A Teenager’s Faith?
I am a rural Lutheran pastor who read your article “The Adult Gospel” [by Larry Poston] in the August 20 issue of CT. I think you hit the bullseye in terms of the problems Christianity faces. The observation that Christianity appeals to a teenage mindset is correct (I got excited about the faith at age 16). You seem to point out that Christianity likes to keep people at a teenage level of faith. Thus, Vietnam veterans or people who have lived “seasoned” lives have two options: accept the teenage frills and thrills of entertainment evangelism or fall into cynicism.
You’ve put your finger on the pulse of a hot issue: the area of “practicality,” which speaks of an Old Testament—rooted faith and so opens a “Pandora’s box” of the basic immanence and transcendence natures of God and God’s daily action. I read your conservative colleagues, apologetically (or defending fiercely) the transcendent Hellenistic notion of a supernatural, intervening idea of God. Scholars who call these assumptions about God’s transcendent nature to task are labeled “liberal.” I submit that if we would stress the immanence side of Christianity rather than a Hellenized version of a God [who] comes out of the sky [to meet our needs miraculously], we’d have a more practical, workable faith that appeals to a wider and older group of people.
Rev. David Coffin
Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA)
Malinta, Ohio
Having taught personal evangelism in Bible college for ten years and now working specifically in the field of child evangelism, my study and experience validate several significant points in this article. While it is true the vast majority of everyone who receives Christ does so at an early age (our studies show 86% by age 14), it is also true that those older can be effectively evangelized when the simple gospel—salvation by faith alone in Christ alone—is presented clearly. As Poston pointed out, in evangelism we must distinguish between salvation and discipleship.
Rev. Steve Bils, Executive Director
Child Evangelism Fellowship
of Northern Colorado
Loveland, Colo.
Aquinas Redux
Jeffrey Russell [“The Prince of Darkness,” interview, Aug. 20] claims the writings of Thomas Aquinas “collapsed” 600 years ago. I hadn’t noticed, as I was required to study seven years of Thomastic philosophy and theology, full-time, as an ordinary Jesuit in training. The text and lectures were all in Latin, the language he wrote in. Those going to teach either subject had to spend more years in graduate studies.
Maritain and Adler left Judaism for Christianity as a direct result of Thomism. Like all who studied it lifelong, they found it most rewarding.
Dan Lyons
Catholic Communications
Bloomsbury, N.J.
The Prince of Darkness is given closer scrutiny in The Invisible War, by the late Donald Barnhouse. It is an opened window into not only the character of our Enemy, but the hidden struggles involving God, Satan, angels, demons and mankind.
Francis Anderson
Seattle, Wash.
The articles on the Devil were outstanding. I grew up in the fifties and sixties and went to a Methodist church. Having an avid curiosity about horror and evil, I saw many horror movies and read anything I could about mystery and murder. [I got] no information from the church. What stands out in my mind is that the world in general is fascinated with evil, but most human beings still honor and approve good. What bothers me most about how the world views evil is that it sees no answer to it.
Neila Cundith
Mannford, Okla.
They’ll Never Know What Hit Them
A lot of people have been talking about subliminal tapes. You’ve seen the ads: “How to Attract Love”; “Stop Hair Loss”; “How to Be Popular.” All you do is listen to the tape, which is like listening to a trickling brook or a summer breeze. Except that hidden in those pleasant sounds is a message that can change your life. The way they pitch these products, you’d think that for $9.95, even Roseanne Barr could learn to sing.
Now, I know this sounds a little too sneaky, but think of how we could redeem this concept for the Lord. First, you find a willing supermarket owner who will let you handle his store’s piped-in music. Then you create a tape of typical supermarket music, but with a subliminal message: “Repent, because the Day of Judgment is at hand.”
Can you imagine what it would be like?
By the time a shopper got from the produce department to frozen foods, he’d be saved. Put a few Greek verb conjugations in the parking-lot music, and you could ordain him before he gets in the car.
I ran this idea by my pastor, and he said it would never work. “If the ACLU ever heard about it, we’d be chased out of town.”
That poor guy has no vision, as far as I’m concerned. All we’d need to do is throw a little Colossians 3:13 into the ACLU’s music system and we’d be home free.
EUTYCHUS
Clinton Arnold [“Giving the Devil His Due,” Aug. 20] has placed emphasis on a very important feature of the occult, and that is that the desire for power—power over other people—is an important link in demon/human codependency. This present generation of young adults has a disturbing desire for power: power lunches, power clothes, power everything. Worse, we are seeing demon activity in places never seen before. The “druggies” of the sixties who went to India and other places in the East brought back drugs, an interest in other religions, and perhaps demons interested in what seemed to be newly open fields.
Jeffrey Burton Russell is correct: “Whatever is going on or not going on is beyond our powers to define.” Would that we, like he, were “humbled in this experience,” and “wiser than [he] was.”
R. Jim Seibert
Everett, Wash.
SPEAKING OUT
Remove Barriers from Your Church
There was a large sigh of relief and faint applause from many religious leaders over passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The law exempted religious organizations from discriminating against people with disabilities in areas of employment, transportation, telecommunications, and public accommodation.
Instead of silence, we should have heard a rallying cry by Christians to embrace the principles of the ADA. While the church’s legal obligation no longer exists, the moral obligation and spiritual opportunities have not disappeared.
The real barriers to the church’s work for disabled persons are attitudes, not just steps and curbs. Take a closer look at some common objections.
“The cost of such ministry is so high.” Taking the lead in reaching disabled people will indeed cost money. But Christ gives us clear instructions for a cost/benefit analysis on disability ministry. “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.… Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13–14).
Whether the costs are incurred in programs or facilities, the church needs to decide by faith that accessibility of its facilities and its programs is a necessary part of serving Christ.
Making your church accessible may not require large expenditures. But if it does, please be encouraged by a local church of 40 members that raised $10,000 to make their circa 1800 building accessible for wheelchairs.
“Where are they? We have only one disabled person in our congregation.” Christ’s command to go into the highways and byways should be taken literally. Disabled persons who are not “mainstreamed” can typically be found in group homes, nursing homes, sheltered workshops, rehabilitation centers, assisted-living centers, or in the homes of their parents.
Assign someone in your church to research where disabled people live or work. Contact local social-service agencies, United Cerebral Palsy, and the Association of Retarded Citizens for information. Canvassing door to door is also a proven method. Then plan for some kind of transportation program. A car with a big trunk can work if money is scarce. A van with a lift communicates “We want you!” in bold letters.
“I don’t feel comfortable with disabled people.” For practical help with these feelings, Joni Eareckson Tada’s book Friendship Unlimited is highly recommended. After spending time with disabled people, you will learn that you look past the physical differences and begin to see persons as they really are. At our program here in Wisconsin, we have had 80 construction volunteers during the last three years and only one of them felt uncomfortable.
“Our church is burned out. We couldn’t add one more ministry!” If your church volunteers feel stretched, recruit disabled people. Disabled people are not looking only to receive; they want to give. One of the greatest frustrations for a disabled person is to have a sharp mind trapped in a body that does not move well or communicate clearly. Many are highly motivated and articulate prayer warriors. Those who are intellectually impaired also have much love to give to the church in the form of practical service.
“We already pay taxes to help with government programs. Our church should focus on the spread of the gospel.” There are 500 million disabled people in the world. Many don’t know the luxury of a wheelchair or the comfort of Christ’s death. We as Christians have an opportunity to touch and teach the gospel in profound ways that cannot be delegated to government agencies.
Now that the Americans with Disabilities Act has become the law of the land, let’s not pass up a wonderful opportunity to follow the law of liberty.
By Steven Jensen, executive director, Christian League for the Handicapped, and president, Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities.
Speaking Out offers responsible Christians a forum for their views on contemporary issues. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of CHRISTIANITY TODAY.
Thank you for articles on that very unpopular subject concerning Satan and hell. As Christians we are much interested in heaven and all the joys that await the saints. Arnold reminds us there is a satanic kingdom and we are in a war against evil.
I recall the words of the late Flannery O’Connor: “Christianity is a strangely cheery religion. It knows the world wants to pitch itself into hell, is always in the act of doing just that. But, it also knows that nothing but an adamantine will can separate us from the love of Christ.”
Esther Siemens
Mesa, Ariz.
The Deceiver And The Deceived
The [Aug. 20 cover] picture was unnecessary. Why do you need to spend energy, time, and money on “conjuring up” a suitable image [of Satan]? God tells us in his Word what the Devil is like and what he does. Giving credit to a man for doing an excellent job on a picture of the Great Deceiver is being deceived yourself.
Nancy L. Lloyd
Oak Park, Ill.
Covers should be a bold and graphic testimony of the hope that is within us, not the Enemy who stands against us.
Rev. Gerald L. Stigall
Trinity Evangelical Free Church
Windsor, Vt.
Liberalism, Not Mandela, The Target
Your editorial [“An Ambiguous Hero,” by Ben Patterson, Aug. 20] uses Nelson Mandela as a springboard to attack liberalism. I am extremely angry. The man, and African Americans, deserves a lengthier and healthier article. To treat Mandela with such arrogant disdain reveals the author’s pride—using a black leader of enormous status as a simple broom with which to hit liberalism. No mention is made of the context of Mandela’s assessment of Castro, Qaddafi, and Arafat—namely, that they had given him support during the last 20 years and he wouldn’t turn his back on them when things turned to good for him and the ANC. Patterson might be humbled and made to reflect on the ease with which he dismisses Mandela if he were to read what white Christians wrote 30 years ago about Martin Luther King, Jr.
Greg Metzger
Chicago, Ill.
Your editorial on Mandela, South Africa’s ambiguous hero, was timely, accurate, and straight to the heart of the truth. Thanks for having the intestinal fortitude to expose the real Mandela and his real goals.
Dr. Norman Neely
Shreveport, La.
Historical Art For Children
I have read Larry Sibley’s review of The Bible for Children [Books, Aug. 20] and was startled at the description of the illustrations as “too simplified to convey adequate information about the history being narrated.” He must have been looking at the wrong Bible. The whole purpose was to draw children into the Bible text through excellent art. The philosophy of the artwork was to be “highly detailed, realistic, historically accurate, and set in its geographic context.” Tyndale hired a researcher who did nothing but collect authentic archaeological information/artifacts for every illustration before it was painted. [For example,] the backgrounds in the Genesis and Exodus pieces were taken from authentic tomb paintings.
It wouldn’t bother me if the reviewer didn’t like the illustrations—that’s a matter of personal preference. But to say the illustrations are too simplified is inaccurate and erroneous, and it shows a lack of knowledge about art. This is the most detailed biblical art on the market today.
Ron Beers
Tyndale House Publishers
Wheaton, Ill.
Hidden Messages?
Tsk! Tsk! Has our beloved Eutychus forsaken humor in order to slip in a message? From the August 20 issue the following sentence was of interest. “After hearing how it worked, one of the younger elders said she thought it made sense to nudge some of our unsaved attenders to invite Christ into their lives [emphasis mine].”
Eutychus, please leave the messages out, and as in those thrilling days of yesteryear, just bring us a note of humor.
Rev. Ross E. Marion
Wake Chapel Church
Fuquay-Varina, N.C.
Hezekiah’S Legacy
I enjoyed reading Philip Yancey’s column “The Balaam Syndrome” [Aug. 20], and his point is well taken. But there is an aside never mentioned, or at least never acknowledged. The classic implication that Hezekiah should have “quit while he was ahead” in terms of his additional years may need reconsideration. Despite his abuse of the knowledge of his future, his 15-year extension gave Israel their next king. At first glance, Manasseh doesn’t seem too commendable, seeing he was more pagan than the pagans. But what a price God places on repentance and forgiveness. Because through Manasseh, he purposed the King of Kings to be a direct descendent. An afterthought? I doubt it. Who but God could redeem a wasted life and make it count for everything.
Jo LeMay Rutledge
Fort Worth, Texas
A Second Patriarchal Visit
The announcement of the recent visit to the United States by the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church, Dimitrios I of Constantinople, contained a historical oversight [World Scene, Aug. 20]. The comment that “It was the first visit ever of an Orthodox patriarch to this country” overlooked the historic visit of the Patriarch of Antioch, Syria, Ignatius IV, in the summer of 1985. Congratulations on the August inclusion.
Bradley Nassif
Waukegan, Ill.
Fundamentalists “R” Us
In World Scene [News] for August 20 you fall into the egregious misuse of language that the secular media have been promoting for some time with the report, “Fundamentalists Win Votes.” You are referring to the hard-line, orthodox Muslims as “fundamentalists.” Fundamentalist, as you well know, is originally a Christian term and an honorable one, and it shouldn’t be applied promiscuously to Muslims, Communists, et al., because to do so discredits honorable Christians by association. Just think: We don’t speak of “fundamentalist” Democrats or “fundamentalist” liberals. One could logically speak of “catholic” Muslims (blending Sunnite and Shi‘ite and Ismaili strains, for example), or even of “catholic” Protestants (ecumenical enthusiasts), but to call such Muslims, if they do exist, and Protestants “catholics” in a headline would be misleading to say the least. Let people use fundamentalist this way and you may soon have to hear proselytizing Communists or Moonies called evangelicals.
Harold O. J. Brown
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Deerfield, Ill.
Medema A Refreshing Exception
I was disappointed by the negative spin put on Ken Medema’s journey of faith by Timothy K. Jones [Profile, Aug. 20], What Jones portrays as a crisis of faith is, perhaps, not that at all. What Medema has experienced, it seems to me, is not a crisis of faith, but a Lord who has spoken to him in new ways. The fact that those concerned with social-justice issues become “an anathema to evangelical audiences” is one reason more of us do not put ourselves in that theological category. When evangelical conservatism stops requiring of its adherents right-wing political views, more of us may be willing to join its ranks.
I enjoy modern Christian music, but much of it is meaningless because of a triumphalism that makes it incapable of, as Medema puts it, “looking at Mon-, day’s realities in light of Sunday.” Medema is a refreshing exception.
Ronald W. Felton
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Columbia, S.C.
Courting Disaster?
The July 16 article “Why Can’t We Work Together?” [by William Bentley Ball] caused me great concern about the possibility of orthodox evangelicals and orthodox Catholics uniting on common points of beliefs to effect a change on politicians in this country. It is not possible to affect a moral atmosphere in America by appealing to Caesar to enforce laws for the advancement of Christianity. If this were possible, Jesus would have made that known to us by approaching the Roman government of his time. Instead, he appealed to the individual heart to bring about a change in the life.
If this or any country is to be won for Christ, it can only be done by the preaching of the gospel to change people, and not by the masses petitioning its legislative bodies. History informs us of the dangers that can take place when the church gets into the position of political influence. If the Christian churches in America succeed in such a union as suggested [in Ball’s] article, I fear it will ultimately lead to disaster.
Tony Russo
Fresno, Calif.
I was pleased to read “Why Can’t We Work Together?” for it promoted unity within the Christian church. Operation Rescue is an example of this; it is composed of Christians who come from many different denominations to unite in a common goal of protecting both women and children from the tragedy of abortion—to promote the sanctity of human life. My faith has been enriched and strengthened by the fellowship I have had with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Although church unity is often preached, it is uplifting to observe and participate in its fruition!
Drew Reardon
Costa Mesa, Calif.
While it is true we have much in common, there are reasons why historically Protestants could not, and for the present should not, work hand in hand with Catholics. In church-and-state matters where Catholics are predominant, the church tends to use the state as an instrument not only to impose her will, but also to suppress non-Catholics. Her acceptance of the principle of separation in the U.S.A., I believe, is only a matter of convenience.
It is disconcerting to see Protestants stretching their hands across this wide gulf. This is evidenced by the number of Protestant leaders trying to have an audience with the Pope on his last U.S. visit—something unthinkable a few short years back. Some scholars believe Revelation 13 predicts a forthcoming unholy wedlock. We shall see.
Gerry Cabalo
Lake Elsinore, Calif.
“Wrong-Headed” Ideologies
I am dismayed, although not surprised, by Charles Colson’s column derisively entitled “Look Who’s in the Rose Garden” [July 16] in which he takes George Bush to task for inviting members of a community specifically protected by the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990 (homosexuals) to join with others covered by this long-overdue bill in witnessing its signing. Colson’s strident, alarmist, and specious argument is little more than a thinly veiled example of gay bashing, a reactionary homophobic militancy in the face of enlightened leadership.
His argument that homosexual behavior “has been regarded as immoral and perverse” throughout Western history calls to mind the specter of the oppression of other groups only recently enfranchised, including women and blacks, whose members were for centuries considered inferior at best, and perhaps even seductive sinners beyond the reach of Christ’s redemptive love. Colson talks out of both sides of his mouth when he espouses the protection of everyone’s rights, and in the same breath submits that gays are different and therefore not entitled to quite the same privileges as others.
I urge Colson and those he purports to represent to renounce the ignorance, fear, and hatred underlying their attitudes towards homosexuality, and to embrace the inclusive fellowship of all mankind, an eternal truth for which our Lord was martyred at Calvary. Can we do less than crucify our wrong-headed ideologies as we seek to answer the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?
Joseph Wei
Farmington, Conn.
Christianity And World Religions
Belatedly, I read Colin Chapman’s article “The Riddle of Religions” in the May 14 issue. If plans go through for the “Parliament of World Religions” proposed for Chicago in 1993 to commemorate the 1893 World Parliament of Religions (and even if they do not), the position of evangelical Christianity vis-à-vis the non-Christian religions will be a major (if not the major) issue in the 1990s. Chapman is at least correct in saying that evangelicals have very little understanding of the major non-Christian religions. This is true even of many who specialize in the Eastern cults.
I believe the time has come to point out the best as well as the worst in the various world religions and explain to evangelical Christians why they are inadequate and misleading when it comes to matters of salvation of the soul and pointing men to the true and living God.
David J. Hesselgrave
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Deerfield, Ill.
