For over 30 years I have preached and written my convictions regarding the Bible, the people of God both Jewish and Christian, etc....And for most of those years people have "disagreed". Those from every mainline denominations, those from Religions of the world, even the unbelievers of any Deity, and occasionally my brethren in the Lord, disagree. All disagreement is unpleasant, some more than others, but not enough to cause me to squelch my honest convictions and sell-out to the majority opinions.

What are we, if we live without strong convictions? To tell someone that you believe you hold the truth on some particular point of view, is quite different than saying, "I'm right and you're wrong"! Sometimes folks disagree and proceed to show me more perfectly the way of truth. I soon find out through further study, that I've been wrong on some position I hold. Now I dislike being wrong, but not as much as I dislike teaching error. Changing my position to be lined up with truth, is a pleasant thing to me and I am eternally grateful and kind to the one, who pointed me in the right direction. These thirty years of truth seeking and bumping-heads with folks over disagreements, has taught me something else. Some say they "disagree", when in reality they know so little about the subject they can't even explain their position and know even less about mine. They have been reading and listening to God's Word interpreted through the eyes of a special class of trained "Scholar". No wonder folks disagree about so many biblical doctrines, look around at the "Factories" for turning out "Church preachers and Teachers", they are more divided than the crazy mixed-up world of over 2,500 different types, kinds, brands of churches.

Some people are born in the object-ative case and kick-ative mood and when truth is pointed out to these folks, they keep right on the way they were going, regardless of Truth or Consequences. Honest disagreement, based upon convictions, and established through careful study of God's Word, is honorable. Also, I can respect such disagreement even when I am reasonably sure my opposer is the one in error. Two or more such persons can study together and be profited, and I am ready, willing and able, as well as anxious to do so. But there is no honor and I have little respect for the person who seeks to discredit my work with prejudicial name-calling or the glib use of weight swinging, by saying, "I disagree"! You disagree with what? Is there a fallacy in my reasoning? Have I misused the Holy Scriptures? Have I overlooked some bible truth that would alter my conclusions? Give me a specific point of disagreement and I will be happy to consider it.

Any one of us would become indignant if he thought others with whom he might find himself discussing the scriptures, neither wanted to hear him nor wanted him to be heard. All of us know that we are not immune from being misunderstood by others; all of us also need to realize that neither are we above misunderstanding others. So often, when those who differ with us begins to talk or type, some cannot wait until he is through, the faceless expression and thinking seems to say, Let me hit the "ESC key" or CTRL-C, "I'm not listening to what you are saying", wishing they had the power to shut one up, rather than dealing with how to honestly answer his questions. These also wish they could break in before he's through, which says, "I'm not interested in trying to understand what you are saying, my minds made up, don't confuse me with the facts!"

The above principal works both ways and we all better start treating each of God's children, as though we are! No one has a right to expect courtesy, who will not extend courtesy and talks down to another as though he was inferior. Our use of threatening terminology, sarcastic remarks and gutter language should be left right there, in the gutter! Let's get out of the ditches, quit our wallowing in the old ruts, so to speak, and look for the 'old-paths and endeavor to walk therein'!!

Yours for Truth and Freedom.....Horace Hooper