Fresh Winds

By J. C. Reed

[Page 59]

     A few months ago I began to detect a fresh breeze blowing through the brotherhood publications. Articles were appearing which contained more than the usual stereotyped positions which have been so long repeated. I followed these with zest. Then one day I read that fifteen of the leading brethren had gone to the editor of our newspaper, telling him that for the good of the brotherhood certain columns of his paper must cease. I am wondering who these "fifteen" were. Who gave them the authority to decide what should go into the newspaper? Of what were they afraid?

     As a boy I was always proud that we were willing to meet all people in open debate with an open Bible. We had nothing to fear. I still believe that free men can sit down with an open Bible and study it without fear. One or both of them may need to change. When a man is committed to defence of a party position he is not free to sit down and examine positions.

     I once talked with a Catholic priest who did not like it because I had distributed some Bibles urging the people to read them. He thought I was confusing the people. Today there seems to be a great fear of educated brethren. Why? Will the gospel of Christ not stand the test of scholarship? Is the gospel only for the ignorant?

     I once wrote a science paper while attending a state college. As I read this paper to the class, I remarked on the side that since my sources did not agree, I had tried to harmonize them. The professor told me that I should have quoted both sources and given the class the benefit of deciding for themselves. Maybe the "babes" and weak members of the church could decide some of the current issues for themselves.

     The freedom of the religious press might need at times editorial restraint (in the case I mentioned the fifteen restrained the editor), but I see great danger in trying to decide what is "meat" and what is "milk."

     Religious parties and political parties often operate in much the same manner. The brotherhood position may be decided in some back room or in a secret meeting. Are we to decide that certain matters are to be labeled "classified," or for the "fifteen only," or for "editorial background." Who shall decide these things in a brotherhood which is made up of autonomous congregations and which has no "clergy"? We have no earthly headquarters and no official publications or colleges which belong to the church.

     I doubt that we could prove to a real thinking person a single one of our peculiar positions which makes us a distinct group. Our present stand will drive the best thinkers from us. These are the men we need most to deal with new issues and new problems. These are men who have the spirit of Christ and can present the Christ to a world that needs Him in order to solve today's problems.

     When the common man in the pew is so poorly equipped that he must depend on the preacher he is not free. When the preacher must check with other brethren about the issues, he is not free. When publications and institutions must clear with the "fifteen" or others, they are not free. Those who hunger and thirst for Christ will find Him because they will continue to seek until they do find Him. Will they find Him in our midst?

     The brother in the pew who is being protected may be wiser than we think. If he should learn that a lot of classified information is not reaching him or that brethren give lipservice to positions they no longer believe, he might decide to read the Bible for himself. And he might quit giving to such a program, or he might just quit! He might even go elsewhere so he can see the other side. He might start reading publications which present other viewpoints so he could decide for himself. He might decide to be free.