Evangelism experts have long agreed that one of the most difficult places for Christian witness is the roller-skating rink. The famous Graff-Kneubling Report of 1975 contains all the pertinent data if you are interested. However, the problem may be solved, for a new ministry has appeared on the evangelical horizon.
“Holy Rollers” is a fellowship of Christians who enjoy roller-skating. I visited one of their meetings and was quite impressed. They opened with the singing of their theme song, “Give me oil on my skates, keep me rolling,” followed by the reading of Ezekiel 1, during which the members shouted “Amen!” whenever the word “wheels” was read.
After the meeting I interviewed the president, Bedford Frubish. “What is the purpose of your ministry?” I asked.
“We have two purposes,” he replied. “First, it is a fellowship of people who enjoy Christian skating. Second, it is a ministry of witness in the rinks. And, third, we are a right arm to the church.”
“That’s three purposes, Mr. Frubish,” I said. “You said there were two.”
“Well, yes. Actually, there are four different groups meeting now,” he explained. “We’ve had our problems with unity. You know how independent roller-skaters are.”
“You mean the organization has had its splits?”
“Yes—but all of them have been over important issues: Should we skate to worldly music or only to Christian music? Should we hold hands? What Bible verses should we print on our shirts? One group left because they didn’t like the name of the organization.”
“And what do they call themselves?”
“ ‘Witnessing Wheels,’ I think. But we’re a very young organization. We’re still getting our bearings.”
About that time, Frubish was called away to listen to some music and approve it, and I decided it was a safe time to de-part. I heard a thud, turned to see what it was, and there was Frubish on his back, his legs perpendicular to the floor. Very biblical, I said to myself. The wheels in the middle of the air.
EUTYCHUS X
Balanced Diet?
I decided to write you after reading the article by United Methodist Bishop Earl Hunt, Jr. (“Toward a Holiness Beyond the Obvious,” Feb. 8).
As a United Methodist pastor, I would appreciate more articles by United Methodists. The steady diet of Baptist and Presbyterian “propaganda” does get a bit stale. It seems many of the articles are written by the same select authors. More variety, please!
This is the first positive thing I can remember seeing in your magazine for a long time regarding the United Methodist Church. I’ve been vexed more than once in the past by your negative treatment of the church.
Congratulations on Carl Henry’s perceptive interview with Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Feb. 8). I discovered more about “The Doctor” from that one interview than from listening to many of his sermons or from the occasional conversation and correspondence which I have been privileged to have with him.
JOHN L. FEAR
Programme Director
Trans World Radio
London, England
Travesty
Senator Mark Hatfield’s article on “Why I Am a Christian Socialist” (I believe you entitled it “Finding the Energy to Continue,” Feb. 8) is a travesty of major proportions. Every one of his theological and philosophical premises is faulty.
For example, to proclaim concern for the poor and then argue for a “no growth” society is to condemn the poor to their poverty. Without an upward mobility in a free society there is no answer to poverty. Hatfield’s taking from the rich and giving to the poor is Marxism, not biblical Christianity.
DAVID A. NOEBEL
President
Summit Ministries
Manitou Springs, Colo.
Senator Hatfield’s premise of limited resources and the need for no growth and redistribution of what is left is a sad mixing of the discredited Club of Rome fears and socialism under the false guise of Christianity. Both factors will lead to economic decay and tragedy for future generations.
At this very moment we have large supplies of nuclear power to generate electrical energy economically. Instead, we fiddle with expensive alternates financed by borrowed funds that fuel inflation caused by federal deficit spending. The gasoline “shortage” was plainly caused by government price controls that held down the price of fuel, leading to needless waste and postponement of alternate sources of energy.
On the horizon lies the breeder reactor, and beyond that, fusion. God, not nature, has provided for mankind for a time beyond our imagination. The great need is to remove the shackles of government controls and creeping socialism that are choking productivity and individual responsibility.
MARTIN F. LITTMAN
Middletown, Ohio
Peacemaking
Thank you for your timely article on peacemaking by John Stott (“Calling for Peacemakers in a Nuclear Age, Part I,” Cornerstone, Feb. 8). We have too long failed to be peacemakers. This is in part because we have come so close to making an idol of freedom. Freedom is, of course, a good thing, but it is never promised to us in Scripture. Instead we are told that whether or not we have freedom, God will achieve his purposes and give us power to witness faithfully to him. If we think God needs our nuclear warheads to defend freedom so we can preach the good news, we insult God and make an idol of freedom; we also ignore the example of faithful Christians under repressive political systems.…
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BRON TAYLOR
Director
Interfaith Center to Reverse the Arms Race
Pasadena, Calif.
Abrasive Review
Just a few observations on the review of my book Faith Founded on Fact (Books, Feb. 8), so readers can better evaluate the reliability of Irving Hexham’s judgments: (1) I never present process theologian Schubert Ogden as a “hero,” or anything resembling one. (2) My essay “Science, Theology and the Miraculous” does not deal with David Hume, but with miracle criticism in philosophy during the last 20 years. (3) The essay “Mass Communication and Scriptural Proclamation” is hardly a “tirade against various theologians”; it is an attempt to work out positive biblical and theological bases for communications theory (it was presented originally to the German branch of Trans World Radio at their congress in Zurich).
Ironically, any “abrasiveness” in my book is trivial by comparison with that quality in Hexham’s review.
JOHN WARWICK MONTGOMERY
Newport Beach, Calif.
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While we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
As my doubts about his teachings grew, so did a secret fascination with Jesus.
Beyoncé’s right. Whether listening to Cowboy Carter or reading theology, diversity is a good thing.
