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A surprisingly large number of readers responded to Pastor Ed Dobson's editorial in the May 20 issue on whether political activity belongs on the church's agenda. The letters revealed once again how polarizing this subject can be. Many writers chose to ignore Dobson's narrower focus (political activity in the church) and broadened the discussion to Christian activity in the public square. Just as with the discussion initiated last year by Prof. John Woodbridge ("Fighting Words," Mar. 6, 1995), those who wrote are passionate in their opinions: There is no apparent middle ground, and a near equal division of sentiment.

Ron Kruis of Grand Rapids, Michigan, argues that, historically, it has been "the absence of Christians from the public square that has helped contribute to bad law and bad social policy," while others, like William Wu of Henrietta, New York, agreed that "our priority is the gospel of and witnessing for Christ Jesus." And Jeffrey C. Ording, chair of the Christian Business Men's Committee's Annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Illinois, offers a reminder that "We have an obligation to support evangelical brothers and sisters in Christ that God is calling into the political arena [and] trust [they] are being obedient . . . followers of Christ."

Many readers also responded to the several articles on the subject of contemporary Christian music, nearly all agreeing that the ccm industry has gotten off course. Rodney W. Johnson suggests that former industry executive Stan Moser "quit too soon," and that he "ought to use his perception, insight, and Christian commitment to values to galvanize the industry into going back to basics."

The editorial "Taking Politics Out of the Sanctuary," by Edward G. Dobson [May 20], seems so biblical and logical, this reader wonders why this concept is so rarely heard in evangelical circles. Pastor Dobson is to be commended for his courage to take an unpopular stand.

When Christians find it necessary to voice a concern to government, the contact should be respectful and kind. To be arrogant and offensive brings reproach on the name of Christ. It is altogether unbecoming and at the same time all too common.

David L. Miller
Partridge, Kans.

* Dobson is on the right track when he says the church should not be co-opted by political action. Whenever I see abortion protesters with graphic photographs and the public reaction to them, I contrast that with Jesus' mandate that "they will know you by your love." Much of our "Christian" political activism has only made it harder to follow Dobson's first priority of sharing the good news.

Ken Berger
Union City, N.J.

I wonder if there could be a more important editorial? Oswald Chambers, writing at the turn of the century, foresaw a great spiritual showdown at the end of the age: not Christian versus New Age or anything like it; rather, he described treason from within our own ranks. Chambers said the "doctrine of the anti-Christ is absolute moral perfection." He figured the only way the man of sin could "exalt himself above all that is called God" would be for him to make the issue of morality the highest priority. By making such smokescreen issues as abortion and gay rights the focus instead of the cross, the man of sin would attempt to "out-moralize" even God himself.

Bob Day
Boring, Oreg.

* I object more to the tone of the editorial than its content. Dobson seems proud that his church did not join the petition drive to repeal the Gay Rights Ordinance in Grand Rapids. He and his congregation certainly have the right to stand apart from the messy world of politics if they so choose. But there are many good reasons why local churches ought to do what they can to restrain the spread of evil. After all, the same Lord who commanded us to be light also called us to be salt.

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July 15 1996, Vol. 40, No. 8