Letters to the Editor

We're working on setting up message boards and other ways of making our new ChristianityToday.com site more interactive. Still, we find letters to the editor to be a tried and true "interactive" way of hearing from you. These aren't all the letters we've received since our launch (not by a long shot), but they are largely illustrative of them. If you do decide to e-mail us in the future, please include your real name, city, and state. And thanks for your comments.

Cassie Said Yes, They Say No (November 1, 1999)
There is only one way to solve the controversy about what Cassie Bernall said. We Christians will have to ask her when we get to heaven and the writers for Salon.com will have to ask the gunmen what they said when they die.
Timothy de Carion

I knew that reports like the Washington Post's would feed disbelief because of the presuppositions of unbelieving press members. Your article provides a good treatment of the needed response.
Timothy E. Mills
Pastor, Whitton Baptist Church
Whitton, Arkansas

Hymns on MTV (November 1, 1999)
I have absolutely nothing against Jars of Clay. Who can complain about a group of Christian artists who've "made it" in the mainstream? I must point out, however, that articles like this seem to completely neglect the important "second wave" of groundbreaking Christian artists that have inspired countless people over the years. These artists did not (and still don't) have the backing of major labels, Christian or otherwise, and many of them consistently produce work that is creative, vital, and groundbreaking in the true sense of the word. Articles like this tend to move too quickly from the music of the Jesus movement to Contemporary Christian Music (whatever that means). As a teen in the mid-eighties, and a newly revitalized Christian, I found no inspiration in the music of so-called crossover artists like Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, and for once I would like to see some long overdue attention given to these pioneers. Artists such as Terry Taylor and Daniel Amos, The 77s, Adam Again, The Choir, L.S.U., Undercover, The Altar Boys, Mark Heard, T-Bone Burnett, Tonio K, The Call, and so many others have labored over the years to be heard, mainly because at the dawn of CCM, most Christian labels were not willing or able to provide the support needed to spread the word, and most secular labels simply were not open to hosting talent with a Christian slant. The American church was generally not willing to accept bands that had more in common stylistically with secular artists like The Cure, Joy Division, and The Dead Kennedys. To disenfranchised young believers like myself, looking for something with substance beyond the typical "happy Jesus music," these artists spoke volumes. They fired our imaginations and inspired us to see God in all of his incredible depth and terrible otherness. It is important to remember that there was a time, not long ago at all, when the church was unwilling to hear these voices. These artists spoke anyway. They were Jars of Clay even when nobody was listening.
Kevin Fromer

Scout's Dishonor (November 2, 1999)
Is there no answer to the courts being able to shape America? We have elected officials but the real issues of our daily lives seem to be shaped in the courts. Can a movement be started to return decision making back to the elected representatives of the people? I am sorry to say that I have only been politically aware in the last few years and take my responsibility for slumbering while these type of things came to pass, is it too late to take it back?
Connie Parker

I appreciate the concerns raised by Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey in this article and I agree that the Christian community should do what we can in fighting the encroachment of our rights to freedom of worship. But I also believe that we should not be surprised at the continued narrowing of those rights by our government, or by our society in general. This great country is following a path laid by many previous. The result of our acquired power and prosperity is a greater dependence on our own wisdom and abilities; a path in direct opposition to God's command. We do not, as a nation, "humble ourselves and pray." We continue, as a nation, to seek to please ourselves, both in increasing quantity and degrading quality of sin. We, as a nation, follow a path to despair and destruction. And as dim as this future seems, I believe at the same time, that we are on a threshold of a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit, a time of renewal and evangelization not seen in recent times. Because, as God has shown us over and over through history, the Church is healthiest when conditions are at their worst. We triumph under persecution. We excel when we are weakest, because then we call on God. Then we allow God to work without obstructing Him. I believe we should try to preserve the freedom God has given us in the past, but I also believe we should prepare for the end of that time, and the beginning of a greater work of our Lord.
Ben Williams

Reformation Day Celebrations Ain't What They Used to Be (November 2, 1999)
As a former Roman Catholic, surely you jest. The Catholic Church is hell-bent on establishing themselves as the church, period. This is just another step towards compromise and betrayal of the Gospel. Shame on you!
Bryan Hupperts

In this article, Sweeney asserts that ecumenical progress has been made. That depends on one's definition of progress. In fact, it appears that no teaching regarding Justification has changed in either church. However, teaching regarding the existence of "Absolute Truth" has changed; "progress" has been made. Now, as Josh McDowell has put it so well, "tolerance" is the buzzword. Each community of faith has agreed to 'tolerate' the other's position as not being divisive of church fellowship. Doug says as much when he writes: "This does not mean that Roman Catholics have now adopted the Lutheran position. They have only condoned it and will likely continue to articulate their own view of justification in what amount to fairly traditional Catholic terms. If Justification is the article of faith by which the church stands or falls, and Lutherans agree to tolerate some other teaching regarding this article of faith, then indeed something has changed … something very scary has arrived on the Lutheran scene. Perhaps that is why Al Barry calls the signing of this document "a betrayal of the gospel." May God save us from such a betrayal.
Jeff Scheich

Running with Jonah (November 3, 1999)
Thank you to Mark Buchanan for his insightful thoughts on Jonah and how he reflects my often meager experience with God—meager due to my insecurities, fears and, quite honestly, my hard-heartedness. I kept finding myself over and over in his words—or did God find me? I'm glad He cared enough to come looking for me.
Debbie Piper
Windermere, FL

Amassed Media: Why The New Republic Likes Millennialism (November 3, 1999)
I am excited about your new publication. In particular, I anticipate that "Amassed Media" will assist my life and ministry. As a pastor, I feel I am constantly swimming against a current that can suck me into a life oblivious to events and ideas outside of my pea-sized religious pond. Thanks for pinpointing and distilling some helpful, refreshing streams of information for me.
R. Stuart Stogner
Pastor, Hope Presbyterian Church
Winston-Salem, NC