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In
the May and July issues of P.T. (1981) two editorials were devoted
to false and foolish charges brought against this editor by Faith
& Facts (?) quarterly. The only proof offered was a May. '75
article from P.T. and the conclusions drawn were so farfetched as
to warrant little attention. Later a F&F letter stated,
"you have not said in print or in your letter to me or in
your articles what you have said in private..." That means I
was publicly charged with being on a "headquarters
staff" that was "cunning" in "quietly
spreading" "heresies;" and the basis for such a
charge was hearsay, unchecked, and totally lacking in sustaining
fact. Such unethical procedure led me to write the brief
editorials, then say no more about the matter.
THIS
article is written because I am told various brethren are coming
to my defense publicly, sometimes making statements in their
analysis of grace, forgiveness, etc., which I would not make.
These may be matters of semantics, and may or may not represent
real differences in views. I fully respect their right to express
themselves in whatever way they think best, and I greatly
appreciate their recognition of the injustice done me, and others,
and their efforts to give me support. But I have authorized no one
to speak for me and I feel no responsibility to
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accept their statements as representing
my beliefs. This declaration is so well understood by ethical
journalists its repetition seems foolish. It would be completely
unnecessary were it not that the F&F writers seem to accept
unidentified rumors "from the Cincinnati area" as if
they were statements from my mouth or pen. It is difficult to
imagine anyone going to print with such blatant charges on that
excuse.
If
F&F, or anyone else, believes any of my statements are
unscriptural (and I do not claim infallibility), it will please me
to hear from them. I will carefully consider their criticism, and
if I believe they are right I will take immediate steps to correct
the error. PLAIN TALK offers two pages of an issue to any
responsible writer who differs with us, and I will use only two
pages in reply. I'm not averse to exchanges in other papers, but
do not enter into such without assurance of fair treatment. When
one has reasons to doubt the ethics and honor of a journalistic
forum, it seems wise to shake the dust from one's feet, and send
articles elsewhere. Straight talk, sound teaching, and the
refutation of error can and must be done, without resorting to
carnal weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-f). Until we learn this, we fight in
vain.
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