Letter To the Editor

I agree wholeheartedly with your Editor’s Note introducing Brother Little's treatise on "Hereditary Sin" in the January Advocate. You say "that the article is as needful now as it ever was". I am of the opinion that it is more needful now because of the present efforts toward reunion.

It is very apparent that contrary views are held by some; are taught and publicized even by brethren of considerable repute. But the Scriptural principles so ably set forth by Brother Little, are, and always have been, basic elements of the Christadelphian faith since the days of Dr. Thomas. Further, as such they form an important part of the Birmingham Statement of Faith (either Amended or Unamended) in articles 5, 8, 9 and 10. These articles set forth, briefly, the Scriptural truths of the inherited, condemned, sinful nature of all of Adam's descendants, and the need that a sacrifice be made for deliverance from this condemnation; and as Jesus was also a son of Adam, it was necessary that he offer sacrifice (on the cross) for himself as well as for his brethren.

Any real and genuine reunion must be based on acceptance of these principles, without reservation, by all concerned. No equivocation or denial of them can be tolerated, for such is tantamount to a denial of the Faith, and one so doing cannot truthfully claim to be a Christadelphian.

None will deny that our primary objective is, and must be, union and fellowship with God and Christ. If union with other sections of the Christadelphian Household can be effected without endangering that objective: well and good. But to sacrifice that objective for any temporal advantages of union with those of contrary beliefs and convictions is unthinkable.

P. L. SAFFORD

The Christadelphian Advocate, March 1959, pg 53