Never Again!
Not long ago, evangelicals were accused of being ten years behind the times. Remember?
Elvis Presley was anathema and Doris Day movies seriously suspect, and it was ten years before Christian recording artists and films emerged as wholesome alternatives.
Many Christians were slow to support the civil rights movement and even slower to oppose the Vietnam War. And in 1973, while the Supreme Court was hearing Roe v. Wade, only a handful of evangelicals stopped yawning long enough to ask what abortion was.
“Ten years behind the times.” It was an epithet we used to flagellate one another. But we learned our lesson! No longer are we straggling ten years behind the times.
No sooner do aerobics albums sweep a flabby country than Christian exercise albums emerge. (I’m cutting one now: Away With Fatted Calves.)
When Trivial Pursuit makes it big, biblical trivia games aren’t far behind.
Why read Harlequin romance books when we’ve got our own? (“I crave your kisses, my dear—within the bounds of good taste, of course.”)
Ashamed to buy those sexy marriage manuals? Don’t worry: now sanctified versions are stocked in Christian bookstores.
Want a fad diet? Why try secular fruit and fiber when a Christian nutritionist will offer a new diet plan within the next month?
No, we’re not ten years behind now. These days it’s only ten months. Congratulations! That’s progress.
Isn’t it?
EUTYCHUS
Is Yancey’S Mailbox Full?
Thanks for printing Philip Yancey’s fine article, “Learning to Live with Money” [Dec. 14]. I’ll bet by now his mailbox has been filled many times by people and organizations hoping to cash in on his “hilarity”!
REV. ROBERT SMALLMAN
Bible Presbyterian Church
Merrill, Wis.
Yancey’s story about the evangelist denouncing an entire congregation, to which he was a stranger, breaks my heart. How did that show love? Should we not, as Wesley said, “put the best construction on everything” and assume the people in a congregation are at least partially open to a revelation of God’s love in every part of their lives, including money? You love people into the kingdom; judging, denouncing, and the like are the tools of the Enemy (albeit frequently found in the church).
BETTY LASWELL
Tuscon, Ariz.
While Yancey says he does not pretend to anything like the spirit of John Wesley, he certainly is approaching it. Wesley wrote, “Ye who have seen [my manner of life] … have ye ever seen anything like the love of gain therein?”
ROBERT W. MCINTYRE
The Wesleyan Church
World Headquarters
Marion, Ind.
Kierkegaard Or Schaeffer?
I appreciate Harold O. J. Brown’s thoughtful recent attempt to place Francis Schaeffer’s reaction to Kierkegaard in context [“Kierkegaard’s Leap or Schaeffer’s Step?,” Dec. 14]. It must be seen that Schaeffer’s picture of Kierkegaard as one who despairingly gave up on a rational defense of Christianity and urged a blind leap of faith is, in fact, derived from the atheistic existentialists who were Schaeffer’s contemporaries. The picture Schaeffer gives of Kierkegaard is taken from Camus.
What Camus and Schaeffer did not see was that Kierkegaard’s claim that faith is “absurd,” and a “paradox,” derives its inspiration from the New Testament. Kierkegaard never said that the Incarnation was absurd in itself; he says it appears absurd to human reason because of the effects of sin.
C. STEPHEN EVANS
Curator, Hong Kierkegaard Library
St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minn.
I feel inclined not to debate whether or not the great Dane was a Christian, but whether or not we ought to set out on the path he suggested. After all, Kierkegaard, like many others, would no doubt have written quite differently had he known who was going to lionize him and why. The twentieth century’s well-conditioned leap into subjectivism has not only led to a vacuous and loveless existentialism, but to some vacuous and loveless charismatic and evangelical movements. It has taken men like C. S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer to point out the historical and practical absurdities of such an unbalanced, truly unreasonable approach.
WILLIAM SCHULER, M.D.
Mendota, Ill.
What’S A Boycott For?
Steve Lawhead has only muddied the waters concerning the protest against IVP’s publication of Brave New People [“What? Ban My Book?,” Dec. 14]. Does he seriously think this book was found objectionable because some “narrow-minded” persons thought it “so harmful, so spurious—so threatening” that the particular views of Mr. Jones could not be expressed?
As a bookstore owner, I see the real issue as being quite different. For years my customers have been coming in with the impression that if IVP was the publisher, then it must be “doctrinally sound” by historic orthodox standards. When Brave New People came out, bookstores realized the problem posed by this particular book: in among the many good titles on the IVP shelf sat one that advocated murder of unborn children. The motivation behind the “boycott” was not to restrict the free expression of ideas, but to preserve the integrity of IVP’s other publications and reputation in the mind of the Christian public.
JOHN R. OLSON
Charleston, S. C.
In light of the move by Eerdmans to publish Brave New People and of the column by Steve Lawhead criticizing the original removal of the book, certain questions must be raised. Is it the role of Christian publishing houses to give us books that open the doors for abortion on demand? Would we want them to publish books that promoted incest, rape, pornography, and child abuse? Eerdmans and Lawhead suggest that we ought to be “progressive” and “broad-minded” on the abortion issue; would they feel the same about these other concerns?
REV. LOUIS PROTNICKI
Maple Glen Church
Maple Glen, Pa.
As he so often does, Steve Lawhead clearly explained the situation surrounding IVP and its former book. IVP was left high and dry by others in the Christian publishing industry. I personally apologize for not standing with them publicly. It is unfortunate that an entire publishing program was maligned by the misreading of one chapter of one book.
BRUCE W. ZABEL
Ypsilanti, Mich.
“Peaceful” Indian Religion
Randy Frame’s report on India’s recent violence [News, Dec. 14] attributes too much to religions alone. He quotes Paul Hiebert as saying that “the idea of Eastern religions being peaceful and tolerant has been shattered.” It is one thing to die or kill for one’s religion, and it is entirely another to believe that the religion promotes violence. Neither Hinduism nor Sikhism preach violence. The case of terrorism and extremism is a different story. To suggest that Eastern religions have lost their credibility as peaceful is as wrong as saying that the “atom bomb is a ‘Christian bomb.’ ”
REV. NEHEMIAH THOMPSON
Ames, N.Y.
No-Growth Encouragement
Grant Swank’s “No-growth Guilt” [Dec. 14] reminded me of the extreme guilt I feel sometimes: a lot of people expect me to be discouraged, and I am not. In eight months here the church has “grown” to less than half of what it was when I came. Due to layoffs, five church families felt it was better to leave town to places of greater economic opportunities. They have left with my blessings. I am not “holding things together” until the economy improves; I am preaching the gospel of Christ and trying to allow the Holy Spirit to touch someone through me. Yes, it is a lot easier to preach to 40 than to 20, but three people still deserve my best.
REV. TONY BELARMINO
Assembly of God
Gabbs, Nev.
The Dynamics Of Forgiveness
Lewis Smedes’s approach to the issue of forgiveness in his new book Forgive and Forget is not unique. His work represents an important contribution to understanding the dynamics of forgiveness. But so does the work of James Emerson, who 20 years ago published The Dynamics of Forgiveness, a follow-up to his earlier work Divorce, the Church and Remarriage in which he posited the idea of “realized forgiveness” as the basis of healthy and creative human relationships. I have found myself going back again and again to Emerson’s insights as I have dealt with the dynamics of forgiveness in personal relationships. The test of any new work in the field should be in its ability to offer similiar help to a pastor
REV. PHILIP L. FERGUSON
The Highlands
United Presbyterian Church
Worthington, Ohio
More Wesley Children
“Wesley’s Other Children” [Dec. 14] was interesting and informative. Although it did not appear the author was presenting an exhaustive overview of all denominations of the Wesleyan tradition, I would like to point out that the Evangelical Friends Church is also rooted in this tradition. I presently attend a local Evangelical Friends Church and appreciate their emphasis on practical Christian living and open-mindedness toward others like myself who do not hold to all of the Wesleyan doctrines.
MICHAEL B. TILLINGHAST
Collins, Ohio
Dennis Kinlaw stated that the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) is “one of the few bodies left in the U.S. who hold a strict postmillenialism.” This erroneous assumption probably grows out of the fact that we do not hold to the premillenial theory. Our position on last things is a-millenial, or as some are calling it, now-millenial. This position was rather unique when we held it 100 years ago, but is embraced by many Bible scholars today.
DR. PAUL A. TANNER
Executive Council of the Church of God
Anderson, Ind.
Converting Jews
I read with interest “Jewish Leaders Attempt to Fight Effects of Evangelism” [Nov. 23]. Although the article discusses Jewish conversion to Christianity, it fails to make any mention of the fact that literally thousands of Gentiles, mostly from Christian family backgrounds, convert to Judaism each year. Estimates are that between 10,000 and 14,000 people convert to Judaism yearly. Many do so for marital reasons. But thousands convert to Judaism for non-marital reasons.
STEVEN JACOBS
Philadelphia, Pa.
CT’s article on the efforts of Jewish leaders to combat the evangelistic ministry of organizations like Jews for Jesus was personally appreciated. While I strongly endorse bridge-building dialogue, I feel constrained as a member of the JFJ board to applaud its insistence on the highest standards of ethics in every aspect of its work. Its personnel are among the most dedicated, gifted, hard-working, responsible witnesses to the gospel I have ever met. Indeed, they are a challenge to all evangelicals to follow the example of that great first-century Jew for Jesus, self-designated as a Hebrew of the Hebrews. Paul became “a Jew to the Jews in order to win Jews.”
VERNON C. GROUNDS
Denver Seminary
Denver, Colo.
Bringing Healing To Central America
I appreciated very much Beth Spring’s sensitive reporting on Christians in the present struggles of Nicaragua [Nov. 23]. It is important for those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord of history, and who profess a biblical doctrine of church that binds us more deeply together than politics or denominations divide, to try to delve more deeply into situations such as these to get below superficial rhetoric. I think the evangelical community, like Catholics and the councils, are well served in having people in the U.S. have an opportunity to interchange with their fellow believers in Central America when attempting to settle their consciences on situations in which our government is so intimately involved.
I hope the urgency of the suffering people in Central America, and the obvious role of the U.S. in their destiny, will help U.S. Christians—evangelical, Catholic and Protestant—to attempt to talk and even work together, in spite of our historic differences, to see that the gospel is preached and justice done in the midst of difficult and changing situations.
My own Brotherhood (RC) has suffered dearly in Guatemala, where one of us was murdered and another tortured within the last few months. If healing within and between our divided communities is to occur, it can only do so with the careful and balanced communication of which your article is an example.
BR. JEFFREY GROS
National Council of the Churches of Christ
New York, N.Y.
Nowhere does Beth Spring mention the Miskito Indians and the problems they have had with the government in the past five years. Any article that disregards that segment of the people of the country does not give a complete picture of the situation. Nearly all Americans who have been invited by the Sandanistas to visit Nicaragua and see what is going on never get to the areas where the Miskito Indians live on the east coast. Let the observers ask the Miskitos and their pastors about religious freedom under the Sandanistas.
RICHARD I. SHAMEL
New Eden Moravian Church
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Discipline: Spiritual Or Legal Grounds?
I found your two articles concerning church discipline valuable [Nov. 9]. However, I find it ironic that first you say, “Spiritually, membership in Christ’s body is not merely a question of legal membership.” Then in the second article you suggest the church constitution be written to say membership only ends by mutual consent. In other words, you resort essentially to a legal remedy—a more binding contract. I would never sign such a document. Imagine a cult pursuing a member and disciplining him for attempting to leave without mutual consent! If I find a church falling into error and will not change, I reserve the right to terminate my relationship with that church.
DOUG MACLEAN
APO San Francisco, Calif.
Needed: A Review Of Agape
Your editorial “Mudslinging in the Sanctuary” [Oct. 19] does not live up to your past scholarly standards. I can see now the headlines in the Jerusalem Times around A.D. 30. Under the bold type: “Mudslinging”:
“Young, self-appointed Jewish leader named Jesus calls respected, nationally known religious leaders ‘whited sepulchers’ and ‘brood of vipers.’ Further, other incidents of this young upstart’s unloving nature were revealed when, it was reported, he called one of his most ardent followers ‘Satan,’ telling him, ‘Get behind me.’ ” (Gasp!)
The authors call for “expressions … of Christian love.” Perhaps they should review their word study of agape, which reminds us that this love seeks the individual’s, and society’s, best interest, often at the expense of verbal pleasantries.
BILL SPANJER
Pine Bush, N. Y.
“Thanks, God!”
Eutychus, my friend, you are right on target [“Premeal Tribuation,” Nov. 23]. Ever since seeing my supervisor mutter a hasty “Thanks, God” under his breath as a Big Mac made a quick ascent to his mouth, I have been set free! I no longer must pray for each soul before each bite. My dog doesn’t pray, but I can tell from the way he devours his Puppy Chow that he is tremendously thankful for it. Let’s all be thankful, whether we pray or not!
CHARLES W. ROBERTS
Augusta, Ga.
Evaluating CT
The November 23 issue of CT seemed particularly good. From “John Wesley and Megatrends” to the Soviets and the Sandinistas I found it informative and well-executed journalism. I especially enjoyed Anthony Bloom’s article on prayer. I am glad you fished it out of that 1970 publication. It is a good view of God through his Orthodox pen. Thanks for your work in attempting to keep us up to date about our world and what God is up to in it.
RICHARD A. GASCHO
Greater Europe Mission
Alma, Mich.
God Has No Grandchildren
Daniel Pawley’s treatment of Ernest Hemingway’s evangelical background is powerful [“Ernest Hemingway: Tragedy of an Evangelical Family,” Nov. 23]. It gives readers and aspring writers a glimpse of a good Christian boy from the most orthodox of backgrounds who appears to have spurned his religious heritage. Pawley’s article makes his Christian readers ask, “Could this happen to me or my children?” The article reinforces the idea that God has no grandchildren.
MICHAEL R. SMITH
South Mountain, Pa.
Pawley’s article was disappointing. What qualified it for a Christian magazine like CT? Surely not some comments on Hemingway’s evangelical family. Any secular article would have noted the same influences. Conspicuous by its absence was any uniquely Christian analysis.
KENNETH J. MORGAN
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Was it Hemingway’s life or was it his “evangelical” upbringing that was the real tragedy? I am convinced it was the latter.
BARBARA COOPER
Sharpsburg, N.C.
Corrections
The book by Lynn Buzzard, With Liberty and Justice, was published by Victor Books, not David C. Cook (Nov. 9, p. 39).
Barratt’s Chapel, called the “Cradle of Methodism,” is in Frederica, Delaware, not Maryland (Nov. 9, p. 20).
