Letters to the Editor

Exporting Division

Dear Bro. Don,

Your editorial for the July issue was absolutely right about how division can spread beyond the site of the divisive situation. I was in an awkward position when I was in Moscow this year because of the fellowship situation that was exported from England, and all because of a circumstance that has absolutely no bearing on the situation in Russia. Also when I was in Jamaica a couple of months ago, I was approached by a sister of the Montego Bay ecclesia about the situation there. In both cases, as well as in Malawi, the exportation of the division has been ludicrous. The local brethren are identical in their faith, and yet someone from afar decrees that they cannot break bread. As one who has seen two of these three situations firsthand, it is both heartbreaking to see and frustrating to solve.

Solving this seemingly simple problem is virtually impossible, because the local brethren have their hands tied from the outside, although they agree that there should be no division. The “exporting brethren” do not allow the local ecclesias to make their own fellowship decisions and hold the threat of “disfel­lowship because you lower the standards of the truth” over the head of the local brethren, even when that is not the local situation.

As anyone who has read Matthew 23 knows, when absolutely rigid adherence to strict legal opinions is preferred to plain, spiritual common sense, then the legalism needs to go.

Your brother in Christ,
Dean Brown, Indianapolis, IN

Jury Duty

Dear Bro. Don,

Here is a letter we might send if we were called on for jury duty.

As practicing Christians, and members of a Christadelphian ecclesia, we do not feel at liberty to participate in the legal system of any country. We take our directions from the scriptures, which we are told will make us “wise unto salvation.”

We are under a command of separation from the world. In II Corinthians 6:17, we are told, “…come out from among them and be ye separate.”

God differentiates between believers and non-believers. Non-believers are outside of the family of God by choice and are deemed to be those “without.” In I Corinthians 5 :13 , we are told, “But them that are without, God judgeth.” If God judges the nonbeliever , we, as believers, are not calla upon to judge him.

Furthermore, in II Timothy 2 :4, God uses the analogy of believers as soldiers of Christ. We are told, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” Our service, then, is to Christ, our master, not the world.

In several places in scripture, we, as believers, are shown that we have no earthly allegiance to any particular government. The apostle Peter addresses the believers as “strangers and pilgrims” (I Peter 2:11). Would a visitor in a country become involved in the legal system of that country? The apostle Paul, when describing faithful people of God in Hebrews 11:13 says that the) confessed that, “they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” This was their choice. The reason for their attitude is that they were seeking a better country and city being prepared by God (Heb. 11:16).

In conclusion, then, we hope this brief letter demonstrates why we believe we cannot participate in the judicial system at this time. We respect the laws of the land and only decline to obey them if we feel they are in contradiction to God’s commands.

Respecfully,
John & Dianne Drywood

Resurrection to Judgment

Dear Bro. Don,

Just a few remarks regarding Bro. Brittle’s article in the July “Tidings” entitled “Resurrection to Judgment.” Comments and responses were invited.

The opinion stated by Bro. Brittle in his article that the responsibility question is a “vital first principle” disagrees with the known beliefs of both Bro. John Thomas and Bro. Robert Roberts. Those who believed that covenant relationship is the basis of resurrectional responsibility were accepted as brethren from the earliest days of the Truth’s revival in the 19th century. Bro. Thomas was personally aware of the teaching and expressed his disagreement (see Anastasis, pg. 42), but did not make the issue a test of fellowship. He specifically stated in the preface to A nastasis that one need not understand “all the details” of res­urrection and judgment in order to have the faith that justifies. If this were so, he stated, “there would scarcely be found, in this generation, a corporal’s guard of justified believers.” He drew the line, though, when one denied “the resurrec­tion of the ‘unjust,’ or saints of the Sardian type.” Commenting years later, Bro. Roberts plainly stated, “Are we to say their faith in Christ is invalidated by this error concerning the degree of punishment to be meted out to rebels against the light? Here we have always hesitated, and we know Dr. Thomas was against making it a ground of disfellow­ship” (The Christadelphian, Dec . 1896, pg. 474-5).

Bro. Roberts expresses his own agreement with Bro. Thomas’ judgment in the last quotation. ..He wrote in the Chris­tadelphian, March, 1894: “Several write, ‘We hope we are not going to have any division over this question.’ We can only say, we earnestly hope not. It will not be our act if division should come. If some brethren cannot see the full extent of the punishment that God has in store for the knowing rejectors of the claims of His truth, that does not seem a sufficient reason why their own faith in Christ should not afford a basis of co-operation and love, provided they do not exact silence on the part of those who may feel it their duty of warning the wicked against the revealed consequences of the wickedness of their way.”

While agreeing with Brethren Thomas and Roberts on the doctrine of responsibility itself, Bro. Brittle, in his article, departs from their understanding of scripture by making the issue a “vital first principle.” If a doctrine is so evidently central to the understanding of the one faith as Bro. Brittle suggests, then how can we explain the misapprehension of these two esteemed brethren?

Bro. Brittle’s five points given to “prove” that responsibility is a “vital principle” do not contain a single scripture quotation or reference — they are assertion, which is not proof I know very many Unamended brothers and sisters and none I have ever met desire to limit God’s “sovereignty,” or assert that men can spurn God with impunity. Is it right for one to “create” difficulties and imaginary monstrosities about “them” in order to sustain a 100-year­ old division?

Is the direct connection between “knowledge” and “resurrection” really “repeated over and over again in the scriptures”? The immediate context of John 12:48 refers to the Jews who were in covenant relationship and had personally rejected Jesus and the witness of his miracles. Can we really with absolute certainty take this and apply it to non-covenanted gentiles in this dark age? Much more might be said on each of the other passages referred to by Bro. Brittle. An honest study of each of these passages in context will reveal that none of them directly state the “knowledge-resurrection” connection that Bro. Brittle attempts to make.

The Bible doctrines concerning the one body, our duty to love one another as Christ has loved us and God’s abhorrence of those who sow discord among brethren are undisputed “vital principles” of our faith. Bro. Thomas and Bro. Roberts “hesitated” from causing division over their view of responsibility because of “weightier” principles. “Insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”

Yours in the hope of Israel,
Tim Ryan, Webster, NY

Conflict of Dates

Dear Bro. Don,

That we are an active community cannot be denied, but when one weekend in June had five events, is it not time to be more careful about our planning?

Four of the June events were within reach of the Mid-Atlantic ecclesias: centennial remembrance at Meriden, CT; study weekend at Baltimore, MD; fraternal-campaign at P eterburgh, VA and conference at Toronto, ONT. Some brethren and sisters in New York City wanted to attend more than one of these but a choice had to be made because of the conflict in dates.

The September schedule is another example. On the weekend of 17-19 there are already scheduled study weekends in Ontario and Indiana and a CYC gathering in Massachusetts.

The Mid-Atlantic ASK committee is concerned since the conflict impinges on the success of preaching efforts as seen from the lack of support at Peters-burgh, VA. More people may well have attended that activity if not for the competing events.

Following are some suggestions for next year’s plans:

1. Recording brethren of geographically close ecclesias (500-mile radius) discuss their plans before a definite date is fixed.
2. Ecclesias who are ahead in their plans submit an outline schedule to the “Tidings” for general information.
3. Planning committees recognize traditional dates for certain events and avoid them as far as possible; e.g. last weekend in January, Camp Ladore; first weekend in May, New York City fraternal.

Whatever we do, as co-workers in the same vineyard, let us plan for a 1994 calendar which allows for the maximum opportunity for participation.

Yours in Christ,
Clive Drepaul, New York City

The “Tidings” has tried to help by regularly running a two-page schedule of “Coming Events.” By trying to include people to contact, however, we have found the two pages are often not enough and we have not published what did not fit in the allotted space. Heeding Bro. Clive’s concern and feeling he probably represents others, we will, in the future, list all the events reported to us no matter how much room it takes.

Even now, to make the list as complete as possible, we sometimes call people up to get the information. It would certainly help if people would let us know at least the event and date as soon as possible, even though speaker and facility are not firmed up. In fact, it is evident that even a tentative date would be useful.

As noted by Bro. Clive, this is the kind of problem we like to have for it indicates a vigorous community. Furthermore, a lot of people cannot travel far, even on weekends, so activities close to home are needed for them.

Fund for Israel

Dear Bro. Don,

Loving greetings.

Since my last report in March, $1,260 have been donated. As soon as we top $2,000, a check will be sent to Bro. Leslie Johnson for inclusion with UK funds to be used, among other good works, to help with settling the continued influx of immigrants to Israel.

Please ask readers to keep it coming. The need is just as great as ever, if not greater. Any amount that can be sent is helpful to swell the fund to the next $2,000.

Please note my new address:

Ruth Robinson
2122 O’Keefe Avenue,
Prince George, BC
Canada V2K 1K9

Sincerely, your sister in Christ,
Ruth Robinson

Finding The Truth

The following letter was part of a personal exchange regarding an area of current discussion in the brotherhood. The account of coming to the Truth, however, we would like to share with a wider audience.

My Dear Bro. Don,

It was certainly good to hear from you…I have often thought of the time years ago in Texas. Those are fond memories for me…We hadn’t been in Texas very long after my return from Vietnam when we decided we should start taking our children to church.

We decided to visit several different churches and then choose which one to join.

I was raised with basic Baptist beliefs so we weren’t going to start there. At an early age, I was impressed with a Methodist preacher who, unlike the Baptists, emphasized the reward ahead for the Christian rather than the punishment awaiting sinners. Accordingly, we visited the Methodists first. We got no further; it was a small, very friendly group and we felt at home even though they didn’t seem to teach anything.

One Sunday, we both became ill with the flu and missed going to church. Staying home, we watched a TV program on prophecy that my wife had seen advertised. It was Bro. Morrie Stewart. At the end of the program, there was an announcement of a public lecture in Cop­peras Cove ,Texas. It took some doing to find the place, but at last we made it on time.

Upon being seated, a brother began talking with us. Something was said about hell and he responded that hell was nothing more than the grave. I had heard of that somewhere and said that if it is true that there is no burning hell, then belief about the devil must also be wrong. He gave us some literature and then the talk began.

I must say that the thing that im­pressed me at the outset was the individ­ual knowledge shown by everyone. Then the speaker made the same points as Bro. Morrie. Both he and Bro. Morrie spoke with authority and not as the scribes…

It still brings tears of joy to my eyes when! think on these things…I thank the brethren but mostly I thank God for a bad case of the flu.

Your brother in Israel’s hope,
Larry Fultz, Fayetteville, AK

P .S. We never returned to the Methodist church.

Raising Funds While Helping Israel

Following are extracts from a promotional piece from the Lion of Judah, Ltd. We have done some checking on the organization and it seems to be OK. The idea is for ecclesias, or other groups in the brotherhood, to distribute 50 to 5,000 catalogs (provided free to the distributing group) to members and friends. They would then receive 10% of any orders placed through the catalogs coded to their group.

Did you know that the Lord is fulfill­ing Biblical prophecy in our time?

In the last three years, over 400,000 Jews have been returned to the land of Israel. Many of them have been freed with the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

Israel has seen an influx of over 4 million Jews from most of the countries of the world since 1948.

The land, which had been described as a barren waste by Mark Twain and other world travelers, is now a fruitful garden.

What can I do?

There are over one million Jews still in the former Soviet Union. The main reason cited for their reluctance to come to Israel is the lack of jobs.

You can participate in the miracle of the restoration of the land and people of Israel. Israel must increase her exports to create jobs. You can help!

We invite you to become consumers of Israeli products and enjoy a taste of the fruits of the “Good Land!”

The Good Land Israeli Product Catalog

This catalog brings a little Israeli market into your home, bringing you a variety of affordable food, gifts, art, crafts and jewelry. Many of the items are made with the help of, or by, new immigrants.

Churches or other organizations who distribute these catalogs will receive 10% of the retail sales price. Since consumers will be offered a variety of products and encouraged to order regularly, this could be a very effective and continual source of funds. Orders are received and processed individually by us, so there is nothing to do but endorse the program and distribute the catalogs.

People who wish to become directly involved can function as representatives promoting the sale of Israeli products in their community on a commission basis.

Your participation in this program will demonstrate that there is a viable market for Israeli products. This will help to open a pipeline of Israeli products into your community. This will encourage investments in Israel, creating new jobs.

For more information write:
Lion of Judah, LTD.
P.O. Box 1935
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Phone: (303)493-6992
Fax: (303)493-7347

Bro. Eyre’s Open Letter

Dear Bro. Styles,

Greetings in the One Hope.

The office of the governor of New Jersey, James Florio, has denied making the statement reported by Bro. Eyre (that churches are not exempt from a law requiring equal treatment of homosexuals in every activity). Also note the letter from Bro. Martin Walker in July, 1993 “Tidings.”

Bro. John Kastrup, Levittown, PA P.S. Please assure Bro. Alan that the next time he is in the Philadelphia area he will, God willing, get to the train on time.

The Word Was God Dear Bro. Don,

Bro. Marcus Moore (June “Letters to the Editor”) appears to be correct. Ho logos is in the nominative case thus “the Word” is the possible subject of John 1:1 (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” KJV).

From the second clause ,we see there is an obvious relationship between the Word and God. What is that relationship? Is there a true distinction between the Word and God? God’s acts may be personalized, the significance of His speech may be spoken of as distinct, but the Word cannot exist without God. In Genesis, the significance of the statement, “God said” is that creation was apparently accomplished by the Word; God creates simply by speaking. Thus, “In the beginning was the Word.” Perhaps, the statement, “the Word was with the (ton accusative) God” can be understood in the sense that the two are virtually indistinct. The word rendered “with” is the Greek pros which often means “toward, by or near.” It can be rendered as “with” but in the sense of something that has moved toward something else to be “with” them.

The point being made is that the Word, which was in the beginning, is at one with God; it issues forth from Him. The first several verses in John 1 highlight this point. I do not believe it is possible in this passage to confine the meaning of the words using specific grammatical restrictions. For example, what is theos (God) in the last clause? What specific figure of speech is this term?

Following their return from Babylonian exile, the Jews began to speak in Aramaic rather than perfect Hebrew. While scripture would be read in the Hebrew in the synagogue, it was translated into a language that was more broadly understood. These translations were known as the Targums. Targums made their appearance at a time when men felt uncomfortable referring to God in human terms. While the Old Testa­ment presented God in such a way, the Targums chose to substitute the “Word of God” for a direct reference to God. For example, Exodus 31:13 says, the Sabbath “is a sign between me and you through your generations.” The Tar-gums say, “between my word and you.” Deuteronomy 9:3 says that “God is a consuming fire.” The Targums say, “the word of God is a consuming fire.” Isaiah 48:13 reads, “My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens.” The Targums say, “By my word I have founded the earth; and by my strength I have hung up the heavens.”

The Jonathan Targum contains the phrase “the Word of God” over 300 times. The phrase, “the Word of God” was a common form of Jewish expression; no Jew would be unfamiliar with the term. This could have influenced John, who wrote his gospel account for the Jew as well as the Gentile. Rather than state unequivocally, “the God was the Word,” John writes, “the Word was God.”

In the third clause, both theos and logos are in the nominative case, though logos carries the definite article accord­ing to the Analytical Greek New Testa­ment.

Thank you,
Troy Haltom, Pinckney, MI

Ecclesial Bible Study

Dear Bro. Don,

I have just read with great interest the “Discussion” on ecclesial Bible Study. I have recently been on a visit to family and friends in southern California (about 900 miles south of my home) and while there I was privileged to attend four Bible classes. All of them were informal, in private homes. They were led by a different brother each week. He gave a brief presentation of 10 minutes which was then discussed by all, in a conversational style with input from the sisters welcomed as well as from the brothers. I thought it an ideal system, although they were small groups of 10 to 14.

I also attended Sunday school classes. At one, I asked if anyone present had heard of the Cult Awareness Network. Some had. During the Senate inquiry into Attorney General Reno’ s conduct of the Branch-Davidian affair, a congressman asked, “Don’t you think it’ s time to keep a closer watch on the cults? The Cult Awareness Network, of which Jam a member, would be willing to help.” Ms. Reno replied sharply, “We have no business keeping a watch on them until they are breaking the law!”

Upon hearing this input, a brother said, “Well, then, it’s no concern of ours. We don’t break the law.” Another brother wisely said, “How do we know they won’t deliberately construct laws that we have to break?” So you can imagine with what alarm I read Bro. Alan Eyre’ s “Open Letter to American Christadelphians.”

On that occasion, the discussion ended with the remark, “Still, we’d never be in the Waco situation because we would just surrender peacefully.” But as Bro. Eyre said, we need to prepare ourselves and gather strength because it will take great strength to lose our jobs and/or go to prison, trusting God to take care of the consequences.

Yours in the one hope,
Pixie McLeod

P.S. Has there been any reaction from the Vatican to the anti-Christian rulings listed by Bro. Eyre?

We should never concede that we can in any way be classified as a cult. We may someday be a sect everywhere spoken against but we are not a cult. A cult is characterized by unquestioning devotion to a human leader which bears no resemblance at all to Christadelphians. We recognize no mortal individual or committee as a central authority nor any earthly location as our headquarters.

In reacting to Bro. Eyre’s remarks, we should remember that some of the restrictions to which he referred are still in the proposal stage. Furthermore, to my knowledge, none of the enacted laws have completed the judicial process of challenges to their constitutional validity.

This serves to underscore, however, the blessed conditions to which we have become accustomed. We are not used to being persecuted by the authorities of the land. While we have come to expect such a blessing because we live in lands of religious freedom, it is highly unusual for the saints in Gentile times. During the last 2,000 years, persecution of the believers has been the rule, not the exception.

Open Letter From Bro. Eyre

After writing the above comments, the following letters were received.

Dear Bro. Styles,

The “Open letter to all American Christadelphians” by Bro. Alan Eyre contains wrong and misleading information. Apparently Bro. Eyre is not familiar with the U.S. Constitution, Amendment I, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” With respect to the States: Article XIV, Section I, reads, “…No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or im­munities of citizens of the United States…”

The examples that Bro. Eyre cites in the various states would all be in violation of the Constitution and subject to contest. The second example of a “statute signed into law in New Jersey” is completely wrong as evidenced by a letter received from the American Civil Liberties Union of N.J. dated June 11, 1993.  (The ACLU letter was attached to Bro. Walker’s letter to the editor. It responds to inquires he submitted to them in a letter dated June 8, 1993.  He then quotes from the ACLU response.) “There has been no statute signed into law in New Jersey which ‘compels all recognized churches to accommodate homosexuals in marriage and other sacraments.’ Accordingly, Governor Flo­rio did not expressly refuse exemption for any church from this law.”

As the letter points out; the law suit of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church v. Florio is an attempt to reverse the recent passage of the “sexual orientation provision of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination” which prohibits discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment, housing and public accommodations, but has nothing to do with the “free exercise of religious practice.”

Similarly, the statement about the Christadelphians in the U.S., having to “defy the conscription Selective Service Law” is not correct. The Christadelphians have in fact taken advantage of a provision in the law to claim C.O. status and serve the “alternative” service provided for, thereby complying with the law.

Those of us who have been abundantly blessed with life in these United States should thank God always and concern ourselves with “To whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Lk. 12:48).

Your brother in Christ,
Martin Walker, Largo, FL

Dear Bro. Don:

Bro. Alan Eyre is raising a serious matter in his open letter (June, 1993). He may be overstating the case; it is unlikely that the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution of the United States could be so easily set aside. Nonetheless, there are solid reasons why we should take his warning seriously and this applies to those of us who live in Canada as much as to brethren and sisters in the States.

In British Columbia, the Government is seeking to amend the provincial Human Rights Act (Bill 33 , 1993) which forbids “discrimination” on the grounds of “sexual orientation.” This amendment — which is passing through its second reading as I write today– would repeal a section in the previous Act which guarantees that “a person may, by speech or in writing, freely express his opinions on a subject” such as this. According to an editorial in our local paper, under the new Act: “A religious group could be charged if it publishes a newsletter or places an advertisement quoting biblical passages critical to homosexuality.” I have in front of me a copy of the proposed amendment and the editor’s conclusion is correct. It is probable that Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms (which guarantees reasonable standards of free expression) could offer us a degree of protection, but it is not a situation we want to have to face. We pray — and ask our brethren and sisters to pray– that this legislation will not be permitted to curtail our public witness (written or spoken) here in B.C.

In 1982, an attempt was made to introduce similar legislation at the national level as part of a Non-profit Corporations Bill (C-10). In the words of one M.P. at that time: “This bill may dramatically affect the churches’ right to speak out on moral issues in our coun­try.” Had that Bill passed through the House of Commons (it did not), our freedom to witness on several aspects of the Truth could have been severely restricted.

What do these things teach us?

Up to now, our Lord has set before us “an open door” (Rev. 3:8) and it is surely our duty to use that “door of utterance” (Col. 4:3) in order to make known His mind. This includes making known what our Lord thinks about the abominable and disgusting behavior which characterizes the modern world. We must warn those around us — “for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). We must beware of the temptation to avoid these unpleasant issues by only speaking “smooth things,” emphasizing only the sweet and pleasant. We are thankful for the freedoms allowed us by the authorities — but let us have the courage to use them by expressing our Faith, lest those freedoms be taken away.

There is no need to be alarmist, but in view of the fact that these challenges could at some time bring us (individually or collectively) into conflict with the higher powers, it seems to me that it might be wise for us to seek out capable brethren who could study these issues and the relevant legislation , much as in the case of Military Service. Such breth­ren could then act as a resource and advisory team in the event of difficulties.

With love in the Truth,
Paul Billington, Prince George, BC

Ecclesial Pride

Dear Bro. Don,

Thank you for your article on “Ecclesial Pride.” Your admonition is needed from time to time. Pride is a negative quality that can slip into our ecclesial life without our realizing it. It can appear as an “Angel of light.”

It occurred to me that there could be another source of entry for pride in the ecclesia. It is the feeling that, “This is my ecclesia.” All well and good in terms of the ecclesia being our spiritual home. But the feeling of “my ecclesia” so often leads to a feeling that I call “pride of ownership.” This attitude separates our ecclesia from other eccle­sias, treating it as a separate unit rather than one part of a whole operation.

The ecclesia belongs to Christ. It is his body. It has been given to him by his Father for him to nourish, care for and work in with the objective that the members of that body can be “presented faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

This is accomplished by the direct intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ into the lives of his brethren and by the interaction of the brethren with breth­ren. If our mindset is that we are servants one of another and of our Redeemer, it will lessen the desire to do our will. If we are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are not in competition with our brethren but are yoked together with them and him in a common purpose -­bringing glory to the name of God and developing loving respect for the atoning work of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the brother “for whom Christ died.”

Perhaps we should stress more often the presence of Christ in our midst whenever we meet. Do we acknowledge that where two or three are gathered together he is in our midst? If the answer is “Yes,” how is that feeling demonstrated? Surely by believing that the Lord Jesus Christ has control, or the overrule, of the meeting. Nothing can occur in the body of Christ without his knowledge. Let us pray more fervently that God will help us to see the true motives of our actions. Do we ever question our motives? And are our actions and deeds made on the basis of His word or do we follow, as sheep, another’s direction?

With humility, let us show our belief that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the ecclesia of Christ and that we are his servants in that body. Let us empty ourselves of personal ambition, desire the salvation of our brothers and sisters as much as our own and be eternally grateful to our Heavenly Father for His Son and His great plan of salvation.

“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would vouchsafe you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thess. 1:11,12).

We are coming upon the busy season for Christ’s household. May the Bible schools give us a deeper appreciation for the body of Christ and renew a deeper desire to serve that body and to feel the nearness of our Savior in his ecclesia. With love in that high, holy calling, Trynie Brittle, Mount Airy, MD

Exhortations Needed

Dear Bro. Don,

Loving greetings in the saving name of Jesus.

My reason for writing is to appeal for some tapes on exhortation. I am in isolation at present and I have cataracts on both eyes.

If you have the tapes, I can listen to them and that will help me spiritually. At present I am still able to do my daily readings from my large-print Bible. I do thank you in anticipation of your response.

Sis. Sybil joins me in sending our love.

Yours in Christ,
Albert & Sybil Gibson,
3814 St. Charles Rd.
Bellwood, IL 60104

We have sent some tapes and have requested Bro. Albert receive a tape of the weekly memorial service at our meeting. Others may wish to do the same from their ecclesias.

San Francisco Background

Dear Brother in Christ Jesus,

Greetings in our blessed hope, confirmed by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

I am constrained to write you and tell you how much! appreciate your effort to bring about union of the factions. You are to be commended for your labor of love for unity in the brotherhood.

It is too bad that such a beautiful hope as we have has to be marred by insufficient evidence in scripture of how the Father will perform His judgment. I am sure there are going to be many surprised when we stand before the judge. My thinking is that at that time, we may find we will be judged for more impor­tant things than who is responsible to resurrectional judgment.

On May 8, we were blessed by a visit from Bro. Gene Turner and family. It was the more enjoyable because we had not seen Bro. Gene for some 30 years. At 86 years, he was amazing with his command of the scriptures. He reasoned that the resurrection and judgment is near to come. For those of us in the eighty-year bracket, it would be welcome, for “those who wait on Yahweh shall renew their strength.”

It is interesting to ponder. Peter tells us judgment must begin with the house of God. Raised from the dead to mortal existence, we shall receive in the body the things we have done, whether good or bad. The time of trouble such as never was is contemporary with the resurrec­tion. Those of us who prove to be unworthy will be turned out in all the carnage to suffer the second death. So we hope for mercy in that day, realizing that those who judge without mercy shall not receive mercy, for “In mercy shall the throne be established.”

It may be of interest to you to know about the Belmont Ecclesia. I was bap­tized in April, 1937. At that time, the Oakland, CA Amended Ecclesia was in existence. I was examined by Bro. Cheatham and baptized by Bro. Clark of the Oakland Amended Ecclesia. In the 1940′ s, the Unamended ecclesia in San Francisco and the Oakland Ecclesia united. It was then called the San Fran­cisco Ecclesia. Due to the fact of convenience, it was moved to the Belmont area. I believe there are only four members of the Oakland Ecclesia still alive. Sis. Janet Menez attends Marinwood, Bro. Walt & Sis. Edris Robinson attend Mendocino and I attend Merced.

So we pray for Yahweh’s guidance and direction and that He will give us the ability to rightly divide His word of truth for it is not in us to direct our steps without His guidance.

Grace be with you brother, and much love in Jesus,

Uzziel Hawks-worth,
Mariposa, CA

Trees In Israel

We have received a letter regarding trees at the Christadelphian Forest at Bet Shemesh, Israel as advertised in the Tidings for May, 1993.

That advertisement indicated a price of $7 per tree in US currency and $9 per tree in Canadian currency. The correct price is $10 US and $9 CDN. Since the American dollar is worth more than the Canadian, we called to inquire about the apparent discrepancy. For some reason, the foregoing figures are correct. It has been arranged, however, that a price of $7 US will be acceptable until September of this year.

Magazine For Sisters

We have received a request to publicize a Christadelphian quarterly magazine titled, The Maiden’s Lamp which is designed specifically for sisters. It is available for $12 CDN per year from: “The Maiden’s Lamp,” 420 Elmwood Ave., Richmond H ill, ONT , Canada L4C 1M3.

The issue in hand deals with such topics as home schooling, covetousness and the impact of TV violence on our children. A sample comment is, “The question must then be asked, if parents will not pull the plug are they prepared to let a small number of network executives make the decisions about the influences to which their children are exposed?”

We commend the usefulness of this publication.

Divorce Issue

Dear Bro. Don,

Greetings in Jesus’ name.

Inasmuch as others have set forth their ideas on the divorce problem in the brotherhood, may I have the same lib­erty?

The Lord Jesus was asked by the Pharisees, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?” Their question was based on Moses’ writings in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. Jesus replied, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife except it be for the cause of fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and who so marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Mt. 19:3-9).

The clue to the meaning of Jesus’ answer seems to center on the clause, “for every cause.” Under the law, men used almost any excuse to put away their wives. If they discovered some unpleasant physical condition, “some uncleanness,” they could put away their wives because of hardness of heart.

It should be noted that the Hebrew word for “uncleanness” is not taken from the same root words as are adultery, fornication or whoredom (see “Strong’ s Concordance”). For those sins, death was the punishment.

There remains uncertainty in the minds of many about using the exceptive clause as reason for divorce. But one thing is certain, men cannot put away their wives for every cause!

Should ecclesias refuse to fellowship divorced and remarried couples regardless of mitigating circumstances that can be involved? The answer resides in the majority consensus of opinion for each ecclesia.

Liberal opinions and advice may lead to promiscuity in the brotherhood. It cannot be denied that the “one flesh” rule of marriage is God’ swill. But keep clearly in mind the Master’s challenge, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Gil Phillips, Lake Hughes, CA

This concludes discussion on the divorce issue for the present.

Financial Help For Brethren

Dear Bro. Don,

In reading the June edition of the “Tidings,” two items were printed: (1) “Financial Help for Unemployed Brethren,” by Bro. John Brewis, Fort Erie, ONT and (2) “Unemployed Brother Seeking Job,” by Bro. John B. Zahner. This shows that Christadelphians are not immune from the troubles of the world.

Here are some suggestions that may be helpful:

1. 1) An ecclesial directory of all unemployed brethren and sisters with field of expertise, education, years employed and ecclesial membership. (This would work best in a region with several ecclesias such as California, Ontario or New England.)
2. Employed brethren and sisters keep aware of openings at their companies and in their network of business contacts.
3. Brethren and sisters who have their own company should first seek employees among the Christadelphian brotherhood.
4. Some senior brethren with techni­cal experience in their fields may con­sider consulting either by themselves or with other Christadelphians.
5. Brethren and sisters who are employed and are in need of work to be done around their homes should avail themselves of the unemployed brethren.

Every effort should be made by those who are employed to help the unemployed brethren and sisters find employment. Yahweh will not burden us with more than we can stand and He will always give us a way out. Chapter 11 of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is our food for thought. Also, throughout scripture are many examples of hardship and the intervention by Yahweh when conditions seemed their worst.

These ideas may be of little comfort to those who are unemployed. I should know! I’m starting my third year of being unemployed.

Your brother in Christ,
Michael Davis, San Gabriel, CA

The Mind of Dr. Thomas

Dear Bro. Don,

We ran across the following in a “Christadelphian” magazine dated May 1, 1870.

Queries proposed by J.A.I. to Dr. Thomas, for categorical answer.

1. Will the unfaithful, who lived from Adam to Jesus, be raised to judgment at the second advent; or will they never be raised but “remain in the congregation of the dead? Answer: “Some will, others not.”
2. Will men die during the reign of Christ through their connection with Adam? If not, when are they freed from that connection? And if freed, will they live always, if obedient? Answer: “All but the saints will be mortal.”
3. Was the flesh of Jesus from his birth by Mary pure, holy, spotless, unde­filed? Answer: “No.”
4. Had he not been put to death violently, would he have lived for ever? Answer: “No.”
5. Did he stand in the same relation to “the law of sin and death,” as Adam did before he transgressed? Answer: “Answered above.”
6. Can a man be justified who be­lieves the things implied in these ques­tions concerning the nature of Jesus? Answer: “The Lord will settle this ques­tion at the judgment.”
7. Would you have any fellowship with those who believe or teach these things? Answer: “My fellowship is with the apostles; they had many brethren who were bewitched and disgraced the truth.”

I think this clearly shows the attitude of Bro. Thomas toward fellowship. Those who are eager to disfellowship for doctrinal reasons are more concerned with their own defilement than the recovery of the brother in error. Ironically, those who are quick to advocate disfellowship for doctrine are often slack on moral issues.

John Bilello, Ann Arbor, MI

Jury Duty

When this subject is discussed among Christadelphians, reference is often made to comments favoring jury service found in earlier Christadelphian writings. Two examples have been forwarded to us.

“N.S.T. — Serving on a jury may be very distasteful to the children of God; but it is clearly a duty under the apostolic injunction to “Submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” In the capacity of juryman, he is merely asked what is his opinion as to the facts submitted in evidence. There is nothing in this inconsistent with his profession as a son of God. The editor had to apply this argument to himself a few weeks back.”

From “Answers to Correspondents” by Bro. Robert Roberts in the “Chris­tadelphian” magazine, 1894, pg. 272.

Christadelphian Jurymen

“The writer has had the duty and privilege of sitting as a juryman on both civil and criminal cases, and can certify, without any reservation, that such function involves nothing that a brother of Christ could reasonably object to. All that he has been called upon to do is to give his opinion as to the rights and wrongs of a case in the light of the evidence adduced at the trial. In fact, he has been at liberty to return an open verdict where the evidence has not been conclusive. With the results of the verdict, he need have no concern.

“Even the taking on the oath is not now required of jurymen, as the law now permits a simple affirmation on the part of persons having a religious objection to the taking of oaths.”

From “Christadelphian Answers” compiled by Bro. Frank G. Jannaway, 1920.

These opinions were based on the English legal system of 80 to 100 years ago. Whether or not we would have agreed with them then is hard to say, but we do not feel they presently provide a useful guideline. Our reasons are:

1. In courts today, known evidence is suppressed because of technicalities that have crept into the laws. Miscarriage of justice is thus assured in some cases.
2. Our standards of right and wrong do not match that of the legal system. By judging according to the laws of the land, we could be endorsing conduct we feel is wrong, e.g. collecting on a malpractice suit when we feel the right course is forgiveness.
3. The world around us considers jury duty as much a part of the governmental system as office holding or voting. As strangers and pilgrims in this era, we are not to be a part of the political system of the day.

Don’t Cast Us Out

Dear Bro. Don,

Once again, as so often in our fractious history, there is a movement in our midst to cast out of the ecclesia those of us who will not cast others out of the ecclesia.

The zeal for God is commendable. The wisdom is not.

Take heed, brethren. It is far easier to cast us out than to win us back.

Read Ezekiel 34:12 if you would know your duty as shepherds, and con-skier carefully verses 7 to 10 if you would heed God’s warning. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Look at the context leading up to John 10:11: “They said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out” (John 9:34). Those were the shepherds, ever so sincere, who banded together to cast out of the ecclesia a brother because he dared to meet with Jesus.

Some of us who are now enjoying fellowship with others from whom we had been separated for years have already been cast out by other shepherds, though we are not heretics. My wife’s uncle was cast out of the ecclesia be­cause when he moved his home he wanted to be at the Lord’s table so badly he met with the only ecclesia in that part of New York State. My wife was cast out by her ecclesia because she met with me. Our children were cast out because they met with us, though we love the Lord and are not heretics, and none of us have compromise our faith.

Brethren, in III John 9 and 10, we have the example of one who would not “Himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the ecclesia.” We are told not to follow that example (v.11).

Instead, should we not follow our Lord and Master who said: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37)? Should we not be very careful when he said: “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29).

Certainly there will come a day when some will be cast into the outer darkness. Before we take upon ourselves the task of doing this indiscriminately to whole sections of his Body, let us carefully note why some will be so cast out (Matt. 25:41-43; 24:49-51, etc.).

Take heed, brethren. For with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.

Your brother in tribulation,
(a name means little in this context!)

Guyana Youth Camp

Dear Bro. Don,

It would appear that my attempt, with your assistance, to raise funds for the Guyana Youth Camp was a failure.

This is because when I was in Guyana a member of their committee told me they needed $10,000 US. Apparently, according to a letter just received, their goal is double that amount and they cannot continue building until they get $20,000 US.

Perhaps a note in the “Tidings?” Thank you,