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- I was impressed by the prophetic and sacrificial ministry of Eugene Rivers and feel he deserves the utmost respect and support from the evangelical community ["Separate and Equal," Feb. 5]. His incarnational ministry and Christian world-view scholarship set an excellent example for anyone.

I was disappointed CT put a controversial "spin" on this article. Rivers is outspoken, does not follow exactly in the tradition of King, and dares to be critical of integration as a means of progress for the black community. A reading of the article reveals, of course, that his emphasis is on biblical faith and spiritual transformation rather than on politics, he is not opposed to integration per se, and he is both a clear thinker and committed disciple of Jesus Christ.

- Skip Rung
Corvallis, Oreg.

Eugene Rivers's "dream" has helped crystallize the vision for my life's work recently impressed upon my heart. I now know more clearly than ever that I've been called to participate in the process of producing and practicing "state-of-the-art policy," which embodies the authentic, sacrificial call to follow Jesus. Rivers's poignant insights, practical wisdom, and courageous example provide more than enough conviction for us all to stop playing the church and start being the church.

- John Loren Dotson
Powder Springs, Ga.

James Cone writes in "Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare:" "No black thinker has been a pure integrationist or a pure nationalist, but rather all black intellectuals have represented aspects of each." Martin Luther King, Jr., and Eugene Rivers are no exceptions. Therefore, to present their views on your cover and in the article as polar opposites is misleading at best, and sensationalistic journalism at worst.

- Kirk Byron Jones
Andover Newton Theological School
Newton Centre, Mass.

I spent one afternoon talking with two young men who had been rescued from the gangs by Pastor Rivers's ministry. They were full of the joy of the Lord and clearly articulated their new-found faith. Both were returning to the streets, compelled by God's love and this man's ministry, to rescue others. Isn't this what Christianity's to be about?

- Pastor Wayne Hoag
Sierra Bible Church
Truckee, Calif.

"Muriel's Blessing" [Feb. 5] is such a beautiful and disturbing story. It is disturbing to our culture of self-fulfillment, which says, "I don't have to take this. I'm going to get on with my life." Disturbing because the vow, "in sickness and in health … till death do us part," was made with no crossed fingers. It is actually being kept. Beautiful, because Robertson McQuilkin knows him who says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love."

- David Manzano
Rockwood, Tenn.

McQuilkin's allowing us to partake to a degree of his most moving and sacred experience is overwhelming.

As a young pastor's wife a few years ago, one morning, at the crack of dawn, I looked out our kitchen window and saw a very elderly woman in our congregation, likewise afflicted, walking down our alley in a downpour of rain. In her hands was a glass filled with water containing a few cut flowers. She was looking for me with a gift from her heart. I learned more about love that morning than ever before.

- Gladys Teague
York, Pa.

- I teach physics at Tamalpais High School, a small secular high school in Marin County, California, where the rudder seems often to be missing from the lives of students. For the past several years, I have read excerpts from Robertson McQuilkin's article "Living by Vows" [CT, Oct. 8, 1990]. My aim has been to tell about the life of a man who lives excellently—that is, living a life of honor and commitment. So when I looked through the latest issue of CT, his article was the first that I read. I was struck and driven to tears when I read "Muriel's Blessing." My next move was to read it to my students. There weren't many dry eyes. Thanks to Robertson McQuilkin and his wife, Muriel, I have an example of true love and devotion that my students can relate to—and, hopefully, emulate.

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April 8 1996, Vol. 40, No. 4