J.B.R Letter Ritchie Way June 2009

FORD AND HOLDEN
Dear Ritchie
The Ford and Holden are two iconic vehicles that are hanging in there despite fierce competition and hard times. The same two vehicle names are significant in our theology! We know, of course, that Progressive Adventism is bigger than Ford, being espoused by a significant number of our scholars, aware ministers and laity.
The Holden group, on the other hand, ‘hold on’ fiercely to traditions irrespective of concerns about sandy foundations. After all, ‘This is the approach that gets converts.’ Unfortunately, many converts only stay for a while and some of those who remain have uncharitable attitudes to those who don’t believe as they do.
Rivalry and competition have always been the norm between these two vehicles. Did you watch Bathurst?
Try the Google search words ‘covert control’ on the internet and see if you think such methods apply in our organisation. You might even take time to consider which ones are scripturally justifiable.
Then there was that Hook biography which deals as much with issues as it does with a person. It makes especially good reading if you enjoy deciding who are the ‘goodies’ and who are the ‘baddies’. The challenging part is the suggestion that some fundamental doctrinal changes are needed to move the church from historical traditions to biblical positions.
The battle between the Ford and Holden groups is so determined that it divides churches, causes resignations and blunts evangelistic efforts. Will the competition become so fierce as to have one side challenge the other with a class action based on such things as deception, manipulation, discrimination, denial of religious liberty, the use of dogma and vehemence instead of reason?
Certainly loyalty is needed. One must ask, however, should it be loyalty to the past or to the future, to tradition or scriptural truth?
To be sure both vehicles have much to contribute. Just as surely there are some things for each to surrender as well. However, if equal recognition were given to both vehicles, this would provide stimulating competition, balance and choice. By the way did you see the report that at one time Ford and Holden did consider combining? Maybe we should do this too. However, if we lack the courage, honesty and humility to face these issues we might as well just combine the names and call our vehicle a Folder!
Sincerely
J.B.R.

Dear J
Hmmm.
Ritchie