A Joint Statement From Caskey And Reed
"This joint statement is being issued by us (Guy V. Caskey and J. C. Reed) in order to clear up the impressions which seems to have been created in the minds of some that we have taken categorically opposite views upon brother Orville Brittell's position regarding premillennialism. The difference between us is not upon Orville's belief of premillennialism but upon the degree to which he will oppose its being taught.
Let us state to begin with that neither of us had all of the pertinent facts when the exchange of articles between us began. Orville's own article on his conduct and attitude toward premillennialists has made this plain and has cleared up some misunderstanding between us on exactly where Orville stands.
In an effort to clarify the issue let us both state that we commend Orville to the extent that he has opposed premillennial teaching but that we reprove him to the extent that he has abetted and fellowshipped premillennialists.
1. Neither of us accuses Orville of believing the doctrine of premillennialism.
2. We commend him for having opposed the teaching of premillennialism at Sinde mission.
3. We deplore his having cooperated with premillennialists in Rhodesia and having associated himself with premillennial congregations in Louisville.
We are also agreed that the policy of getting permits for any person claiming to be a member of the church to enter Northern Rhodesia to engage in mission work, regardless of his doctrinal soundness and fellowshipping that person in his work, is very detrimental to the spread of the pure gospel of Christ.
Signed:
J. C. Reed
Guy V. Caskey
We are happy to give space to the foregoing statement. And we rejoice that it clears the air as to these two fine men and their attitude toward, and opposition of, premillennialism. Some there are who deplore and lament any kind of controversy between brethren. But it must be evident that it was an honest and open expression of their differences, coupled with a fair and sincere attitude and a desire to know the true facts, that led brother Reed and brother Caskey to look into the record, and to come to the issuance of the joint statement above.
When brethren disagree, and are fair enough and honest enough to deal honorably with one another, and to study the grounds of their disagreement, there can never come anything but good from their study. It is only when partisanship and prejudice rule, when one or the other is determined to establish his contention, when a fair and impartial hearing is denied to one or the other—it is only then that controversy degenerates into senseless bickering and bitterness, and is productive of no good at all.
It is for this reason that the. Guardian seeks always to be open and fair in our publishing of material contrary to our own beliefs and convictions. We have absolute control of the paper, and could refuse arbitrarily to publish any article or any kind of statement from anybody. But such control carries with it a corresponding responsibility —the moral obligation to "lean over backward" in being fair to those who differ from us. In the nearly three years that this writer has been editing the Guardian we have not once refused space to an article because it was critical of us or questioned some position we advocated. Nor do we anticipate that we will ever take such a course. For that is evidence of doubt or uncertainty as to the correctness of one's teaching; unwillingness to publish a critical article suggests inability to answer the criticism.
Brother Reed and brother Caskey had differing views as to Orville Brittell; each presented his views; the Guardian published what each of them had to say. And now they are agreed. That is the course of action we would expect from two such men; that is a development in which the Guardian is happy to have had some part. If we had published only one side of the picture (whether Caskey's or Reed's), the cause of truth would have suffered. We would have promoted discord rather than peace.
From the very start of Guy Caskey's work in Africa, we have been impressed by its possibilities and objectives. He and his immediate fellow-workers went into that great field "to establish churches." They were determined to give first emphasis in everything to the accomplishment of that objective. Caskey, John Hardin, and Waymon Miller are all known to us personally, and we have always had confidence in their doctrinal integrity. If they make mistakes (and they probably have and will) they will be mistakes of judgment, and can be corrected; they will not be errors growing out of false doctrinal positions or any misunderstanding of New Testament teaching.
Let not Orville Brittell's softness toward premillennialism discourage any Christian from lending every encouragement possible to those fine and worthy men who are, teaching the truth in Africa. Indeed, the very fact that there has been weakness on premillennialism in that field will mean that those who teach the truth should be given additional support and backing. Let not Africa be surrendered to the premils!!
— F. Y. T.