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objection came to me via Mr. G.T.A., Dr. Kuhn and Mr. Rader.
My son Garner Ted, incidentally, was not part of that
doctrinal team. He voluntarily abstained from being a member of
that team as he should have done, under the circumstances at the
time. He said he would follow my decision, knowing I was intending
to study every side of the question. I not only carefully studied
all reports given me from the doctrinal committee, I showed their
papers to some of our best scholars on the British campus,
including Dr. Stavrinides (especially for his knowledge of the
Greek).
I have always tried to follow the Biblical admonition that
in a multitude of counselors there is safety. I have always tried
to follow the principle that I learned as far back as 1915, to get
ALL the facts before a decision. God called and chose me to get
HIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM TO THE WORLD, and to be used in raising
up His Church for our time to HELP get that Great Commission DONE!
The Living Christ, the HEAD of God's Church, has guided
me. He has never let me make a fatal mistake or a major wrong
decision -- but rather only minor errors when I was caught "on the
run", as it were, with something else on my mind, and gave a quick
decision without sufficient facts or study. But I TRY to call for
counsel and advice -- and especially the FACTS.
Now I find that apparently the present questions have
arisen in all probability because I was never given the papers or
views of those on the team or in the organization who held views
OPPOSED to most of those which were turned over to me (with one
exception).
I am sending word to Headquarters to WITHDRAW the booklet
from circulation until I may have opportunity to study the position
of those opposed to the present booklet. That is not to say I will
agree with them -- it IS to say I will study their position and
facts in the scriptures WITH A COMPLETELY OPEN MIND. If there are
errors in the booklet,I will CORRECT them. I want GOD'S TRUTH, and
I must assume you Ministers do too! I would like to take a more
liberal view -- if it is God's TRUTH.
If there is any reason I can account for, as to why God
chose me and put me in the position I occupy, it is because I HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN COMPLETELY FAITHFUL WITH HIS WORD as He gives me to
UNDERSTAND!
Manila
February 23, 1974
It is now Sunday morning. This letter, up to this point
was telephoned in to Pasadena last evening so they might be getting
that portion ready for mailing.
And now, this morning, the most shocking news in the
history of God's Work has reached us by telephone. At least two