Eutychus and His Kin: October 10, 1969

Insisting On The Grievance

Not so long ago, I was traveling in Asia under the auspices of a certain organization. In one city I met two colleagues whose next destination turned out to be the same as my own. We shared a car to the airport, checked in with the airline and out with passport control, then walked together to our plane. A certain sheepishness became apparent at that point, culminating in their going up the first-class gangway while I went to my own place. Ten minutes passed, during which time I confess to some mental and probably sinful exultation (I knew my friends).

Sure enough, just before takeoff, an airline official came into the economy section, identified me, and passed a message from my senior colleague that said, in effect: “Friend, come up higher, and I will pay the difference when we arrive.” With old-fashioned courtesy I said to the messenger: “Please express my thanks to Mr. X, and tell him I’d rather have the grievance.” He did so with seemly gravity, I discovered later. I naturally saw no reason to add that I had three seats to myself and would journey more comfortably than they.

Now, however, the tables have been turned on me, and I am writing under the weight of what can only be described as The Grievance Unsought. It came, fittingly, in an airport lounge where I was awaiting a tardy flight. Pushing his way through the crowd was a friend who has developed to a high degree the art of communicating anxiety. This time he excelled himself. Spotting me, he said loudly in passing, without breaking step: “Hi, Eut, I pray for you every Tuesday.” (He didn’t call me that, of course, but oddly used my full name—a piece of gamesmanship that always somehow puts one at a disadvantage in public.) That was all he said, but curious and even envious glances were thereafter directed by fellow travelers at the guy who was prayed for every Tuesday.

Maybe I can’t cope with true piety when I see it—cf. that letter from Canada (September 12 issue) that used four languages and acrid tone against me and Goethe for alleged anti-Zinzendorfian views, then added kind regards to me in the old divide et impera ploy.

But to return to the airport. My friend meant it kindly, but I feel menaced by a form of blackmail for which there is no legal redress. I wanted to protest: “But I don’t want you to pray for me; you will ask for all the wrong things unless you stop for a moment and let me tell you what to pray for.”

Alas, he was gone before I could persuade him that the principle was not enough—and tomorrow is another Tuesday. I went over to the window to watch his plane take off. I found myself bizarrely hoping he was traveling first class.

EUTYCHUS IV

Evangelism In Person

CHRISTIANITY TODAY is becoming an increasingly more helpful Christian magazine with every issue. Recent articles most helpful are: “Nudity in Biblical Perspective” by Stephen E. Smallman (Aug. 22) and “What Is Evangelism?” by Samuel H. Moffett (Aug. 22 and Sept. 12). My involvement as a volunteer police chaplain, with my church ministry, convinces me more than ever of the truth of Mr. Moffett’s statement: “Evangelism is the specific, articulate presention of the person [italics mine] and claims of Jesus Christ.”

WESTON F. COX

Evangelical Friends Church

Wichita, Kan.

More of Samuel Moffett, please, for poor laymen like me.

DONALD A. REED

Hummelstown, Pa.

I was very disappointed in Moffett’s definition of evangelism. In his view evangelism is “primarily preaching”.… His emphasis on preaching as the primary medium of evangelism is especially unfortunate in a day when media other than preaching are far more effective in reaching people. Granted, Dr. Moffet’s concept of preaching seems to be so all-inclusive that its true meaning is lost.…

If evangelism is confined to oral communication, does this mean that a deaf mute cannot evangelize or be evangelized? What about the immigrant? Must he wait until he has mastered the language of the land before becoming involved in evangelism? I feel that Dr. Moffett ascribes far too great an importance to words.

Evangelism was born when the logos became flesh (not words). Hence, evangelism takes place wherever Jesus Christ is made known to people. Certainly there are many ways to communicate Christ to a person. Speech is only one of them, and, in our day, perhaps no longer the most important one.

BERNARD SCHALM

North American Baptist College

Edmonton, Alberta

Thank you very much for “What Is Evangelism?” and “On Romans 8:28” (Sept. 12). These are great.

ODIE GREGG

Ramburne, Ala.

Bright Spots

Your editorial, “Times of Refreshing” (Sept. 12), is certainly appropriate and true to the facts. However, there is also a bright side to this dark picture. God is working on a large scale in other parts of the world. Revival fires are burning in parts of Africa and the East Indies, and news trickles out of Russia and China that many are coming to Christ in clandestine groups.

It should also be noted that there are increasing numbers of powerful radio stations beaming the Gospel into areas of the world where churches are not established.…

There is much to be said also for the number of strong testimonies building in strategic cities across the nation.

W. B. MUSSELMAN

Hunsberger Heights Baptist Church

Saginaw, Mich.

The Fight Is On

CHRISTIANITY TODAY outdid itself with insipid analysis and reporting in the editorial entitled “Reflections on Ulster” (Sept. 12). There it is stated that Protestants now fight Romanists because they know they have discriminated and fear reprisal.

Being a pastor to people who not long ago lived in Ulster, and whose families still remain there, leads me to suggest the struggle has arisen because of:

1. Communists. The London School of Economics and the University of Dublin’s Trinity College are literally seminaries (seedbeds) for revolutionary anarchists intent on Gospel-destruction (see the September 1, 1969, issue of On Target, Flesherton, Ontario, for the details of the exposé).

2. The biblical Evangel vs. substitutes. The Roman church under no amount of theological or sophistical contortions can be acknowledged as the biblical Gospel. So too, Ulster does have, even today, a mighty host of the biblical Evangel. Thus truth cannot compromise with a substitute of any stripe. Quebec province and some near-at-hand Irish communities graphically demonstrate what happens to the Evangel in Rome’s hands.

Furthermore, why all the bleating over a physical defense of conscience in Christ? Milquetoast passivism is no charity to truth! It was the “rock-heads” of Scottish Covenanters, and the hard-nosed Calvinists of the Low-Countries, which pushed the Roman juggernaut to its place three centuries ago. And they used more than words! Finally, how meaningless the Westminster Shorter Catechism becomes when it states Christ reigns as King on the grounds that he is “defending us” and “conquering all his and our enemies” if the editorial holds sway.

ROBERT MORE, JR.

Reformed Presbyterian Church

Almonte, Ontario

The Swing To Survivors

In the September 12 issue reference is made to Hurricane “Camille” in an editorial and again in a news report, “Tragedy at Pass Christian.” In these references several organizations are listed as “having swung into action to do the best they could to help the numbed survivors.” We are so very sorry that our organization was not named along with the rest, because we, too, “swung into action”.…

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), a denominational board of the Christian Reformed Church, has for six years been active in world relief work. This board is made up entirely of laymen who work through the diaconates of the various churches. Our organization was active in the Alaskan earthquake, the eastern Iowa floods, and in many, many more disaster situations around the world.

J. L. DE GROOT

Director of Church Relations

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee

Grand Rapids, Mich.

A Shocking Possibility

I am concerned that an editorial addition to my report “Graham’s Vienna Visit” (News, Sept. 12) may convey a wrong impression. The offending line: “The Associated Press in Vienna said Prague church leaders were ‘shocked’ by Graham’s cancellation.”

The actual text of the Associated Press release was: “Graham was advised against the trip at this time when it may be considered a provocation by the Communist rulers who have shown nervousness in the face of the forthcoming first anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion, and thus came as a shock to Czechoslovak Baptist leaders who are here for the European Baptist Confederation.” The shock related to the possibility of cancellation rather than to the announcement of Mr. Graham’s final decision, which came after consultation with leaders concerned. Therefore it came as no shock but was met with gracious acceptance.

Neither was the move regarded as a “cancellation.” “Postponement” is more accurate. Mr. Graham’s promise to the 600 Czechoslovak conference delegates was: “Our visit is not canceled and, in God’s time, we will be there.”

DAVE FOSTER

Geneva, Switzerland

Such A Piece Of Work

I read Ed Plowman’s report on the “Summer of Discontent” (News, Sept. 12) here in the Division of Communications at Valley Forge, and was somewhat baffled that such a piece of work got into your news column.

Having recently joined the staff of the division and having had an opportunity to observe some of the dynamics of the case on which Plowman reports, yet at the same time being removed from the history and emotion of it, I was quite amused to see Plowman used as a mouthpiece for one of the principals involved.

A. KENNETH CURTIS

Media Consultant

American Baptist Communications

Valley Forge, Pa.

Notice For Nudity

May I express commendation for the article by Stephen Smallman on nudity (Aug. 22). It was refreshing and stimulating to notice the biblical approach in the treatment of this evil which is sweeping across America and many other countries of the world. The line of thought was easy to follow and the language understandable.

MORRIS SWARTZENDRUBER

Sunnyside Mennonite Church

Kalona, Iowa

Let me say, with tongue in cheek, that I have known of some very cruel, vicious hateful women who seldom appeared in public except when well draped from head to toe.… On the other hand, that sexy leggy blonde in very short shorts casually walking along Main Street might be a nurse at the local hospital with a few hours off from her occupation of serving humanity. Perhaps nudity or near nudity gives a lady a good feeling of personal freedom which removes the hatred which might lead to murder or other crimes. Certainly a lot of heavy clothing she doesn’t need, especially in hot weather, would do nothing to remove such hatred.

JACK IMMELL

Buffalo, Okla.

A Beautiful Prayer

I don’t think your news report “Man’s New Domain” (Aug. 22) very complete. You did not give the complete text of the prayer delivered by Hornet Chaplain Piirtot before President Nixon, the Apollo 11 astronauts, and others.… It is a beautiful prayer of praise and thanksgiving ending “in the name of our Lord.”

MRS. R. HARDY

Edmonton, Alberta

• To complete the report and dispense beauty, we reprint the prayer.—ED.

Lord, God, our Heavenly Father, our minds are staggered and our spirit exalted with the magnitude and precision of this entire Apollo 11 mission. We have spent the past week in communal anxiety and hope as our astronauts sped through the glories and dangers of the heavens. As we try to understand and analyze the scope of this achievement for human life, our reason is overwhelmed with abounding gratitude and joy, even as we realize the increasing challenges of the future.

This magnificent event illustrates anew what man can accomplish when purpose is firm and intent corporate. A man on the moon was promised in this decade. And though some were unconvinced, the reality is with us this morning in the persons of astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins. We applaud their splendid exploits and we pour out our thanksgiving for their safe return to us, to their families, to all mankind. From our inmost beings, we sing humble, yet exuberant, praise.

May the great effort and commitment seen in this project, Apollo, inspire our lives to move similarly in other areas of need. May we the people by our enthusiasm and devotion and insight move to new landings in brotherhood, human concern, and mutual respect. May our country, afire with inventive leadership and backed by a committed followership, blaze new trails into all areas of human cares.

See our enthusiasm and bless our joy with dedicated purpose for the many needs at hand. Link us in friendship with peoples throughout the world as we strive together to better the human condition. Grant us peace, beginning in our hearts, and a mind attuned with good will toward our neighbor. All this we pray, as our thanksgiving rings out to Thee, in the name of our Lord. Amen.

Divided Some Stand

I have just read “A Theology for Today’s Youth” (Aug. 22). It certainly shows distinctly what is wrong with today’s “believers.”

In a divided Christianity, where some … stand on a half dozen gospel sentences ignoring the rest of Scripture, and all hate each other to the point that they don’t want their youngsters to associate with or marry one another, and none have a feeling of equality with Christians of other races or economic standing or educational development, how can youngsters, or anyone, accept our religion as the most perfect way of life?… The Church gives us a watered-down, perverted Gospel and wonders why Christianity isn’t impressing our youth.…

When we can grasp the idea that the Word was in the beginning, became flesh, and dwelt among men, then became the written Word interpretable for our individual use by the Holy Spirit, then we would find spiritual unity with all believers, and the Church could become the Body of Christ for the world to see in action. And … the action is Christlike love put to work in faith and deeds by believers who have become God’s chosen people with power to overcome the world.

MRS. RODGER BRODIN

Minneapolis, Minn.

Any Good Book

I deeply appreciate the excellent evangelical journalism of CHRISTIANITY TODAY.… The quality of your articles is equal to that of any good book. You are to be commended for your leadership in the consideration of vital areas of concern to all evangelicals.

HUGH SPAULDING

Hutsonville, Ill.

Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.