Public radio and television spend several weeks out of the year or years out
of the week, I can't remember, putting on their tearful appeals for financial
support. During that time, they often suggest that those who listen or watch
without paying are airwave pickpockets and voyeur scum. Like tired monks, audience
members sit through hours of such whippings, all the while being coerced by government
to pay for it.
Credenda/Agenda isn't like this. We long for voyeur scum and pickpockets and generally oppose monkish whippings. One of our goals is to provide a Christian periodical for those who can't afford such things. So, we want to start off by declaring a very special thank you to those of you who supported this effort financially in response to the January support letter. You have helped us work toward this goal. Your support and comments have been very encouraging. For those friends who would like to help but can't, we're equally grateful that you are there. We'll sincerely pray to keep our end of this effort going strong in a way that honors and pleases Christ. And though everyone may find us emotionally taxing at times, we agree, here and now, never to get the civil government to force you to support us.
Dear Editor,
. . . . A question about your article, Thema, on page 4 of Vol. 7, #1. In
the center of your third paragraph one of your sentences states, "He (Jesus) came
and suffered and died for all men." This statement is absolutely not true (Jesus
dies for the sins of the elect onlyJohn 10:14b), and is pure Arminian theology.
Do you really believe what you wrote? It's totally incompatible with Biblical/Covenantal/Reformed
theology. Or am I reading you wrong?
Douglas Cheaney
Humansville, MO
Dear Editor,
I am writing to let you know how much I appreciated your last issue on Eastern
Orthodoxy. Coming from a Hindu background, I was struck by the similarity in
the thinking and worship practices. I also appreciated the piece on "The Evangelical
Husband." If you have not done an issue on music already, I would strongly suggest
it. . . .
Ramesh Krishnan
Eden, UT
Dear Editor,
. . . .You say that Orthodoxy "embraces Plotinus." It is the case that the names
of the protestant denominations indicate either a "teacher" himself (fulfilling
in letter and spirit the saying that "they will not endure sound doctrine, but
will heap up for themselves teachers"), like "Lutherans" and "Calvinists," or dwell
on only a special part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith, like
"Baptists," "Episcopalians," "Presbyterians," "Congregationalists," etc. Now, you attempt
to make the name of the Orthodox Church follow the same pattern. Have you realized
what you are saying?. . . Dear sirs, we hope and pray that your spiritual eyes
will be opened soon (so that we can call each other "brother" in truth). . . .
Please trust not on yourselves, but rather trust men like St. Ignatius, like
St. Athanasius, and St. John Chrysostom. We hope you have "ears to hear". . .
Dmitri Kagaris
Carbondale, IL
Dear Editor,
I was saddened and offended to stumble across the repeated profanity in your
story, "A Cadence for the Mind." I'm sure you would agree that the Lord's name is
never to be taken in vain by actual speech. Why then do you find it necessary
to have your fictional character curse profanely? There are many vulgarities
your character could have spoken instead. Though both types of speech are to
be deplored, only the former is sin. You may have not been able to make the
clever play on words at the end of your story without profanity, but so what?
It hopefully offends all Christians to hear the Lord's name profaned in their
presence. It is just as offensive to many of us to "hear" profanity as we read,
especially when it appears in a Christian forum. . . .
Frank Chin
Monroe, LA
Douglas Wilson replies: We agree it is wrong to use the Lord's name profanely
in any context. Pro fanum means before or outside the confines of the Temple.
Thus, the character in the story used the Lord's name profanely, and sinfully,
in the earlier instances and not at the end of the story. As the author, I did
not use it profanely anywhere.
Dear Editor,
. . . . How we love to giggle at "Cave of Adullam"at your replies that is, not
at the painful realities referred to. It is such a pleasure and encouragement
to have my faith and intellect challenged toward growth. C.S. Lewis would have
loved your publication. . . . I love the one and two page format. Just perfect
for the homeschooling mom to grab a section between the blessings and disasters
of the day!
Nancy Guenther
Evanston, IL
In a strange quirk of the computer age, magazines can now publish letters to
the editor even before an issue goes on paper! We posted a copy of "New Age Peace" (p.
17) in the New Age forum on Compuserve and asked for critical comment. From a
big burst of critical comments, we've selected this one.
Dear Editor,
Normally I try to restrain myself from answering post that are not current but
in this case I just can't seem to do that. I've passed your post by three times
now only to return each time to reread it, looking for something I've missed.
Anyway you asked for an opinion of the column. So, for the record, my opinion
is it stinks of old fish.
I'll restrain myself from jumping to the soapbox as I fear you are quite set in your opinions and nothing I say could cause you to reexamine them. You'll note I didn't say I wanted to change them.
[You say] "Every non-Christian religion or philosophy parrots this framework in one form or another." Ok, I got this little problem. Despite the term "New Age" (what does that mean anyway?) most of the ideas accredited to "New Age" are really quite old. Many predate Christ. So who parrots who? And what does it really matter? Is truth not truth despite who happens to say it?. . .
Ok, Ok, I'll shut up. I did promise to stay off the soap box. I would add one parting comment. If what you said is true "I sincerely want to consider your comments and make the appropriate corrections," I would think you might want to do a little more research and perhaps modify the article a bit. I mean after all, you'll probably tell your readers that you talked with "New Ager's" before publishing it and somehow I doubt you will quote our responses.
Robert Jenkins
75671,2660
