After five decades of reading, I've clipped far too many articles.
I was a student at Houghton College, class of 1957, when Christianity Today came into being. In a smart marketing move to introduce the publication to young people at Christian colleges, I received a free subscription. Fifty years later, I am still subscribing to CT, nearly without interruption.
Since I live in a Manhattan apartment without a lot of storage space, I've had to stop saving back issues. Even a clipping collection can get out of hand. Recently, though, I came across one such collection, and I was struck by how relevant and important some of the clipped articles still are. Here is a sampling of the articles I uncoveredand continue to hold on to:
- "How It All Began: Why can't evangelical scientists agree?" by Bill Durbin Jr., accompanied by a sidebar on science and semantics, in the August 12, 1988, issue. Still an apt commentary on questions that have not gone away.
- A book review of Kathryn Lindskoog's The C. S. Lewis Hoax by Nancy Lou Patterson (December 9, 1988).
- "The Charismatics Among Us" (February 22, 1980) by Kenneth S. Kantzer. This article exemplifies the many sympathetic and intelligent articles in CT that have strengthened the bonds of Christian unity.
- An interview with Madeleine L'Engle, "Allegorical Fantasy: Mortal Dealings with Cosmic Questions" (June 8, 1979). Thank you for looking at the whole person: body, soul, spirit, mind, and imagination.
- Two articles about John Perkins (January 1, 1982) as well as the entire issue of January 30, 1976, devoted to "The Church in Black and White." My church, a diverse congregation in downtown New York City, continues to be involved with John Perkins' ministries.
- The Refiner's Fire column from September 23, 1977, about Star Wars and other science fiction. Also, from September 9, 1977, Frank E. Gaebelein's article on "Paradoxes of Prayer." His is a name we shouldn't forget! I thank God for the variety of CT's coverage and the stability you have provided within the Christian community.