Recommendation Clarification

Over the years, your congenial editor has recommended many books. These are not intended to be a substitute for Bible study, but they usually provided information on various subjects. Most of the books recommended have been written by sound brethren—at least, they were at the time of the recommendation. Some endorsed books have been written by those in denominations, and we usually alert the reader to that fact. Earlier this year, I recommended two books written by brethren who are sound on most major issues, but we have a disagreement over fellowshipping error.

This disruption of fellowship began about 20 years ago when an otherwise conservative brother espoused two false teachings. One involved the endorsement and practice of re-evaluating elders based on popular vote; the other has been termed the “marital intent” doctrine, which claims that if a person married someone just to become a resident of this nation, but the couple did not live as husband and wife, then they could divorce and be free to marry. Most preachers disagree with both teachings. Many of us thought these two errors were serious enough not to fellowship the one who defended them. Others continued to fellowship him anyway for reasons best known to them.

Twenty years have elapsed; most of us stand exactly where we stood two decades ago and do not intend to waver. Thus, the endorsement of these two books should not be construed as a matter of changing our minds about these two false teachings—or those who fellowship the one who taught them. The recommendation extends only to the excellent material contained in these two works (A New Heaven and a New Earth and Let God Be True)—which do not deal with those subjects. We love those brethren and are always open to a discussion of this unfortunate situation.