A College Student
W. Carl Ketcherside
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We get a number of letters these days from college men and women. It is a privilege to hear from them. Here is part of a recent letter we received.
I am a graduate student in biology at the university here. I grew up in the Church of Christ but have been very depressed recently because I simply cannot condone the arrogance and dogmatism which characterizes the large congregation where my family belongs. In fact, I was getting ready to throw it all overboard when someone sent me your publication. It offered me a glimmer of hope and I have decided to stay with it a little while longer.
The great number of letters of this general tone indicate that a lot of very fine young people in our day are having difficulty with the sectarian spirit which has captured a large part of our segment of the restoration movement. It is only natural that they should chafe under the rigidity of a party system which projects its every pronouncement and interpretation as infallible, and regards as second-class citizens of the heavenly kingdom those who do not conform. The rebellion against "our establishment" is understandable in the light of the current revolt against the sham and pretence of all such citadels of orthodoxy.
However, we need to realize that there are thousands who are crusading for reform from within. We should not underestimate what is taking place. Changes in the thought patterns of ponderous structures always come slowly and those made in religious structures are the slowest of all. This may be good for religion involves our deepest feelings and innermost emotions. We should not sacrifice the discoveries, gains and values of the past in a mad rush to reach a higher plane. Mountain steeps are best climbed slowly and with due regard for the supply base.
Our brethren are under a great deal of tension. They do not want to throw the chart and compass away, but they have been misusing them as weapons against the brethren, rather than using them as steering guides. The primary purpose of a compass is not as a knuckle-duster to clout brethren over the head. Now there is a genuine appeal to get on with the task at hand rather than running in crazy circles around some of the issues which have engrossed our attention. I think we will eventually get back on course and when we do we will find others there who are also piloting their lives by the bright and morning Star.
Probably the easiest thing to do in this age of restlessness and uneasiness would be to desert and "go over the hill," but I am not about to quit. The fact is, I am just getting started. If there are those who are waiting for me to shut up shop and retire to a cave of Adullam they are due for a sad disappointment. I intend to stay with the brethren I have always known and to work for the Master from
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I shall not be scared off, shoved out, or shaken loose. I have been around enough to know that there are problems wherever you go and I don't want to swap the problems that I am familiar with for new ones that I might not understand. I do not know how a dog would better himself by trading the fleas he has scratched and fought so long, for strange ones that might not understand his disposition!
I can sympathize with those in scholastic disciplines who are taught to think for themselves, and who find that the one place they are not allowed to do so is in the congregation. It must be a little difficult for some of them to listen repeatedly to our pious platitudes which are calculated to augment our apathy and commend our complacency. Surely it is a letdown to come from the campus where the air is rife with discussion about such matters as the population explosion, hunger, famine, war, and the rights of mankind, to hear a dissertation on why we do not contribute to Herald of Truth or use individual cups in the Lord's Supper.
But there is an oasis of concerned ones in almost every splinter among us, dry and desert though it may seem. And these need the encouragement of all the rest of us. As for myself, the word "depression" is not in my spiritual vocabulary. I am confident that God can take our few little sardines and wiener buns and feed a multitude. I do not think the Holy Spirit has retired on social security. It is my task to plant and water; it is God's work to give the increase. If I fulfill my responsibility He will not fail in His part. I have no qualm or doubt about the outcome. I am glad our brother is staying. I urge all of our younger brethren not to defect. We shall win the battle for returning sanity in a movement which has been tearing at its own flesh. One of these days we shall see fellowship in its true light and will be able to join hands with all of God's children to bring a powerful witness in our neo-pagan world. In the meantime we count it a pleasure to hear from any of our brothers and sisters on the college or university campus. You are an inspiration to me, and I hope I can be an encouragement to you.