March (Web-only) 2002

ARTICLE TOOLS

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This guest editorial originally appeared in the September 17, 1982, issue of our magazine.

Charles Jones, a leader of the church, has some ideas his friends think would be helpful to a wider audience. "Why don't you publish them as a book, Charlie? I get a lot more from you than I do from most books I read."

But Charlie says, "Oh no, I'm no writer!" And there the matter rests. Eventually, however, someone suggests that Charlie seek the help of a capable writer.

So Charlie approaches him. "Money isn't my main object," he says. "I just want to be helpful to more people. Will you at least talk to me about my ideas? I have some notes, too."

"Yes," says the writer.

In the course of time an agreement is signed. The writer interviews Charlie extensively to discover his views, looks over Charlie's scattered notes, and listens to tapes of some of his talks. The writer spots the key issues, works out the general outline with Charlie's aid, and then writes a draft in his own words.

No ethical problem so far.

Then Charlie begins to think, "After all, these are my thoughts. Why should I share credit for them with anyone?" He begins to visualize the book jacket, The Christian View of Holiness, by Charles Harmon Jones. It has a good ring to it. He says it over aloud a few times. It grows on him.

Finally he tells the writer, "I want to give you credit for your help. I couldn't have done it without you. But instead of putting your name on the cover with mine, I'll say in the preface how much I owe to you. Of course this won't change our financial agreement."

The writer, gulping once, says with false modesty, "Well, Charlie, if that's what you want, I guess I can go along with it."

Then a publisher is found. "There is no question in my mind," he ...