A "call for calm" on disussions related to Genesis published in The Christadelphian - in 1965

In the mid-1960s, the UK Christadelphian community attempted to come to terms with the evidence for human existence that predated the earliest reasonable date for Adam. Time has of course shown that the evidence for human evolution from the fossil and genomic data is beyond rational dispute, but what characterised our community half a century ago was a willingness to discuss things in a spirit of moderation and love. While browsing back issues of the magazine, I noticed this 1965 letter which managed to emphasise the need both for ecclesial autonomy and a rational, calm approach to discussions. We would do well to emulate that calm, rational approach today.

Dear bro. Sargent,

The undermentioned brethren, having seriously considered the present situation in the Brotherhood, would be grateful if you would allow space for the following statement to which they all subscribe. They write in a purely personal capacity, their aim being to assist in the consolidation of our community in the things of the Truth.

1. We wish to give our wholehearted support to the appeal made by the Magazine Committee in the May Christadelphian for charity and moderation to be exercised when points of dispute arise in the Brotherhood. We feel that brethren in Christ should be able to discuss, in patience and love, interpretations of the Scriptures which, being loyal to our position, may yet be unfamiliar to us, in the sincere desire that our understanding of the Word of God may grow.

2. For our part we wish to affirm our undeviating support for a vigilant maintenance of our belief in the entire inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and our loyalty to the doctrinal basis of the Christadelphian Community. We recognize that, where views are maintained which are contrary to these foundations, it becomes the duty of ecclesias to exercise discipline, lest our heritage should be lost.

3. Nevertheless, we regard division in the Body of Christ as an evil to be avoided by every proper means possible, and we do not believe that wholesale division is a suitable method of maintaining the purity of the Faith. Even when the issues are clear cut in the minds of the active contestants, they are seldom so to those others who are called upon to make decisions. Innocent people suffer through no fault of their own, the name of the Truth is brought into ill-repute, and like-minded brethren and sisters find themselves driven against their will into opposite camps. It is our view that ecclesias themselves should exercise whatever discipline may be needed, and that in all normal circumstances others should accept loyally the decisions reached, dealing with any differences which arise in the manner set out in the Ecclesial Guide.

4. At the same time, we recognize that inter-ecclesial communication at times of difficulty presents a special problem, and we feel that thought should be given to the development of an acceptable method of consultation which makes it possible for ecclesias to work together without losing their independence. We hope that discussions at present going on may lead to some constructive suggestions to this end.

In the meanwhile we would specially appeal to each brother and sister to give earnest, personal priority to the Word of God, that our faith may be robust to withstand error, and gentle to correct and instruct us all in righteousness, remembering that “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace”.

Sincerely your brethren,

BERT ALLSOPP ROBERT DAWES D. D. PALMER N. E. ARNOLD H. D. DEARDEN F. T. PEARCE A. F. ASHTON J. M. W. DRAKES W. H. PHIPPS H. ATKINS G. T. FRYER T. PRITCHARD J. A. BALCHIN G. GORE MELVA PURKIS T. J. BARLING G. D. GILLETT THEO PURKIS W. F. BARLING W. W. GILLINGHAM D. G. PURKIS C. E. BENNETT H. K. HALLAM A. C. RAINEY C. H. BLAGBURN P. G. HANDLEY P. W. REYNOLDS K. G. BLAKE A. HAYWARD N. RICHARDS M. F. BRAKE R. H. W. HEATH L. W. RICHARDSON J. G. BUCKLER V. G. HOLDERNESS A. V. ROWLANDS C. T. BUTLER HUGH HOOD F. D. SOFFE JAMES CARTER A. F. JANNAWAY E. G. SPEAKMAN C. CLAMP P. KINGSTON A. W. TAUNTON A. CLIFTON A. MACPHERSON H. TENNANT B. T. CLINKARD C. MASON H. H. THOMPSON P. B. CLOUGH A. L. MILLER E. H. THORNELOE C. COOPER C. MITCHARD G. T. THORP L. F. COX F. E. MITCHELL H. A. TWELVES H. P. CHRISTMAS C. MORGAN A. E. WALKER JEREMY CRADDOCK A. H. NICHOLLS P. WATKINS J. H. CREDGINGTON A. D. NORRIS S. G. WEBB G. DAVIES J. B. NORRIS H. A. WHITTAKER L. E. DAWES H. OSBORN

The Christadelphian (1965) 102: 268–269.