Walking Together

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 71]

     "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). Although the prophet Amos was not even remotely referring to fellowship, the subject is seldom discussed in these days without this passage being introduced. This has become a traditional text for sermons on unity, although those who so use it are pleading for conformity under the mistaken impression that it constitutes unity. In the issue of November 27, 1962, a brother in Christ referring to me, wrote, "His interpretation of many texts, Amos 3:3 as an example, is at variance with many of the best and most capable scholars of the past and present."

     For more than five years before I wrote the first series of articles under the heading "Thoughts on Fellowship" I did voluminous research on the meaning of every passage I had previously used to justify my own factional position. No passage received more attention than the one now under review. I did not find a single scholar of reputation, either past or contemporary, who sanctioned the interpretation current among our preaching brethren. The mere reading of other versions than the King James, or even a careful study of the context, will demonstrate how far afield we roam in our attempt to find scriptural backing for pre-conceived notions.

     Common experience teaches that two can walk together who disagree about many things. In my father's family there were six children. We did not always agree with each other or with our parents, but we did not destroy or dissolve the family relationship. Frequently a husband and wife disagree, and seriously so, yet they maintain their unity. 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 the earth in which all of the members agree, but many of them walk and work together in harmony.

     We are all willing to allow for wide divergency and disagreement except in the thing which is made the party test. This constitutes our unwritten creed and around it we construct our partisan walls. If it is an interpretation of Revelation 20, we will not walk together with those who do not agree on this point. If we belong to a post-millennial party we must proscribe and hound out those who do not concur. We will tolerate great areas of difference about the meaning of other chapters without dissolving partnership, but all must agree upon this one. If we belong to a pre-millennial party we cannot walk with those who are not agreed. Regardless of how spotless or stainless the character of a person may be, this counts for nothing unless he can bend and bring his mind into submission to the party norm. The same can be said of every partisan test of "fellowship" whether it be cups, classes, colleges, charitable institutions, or whatever else has been allowed to drive us into rival camps.

     The ancient prophet was not writing to provide for us a basis of fellowship in Christ Jesus. He was a humble herdsman, summoned from his daily labor to carry the message of God to the luxury-loving and profligate court of Jereboam II, ruler of the ten tribe kingdom of Israel. It was necessary to justify his reason for being at Bethel, in the king's sanctuary. This he does by a remarkable speech on the topic of cause and effect. He asks a series of questions about matters with which his hearers are familiar. The one under consideration is the first in this sequence (3:3-8). The RSV correctly translates it, "Do two walk together, unless they have made an appointment?"

     A lion roaring in the forest indicates he has found prey. A young lion snarling in his den indicates he has food. A bird falling in a snare signifies the trigger was set. A snare suddenly springing up from the ground indicates the presence of an intruder. People in a city, running in panic, indicates the trumpet has sounded an alarm. Two persons walking together is an indication they have made an appoint-

[Page 72]

ment. By the same token, the presence of a prophet in a community, is proof that God has a message for the people who reside there, since "the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets" (verse 7). "The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?" It is as natural for the true prophet to speak what God reveals as for a lion to roar in the forest when he has taken prey.

     The word "agreed" is from the Hebrew yaad, a primitive root, defined by Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, "To fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage)." The expression has nothing to do with intellectual or philosophic conformity. When you saw two people walking together you could assume they had made a prior appointment. They had simply agreed to meet but the purpose of the meeting was not under consideration. They might have met to discuss their differences as they walked together.

     In our thickly populated areas one might easily run into an acquaintance and walk along with him. Amos did not live in such an area. J. R. Dummelow, M.A., translates with the words, "have an appointment," and says, "If two people were seen walking together in the desolate regions with which Amos was familiar it might be assumed they had not met by chance. Nothing happens by chance. There is a reason and a cause for Israel's calamities."

     We have rendered this passage in such a manner as to promote and defend schism and division among sincere brethren who could not conscientiously conform to the party norm. We have been betrayed into the false philosophy that doctrinal purity can be secured only by separation from brethren. Our fallacious thinking has led us to the point that we conceive of but one ultimate aim when differences arise--division; and but one universal attempt at solution when division comes--partisan debate. If we continue this reckless course we will divide ourselves out of existence.

     I can walk together with those with whom I do not agree. I have resolved to make nothing a test of fellowship which God has not made a condition of salvation. If the Father can accept me into His fellowship in spite of my frailties, failures, and limited knowledge, I can recognize all others who are in His fellowship on the same basis. If they are good enough to walk with Him they are not too bad for me to walk with them. I can even walk together with those who disagree with me about the meaning of agree. Our unity is in Christ Jesus. He is our peace. I have resolved to walk together with all who are in Him in spite of our differences!