TRACING A TREND. In the January 1984, Reformed Journal James Vander Kam, of the Department ofPhilosophy and Religion at North Carolina State University, has a review of a new book, Old Testament Survey, written by three members of the Faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary, William LaSor, David Hubbard and Frederic Bush. His lengthy article is more than a review in that he compares this book with two others by conservative authors. E.J. Young’s An Introduction to the Old Testament was published in 1949 and R.K. Harrison’s Old Testament Survey appeared in 1969. Vander Kam shows how “progress” in adopting the findings of critical scholarly research can be traced in these writers whose work spans almost a generation. He selects two “problems” as illustrations: Was there a second Isaiah? and When was the book of Daniel written? and goes into considerable detail to show how Harrison took a compromising position on these issues, and that the Fuller Seminary men make even larger concessions to the results of critical scholarship. The article is entitled “Sensitive Conservatism” and Vander Kam obviously is well pleased as he discerns the trend he traces in his review. The article is an instructive example of how traditional conservative positions are gradually surrendered to more “progressive” views.
SECT CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE Outlook readers in Western Michigan are familiar with the case involving the killing of a twelve year-old boy in the House of Judah sect near South Haven. This was only the most extreme case of child abuse in that group whose leader advocates the use of the “rod” in disciplining children. The case is referred to in a news item reported by Moodly Monthly (Feb. 1984), which also tells of similar charges filed against a sect in Vermont. Two elders of the Northeast Kingdom Community Church were charged after two children were treated for alleged disciplinary beatings. A 13 year-old girl . suffered cuts and bruises over most of her body after she had been accused of sexual play with two 8 year-old boys. A 12 year-old boy was beaten with a two-by-four board for allegedly making fun of another commune member. Members of the sect moved from Tennessee in 1978 after they were accused there of child abuse. In 1982, a two year old boy was beaten to death in a commune in West Virginia and a three year-old died after prolonged beating in a commune near Rensselaer, Indiana.
GIDEON BIBLE DECLARED ILLEGAL. Two public school superintendents in Randolph County, North Carolina, have stopped distribution of New Testaments by Gideons . After ten years of making the Scriptures available to students the practice was declared to be in violation of the First Amendment separation of church and state (Moody Monthly, Feb. 1984).
STATUE MADE FROM SHROUD OF TURIN DATA. Data compiled from examination of the famous Shroud, thought by some to be that of Jesus, has been used to make a fiberglass statue. The statue is of a man with a mustache, shoulder–length hair, and an elongated face. Dr. Don Jackson, a physicist at the University of Colorado, reported that the statue is not the product of the imagination of the sculptor, but based on hard mathematical data processed by computer. He believes it is possible that this gives us an image of Jesus. (Moody Monthly, Feb. 1984).
ABORTION AND THE FUTURE is the title of an article by Dr. C. Everett Koop , Surgeon General of the United States reprinted in Christian Renewal (1/23/84). The article begins with the question: “Abortion is not a medical problem. It is a social problem. Doctors have been asked to become social executioners in order to bring about a better society—a far cry from the healing art of medicine. But have we produced a better society?” He then points out that while legalized abortions were supposed to reduce child abuse of unwanted children, since 1973 child abuse has increased at least 500%. While they were supposed to do away with illegal abortions, these have increased. Abortion as backup birth control has resulted in large numbers of teenage pregnancies. By cheapening human life abortion-on–demand has led to infanticide and to euthanasia. Arguments for abortion such as saving the life of the mother, dealing with incest and rape, and defective children apply to only about 3% of all abortions; 97% are a matter of convenience. Dr. Koop urges that we wake up to the dangers that threaten family life, and calls attention to what happened in Germany and other civilizations when the views behind abortion-on-demand prevailed. Christian Renewal is to be commended for its strong stand on this matter as shown in many articles about it.
APPOINTMENT OF AMBASSADOR TO VATICAN DENOUNCED. The establishment of full diplomatic relations with the Vatican has called forth strong criticism from many Protestant, Jewish and civil liberties groups. They hope to overturn the President’s decision through Congress and, if necessary, through the courts. Strongest opposition has come from Evangelical Christians, many of whom have been among the President’s staunchest supporters in the 1980 election. (Evangelical Newsletter, Feb. 3, 1984).
FRANCIS SCHAEFFER IN SERIOUS CONDITION WITH LYMPHOMA. We reported on the illness of this well-known theologian last time. According to Evangelical Newsletter (2/3/84) he re-entered a hospital at the Mayo Clinic in January for further chemotherapy. His condition has been complicated by another mysterious infection.
KEY TO CHURCH GROWTH is the title of an article on an interview with the well–known Dr. James Kennedy of the Coral Ridge Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in Christian Herald (2/1984). Kennedy’s answer to the final question, “What do you feel is the ultimate purpose of evangelism?” is especially worthwhile for those who call themselves Calvinists. He tells of an encounter with a young atheist who responded to Kennedy’s remarks about believers winning other believers by asking, “Well, what do other Christians do?” That set him to thinking about the purpose of God’s people in this world and he saw that the answer lay in the Cultural Mandate. Christians should glorify God in every area of life. We must be the salt of the earth and not only fight against evils but try to put God’s will into practice in all we do. His concluding sentence is: “Now, the Great Commission is to restore people from (a) state of degeneracy into a state of regeneracy where they can get back to God’s original agenda of making this world glorify God.”
NOT EVEN A SANDAL THONG is the intriguing title of an article by Joseph Bayly in Eternity (February 1984) in which he takes issue with the practice of Christian ministers and other leaders accepting “free” trips to Israel, Arab lands or other countries which desire to improve their image by these efforts. The heart of his concern is stated in the following paragraph: “Regardless of the source of the money, I question the appropriateness of our leaders’ actions in accepting such favors. Whether in pulpit or press, a leaders’ judgment should be based on objective facts–not on one-sided propaganda. And favors should not tip the table in one direction.” His title is suggested by the story of Abraham’s refusal to accept even a thread or thong of a sandal from the King of Sodom. He mentions several prominent Evangelicals as examples of the sort of thing deplored.
A PRO-LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. A group of foes of abortion have been given permission to organize an insurance company in Illinois. The company would not pay for abortions; most companies offer the coverage and policy holders are not aware that their premiums contribute to payment for abortions. An insurance salesman and two doctors have formed the company (Christianity Today, 2/3/84).