Tradition, Opinion, and Truth: The Emerging Church of Christ [Paperback]

Fred Peatross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2000

There was a time when the church of Christ was the fastest growing Christian group in America. Their goal was the unity of all believers through Jesus Christ. Their membership was known as a people of the Book. But through the years the churches of Christ gradually left their noble plea of unity for an exclusive religion.No longer does the outsider recognize the restoration churches as a unity movement. Today theyre known more as the group who thinks theyre the only ones going to Heaven. No longer does one think people of the Book, when someone mentions the church of Christ. Unfortunately, the membership has stopped reading and thinking. Theyve learned that its dangerous to think independent of the party line. When you do, you risk rejection and excommunication. Heres a book that will challenge, encourage, and stimulate your thinking.It's candid, confessional, and gently confrontational. Fred Peatross has some words about traditions, opinions, and scripture. So grab your glasses and a highlighter and sit back in your Lazy-Boy for the next two hours as you take a journey through the traditions and truths of the Lords Supper, a cappella music, evangelism, giving, baptism, and many more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fred Peatross enjoys praying, writing, and having dinner with his wife, Paula. They make their home in West Virginia (almost Heaven). Fred has been a deacon, pulpit minister, and missionary in the churches of Christ. He holds a degree in Nuclear Medicine and a degree in Bible.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (September 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595139116
• ISBN-13: 978-0595139118
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #597,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Splitting the difference, January 13, 2004

By 

Todd E. Smethers (Edmond, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tradition, Opinion, and Truth: The Emerging Church of Christ (Paperback)

For the message alone this book should get 5 stars. The message of unity between all "factions" of the Church is essential for growth and to lead the lost to Christ. However, this is a review of the book as a whole and I found it lacking, that is 1 star. Hence the title of this review, 5+1/2=3 stars.

What I found in this book is mostly opinion, more opinion and a little scripture. I must admit that I have yet to finish it so maybe it redeems itself in the end chapters/segments. Still, I am finding it a difficult read not due to the message but the messenger. The writing is stilted and the format confusing. It seems to be a random grouping of essays by the listed author and one other person, Buff Scott, Jr. There is at times a flow between one section and the next but overall, no. The authors have a section quoting leaders from the Restoration movement and church history but no citing. Basically, "This is what they said but you'll have to work to verify it if you want to." The other difficulty for me is most of the time I don't recognize the church the writers are criticizing. There are vague similarities to the congregations and church leaders I have known but that is all.

The book while worth reading can be summarized in this: Look to Christ for unity and for wisdom with all Church brethren. Don't treat your opinion or your traditions as law avoiding the trap of legalism. To me, the rest of the book is just filler and the authors' opinion and criticism of the Church as a whole based on their experiences.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for Church of Christ folks, November 27, 2000

By 

Clinton Hale (Bellville, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tradition, Opinion, and Truth: The Emerging Church of Christ (Paperback)

This is a challenging, enlightening book. It targets legalism, small thinking and the bondage associated with both. It offers answers to some hard questions, and raises even more. While not everyone will agree with everything in it (although I think I did), it is a stimilating and refreshing read. I wholeheartedly recommend it. You will be better for having read it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars easy read, September 5, 2006

By 

Photog7 "in the ville" (TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tradition, Opinion, and Truth: The Emerging Church of Christ (Paperback)

I agree that the flow of the book was odd, but the overall message came across very clearly once you finish the book. One gripe is that he uses the "upper room" argument, which I find to be a very weak argument. There are better ones out there I believe. If you are in the CoC or thinking of "identifying" this is a good book to read to make sure you are "owning" your interpretations. Let us all in the CoC learn to think for ourselves and not depend on our ancestry to "figure it all out for us". Let us not be merely indoctrinated.