WHERE CAB-DRIVERS ARE KIND
Fiji became independent last month, and local churchmen received a congratulatory letter from the general secretary of the WCC. A routine chummy gesture, but a heart-sinker, for the aforementioned g.s. (“the big fellow who sits on the second floor of his Geneva headquarters and tells us what is good and what is bad”) went on to read the newly free a lecture on the sin of racism. “Societies which are racist,” he declared. “are clearly to be opposed.”
I find this unsatisfactory, as I do many of the asinine utterances that go out on behalf of all of us in WCC member churches. Are the Fijians the proper recipients of this? And why now? What is intended by that somewhat menacing “clearly to be opposed”? To those who say it’s all talk, the WCC can point proudly to how mere words have been superseded by imaginative action in the financial grants for Southern African guerrilla movements. And are we not hourly expecting the intrepid conciliarists, no respectors of persons, to propose similar succor to persecuted minorities in the U. S. S. R.?
Fijians have come a long way from the Cannibal Islands label and are very much aware of their domestic problems. As the encouraging hosts to that splendid ecumenical experiment at Pacific Theological College, they would be forgiven for considering impertinent an exhortation from Geneva that tells them: “The urgent need is for a new kind of ‘raceful’ society in which people of all colors and culture can build together a common future and make their diversity a creative force.”
My own acquaintance with the islands began when I flew into Suva on a Saturday afternoon to find I could not change money at the airport. An Indian clerk from whom I sought directions paid the taxi fare to my hotel, and only reluctantly identified himself so that I could repay him later.
This altruism, however, was nothing compared with the impact of a Fiji Times editorial. “At a Suva meeting on Sunday,” it said, “members of the Fiji Taxi Union produced some pretty good arguments in opposition to the suggestion that taxis in Fiji should be fitted with fare meters.… The principal argument advanced was that passengers sometimes could not afford the prescribed fare, and the kind-hearted owners accepted less.”
I don’t know how this would go down in New York, but a community capable of breeding that kind of thinking might teach America—and even the WCC—a thing or two about living together.
MORE THAN EGGHEADS
Just great! This is the only way I can describe the article by C. George Fry, “John Calvin: Theologian and Evangelist” (Oct. 23). It’s about time that somebody realized that true Calvinism does not consist of a group of eggheads sitting around in armchairs meditating about the semantics of theology. This article should be read and inwardly digested by all who profess to adhere to Calvinism.
Paradise Hills Orthodox Presbyterian Church
San Diego, Calif.
How can you print an article on John Calvin and never mention what he did to Michael Servetus?
We should thank God that modern evangelicals … are well aware of the corruption that follows when the Church grasps secular power.
Hightstown, N. J.
I must say that CHRISTIANITY TODAY is always a delight to the soul. Each issue brings joy to the spirit. The article on Calvin was a Godsend and I trust it will have a wide reading. I also enjoy the articles by Russell Chandler.
Park United Methodist Church
Coshocton, Ohio
CONFUSING RELATIONS
Isn’t the caption to the October 9 “What If …” cartoon incorrect? Mordecai was Esther’s cousin, not her uncle.
Sussex, N. J.
• Right!—ED.
POWERFUL PRINT
Wow! The article “Not by White Might Nor by Black Power,” by William H. Hodges (Oct. 9), is one of the greatest ever. I was blessed, challenged, and enlightened by it.
First Church of God
Goshen, Ind.
A QUESTION OF ACTION
“COCU: A Critique” (Oct. 9 and 23) reminds me of a current cigarette commercial in reverse. You are so concerned that everybody “says it right.” The larger problem today is whether we can begin to “make it right.” It is true that evangelicals (your word) will not be satisfied with COCU’s language as expressive of their rational beliefs about their faith. I doubt any language is available that we could agree on, even among evangelicals in this area. But you mention that COCU will trouble evangelicals’ conscience. How does conscience feel about the terribly strained and hostile feelings dividing Christendom.… How does conscience feel about the Church’s lack of influence on so many matters that ultimately result in crime, hostility and moral bankruptcy—a lack of influence primarily caused because Christians cannot work together for common goals? Are you sure our Lord, facing the problems we do today, would say, “Only when your theology is unanimously expressed and agreed upon should you associate together and share my work together”?… We need all the strength of unity we can muster to be barely adequate in the work of the Kingdom. We can no longer afford the luxury of putting off that unity until we all “say it right.”
Chaplain (Major) U. S. Army
Fort Bliss, Tex.
Your critique of COCU contains the usual misconception of the faith of the Episcopal Church. The surprising thing is that Dr. Lindsell, of all scholars, stated rather blithely, “The Episcopal Church has its Thirty-nine Articles.” In his study of history, he should have learned that the Articles of Religion was a compromise with the Protestants, and while technically a part of the Book of Common Prayer, is seldom used in teaching the faith of the Church.
Coffeyville, Kans.
After 350 years, Baptists are finally making their point about the uses and misuses of creeds and confessions. However, while this American Baptist cheers, Harold Lindsell “stomps and boos.” Lindsell views with alarm the plan by which the Church of Christ Uniting will use all of the principal Christian confessions and creeds, “for the guidance of the members of the church … persuasively and not coercively” (from page 27 of The Plan of Union).… He hints darkly that Southern Baptists and perhaps other denominations not at present in the union (American Baptists?) will feel that such a stance on the use of creeds will be an “affront” to them.
I contend quite the contrary. If the editor will check the book Baptist Confessions of Faith, by W. L. Lumpkin (Judson Press, 1959), he will note that most consistently Baptist bodies have felt that man-made creeds and statements of faith are to be used to teach and not to coerce the conscience of any believer or local group of believers.…
Baptists may have objections to COCU, but the suggested use of creeds in the new church is surely not one of them.
First Baptist Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
