Experiment in Liberty: The Ideal of Freedom in the Experience of the Disciples of Christ (The Forrest F. Reed Lectures for 1976)

Anyone familiar with early Disciple history knows about the twin emphases - unity and restoration. Some have stressed one or the other and in their thinking, others have become biased. The others, in turn, have been sure that they took a properly mixed dose of both of the concerns of the fathers. Osborn does little with these two ideas except to show that they have been dominant themes in the development of all three divisions of Discipleship which now exist. He is interested in developing the story of a third major aspect of thought which he believes to have been present since the earliest day - freedom. Freedom enables individuals to respond to the Gospel. Freedom has made possible the educational system of the church, in the congregation and on the campus. The educational system, in turn, has created ever new generations who exercise freedom with responsibility, in the political arena, in the church structure, and in the community. The format of a lectureship has determined the nature of this presentation - somewhat informal and, it is to be hoped, popular, though dealing with issues of substance.