Eutychus and His Kin: March 16, 1984

The Word Processed

In my mind’s eye I can nearly see Saint John trying to use a computer (the New Logos Processor) to write his Gospel. The machine is up now; John marks his margins and begins.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word …

[Delete “word”—used once in previous phrase. Use “sentence unit” and trip change key. The next eight verses contain repetitions. Go to verse 14.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made flesh …

[Delete “flesh” change to “protoplasm,” trip change key.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made protoplasm and dwelt among us, (and we beheld …

[Delete “beheld,” change to “scoped out,” trip change key.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made protoplasm, and dwelt among us, (and we scoped out his glory …

[BEEP! Does not compute. What is glory? See the cross-merge file. Substitute “indescribable wow.” Depress total construct key.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made protoplasm and dwelt among us, (and we scoped out his indescribable wow, full of grace and truth …

[BEEP! “Grace” and “truth” are abstract and noncorrelative—activate synonym sync file. Then insert verse 10.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made protoplasm and dwelt among us, (and we scoped out his indescribable wow, full of undeserved appreciation and integrated trust). He was in the world …

[BEEP! BEEP! Be explicit. Say which world; type “Sagan” on left keyboard and read display monitor.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made protoplasm, and dwelt among us, (and we scoped out his indescribable wow, full of undeserved appreciation and integrated trust). He was on the third planet out from the sun, which was made by him …

[Incorrect! Depress “Sagan” key again, and watch right unit. Information incorrect. World was not made; say evolved. Interchange discs; material will copy correctly.]

In the beginning was the Word, and the sentence unit was made protoplasm, and dwelt among us, (and we scoped out his indescribable wow, full of undeserved appreciation and integrated trust). He was on the third planet out from the sun, which evolved, but the world knew him not … OH, FORGET IT!

[Attitude incorrect. Type “Wayne Dyer” on unit two, using disc one.…

EUTYCHUS

Church Music—Worship or Entertainment?

What is the role of music [Ministries, Jan. 13]? You have used all the right words, but may I add something? The “tension between the concept of music as ‘worship’ and as ‘entertainment’ ” is unfortunate, but probably unavoidable. We are going to lead some into the Holy of Holies with the music we offer up; some will be merely entertained. Bob Mumford speaks of the “truth in tension” in the Word of God. A truth will always be balanced by another truth, seemingly contradictory. Those who read the life of Jesus will observe a certain seeming contradictoriness, which is only apparent. He was responding to his Father, and the inconsistency was only there for those viewing his actions through Pharisaical eyes, blinded by “the Law.” If some in the congregation are being “merely entertained,” don’t worry about it. The music offered in a true spirit of evangelism and worship is for them also. Jesus instructed people all along his path without expecting all to follow him. Some followed more closely than others, even among his twelve disciples. Some in the congregation will not get as close to the Holy of Holies as others. We must expect this.

The key is that the music minister offer good music in the right spirit and not attempt merely to entertain. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

REV. GENE M. LACY

River of Life Church

Houston, Tex.

Come On!

Regarding Bob Dylan [News, Jan. 13]: If he decides not to be a part of the mass evangelism effort at the Olympics, must that cast doubt on his faith? Come on! I seem to remember something about Saint Paul laying low in Arabia before moving on to ministry and evangelism. It seems to me we show a lack of sensitivity when we put people like Dylan under the microscope.

REV. THOMAS A. SONLEY

Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church

Pittsburgh, Pa.

The end of the article has sound and important advice given by Paul Emond. He advises the church, more or less, to stop gossiping. I fear this advice will be missed due to the article’s controversial subject matter, or simply not heeded. It has been said that Christians are the only people who kill their wounded. While this is not entirely true, a quick glance will reveal that the statement has some truth. Why would anyone make such a comment if there was not some reason? Too often we expect Christians in the limelight to fit our own ideal of how a “good” Christian should act. When he or she does not live up to our standards, immediately we begin to gossip—we take aim and stab in the back. Let us first take the logs out of our own eyes; let us not promote speculations. Rather, let us be the “shelter from the storm” we should be.

MARK S. BEATTY

Philadelphia, Pa.

Wrong Title?

Your article, “Why We Can’t Always Trust the News Media,” [Jan. 13] should be headed, “Why We Should Seldom (If Ever) Trust the News Media!” As a former working newsman, I see a 180-degree shift in reporting attitudes and ethics. Traditionally, news writers were indoctrinated with the importance of impartiality and objectivity. Now the standard seems to be “as I see it”—and often written by the deliberately blind and prejudiced!

On their own admission, media men are now arrogating to themselves the right and authority to mold public opinion. And their standard is one of personal prejudice, limited observation, inadequate research, and slanted reporting.

REV. DONALD E. HOKE

Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church

Knoxville, Tenn.

Your article about the media, Amnesty International, and Guatemala hits the nail squarely on the head. It is time for churchmen and -women to demand accountability as well as “coverage” of far-off corners of the world by the news media.

REV. G. D. WIEBE

Hayward, Calif.

“Fads, Fads, Fads”

“Fads, fads, fads” is about all the Episcopal church has been pursuing for the last two decades-plus [News, Jan. 13]. In my mind, jumping on this latest bandwagon is one of the most dangerous. Protestantism basically directs everyone to read the Holy Scriptures and then form his or her personal opinion as to what the Scriptures say; the logical end of this process can be nothing more than chaos amplified. The “Spirit-filled” movement is one of the same illogical ilk and reminds me of the New Yorker cartoon some years ago depicting two monks walking in the cloister, with the caption: “But I am holier than thou!”

The Episcopal church has suffered much during the past 20 years because it has not held to its true heritage of a solid, reformed Catholic faith; the contemporary emphasis in the Episcopal church on being “Spirit-filled” will not lead to lasting growth in numbers, the exaltation and preservation of the historic Christian faith, or to the greater glory of the Triune Godhead.

REV. GERALD L. CLAUDIUS

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Kansas City, Mo.

Sports Versus the Lord’s Day

Here’s hoping the “demigods” of America’s now-popular religion, sports, come up with their own Lord’s Day. Surely they must miss ours [News, Jan. 13].

MRS. ROBERT W. TEAGUE

York, Penn.

Your article ignores the fundamental inconsistency between profession of Christ as King and participation in a sport that weekly distracts millions from devoting the Lord’s Day to worshiping God. As long as these athletes continue to play on the Lord’s Day, they proclaim football—not Christ—as king.

D. LEE BARCLAY

Seattle, Wash.

Orwell’s 1984

The coverage of Orwell’s 1984 [Jan. 13] might do more for us Christians than most of the sermons that encourage us to be satisfied with today’s churches.

Religious freedom is the opiate of the cults—including those of Satan—for in the eyes of the world it gives them equal time and equal status with Jesus Christ. There can be no Holy Spirit—led believer—in Christ—who can accept such a glaring contradiction of the teaching of Holy Scripture. Religion must be replaced with the true church or face apostasy by the world.

How many of us today are crying peace and revival in a nation that caters to any religion—good or bad—that is free to practice slavery and imprisonment of those kept in spiritual darkness and who will remain ill-equipped to overcome, much less discern, the true enemy?

Are humankind’s institutions of “religious freedom” a substitute for Jesus Christ? Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

JOHN MCINTIRE

Bradenton, Fla.

Stafford’s concise and accessible presentation of the pivotal concerns that molded Orwell’s thought and world view brought about some serious reflection as Orwell’s insight was juxtaposed with present reality. Though being appreciative, several flaws should receive some attention.

To put Orwell in the same hall of fame with the Old Testament prophets is to reduce prophecy to mere sociology and applaud the merits of Orwell’s insight with extravagant hyperbole. It seems that Christians can acknowledge one’s contribution to this world without having to make that individual out to be a “cryptic-Christian.”

Among the younger contributors to CT’S articles there seems to be a marked bias against “conservative” remedies or answers when the topic of social evil is introduced. An example of this hidden bias is Stafford’s connection of the Reagan administration’s peace through strength policy (specifically calling missiles “Peacemakers”), and the Orwellian concept of Doublethink. My concern is not that Stafford accept this policy but that serious subjects receive the attention they deserve. Therefore, if Alexander Solzhenitsyn is willing to entertain such a position as peace through strength (cf. National Review, Dec. 9, 1983), then it would seem befitting of solid journalism not to trivialize issues with back-handed innuendo.

REV. DAVID K. WEBER

Trinity Inter-Parish School

Billings, Mont.

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