Voices of Concern: Critical Studies in Church of Christism

Voices of Concern: Critical Studies in Church of Christism

Voices of Concern was first published on June 15, 1966, by W. Carl Ketcherside under his publishing label, Mission Messenger. Regarding the book as "one of the sternest indictments of a religious movement ever to be produced," Ketcherside predicted that it would be "the most talked-about and most-opposed book in this generation . . ." He later referred to the book as "the most controversial book among Churches of Christ in this decade," and noted that "Perhaps there has not been another book in recent years that has drawn so much fire in the printed pages of journals."

The dust jacket of the original publication contains the following: Abraham Lincoln said, "He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help." On that basis the men and women whose articles appear in this volume have earned the right to criticize and this book is the result of their exercise of that right. All of them have been members of the Church of Christ, one of several segments of a religious movement which had its roots in an early nineteenth century attempt to restore unity among believers in Christ by a restoration of the primitive order of the church. They do not speak as outsiders when they point out the failings of this communion. Some of them have abandoned it because of partisan pressures, while others remain in it, but all speak from experience.

Nor are the writers ignorant cavillers, in rebellion because of their own inadequacy. Instead, they are among the more brilliant thinkers produced within the Church of Christ in our generation. They are capable within their chosen professions and various fields of service. They can look at the church objectively and study it without rancor. In spite of the hostility manifested toward some of them they have written without animosity and in a spirit of compassion and genuine concern.

It is evident that the Church of Christ cannot avoid the ferment in which all Christendom is caught up in our day. Walls cannot be built so high nor gates fastened so securely that agitations for genuine unity will not be felt inside. Already there is evidence of a stirring and moving within; many want to divest themselves of the shackles of tradition and breathe fresh air. This is itself a token of the coming of a better day. When that day arrives and men are received in spite of divergent opinions, the contributors to this volume will be recognized as a courageous vanguard who dared to question the validity of the status quo.

Even the casual reader will see that this compilation represents no coalition or conspiracy against any group. The writers do not agree with one another upon many points and no editing was done in an attempt to make them conform. They have made their contributions as free men and women. Not one of them knew what the others would say. All have simply shared what was upon their hearts. Their hope was that this book would so alter conditions that no other volume of this kind would ever need be written. They did not intend to weaken the tent of faith but rather to strengthen the stakes and lengthen the cords until all of God's children might dwell together in the shadow of his holy tabernacle. Those who read the contributions with a spirit of retaliation will miss its very tenor and mistake its real purpose.

It is the belief of the editor that the Church of Christ may be entering a new era of relationship to the rest of the Christian world and that the things presented in this book may aid in making the transformation to a more wholesome and satisfying experience and witness. In that spirit it is dedicated to all who realize that only as we make the Good News meaningful to our generation can we be the worthy successors of those fathers who broke with tradition in their day to make possible the movement to which we are heirs.
Country USA
Manufacturer SCM e-Prints
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2011-09-27
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	SCM e-Prints
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2011-09-27
Format	Kindle eBook

Voices of Concern: Critical Studies in Church of Christism

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