The Making of Books

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     "Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh" (Eccl. 12:12).

     In spite of the implied discouragement in the above we want you to know about four books which we propose to produce during 1966, God willing.

     Pat Hardeman, with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, taught philosophy and religious courses at Florida Christian College, before leaving to serve the Unitarian-Universalist Church. In a poignant chapter entitled "Why?" he tells the story of his changing attitudes and lists five barriers to his remaining in "The Church of Christ." What are Pat's fu-

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ture hopes? You'll read them in his "Postscript."

     J P. Sanders graduated summa cum laude from Abilene Christian College, before going on to Vanderbilt and Yale. Once a well-known preacher in "the Churches of Christ" and associate editor of Christian Leader, he is now with the Disciples of Christ, serving Fruitridge Christian Church, in Sacramento, California. He titles his article, "The Failures of Fundamentalism."

     Logan Fox received his B.A. from George Pepperdine College, before going to the University of Chicago and the University of Southern California. He tauqht at Pepperdine and at Ibaraki Christian College (Japan). He is a member of the Vermont Avenue Church of Christ, Los Angeles, and a certified psychologist in private practice. His article "Destiny or Disease" is one of the most penetrating analyses we have ever seen.

     Norman Parks is professor of Political Science and head of the Department of Social Science at Middle Tennessee State University. For eight years he was Dean of David Lipscomb College, and also taught at Freed-Hardeman College and Oklahoma Christian College. His chapter entitled "Thy Ecclesia Come!" lifts the lid on what is happening. His enumeration of the sixteen evils stemming from an authoritarian religion will make you think.

     Robert Meyers, who edits the book, was a teacher at Harding College. His is a stirring story called "Between Two Worlds." Cecil L. Franklin, who was a ministerial student at Abilene Christian and is now Rector of the Church of Christ the King (Episcopal) at Arvada, Colorado, writes on "Wider Horizons." Carl L. Etter, who graduated from Abilene Christian College, titles his presentation, "In Search of Freedom." Charles E. Warren, once a student at David Lipscomb College, now with the Disciples of Christ, writes on "No Creed But Christ." William K. Floyd, once president of the student body at Harding College, but now Director of Forensics at Tennessee Technological University, offers a brilliant thesis on "Why I Could Not Be a Career Preacher." William P. Reedy, who taught Bible at George Pepperdine College the first year of its existence writes on "Why We Changed." Roy Key, now laboring with the Disciples of Christ, Ames, Iowa, offers "A Letter to Daddy and Mother," the message he sent to his parents explaining why he was changing.

     Margaret Edson O'Dowd has a special condensation of her book. "In The Great Hand of God I Stand"; Laurie Hibbett contributes a touching article on "A Time To Speak." She is now affiliated with the Episcopalian communion. Ralph Milton Stolz, a graduate of Abilene Christian College, tells what happens to one in "The Church of Christ," when he believes in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the modern gift of tongues. His chapter is titled "Out of the Wilderness." David Darnell, who attended Abilene Christian College and Florida Christian College, and who is now with the Disciples of Christ, writes "Musings on a Pilgrimage." Ralph Graham, who graduated from Abilene Christian College and preached for Churches of Christ for twenty-five years speaks his sentiments on "Why I Left the 'Churches of Christ' ". A biographical sketch of each writer will accompany his or her article.

     As I read these articles I find I am poles apart from most of them in my own thinking. Then why are we publishing this volume? Here are a few reasons among many. (1) Fairness demands that the writers have a chance to be heard by the brethren among whom they labored so long. (2) We all need the discipline of reading from those who disagree with us. (3) The world needs to know there is another side to our tract racks full of "Why I Left" literature. (4) We need to demonstrate our maturity by publishing all of the facts. This book should be edited and produced by men within the non-instrument segment of the disciple brotherhood. (5) Few others within this segment would dare publish the book, but

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as a free man in Christ Jesus I am not afraid of what men may do unto me--not even my brethren!

     Watch for further announcement of the publication date of a book so surprising and staggering that certain brethren in Texas are seeking to prejudice brethren against it before they even know its content.

     The first half of the book will contain such articles as: The Divine Guarantee; Members of One Body; Queries to the Editor; Where Are We Headed? Joint Participation; The Plea For Unity; The Human Factor; Only One Church; Christians in Babylon; Analysis of Heresy; Are They Apostates?; Are We a Denomination?; Restoring Restoration; False Teachers; Background of Restoration; Restoration Astray; The Growth of Division, and Rejecting and Returning. Included also will be the stimulating series called "Adventures in Religion."

     The second half will contain the history of the tragic disintegration by controversy over societies and instrumental music. This material is invaluable. Here are some of the titles. Incendiary Instruments; The Unequal Yoke; The Sand Creek Address and Declaration; The Basis of Authority; Brothers at Law; The Two Spirits; Factional Flames; Decline of Factionalism; The Rising Tide (Robert R. Meyers); The Hands of Folly; Explaining My Position; Getting Untangled; Christ and the Church; The Basis of Faith; The Ignorance of Wisdom; Problems in Attitude; Sectarianism; The Real Jews; and War in Heaven.

     Although no exact publication date has been set for this valuable work, advance orders are being taken at a special prepublication price.

     These writings will attempt to recover the faith in terms relevant for our day. The articles will be slanted toward enquiring young minds and will present apologetics and analyses in lively fashion. They will be Christ-centered. They will be scripturally based. It is our hope to offer a paper which will be read by Christians who are students in engineering, physics or philosophy. We want the kind of writing which will be recommended to every college and seminary student by thoughtful professors; to every adult and young adult class by spiritually minded teachers; and which can be shared with intelligent friends and neighbors.

     Indicative of the type of material to expect will be that found in the January issue. The first article will deal with whether Satan is a personal being or an impersonal force, under the heading, "The Conflict of the Ages." The second article will be entitled, "Is God Dead?" The February issue will feature one of the most analytical treatises we have ever prepared. It investigates the very ground of the whole Christian concept under the title "The One Foundation." A companion article will be, "Can Modern Man

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Believe in Christ?" The March issue will contain a penetrating study of the need for a divine revelation growing out of the nature of man, and will measure the new covenant scriptures by the criteria which must be imposed for such a revelation.

     As the name indicates, this series will be neither shallow nor superficial. We hope to present the testimony in such fashion that those who through carelessness or indifference fail to subscribe for their children or grandchildren who are in high school and college will never cease to regret their lack of concern. This does not mean that we shall ignore the division within our restoration ranks. During the year we expect to deal with the thorny problem of structure and restructure which affects so many of our brethren, and with the equally prickly problem of instrumental music as related to the authority of the written word. However, we shall deal with them, not as purely provincial or partisan problems, but within a wider frame of reference related to the whole Christian context. We will meet the question of restructure under the profound study of the nature of the church; the question of instrumental music under the equally deep question of authority and worship.

     This brings us to a matter which we regret to mention. Please forgive us for injecting this note, but we will need help two ways. First, we need a thousand new subscribers as soon as possible. This is very important. Will you prayerfully consider this appeal and send in at once as many names and addresses as you can obtain? Perhaps you would like to send the paper personally to a number of friends or brethren; or you might have announcement made that you will volunteer to receive subscriptions in the congregation of which you are a member. If you teach a class in college or in the congregation, could you make announcement of this drive? Could it be mentioned in the congregational bulletin? Remember that the cost of the paper is only one dollar per year.

     Second, we need a few brethren who can act as "rope-holders" each month and help us in the hard pull ahead. We'll be mailing the paper to hundreds at home and abroad every month and we need brethren who will promise to give a certain amount each month so we'll know what we can do and to make the load easier. If you are putting your money where sectarian and divisive attitudes prevail, could you not divert at least a little of it each month to help plead for peace and promote unity among all of the saints? Not one cent contributed to Mission Messenger is ever used for personal profit or gain. Every penny goes directly into the work. We have never received a dollar from this fund in more than twenty-seven years of publication. But circumstances induced by rising costs make it essential that we ask men and women of faith to rally to this cause.

     The 1966 series will be gathered into book form at the close of the twelve month period and will comprise a volume of pertinent information in defense of the faith and to advance apostolic doctrine. Because of the importance of the work advance orders will now be taken more than a year in advance for "Deep Roots" to be delivered on March 1, 1967. Send no money. Pay on delivery. There will only be 2000 copies produced and there will be no reprint after that.

     Bound in cloth, with a particularly beautiful dust jacket, this book will grace any library. It is fully indexed as to author and subject. Orders at a special pre-publication price will continue to be received until March 1.