Eutychus and His Kin: September 13, 1968

Dear Theological Minutemen:

Revolutionary developments in seminary course offerings to keep pace with new emphases in conciliar Christianity are being planned to prepare fledgling ministers for the foment of the moment. If my projections are on target, students in major denominational seminaries may expect some of these new courses this fall:

Languages: Latin and soul-talk—Replace outmoded Hebrew and Greek. Reading knowledge of Latin required for research in ancient Catholic traditions to help expedite Protestant union with the Roman church. Speaking knowledge of soul-talk required for ministry among the black-power elite.

Revolution as Christian Evangelism—Principles of subversion, armed insurrection, and guerrilla warfare as means of manifesting God’s love for subjugated peoples. Lab sections in diversionary tactics, use of Molotov cocktails for incendiary fellowships, and training of theological and revolutionary snipers.

Christian Communication—Replaces homiletics. Techniques of speaking at public demonstrations, preparation of inflammatory leaflets and slogan posters, organization and control of mass marches, planning of spontaneous incidents to arouse volatile communities. Special unit on semantics: consideration of such terms as “police brutality,” “peace,” “equality,” “law and order” (as a synonym for tyranny), “white racism,” “civil disobedience.”

The Church as Sanctuary—Methods of harboring draft evaders and resisting arrest. Concealment of weapons and ammunition in naves, narthexes, apses, and baptistries. Practice in going limp while handcuffed to a draft-evader.

Ministry to the Power Structure—Means of (1) testifying as an economic expert at government hearings; (2) equating left-wing political objectives (e.g., guaranteed income, defense cutbacks, coalitions with Communists) with biblical Christianity; (3) serving as spokesman at city hall for inner-city citizens while living in plush suburbia.

Other courses in Experimental Sex for Human Fulfillment, New Trends in Liturgical and Paramilitary Dress for Clerics, and Theology of the Absurd should generate further excitement. B.D. holders ill-equipped for a ministry of relevance may enroll in concentrated summer programs of basic training. What better way is there for a minister to become involved in the human predicament, shake up the status quo, and help to create a new world?

EUTYCHUS III

Revoltingly,

FULL STEAM AHEAD

The catastrophic results of Uppsala are in (Aug. 16), and they really are deplorable! Indeed, the consistent evangelical can only prayerfully conclude that he can have nothing whatever to do with the World Council of Churches.…

Let us have full and unflagging support for our own institutions and interests, and let the ecumenists sail their sinking ship until it breaks up on the rocks of inclusivism and apostasy.

RICHARD H. MACKAY

Watertown, Mass.

You point out that “there are two opposing views” within the World Council of Churches. Apparently, the implication is that the two cannot and shall not live together.

I have an idea they could, they would, and they should live together, were both sides to follow the injunction of our Lord to the scribes and Pharisees who “neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Matt. 23:23).

Seemingly, the chief problem in the WCC is that another command of our Lord is being ignored: “… do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

Yet, in the WCC the left hand is always loud-slapping what the right hand is doing, or not doing, and the right hand is always snapping its fingers, and very sharply at that, at what the left hand is doing, or neglecting to do.

Result? Judgmental statements: “The social engineers are wrong.”

It couldn’t be that it just might benearer to the truth to say: The social engineers are partially wrong? And, it couldn’t be that it just might be closer to the truth to say: The evangelicals are partially wrong?

KURT C. HARTMANN

Editor

The Southern Lutheran

La Vernia, Tex.

I commend … Harold Lindsell’s “Uppsala 1968.” In my estimation it is an excellent example of objective reporting. I wish that every professing Christian in the nation would read the article.

A. A. PAGE

President Emeritus

Pikeville College

Pikeville, Ky.

More than ever I think there is a tremendous need for CHRISTIANITY TODAY. I feel some of the effects were felt at the Fourth Assembly, which was far more conservative in theological matters than I had expected.… The time has come to get into the front line of ecumenical discussions.

JAN J. VAN CAPELLEVEEN

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

ANOTHER HOME

The Minister’s Workshop (Aug. 16) dealt with the subject of illegitimacy.… It might be helpful for pastors to know also about the Florence Christian Home in Wayne, New Jersey. This home has been caring for unwed mothers for some seventy years. Policies are set by a board of managers made up of evangelical Christian men and women. A local pastor, with a background in psychology and counseling, serves as chaplain. The home works with two Christian adoption agencies (as well as others).

RICHARD STEENSMA

Executive Vice-President

The Florence Christian Home

Saddle River, N. J.

RECOIL

I read your editorial “The Guns of August” (Aug. 16) with interest and appreciate your reference to my efforts in the area of TV violence.

JOHN M. MURPHY

U. S. House of Representatives

Washington, D. C.

UNWORTHY LISTING

It seems to me that a Ku Klux Klan member killed “in the line of duty” is not worthy to be listed in your obituary section (Mrs. Ralph Ainsworth, Aug. 16).

J. CASTINA JACKSON

Paradise Baptist Church

Tulsa, Okla.

GOOD SUPPOSITION?

John Warwick Montgomery’s “France in Flame” (Current Religious Thought, Aug. 16) is based on the questionable supposition that university attendance, telephones, TV sets, kilowatt-hours-per-person, and democracy are good. Are they?

TODD OLIVE

Florence, Ala.

ONE OF THE BEST

I have just finished reading “Sex in a Theological Perspective” by Donald N. Bastian (July 19). This is one of the best articles I have read on this subject. Bible Baptist Church PAUL E. BOOMER Woodburn, Ore.

The great majority of “the now generation” has certainly been sold a phony understanding of sexuality and intercourse by those who see it as nothing more than a purely physical relationship, instead of a God-given union. The article was excellent in bringing this problem to our attention, but the suggestions for making sex education a “part of the fabric of congregational life” were too general when one considers the gravity of the situation.

GEORGE L. HREHA

Director of Christian Education

Monte Vista Chapel

Turlock, Calif.

WHO FAILED?

The Monday following the leveling of Resurrection City, the Los Angeles Times carried two feature articles, among others—one decrying the lack of wisdom of those in charge of the Poor Peoples’ Campaign in trying to get funds from a Congress that was financially hard pressed. The other article told of congressional approval to go ahead with the five-billion-dollar ABM system. Having been closely involved in ballistic-missile matters for a number of years, I see most clearly the foolishness of the ABM venture. Having been a concerned Christian layman for a number of years, I see the hardness of heart and the violent nature of our people. Did Resurrection City fail (editorial, “The Mini-City that Failed,” July 19)? Or rather have we as a people failed and you and I as Christians failed?

CHARLES C. COOK

Colton, Calif.

UNFACED ISSUES

Towards the latter part of “Canada’s Trudeaumania” (News, July 19), the correspondent mentions a pamphlet published by the Canadian Evangelical Council discussing the now Prime Minister’s background. He calls it an “attack” and quotes an Ottawa politician to the effect that this “hate literature” should be violently eradicated and also quotes a famous Canadian “name” preacher that this sort of thing is “abominable” to Christianity.…

The issues that your correspondent seemingly refuses to face are: Many Bible-believing Christians would disagree with the “name” theologian; many would agree with the Canadian Council; many brethren in Christ are unconnected with both and yet hold firmly the tacitly slandered position; and since the allegations are so prominently paraded, why the cringing from stating there is documentation readily available and that they were not disproven upon public airing?

ROBERT MORE, JR.

Reformed Presbyterian Church

Almonte, Ont.

A RECIPE FOR WORSHIP

Take anything from 50 to 500 habituals, mix thoroughly together in a container suitable to their size and giving capacity. Add three or at most four hymn tunes (the words are immaterial), a Bible reading, and a pastoral prayer peppered with the language of Zion. Sweeten with organ music and repeated choir responses. Use any catalyst that will help separate money from purses and pockets during the offering and people from pews during the invitation hymn. Allow to settle for at least twenty minutes while a little heaven leavens the whole lump. Warm together with a welcome and stir with strong speech for not more than fifty-nine minutes. (Longer than this and the pastor will get burnt.) Serve once a week, garnished with fellowship, before work in the world.

GORDON C. HAMBLY

Covina, Calif.

IN MEMORIAM

Woodstock Letters, a Jesuit publication in its ninety-seventh year, is planning a special issue honoring Father Gustave Weigel, of the Society of Jesus … by publishing certain of his private papers and unpublished lectures on Roman Catholic and ecumenical problems.…

We wish to make this issue available to the many friends of Father Weigel outside the Jesuit community.

The price of this special issue of nearly one hundred and forty pages is $1.50 for each of one to nine copies, $1.00 each for ten or more copies. Please include payment with order before 15 September.

GERARD REEDY, S. J.

Managing Editor

Woodstock Letters

Woodstock, Md.

BOUQUETS

I never cease to marvel at the relevance of CHRISTIANITY TODAY. Certainly the magazine lives up to its name. I feel you should know something of the deep appreciation thousands of concerned contemporary Christians like myself have for your efforts to build such an effective media.

KENT PIPES

Fresno, Calif.

Scholarship and gentlemanship have not always been handmaids. IN CHRISTIANITY TODAY they have!

GRENVILLE A. DAUN

First Presbyterian Church

DuPont, Wash.

As a college graduate and a pastor I have a certain amount of appreciation for CHRISIANITY TODAY.… Overall I found it to be too eggheaded and scholarly. It could certainly use some fervency.… [It] seemed to occasionally touch my mind but seldom my heart.

GAIL COPPLE

East 30th St. Assembly of God

Tucson, Ariz.

I think you publish the best in its field. I have a copy of every issue that you have ever published and use this valuable source of information frequently.

CHARLES E. WILLIAMS, JR.

Park Boulevard Church

Wheaton, Ill.

Allow me to express a word of appreciation on behalf of the missionary task force in our part of the world for the ministries of CHRISTIANITY TODAY.… Each copy is passed from hand to hand and is used of God to inform, inspire, and challenge.

G. J. MCARTHUR

Principal

The New Guinea Christian Leader’s Training College

Banz, New Guinea

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