Reply All

Responses to our October issue.

Edits by Christianity Today / Source Image: Unsplash

The Woman Who Gave the World a Thousand Names for God

I wanted to thank Jordan Monson for the article about Katy Barnwell. It was very true to all I know about Katy. She is the one who, 25 years ago, invited me into the work I am doing now, even though my qualifications were probably lacking at that time. I was also in five of the Luke Partnership workshops, and all that he describes about those is very accurate. In fact, when I read the article, I kept thinking, Yep! That’s Katy! That’s what she does! So I wrote to Katy and told her, “When I think over your life and your decades of work and service, and all the people you have trained or inspired or helped, I remember what Nigerian people often say: ‘Well done!’” When I look at people of such tremendous spiritual stature, I consider myself fortunate to be “tall” enough to see their kneecaps—which is about where my stature comes to by comparison. But they would consider themselves ordinary people who were faithful doing the extraordinary things God called them to do. May I be like them—even a little!

David Abernathy Waxhaw, NC

Moral Middle Candidates Want to Save America (But They Keep Losing)

We lost our message and our way when politics became more about winning than the actual issues we promote.

@LelandAcker (Twitter)

Good article and a truth that believers better take to heart. Christianization of America will demonstrate that many believers are not students of history. Why did believers leave Europe to come to this land in the first place? They wanted freedom of religion, the right to worship God freely without bowing to a government-controlled church or a government that forced one brand of worship. The Religious Right seemed to be deceived by a nonpracticing Christian whose life reflects a life of sin rather than Christ. Now, believers tell other believers that they are lost if they don’t vote the way they do. Even some preachers are espousing this lie as if they were the judges instead of God. I am praying that we all will repent and meet together in love, not hate.

Charles L. Collett Godley, TX

Where the Unborn Are People

My mother had two miscarriages. I wonder what services like those you mention would have done for her and for our family.

Linda Speck (Facebook)

Political Empathy Takes Work

To externalize the problem by identifying it with a “knowledge crisis” externalizes what is an internal and individual evangelical problem. For generations, evangelicals have been warning evangelicals about the deterioration of the Christian mind. No one has been listening. Now, the deterioration has gone so far that many Christians are incapable of properly evaluating our shared reality. The result is influencers pushing strange doctrines of Christianity, strange epistemologies, conspiracy theories, rage, and lynch-mob tactics—all plastered over with Christian language and motions. “Bearing false witness” is in a key commandment. And reality is what we can bear false witness about.

Stephen Wuest (Facebook)

Bring Back Altar Calls

I’m happy that my church doesn’t do altar calls. I’ve seen altar calls used as a form of manipulation many times.

Lora Kay (Facebook)

Emotions are important. Follow-up is where the failure is. We need more emotional commitment to Christ. A transformed life must involve facts, faith—and feelings.

David Nye (Facebook)

I say no to altar calls. And my reasons are not about emotional appeals. Rather, the practice has no basis in Scripture. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see anyone giving an altar call, nowhere is there a command to give altar calls, nowhere is there an invitation to “come forward” or “repeat this prayer after me” or “raise your hand.” There should be an appeal to receive Christ. But regeneration is not spurred by a physical act; regeneration is an inward act of God the Holy Spirit in the soul. The act leads to false professions of faith and people being deceived into thinking they’re saved because once upon a time they walked an aisle, even though they were never born again of the Spirit. The new birth simply cannot be induced by a walk down a church aisle!

Wyeth Duncan (Facebook)

It doesn’t have be found specifically in Scripture to be of benefit. Electric lights are not found in Scripture. These are arguments from a point of silence and thus are on slippery philosophical ground. Many things we do are not found in Scripture. The issue is, are they done in a harmful way or are they done in a way so as to be a help to people?

Don Fawcett (Facebook)

Jesus made a public appeal when he called each of his disciples. It may not be an altar call, but it was an appeal to step out from the crowd and follow him.

Bill Evans (Facebook)

If We Can’t Reason Together, How Can We Worship Together?

Dr. McKenzie brings a wealth of historical knowledge, plus his mantra of “thinking Christianly,” to our cultural debate. We need people with perspective, and that means people with deep historical understanding to parse the noise and help us not only with the facts but with how we need to think as God’s kingdom on earth. For some years, Tracy was my boss at Wheaton and a dear friend. You can’t do any better than giving him a chance to educate the larger audience of believers.

Jack Scott Batavia, IL

Also in this issue

This month’s cover story profiles Bono of U2, exploring how grief, music, and activism have shaped—and been shaped by—his Christian faith. This issue also features a pair of articles focused on Bible literacy that take a historical look at the creation of concordances alongside a contemporary assessment of today’s popular Bible apps. How do tools like these impact scriptural interpretation for good or for ill? Plus: a Christmas reflection on the expansive purpose of the Incarnation.

Cover Story

Bono’s Punk-Rock Rebellion Was a Cry of Hopeful Lament

Testimony

Cambodian Spies Were Watching Me. So Was Someone Else.

Why Are We So Cynical About Peace on Earth?

From Holistic Health to a Holistic Gospel

Bible Apps Are the New Printing Press

News

They’re Not Religious. But They Oppose Abortion.

What Is a Missionary Kid Worth?

News

Finding Common Ground in a Big Fish

When the Best Bible-Reading Tool Made Bible Reading Worse

News

The Season’s Greeting Most Preferred for Happy Holidays? ‘Merry Christmas.’

News

Prayer and Forgiveness Offered at Texas Execution

Our Advent Waiting Goes Back to Eden

The Messiah Is Coming

New & Noteworthy Fiction

Why Christmas Is Bigger Than Easter

Our December Issue: We Wonder as We Wander

If Troubled, Look for God’s Comfort. If Restless, Look for His Lordship.

We Can’t Outbreed Unbelief

‘I Will Grieve but not Grumble, Mourn but not Murmur, Weep but not Whine’

Review

From the Rise of the ‘Nones’ to the Indifference of the ‘Never Weres’

Review

Who Do You Say He Is?

5 Books on Women in the Global Church

View issue

Our Latest

Where Ya From?

Winning with Justice with Maya Moore Irons

 Hear basketball legend Maya Moore Irons’s remarkable story of faith, love, and justice.

News

How Messianic Jews Are Serving Israelis Displaced by Hamas and Hezbollah

In Israel’s only communal village of believers in Jesus, three women reflect on loving their neighbors—and their enemies—in the midst of war.

My Friend, Bill Pannell

A reflection on the trailblazing Black theologian and his influence on American evangelicalism.

News

When the Elder Calls—From Outer Space

Two sick church members in their 90s got a pastoral “visit” from a friend—an astronaut stuck on the International Space Station.

What Are Parents For?

Scripture has a clear vision for parents as stewards of our children. It’s not an instruction manual for modern parenting spats.

Being Human

Trauma, Tenacity, and Trusting God with Beth Moore

The Bible teacher and author reflects on the Lord’s presence throughout her life.

News

Died: Jack Iker, Anglican Who Drew the Line at Women’s Ordination

The Texas bishop fought a bitter legal battle with the Episcopal Church and won.

Why Can’t We Talk to Each Other Anymore?

Online interactions are draining us of energy to have hard conversations in person.

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