Eutychus and His Kin: April 5, 1985

The Search Goes On

A congregation I know of went preacher hunting and quickly narrowed the field to four. The first candidate was a great communicator. His sermons bespoke his impressive arsenal of anecdotes and his thorough knowledge of C. S. Lewis—a big plus. But he rarely gave altar calls, which made the choosing committee suspicious. Besides, he was handicapped: he had all his arms and legs, but he didn’t have a wife.

Candidate number two appeared stronger. He was very married, even had four kids. He, too, was an impressive speaker, but in contrast to number one, he was addicted to altar calls. The committee felt that every other week was a little too often for parishioners to question their salvation or to rededicate their lives yet another time. Besides, there was a vacancy on the softball team, and he said he didn’t play.

Number three was also a family man and an effective speaker. His altar calls were appropriately inspirational and well spaced. But it wasn’t his preaching that concerned the committee. It seemed he spent a good deal of time researching political issues and sending off letters to congressmen. When the committee found out the guy had once been on a hunger strike, his fate was sealed.

That brings us to number four, a smart-looking middle-aged man with a beautiful wife and kids. He was a lucid communicator and had the right balance between evangelism and social service. He was sincere and active in his community, but he wasn’t bent on carrying out an agenda of social or political programs. He even played softball; he played infield or outfield, and hit. 350 on his last church’s team. In short, this guy was their perfect preacher. But, alas, that congregation is still looking. It seems no one could identify with him.

EUTYCHUS

Examining Lincoln’s Faith

Thank you for Mark Noll’s excellent essay, “The Perplexing Faith of Abraham Lincoln” [Feb. 15]. Also a Lincoln enthusiast, I have struggled for years to define this great man’s faith.

MIRIAM M. SWEET

Farmington Hills, Mich.

Noll’s presentation of Lincoln’s isolationist religion is a very tempting alternative next to endless doctrinal disputations. Will we ever locate the assembly that espouses our brand of Christian theology to its minutest detail? Then again, how can two walk together except they be agreed? Sometimes we are more cursed by our pluralism than we realize.

DAVID BRAYSHAW

New Brighton, Pa.

It was a surprise to see my great-great-grandfather, William H. Herndon, mentioned in a Christian periodical. As Abraham Lincoln’s law partner, friend, and biographer, he was definitely a free thinker. I am sure he and I would have our disputes if he were alive today. But I must admit after reading many of his articles, letters, and books, that he was a lover of truth and sought to communicate truth or fact, rather than fiction. If Mark Noll is truly a Lincoln enthusiast, he will not shy away from the writings of William H. Herndon on Lincoln.

HELEN LOUISE HERNDON

St. Louis, Mo.

The Excellent Church

W. Ward Gasque’s suggestion that the church adopt modern management techniques (“The Church in Search of Excellence,” Feb. 15) rests upon a crucial assumption: that those techniques are simply means to an end, that they have no effects of their own beyond those intended. Surely modern political and economic history teaches us that this assumption is naive. Modern management practices have had an efficacy of their own in producing citizenship-subverting forces. No doubt the church must learn those practices to function effectively. But what would happen to Christian citizenship if the church were to adopt uncritically the practices that have corrupted modern politics and economy?

MARK WALHOUT

St. Paul, Minn.

If Peter Drucker is right, Search for Excellence has appeared at the tail end of the postwar “management boom.” It remains to be seen, however, whether the book heralds a significant new direction in management theory, or turns out to be just another “massaging” of traditional theory into something more appropriate for the ’80s. What we need today is not another management approach, but a strong, robust, intelligible and communicable model of church leadership.

REV. H. L. LONGENECKER

Des Plaines, Ill.

Christians And “Heavy Metal”

Is not the mixing of Christian and heavy metal a contradiction in contrasting ideologies? [“A Christian ‘Heavy Metal’ Band Makes Its Mark …,” News, Feb. 15]. It seems Christian warriors are now being armed with leather and chains. If we were to evangelize prostitutes, would we be expected to dress like them also?

PHILLIP E. RIZZO

Langhorne, Pa.

Must we act like the stereotyped world in order to win them over to Christianity? Is Jesus Christ reflected in chains, studs, leather, long hair, and skin-tight pants? Is this supposed to make the gospel more appealing and easier to swallow? Apparently music takes priority over theology in the world view of Stryper.

DAVID S. SCHOENFELD

Douglaston, N.Y.

I commend CT for its insightful article on Stryper. I have witnessed firsthand the band’s frankness and sincerity in presenting the truth of Jesus Christ. Author Rabey erred in identifying Michael Sweet. Brother Robert is Stryper’s drummer and spokesman; Michael is lead singer and a guitarist.

JAMES AYLARD

Martinez, Calif.

You cannot serve God by emulating mammon! As a Christian and ex-rock musician, I must attest to the fact that “Christian rock” or heavy metal is not an acceptable expression, nor is it an honest means of witnessing to the self-possessed world. Lyrics aside, the anapestic beat and painful volume of rock music drown out the gospel.

DANIEL LARSON

Trego, Wis.

Noteworthy Presidential Actions

Treatment of the news was unfair and biased in the February 15 issue. An entire page was given to President Reagan attending an ecumenical prayer service to observe his second inauguration, yet Jimmy Carter receiving the World Methodist Peace Award received one small paragraph. The Carter subject matter is more noteworthy and more biblical. Try to be more impartial.

RICHARD GARGIULO

North Arlington, N.J.

Addressing Nonwhite Presbyterians

Your reporter attended a very small portion of what was available at the Presbyterian Congress on Renewal in Dallas if she attended at all [News, Feb. 15]! I was appalled at the indication that the congress was a “white only” program. One of the most powerful sermons was delivered by Dr. James Forbes of Union Theological Seminary, and other “ethnic” concerns were well addressed. We came away from the congress with the feeling that there was hope for our segment of the church.

REV. DR. C. J. WINDSOR

First Presbyterian Church

Portales, N.M.

“Cheap” Degrees: A Cheap Shot?

I just read, with disgust, your article “Cheap Degrees: Are They Worth It?” [Feb. 1]. This article, which centered on the International Bible Institute and Seminary, is a cheap shot. I happen to be a recent doctoral graduate, and did my master’s work at the IBIS also. I received what I was looking for and needed, and I worked hard to achieve it. You hardly mention Dr. Favata, administrative dean. Were you afraid to confront him?

DR. JERRY A. KIRK

Belmont, Ohio

The cheap degree mills are fueled by churches insisting their pastors have doctoral degrees, rather than taking time to examine the quality of ministry. This problem extends further than degree mills: the list of prominent church leaders who sport honorary degrees would prove embarrassing. These men are treated with great deference, and they are hailed as scholars by many laymen, yet we all know those degrees are meaningless.

REV. RALPH A. NITE, JR.

Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch

Amarillo, Tex.

Really, have we done such a wonderful job of winning the world to Christ that we now can start casting stones at each other? Perhaps that is a sign of proper accreditation (to cast stones, that is). Did you mention that the founder [of IBIS] goes to various parts of the world with many students in evangelistic outreach? Perhaps you should attack the preachers who have degrees from accredited seminaries and other accredited schools but do not give invitations after their services, and couldn’t help a person find Christ as Savior if their lives depended on it.

REV. OTTO CLAUSEN

Chicago, Ill.

The information relating to “government recognized accreditation” of Bible schools was in error. Bible institutes, schools, and colleges have enjoyed the “recognized” accreditation of the American Association of Bible Colleges (AABC) since 1947. This recognition is extended by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). AABC accreditation is extended to institutions that have three primary distinctives: every student enrolled completes at least a 30 semester-hour Bible major; all students regularly participate in Christian service programs; the professional programs of studies are designed to prepare graduates for Christian ministries. This is distinctively different from the programs of most Christian liberal arts colleges. As for the Association of Theological Seminaries mentioned favorably throughout the article, the truth is that it is not an “institutional” accrediting agency and, thus, is not a viable option for a Bible college.

DR. GARY D. MATSON

AABC Assistant Director

Fayetteville, Ark.

These unfortunate cases of getting “cheap” correspondence seminary degrees to “further one’s ministry” are not only rampant in this country, but in developing countries as well. They have done more harm than good to themselves, others, and the Christian witness.

REV. DAUD H. SOESILO

Lao and Hmong Projects

Richmond, Va.

It is incorrect to group external programs together and say “unaccredited theological schools that offer degrees by mail.” The U.S. Constitution gives control of education to the states and local governments, hence the federal government does not have the legal right to control accreditation. We represent the largest Bible-believing accrediting group in the world. Why not ask us to visit with you one of the members accredited by the other group?

GEORGE S. REUTER, JR., PRESIDENT

International Accrediting Commission

for Schools, Colleges,

and Theological Seminaries

Holden, Mo.

God And The New Physics

Thank you for Allen Emerson’s lucid and thoughtful article [“A Disorienting View of God’s Creation,” Feb. 1] on the potential impact of the new physics on orthodox theology. While quantum theory presents challenges to both classical physics and theology, I believe there are some very positive long-range benefits to our faith in the new physics. The major problem with Newtonian or classical physics has been the automatic, clockwork, deterministic universe it presented. This has led to the bolstering of determinism as a world view. Along comes the new physics with Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, which basically tells us that there is a great deal of unpredictability and uncertainty in the physical world. Mystery, awe and surprise can indeed help to balance our clockwork view of reality.

JOHN L. WIESTER

Buellton, Calif.

Mass that exists, then becomes nonexistent in transit, then exists again according to our will? I don’t have to listen to this! Beam me up, Lord!

REV. CLIF SPRINGER

Exchange Avenue Baptist Church

Oklahoma City, Okla.

We appreciate the effort to help keep us informed of those findings and discoveries which may have some input into our faith. Such discoveries are not bothersome. In Colossians we see that in God the universe is one harmonious whole.

REV. WILLIAM R. HUNTER, JR.

Flat Rock Church of the Nazarene

Flat Rock, Mich.

How do the three articles discussing the New Physics apply to evangelical conviction? I wonder how many subscribers put their magazine down with disappointment and dismay because they lacked the knowledge and interest to cope with the far-out ideas.

MRS. GLENN HAWKINSON

Mount Ida, Ark.

It is interesting that the particle versus velocity complementarity also exists in the field of theology. We have two accounts of the origin of man in Genesis. Genesis 2:7 records the formation of man from a pre-existing “dust,” man by the word of a pre-existing intelligence, which is God; and man is said to have been created in the image and likeness of this intelligence, and thus an expression of God’s being, a wave or velocity theology.

JOSEPH G. S. ROBINSON

Worcester, Mass.

Emerson lost me in the second paragraph and I was still in the dark at the finish: I will venture the opinion that 90 percent of those who waded through that wasteland of words were in the same boat. Let’s come back down to earth and talk in plain English; after all, what difference does it make what these super scientists and theologians dream up?

EDWARD P. GOEBELT

Bucyrus, Ohio

It may be of interest that Heisenberg, the creator of the Uncertainty Principle, had three sets of twins. Try figuring the probability (or uncertainty) of that sequence!

DICK BURNS

Beloit, Wis.

Whose Church In China?

I am alarmed at Ralph Covell’s apparent attempt to excuse an atheistic state’s efforts to persecute and ultimately exert total control over Christian churches and groups in China (“The Church in China: Another View,” Feb. 1). The overwhelming majority of China’s Christians are affiliated with home church groups and have thus far resisted attempts to coerce them into joining either the state-supported Three-Self Patriotic Movement or the Catholic Patriotic Association. Who are we in America to suggest that China’s Christians would be better off if they were to bow the knee to Baal?

REV. JEFFREY A. COLLINS

Christian Response International

Rockville, Md.

My prayer and tentmaker work with Chinese lead me to two different conclusions: one, problems of present persecution are not mainly “purely local”—discrimination in education, jobs membership in the only political party (CCP) exist throughout China; two, Chinese Christian leaders have adopted an outward appearance of patience against “violations of religious rights”; however, they have done this primarily for personal security reasons. Countries can apply pressure by means of the increasing number of international treaties, organizations, and economics associations with which China is attached. Unique roles in the “evangelization” of China do exist for the conscientious World Christian.

DWIGHT E. NORDSTROM

China-U.S. Ventures

Houston, Tex.

Theology For The “Ordinary”

Ward Gasque’s article “Must Ordinary People Know Theology?” [Feb. 1] implies that the clergy should. When Jesus trained his 12 disciples he had only three years. Did he teach them to be theologians or followers?

P. SLUIS

Wyckoff, N.J.

Although changes within our seminaries and Bible colleges may be overdue, they will not affect the laymen and laywomen who are the body of Christ. Seminaries mold “theologians,” but churches mold believers.

BOB COHEN

Wayne, N.J.

Whose Theology—Pinnock’S Or Nicole’S?

I began reading Roger Nicole’s review of Clark Pinnock’s Scripture Principle with anticipation [Feb. 1]. As the review progressed, I became more aware of the theological bias of the reviewer. Nicole, in my view, violates the fundamental criteria for a scholarly review by allowing his own presuppositions to cloud the content of the book he is reviewing.

BRADLEY J. BERGFALK

Chicago, Ill.

Liberating Worship

Thank you for Ben Patterson’s excitingly sane editorial, “Worship Is Forever” [Feb. 1]. It was gratifying to be reminded of how liberating the Lord’s Day actually is and how it points us home, even while we trudge here with mud-encrusted boots.

GERALD WISZ

Christian Herald Magazine

Garfield, N.J.

Perhaps the reason for the lack alluded to in Patterson’s fine editorial lies in the evangelical decision that the Holy Spirit no longer acts in certain dimensions.

ELIZABETH L. SWEET

Annandale, N.J.

An Author Answers Critics

Two letters published in CT [Feb. 1] in response to Lawhead’s article on banning my book Brave New People clearly reflect misunderstanding of my position on abortion. I have never “advocated murder of unborn children” and I do not “open the doors for abortion on demand.” Careful and honest reading of the book should dispel both ideas. Christian understanding of the abortion debate is not enhanced by the use of grossly inaccurate labels.

D. GARETH JONES

University of Otago

Dunedin, New Zealand

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