Communications

Elroy’s Eyes of Love

Dear Bro. Don,

Just read Sis. Mary Eyre’s wonderful article of “Elroy’s Eyes of Love.” It is so filled with her love for God! I only met her once, maybe that same year at Idyllwild she mentions having experienced her brush with thirst in the Mojave desert. Bro. Alan had come to teach, but Mary was busy being MOM, with little ones.

The article she wrote is so moving, and I only wish I had known her better. Blessed indeed were those in Jamaica who lived near her.

In a sister’s weekend I attended on prayer, we were instructed to visualize God, and remembered Bro. Mansfield’s comment that he focused on light. In my private time, I come to God visualizing His eyes! When I pray, like Mary must have done frequently, I see only the eyes of Elroy! Sometimes He has tears and I pray they are tears of joy, not sadness at my behavior. Focusing on God’s eyes has brought great meaning to me. Praise the Lord for the time we had dear Mary; I can hardly wait to meet at the Lord Jesus’ feet.

Ann Crouse, San Luis Obispo County, California

Do We Give the “Forebears” too Much Respect?

Dear Bro. Alan,

(Bro. Alan Eyre as former editor of the Caribbean Pioneer)

The feature that I miss most from the disappearing Pioneer is “YOU ASK IT!” which ran for so many years. [Pioneer articles are now incorporated into the magazine as a whole.] I learned so much from it. It was Bro. Walter Draper who tackled most of the sticky questions so well. I have some serious Bible questions but it seems nowadays we are not supposed to ask anything but just accept what the pioneers wrote a long time ago.

In my home there is a copy of Elpis Israel. It must have been given to a member of my family in Trinidad a long time ago. I have to admit that I have never read the book right through at one time, but I have very often gone to it for answers to my questions. Sometimes I am satisfied with the answers I find there, but quite often I am not. Many of the statements are not Bible answers but just seem to reflect outdated human opinions. But I am told that all good Christadelphians believe that all of what the pioneers wrote is truth and I cannot question any of it.

I am asking about two of these items that particularly puzzle me, because they came up at the Bible School and were not answered to my satisfaction, in fact not to the satisfaction of most of us. I cannot believe that what is written about them in Elpis Israel is true Bible teaching.

(1) Elpis Israel states that Adam and Eve were created “perfect man and woman; but with the sexual feelings undeveloped” before they sinned. If they were “perfect,” how could they have sinned and died? Or is there something I don’t understand? More importantly, if their sexual feelings were undeveloped, how is it that God could tell them to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28)? How could Eve be described as Adam’s “wife” and the two of them be “joined” together (Gen. 2:24)? Many of us believe the idea that the first sin was sex comes from Catholic monks, not the Bible.

(2) Elpis Israel states that the “political and social equality of women” is “a most unscriptural conceit,” “rebellion against God,” and “usurpation of the rights of men” (p. 120-123). Where is that in the Bible? I read in Acts 8:27 of a brother in Christ who was a man “of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.” Solomon and the Queen of Sheba look like “political and social equals” to me, and she is praised by Jesus, not condemned as a “rebel” (Matt. 12:42). In Acts 18:26 Aquila and Priscilla look like “equals” to me, as it states that “they” (not he) taught the truth to Apollos. Surely the idea that women have no rights, which Elpis Israel seems to justify, is totally foreign to the spirit and example of Jesus Christ and the gospel of liberty which he proclaimed (Luke 4:18).

A Caribbean Sister

Bro. Alan has passed this on to us for comment. First of all, we highly recommend a thoughtful reading of the works of Bro. Thomas which includes looking up the biblical passages he cites and making an honest effort to see why he says what he does. By doing so, one will find one’s own understanding of the purpose and will of God greatly amplified. This is not to say every one of Bro. Thomas’ opinions is scripturally correct. We have heard even his most ardent supporters take exception with some of his points. But don’t ignore his writings just because you occasionally disagree with him.

As to your point (1), Bro. Thomas did not mean they were morally ‘perfect’as their character attributes had not been developed by temptation and adversity. But they were an exquisite physical creation fully developed and untainted with transgression. The law of sin and death was thus not active in them until they committed the first sin. In respect to the development of their sexual drives, you are quite correct that they were created fully capable of reproduction. In its proper place, sex is a beautiful aspect of God’s creation. While to reproduce was a command, it is doubtful that the intensity of the sexual drive was as great as it would become after the fall, because we are told that the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed in the context of Adam and Eve intermingling with the angels. Mankind’s present inability, however, to properly control these emotions leads to much harm and iniquity.

There is indication of changes in the area of human procreation and relationship in the words “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Three points emerge here which infer a change from the  condition before the transgression. 1. There would be an intensification of pain in childbirth. 2. Fertility would be increased, “multiply thy con­ception” and 3. The woman would be “subject” to her husband.

As to your point (2), Dr. Thomas may well have been tainted by thinking contemporary to himself when he speaks of the equality of women being a usurpation of the rights of men. Women have proven themselves fully competent in virtually all areas of everyday life, and should be given equal rights in society and the economy. Both men and women should recognize, however, that women are uniquely suited to raising their own children, and families should make every effort to ensure the mother has opportunity to fulfill this role.

From a spiritual point of view, the man and woman in Christ are joint-heirs of the grace of life, having equal standing in an exalted status in our Lord (I Peter 3:7). You quite rightly note the role of Priscilla and other faithful daughters of God. While being of great spiritual import, for the present, sisters differ from brothers as to their function. The man is to be the “head” of the woman, just as Christ is the head of the ecclesia (I Cor. 11; Eph. 5:21-32). The woman is to support and enhance the man just as the ecclesia is to support and complete the work of its Savior head, Jesus Christ. All through history, men have ducked their God-appointed role of leading their families, and the disastrous effects are painfully apparent today.

Thank you for your useful and thought-provoking comments.

Conservative, Liberal

Dear Bro. Don, There seems to be a lot of discussion these days about whether it’s best to be ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’. We recently read an editorial in the Tidings on that very topic. But it seems to us that both are extremes that we should avoid. Isn’t God calling us to find the balance ‘in the middle’? And isn’t it against our nature to do so?

Psalm 85:10 says that ultimately ‘mercy and truth’ will meet one another and ‘righteousness and peace’ will kiss each other. That seems to be the ‘perfect balance’ that God is directing us to find. In other words, maintain godly standards with a loving, merciful attitude and – conversely — show love and compassion to our fellow man, while keeping doctrine pure and hating wickedness as does our Father in heaven.

It’s easy to stand beside a stack of rules and ruthlessly cut off whatever falls short of the mark. It’s also easy to blanket everything over with so much love and tolerance that we never confront evil or try to alter the direction of those who go astray. In our personal experience, it seems that one of the most difficult things to do is to confront erring believers (or people in the world) in a loving, meek, compassionate way that reaches to their very heart. And if we are preparing now for our role as ‘rulers’ in God’s kingdom isn’t that exactly the kind of skill we need to develop? Will God’s kingdom be all about “everyone doing what is right in their own eyes” while loving, tolerant rulers sit back, hoping that the people in their care will eventually figure it out themselves? Or will rulers march around in a solemn, oppressive manner, callously hoping they find another sinner to zap? Surely neither of these extremes fits the beautiful prophecies of the future age. Will we not rather follow the example of Jesus who gave many directives for us all to follow, but did so with such sacrificial love that he has stirred people’s hearts to make his teachings their own? “If ye are my friends ye will do my commands” – his love compels us to do so!

In the letters to the seven ecclesias, believers are rebuked both for losing their love and also for allowing wickedness into their midst. Likewise they were commended for hating evil and showing love and patience.

Each of us naturally feels comfortable with one extreme or another based on our upbringing and experiences, but the challenge for all of us is to find that perfect balance between the two. Let’s not be ‘conservatives’ or ‘liberals’ – but brethren and sisters who stand firm for God’s Holiness and yet mercifully reach out in love to draw all men to Him.

Chris & Martha Sales, Shelburne, ON

Fornication Editorial

Dear Bro. Don,

Thank you for your editorials and being prepared to write about real issues that affect us today. On reading the October editorial entitled ‘Fornication, A Pervasive Problem,’ I wondered if some thoughts from a youngish and still single person may be helpful.

Sadly, I have to agree it is a pervasive problem. I think it could also be acknowledged that problems of immorality do not only occur among the young and single but incidences of divorce and adultery seem to be increasing too.

Peer pressure from the world was mentioned and this is very relevant. I also feel that even among brethren and sisters, adult virginity/celibacy can sometimes be regarded as a bit weird and sad. Whatever the reason, anyone who is single and not intending to ‘drop out’ or ‘marry outside’ needs to develop a thick skin.

We may not like to think so, but even when young Christadelphians are going out, one partner can put pressure on the other not to be a prude and to go further than he/she feels is right. Fear of losing one’s boy/girl friend by being too goody-goody can be very real. When in love, it is incredibly hard to value what God wants above what your boy/girl friend wants. There can also be a fear that if the relationship ends, one may have lost the opportunity for marriage.

There can be very subtle (internal) arguments to the effect that sticking to godly standards is not fair on the other person. ‘It’s too hard for men,’ ‘she/he’s lonely,’ ‘I shouldn’t expect too much of him/her,’ etc. These are not easy to answer, but someone else’s sexual frustration is not your responsibility unless you are married to him/her (I Cor. 7 teaches that married people should consider each other’s needs. Verse 9 may be relevant to long engagements: “If they cannot control themselves they should get married,” NIV). There is, of course, a responsibility not to ‘tease’ or dress provocatively, etc. We need to remember we didn’t make up the standards and if others complain the Christian life is restrictive that is between them and God. It can feel selfish taking that attitude but you would not be doing your friend any favours by agreeing to fornication.

We need some positive teaching on the value of waiting. This would probably be best coming from young marrieds who can talk from experience. I can only talk of sitting across a candlelit table with someone I was fond of at the time and being amazed how much it meant to him to know I was still a virgin (I thought that would be taken for granted by believers). It just felt so good to know it pleased someone I loved so much. A thought for those who may be under peer pressure: don’t let anyone tell you that you have no life. If you are a believer, you very much have a life and if he/she can’t see it, that is because your life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). The verses about “your body is a temple of God” can easily be seen as a boring proof text for why we shouldn’t do drugs, etc., but it is truly an awesome concept that God actually wants to live in us. We are that important to Him. We are the body of Christ on earth, here to make a difference by helping others and sharing the Gospel.

Is the world winning? There is no need for it. “The one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world” (I Jn. 4:4) and he is faithful to forgive us (I Jn. 1:9).

As for me (though I may not have a house), I will serve the Lord.

Name withheld by request