In your hands is the largest single copy in CHRISTIANITY TODAY’s 24-year history. While we would not dare claim it as the best issue ever, we believe it is a good issue, offering you a variety of articles discussing with sobriety, fairness, and integrity questions that challenge the church today. For over a century, many conservative Christians have reckoned “higher criticism” to be a tool of the devil designed to undermine biblical faith. Allan MacRae, Old Testament scholar widely trusted by most evangelicals and fundamentalists, assesses its legitimate role. He dispels many misconceptions and points out higher criticism’s true values as well as its shortcomings.
Tom Minnery reports on a decisive shakeup in the Seventh-day Adventist church and sheds new light on the puzzling question of whether or not this rapidly growing body is evangelical. John Maust relates the struggles of seceding United Presbyterians to form a new association of thoroughly evangelical Presbyterians. Maust includes an update on efforts of four other Presbyterian groups to unite and the serious efforts of some others to remain united in their troubled but historic denomination.
J. D. Douglas interviews F. F. Bruce, one of the truly great evangelical scholars of this generation. From Professor Bruce’s own pen we find a mature assessment of where New Testament studies are headed.
Years ago, Carl Henry shook evangelicals out of their political and social isolation with his volume, The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism. Now 30 years later he assesses the social stance of evangelicals and the entire American church as revealed by the CHRISTIANITY TODAY-Gallup Poll. And Douglas Webster provides practical suggestions to help the local church get involved where people are hurting.
All told, this issue supplies you with a rich diet to expand your mind. Happy reading.
