Thomas
Seeing is believing
Was his motto. Better,
Feeling is believing.
The scientific mind requires
Substantial evidence,
Controlled experiments,
With photographs and measurements.
And Thomas was no poet,
Nor would he credit women—
Or even ten apostles.
He required the touch
Of his ten fingers.
Like that other twin
Who saw the face of God
At break of day, he must
Prevail with his two hands
And not let go.
“I am a twin—there is another like me,
Perhaps another bears His image—
No, I must feel His wounds.”
Seeing is believing—
Can sight bring faith?
Will God appear
For cross-examination,
Show wonders on demand,
And give the Prince’s hand
For critical inspection?
If Thomas will not hear
Moses and the prophets,
Peter, James, and John,
Mary Magdalene,
Will he believe
One risen from the dead?
Seeing is believing—
Thomas saw him
And believed.
Before those wounded feet
Ten fingers clasped themselves
In adoration.
Through blinding tears
The twin saw God.
Seeing is believing,
And before His witness Thomas
Christ stood visibly
That he should see, and we
Be blessed in believing.
Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
EUTYCHUS
Disunity Anent Unity
Professor Leitch (“Painting Oneself Into a Corner,” Mar. 2 issue) quite rightly quotes me (The Minister and the Care of Souls, p. 131) as supporting the view that the Holy Spirit may create divisions even within Christendom. But I am concerned lest this use of my statement should suggest that I would support Mr. Leitch’s argument that theological discussion must always lead to disunity.…
The intent of my brief discussion of the Holy Spirit in the book quoted Was to envisage the churches as engaged in creating conflict, taking theology seriously and ever seeking that deeper unity which will illumine and transform all theological outlooks. Not all ecumenical discussion fulfills that purpose, but I believe that the World Council of Churches is the visible manifestation of Christian unity, and therefore, I give it my wholehearted support.
DANIEL D. WILLIAMS
Union Theological Seminary
New York, N.Y.
If it has not yet occurred to Dr. Leitch, there are some Protestants in the Reformed tradition who welcome: (1) the attempt of Christians to transcend Western culture and to maintain the witness of Christ’s Church under the influence of an unsympathetic state.… Perhaps this is the cross the American Church is unable to bear because it disturbs our easy cultural Christianity that is more often American than Christian; (2) the influence of a Church that has been Christ’s witness for centuries in many parts of the world where the Western Church has never been, and perhaps, in its present captivity to its way of life, could never be, a relevant witness; and (3) the “different total character” that may be the result of “this new heavily liturgical thrust.”
Finally, and even more seriously, is the kind of rationalism in the author’s thesis, namely: “Either unity without theology, or serious theology and disunity.” Apart from some kind of logic that is based on an “interrelatedness” of truth which would have difficulty with almost every major Christian doctrine, where is the theological foundation … that even suggests such a premise? Is it in Christ’s prayer “that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us” (John 17:21)? Is it in St. Paul’s treatise on the Church … (Eph. 4:5, 6)? Is it in the creed set forth at the Council of Nicea? Is it even in Luther who said, “I believe in one holy, common, Christian Church” and, “They are not members of the Church of Christ who, instead of preserving unity of doctrine and oneness of Christian faith, cause divisions and offences” (Luther’s Works, Vol. II, pp. 372–374)? Perhaps this is the author’s problem: In all his talk of theology, he says nothing of the doctrine of the Church, which if Christian must be expressed in essential unity—and which was surely the concern of many at New Delhi.
CHARLES E. TAYLOR
First Presbyterian Church
Waddington, N.Y.
Bravo! Leitch was willing to face up to theology and history, and able to set forth the facts lucidly and irenically. Philadelphia, Pa.
JAMES HAMILTON
A Choice Of Glasses
“Protestantism’s Amazing Vitality” (Mar. 2 issue) by Kenneth S. Latourette … is too comforting.… “United Nations … clearly of Protestant parentage” is a gross example of one’s peering through rose (?)—colored glasses. U. N. statements of purpose, etc., disclose that man and state are the two gods served.… Protestantism is … in a sad state if it can do no better than father a white horse on which we’re all (as good universalists) “to ride off in the sunset” towards a manmade milllennium with its classless, atheistic society.
WESLEY L. BAUM
Fairfield, Conn.
It is refreshing to hear the note of positive optimism from one so notable, among the “gloom and doom” prophets of negative pessimism.
WILLIAM H. OAKLEY
Trinity Baptist
Oak Grove, La.
Perils, Past And Present
“Into the Free World” (Mar. 2 issue) … has a positive and a negative side. The positive significance is the pointing to the fact that the power of God’s mercy is active and can be experienced in the lives of individuals and nations as well.
The negative side … is that it seems to be under the influence of the “After-World War II Spirit” practiced by many … who try to gain attention … by combining everything they say or write with references back to Nazism and stressing how they fought it.… At least we ministers should try not to become victims and disciples of that fashion. We rather should concentrate on the big tasks of the present time.
Another part of the positive significance … is that it reminds of communism, which with its philosophy of atheism is a living danger.…
RUDOLPH FLACHBARTH
Nativity Lutheran Church
Windsor, Ont.
Thank you so much for the soul-stirring message.… I bowed my head and thanked God for my freedom.
AUBREY F. WHITE
Asbury Methodist
Midland, Tex.
Charge Of Eisegesis?
In Mr. Mantey’s article (“Repentance and Conversion,” Mar. 2 issue) he states that eis “is used to denote cause at times in Greek of the first century and in the New Testament.” He makes reference to the discussion in the Journal of Biblical Literature (Vols. LXX, LXXI, 1951–52). However, … Ralph Marcus did not defend the causative use of eis, but instead re-examined the so-called examples put forth by Mr. Mantey and showed that none of the so-called causatives were causative at all. Mr. Marcus did not deal with the … New Testament examples but concluded his study by saying: “If, therefore, Prof. Mantey is right in his interpretation of various NT passages on baptism and repentance and remission of sins, he is right for reasons that are non-linguistic” (JBL, LXXI, p. 44).…
JAMES D. CLAYTON
Northwest Church of Christ
Chicago, Ill.
But A Single Purpose
The American Bible Society has received several letters regarding the paragraph from a letter by Dr. Henry Smith Leiper … published in CHRISTIANITY TODAY (Jan. 19 issue). The statement by Dr. Leiper, our representative for promotion of the Bible cause among members of the United Church of Christ, was not intended to represent—nor in fact does it—the official position of the American Bible Society.
As stated in its Constitution, the single purpose of the … Society is “to encourage a wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment.” The Society takes no doctrinal position, but seeks only to serve all churches and denominations through the translation, publication and distribution of Bibles, Testaments and Scripture portions. In this task it has the endorsement of over 55 denominations in the U.S.A.… Its record of impartial service to all churches, without regard to dogma or creed, is well known. As it has for more than 145 years, the … Society today stands ready to co-operate with all those who love the Lord and desire to carry His Word to the ends of the earth.
ROBERT T. TAYLOR
Secretary
American Bible Society
New York, N. Y.
• Dr. Leiper’s letter objected to CHRISTIANITY TODAY’S critique of the National Council and the World Council of Churches. He deplored what he called an “obsession with the supposed dangers of the ecumenical movement.” CHRISTIANITY TODAY will continue to evaluate ecumenical trends, in the future as in the past, on principle rather than bias; it will commend what is good and criticize what is bad, and will alert to its possibilities and perils.—ED.
For Fulfillment, Federation
The press has focused much attention on Dr. Blake’s proposal for a four-church merger [which] … has its good points. But many proponents of church amalgamation are building their case on a half-truth: the organic expression of unity. They would neglect the other half: the obvious need for an organic expression of difference.
The open way: federal union. The U.S. is an example.… The need for an organic expression of national unity is fulfilled: the federal government. The need for an organic expression of difference is fulfilled: local self-government—states’ rights.
Federal union of churches was first proposed years ago … by the eminent missionary E. Stanley Jones in The Christ of the American Road (pp. 190–198).…
ROBERT E. CRENSHAW
Laurens, S.C.
For Famine, Food
Re “Famine on University Campuses” (Feb. 16 issue): Five months ago we started here a new church program for students and townspeople … to meet the contemporary student needs with a biblically-centered presentation. We were told that existing churches were ministering to these needs; also, that our program could not expect much growth because of facilities (we have been meeting in the local “Y,” some blocks from the campus).
Within five months our total attendance at both services … has reached well over 200, with an interdenominational appeal.
A National Council of Churches report on student work stated that the “institutional student-center” approach was no longer effective. Could this be because either the message is not contemporary, or it does not present the Living Word revealed in the Bible?
CALVIN S. MALEFYT
University Reformed Church
Ann Arbor, Mich.
For Federalism, Fecundity
I was glad to read your position as stated in the editorial “Be Wary of Federal Loans and Grants to Church Colleges” (Feb. 16 issue).…
The attempt of the federal government to regulate education in the states, like every other piece of social legislation, … is a usurpation of power, not granted in the Constitution.
It is not only unconstitutional, it is immoral and a direct and intentional violation of the purpose for which the Constitution was adopted.
The purpose … in the minds of its authors and the people of the states which adopted it, was to secure the country against foreign invasion, insure the domestic tranquility … and maintain individual freedom for each citizen. The gargantuan role our federal government is playing is contrary to the purpose of God in government and the purpose of our Constitution.…
P. H. JOHNSON
Dayton, Ohio
For Flu, Felicity
I appreciate CHRISTIANITY TODAY, but not your twice using the word “Asiatic” (Editorials, pp. 25, 27, Mar. 2 issue). It is a word that should be thrown out … as obsolete.… “Asian” or “Asians” is accepted in the U. N. and all through Asia and by many papers and magazines. The word “Asiatic” is almost considered an insult by people in Asia. They don’t want to be tics, but ans as American, European, African, and many other ans. The RSV, Acts 20:4, uses “Asians.”
I had 42 years in Burma in missionary service and found a dislike by the Asians for being called “Asiatic.”
E. CARROLL CONDICT
Ely, Vt.
