Something Constructive
In the confusion and chaos of these last four or five years, with wild charges and accusations, crusades for "quarantines," split churches, cancelled meetings, disgraceful law-suits over church property, and a veritable "campaign of hate" being waged against brethren who question the scripturalness of some of the big promotions and projects among us, any sort of constructive move, looking toward peace rather than warfare, toward unity rather than division, has been hard to find. Some months ago this writer made a rather mild suggestion that it might be helpful if the institutions were put on the basis of individual, rather than church, support. The result? We almost got the editorial head chewed off by angry partisans on both sides! We have pleaded with several churches NOT to cancel meetings they had scheduled with some of the "promoting" brethren. What happened? We found these very brethren were urging the churches to cancel the meetings they had booked with the "non-promoters"!
In view of all the turmoil and confusion, we hail the new classbook by Brother Roy E. Cogdill, "Walking By Faith," as a constructive step of the highest order. Here is an objective, analytical, scriptural study of the questions under dispute. Here is the cool, level-headed approach of a Bible student; the unemotional, factual, down-to-earth sort of Bible searching investigation that the common people can see, understand, and appreciate. Instead of bemoaning and low-rating his brethren who differ from him, Brother Cogdill offers a course in Bible study, a class-book of simplicity, clarity, and compelling and irresistible conclusions.
This is truly a constructive step in the present situation. There is no argument in the lessons, but rather the marshalling of scriptures, the arrangement and outline of Bible teaching on points of controversy. No effort is made to preach a sermon or establish any particular point that is being debated; whatever conclusions the student draws from the material will be his own rather than those drawn for him by the author; they will be convictions forced upon him by the sheer, overwhelming weight and power of cumulative passages setting forth Biblical truth.
This is the technique with which faithful Christians have always met their problems. Their first recourse has been always, "to the law and to the testimony"! However sacred and hallowed the traditions of the past, however venerable and honored the customs of the people, and however noble and pious the men who advance and defend any position, the faithful Christian is bound by one thing and one thing only — "what saith the scriptures." All else matters little to him. Once he has a clear understanding of Bible teaching, his course is set; nothing will move him from it.
We truly believe that this new book by Brother Cogdill is destined to take its place as one of the greatest contributions of our generation to peace and unity among God's people. Brethren who saw the lessons in manuscript form before printing were unrestrained in their words of praise — and in the prediction that this book would enable thousands and thousands of Christians (and untold congregations) to have a clear understanding of present issues, and to have peace and unity on the basis of that truth. The book was not easy to prepare. While the rough outline of it was prepared a year or more ago, the finished lessons have been slow in developing. Every sentence, every word has been weighed and tested, carefully evaluated to make certain that it is a true and accurate presentation of Bible teaching. Able brethren in every part of the country have helped in one way or another in the presentation of this book.
Particularly valuable is Brother Cogdill's last lesson on the "Individual's Responsibility" to maintain unity in the present crisis. This one scriptural lesson alone, if understood and accepted by brethren throughout the world, would make division utterly impossible!! The clear, positive obligation of each of us to do those things the Bible outlines for the maintaining of unity are so simply set forth that we believe the mere reading of them will have a tremendous impact on the hearts of all.
What can we do to help the situation? We urge upon every reader of this page two things (1) order the book yourself, and (2) call it to the attention of elders, teachers, gospel preachers wherever you may be. Urge that classes use the book in studying these problems — Sunday morning classes, Sunday evening classes, midweek classes, Vacation Bible School classes, special classes for the very purpose of studying current issues. Let us promote and encourage such a wave of Bible study as the church has not seen in our generation! That's the way to solve any problem that threatens the church. We will not solve it by hating one another, by malice, ill-will, back-biting, and wicked efforts at "quarantine." But by an humble study of the word of God, unity will be promoted, love will be increased; and the kingdom of God will go on to greater strength and greater influence than ever before. Brother Cogdill has made his great contribution to that end in his book, "Walking By Faith." It is now up to the rest of us to see that the book is given as wide a distribution as possible. It has been priced barely above cost of production so that it can be available to as many as will use it. The price is only $1.00 per copy — and the book is now ready for mailing!
— F. Y. T.