LETTERS: The SBC: Of Roots and Racism

* Timothy George and Al Mohler have it right: either we in the Southern Baptist Convention must return to our roots in Reformed theology, or our denomination will become just another irrelevant mainline group ["Passing the Southern Baptist Torch," May 15]. Process theology, extreme Arminianism, and business as usual will doom us.

- Charley Buntin

Mayfield, Ky.

* I found the article "Black Southern Baptists" [May 15] interesting. I grew up in southern California in an area where no one cared that Bing Lum was Chinese, James Armstrong was black, Rosendo Limon was Mexican, Manuel Mejia was Chicano, or I was white. Individuals were judged individually, not on the phony basis of "race."

Also, for a year in Dallas I was a member of a black Southern Baptist church. I joined it for the same reason I've joined every other church I've been a member of. I was convinced that becoming a member of Second Chapel Baptist Church was what God wanted me to do.

That church never did pay attention to my color. I can't speak for all white Southern Baptists or for all black Southern Baptists. But if my interaction with Second Chapel Baptist Church of Garland, Texas, is any indication, "racism" in the Southern Baptist Convention is on its way out.

- Robert McKay

Marlow, Okla.

FROM MELTING POT TO SALAD BOWL

As an immigrant from Korea, I agreed with many of the points raised in Tim Stafford's "Here Comes the World" [May 15]. It dealt with many of the serious misconceptions held by Americans whose ancestors came earlier. I would take exception to the view that the melting-pot immigration policy could or should reach the boiling point. The continued existence of organizations of hyphenated Americans reflects the inability of America to be a melting pot. It is instead more like a salad bowl. Each ethnic group has its own flavor (identity), which, when mixed with the many other groups in the bowl, makes the salad taste great. Compared to the ethnic strife in most of the world, we are indeed blessed.

- Chinkook Lee

Potomac, Md.

* Stafford is to be commended for his balanced treatment of contemporary immigration in the U.S. Nevertheless, by employing an assimilationist approach, he encourages a we/they discourse that subtly assumes "we" to be white evangelicals and "they" the "others" who will dissolve into the American "melting pot." Since America and American Christianity have always been pluralistic, I question the necessity of retaining that perspective. Furthermore, by conflating the experiences of post-1965 nonwhite immigrants with those of earlier European immigrants, the racial dimensions of the current debate are ignored.

The "Anglo-Saxon" nativism of the previous century differs from the twentieth-century problem of the "color-line." "Americanized" nonwhites still have difficulties integrating into a society that tends to privilege one race and gender.

- Prof. Timothy Tseng

Denver Seminary

Denver, Colo.

Stafford makes quite an assumption about the ability of Christianity to survive the tides of population migration and cultural upheaval.

Remember the five apostolic cities of the early church? There were Jerusalem, Ephesus (or Antioch), Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople. Where are they now? Only Rome remains as a nominally Christian city.

Where is it written that Christianity will survive in the USA? The American continents are not even mentioned in Scripture.

- Leon G. Johnson

Bath, N.Y.

"SADLY INCOMPLETE"

* "Your World Is Too Small" [May 15, From the Senior Editors, by Miriam Adeney] sounded a valuable call to a wider view of life before God than evangelical Christians habitually inhabit. I fear, however, the author may have moved toward "selling the farm" by confusing laudable religious forms of expression from those who at root worship idols with some God-given insight into truth. Affirmation of prayer in the public sector is a world apart from calling on the only true God in the name of Jesus. Such religious expression is not simply "sadly incomplete." It is subject to God's judgment. A spirit of grace in the world is indeed a virtue, but the appreciation of irreligion is like looking at a wall painted by a child and mentioning it in the same sentence about one painted by a professional.

- Rev. Bill Fennema

Grand Rapids, Mich.

SAME COIN, OTHER SIDE?

* Thank you for your News article on the Toronto Blessing [May 15]. We are experiencing the same "fire" in our little country church on the edge of town in Illinois. If tears seem to be acceptable to the churches as the Spirit ministers, then why can't laughter be acceptable as just the other side of the same coin? I agree with Stackhouse, I don't want just "life-support" Christianity.

- Wayne Linnemann

New Lenox, Ill.

* Are these blessings for a select few, can we pray them in, do we go where they seem to be happening?

If this is real, how do we get it? And if not, what is it and why is it happening?

- John H. Julian

West, Tex.

AFTER REVIVAL, WHAT'S NEXT?

A recent graduate of an evangelical college, I read with interest the News article "Spiritual Renewal Sweeps Schools" that detailed the revival movement taking place in Christian colleges [May 15]. The news of widespread conversion or restoration experiences prompts me to wonder: "OK, but now what happens?" Once students descend from this pinnacle of emotional transformation, where do they go?

This article suggests the Holy Spirit is moving across college campuses in order to touch the hearts of those who will become the next generation of leaders. Why, I wonder, do individual experiences of repentance, personal exploration, and inner renewal qualify young people to be "great Christian leaders"? What are they prepared to do? They will probably simply help other evangelical Christians confess their own sins and find that same inner peace they felt during their own revival days, continuing the cycle of Christians whose faith revolves around one thing: "Me."

True revival, in my opinion, is a dangerously passionate movement of diverse, faith-oriented people acting upon the actions and words of Christ-people who struggle for racial justice, who build houses for those who sleep on the streets, who advocate for humane treatment of prisoners and refugees, and who struggle to bring a piece of the "kingdom's peace" into the here and now of our global community.

- Stacia M. Brown

Redding, Calif.

Now that 45 years of healing have taken place since my participation in the Wheaton College revival of 1950, perhaps I can offer a few reflections on the current spiritual renewals on Christian campuses that may help to clarify discussions.

A scriptural basis for such occurrences is crucial. What, for example, is the scriptural basis for confession of sin to large groups? There is a basis for confession to a spiritual leader, perhaps to a small group of believers to whom one is accountable, and certainly to anyone against whom one has sinned. But is there a line somewhere? What sins does one confess to large groups?

Second, older adults rarely participate. Perhaps Christian schools of psychology could direct some research into the developmental aspects of the phenomenon.

Third, I wonder what role personality plays in response to this phenomenon. Are the quiet, introspective types, such as I was, more likely to be traumatized than extroverts? Is inappropriate pressure to participate inadvertently brought to bear by group dynamics?

- Hope B. Green

Arvada, Colo.

RATING "PRIEST"

* In response to your May 15 News article about the film Priest, in which you quote Ted Baehr and MovieGuide, you failed to mention that Priest received a "-3" or "Bad … Do Not See" Moral Acceptability rating. You also failed to mention that we published Judie Broen's call for a boycott of this film. We feel your representation of MovieGuide was inaccurate.

As journalists, we report the content of films objectively. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to report truthfully all of the content of the film and also to report truthfully the production quality. It is imperative we not bear a false witness in any respect; it weakens our credibility in Hollywood and in Christendom.

- Giovannina Peltier

MovieGuide

Atlanta, Ga.

CONCEPTS OF REVIVAL

In contrast to Mark Noll's review of "Revival & Revivalism," by Iain Murray (April 24), I found the book most helpful in understanding the present state of the American church. Murray's style of history is not "tribalism," as suggested by the reviewer. Rather, Murray writes, "My thesis in this book is that in the period of our study, American history was shaped by the Spirit of God in revivals of the same kind as launched the early church into a pagan world." He then shows us how the very concept of revival as a sovereign work of the Spirit was radically changed with the advent of men such as Charles Finney and their teaching. This newer concept of revival has adversely affected the church. We no longer plead with God for revivals; rather, we plan them and even set the dates when they are to happen.

"Revival & Revivalism" is, in my view, one of the most important books published in this decade.

- Pastor Cecil Siriwardene

Redondo Beach, Calif.

I am no Calvinist, but I think Iain Murray's book, at the very least, asks the proper question: Why no major revival after 1858-1860? From a human vantage point, I personally think Murray is correct: decisionism has replaced regeneration; the methodology of man has replaced the old-time power.

- Dr. R. L. Hymers, Jr.

The Fundamentalist Baptist Tabernacle

Los Angeles, Calif.

I appreciate your reviewer's kindness but would comment briefly on what he considers to be my main fault: that I press the interpretation of history into one theological mold and, in so doing, ignore "modern historians." It has been my experience that the "modern historians" who write on revival do not regard the work of God as a proper subject in books likely to command academic respect. The idea that the Bible contains principles to guide our understanding of Christian history has long been in eclipse in the academic world. But if, as Christians, all our thinking is subject to the Word of God, is it not certain that believers are going to arrive at explanations "that only insiders find credible"? If we take seriously the biblical testimony regarding the enmity of the unregenerate to Christ-historians included-is there any way that specifically Christian history can be made acceptable to the canons of modern scholarship?

Of course, there is much in history that will remain obscure whether we are Christians or not, but the theme of my book-revival-is a subject upon which Scripture speaks plainly: the Holy Spirit can and does intervene in the affairs of men, and that intervention is to be distinguished from such religious excitement as can be explained in psychological or other terms. "Modern historians" do not accept such a distinction; because the supernatural is disallowed, "revival" and "revivalism" are all one.

Noll thinks I believe "Calvinism" is the explanation for all spiritual success. I do not hold such a view, as I would have hoped my treatment of the part Methodists played in major revivals makes clear. Contrary to your reviewer's statements, I distinguish between John Wesley and the Primary concern of revivalism (p. 184); I do not treat Moody as a duplicate of Finney (pp. 398-407); and Charles Hodge's Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church is not passed over in silence (p. 339).

My hope is that my book, and others now available, will help to recover a clear definition of revival.

- Iain H. Murray

Banner of Truth

Edinburgh, Scotland

MORE THAN WELFARE

I read "Let Charities Do Welfare" [Speaking Out, April 24]. The church needs to realize that the needy must have more than "charity" and "welfare." They need a church that is Christlike in its compassion and concern. Charity and welfare can become an agent of evil motivation. The church can deny love by performing works of charity instead of battling for the removal of social injustice.

- Thomas L. Reid

Bloomington, Ill.

The naivete is to assume that to privatize welfare functions will get rid of bureaucracy or corruption. No, the problems will simply follow the money.

- Greg Giles

Bemidji, Minn.

AVAILABILITY DOESN'T MAKE BESTSELLERS

In an effort to prove that the theological situation is not so bad as David Wells and others have argued, John Wilson, in his editorial on the status of the evangelical church ["Evangelical Vital Signs," April 24], parades a list of books recently printed or on tap by major evangelical publishers. He is right: those are excellent books, and that list could be much longer. However, availability does not translate into popularity. Just because they are available does not mean they are being used.

I have worked in Christian bookstores for almost ten years; I have seen what sells. I recommend that Wilson study the bestseller lists. The books he named are not on them. Sadly, in general, even pastors do not buy them. There are encouraging areas, but from what I have seen, Wells is all too correct in his assessment of the evangelical church.

- Don Strickland

Greer, S.C.

* Sorry, but my observations lead me to believe the evangelical church is simply in massive denial. Sure, we write and sell our books (who actually reads them?), hold our prayer meetings, build our buildings, clock our rump hours on Sunday; but by and large, the belief seems to be that God is going to give the European/ American world (and the European/ American church) a pass, and that we'll all live smooth lives until Jesus comes. Problem is, we're mainly talking to ourselves, and even we aren't listening.

- John Nixdorf

Naperville, Ill.

As one who is employed within the evangelical academy, Wells is certainly aware that evangelicals can and do produce quality scholarship, lest he condemn himself. The problem for Wells, in addition to a growing number of evangelical thinkers, is that sound theology has been replaced by what may be called "Nordic Track Theology." This kind of theology allows you to simulate the real thing without ever leaving the comforts of your home. It's convenient, portable, and allows you to set your own pace.

- David L. Russell

Clarkston, Mich.

CONTROLLING OUR OWN DESTINY

For David Schiedermayer ["Three Victories over Death," April 24] to say that opposition to a death with dignity is a "Christian given" is to reduce a living faith to the stone laws of a subculture. If his dog was mortally wounded by a car, would he be more Christian by letting it suffer? Don't people deserve the same love and compassion?

- Brian Newman

Ottawa, Ont., Canada

EXPLORING OTHER AVENUES

* Chuck Colson laments the growing futility of the pro-life movement primarily on the basis of the "little room for reform through the political process" ["Pro-Life Powder Keg," April 24]. His focus is too narrow. Banning abortion may indeed be politically impossible, but we have other avenues to pursue. Influential pro-choice politicians claim a "safe, legal, and rare" platform. Can't we work toward "rare" despite Roe v. Wade? And what of entirely nonpolitical activism? Pregnancy crisis centers, for example, prove that even in the face of political defeat we have no reason for despair.

- David Horrocks

Philadelphia, Pa.

Being outvoted is not quite the same as being "edged out of the democratic process" or "shut out of politics," as Colson seems to imply. It is entirely possible that the pro-life agenda will not prevail. In America, the proper response is to accept defeat graciously or try harder next time, not to escalate the conflict beyond the confines of the democratic process. If pro-lifers have indeed come to feel that "playing by the rules is futile," I hope Colson's rhetoric doesn't incite them to "attempt more extreme methods of protest and reform."

- Pamela Urfer

Soquel, Calif.

CHANGE IN WCG ENCOURAGED

In the News article "Move Toward Orthodoxy Causes Big Income Loss" [April 24], Mark Kellner quotes me in a context which was neither explicitly stated nor implied from my conversations with him. The unfortunate placement of my quote in the editing process has given the impression that Watchman Fellowship is opposed to the positive doctrinal changes within the Worldwide Church of God. As an evangelical Christian discernment ministry focusing on cults and aberrant religious movements, Watchman Fellowship is supportive of the recent doctrinal changes within the Worldwide Church of God. We are pleased with any movement toward historic, orthodox Christian faith. We are concerned that your readers will be led to believe we are among those "praying for the demise of the WCG." In fact, the opposite is true. The demise of the WCG would only fuel the splinter groups that are opposed to the doctrinal progress made by the church. Neither Watchman Fellowship nor any responsible evangelical would want this.

- Philip Arnn

Watchman Fellowship

Arlington, Tex.

CLARIFICATION

The news story "AMG Compensates Moody for Plagiarism" (News, June 19, p. 42) stated that AMG would pay Zondervan royalties for the forthcoming NIV edition of the Hebrew-Greek Study Bible. These royalties are related only to the use of the NIV text to which Zondervan holds the copyright. They have no connection to any alleged copyright infringement.

The same story mentioned that Dr. Spiros Zodhiates' name appears on the dust cover of the Complete Word Study Old Testament, but failed to call attention to the book's front matter in which full credit is given to those who contributed to the work.

Likewise, the story said that AMG added a bibliography to the Complete Word Study Old Testament last year. That bibliography was included last year in the first printing of the book.

-Eds.

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