Thoughts on Unity
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In a time filled with frustration for the heirs of the restoration movement, when dissident voices are clamoring for withdrawal from brethren, we have produced a new book which allows men of every party among us to be heard in a calmer atmosphere. Thoughts on Unity is a unique 325 page volume. It is the first time that a deliberate attempt has been made on this scale to bring together the approaches toward unity of leaders of thought in all factions.
In addition to the papers on unity, there is a full page photograph of each speaker, with a brief biography. The book contains a list of all of the colleges in the United States, maintained within the restoration movement spectrum, and another list of magazines published by the brethren. Addresses of both colleges and journals are given. There is a list of recommended books for further reading. The volume is edited by Stanley Paregien, a writer of note who is currently completing his work on a Ph.D. in speech.
Authors and subjects are as follows: Jimmy Allen, How to Attain and Maintain Unity; Arthur W. Atkinson, Jr., Fellowship; Dave Bradford, The First and Second Commandments; Harvey C. Bream, Jr., The Unity of the Faith; Grayson H. Ensign, Is Unity Possible in Diversity?; Leroy Garrett, How Men Use the Bible to Justify their Divisions; Perry Epler Gresham, An Abiding Basis for Unity; Lavern Houtz, Why are We Divided?; Vernon W. Hurst, After Unity--What?; Ferrell Jenkins, Dwelling Together in Unity; W. Carl Ketcherside, Agape: Foundation of Christian Fellowship; Thomas A. Langford, Unity and Law; F. L. Lemley, Toward Unity; Ronald E. Osborn, New Life Through Christian Fellowship; Erskine E. Scates, Jr., The Holy Spirit and Inevitabilities; Robert W. Shaw, The Path to Unity; Gene Shelburne, When Brethren Disagree; and Carl Herbert Stem, Unity and Fellowship. The introduction is by Stanley Paregien, the editor.
There was no attempt in compilation of the book to seek conformity. Each man was free under God to submit his honest views without censorship or attack from others. The result is a volume which approaches unity from many directions, so that the reader is exposed to all avenues of thought on the matter within our generation as a religious movement. This is significant since the restoration movement began as "a project to unite the Christians in all of the sects." The purpose of the new book is to help us think through our failures.
It is hoped that the book will be placed in the shelves of libraries of all the colleges among us so that younger men and women in the future will be afforded access to more than one school or scheme of thought. The day of the brain-washing tactic by factional leaders is about gone, although many of them do not seem as yet to realize the fact. There will be an increasing desire for exchange of ideas across all of our walls and we anticipate that Thoughts on Unity will encourage greater attendance at forums and seminars where men try to throw off the shackles of tradition and let Jesus live in their hearts.
We also had in mind that the volume would make a good gift book to be sent to preachers, missionaries, and professors. These especially need to be aware of what is going on, although frequently they are less cognizant than those who live on the cutting edge of life. Surely young men and women in the colleges and seminaries need to read Thoughts on Unity. The price per copy is $5.95, and although we sought to make it less than that, we found it absolutely impossible to do so for a work of this scope and quality.
The books are ready for immediate shipment upon receipt of your order which may be addressed to MISSION MESSENGER, 139 Signal Hill Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121. If you prefer you may order through your own favorite bookstore. We think you will like Thoughts on Unity, with its attractive format, its large and easily readable typeface, and its challenging content.