THE DEATH OF FRANCIS A. SCHAEFFER called forth a number of tributes and special articles. In the The Reformed Journal (June, 1984) George Marsden recalls a meeting with Dr. Schaeffer in his famous L’Abri in 1960, which to him epitomizes the strengths and weaknesses of Schaeffer’s ministry. The weakness was that often he simplified modern thought and his interpretations were not always accurate. However, Marsden points out that Schaeffer reached young people and confronted them with the claims of Christianity in an effective way. “As he often did in his writings, Schaeffer was penetrating to the heart of an issue, even if his account of the details fell short of any academic standards.” He was an evangelist rather than a philosopher , and the church continues to benefit from many who were touched by his work. Above all, he was interested in people and at L’Abri the power ofChristian love and community was evident in the ministry of Schaeffer and his wife Edith. Says Marsden: “He was a man of high principle who was willing to follow those principles wherever they led.”

“ARE CHRISTIANS HEADED FOR DISASTER?” is the subject of the final interview granted by Rev. Schaeffer, reported in Moody Monthly (July/August, 1984). He was interviewed by Melinda Delahoyde. The “great evangelical disaster” according to Schaeffer is that “a large segment of evangelicalism has increasingly accommodated the present world spirit rather than using the Bible to judge it.” He illustrates this in those who confuse the kingdom of God with socialistic programs under influencing the church to accommodate in such areas as divorce, homosexuality and sameness of men and women; ”abortion is the most obvious example of compromise.” Schaeffer gives a strong testimony of his love for the Bible and his conviction that it is the infallible rule for all of life. In the concluding section he calls for a dividing of the ways and mentions examples of what has resulted from accommodation in the past. “If we do not lovingly draw lines in our churches and schools, many evangelical organizations will be lost from Christ’s cause forever.’”

THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION held June 12–14 showed that this largest Protestant denomination in the United States continues to swing to the right, according to a Religious News Service report in Christian News (June 25/84). The Convention elected Charles Stanley, pastor of the 9,600 member First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia , as president. Conservatives were also appointed to other key positions in the denominational official structure. About 250 women have been ordained as ministers in the SBC among some 40,000 ministers, but only 13 are pastors of churches. By a vote of 4,793 to 3,460 the Convention decided that women should not be placed in authority over men “lest confusion reign.” The resolution adopted says the Bible “commends women and men alike in other roles in ministry and service,” but excludes women from pastoral leadership because “the man is first in creation and the woman first in the Edenic fall.” A strong stand against abortion was also adopted. Especially remarkable for southerners who live where much tobacco is grown, was adoption of a resolution against subsidizing tobacco production and use. They also went on record as opposed to an ambassador to the Vatican.

“FAREWELL LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD” is the title of an article in Christian News (5/14/84). The author is Ed Scott, radio, TV, movie announcer-actor, former Colorado State Senator and Member of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He g ives at some length the reasons why he and his wife have decided to leave the LCMC and join the Wisconsin Synod. He feels that the church to which he has belonged and in which he has taken a very active part has departed from the teachings of the Word of God in many ways. He mentions ecumenical efforts in cooperation with more liberal denominations, the “Social Ministry” approach followed in some of the relief work done by LCMC agencies, the struggle about deviant teachings in some church seminaries. He says his most serious concern deals with the role of women in the church. He objects to giving women voting rights as well as to permitting them to hold office. This article reflects the problems found also in circles reached by The Outlook.

“PRINTER TO THE KING,” an article about Robert Estienne, a printer who published many of the most important books of the Reformation period, calls our attention to a man who especially contributed to the spread of Calvinism. He was the first to print a Bible with division into verses for easy reference. “Calvin turned over to him the publication of his many commentaries, including his growing Institutes.” “His Geneva Bible went through 160 editions and was popular even after the introduction of the King James version in 1611.” Thanks to Moody Monthly (July/August ‘84) for reminding us of this great man of God.

CLERGY UNDERPAID. Ministers are among the lowest paid professionals in the country according to a study of eleven denominatio ns conducted by the National Council of Churches. Even though their positions usually have high educational requirements, the average salary is about $21,000. The study showed that rabbis are generally paid higher salaries than Christian ministers. (Christian Herald, June, 1984)

FIRST HAND REPORT ON NICARAGUA. in Eternity for June, 1984, William J. Petersen tells of his stay in Honduras and Nicaragua with a 10-member study group. They interviewed people from various sides of the conflict that goes on in these countries. He mentions that Honduras has an annual per capita income of $640, 60 percent of the people are illiterate, and there is a 25–30 percent rate of unemployment. There are some 40,000 refugees from neighboring states; those from El Salvador and Guatemala tend to be leftists, and those from Nicaragua rightists. He speaks highly of CEPAD, the organization of some 20 Protestant groups with which the CRC has worked since the devastating earthquake in Managua. The people of Nicaragua resent the US presence

in view of the fact that from 191 1 to 1933 US GIs were stationed there, and the US supported the Somoza family dictatorship until the recent revolution. The evangelicals in Nicaragua have grown in ten years from 3% to about 15%. Bibles are sold in grocery stores and there was a record number of sales last year.