The church is getting some unwanted publicity these days. Magazines and newspapers are publishing some undesirable information about some of the "famous" members of the church of Christ. One made a movie (among other things) that even the world has condemned. Another is in trouble with the government for (to put it mildly), the injudicious manipulation of finances. Some brethren are complaining about the names of these men being associated with the Lord's church.

What did you expect? Some of the same brethren who are now complaining were the ones who first boasted that these and other prominent personalities were members of the church of Christ. Congregations used these men promiscuously, not because they were better preachers or song leaders than others, but because they were "famous." Schools used them in fund-raising campaigns, because they were "famous." Some congregations, schools, and individuals left no stone unturned to exploit the fame of these men and revel in the fact that they were "members of the church of Christ." Now they are complaining about the publicity that they helped create. Others aren't saying much --They have quietly slipped off the bandwagon and are trying to pretend that they were never on it in the first place.

It is not my primary purpose to condemn those who have brought reproach on the body of Christ, nor just to say "I told you so" to those who had fellowship with these men in their misdeeds. Both could repent and be forgiven. What I'm more concerned about is: Have we learned our lesson, and will we profit from our experience?

It makes no difference if one is a doctor, lawyer, merchant, entertainer, rich man, or poor man -- he must accept the gospel and obey it like anyone else, and after he has obeyed it he should be treated like anyone else (Jas. 2:1-9). Peter learned that he should quit being a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). It is high time that we learned it too, lest we lose our souls, lest the one exalted lose his, and lest the enemy be given occasion to blaspheme.

Truth Magazine VIII: 7, p. 24 April 1964