A policeman on duty last month outside the South African Embassy in London was guilty of disorderly conduct. The facts are beyond dispute. When the building was attacked by a mob and sundry missiles were hurled his way, he threw them back. The whole basis of mobbish behavior was thus undermined, and Communist agitators were understandably grieved by this inexcusable breach of etiquette.
It reminded me of the views of one Erving Goffman, described as a sociologist, as reported recently in Time. “All rational human beings,” says he, in the sort of opener that maddens me, “share … a desire for public order.” The major sin of “social unpredictability” is committed when someone walks coatless through a downpour, eliciting from all “a startled and uneasy response.” He’s got a point. Even the new HEW secretary, Robert Finch, has bowed to public opinion and, according to an alleged friend, “puts on clothes just to keep from being arrested.”
It has ever been thus; one need think only of Burns, Dostoevsky, and all who have succumbed to the impulse to throw eggs into electric fans in public places. Nonconformity is seldom truly appreciated. Biblical and patristic parallels could be adduced, but a first-term Eutychus can’t be too careful. The percipient Pepys can be cited, though. “While we were talking,” he wrote, “came by several poor creatures carried by, by constables, for being at a conventicle.… I would to God they would either conform, or be more wise, and not be catched.”
But catched assuredly will be those guilty of offenses which cannot be hid. Like long hair. Declared a Fifth Avenue barber: “People don’t trust a guy with a lot of hair when they’re doing serious business.” Maybe his commercial instinct was talking; it’s hard to get a guy sold on an idea when his living depends on a flat rejection of it.
Just over a year ago a judge sent a fourteen-year-old boy to a detention center for “psychiatric examination to discover why he will not conform.” The youngster’s heinous crime consisted of a refusal to get his hair cut when commanded by his school principal. Fortunately the shaggy one’s dad resented this brand of harassment, and to avoid further legal action he sent his son to school in England. To my knowl edge he has not yet formally applied for political asylum.
The best is yet to be. An English friend whom I consulted on the matter solemnly assured me that the boy would be safe with them so long as he does not try to go to church.
I just finished Harold O. J. Brown’s statement on the complexities of the Christianity-establishment issue (Jan. 31). His arguments were extremely convincing. I find myself greatly encouraged by the high level of insight in his well-stated position. But as I read, one question continued to pose an obstacle to my full embracing of his views.…
Dr. Brown’s essential concern is to avoid “domesticating” the Church by a too close identification with the “outs” who want “in.” However, it seems to me that the truly radical questions are not those of social position, but rather of the issues proposed by those who speak from the positions. If the “outs” are out because their issues are God’s issues, and God is “out,” then what could be more “domesticated” than to remain silent?
Aptos, Calif.
Tense Of Forgiveness
The article on priestly absolution (Jan. 31) was totally one-sided.…
In regard to Matthew 16:16–19, Oscar Cullmann in Peter presents at least equal evidence as did Mantey, and Cullmann came to a different conclusion than did Mantey. Cullmann also found references in the writings of the early Church to Peter.
No matter how the tense of the verbs in Matthew 16:19 are translated, the fact remains that God’s will for the forgiveness of sins is done on earth and is valid in heaven.
Arcadia, Ind.
Those Membership Rules
I have one comment on Norman L. Geisler’s article, “Let’s Drop Unbiblical Rules for Church Membership” (Jan. 31). It is “Amen!” EUGENE LINCOLNThe Sabbath Sentinel
Berrien Springs, Mich.
I’m going to make it a point this week to scrounge you up a new subscriber, to replace one of the many you’ll surely lose as a result of your bombshell on looser standards of church membership.
Too many of us have assumed that Luke’s point in the Council of Jerusalem narrative was to assure us Peter didn’t act like a pope.
Assoc. General Secretary
The Pennsylvania State
Sabbath School Association
Harrisburg, Pa.
I don’t know how to explain … my disgust at that appalling and tasteless article by Mr. Geisler.…
He seems to believe that membership in the church is equivalent to membership in the kingdom of God. There are many people who though they belong to the church will never even see the kingdom of God.…
The real church is a part of that great truth witnessed to by Peter: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” The ones who follow Jesus and base their entire hope, faith, and action upon this assertion are the only and complete manifestation of the church.… So Mr. Geisler can fill the church he belongs to with whatever unregenerates, social drinkers, and harlots that he wishes to, but he has no power to square-dance or waltz them into the true church or the kingdom of God—because it is a spiritual building open only to the qualified.
Article continues below
Philpot, Ky.
Toward Christian Revolution
The editorial, “A Better Way to Confront Poverty?” (Jan. 31) left this reader with much to be desired. It seemed to discourage, for example, the use of government grants as a means of doing good works. The Church can use TV, radio, the press, and other “secular” sources but not available government funds? The government is making funds and other resources available for our cities. The Church should somehow seek to use these means in the propagation of the Gospel. The editorial also seemed to indicate the Church shouldn’t try to usher in social revolution. I’m not for social without Christian revolution but where is the true evangelical penetration as it existed when Wesley’s Gospel resulted in social reforms and a social revolution?.… The many existing problems of society statistically are concentrated in our urban areas. If evangelicals fail to take the Christian social ethic seriously, as America’s cities go, so goes America.
Wenham, Mass.
Decision In Denver
Words cannot express how deeply moved I was at John Montgomery’s stirring call to arms (Current Religious Thought, Jan. 17). He has expressed the deep forebodings that many of us have had for years. Truly, the Missouri Synod faces her hour of decision at Denver, and those still loyal to her historic doctrinal position had better speak and act now or forever save their breath.
Grace Lutheran Church
Victoria, Tex.
Please give equal time to this view of a silver jubilarian: Missouri is returning to the position of its official standard, the Lutheran Confessions, after having been narrower than these in some respects.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
Lake Arrowhead, Calif.
Montgomery might also have mentioned among his examples illustrating “unionistic indifferentism” … that Oswald Hoffmann, “Lutheran Hour” speaker is chairman of the forthcoming United States Congress of Evangelism (of which Billy Graham is honorary chairman) and that Missouri Synod pastors often pray together with other non-Missouri pastors. Such would never have happened in the good old days for which Montgomery longs.
New Haven, Conn.
Inner-City Mission
In “The Inner City: An Evangelical EyeOpener” (Jan. 3), you gave a summary of the work of evangelicals in the inner city.
We appreciate the reference to the work of the American Sunday-School Union. However, while the inner-city ministry of American Sunday-School Union is relatively new to the 150-year old missionary society itself, it is important to note that we have had missionaries in the city of Philadelphia for more than five years.…
Today there are four missionaries serving in Philadelphia, including two Negroes, a Korean, and a white man.
Executive Vice-President
American Sunday-School Union
Philadelphia, Pa.
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
While we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
Church movements need magnetic leaders. But the best leaders need more than charm.
Ethan Hawke has made a movie as scandalous as one of the writer’s short stories.
