Church Life

Letters to the Editor

Readers respond to the May issue.

Everyday Miracles

In "Miracles in Mozambique" [May], you gave us a real-life exposition of Paul's understanding of the gospel coming with power and great signs (Rom. 15:19), words of knowledge, a better understanding of "true riches," laying on of hands, and so on. This is the power of the gospel. May it catch fire in my life and in the lives of everyone who reads this article. We all need to be like "Mama Heidi."

Dale Yancy Paducah, Kentucky

Appeasing Love

Perhaps young pastors would not be so quick to discard substitutionary atonement if scholars would not link God's wrath to the crucifixion of Christ, such as in "Why Christus Victor Is Not Enough" [May].

John stated that Jesus died to satisfy God's love (John 3:16). Paul added that Jesus died to satisfy God's righteousness (Rom. 3:25). Why? Because God wants to forgive sinners, but animal sacrifices did not conform to his righteousness. Because the sacrifice of animals could never take away sin (Heb. 10:11), Jesus gave himself up as an offering. His atoning sacrifice was a fragrant offering to God (Eph. 5:1) and satisfied his righteousness so that God would be just in forgiving sin and in justifying those who have faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:22-26, 1 John 1:9).

Remove the eisegetical theory that God poured out his wrath upon Jesus and replace it with God's abiding love for his Son, and maybe young pastors will embrace the substitutionary atonement.

Don Sailer Assistant Professor, Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia

Struggling to Serve

Thank you for publishing "From Powerlifter to Powerless" [May]. I've been plagued by illnesses for over 40 years. Like the author, I can provide a litany of accomplishments throughout this time. I have learned valuable lessons and drawn close to my Lord. I have even been able to minister to others because of my experiences.

Yet it is extremely frustrating when the frailty of the body limits me from doing simple tasks. At what point do I just sit back and do nothing? When does "service" end and who decides? A quadriplegic pastor who was forced by his denomination to retire told me, "I don't see 'retirement' in the Scriptures." He now has a growing Christian fellowship with plans under way to build. His service is in no way over.

Flo Vance Whitewright, Texas

Pandering Politics

In "Rooting Out Bad Religion" [May], Ross Douthat says, "[I]t has to be possible to be Christian on contentious cultural issues without making it seem like Christianity is just an appendage of the Republican Party." Ugh! Voices from both sides of the political/theological spectrum want to co-opt the gospel to suit their purposes, not just the Right.

It now appears that the political focus is to challenge the people on the conservative side of the dialogue but to give a pass to the ideologues on the Left, whose attitudes are often just as condescending and dogmatic. Dialogue becomes impossible when one side is vilified and its positions are not respected or considered valid.

Alan Miller Tifton, Georgia

Say and Do

Thank you for "You Can't Preach the Gospel with Deeds" [May]. I would add that one of the great weaknesses of only trying to live the gospel and not speak the gospel is what happens when you are successful! If a person could truly live the gospel, and those around him or her were impressed by the display, what would their conclusion be? That mankind is hopelessly lost and in desperate need of a Savior? No, probably not. Probably they would conclude that being a Christian means living a perfect life. The emphasis of the gospel would again be manmade works rather than miraculous grace. As a missionary among Muslims for more than 10 years, I know the necessity of living a life of selfless love toward my neighbors—because Jesus said to, and because it did open doors for the spoken message. But we dare not send the message that Jesus' Good News was "save yourself."

Matthew Carr E-mail

Confronting Sin

Thank you for your May editorial, "The 'Monsters' Among Us." I lived through the effects of these things being covered up in Christian circles. It is hard to connect to God as someone who cares when you see Christian leaders pretend there is no problem and sacrifice others for their reputation. Very few of my peers who grew up with me in Christian circles have any interest in God. They don't believe in him or want nothing to do with him, pointing to the abuse and its cover-up as the reason. Your openness about your connections to these people gives me great hope that other groups will perhaps follow your example.

Name Withheld by Request E-mail

Imperfect Love

I cannot tell you how moved I was by Paul Shrier's opinion in the Village Green [May, "Should we stop adoption/foster-care programs if the law requires them to work with same-sex couples?"]. He is a much-needed prophetic voice. I have met numerous Christians with strong views on this subject who have done nothing to provide homes for the very foster children they claim to care so much about.

To our shame, we have little faith that God can actually work in and through the lives of those who happen to be gay. Meanwhile, we trumpet King David, a murderer, adulterer, and dysfunctional father, as a hero during Sunday school lessons. Those who don't believe God works through imperfect people and circumstances haven't read the Bible.

Karen Keen Durham, North Carolina

Clarification

In the article "Miracles in Mozambique" [May], Iris Ministries indicated its association has approximately 10,000 congregations. The current number is 10,562. About 92 percent are in Mozambique. The total includes churches that Iris founders Heidi and Rolland Baker planted as well as pre-existing churches that are affiliated with their ministry. There are member congregations in 12 other nations, including three churches in the United States.

What got the most comments in May's CT

24% Miracles in Mozambique by Tim Stafford

22% The 'Monsters' Among Us by CT Editorial

17% You Can't Preach the Gospel with Deeds by Duane Litfin

Readers' Pick

The most praised piece in May's CT

You Can't Preach the Gospel with Deeds by Duane Litfin

Worth Repeating

Compiled by Elissa Cooper

"We must stop seeing critiques as personal affronts. They are part and parcel of the body of Christ stretching one another as iron sharpens iron." HGS, on why it's important to examine others' teaching and theology. Many admired Ann Voskamp's grace-filled reaction to Tim Challies's negative review of her book and how the two were able to reconcile their differences. Her.meneutics: "Ann Voskamp, Tim Challies, Beth Moore: Dinner and a Defense of Earnestness," by Micha Boyett

"It's not their job to promote anything but Christian values." Original Anna, applauding Shorter University for its new lifestyle statement for employees, which includes a ban on alcohol. Readers were mixed on whether or not it was appropriate and biblical for a Christian college to restrict alcohol use. CT Liveblog: "Baptist University Loses Third of Faculty Over Lifestyle Statement," by Adelle M. Banks

"While humility is a quality to promote in one's Christian life, going along with the crowd is not." George E, approving Richard Land's apology to Trayvon Martin's family in regards to his comments about the case, but disagreeing that Land had to make other apologies. CT Politics Blog: "After Meeting with Black Southern Baptists, Richard Land Apologizes Again over Trayvon Martin Comments," by Adelle M. Banks

"The hypocrisy is purposeful, itself a commentary not only on our stupid culture but also on our own pride in how we deal with it." David, sharing his observations about the trailer for the upcoming black comedy God Bless America. CT Entertainment Blog: "'God Bless America' … With a Bang," by Paul Pastor

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

A Tale of Two Scientists: What Really Happened 'In the Beginning'

Cover Story

The Evolution of the Debate: Divided on Origins

Cover Story

Infographic: America's View on Evolution and Creationism

Review

The God Who Is (and Isn't) There

How to Drive Out Demons

The Cosmos's Best-Kept Secret

The Hymns That Haunt Us

Wilson's Bookmarks

The Problem with ‘Incarnational Ministry’

Excerpt

Ashamed No More: A Pastor's Journey Through Sex Addiction

Finding Jesus at Burning Man

NASCAR Driver Blake Koch Takes a Stand for Jesus

Review

How Narratives Can Prepare Hearts for the Gospel

The Gospel Is More Than a Story: Rethinking Narrative and Testimony

Rejoicing in the Wrath: Why We Look Forward to the Judgment Day

Editorial

Why Gay Marriage Is More Than a Legal Issue

How Maya Moore Brings Style and Grace to the U.S. Olympic Women's Team

News

Philistine Digs Define David and Solomon

Gospel Goes Global

Rich Mouw on Why Evangelicals Need to Be Quick to Listen to Mormons

News

Childproofing Churches

Why Divorce Calls Children's Existence into Question

News

Foreign Adoptions in Short Supply

The Other Iranian Revolution

News

Mixed Views on Vanderbilt Veto

Review

Go and Do

Review

Where Sin Abounds

Review

Enough

My Top 5 Books On Special Needs

Louis C. K. Disses Himself

News

Passages

News

Gleanings

News

Go Figure

News

Should Pastors Be Guaranteed Job Security?

News

Quotation Marks

A Season of Change at Christianity Today

Review

Fighting to Die: Confusion About the Purpose of Martyrdom

Should Churches Display the American Flag in Their Sanctuaries?

News

Syria's Last Chance

Q & A: Marco Rubio on His Faith of Many Colors

View issue

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

The Star of Bethlehem Is a Zodiac Killer

How Christmas upends everything that draws our culture to astrology.

News

As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire

University president praises the community’s “calm resilience” as students and staff shelter in place in fireproof buildings.

The Russell Moore Show

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, and Russell discuss this year’s reads.

News

The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal

Seventeen years after the former Hindu kingdom became a secular state, Christians have a pathway to legal recognition.

The Holy Family and Mine

Nativity scenes show us the loving parents we all need—and remind me that my own parents estranged me over my faith.

Why Christians Oppose Euthanasia

The immorality of killing the old and ill has never been in question for Christians. Nor is our duty to care for those the world devalues.

China’s Churches Go Deep Rather than Wide at Christmas

In place of large evangelism outreaches, churches try to be more intentional in the face of religious restrictions and theological changes.

Wire Story

Study: Evangelical Churches Aren’t Particularly Political

Even if members are politically active and many leaders are often outspoken about issues and candidates they support, most congregations make great efforts to keep politics out of the church when they gather.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube