the stimulation of their thinking powers, that is, getting each one to think for himself." --L.W. Benham (Conn.)      "I have almost finished reading the book 'The Kingdom of the Messiah' and it is a great book. If nothing happens to upset my plans I intend to order more copies of it. Such a book is much needed." --Lois Kyker (Ind.)

     "While I would not for the world, belittle or detract anything from the church as an organization, I sincerely believe there is too much 'church-anity' and too little New Testament Christianity -- individual Christianity -- among us. And until individual Christians are made to realize their responsibilities as individuals, the cause of our Master will get nowhere -- fast." --M.S. Whitehead (Ala.)

     "I enjoy reading every issue and the spirit in which you deal with both sides in your writings is outstanding. I believe one of the great weaknesses of the brotherhood today is failing to look at both sides, then doing as the noble Bereans, by picking up the Bible and searching the scriptures to see if these things be so." --Glenn W. Blust (Ill.)

     "To me, the fellowship question revolving around the music issue is the most important one. I believe our God is a God of grace as well as truth. According to James, mercy comes before judgment. I do not mean to say that God countenances presumption on our part; for if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. All who claim Christ as their Lord and Saviour will want to please Him in all that they do. But, there is so much confusion in the religious world today; and in it there are many honest hearts trying to do right. Surely the New Testament teaches that God forbears with us and our hurtful backgrounds while He urges us to learn more of His truth. Then there is the matter of honest differences which will arise

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among brethren. When such happens must we divide and devour one another as so many seem to do? God forbid! Your plea for mutual forbearance at the close of the article on "married elders," struck a responsive chord in my heart. More power to you, and may more brethren adopt a like spirit." --Bob Haddow (Calif.)

     "In the November issue you wrote that you would not make an unwritten creed of your interpretation, and divide brethren into 'a married elder faction' and 'an unmarried elder faction.' In the light of your article 'Elders and Children' I do not believe that a congregation holding firm to the doctrine of a married eldership could scripturally be called a faction. And a congregation having a bachelor eldership, has done the dividing, and of itself constitutes 'an unmarried elder faction.'" --E. F. Davis (Mo.)

     "We continue to receive a spiritual lift and good edification from the Mission Messenger. I have especially enjoyed your recent articles on the eldership. It is, indeed, a most vital subject; and I appreciate your scholarly approach to the subject, that, at the same time, presents it with 'the simplicity that is in Christ.' Your humble, yet straight-forward way of presenting the subject is challenging and helpful to all, it would seem, that are interested in finding the Truth." --Given 0. Blakely (Illinois)