A Moment for Thought: A Voice from 43 Years Ago
Author: Bobby Valentine | Filed under: Church History, Restoration History, UnityYesterday I read a short article by David Reagan in the October 1968 issue of Mission Messenger. It is called “A Moment for Thought” and I would like to share this brief article with you.
“A Moment For Thought” by David R. Reagan
“I recently read about a poll conducted among American Catholics. The most startling revelation of this poll was the fact that more than 60% of American Catholics feel that abstinence from meat on Friday is more important than Jesus’ admonition to ‘love our neighbor as ourself.” [sic].
Rather shocking isn’t it? In fact, I would go so far as to say it is downright appalling and pitiful that so many “Christians” could have such a warped concept of what Christianity is all about.
Yet, before we get on our self-righteous high horse and start condemning the ‘pagan’ Catholics, let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves how members of the Church of Christ – the “New Testament church” – would respond to a similar question. Suppose, for example, that the same pollster were to ask the stalwart members of our brotherhood the question, ‘Which is more important, abstention from the use of musical instruments in the worship service or the command of Jesus to ‘love your neighbor as yourself”?
I have no doubt our response would be so overwhelmingly in favor of abstinence from musical instruments that we would make the Catholics look wishy washy in their preference for abstinence from meat.
Similarly, I think I know what the response of our brethren would be if the same question were worded differently – “which is more important, regular church attendance, or love of neighbor?” or, “which is of greater importance, the systematic observance of the Lord’s Supper upon the first day of the week, or the love of one’s fellowman?” Again, I have no doubt that the love of man would finish a poor second among our brethren.
Our explanation of the Catholic response would be the classic one, ‘What can you expect from people who never study the Bible, but simply do what the Pope tells them?” How would you explain the fact that we who pride ourselves on our Bible study would agree with the Catholic response?” (Mission Messenger, October 1968, p.158 in volume 9 of the Works of Carl Ketherside).
End of Quote
I am not so sure where we might come down 43 years after this short piece was written. Will we repeat the mantra “but Jesus still told us not to neglect counting the pepper seeds and salt crystals!” But the question is an important one and it will not go away . . . and how we respond says volumes about who we are as the People of God.
One day a scholar in the torah came to Jesus and asked, “which is the greatest commandment of the Law? Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
What if Jesus really meant it?
October 21st, 2011 at 7:10 am
First I have to say that you are probably my only friend who sits around reading church literature from the 1960’s. I love that about you, but I truly believe it’s better you than me. 😉
Second, WOW! Right between the eyes. I can say in all honesty that I am living a life of loving God and others above clinging to sacred church doctrines. I’ve been called worldly, lost, and an apostate, yet I am bearing good fruit. Who is right? Jesus, who says it’s not possible for a bad tree to produce good fruit, or my church of Christ(biological)family that has cut me off? That’s my wounding talking, but I do believe Jesus meant ALL of what he said. Love God first, then others, which leads us to another important question. What does that look like?
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:12 pm
There has been one in our area that has asked the same question, “‘Which is more important, abstention from the use of musical instruments in the worship service or the command of Jesus to ‘love your neighbor as yourself”?” The stalwart Members of the churches of Christ will not answer such a silly question. Of course there are things that are more important than other things. But to answer a loaded question is not wise. This fellow that presents this question is a radical and continually wrestles with himself more than with anyone else. In your scholarship I would think you would be past such a question. As always enjoy reading your blog. Don’t always agree but do enjoy reading.
Sonny O