Everyone A Priest

I enjoyed Allan Guelzo’s “Are You a Priest?” (Sept. 16). Both the KJV and NKJ state that Jesus himself made us “kings and priests,” not a “kingdom of priests” as the translation quoted by Guelzo states. Thus, significant translations refer to individual Christian priests, and that we are all priests.

First Peter, at least by the time chapter 2 begins, is discussing general doctrine applicable to all believers and not only to the addressee churches. Why has Jesus made us a holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5)? “[T]o offer up spiritual sacrifices.”

While we are all priests, Jesus appointed pastors and teachers over us, who shepherd and are examples to the believers. Most important to me, the article reminded me of how far I have to go in meeting my duties as priest. I can’t sit around and let someone else sacrifice for me.

Frank Langben

Campbell, Calif.

Guelzo did a fine job tracing the biblical and Reformation roots of “the priesthood of all believers.” There is one nagging question I as a pastor always have for those who hold a high view of the priesthood of all believers and a congregationalist church structure. Do clergy give the people what they want to hear so they may remain employed?

To me, without some sort of accountability beyond the priesthood of all believers (such as an episcopacy system), the message of Scripture (or its interpretation) is up for popular democratic approval. So I wonder, is there any integrity left in this office we call pastoral ministry if our paychecks can be cut off as soon as we contradict popular opinions within the congregation?

Rev. David Coffin

Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA)

Malinta, Ohio

No sure-bet protection

Randall Balmer’s article points out some of the unresolved philosophical problems of the Bible-college movement [“ ‘We Do Bible Better,’ ” Sept. 16]. One is the mentality that the Bible-college curriculum is a sure-bet protection against an insidious liberalism. Many Bible schools have sought to redefine themselves, not because they wish to drag the institution down the primrose path of liberalism, but rather because they have seen the future and have come to realize that attempting to keep the “old-fashioned” Bible college curriculum in a rapidly changing world is tantamount to giving a soldier a BB gun to fight a modern battle.

I might add that Detroit Bible College did not drop “Bible,” but in fact retains a strong 30-hour core for all four-year programs. The name change to William Tyndale College indicated a desire to broaden our academic offerings, but it in no way indicated a move away from the Bible.

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David L. Russell

William Tyndale College

Farmington Hills, Mich.

Life at its pinnacle

It was very gratifying to read Tim Stafford’s article “The Old-Age Heresy” [Sept. 16], which rightfully expressed the value of old age. Tomorrow afternoon I will conduct the funeral for an 86-year-old woman who died unexpectedly two days ago. This woman’s life would have been another useful illustration to put alongside his grandfather’s life story.

Without a whimper, and not a little humor, this lady told me how she cared for her husband after his lower face was shattered by a tree limb. Her life continued to peak through adversities. She was gutsy, inclined to look at things with humor, and quite unimpressed with herself.

It is difficult not to look at such a life story and come away with any other view than that her life kept on peaking, and is now at its pinnacle. She is with her Lord.

Knowing people such as this is one of the chief rewards of being in my particular trade.

Stuart D. Robertson, Pastor

Faith Presbyterian Church

West Lafayette, Ind.

World awareness old and new

Terry Mattingly’s piece, “Wake Up Before the Credits Roll” [Speaking Out, Sept. 16], was prophetic. Biblical writers were very much aware of the world around them. Paul quoted a Greek poet when addressing the Athenians. James wrote against showing favoritism to either the rich or the poor. John countered the gnostic heresy. Proverbs deals clearly with sex, money, and marriage.

Calvin read the Bible with the Greek classics at hand, and Wesley read the Bible with newspapers close by.

God’s Word is not primarily social, but he addresses every social condition, and expects his people to do the same, according to his teachings.

George C. Kaulbach

Clayton, Ga.

People of Praise not part of charismatic controversy

Your article in the September 16 issue [“Charismatic Communities Split by Controversy,” News] failed to take into account the diversity among the communities. It was misleading to include the People of Praise as one of “several key Catholic communities,” along with The Word of God in Ann Arbor and Servants of Christ the King in Steubenville, as though we were somehow deserving of the same media criticism the other two are now receiving. Ten years ago the People of Praise, along with a dozen other communities, parted company with the Ann Arbor community and the others who would later form the Sword of the Spirit. We separated because we disagreed with them about many of the issues cited in your article as well as the direction they were headed.

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The article says “an acrimonious split also occurred last year” in the People of Praise. This is simply not true. Beatty and Matthews were dismissed from the community. Of our nearly 2,000 members, none but their wives followed them out of the community.

Kay TePas

People of Praise

South Bend, Ind.

Missing the fundamental issue

Frank Nelson missed entirely, and James Foster barely touched upon, the fundamental issue at stake in their discussion [“Parental Choice: Will Vouchers Solve the School Crisis?” Aug. 19]. In Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), the Supreme Court declared “the fundamental theory of liberty … excludes any general power of the state to standardize children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.”

The basic issue is whether this parental right (and duty) is denied if a parent cannot, for economic reasons, opt out of the governmental school system. To allow choice for those who can afford private or parochial schools while simultaneously refusing to extend that right to the economically disadvantaged is a fundamental violation of distributive justice. The choice is forced: deny the right expressed in Pierce and force everyone into the public-school system, or empower those who are unable to exercise their parental rights.

Keith J. Pavlischek, Ph.D.

Northeast Missouri State University

Kirksville, Mo.

There will be no sudden lurch to private schools, because educational reactionaries like Professor Nelsen will fight even the smallest change tooth and nail:

• Vouchers will be tried for the inner city.

• They will work, as they always do. Then this program will be expanded statewide for state school aid.

• After a titanic fight, parents of private-school students will get a tax credit.

• Finally, local taxpayers will see the stark contrast and demand an end to their property taxes going for public schools. Only then will we have a full, universal voucher system.

It’s time to go back to when parents, not “experts,” decided what’s best for their children. It’s also time to stop dignifying the hypocritical twaddle of the education establishment.

Grant D. Noble

Media Index

Lake Forest, Ill.

Nelsen concludes by saying, “Christians are the salt and light of the world (Matt. 5:12–14). Their arena of witness must include the halls of public education.” His choice of the word arena describes properly the situation as it is often found in public schools today. Hence, I’m surprised he doesn’t realize that young and immature tomato plants put out too early in spring often succumb to the vagaries of the environment!

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Frank DeVries

Pender Island, B.C., Canada

Confidence in the Lord

In response to the editorial (“Women in the Confidence Gap” [July 22]), I want to come forward as a woman with confidence, not in my own abilities to minister, nor even in the perfection of individuals and churches to accept and appropriate those ministries in the best way, but confidence in the Lord, who called and equipped me, not only by bestowing my gifts but by establishing the guidelines within which those gifts could be most effectively used to edify the church and extend the kingdom.

I have taught the Bible, led prayer meetings, pursued evangelism and missions, and counseled the troubled over some 35 years in three states and around the world. At times my ministry in a church setting has been reduced because of my responsibilities as wife and mother. I have deliberately chosen to function within the divinely given boundaries for a woman within the church. I have taught the Bible to women and young people and children, shared my testimony, participated in worship through singing and prayer, announced events, and greeted people throughout the church corridors. I aspire to be a leader among women.

Never have I considered my ministry limiting, even when it was the delightful experience of doing duty in the nursery with babies or in Sunday school with children, for to these our Lord gave great deference.

With my Th.M. and D.Min. and the postgraduate studies in theology in which I am now engaged, may I continue to be challenged personally and to equip myself professionally to do whatever tasks God assigns.

Dorothy Kelley Patterson

Dallas, Tex.

A few months ago I offered my suggestions for some prime-time television shows that Christians should be producing. Even though I’m still waiting for some big-time network exec to give me a call, I can feel it in my blood. Hollywood, Baby. Major motion pictures. Here are a few proposals for bringing Christian themes to the big screen:
An Old Testament historical drama starring Jimmy Stewart in the role of Job: It’s a Terrible Life.
Another Old Testament drama detailing how the ancient Egyptians survived after the plague of the locusts: Beetlejuice.
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A PG-13-rated justice flick on stoning in Old Testament times: Rocky.
An R-rated justice flick on stoning in the intertestamental period: Rocky II.
A PG-rated grace flick on alternatives to stoning in New Testament times: Tender Mercies.
An action comedy on a team of fun-loving exorcists: Ghostbusters.
A not-yet-rated action adventure about the private lives of fallen televangelists: The Dirty Half-Dozen.
A love story about a man named Lazarus, who comes back to life: Mummy Dearest.
And finally, if I may humbly suggest it, a biographical comedy drama of my own life: Sleeper.
Do you have other ideas for TV or movie themes? Send them in. I mean that. We’ll do lunch. Ciao.

EUTYCHUS

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