July 15 1996

ARTICLE TOOLS

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A surprisingly large number of readers responded to Pastor Ed Dobson's editorial in the May 20 issue on whether political activity belongs on the church's agenda. The letters revealed once again how polarizing this subject can be. Many writers chose to ignore Dobson's narrower focus (political activity in the church) and broadened the discussion to Christian activity in the public square. Just as with the discussion initiated last year by Prof. John Woodbridge ("Fighting Words," Mar. 6, 1995), those who wrote are passionate in their opinions: There is no apparent middle ground, and a near equal division of sentiment.

Ron Kruis of Grand Rapids, Michigan, argues that, historically, it has been "the absence of Christians from the public square that has helped contribute to bad law and bad social policy," while others, like William Wu of Henrietta, New York, agreed that "our priority is the gospel of and witnessing for Christ Jesus." And Jeffrey C. Ording, chair of the Christian Business Men's Committee's Annual Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Illinois, offers a reminder that "We have an obligation to support evangelical brothers and sisters in Christ that God is calling into the political arena [and] trust [they] are being obedient . . . followers of Christ."

Many readers also responded to the several articles on the subject of contemporary Christian music, nearly all agreeing that the ccm industry has gotten off course. Rodney W. Johnson suggests that former industry executive Stan Moser "quit too soon," and that he "ought to use his perception, insight, and Christian commitment to values to galvanize the industry into going back to basics."

The editorial "Taking Politics Out of the Sanctuary," by Edward G. Dobson ...