Empty But Eloquent Pews
From the Eutychusian diary: “Always make allowances for speakers of saintly reputation. What in others would be unmannerly conduct is in them ‘the faults peculiar to their temperament.’ Never answer them in terms of the faults peculiar to yours.”
That piece of sagacity stemmed from a casual encounter with a master of the conference platform. No sign of recognition came from him, and I came to the incredible conclusion that he had forgotten me. It was obviously to his advantage that this state of affairs be remedied pronto, so I turned and brightly reminded him of my name. He looked at me coolly for a moment, then replied, “Yes, I know.”
I wouldn’t have minded had he said “I won’t give you away,” or “It’s not much to boast about, is it?,” or even “I decline to enter into any imbecilic conversation with you.” But that withering rejoinder made me want to creep into a corner and ponder Saul Kane-like on the harm I’d done by being me. A well-known journal would have called it “The Perfect Squelch.”
Pastors may experience the same effect, albeit more delicately, from a reading of Helmut Thielicke’s A Little Exercise for Young Theologians (Eerdmans), a seven-year-old forty-one pager to which I have returned again and again. From the author’s friendly “Preliminary Understanding with the Reader,” here is counsel on such matters as “The Wisdom of the World as the Ally of Faith” and “Theological Work in High Altitudes.”
Patiently, profoundly, our wise German takes the bounce out of all the insufferable seminarians we know so well, including our insufferable young selves of yesteryear. “The Shock of Infatuation with Theological Concepts,” “Pathology of the Young Theologian’s Conceit”—even the headings make me blush to remember, but the text positively lacerates. Thus the Pharisaical young pastor as he glances triumphantly over the vacant rows in his church: “Take thine ease, my dear soul, by thy truth thou hast produced a legitimate scandal and mayest regard thyself as justified.” Or this: “I thank thee, God, that I am not a rat-catcher or ear-tickler like those colleagues yonder after whom half the city is running. My empty pews testify on my behalf.”
Fenelon had a word for it: “Woe to him who is led by vanity; he runs the risk of a futile martyrdom.” Lord, is it I?
Perspective On Process
Let me offer my commendations for the two-part critique by Dr. Henry of process theology (March 14 and 28). He does a wonderful job of placing this system in perspective with evangelical and Barthian thought. His definition of the presuppositions and aims of the expounders of this view is most enlightening. Also, the systematic presentation in part two of process theology’s departure from biblical concepts of God is very helpful.…
Let me add just this one comment. Process theology’s attempt to present evolution as the divine modality of a continuing and growing creation overlooks the inconsistency of the theory of natural selection with divine benevolence. To present a God of love as one who must depend on a system based on the destruction of the weak and the chance survival of the fittest is to put the holder of such a view of creation in the dilemma of irresolvable paradox. I find it much easier to accept the biblical account of creation and of a sovereign and benevolent Creator whose creation is totally dependent upon him for its sustenance.
New Orleans, La.
The Tax Dilemma
The pro and con discussion of tax funds to religious education (March 28) was most interesting, but I thought that the arguments propounded on the pro side were, for the most part, extremely weak and sometimes irrelevant.…
Mr. Lowell, on the other hand, has made a good case for the con side. I realize that our complex society leaves nothing simple any more, but the basic principles are still clear and should be respected and followed.
Royal Haven Baptist Church
Dallas, Tex.
While both Mr. Lowell and Mr. Oosterman make valid points, few of which are irrefutable, both of them appear to overlook equally valid points.
1. If private schools are forced to close, the students must go somewhere.
2. It would be more feasible, financially, to operate the existing facilities with tax dollars than to replace them within the public school systems.
3. If the existing facilities are operated with tax dollars, those opposed to mixing schools and religion would soon put a stop to any teaching of religion within the schools, thereby destroying any semblance of the modus operandi for which I personally might favor the operation of church-controlled schools.
4. Regarding Mr. Oosterman’s statement that “everyone gets taxed, but only those whose children attend the public—that is, the state—schools may benefit from their own educational taxes”: He has misplaced the word “may.” All those paying educational taxes who have children in school may benefit from those educational taxes—if they so choose.…
5. Perhaps both writers could better apply themselves to changing those laws which presently prevent the application of religion within the public schools, thereby overcoming the advantage the church-operated schools presently have.
Omaha, Neb.
It has been my experience that young people who attend a “Christian” (as opposed to secular) high school have a thorough knowledge of the Bible and are steeped in the traditions of the evangelical subculture, but are unable to relate to a pagan, pluralistic society Those who advocate tax funds for religious education ought to consider whether Christianity was meant to be lived in the monastery or the marketplace.
Youth Director
Bethany Reformed Church
Chicago, Ill.
Reporting Revolt
The type of “student revolt” which you advocate in “Student Revolt Hits the Seminaries” (editorial, March 28) is exactly what happened at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves a few weeks ago. Unfortunately this sensible approach to grievances never hits the news media and thus is not called to the attention of even the “church press.”
Good Shepherd United Church of Christ
St. Charles, Mo.
Anxious Alienation
I disagree strongly with the premise of your March 28 editorial, “Antidote For Anxiety,” particularly the statement that “most of our anxieties grow out of our excessive concern with material comfort and security.” For the majority of middle-class Christians—to whom your magazine directs itself—there is no “anxious pursuit of food and clothing.” We have an abundance of such things. What we also have in abundance is a sense of alienation: an insecurity about our relationships with people and with a chaotic world, and a deep feeling that these relationships are becoming more uncontrollable and uncertain each day. A growing source of anxiety for the Christian lies in the problem of knowing fully what it means to be a Christian vis-a-vis today’s restless, fastchanging world.
Altus, Okla.
Identity Crisis
Concerning Lawing’s cartoon (March 28), I can only say that I hope I am not understanding it correctly.… But since this has come out the week before Holy Week, and since the figure in the center is clothed in white, and since Jesus was taken to the Praetorium for trial before Pilate, I can only think of one thing, namely, that the center figure is supposed to represent Jesus.
If such could actually be the case, words would fail me to express my horror and contempt for so blasphemous an attempt at humor. However, I shall reserve all judgment, earnestly hoping that to the cartoon there is some other point which … has somehow eluded me.
Bethany Reformed Church
Des Moines, Iowa
• The elusive point is Acts 23:35 (RSV)—ED.
Locality Crisis
The news report by Edward E. Plowman, “Bibles and Bombs” (March 28), referred to the Rev. Robert Thieme as “pastor of a large independent Dallas church.” This is incorrect. Bob Thieme is pastor of Berachah Church in Houston, Texas.
Asst. Prof. of Systematic
Theology
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas, Tex.
• The publishing process, not the reporting, relocated Mr. Thieme.—ED.
Strategic Succession
The article by John Evenson regarding the election of George W. Webber as president of New York Theological Seminary (“New Leader, New Motif for New York Seminary,” March 28) … certainly is a good job of reporting the religious news. In contrast to one New York newspaper, it is an excellent job. The presidency of our seminary is a strategic post in New York City and in theological education. Dr. Webber is an admirable choice to succeed John Sutherland Bonnell, who served the school well.
Assoc. Prof. of Church History
New York Theological Seminary
New York, N. Y.
‘Errant’ Compromise
I am writing about some “errancy” in John Warwick Montgomery’s second article in the series “Missouri Compromise” (Current Religious Thought, March 28). Mr. Montgomery quotes Paul Jersild as having written, “We who teach at Luther College cannot subscribe to scriptural inerrancy.” Mr. Montgomery has taken a sentence apart to suit his own desires for uncovering evil in another Christian synod. The entire sentence as written by Paul Jersild reads, “We who teach at Luther College cannot subscribe to scriptural inerrancy because our knowledge of Scripture prevents us from making such a claim.”
Perhaps Mr. Montgomery quotes the Bible in the same way. “Judas went out and hanged himself; go and do likewise.”
Paul Jersild’s statement is very scriptural; if Mr. Montgomery would have read it carefully enough he might have agreed with it. He says that we are not wise enough via human knowledge to say that Scripture is inerrant. Inerrancy of Scripture is a matter of faith, not a product of human rational achievements.
(The Rev.) EUGENE F. SOLAND
Glenwood City, Wis.
A short note of appreciation for … “Missouri Compromise”.… I was a member of the doctrinal committee at our New York convention and know that what he says is the truth about my church. There are many of us who are praying that men like Dr. Montgomery will speak up openly and courageously and will be the means that God will use to keep a church body from releasing its lines to the solid moorings of the Holy Scripture.
Grace Lutheran Church
Hibbing, Minn.
