One In Jesus

Over at his blog, Let Us Reason, Gil Yoder has begun a review of Todd Leaver’s book, challenging its arguments. Gil has changed his blog software (looks good!), but I can’t get the comment feature to work. It just won’t let me post anything.

And so, here’s my comment to Gil’s latest post. Hopefully, he’ll see the trackback or I can find an email address for him.

Gil,

I see from your links that you’re an applications analyst. I majored in math, many long years ago, so I think we share some common background. So I’m going to speak in math jargon.

Suppose that I suggest the premise that there are no prime numbers between 30 and 40. To prove my case I write a 135-page “proof.” Suppose you disagree.

There are two ways to attack my argument. First, you can very carefully go through each argument I made and look for the flaw. You would, of course, be successful. But in so doing, you’d have proved nothing but my incompetence. We still wouldn’t know whether there is a prime number between 30 and 40.

Alternatively, you could say “31” or “37,” and you’d not only have disproved my 135-page “proof,” you’d have answered the underlying question. Yes, there is at least one prime number between 30 and 40. You see, a counter-example disproves any “proof” — and anyone can understand it. Continue reading →

Deaver’s book is a big deal. In fact, it’s so important that I’d imagine very few conservative writers will dare take it on. My prediction, cynical though this may be, is that the progressive blogs and forums will appreciate the book for so thoroughly documenting what the progressives have been saying for so long — but the conservative authors will either ignore it or mischaracterize it. I don’t expect to see a reasoned response.

I hope I’m wrong. I really do. But my experience with popular authors among the conservatives is that they simply will not respond to questions of this nature. I know. I’ve asked, and when I press for them to get beyond truisms and explain the obvious inconsistencies, I find myself ignored.

I’m hopeful, however, that Deaver’s credentials earn him a fuller response than I’ve ever seen. Continue reading →

A book review I just wrote.

Todd Deaver. Facing Our Failure: The Fellowship Dilemma in Conservative Churches of Christ, Oliver Springs, Tennessee: self-published, 2008. No ISBN; 135 pages; $9.95 plus $2.95 shipping and handling; [email protected] or (865) 435-9471. Forward by Dr. Randy Willingham. 

This may be the most important book produced within the Restoration Movement in many decades. If it receives the response it deserves, the Churches of Christ will be dramatically changed for the better. Either the Churches will better articulate why we take the position on fellowship that we do, or else we’ll admit our inconsistencies and begin the search for a better position. Continue reading →