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Thanks for the memories

Your fortieth anniversary issue [Sept. 16] elicited memories, emotion, and elation: Henry's writings, Kantzer in the classroom, my frequent tears re: the Auca "tragedy," and ct-I have all but two issues, an early one I never obtained, the other loaned and never returned. Thanks for the memories and inspiration.

-Prof. Albert E. Cramer
Crown College
St. Bonifacius, Minn.

After reading your issue on evangelicalism, I wonder if history will reveal the movement more as a flowering of Reformed evangelical intellectualism and academia than anything else. An intellectual understanding of the world's issues and an appreciation for the relevancy of the Christian faith in addressing them is just one side of the coin. Will the multitudes of today's more enlightened evangelicals be any more effective in living the Christian faith and life in the power of the Holy Spirit than their less sophisticated predecessors?

-Ron Wetmore
Clackamas, Oreg.

* Happy birthday! As a senior recycled missionary, I enjoyed reading ct from the very beginnings. May the Lord continue to bless and guide you until his return.

-Bruno R. Frigoli
Grandville, Mich.

I have been a subscriber to and reader of every issue of ct since its inception 40 years ago. Thus, your anniversary reflective issue was a tremendous blessing and challenge to me. Most of the individuals highlighted in this anniversary issue are friends of mine, and it was wonderful to recognize God's sovereign working in the lives of these giants.

That God himself might raise up another cadre of such quality Christian leaders for this new generation as we move into the next century and millennium is my earnest prayer.

-Ted W. Engstrom, President Emeritus
World Vision
Monrovia, Calif.

* I was delighted to see an entire issue dedicated to evangelicalism in the last 40 years. Though I found much of interest (focusing on the contributions of Stott, Packer, Henry, Kantzer, Mears, Skinner could not disappoint), I wonder what you mean by evangelicalism. When I think of evangelicalism in the last 40 years (and I am 42, so I have a biographical dimension to my perspective), I think of so much more. Let me suggest that you focused far too much on theological leaders, to the neglect of many who "make us what we really are-at the grassroots level."

-Prof. Scot McKnight
North Park College
Chicago, Ill.

A single issue of ct could never do justice to all the people whose contributions to the evangelical cause over the past 40 years have equally had an impact on the movement. While we profiled some theologians, we also chose an evangelist, five missionaries, a pastor, and a Sunday-school pioneer-not to mention two editors (which shows our bias). Surely the list could be greatly expanded. We're grateful for the way God used so many to make evangelicalism blossom during these years. -Eds.

* I enjoyed your anniversary edition, but I'm troubled by the patronizing attitude toward Roman Catholics displayed by Kenneth Kantzer and Carl Henry. One of ct's loyal readers, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, said recently: "Why do some evangelicals spend so much energy attacking Roman Catholics, a people who only want to pray? These people are living in Babylon, and yet they attack the very church that gave them the gospel."

-David L. Blatt
Chicago, Ill.

Healing hurting Christians

* "Hurting Helpers," by Steve Rabey [Sept. 16], was a very informative article; but isn't it sad that so many people misunderstand Christian therapy, and that so many abuse it? No wonder there is confusion! As a Christian social worker, I see people for the full fee, and also for a reduced fee if they cannot afford my fee. I believe in moral responsibility for my clients.
One of my goals as a Christian is to see God's people healed and returned to him. Another is to see any person in need or pain have the safety and opportunity to work this through. So, whether in a non-Christian agency or in a Christian therapy, I feel if a person can be assisted toward healing, it is good. I believe hurting Christians are still useful and should be helped and encouraged to serve in their churches, even if it does take a little more effort to encourage them along.

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October 28 1996, Vol. 40, No. 12