Note: "Who Is My Brother? 2006 International Teachers' Seminar" is open for registration.

I must confess; I thought “Who is My Brother” by F. LaGard Smith was going to be a soft book on ecumenicalism. Wrong! Smith begins with fiery chapters on baptism and its integral connection to salvation. He chastises those who would introduce “faith only” doctrine into the church of Christ and makes clear where he stands on salvation matters.

Part 1 of the book, “The Quiet Revolution”, examines how some in our fellowship have come to accept an ambiguous stand on immersion for the forgiveness of sins. Doctrinal forensics reveal influences pushing on the church harder than the Bible and the compromise which soon follows. The threat to our congregations is great.

The meat of the book is in LaGard’s “Five-fold Fellowship” model. From the outer ring of fellowship (mankind as a whole) to our congregational relationships he demonstrates a keen wisdom in discerning effective attitudes toward each group. Smith reminds us in each stage the biblical teaching on who is saved but reminds us not to shoot ourselves in the foot evangelistically by isolating ourselves from those who may be seeking God or need further instruction on biblical doctrine. This is not casual reading. You will find your mental voice preaching to you.