An Open Letter To Dr. Pat Hardeman Brother Hardeman:

Many people are concerned with your soul, including many of your former students. I have studied in the college where you recently taught, and being thus connected with you have a deep concern over several matters.

In view of your "Statement of Conviction," in the Gospel Advocate, further explanation is due the many who are interested in you. At the time the article was written, you explained that because of your illness, would be some time before you could write further upon the subject. I, as well as others, feel that more than sufficient time has elapsed.

May I phrase my inquiries briefly:

1) What is your conviction and the scripture supporting it on whether or not a Christian can engage in the modern "ballroom" dance?

2) What is your conviction and the scripture supporting it on whether or not a Christian can take a "social" drink?

These first two questions have been asked you earlier by another writer, but since no answer has appeared they bear repeating.

3) What is your conviction on whether or not Apostolic examples are binding on the church today?

In your article, one of your purposes was to deny the charge of "modernism" that some have brought against you. One of your defenses was that you had debated modernists, however, this in itself does not clear you of the charge. If a Catholic debated a Catholic, would that change the fact that they were both Catholics? In order to vindicate yourself of this charge, it will be necessary for you to answer these three simple questions. If you give no public answer, some are likely to conclude that you don't want your convictions publicized.

I realize that you are an educated man, and that I am still a student in college, and further, it is not my purpose to be engaged with you in any discussion. I simply would like to see — in print — your answers, not in any polysyllabic eloquence, but a simple chapter and verse for each. Because of the fact that many are awaiting your answers to these and other questions, I am calling upon you to make public your answers as soon as possible.

In Him, Arthur Ray Thompson

P. S. If the brethren who operate the Advocate do not care to print your answers, Brother Tant will grant you space in the Guardian.

The editors of Gospel Guardian deliberately neglected to apply copyright to the periodical, relegating it to public domain. Out of respect for their principles and the value of their writings, we likewise release all rights to all material on this page, releasing it to the public domain.