Announcing a New Book
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It is expected that my book The Death of the Custodian will come from the press early in 1976. It will contain the best writing I have been able to do thus far, I think, and it will no doubt be the most controversial. The book receives its title from Galatians 3:24, 25, "The law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian."
The theme is that, from the beginning, God has related to man upon the basis of covenants, two of which are so important they are referred to as the first and second covenants, or the old and new testaments. One was a legalistic arrangement with a written code; the second a personal relationship based upon faith. The scriptures which grew out of the new covenant are not the new testament at all, and were never intended to be a blueprint by which the new and better tabernacle was erected. Our pattern is the Son of God, and the apostolic epistles are not a legalistic arrangement, but are love-letters written to those who are in the covenant. To warp them into a written code of law is to sentence yourself to death.
In the book I deal with the objections offered to my thinking upon the basis of such expressions as "the law of Christ" and the commandments given by Jesus. Those who have been reared under a custodian and behind bars, immediately think of a written code of jurisprudence every time they see the word law or commandment. The final chapter of my book deals with my own experience in attempting to accept God's offer of freedom, after having been so long hidden behind the wall of law-keeping at which I was as much an abject failure as is everyone else who tries it.
I do not know what the publisher's price will be on the book which will be issued in paperback form. If you are on our permanent list to receive all of my future books as they are released this one will be sent automatically with invoice enclosed. Nell will put you on that list if you simply write and ask her to do so. If you want only this next book, please just send your advance order for it by name and we will gladly send it when ready.
I happen to feel that all of us should have books in our library which reflect some of the solid thinking of the past. A book is not necessarily good because it is new, nor is it bad because it is old. Our pioneers produced some good reference works. Among them are Commentary on Matthew and Mark, by J. W. McGarvey ($4.50); Commentary on Luke, by J. S. Lamar ($4.00); Commentary on John, by B. W. Johnson ($4.00); Commentary on Acts, by J. W. McGarvey ($5.00); Commentary on Romans, by Moses E. Lard ($4.50); Commentary on Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians and Romans, by J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton ($5.00); A Vision of the Ages, by B. W. Johnson ($4.00); and The Voice of the Seven Thunders, by J. L. Martin ($4.00). Another that I have always appreciated is Commentary on Hebrews, by Robert Milligan ($4.50).
One of the most beautiful gifts around for young people, or for those who are new in the faith is Hurlbut's Story of the Bible. It is lavishly illustrated and sells for $7.95. We mention again that the complete New Testament Commentary, by E. M. Zerr, is getting in short supply. It is "a commentary for the common man" and the price is $7.00 for the complete study.
If you will send us ten dollars, we will send you $13.00 worth of books of our own selection. We guarantee that they will be readable and helpful. They cannot be returned, but if you already have some of them you can use them for gifts. Remember that a book is a gift that can be opened more than once!
Please send your orders to MISSION MESSENGER, 139 Signal Hill Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121. We will give them immediate attention.