Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 14, Number 1 Aggregate Issue 68 Winter 2008

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23

How Far We Have Not Come! Joe E. Trull ...... 2

EthixBytes ...... 3

A Bronze Star for Brenda Randall O’Brien ...... 4

The Scandal of Love William E. Hull ...... 5

Can Good Muslims Be Good Americans? Jim Shoopman ...... 9

Honoring the Memory of Dale Moody Dwight A. Moody ...... 13

President Bill Clinton’s Message to Baptists Bob Allen...... 17

Dethroning a King Tripp York ...... 18

Prophetic Challenge to Capital Punishment Cody J. Sanders ...... 19

Proud To Be Black Karen Wood ...... 23

The American Beatitudes David D. Flowers ...... 24

CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THE MOVIES Reviewed by David A. Thomas Health Care: Sicko (2007) ...... 25 Seven Movies From 2007 Worth Seeing ...... 26

BOOK REVIEWS Red Letter Christians Reviewed by Michelle Basich ...... 28 Shopping for God Reviewed by Aubrey Ducker ...... 28 Fulfilling Heart & Soul Reviewed by Charles Kinnaird ...... 29 There Is A God Reviewed by John Scott ...... 30

Financial Report for 2007 ...... 31

KUDZU by Doug Marlette How Far We Have Not Come! By Joe E. Trull, Editor

hile I was teaching Christian replied, “You speak with a southern from Nazareth. Would you be inter- Wethics at New Orleans Baptist accent!” ested?” Seminary, one of my best students The young seminarian listened as “What’s his name,” asked the shared an unusual story in class. I the caller explained his inquiry. At church caller? recently talked with him and learned first, the pastor search committee of “His name is Yeshua-ha-Meshiah,” the issue he related has continued—in his church eliminated him from con- responded the student. “Will that be a fact, it is worse today than when he sideration due to the fact, as he put it, problem?” first shared the event several years ago, “Your name just didn’t seem like the Hiding the full truth, the which is why he requested anonymity name we wanted on our sign out in Mississippi layman replied: “Yes, I’m although he wanted me to publish the front of our church.” afraid so. His name just wouldn’t work story. “Why not” the student asked? for the folks who live out here. They Although born in New Orleans The church leader replied with wouldn’t want to listen to someone and raised in Mobile, Alabama, the absolutely no hint of embarrassment, with that hard a name to pronounce.” student’s first and last name is very “We don’t think your name would “I see,” said the Alabama-born Arabic, given to him by his Palestinian draw the right kind of people.” seminarian. “Perhaps you should father, who came to the U. S. to attend The student then asked a very per- know that his name translated into college and seminary and here married ceptive question: “And what kind of English is ‘Jesus the Messiah.’ So if you his mother, a native Alabamian. people would that be?” won’t have our Savior in your church, To our class the student recalled The caller answered, “Well, I’m and you won’t have me, then I guess I this story. sure you understand what I mean.” am in good company. Good day sir!” Just a few months after arriving After a pause, the seminary fresh- At that point, the student hung on the campus of the seminary in man tried to be redemptive. “I think up the phone. He was angry. He was New Orleans to begin his Master of I understand. However, since I obvi- hurt. He was deeply disappointed. Divinity study he received an unusual ously will not be allowed to preach for Yet, above all of his feelings came phone call. The call was in response you, may I ask if your search commit- the thought, “How far we have not to his resume left with the Church tee will need someone to preach for come!” Relations Office, which aids students them in the next few weeks?” My recent conversation with my in finding part-time church work “Yes, we will,” responded the caller. former student verified that, although while attending seminary. “Do you have someone in mind you we have come a long way during the The caller, obviously a Southerner could recommend to us?” past decades, racial pride and preju- (from Mississippi as it turned out) “Oh yes,” replied the young divin- dice are still with us. In fact, to have was calling on behalf of his church, ity student. “I have a friend who just a middle-eastern name or dress in which was looking for a student pas- arrived off a boat from Israel. He is a middle-eastern attire will immediately tor. His first question to the seminary former carpenter by trade and says he raise questions in the minds of many student was to ask if he spoke English, was called to preach. Perhaps he could Americans. and if so, did he have a heavy accent? give your church a missions talk. He is Yes, my student was right. How far After introducing himself over the a very interesting fellow—claims to be we have not come! ■ phone, the divinity student jokingly answered, “Well, how do I sound?” The church caller laughed and

Editor: Joe E. Trull Publisher: Christian Ethics Today Foundation, 9608 Parkview Court, Denton, TX 76207 (940) 262-0450; Cell: (940) 230-6931 CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY is produced in the U.S.A. and is published five times annually and mailed from Dallas, Texas, where third-class postage is paid. Articles published in CET reflect the views of the authors and not necessarily the viewpoint of CET or the Editor. Send corrections and change of addresses to P.O. Box 1165, Argyle, Texas 76226.

 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today EthixBytes A Collection of Quotes Comments, Statistics, and News Items

“‘My country right or wrong’ is a Ch. Of House Select Committee on jection based on door-to-door surveys thing that no patriot would think Energy Independence in response to of 10,000 households (New England of saying except in a desperate case. Exxon Mobil’s $40,610,000,000 prof- Journal of Medicine, 1/08). It’s like saying, ‘My mother, drunk it in 2007. ❖ or sober.’” ❖ “We are not preaching any type G. K. Chesterton. “Oil companies are now celebrat- of civil disobedience, we’re simply ❖ ing in their boardrooms. They con- saying if someone comes to us and “Better to be ruled by a wise Turk tinue to have a death grip on this they’re in need of food [or} a doc- than a foolish Christian.” Senate.” tor, we’re not going to take the time Martin Luther. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill), as to look for a green card, we’re going ❖ a veto threat defeated an attempt to to minister and show them Christ’s “[I saw myself as] the captain of a revoke $12 billion in tax breaks to love.” warship leading God’s troops into the wealthiest corporations (Dallas Rev. Robert Wilson, explain- battle. Instead I found my flock Morning News, 12/14/07). ing a resolution passed by Oklahoma wanted me to captain the Love ❖ Baptists to continue working with ille- Boat, making sure everyone was “I will give $1 million to any C.E.O. gal immigrants despite a new state law having a good time.” who pays more income taxes than that makes it illegal to aid them. Presidential candidate Mike his secretary. I know I don’t.” ❖ Huckabee, explaining his frustra- Multimillionaire Warren Buffet, “[MANY CHRISTIANS] demand tions in the ministry (Newsweek, criticizing the present tax system that that the Ten Commandments be 12/17/07). favors the rich. posted in public buildings. . . . I ❖ ❖ haven’t heard one of them demand “How have we provoked al-Queda? “It is pitiful that Mexico—a country that the Sermon on the Mount, the We now have 700 military bases in of 108 million people that shares a Beatitudes, be posted anywhere. 130 countries!” 2000 mile border with the U.S.— ‘Blessed are the merciful’ in a court- Presidential candidate Ron Paul has the same cap as Botswana, an room? ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ on Meet the Press (12/23/07). African country of 1.8 million.” in the Pentagon?” ❖ Douglas Massey, sociology profes- Kurt Vonnegut, In These Times. “My faith teaches me that I can sit sor at Princeton University, noting in ❖ in church and pray all I want, but I 2006 the U. S. issued only 418 per- “The decision to block California’s won’t be fulfilling God’s will unless manent immigrant visas to low-skilled vehicle emissions standards is a new I go out and do the Lord’s work.” Mexican workers. low in the federal government’s Sen. Barack Obama, addressing ❖ ongoing efforts to torpedo envi- the General Synod of his denomina- “While the media persist in using ronmental regulations. The Bush tion, the United Church of Christ. the word casualty as if it meant administration’s disdain for pol- ❖ ‘death,’ my dictionary defines casu- lution limits is well documented. “Many U.S. Christians seemed to alty as ‘a member of the armed Sixteen other states were poised to listen more to a version of American forces who is killed or injured dur- follow California’s lead.” nationalism than they did to the ing combat.’ By that definition, Editorial in the Dallas Morning global Body of Christ. We must the American casualties in this war News (12/30/07). decide: To whom do we belong?” on terror are not 4,000 but over ❖ Jim Wallis on the issue of Iraq 27,000 and climbing.” “We should desire health not in order (Sojourners, 1/08). Barbara Brown Taylor in to be healthy, but in order to live as ❖ Christian Century (7/24/07). fully as possible.” “While the oil companies are turn- ❖ Gilbert Meilaender (Christian ing the American consumer upside “About 151,000 Iraqis died from Century, 10/16/07) ■ down at the pump, the White House violence in the three years after the is defending unnecessary giveaways U.S. invaded, concludes the best and tax breaks to big oil.” effort yet to count deaths.” Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass), World Health Organization pro-

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 •  A Bronze Star for Brenda By Randall O’Brien, Exec. V.P. and Provost, Baylor University

eroes, civil rights heroes and her- and incarcerated 28 days in the coun- established by the Governor: she must Hoines, number in the hundreds, ty jail. leave the state within 24 hours of her or even thousands, from the 1960s When Ike and Brenda were expelled release! alone. Immortalized in the pages of from Burgland High (McComb’s seg- After 45 years of exile, Brenda American history many of our coun- regated high school for Blacks), and returned to Mississippi, June 21, try’s bravest soldiers earned their med- refused readmission they were, in 2006, for the 45th anniversary of als of valor on battlefields of strange effect, handed lifetime sentences of the 1961 direct action against segre- name: lunch counters, bus stations, punishing poverty. Within a month gation in Mississippi. Determined, courthouses, and jails. Purple Hearts or so other African-American students I got in my automobile, pulled out rained upon chained chests in dark- would also be permanently expelled. of my driveway, and drove 10 hours ened forests where Satan’s army tor- Southern Negroes with high school from my home in Texas to meet her tured God’s children of color. There educations could hardly expect, as a in McComb. I had something to give hooded hoodlums and klansmen cops rule, to earn a fair, living wage. But her; I had something to say to her. dispensed pain to prophets, wounds to to be denied the opportunity to earn Following two days of recogni- warriors, evil to any who courageously even a high school diploma represent- tions, speeches, awards ceremonies, a worked for racial equality. ed cruel and unusual punishment, or moving graduation exercise nearly a Jesus was a Negro in the 60s and a sentence of extreme poverty for life. half-century too late for the expelled anti-Christ Christians and other hate- On October 4, 1961, approximate- seniors of Burgland High, class of ’62, filled infidels killed him—again. And ly 120 of Brenda’s and Ike’s protest- and a final stirring address to a full again, and again and—again. ing classmates, led by young Brenda, house at Burgland High by Brenda Was not that a crucifixion on the marched from Burgland High School Travis the right moment arrived for balcony of the Lorraine Hotel in through town, to the steps of City Hall me to approach Brenda. My heart Memphis in 1968? Did not Chaney, while singing, “We Shall Overcome.” raced. Schwerner, and Goodman precede Dr. One-by-one the students ascended the “Brenda,” I began, “I’m Randall King on Golgotha in Philadelphia, steps of City Hall to kneel and pray. O’Brien. I am a minister and Executive Mississippi in 1964? Was not Medgar There they were beaten and kicked Vice President and Provost of Baylor Evers nailed at Calvary by a bullet to by cops and other fine citizens, then University. I grew up in McComb.” the back in Jackson in 1963? arrested. “Oh, I’m very glad to meet you.” “No, All of these are heroes, fallen Brenda related years later, “I believe the honor is all mine. You are a hero heroes, national heroes, and heroes of I was predestined to become an activ- of mine. I was 12-years-old when you mine. There are thousands more. One, ist. I joined the NAACP and became sat-in at the bus station and marched a young Black girl, from McComb, involved in the movement to get peo- on City Hall. You were 15. Those Mississippi, stands out. ple to vote. But they were afraid.” remain, for me, two of the greatest On Saturday, August 26, 1961, Jailed again, this time for her role acts of bravery in my lifetime.” Mississippians Hollis Watkins and in the McComb march, Brenda and “How very kind of you. Thank Curtis (Elmer) Hayes, both African- the other students sang and prayed you, Randall.” “Brenda, what hap- American, sat down at a “Whites through the night. After several days, pened to you was one of the darkest Only” lunch counter in my hometown “They took me out of jail,” Brenda travesties of justice in American his- of McComb, becoming the first per- related. “Said, ‘We’re taking you to tory. I am ashamed; I am embarrassed; sons in the state to take direct action Jackson to see your attorney.’ After a I am angry. I am also changed by you, against segregation in a “sit-in.” For long drive they pulled the car up to the by your life, your courage, your cries their revolutionary bravery they were gates of the Reform School in Oakley. for justice. As you know,” I continued, promptly arrested and jailed for 30 My family, nobody knew where I was. “our lives always travel down paths of days, charged with breach of peace. My mother was never allowed to visit continuation or compensation, one or Four days later on Wednesday, me the whole time. My family suf- the other, in the area of racial injustice. August 30, 1961, Robert Talbert, fered.” Your witness, and the courageous work Isaac (Ike) Lewis, and 15-year-old Though sentenced to a year in of your sisters and brothers has been Brenda Travis “sat-in” at the segregated Reformatory School, the young teen- a huge influence upon my life. I’ve Greyhound bus station in McComb. ager was released before completing tried to live my life to help compen- They, too, were arrested immediately her full term under one condition sate for all the wrong done to African-

 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today Americans. How can I say, ‘thank you,’ Brenda, for who you are and for who you’ve helped me to become?” The Scandal of Love Brenda tried to speak, but couldn’t. William E. Hull, Research Professor, Samford University Birmingham, AL Her eyes filled with tears. We embraced. Slipping my right hand into my pants pocket, I clutched the surprise I had f the prophecy of Hosea were to be honor the righteousness of God, par- for her, pulled the gift out, and placed Iclassified by the mass media for pub- ticularly in their lusting after the cor- it in Brenda’s hand. lic consumption today, it might well rupt religions of Canaan, would lead Pulling back, looking into her eyes be X-rated, “reader discretion advised,” to swift and certain judgment, pun- while still holding her hand, I whis- for it tells the sordid story of a preach- ishment, and rejection. Gomer, on pered, “A few years after your civil er whose wife went astray. Such scan- the other hand, was a good time girl, rights battles for our country, I fought dalous moral lapses are not unknown the life of the party, quick to share her for our country on a different battle- in our time, but the most surprising favors with friends old and new. We field—in Vietnam. Sometimes in an feature of this shocking escapade is would call her a tease, a flirt, even a imperfect world a person might need that God was its instigator from start cheat, for there was a hint of harlotry to fight for his country. But no one— to finish. He played the matchmaker in her frivolous spirit. In lifestyle, she no one—should ever have to fight her in prompting Hosea to marry Gomer, was everything that Hosea abhorred, country!” then to send her away when she played which explains the chagrin he must Nodding humbly in silent agree- the harlot, then to take her back again have felt when the Lord commanded ment, her brown eyes floating in tears, when she had lost the last vestige of him to take her as his wife (Hos. 1:2). Brenda stood still. “For my service in decency. Is that any way for a prophet To be sure, it would shock the entire Vietnam I was awarded the Bronze to be acting, much less for his God to community, but it shocked him most Star,” I said. “For your gallantry, be telling him to act? Why, we wonder, of all. Brenda, you were awarded Reform did such a tawdry tale ever find its way So why did Hosea agree to obey the School, and cruel exile from your fam- into the Bible? divine imperative? Clearly this woman ily and home state. You were so many The answer to that question is not needed the ethical earnestness that he times more heroic than I ever was! I long in coming. Inserted between the had to offer. True, her reputation was a want you to have my Bronze Star, beginning of the story in chapter 1 bit tarnished, but his puritanism would Brenda, for your heroism. You already and its ending in chapter 3 is an ora- eventually reform her promiscuous- have my heart and my admiration.” cle applying Hosea’s domestic tragedy ness. After all, they would be pledging Plunging us into tearful embrace to the relationship between God and sacred vows to each other that she had again, Brenda whispered to me his chosen people (Hos. 2:2-23). The never made before. Living with him through her sobs, “I don’t know what prophet’s obedience to divine prompt- on a daily basis would be enough to to say.” “You don’t have to say any- ings provided the catalyst for his rev- overcome her occasional dalliances in thing,” I said. “I thought about saving olutionary discovery of the deepest the marketplace. And why did Gomer my medals for my children,” I con- passion of God’s own heart. Hosea agree to accept his strange proposal? fessed, “maybe giving my bronze star soon realized that he was being called Already she was beginning to realize to my son, so my children would have to proclaim a truth so scandalous that that passions quickly squandered are something to remember me by. Then I it could not be grasped in words until just as quickly forgotten. What would thought, No, this is how I want to be it had first been acted out in deeds. she do when her charms hardened with remembered: Brenda Travis gave her Until the people saw the radical nature age and a nubile competitor showed up youth for civil rights for all Americans; of God’s love embodied in the experi- to claim her territory? Life with Hosea daddy gave his Bronze Star to Brenda ence of the prophet, they would not be would be confining, even boring at Travis.” ■ able to fathom its meaning for them- best, but at least he offered her secu- selves. So let us revisit the story as a rity and the chance to rehabitate her drama in three acts, seeking to learn reputation, which was more than she what its provocative plot tells us about was getting from the men who tickled a sovereign love that has no limits. her fancy on Friday nights. Perhaps the Act I: Love Hopes odd couple could complement each Hosea and Gomer were a study in other and maybe—just maybe—learn contrasts. He was an inflexible mor- to love each other. alist, wholeheartedly embracing the Make no mistake, this was a mar- stern preachment of the prophet Amos riage with nothing going for it except a with its message of doom and gloom handful of risky possibilities. Centuries for Israel. The failure of the people to later the Apostle Paul would pen the

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 •  core insight struggling to find expres- tionship to be embraced. Why do we they had been completely disowned sion here: “love . . . hopes all things” want the best for those whom we love by God. This may suggest that, in the (1 Cor. 13:7). Hosea married Gomer regardless of their failings? Because we early months of his marriage, Hosea in the hope that their union would are made in the image of God who was becoming ever more morose as his impart to her the integrity and char- wants the same for us. message failed to receive a favorable acter that she lacked. The more his Act II: Love Hurts hearing. We can almost hear him grit- own experience forced him to think If ever there was a marriage made in ting his teeth as he named the children, about it, the more he came to realize heaven it was that of Hosea to Gomer. muttering to himself, “Maybe this will that God’s relationship with his peo- Once God said, “Go, take for your- get their attention!” People sometimes ple had begun in exactly the same way self” a risqué wife, “so he went and express their underlying values in the (Hos. 11:1-4). Israel was loved before took Gomer” (Hos. 1:2-3). There was way that they name their children, but the people were ready to realize it. The no dating, courtship, or engagement Hosea was doing it with a vengeance! Lord had led them out of slavery in to encourage romance, only a divine It was not easy for him to keep a light Egypt and taught them to stand on command to be obeyed without delay. touch when living in desperate times. their feet and walk despite their con- Indeed, their domestic arrangement And what about Gomer: how was tinued infatuation with the idolatrous became little more than an extension she adjusting to life with a gloomy practices of their former masters. Just of his prophetic ministry. Immediately prophet? Our account is silent, but it as Hosea vowed fidelity to Gomer in he set about having children to whom is not hard to read between the lines. an effort to help her mature, so God he gave Hebrew names that sounded From the outset she was saddled with entered into covenant with his people like the titles of his judgmental ser- three babies in swift succession. As to make them strong. He knew all the mons. The first, a son, was named soon as one was weaned, another was weaknesses of their long bondage in Jezreel, referring to a battlefield where on the way (Hos. 1:8). No time for the past but, because he loved them, God would soon punish his people by the fun-and-games she had enjoyed he hoped to give them a better future. putting an end to their nation (Hos. before marriage. Hosea was gone a lot As the curtain falls on Act I of our 1:4-5). The second child, a daugh- trying to get his message out across drama, we have learned for the first ter, was named Lo-ruhamah, mean- the northern kingdom before it was time in Scripture that God is a pas- ing “not pitied,” because God would too late, leaving most of the house- sionate lover with high hopes for his no longer have pity on the Israelites hold chores for her to do. When he children. The marriage of Hosea to to forgive them (Hos. 1:6). The third was there, he brooded about the fate Gomer not only enabled him to give child, another son, was named Lo- of the nation whereas Gomer was tangible expression to this truth for ammi, or “not my people,” for they more interested in finding a little his time, but also to anticipate the could no longer claim the Lord as happiness within their family circle. very essence of the ministry of Jesus their God (Hos. 1:8-9). To be sure, she wanted her reputa- who, in everything he said and did, Let us concede that Hosea may tion upgraded from what it had been, was proclaiming “God believes in you have overdone it a bit in using his but she was not trying to become a because he loves you!” That is why his infant children to curse the society into saint overnight! This subtle clash of followers set off an explosion of hope which they had been born. Imagine temperament made her wonder if she in a jaded and cynical world. You can them having to explain such names for really was cut out to be a prophet’s see it in the way that the early church the rest of their lives! Notice how each wife. The constant pressure to live a dared to make incredible claims for was more severe than the one before: cut above the crowd, to prove every the misfits and rejects of the Roman the first said that the people would day that now she was different, began Empire. It says to us that true religion be punished by defeat in battle, the to wear upon her spirit, but Hosea is not so much a code to be obeyed or second that they would no longer be was unrelenting in his expectations. a ritual to be performed as it is a rela- forgiven for their follies, the third that We do not know how long it was

 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today before the hair-line cracks in their infidelity lay at the root of the prob- crushing pain of a broken heart. The relationship became an open break. lem, it could be overcome only by the prophet had reached an impasse in his Perhaps it was on one of his longer trips achievement of true intimacy. Hosea’s understanding of love. At first he had away from home that she went back chief complaint against the people learned how much it could hope, but for the first time to the marketplace had been that they did not know God now he knew how much it could hurt. at night. In any case, once the rup- (Hos. 5:4). But the Hebrew language These two warring emotions of desire ture came it was swift and complete. of that day also used the verb “know” for the best and despair over the worst Hosea was broken and embittered, to signify the conjugal relationship in seemed to cancel out each other, leav- made worse by that “I-told-you-so” which two lovers seek to bond with ing only bitter ashes in their place. He look in the sidelong glances of his each other at the deepest level of their had risked everything on the power of neighbors. Gomer’s fall, if anything, being. In the abyss of his abandon- righteous love to reform Gomer’s way- seemed to confirm his message of ment, a stern prophet was learning that ward heart, but that strategy seemed to judgment (Hos. 11:5-7). He had kept God does not want just to be feared have failed him. God had gotten him every promise, but she had played fast and obeyed but that he also wants to into a mess from which he could not and loose with her vows and it had led be loved with all of the passion and extricate himself! her into lasciviousness. No longer the tenderness and sympathy of marital Clearly, therefore, the next move young beauty of earlier years, now she love (Hos. 2:20).2 was up to God and, when it came, could market her charms only as the Now Hosea understood the high Hosea could not believe his ears. Hard village tramp. She had laughed in the risk involved in a religion of love. He as it had been to marry Gomer, and face of decency; now she would cry on had failed to keep Gomer’s love just as even harder to give her up as a fail- the pillow of remorse. She had sown God had failed to keep Israel’s love, for ure, what God now proposed would the wind, now she would reap the love, by its very nature, can be neither be hardest of all to do: “Go give your whirlwind (Hos. 8:7). coerced nor controlled. To love any- love back to the woman who betrayed If anything, however, Hosea’s sense one is to be vulnerable to heartbreak, you despite the fact that she is now an of shame was greater than hers. For for spurned love is the cruelest cut of adulteress, the paramour of her latest in that ancient patriarchal culture all. That is why the love that “hopes boyfriend” (Hos. 3:1). The arguments the male was responsible to protect, all things” also “endures all things” against such a reckless reclamation defend, and insure the virtue of the (1 Cor. 13:7). It is here that we come project were compelling indeed. Hosea female, whether it be his wife, unmar- to the cross in the heart of Hosea had already done everything he could ried daughter, or widowed mother. So long before it cast a shadow over the for Gomer, having kept every promise serious was the maintenance of chas- Savior at Calvary.3 So have we reached and honored every vow. Why would tity that adultery was a capital offense. an impasse that our story is power- yet another effort be any more likely Since a husband’s honor depended less to resolve? Is every hope that love to succeed? Gomer had become such upon his wife’s fidelity, for Gomer to awakens cancelled by a hurt that love an object of contempt in the com- become promiscuous meant public inflicts? Is the human heart just too munity that any association with her humiliation for Hosea.1 But under- fickle to be mastered even by the love would certainly discredit Hosea’s mes- neath the disgust and disgrace of it all of God? Where would Hosea take his sage of righteous judgment and might lay a new kind of loneliness, a sense of heartbreak? Back to the old message well wreck his entire prophetic minis- forsakenness that he could never have of defeat, punishment, and rejection try. Up to this point the children seem known until he gave his heart to her in summarized by his children’s names, to have taken their father’s side, but to hope. Indeed, it was precisely because or forward to a new unimaginable bring that hussy back into the house of those dashed hopes that he hurt as breakthrough that might change his could cause them to leave. Obviously never before. And as he pondered that message and prepare for the gospel of it was foolish even to consider such a pain he had to ask himself: “Did God Jesus? possibility. get me into all of this because he want- Act III: Love Helps So why did Hosea agree to do it? ed me to feel his own forsakenness? Is Gethsemane is the agony of strug- Because he realized that it would dra- there a hurt like mine deep within his gling with impossible options. For matize the deepest truth about divine own heart?” Jesus it was the intolerable choice of love, namely, that God never gives up In searching for an answer, Hosea escaping disaster by compromising his on his beloved no matter how faithless came to realize that sin at its deepest message versus the equally intolerable they become. Now Hosea’s challenge level is an alienation of the affections, choice of being crucified as a common was to learn to love Gomer in the same a violation of sacred vows, a harlotry criminal. For Hosea it was the unthink- way that God loved Israel. His well- of the heart. Jesus carried forward able alternative of having anything fur- known domestic tragedy would enable this insight by referring to his fickle ther to do with the disgraced Gomer him to incarnate the kind of love that contemporaries as an “adulterous and versus the equally unthinkable alterna- forgives without limit. At the moment, sinful generation” (Mk. 8:38). And if tive of living the rest of his life with the the people were infatuated with false

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 •  gods whose worship offered them the only to free her from the claims of Or we can love like God, expect- immediate gratification of supposedly others but to also give her a spiritual ing covenant fidelity from the beloved sacred raisin cakes (Hos. 3:1). But as dowry made up of righteousness, jus- but freely forgiving when it is not Hosea thought back over the centu- tice, steadfast love, and mercy (Hos. forthcoming as the basis for a fresh ries to the beginning of the covenant 2:19).6 She, in turn, to prove her good start. The problem here is that human in the wilderness, he could not count faith, would be sequestered for a sea- nature has too much pride to practice the number of times that the chosen son, overcoming her addiction to pro- such radical grace. But we can over- people had been seduced by superfi- miscuity by total abstinence from all come that pride if, like Hosea, we real- cial religions offering such momentary sexual activity, even with him as her ize that we are already loved by the pleasures as temple prostitution. In husband (Hos. 3:1). Together they Lord of the universe just like that! ■ light of their recurring relapses, what would break the vicious cycle of prov- chance would Israel ever have of keep- ing her self worth by dispensing cheap ing the covenant unless God provided intimacies to others. 1 Gale A. Yee, “The Book of them with an endless number of fresh This austere regimen was what we Hosea,” The New Interpreter’s Bible starts? today would call “tough love.” Why (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996), Trying to answer that question was such a strategy not followed dur- 7:206-9. brought Hosea to the sticking point ing Hosea’s first marriage to Gomer 2 Abraham J. Heschel, The Prophets in the whole proposition: “go love her when she obviously needed greater (New York: Harper & Row, 1962), again . . .” (Hos. 3:1).4 We all know discipline? Back then, he expected her 57-60. from the testimony of divorcees that to measure up just because of the ter- 3 H. Wheeler Robinson, The Cross shattered marriages are almost impos- rible consequences if she failed to do of Hosea, ed. Ernest A. Payne sible to mend. Once love is spurned so. He had not yet had his heart bro- (Philadelphia: Westminster, it usually dies or turns into hatred. ken or realized that God would want 1949). When the prophet cried out, “It is not him to love again the one who broke 4 John Mauchline, “The Book of human nature to love like that!,” God it. At first he experienced a love that Hosea: Introduction and Exegesis,” replied, “I am not asking you to love hoped, then a love that hurt, but now, The Interpreter’s Bible (New York: like humans do but like I do—and I precisely because she was back again Abingdon, 1956), 6:594-5. am different from you” (Hos. 11:8- in worse shape than ever before, he 5 Frederick Buechner, Peculiar 9). Just as Israel had been given many needed a love that helped. If he could Treasures: A Biblical Who’s Who a second chance, so God was asking never quit loving her, he would have (San Francisco: Harper & Row, Hosea to give Gomer another chance, to do everything possible to help her 1979), 44. to not let their failure become final become more lovable. If we were label- 6 Norman Snaith, Mercy and (Hos. 2:14-15). As Jesus would later ing this journey we might say that Act Sacrifice: A Study of the Book of explain to Peter, forgive again and I describes the optimism of love, Act II Hosea (London: SCM, 1953), 70- again, so many times that you can’t the pessimism of love, and Act III the 87. keep track of the number (Mt. 18:21- realism of love. 22). In a word, Hosea was being told As the curtain falls on our drama, to love her with an everlasting love. As we in the audience are left with the Frederick Buechner put it, “God is question of how we shall love. There love . . . and there’s no end to it.”5 are three options offered by its three Does this mean that God was set- actors. ting up Hosea for an endless succession We can love like Hosea, expect- of heartbreaks? If so, it would be no ing it to be requited in full measure worse than God himself had endured or, failing that, to be withdrawn. The for centuries. But the implementation problem here is that we humans are of this reconciliation involved a num- so self-centered that we often fail to ber of remedial strategies designed to reciprocate the love we receive even minimize that possibility. Unlike the from parents and spouse, plunging us first time, when Hosea was told to into loneliness and bitterness when “take” Gomer as his wife (Hos. 1:2- others treat us the same. 3), this time he was bidden to “love” Or we can love like Gomer, expect- her as the Lord loves Israel (Hos. ing nothing in return but the plea- 3:1). This would be a costly love that sures of the moment. The problem required him to purchase her out of here is that we end up frittering away servitude (Hos. 3:2). To secure her as our heart until it finally belongs to no his “wife forever,” he would need not one.

 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today Can Good Muslims Be Good Americans? By Jim Shoopman, Instructor in Comparative Religions and Ethics Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

ecause I am a former pastor who Those are certainly disquieting the United States.4 Other sources esti- Bteaches a world religions course, numbers, and those who have already mate lower—under 3 million. By all my former church members frequently made up their mind that suspicion accounts they have been peaceful and send emails and articles that they sus- of all Muslims is warranted will no productive neighbors. It is with that pect might be of interest to me. The doubt make much of this information, in mind that I argue the thesis that most disturbing trend I’ve seen among but such anti-Muslim thinkers may indeed, most good Muslims already are such emails, in the wake of 9/11, has very well have created this situation good Americans. been the explosion of virulent anti- themselves. I suspect the number of The issue is more important to the Muslim hatred circulating as Christian American Muslims who would enter- ethical treatment of Muslims than one sentiment within and beyond the tain religious violence would not have might think. After the early nineteenth Christian community. Middle Eastern been anywhere near so high before century revolutions for liberty in Muslims have been demonized in 9/11. Muslim Americans have been Europe, similar questions were raised western culture since the time of the far more frequent targets of harass- about Jews. When progressives fought crusades, but reaction to the horrible ment and bullying since that event. to grant full citizenship to Jews, con- events of 9/11 truly brought hatred According to the FBI, the federal gov- servatives argued that they couldn’t of the Arab to a new level, and people ernment successfully prosecuted 28 possibly be good Jews and at the same began to broadly circulate statements anti-Muslim hate crimes in the year time be good Frenchmen, Germans, that were not merely anti-Arabic, but 2000. In the year 2005 (the latest Poles, Swedes, etc.5 In those nations more specifically anti-Muslim. date for which the stats are presently where gentiles were able to imagine The most recent email that got my available) the government prosecuted Jews assimilating into the mainstream attention because of its pretension to 128 anti-Muslim hate crimes.2 This is of national citizenship, ethical behav- rational discourse and scholarship was more than a 300% increase in reported ior pretty much prevailed, and in a tirade that insists good Muslims, by anti-Muslim incidents that reach the nations where people still had a hard nature, cannot be good Americans. attention of the federal government. time imagining Jews as fellow coun- It ended with the ominous words, It doesn’t reflect but may be indica- trymen, terrible evils followed in the “Therefore, after much study and tive of many more incidents that likely twentieth century. In a recent article, deliberation . . . perhaps we should go on among young people in schools a Baptist chaplain urges us to “con- be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS and recreational centers around the sider a Gallup poll that was taken in in this country. They obviously can- country. Such open hostility and sus- the summer of 2006 that found that not be both ‘good’ Muslims and good picion would naturally lead many thirty-nine percent of Americans sur- Americans.” young Muslims to conclude that seri- veyed favored requiring Muslims in The basic question, “Can good ous efforts at self defense might well be the United States, even those who Muslims be good Americans?” is worth warranted if anti-Muslim sentiment in were American citizens, to carry spe- addressing in this current atmosphere America ever got worse. Anti-Muslim cial identification. . . . Most of these of doubt and suspicion. Adding fur- tirades, harassment, and yes, hateful thirty-nine percent would be appalled ther reason to explore the question are emails, could well create the very thing if one compared their attitude toward the results of a recent poll conducted we fear most, in response to our grow- Muslims to the anti-Semitism preva- by the Pew Research Center, which ing prejudices. lent in Nazi Germany before and dur- revealed that “While nearly 80% of So, it would be both wise and useful ing the Holocaust.”6 So, perhaps the U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings for Christian preachers and teachers to first step in the ethical treatment of of civilians to defend Islam cannot be work toward a more gracious attitude. Muslims is to begin by understanding justified, 13% say they can be, at least We can start by more fully appreci- that they can be good Americans after rarely.” More disturbing, “One in four ating the vast majority of American all. younger U.S. Muslims said . . . that Muslims who would never in their The first step in proving this the- suicide bombings to defend their reli- wildest dreams entertain anything like sis would be to define what we mean, gion are acceptable, at least in some suicide bombings or religious violence or what we ought to mean, by a “good circumstances, though most Muslim of any sort.3 Sadly their large numbers American.” I suspect most people Americans reject the tactic and are will rarely be emphasized or appreciat- today, conservative and liberal, would critical of Islamic extremism and Al- ed. According to The Atlas of Religion, define a good American as a citizen Qaada.”1 there are over 5.2 million Muslims in who respects and obeys the laws, and

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 •  who participates, at least by voting, do not allow for the violent destruc- when it involves war or police action in the political process of this nation. tion of innocent non-combatants. against fellow Muslims? A good American might further be (Muslims who condemn terrorism To address this concern, let’s think defined as a person who appreciates cite Quran 2:190, 5:32 and vari- about how Christians have behaved the process of democracy as practiced ous sayings of Muhammad from the when faced with military action here—a person who appreciates his Hadith, in which the Prophet con- against other Christian nations. own freedom and is willing to defend demned attacking non-combatants Through World War I, nearly every the freedoms of others, through politi- during warfare.) Therefore, taking major American war was against pre- cal, social, or military service. into account the diversity within Islam dominantly Christian countries: the Therefore, can a “good” Muslim itself, it should be clear that a violent, British, Mexico, secessionist southern faithfully do that? hateful religious fanatic is not defined states, Spain, and Germany under What Is A Good Muslim? as a “good” Muslim in most places. the Kaiser. Evidently we simply con- What then do we mean by a “good” So then, what can it mean to call cluded that these enemies were not Muslim? In the virulent email explain- someone a “good” Muslim—someone acting in a genuinely “Christian” ing why good Muslims can’t be good who loves his faith and takes its teach- fashion. If Christian Americans can Americans, the (naturally) anonymous ings seriously? Probably all Muslims evaluate national policy with that sort writer arrived at negative conclusions everywhere, Sunni and Shia, would of rational detachment, it is also per- about Islam by deferring to the experi- agree first of all that a good Muslim fectly possible for Muslim Americans ence of “a friend who worked in Saudi strives to live by the five pillars of to view an American military or Arabia for twenty years.” This anec- Islam—the sincere confession of faith, police action rationally, and sup- dotal evidence sounds authoritative. five prayers a day, offerings to the port the best interests of the country, However, the writer does not take into poor, keeping the fast of the month of even if the enemies happen to be of account the enormous variety within Ramadan, and at least one pilgrimage their general religious belief. Islam. Saudi Arabia is not necessar- in one’s lifetime to Mecca, if possible. Remember, several Muslim nations ily representative of Islam elsewhere. The good Muslim would furthermore joined in the action against Saddam People who’ve learned all they know know and try to practice the teach- Hussein during the First Gulf War, about Islam through a study of the ings of the Quran and would take when that dictator sought to swal- Saudi form sometimes assume that Muhammad, as revealed in the stories low up the small neighboring nation the beliefs of strict Wahabi Muslims of the Hadith, as the ultimate model of Kuwait. There is no inherent reli- in Saudi Arabia are normative every- of Muslim virtue. gious reason why American Muslims where, hence they conclude that all On a practical level, all this looks cannot support sound and sensible Muslims will prosecute those who a little different in each Muslim policies of American self defense, even convert from Islam to any other reli- country and among different sects of against fellow Muslims in another part gion, cut off the hands of thieves, Islam, just as “following Jesus” looks of the world. According to the Muslim and seek to control the rank and file different, even among differing types Chaplains Association website, there through a secret religious police force of Baptists, Methodists, and even are at least 4,100 Muslims who did that spies on the behavior of the pop- Catholics. Therefore, a good Muslim just that, serving the defense of our ulace. But this does not even begin in America may be quite different in country in the armed forces.7 to describe the values of all Muslims dress, ideology, and daily behavior Can Good American Muslims in Saudi Arabia, much less Muslims from a good Muslim in Saudi Arabia. Embrace Democracy? in Turkey, Nigeria, the United Arab So, the first point in my argument Despite reason and evidence that Emirates, or Muslim behavior in the for good Muslims as good Americans American Muslims are willing to United States. is the simple observation that there is defend their nation’s best interests, Another related problem is that no monolithic Muslim ideal, but many thinkers might reasonably argue that Americans sometimes assume Muslims interpretations of this ideal, including “good” or genuinely devout Muslims in this country are under the religious varieties of Islam that allow for loyalty would naturally have a difficult time control of anti-American clerics in to American ideals and principles. supporting the very principle of other parts of the globe. Certainly Can Good American Muslims democracy, since their ultimate model there are Mullahs and Imams around Protect American Interests? of perfect government is Muhammad the world who preach for the destruc- If simple loyalty to basic Muslim as the absolute theocratic ruler of tion of the United States, but even in ideals is not a stumbling block to Medina. After Muhammad’s ini- those foreign countries Muslims are patriotism, isn’t Islamic loyalty to the tial call to prophecy, he became the not obligated to follow them. universal Muslim community some- leader of a small, persecuted minority It is also vital for people to under- thing so powerful that it would tran- in Mecca. Because he preached anti- stand that the most common inter- scend loyalty to country? Can good idolatry and greater fairness to the pretations of Muslim sacred literature Muslims support the national interest poor, he was nearly assassinated by

10 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today the Meccan leadership. However, he nations around the world that can before God, and the only “difference” was invited to become the ruler of a be defined as genuine democracies: of significance is devotion to God. smaller city 200 miles to the north of Turkey, Indonesia, Senegal, Mali, Along with the Quran’s validation Mecca, Yathrib. He accepted the invi- Bangladesh and Malaysia are all gov- of concepts like human equality before tation and for the next ten years ruled erned as parliamentary republics, and God, there are hints of democratic gov- that community as “Medina,” mean- Pakistan will probably revert back to ernment in the early Muslim historical ing city of the Prophet. All Muslims a democratic government someday in tradition. After Muhammad died, a look back on this era as a kind of the future. minority of Muslims sought to pass the golden age in the spiritual life of the Christians find inspiration in the leadership of the Muslim community sacred community. Medina under the Bible for basic underlying concepts on to the descendents of Muhammad. prophet is the ultimate model for the vital to democracy, like the ultimate (These thinkers eventually became truly Muslim society. That being the equality of all men before God. These the Shia.) However, the Sunni leaders case, would Muslims not find any same ideals of equality and justice can believed it was best for the community non-Islamic government to be a pale actually be found in the Quran, and to arrive at a consensus on who was spiritual failure in comparison? many American Muslims are eager to most qualified to lead the people, and It is certainly true that Muhammad’s stress this. I’ve encountered one web- put the matter to a vote among tribal theocratic leadership of Medina is a site for the MPAC (Muslim Public leaders.10 Now, after that vote, the ele- precious memory in the minds of all Affairs Council), a Muslim organiza- vated Caliph was certainly given the full devout Muslims, but the value of that tion devoted to patriotic ideals. Their authority of an absolute monarch, but sacred memory need not undermine vision statement, citing passages from this initial decision on the part of the support for American democracy. To the Quran for religious legitimacy, is Muslim community to select the most understand why, let’s look at how we worth quoting in full: “To establish qualified leader is a part of Muslim Christians have evolved in our own a vibrant Muslim American commu- spiritual heritage (similar to the Acts of thinking about human governance. nity that will enrich American society the Apostles in the Bible), and as such The Bible enjoins us to “honor” the through promoting the Islamic values serves as early validation of the possi- earthly king (1 Pet 2:17), and there is of Mercy (21:107), Justice (4:135), bilities for democratic government. not one passage in the Christian Bible Peace (8:61) Human Dignity (17:70), With the Quran’s support for that specifically calls on Christians to Freedom (2:256) and Equality for all equality before God and the pres- govern themselves through democra- (49:13).”8 ence of some democratic governance cies. Devout Christians still revere Quranic Surah 49:13 is quoted in a in the sacred historical tradition, any those scriptures and regularly refer to number of sites where the authors stress American Muslim, born or natural- Jesus as Lord. We nonetheless revere that the Quran supports the concept ized, can give spiritual support to the democracy and sometimes even idol- of human equality before God. The democratic ideals of equality and self ize it as a “Christian” ideal. The anti- passage reads: “O you men! Surely determination that are precious to this Muslim email that inspired this article We have created you of a male and nation. If young Muslims are raised in even insists that “the constitution is a female, and made you tribes and America, with wise rearing they can based on the Bible.” families that you may know each grow to revere their country as natu- Rather than argue that specious other; surely the most honorable rally as any descendent of the Puritans point, let me use it as “exhibit num- of you with Allah is the one among on the Mayflower. As many Muslims ber one” in my argument. If the most you most careful (of his duty); surely fled religious persecution themselves, biblically conservative Christians can, Allah is knowing, aware.” That pas- they can feel the impact of the story of for various reasons, see support for sage stresses that religious devotion to the Mayflower pilgrims far more pow- the basic ideals of democracy in the God (one’s duty) is far more important erfully than we can. That alone makes Christian Bible, than Muslims can see than national origin. the American ideal precious to many the same sort of thing in the Quran One passage from the Hadith Muslim citizens of the United States. and the Hadith. Most religions have a reports Muhammad to have said, O It is worth mention, that according to way of evolving and adapting to new people! Your God is one and your numerous websites, and the interesting ideas of human governance. For exam- forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab new book American Islam: The Struggle ple, over the last 300 years Christians is not better than a non-Arab and for the Soul of a Religion, “4 out of 5 moved from supporting “the divine a non-Arab is not better than an [Muslims] are registered to vote.”11 Few right of kings” to “a government of, by Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged other religious communities can make and for the people.” Something simi- with red) person is not better than that claim. So, my second argument lar goes on in Islam. While it is true a black person and a black person for good Muslims as good Americans that most majority-Muslim nations is not better than a red person . . . is that a commitment to Islam is not are dictatorships and oligarchies, there except in piety.”9 This passage also inherently antithetical to the laws and are at least seven majority-Muslim stresses that all people are the same ideals of this country.

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 11 Can Good Christians Extend Grace a worthless being of no value in the 5 Richard Rubenstein and John K. To Muslim Neighbors? world. Jesus suggests that a person Roth, Approaches to Auschwitz: The My final argument is about why who uses such language cannot be in Holocaust and its Legacy, Atlanta, we in the Christian community have a good relationship with God. Why? John Knox Press, 1987, 69-89. a vital mission to affirm and encourage Because the dehumanization of our 6 Karen Thomas Smith, “God is So, all that is best in our fellow Americans neighbor inevitably turns us into indi- So Big,” Review and Expositor, Vol. who are Muslim. There are at least viduals who cause needless suffering 104, No. 1, Winter 2007, 148. three reasons why we should actively for other innocent people. Jesus calls 7 http://www.muslimchaplains.org/ extend Christ-like acceptance to our on us to love our neighbors as we love faq.php. Muslim sources claim 9 Muslim neighbors. ourselves (Lk 10:27). to 10 thousand serve in the armed First, when we only expect the Through teaching, preaching, and forces. worst of people, they have nothing personal example, Christians must 8 http://www.mpac.org/about/ to lose for they will certainly no lon- faithfully educate our own commu- vision-mission. ger fear disappointing us. If we bully, nity of believers. Too many Christians 9 http://www.islamreligion.com/ harass, and denounce our neighbor, are succumbing to fear, and fear can articles/245/ “Human Rights we are likely to create the very thing we quickly turn to hatred. The beloved and Justice in Islam,” quoting fear most—radicalized Muslims who apostle John reminds us, “Perfect love from Hadith, narrated in Saheeh are convinced Americans hate them casts out fear” (1 Jn 4:18). For the Al-Bukhari #1739 and Mosnad simply because they are Islamic. sake of our country, God’s kingdom, Ahmed, #2 037. Second, as Muslim immigrants and our own moral influence, we need 10 Karen Armstrong, Islam: A Short come to our shores we have a wonder- to understand that good Muslims can History, New York: the Modern ful opportunity to share the love of indeed be good Americans. ■ Library, 2002, 25. God in Christ Jesus, but no Muslim 11 Paul M. Barrett, American Islam: will listen to Christians who talk 1 Daytona Beach News-Journal, “1 The Struggle for the Soul of a hatefully of Muhammad and Islam. in 4 Muslims: Suicide bombings Religion, New York: Ferrar, Straus Hateful talk from leaders and laity OK, poll says,” May 23, 2007, and Giroux, 2007, 9. However, sets back the cause of Christian mis- 2A. this common belief that approxi- sions among Muslims in America and 2 http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm, mately 80% of all Muslims are around the world. for incidents in 2000. http:www. registered to vote may be a “best Third, Jesus declared, “Anyone who fbi.gov/ucr/hc2005/table1/htm, case” scenario. Since no one says to his brother ‘raca’ is answerable for year 2005. knows how many Muslims there to the Sanhedrin but anyone who says 3 Daytona Beach News-Journal, 2A. really are in the U.S., we can’t real- ‘you fool,’ will be in danger of the 4 Joanne Obrien and Martin Palmer, ly know what percentage of them fire of hell,” (Mt. 5:22). The phrases The Atlas of Religion, Berkeley: are registered to vote. “raca” and “you fool” are pejoratives of University of California Press, contempt that mark someone out as 2007, 24.

12 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today Honoring the Memory of Dale Moody By Dwight A. Moody, Dean of the Chapel, Georgetown College, KY

y journal places the adventure walls. We pointed to the place where the waist-high lecture counter quot- Mon the eighth day of the Yom the original commemorative inscrip- ing the text, telling a story, slicing the Kippur War and that would date it tion had been first chiseled into the air, raising his voice, ranging over cen- Sunday, October 11, 1973. Baptist wall and then, two and a half millen- turies, cultures, and commentaries to Missionary to Israel Norm Lytle nia later, chipped from the wall (and drive home one memorable point after pulled his Volkswagen Bus to a stop hauled off to a museum in Istanbul). another to a mesmerized young minis- on the eastern slope of theArab village Finally, we passed through an iron terial student on the front row. It was of Silwan, just south of the old city gate and up the stone stairs where our intoxicating! of Jerusalem. Out climbed two men good missionary friend was waiting to Later it was thrilling to discover by the name of Moody. The older of take two dripping-wet explorers to a that Dale Moody and his wife Mildred the two was the famous and influen- change of clothes in his home on the would be on a six-month sabbatical in tial Christian theologian Dale Moody; Mount of Olives. “It took me over an Israel during the ten months that my the other was a fresh-out-of-college hour of hot tea and Lytle hospitality to wife Jan and I spent in that same loca- ministerial student named Dwight A. restore my equilibrium,” is the way my tion. We lived on Mt. Zion at what Moody. That would be me. journal describes the aftermath.2 was then called the American Institute “Mr. Moody and I plunged into Dale Moody had advised me of Holy Land Studies (and later the the chilling waters of Gihon Spring,” against our trip to Israel, suggesting I Jerusalem University College). They my journal records, “and wound our first get some seminary under my belt. lived to the south of us on the road that way under Mt. Zion to Siloam.” We I wrote for his judgment on the mat- leads from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, at had only our flashlights during our ter because three years earlier he had the Ecumenical Institute for Advanced walk through what may be the most entered my life as the energetic, enter- Theological Studies at Ton Tur. authentic remains of the entire bibli- taining expositor of Paul’s letter to the Together we hiked the countryside, cal record: Hezekiah’s Tunnel.1 The Ephesians. It happened this way. explored the cultural and religious tunnel diverts the water of the spring In the fall of 1970, I led a delega- wonders of the Holy Land, and shared through a 1749-foot, s-shape chan- tion of Georgetown College students to many meals. nel cut through solid rock into a pool Louisville to invite Dr. Moody to come I remember one day when he and on the western slope of the ridge that to our campus and speak to the students. I drove out to the Plain of Benjamin, once was known as Zion, the City of We wanted teaching from the book of just north of Jerusalem. We climbed David. Philippians, but he countered with the stairs to the upper level of the Dale Moody and I talked about all Ephesians, with the theme, “Christ and mosque at Nabi Samwil. I had with of this as we walked slowly through the the Church.” Students were promised me a paperback copy of the 1931 edi- water tunnel. The rock walls touched “small reaction groups led by members tion of George Adam Smith’s classic our shoulders on both sides; at one of the college family . . . to give . . . an The Historical Geography of the Holy. point, the rock ceiling was so low only opportunity to discuss the content of As I read aloud from chapter 13, Dr. 15 inches separated the rock above Dr. Moody’s lectures . . . as well as shar- Moody traced with pointed finger and our heads and from the chest-high ing, praying, studying and growing as focused eyes the movements of General water through which we were walking. Christian Students.”3 He was delighted Sir Edmund Allenby and his British When his flashlight failed, I slowed at the opportunity and indifferent to troops as they advanced up the Ascent the pace so my single light could illu- the paltry sum we promised him. For of Beth Horan toward Jerusalem in mine his way as well, although in that six of the next seven weeks he spoke to November of 1917. Smith concluded pitch-dark place we had little choice standing-room crowds in the Science his description with this memorable about where to walk and how. We Center lecture hall. I remember very sentence: “This capture of the city was noted as we walked, the suddenly-ele- few speakers who stood on the vari- the thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth in her vated ceiling, giving evidence of some ous platforms of our college in those history.”4 miscalculation by the ancient engi- days—two others who made a lasting Dr. Moody taught the Bible each neers. We stopped at the place where impression on me were Ken Chafin week during the Bible study hour at the two work parties met, feeling with and Charles Malik—but I have vivid the West Jerusalem Baptist Church on our hands the abrupt change in direc- memories of Dr. Moody, with Greek Narkis Street. We were faithful learners tion of the pick grooves in the stone testament in hand, standing behind each Saturday (Shabbat) morning as

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 13 he expounded his theory of the quin- pull out the “old technology” record- and new versions. It was a tour de force quennial organization of the Acts of ing—a cassette tape—and listen once that demonstrated his dexterity with the Apostles. He contended that the again to Dale Moody exhorting me the biblical text and the seriousness book is divided into six sections, each to be the person he thought I could with which he had studied every por- representing five years, modeled on be and the minister I aspired to be. tion of it. the five-year Olympiad pattern of the Afterward Dr. and Mrs. Moody came Hallway conversation and class- Roman Empire.5 I will never forget to the home of my parents on Olive room lectures were not the only epi- the day when, in the middle of his les- Street for dinner and conversation. sodes of influence. One day in 1981, son and after I had asked a question, It was not until doctoral work that shortly after the death of Clyde he leaned in my direction and said I had my full dose of his immense Francisco, Dale Moody and I (and with a smile and a wink: “I am saving learning and enthusiastic classroom mutual friend Badgett Dillard, then a seat for you in my theology class at style. As one of his Garrett Fellows, I vice president of the Seminary) drove Southern Seminary.” often walked with him to and from to Cave Hill Cemetery. This was my Seminary in Louisville had not class, and even though these hallway introduction to the famous burial been in my plans but that is where I discussions were memorable, what is ground in Louisville. He took me enrolled in the fall of 1974. During most deeply embedded in my imagi- to see the markers of such people as my first three years on campus I had nation are the days I sat in the large George Rogers Clark (brother of not one single class with Dale Moody lecture hall at the seminary and lis- William Clark of Lewis and Clark although my father and I, when he tened as he explained the text of Holy fame) and Col. Harlan Sanders (of was on sabbatical from his ministry Scripture and expounded the doc- Kentucky Fried Chicken fame). But it in Murray, Kentucky, sat in on Dr. trines of the Christian faith. He rou- was our visit to the burial plots of the Moody’s summer-term lectures on the tinely began class with a prayer that seminary family that made the most Holy Spirit. Even with such limited was as deep as his love for the Bible lasting impression.7 classroom contact, I felt his interest in and as wide as his hospitality to all We stood in the original site, dom- me and valued his influence upon me. people and all learning. He seemed inated by the obelisk of James P. Boyce At my suggestion, my home-church always to wear the same suit, having and the graves of such luminaries as pastor Dr. Bill Whitaker invited him never developed a desire to impress John A Broadus, Basil Manly, Jr., W.O. to preach my ordination sermon at anybody with the way he dressed. Carver, A. T. Robertson and John R. the First Baptist Church of Murray on With his white hair and stout frame, Sampey. Moody pointed to the space June 19, 1977. he looked good in a light grey suit, between Carver and Robertson, his That itself is a story, not least so white shirt, and tie, and it always two most valued predecessors at the because the Murray church had been, seemed to be the same suit, shirt, and Seminary, and said: “Here is where decades earlier, the epicenter of the tie. But what was always new, even I will be buried.” There was a long Landmark movement whose lingering startling, was what he said when he silence. influence among Baptists Dr. Moody strode into class and started talking, Later, as we completed our exami- so vigorously opposed.6 The charge to often without opening either a Bible nation, he said: “E. Y. Mullins bought the candidate that morning was deliv- or his notes—it was all in his head. “If a new burial plot.” “That is fitting,” ered by my father, now an Alzheimer every copy of the New Testament was I replied, “because Mullins also wrote patient in Louisville. He challenged lost,” I have heard him say more than a new systematic theology for the me to love the book, love the Lord, once, “I could get together with a few Seminary.” and love the people, a message con- others here at the Seminary and we Mullin’s book, The Christian sistent with his own life and minis- could reconstruct ninety-five percent Religion in its Doctrinal Expression, try. Dr. Moody took as his text the of the Greek text.” replaced, as a classroom textbook, entire book of 2 Timothy and with Most students did not think about the older work by Southern Seminary his robust dignity delivered a sermon this when they raised a hand to chal- founder and first president, James whose simple outline I recall clearly: lenge Dr. Moody on some point of P. Boyce, Abstract of Systematic spirit, strength, scripture, and sound theology or biblical interpretation— Theology.8 doctrine. I am sure it was a sermon he which happened quite often. They As we stood in that second semi- had preached many times for many would refer to some text other than nary section before the memorials to young men. During the introduc- the one Dr. Moody had read, think- E. Y. Mullins and Ellis Fuller, both tion, he described me as “brilliant and ing it was sufficient to correct his presidents of Southern Seminary, we devout,” neither of which was true theology. Without losing stride Dr. discussed two other significant accom- then nor now, but it lingered with me Moody would quote and identify the plishments of the Mullins presidency: as a blessing and has reverberated in text, comment on its Greek construc- the relocation of the seminary from my mind for thirty years as a treasured tion, and rehearse the various ways it the center of Louisville to its current affirmation. Every now and then I had been translated in both the older location on Lexington Road, and

14 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today the adoption of the Baptist Faith and toral dissertation. “I am resigning my a controversy that had dogged him Message, a basic doctrinal statement church in Indiana and moving back to throughout his illustrious career. My of the Southern Baptist Convention. Louisville.” last days in his company were spent Mullins served as the chairman of the He turned and looked at me a long discussing his adversaries in Arkansas committee that adapted and expanded time, then asked: “Where are you and the wavering support of the new the older New Hampshire Confession of going to live?” seminary president, Roy Honeycutt.11 Faith into a document less Calvinistic “I don’t know,” I replied. “The man we need,” he had said to than the Abstract of Principles used as To which he said, “Come and see me in 1981, when the school was in the doctrinal standard of our seminary. me next week. I have an idea.” the hunt for a new leader, “is already Later, such friends and colleagues of Unbeknownst to me, he and his on our faculty. His name is Roy Dale Moody as Leo Crismon and Eric wife were leaving their long-time home Honeycutt.” Rust would be buried in this second on Grinstead Avenue and moving to But President Honeycutt could cemetery section. Old Cannons Lane. not defend a professor, even a senior Little did we know on that pleas- “In our new home,” he explained professor of Dr. Moody’s stature, who ant day in 1981 that Badgett Dillard the following week, “we have an entire constantly challenged the doctrinal would buy the third seminary burial apartment complete with private statement of the seminary and consis- site in 1984. It sits on the elevated entrance and kitchen. Why don’t you tently called for its revision on many eastern edge of the cemetery and offers bring your family and live with us?” issues, but especially as it related to a view, through the trees, of the spire And so it was that I painted the perseverance and apostasy. My files are of Norton Hall, the central building of ground-floor room that was designat- filled with articles, letters, interview the seminary campus. Two years later, ed as his library, installed the shelves, transcripts, and newspaper clippings on March 29, 1986, Dillard himself unpacked the books, and arranged about the turbulent years between became the first to be buried in the them around the walls. Then I set 1979 and 1983. These years coincide new plot. Now, it includes the remains up the bunk beds for my two sons, almost precisely with my own doctoral of other seminary scholars, such as Allan and Isaac; they were seven and research on “Doctrines of Inspiration Allen Graves, James Blevins, Harold five years old and, of course, had no in the Southern Baptist Theological Songer, Page Kelly, J. J. Owens, Roy awareness of the significance of their Tradition.” For this I recorded and Honeycutt and, surprisingly, Dale sleeping quarters. My wife and I took transcribed an interview with Dr. Moody. As it turned out, there was our newborn baby into the second Moody, gathered into one collection insufficient room for Dr. Moody to be bedroom and there we all lived for the various letters, articles, documents buried between his two great heroes seven months, until I completed my relevant to the subject, and wrote a in the original Seminary site, and not research and was called to be pastor chapter about Dr. Moody.12 long before death, he purchased a of the North Park Baptist Church in Dr. Moody’s last annual contract as double plot at the new site.9 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I began my Senior Professor of Christian Theology I was pastor of Third Baptist work there in January of 1982, defend- expired without renewal on June 9, Church in Owensboro, Kentucky ed my dissertation April 20 (the very 1983, just eight months after he trav- when I received word of Dr. Moody’s day Roy Honeycutt was inaugurated as eled to Arkansas to engage in a pul- death on January 22, 1992. Jan and president), and graduated on May 21. pit battle with his detractors. There, I attended the funeral at Crescent In the meantime, his great work on November 15, he preached a ser- Hill Baptist Church in Louisville. As of theology was published: The Word mon on Hebrews 10:26-31 entitled, providence would have it, I had just of Truth: A Summary of Christian “Willful Sin.”13 begun preaching through Paul’s letter Doctrine Based on Biblical Revelation. The sermon ends with this memo- to the Ephesians, and on the following I am proud that my name is included rable and typical flourish: “As long as Sunday morning I spoke of my affec- among those who “made the final cor- God gives me breath to breathe, I’ll tion for Dr. Moody and dedicated the rections on the proofs and compiled hold this [Bible] in my hands and sermon series to his memory. the indexes.”10 Then and now, I con- I’ll be preaching it in my last breath I am sure many of his students sider the book one of the truly sig- because I think I will be accountable mourned his passing; but few, if any, nificant contributions to the Baptist for what I said today and what I said can claim to have lived with him at theological tradition. It was part of a over the years and in the resurrection. any time during his long and illustri- great wave of systematic theology that Some ask me, ‘Why are you so happy: ous career. Here is how it all began. In swept through the Protestant world because your burial plot is between W. May of 1981, I stopped Dr. Moody during the last quarter of the twentieth O. Carver and A. T. Robertson?’ I’ll in the hallway near the seminary post century. tell you why I’m so happy about it: office. Not everyone felt so fine about Dr. because both of them are going to get “I am not getting my research Moody’s new book, for his chapter on up on resurrection morning and say, done,” I said, referring to my doc- “Salvation and Apostasy” resurrected ‘That boy was right all the time.’” ■

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 15 Baptist Theological Tradition,” 3, 2007. Ward, perhaps more 1 See 2 Kings 20:20, which reads: (unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, than any other person, carries the “The rest of the deeds of Hezekiah Southern Baptist Theological memory of the life and legacy of … how he made the pool and the Seminary, 1982), 179-206. Dale Dale Moody. conduit and brought water into Moody spent his career fighting 10 Dale Moody, The Word of Truth: the city, are they not written in Fundamentalism, Landmarkism, A Summary of Christian Doctrine the Book of the Annals of the Calvinism, and Dispensationalism, Based on Biblical Revelation (Grand Kings of Judah?” See also arti- three of which have made a seri- Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981), xii. cles on Hezekiah and the Siloam ous and sustained reentry into the 11 The best account of this end-of- Inscription in most Bible diction- life of both the denomination and career controversy is written by aries. the seminary that Dale Moody E. Glenn Hinson, “Dale Moody: 2 The quotes in this description of served. Bible Teacher Extraordinaire” in our walk through Hezekiah’s tun- 7 Phone conversation on November Perspectives in Religious Studies, nel are from the unpublished jour- 26, 2007 with Michael Higgs of vol. 14, no. 4 (Winter 1987), nal which I kept during the time the staff of Cave Hill Cemetery; 3-18. See also “Perspectives my wife and I lived in Israel, from according to Higgs, the first semi- on Scripture and Tradition: A July 1973 to May 1974. Dale and nary plot (in section T) was pur- Response by Dale Moody,” vol. Mildred Moody were there also chased on April 11, 1889, the 15, no. 1, Spring 1988, 5-16. See for the fall of 1973. second (in section 4) on March also the complete bibliography of 3 “Dr. Dale Moody Lectures” 15, 1915, and the third (in sec- Dale Moody’s writings compiled by Dwight A. Moody, “The tion 37) on March 5, 1984. by Paul Debusman in 1986 and Georgetonian,” volume 85, issue 8 Abstract of Systematic Theology available in the library of Southern 6, October 6, 1970, 1. (1887) was the published ver- Baptist Theological Seminary. 4 George Adam Smith, The sion of Boyce’s lecture notes; it 12 See Dale Moody, “The Inspiration Historical Geography of the Holy was a mildly-baptized version of of Scripture,” edited by Dwight A. Land (New York: Harper & Row, the Calvinism he had learned at Moody, 1982, unpublished man- 1966, 198-202. Princeton Seminary; The Christian uscript in the library of Southern 5 His work on that subject was Religion in its Doctrinal Expression Baptist Theological Seminary. published as “A New Chronology (1917) was Mullins’ attempt to 13 See “Willful Sin,” ibid. A more for the Life and Letters of Paul” pull the Seminary away from complete presentation of Dale (Finegan Festschrift,” ed. Jerry the strict Calvinism of its found- Moody’s teaching on salvation Vardaman, Winona Lake, Indiana: ers toward a more experiential and apostasy can be found in his Eisenbrauns, 1987) approach to theology. little book, Apostasy: A Study in 6 See the chapter on Dale Moody 9 Phone conversation with Wayne the Epistle to the Hebrews and in in Dwight A. Moody, “Doctrines Ward, long-time friend of both Baptist History (Macon: Smyth & of Inspiration in the Southern Dale Moody and me, December Helwys, 1986).

16 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today President Bill Clinton’s Message to Baptists By Bob Allen, Managing Editor, EthicsDaily.com Nashville, TN

Note: President Clinton delivered this “You know, I love my Baptist The reason we have to put love closing message to 16,000 Baptists roots,” Gore told Young, “but I have above everything else is because we attending the New Baptist Covenant three daughters and a son, and I don’t see through a glass darkly and know Celebration on February 1, 2008, think it’s right that only my son can in part,” Clinton said. “Therefore it at the Georgia World Conference become a minister.” almost doesn’t matter whether the Center. Clinton said he tried “to keep Bible is literally true, because we know things from getting out of hand” as the in part; we see through a glass darkly. f President Bill Clinton ever had a two men had a “good” and “respectful” The reason we have to love each other Iprayer with the leadership of the argument. is because all of us might be wrong. We Southern Baptist Convention, it was Clinton said he liked Young, might all be wrong.” right after a meeting on Sept. 16, admired his sermons and still watch- Young reported on that same meet- 1993, with then-SBC president Ed es him preach on television when he ing four days after it occurred, at a Young. Clinton described that meeting can. At one point, Clinton said, Young Sept. 20-21, 1993, meeting of the in previously undisclosed detail in per- looked at him and said: “I want to SBC Executive Committee. Young sonal remarks Friday night to close out ask you a question, a simple question, described eating and jogging with the the three-day New Baptist Covenant and I just want a yes or no answer. I president, but he did not volunteer any Celebration in Atlanta. don’t want one of those slick political details of what they discussed. Though he was a member of a answers. Just answer me yes or no: Do Young called for SBC churches to Southern Baptist church, Immanuel you believe the Bible is literally true, pray for Clinton and Gore for 40 days Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., yes or no?” beginning Jan. 1, 1994. while in office, the 42nd president “I said, ‘Reverend Young, I think it “There is a heart there—a spiritual of the United States was never invit- is completely true, but I do not believe cross-pull—in the life of our presi- ed to speak at an annual meeting of you or I or any other living person is dent,” Young said. “Who knows what the nation’s second-largest religious wise enough to understand it com- the Lord will do?” organization during his eight years in pletely,” . Clinton said he believed his conver- office. “He said, ‘That’s a political answer,’ sation with Young went to the “nub” of The SBC issued resolutions critical and I said, ‘No it’s not. You asked a the challenge to reconcile Baptists with of Clinton’s policies on homosexuality political question.’” differing opinions. and abortion, and in 1993 there was an The two talked on, and Clinton “We all believe that we are fulfilling unsuccessful attempt to deny seating explained his answer by quoting First God’s will in our lives,” he said. “The to messengers from his church—“not Corinthians 13:12, the verse before the point I want to make is, so do they. because I was a sinner,” he recounted, passage commonly read at weddings, They read the obligations of Scripture “they conceded we all are, but because “and now there abide faith, hope and in a different way.” my positions were not correct.” love, and the greatest of these is love.” “We have to meet this schism with Because of that, and a seminary “I said: ‘Why could that [love] pos- respectful disagreement,” Clinton said. professor he knew and respected who sibly be more important than faith, “President Carter aided the search for was purged for political incorrectness, when the Baptists preach that belief reconciliation by writing that book. Clinton confessed he was “quite alien- in Jesus leads to salvation? What could He did not impede it. Our Endangered ated” when Young, pastor of Second Paul have possibly meant?’ I said I’m Values helped us all to clarify what we Baptist Church in Houston, reached not a minister. I just read and think. think, but we must approach those out to him and asked if he and Vice All I know is what I think.” who disagree with an outstretched President Al Gore would have break- “But in the King James Version, in hand, not a clenched fist.” ■ fast with him and if Clinton would that verse, Paul is comparing life on take him jogging on the Washington earth today as it is, with all its warts, This article was first published in Mall. as we find it, with life after death in EthicsDaily.com of the Baptist Center During breakfast outdoors on the God.” for Ethics on February 4, 2008, and Truman Balcony at the White House, “For now I see through a glass darkly, is reprinted by permission. Readers are Clinton said, Gore, also a Southern but then face to face,” Clinton quoted invited to access this website at www.eth- Baptist, engaged Young in a point of verse 12. “Now I know in part, but then icsdaily.com . theological debate. I shall know even as I am known.”

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 17 Dethroning a King By Tripp York, Visiting Assist. Prof. of Religious Studies Elon University, NC.

“A dangerous Negro, now a national a Christian pastor, who so intuitively of the very machine he protested. In a hero. How shall we work with that?” understood how racism, classism, and sense, it is pure brilliance on the part of Vincent Harding militarism go hand in hand, be remem- the empire. The best way to deal with a bered as an icon in a culture perpetu- dangerous radical like King is to domes- n a brief essay entitled Martin Luther ally divided by these oppressive horrors? ticate him. Claim him. Say you love IKing, Jr: Dangerous Prophet,.1 Finally, how is it possible that organi- him. Give him a national ‘holy’ day, and Vincent Harding (a colleague of King) zations such as GM Motors, Tommy in doing so, you can stand free from any reminds his readers that as easy as it is to Hilfiger, Exxon, Coca-Cola, Disney, claims he might have upon us. He no forget that Jesus was an executed crimi- Wal-Mart and McDonalds, seven of the longer stands above the American people nal who undermined the very politics greatest purveyors of Western imperial- holding us accountable for our jingo- that makes this fallen world turn, so ism in existence, be major benefactors ist practices. He no longer stands apart too is it both easy and tempting to twist for a one hundred million dollar plus from us demanding that we restructure King into our own image, who is no memorial in his name? This is, ironi- our society so that there need not be any longer a prophet, but an idol that serves cally, a memorial that will be placed in poor among us, rather we have become rather than questions our interests. a city known throughout the world as exactly that which he was attempting to In 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. having a serious homeless problem. avoid: richer, yet poorer. was called the most dangerous Negro Would King not be appalled by the King had no interest in liberat- in the United States because he posed very idea of spending so much money ing minorities so that they could sim- a threat to the very precious ideals that, on a monument in his name in D.C., ply participate in the evils that white unfortunately, continue to underwrite while countless people in that same people had perfected; rather, he wanted our socio-economic and political cul- city go to bed cold and hungry? Is to overturn the entire edifice so that all ture. This same man is now revered as this memorial actually talking about people could practice justice, charity, a national saint. The question that must the same Martin Luther King, Jr. who and love toward one another. But now, be asked is: Did we undergo the chang- argued that the United States, if it is to warring presidents gleefully quote him, es that King demanded—an alternative achieve equality, requires a completely ‘supporters’ cash in on his name, and economy, the practice of nonviolence, restructured economy (in his words a the largest capitalist corporations on the and the ceasing of imperialism? Or, has “modified socialism”)? Will this memo- planet support the building of a monu- his message somehow changed since his rial serve to remind us of who King is ment that, it seems, only the wealthy death so that it can accommodate that or, in its very utilization of such vast could truly enjoy. For what will the for which he gave his life in protest? economic resources, will its very exis- starving poor person think about as he For instance, how is it possible that tence actually make it easier to forget or she peers at the expensive image of a man who once preached against the who he really was? Martin Luther King, Jr.? I imagine they evils of capitalism be awarded heroic Apparently the King so often touted will think that the ‘King’ is dead. ■ status in a capitalist culture? How is it today is not the same man as the King of possible that a person who decried the 1963. For the King who was hated and 1 The essay is located in Jim Wallis & wickedness that is war be remembered eventually assassinated for his dangerous Joyce Hollyday’s, Cloud of Witnesses, as a patriotic saint in the world’s stron- and subversive ideals (that is, standing (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2006), 81-89. gest warring machine? How is it that with the poor) has now become a part

18 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today Prophetic Challenge to Capital Punishment By Cody J. Sanders, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University, GA

itizens of the United States are no the context of the Hebrew scriptures to extend the Catholic influence, it Cstrangers to the explosive issues upon which a Christian defense of is ironic to note the strong opposi- raised by Christians in the political the death penalty is often predicat- tion to the death penalty put forth by arena. Rhetoric concerning abortion, ed, as well as the prophetic voices of Catholics in the U.S. today. Not so homosexuality and war consistently Jesus and the New Testament writ- among Evangelicals. In an interview captures the public mind, especially ers. In addition to the resources of the with Larry King, president Al Mohler during election season. The issue of Christian scriptures, one may benefit of the Southern Baptist Theological capital punishment, however, seems greatly from the conversation partner Seminary stated, “Scripture clearly seldom raised by the Christian sec- of the social sciences. calls for the death penalty…[it] is the tor. In fact, support of the death pen- A Historical Overview appropriate penalty for those who take alty maintains a position of popularity It is difficult to discern the historical life and for those who commit the among multitudes of Christians in the position of the earliest Christians on crime of murder.”5 Mohler justifies U. S. Evangelical Christians, now by the subject of the death penalty due to this statement using both the Old and far the most influential Christians the dearth of extant writings concern- New Testaments. on the American political scene, are ing the views of the pre-Constantinian Lex Talionis and the Hebrew Bible among the strongest supporters of the Church. It is well known, however, A typical conception of the death death penalty, maintaining its wide- that Christians were frequent targets penalty’s efficacy is the ancient princi- spread acceptance. During 2005, 60 of the death penalty as adherents to ple of lex talionis. Deuteronomy 19.21 executions took place in the U.S., an illegal religion.3 It may be surmised typifies lex talionis, stating, “life for life, bringing the total since 1977 to 1,004 that the support from early Christians eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for executed prisoners. As of January 1, for the death penalty was scant, to say hand, foot for foot.”6 The reasoning 2006, 3,400 prisoners await their the least, though opposition may have behind this ancient “law of retaliation” death in prisons across the country.1 stemmed from far more practical pur- is that one’s punishment should be On the worldwide scene, the issue poses than theological ones. equal to the crime committed. Lex tali- of the death penalty has been largely Whatever views the early Church onis is expressed in the three law codes settled. Sixty-eight countries and ter- held, penal codes became quite cruel of the Old Testament (Exodus 21.23- ritories still utilize the death penalty after the legitimization of the Christian 24, Leviticus 24.20 and Deuteronomy as the maximum punishment for seri- religion under Constantine. Death 1.21) and in the Code of Hammurabi. ous crimes. In all, however, 88 coun- penalty historian, James Megivern, Genesis 9.6, “Whoever sheds the tries have abolished the death penalty attributes this shift to the combina- blood of a human, by a human shall totally, 11 have abolished its use for tion of the Bible and Roman law dur- that person’s blood be shed,” is often all but extremely exceptional crimes ing the period of Imperial Christianity. cited in conjunction with the three and another 30 countries retain death No longer employed to persecute passages from the Pentateuch as sup- penalty laws but have not executed an Christians, Roman law was used as an port for the death penalty. Though individual during the past ten years. evangelistic tool of sorts to Christianize seemingly harsh, lex talionis is actually Jimmy Carter reports that 90% of all the Empire, waging war against barbar- a restrictive legal device, prohibiting known executions occur in only four ians, pagans and even heretics within an individual injury inciting a violent countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the Christian Church.4 During this era feud among entire families. The story and the U.S.2 Church and Empire aligned, resulting of Dinah’s rape in Genesis 34 provides The institution of the death penal- in the justification of extremely harsh a lucid example of the harsh and unfair ty is a reality that American Christians punishment, including the death pen- nature of the ancient legal system, must face on a far more personal level. alty. The Church gained unprecedent- where homicide could avenge most With no uniform approach to the ed influence throughout the Empire, any crime.7 Instead, lex talionis allowed issue, each Christian must assess the while the Emperor benefited from the equal injury to the crime committed ethical implications of the death pen- unification of the Empire under the and exacted punishment only on the alty with as much vigor as he or she Christian banner. perpetrator of the crime and not upon tackles the more popular ethical issues In light of the entangled history of innocent family members. It also set of abortion and sexuality. In creating the Catholic Church and many suc- limits that equalized the upper and a foundation for discussing the death cessive governments after the Roman lower classes, prohibiting the payment penalty, one might give attention to Empire, whose harsh penal code served of blood money for crimes committed

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 19 by upper class perpetrators upon lower say to you that if you are angry with been instituted by God…the author- class victims. All members of society a brother or sister, you will be liable ity does not bear the sword in vain” paid equally for the crime of murder.8 to judgment” (Matt 5.22). Upholding (Rom 13.1, 4). Evangelical pro death There are several scriptural diffi- the importance placed on human life penalty spokespersons argue that culties in supporting the death pen- in the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus uses if one is to support the governing alty with the Old Testament. First, it the text to circumvent the very cause authorities bearing the sword, then is difficult to locate examples in which of murder by dealing with the issue of Christians should not stand in oppo- lex talionis is enacted in legal cases in anger. Second, Matthew 5.38-42 pic- sition to capital punishment. Former the Hebrew Bible. In fact, the very tures Jesus reiterating the lex talionis professor of theology at the University opposite often occurs. The Hebrew but taking the opportunity to teach of Notre Dame, John Howard Yoder, Scriptures recount several cases where against its retaliatory nature. Jesus views the text quite differently, howev- God intervenes against the justi- suggests that one not resist evildoers, er. A few of Yoder’s arguments may be fied use of the death penalty. Cain, but instead turn the other cheek. A distilled to clarify the (mis)conception Moses and David all committed acts third teaching is found in Matthew of evangelical Christians concern- of murder punishable by death. Yet, 5.43-48 where Jesus responds to the ing Romans 13. First to note among God purposefully spared their lives. traditional teaching to love one’s many important aspects of the text is Further, neither the Prophets nor the neighbor and hate one’s enemy. To the word translated “sword” in verse 4. Writings of the Hebrew canon ever this teaching, Jesus issues a reversal The word “sword,” machaira, denotes call for the death penalty.9 of traditional sentiment in which one not the sword of a warrior or the tool Jesus, The Sermon on the Mount is to love one’s enemies and pray for of an executioner; rather it speaks of a and Lex Talionis one’s persecutors. Finally, Jesus is con- small dagger worn by judicial authori- In the gospel accounts, the message fronted directly with the question of ties or police.11 This distinction is and ministry of Jesus emerge from the capital punishment in John 8. After made obvious when one takes into tradition of the Hebrew prophets. the scribes and Pharisees present Jesus account that at the time of the writing Both the Hebrew prophets and Jesus with a woman caught in adultery they of Romans, the preferred method of speak against existing structures of recite the Law of Moses commanding execution for the Roman Empire was oppressive power that oppose the fun- the death penalty and inquire of Jesus crucifixion and that of the Jews was damental nature of the Kingdom of what course he would advise. Jesus, stoning. Further, the context indicates God. at first seeming to ignore the query, that Paul does not make a statement While the primary basis of the eventually stands and says, “let any- concerning the moral nature of the teachings of Jesus is the Hebrew one among you who is without sin be political reality, rather only states its Scriptures, Jesus “avoids the violent the first to throw a stone at her” (John place of civil authority. Jesus clearly parts of the teaching so systematically 8.7). Confronted directly by the ques- demonstrates in his continued chal- that it cannot be happenstance.”10 In tion of capital punishment in this spe- lenge of the authorities that the gov- four distinct instances, Jesus propheti- cific case, Jesus makes the imposition ernment is not always correct in its cally decries the use of violence as a of such violent retribution against the proclamations or concepts of a just means of legal justice. First, in Matthew woman impossible for her accusers. society. Finally, as one attempts to 5.21-24, Jesus gives an even stricter Some also use Romans 13 as understand the modern support for interpretation of “you shall not mur- Christian support for the death pen- the death penalty using Romans 13 der” from the Ten Commandments. alty. The text states, “let every person as proof text, the question should be Instead of stopping with this historic be subject to the governing authori- asked: would this reading of the text Jewish teaching, Jesus adds “But I ties…those authorities that exist have be the same during the first few cen-

20 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today turies of the Church when Christians Amnesty International reports that in the ethic of vengeance and retaliation. were primary recipients of the death Canada, the homicide rate in 1975 Jesus constantly emphasized the penalty? It is difficult to surmise that was 3.09 per 100,000. The follow- innocent who suffer at the hands Paul was advocating for the power of ing year Canada abolished the death of an unjust society as central in the the Roman Empire to take the lives of penalty and by 1980 the homicide rate Kingdom of God. It is no surprise whomever it saw fit to execute. was 2.41 per 100,000. In 2003 the that in a judicial system inherently A Prophetic Dialogue with the Canadian homicide rate was down to weakened by fallible human beings Social Sciences 1.73 per 100,000, a total of 44% lower one finds the innocent suffering too Perhaps the most glaring flaw in the than in 1975.15 Similarly, in states of often under unjust circumstances. The institution of capital punishment is its adjacent geography sharing similar his- Death Penalty Information Center clearly prejudicial nature. Capital pun- tory, culture and economy, the results cites cases of 123 people in 25 states ishment has always been profoundly of country-to-country comparisons are who have been released from death affected by race; so much so that “race almost replicated. Between 1920 and row convictions due to evidence prov- is more likely to affect death sentenc- 1955, North Dakota, a state without ing their innocence since 1973.19 If ing than smoking affects the likeli- the death penalty, was found to have for no other reason, the overwhelming hood of dying from heart disease.”12 a lower homicide rate than South rate of conviction of innocent suspects As of 1997, 12% of the population of Dakota and Nebraska, both states with should elicit great caution concerning the U.S. was African American while the death penalty. In more recent stud- the efficacy of capital punishment in 41% of death row inmates were black. ies, the average murder rate in states the United States. Making even more difference in death with the death penalty was found to Even when used against the guilty, penalty usage than the race of the per- be 8.64 per 100,000 people. In states there is no punishment as severe as the petrator of a murder is the race of the without the death penalty, the murder starkly atypical punishment of death. victim. Eighty-six percent of execu- rate was 5.35.16 Not only is death the most extreme tions since 1976 have been people Contrary to expectation, the death form of punishment in the United convicted of killing whites, though penalty does not reduce the murder States, it is also the only form that is nearly half of all murder victims in the rate. Rather it has an imitative effect completely irrevocable. Taking the life U.S. are black.13 In addition to racial on other potential murders by setting of a human being can rarely be accom- bias, death penalty cases seem inher- “an official governmental example panied by complete certainty of his or ently biased against those of lower that killing someone is a proper way her guilt. Yet this punishment includes socioeconomic status. With the most to resolve feelings of resentment.”17 the psychological torture of anticipat- common errors in death penalty sen- This has been statistically dem- ing one’s own death and ends with tences being incompetent defense law- onstrated to the point that “some human beings taking a life that they yers and suppressed evidence, it is easy researchers believe that the data are neither gave nor are capable of return- to see why one with greater resources consistent enough to demonstrate ing if a mistake is made.20 In its brutal stands a better chance of having his or that the presence of a death penalty in extremity, capital punishment fails to her case treated with more efficiency a state creates a brutalization effect, in fulfill the purpose of justice, especially than one who must rely on an over- that human life is held less sacred.”18 as understood in the prophetic message worked public defender.14 This brutalization effect is fueled by of the Kingdom preached by Jesus. A second but no less important the very cheapening of human life Nothing could stand in more antithet- flaw is that the death penalty does that the prophetic voice of Jesus was ical contrast to the life-giving and life- not deter crime, nor is it consistent- guarding against by teaching love and affirming prophetic message of Christ ly imposed on the true offenders. forgiveness in a culture saturated with than the destruction and devaluation

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 21 of human life that results from the 3 James J. Megivern, The Death death penalty in modern America soci- Penalty: An Historical and “Book Reviews” ety. Thus a way forward must be forged Theological Survey (New York: (continued from page 30) with the prophetic voice as guide. Paulist Press, 1997), 19. A Way Forward 4 Ibid., 27. a superior knowledge of science is not Until recently, most surveys given 5 Robert Parham, “Making the a barrier to faith. But my own faith is to voters failed to ask about alterna- Crooked Straight In Moral Debate the result of experience gained from a tive punishments for the death penal- about Death Penalty,” Ethics personal “act as if” experiment.5 C. S. ty. When given alternatives, however, Daily, accessed 13 November Lewis said that’s what faith is, “really support for capital punishment dras- 2006, online: http://www.eth- finding out by experience that it is tically decreases. A forced choice icsdaily.com/print_popup. true.”6 The famous doctor, psycholo- between life without the possibility cfm?AID=1249. gist, philosopher, and Harvard pro- of parole and the death penalty shows 6 All scripture citations are from the fessor William James observed many Americans almost evenly split between New Revised Standard Version. years ago that our most important the two possibilities. Moreover, when 7 Millard Lind, The Sound of Sheer beliefs are acquired that way—by act- given a third alternative of life without silence and the Killing State: ing as if something is true before we the possibility of parole plus restitu- The Death Penalty and the Bible really know it is. Of course we didn’t tion, including all or part of a mur- (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald need William James to tell us that. We derer’s prison labor earnings going Press, 2004), 36. all say, “Experience is the best teach- to support the victim’s survivors, a 8 Ibid., 70-71. er,” and “There is no substitute for majority of Americans support this 9 Ibid. experience.” alternative.21 In this case, the crime 10 Stassen, “Deliverance,” in Two essential parts of an experi- is punished, the murderer is removed Leviathan’s Choice, 122. ment in faith are to pray and to prac- from society and given the possibility 11 John Howard Yoder, The Politics of tice charity. So far as we know, Antony of rehabilitation within the context of Jesus, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Flew may be engaged in that kind the prison system, and the families of Eerdmans, 1994), 203. of experiment right now. If he is, we victims receive support after the grave 12 Glen H. Stassen and David P. wouldn’t necessarily know about it. loss of a loved one. Among other pos- Gushee, Kingdom Ethics: Following He may be following the instructions sibilities, this alternative seems to fit Jesus in Contemporary Context of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: the aims of the criminal justice system (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity to pray in secret and not to make a and fulfill the prophetic ethic of life- Press, 2003), 211. show of charity (Mt 6:1-6). Let us affirming love and restoration. 13 Mark Constanzo, Just Revenge: hope that is what Flew is up to. And Though prophetic ethics can- Costs and Consequences of the let us pray he will finally agree with not be adequately directed by opin- Death Penalty (New York: St. his old friend, C. S. Lewis. ■ ion polls, it seems that a majority of Martin’s Press, 1997), 80. Americans already support alterna- 14 Stassen and Gushee, 211. 1 Copyright 2007 John R. Scott. This tives to the death penalty that contain 15 “Facts and Figures.” review contains some material the life-affirming and restorative ele- 16 Constanzo, 97-98. from a forthcoming book. ments of prophetic justice. Whatever 17 Stassen and Gushee, 196. 2 Mark Oppenheimer, “The restorative alternatives may arise to 18 Lawrence S. Wrightsman and Turning of an Atheist,” New York replace the inadequate system of capi- Solomon M. Fulero, Forensic Times, November 4, 2007. tal punishment, the preservation and Psychology, 2nd ed. (Belmont: 3 As quoted by Steve Laube, the lit- affirmation of life should remain at California, 2005), 348. erary agent for the book, as found the forefront of Christian thinking in 19 “Innocence and the Death on the website of Amazon.com forging a way forward led by the pro- Penalty,” Death Penalty 4 For examples of highly esteemed phetic voice of restorative justice. ■ Information Center, accessed: 14 scientists who believe in God, see November 2006, online: http:// the section “Science and Religion” 1 “Facts and Figures on the Death www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/arti- in the review of “Four Books by Penalty,” Amnesty International, cle.php?did=412&scid=6. Three Atheists,” Christian Ethics Accessed 10 November 2006, 20 Costanzo, 92. Today, Summer 2007, 30. Online: http://web.amnesty.org/ 21 Ibid., 125-126. 5 I summarized my experience in pages/deathpenalty-facts-eng. “Another Atheist Finds God,” 2 Jimmy Carter, Out Endangered Christian Ethics Today, Fall 2005, 15 Values: America’s Moral Crisis 6 C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Simon & Schuster, (HarperCollins edition, 2001), 146 2005), 80.

22 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today Proud To Be Black By Karen Wood, Freelance Writer, Waco, TX

hoa. You’re losing it. Get a grip, have been devoted to the advancement dren of the world.” I don’t recall it say- W Karen. You aren’t black. of whites over indigenous peoples? ing “Jesus loves little ‘white’ children of But right now, I want to be. I This “White Pride” rant decries the world.” Or “Jesus loves little ‘black’ received something a few days ago having a Chambers of Commerce for children of the world.” Ad infinitum. titled “Proud to be White.” It could’ve blacks or Hispanics when there is a Even the old Coke commercial got come straight from a Ku Klux Klan “plain Chamber of Commerce.” And it. “I’d like to buy the world a home playbook. they mutter about tax funds supporting and furnish it with love; I’d like to I’m in shock. News accounts tell the “black” or “Hispanic” Chambers. teach the world to sing in perfect har- about white supremacy gangs operat- Again, guess who’s benefited from mony. . . .” ing from prisons. People arrested for the “plain” Chamber of Commerce But when I got to this part, I nearly hate crimes. But those events are, well, from its inception until just recently? lost it: “You rob us, carjack us, and “out there.” Primarily white, male business owners, shoot at us. But, when a white police This vile diatribe actually crossed that’s who. Hispanics and blacks had officer shoots a black gang member or MY desk via email. I was asked to to create theirs to get their businesses beats up a black drug dealer running “pass it on.” I’m sickened, thinking on the economic radar screen. from the law and posing a threat to how many did so and how far it has These “White Pride” adherents society, you call him a racist.” traveled. assail the “over 60 openly proclaimed I’m confident law enforcement offi- It came from whites venting they’re Black Colleges in the US,” yet claim cers will attest that robbers, car-jackers, termed “racists” if they call minorities colleges catering to whites would be gang members and “shooters” come in by racial slurs. Well, DUH. They claim “racist.” Gosh. Not quite sure how to all colors, including white. And if a it’s not so if it’s the other way around. break it to them. Until forced inte- drug dealer is “running from the law Oh, please. gration of higher education, the only and posing a threat to society,” then, They rail against the United Negro well-funded, predominant colleges by golly, I want the officer handling it, College Fund (UNCF), insisting a were “white.” They were “racist.” no matter what the person’s color. similar fund solely benefiting whites The rant continues: In the “Million Sure, I’m not black. But if anyone would be “racist.” Gee. Wonder how Man March,” minorities believe “you thinks this garbage would make me many blacks benefited from scholar- were marching for your race and “Proud to be White,” then get me a ships before UNCF? Or how many rights.” But if whites held similar ral- UNCF contribution envelope. An whites benefited from scholarships lies or organized shows of “white” NAACP application. Honorary mem- before and after UNCF? Even with strength, such would be “racist.” bership in the Hispanic Chamber. UNCF, I bet blacks haven’t gotten a I hate to keep repeating myself. And color me orange. ■ good deal. But, um, er, well, let’s see, now. What These whites mock Martin Luther would you call Ku Klux Klan rallies? King Day. Black History Month. White police officers hosing down Caesar Chavez Day. Yom Hashoah. The blacks on the streets of Birmingham, NAACP. “BET” (Black Entertainment Ala., in 1963 when blacks tried to Television). claim some civil rights? Or “white- They counter whites would be on-white” rallies where white women “racists” if they had “WET,” “White marched for their right to vote when Pride Day,” “White History Month” white men wouldn’t allow it? or organizations for whites only “to This line really got me: “You are advance OUR lives.” proud to be black, brown, yellow, Let’s see. What might we call the and orange, and you’re not afraid to majority of TV programming from its announce it. But when we announce inception until recent years? How has our white pride, you call us racists.” history been taught in public schools, First of all, “orange”? virtually from Day One, save from Whatever happened to that little the “white man’s” perspective? Why Sunday school song? “Red and yellow, do whites need a special month when black and white; we are precious in whole years, decades—centuries— God’s sight. Jesus loves the little chil-

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 23 The American Beatitudes (From the Sermon on the Hill) Matthew 5:1-16

By David D. Flowers, Satirist/Writer, The Woodlands, TX

5 One day as he saw the politicians for they will never be in need of empire before you was cursed for the gathering, Jesus went up the steps of it anyway. same things. the capital and stood behind a podium 8 Blessed are those whose hearts are 13 You and you alone are the salt of with The Statue of Freedom looming peacefully wicked, the earth. But what good is salt if it overhead. The Senate gathered around for they shall be gods. has been corrupted by dirty Mexicans him, 2 and he began to address them. 9 Blessed are those who kill for peace, from the South and cave-dwelling for they will be called the Muslims from the east? They should The American Beatitudes “good” children of God. be shot like the Indians and dumped 3 “Blessed are those who have a mili- 10 Blessed are the persecutors of in the sea like slaves. They are worth- tary-industrial complex and realize evil men (those who threaten Pax less! This is your manifest destiny! their need to secure their economic Americana), 14 You and you alone are the light of interests in the Middle East, for the kingdoms of the world the world—an idolatrous city on a for the kingdoms of the world are theirs. hilltop that cannot be hidden. are theirs. 11 Blessed are you when people burn 15 No one buys alcohol and gets drunk 4 Blessed are those who are hedonistic, your precious flag and curse you alone. Instead they share their mad- for they will be satisfied. because you destroyed their homes and dening wine with everyone in the 5 Blessed are those who are proud and killed their loved ones. These evildoers world until everyone has had their fill! arrogant, simply have not understood the power 16 In the same way, let your American for they shall rape and pillage and salvation of redemptive violence. ways spew out for all to taste, so that the whole earth. My followers must understand, when everyone will embrace carnal living 6 Blessed are those who lust for power we talk about war… we are really talk- and let freedom ring!” ■ and prosperity and call it “justice,” ing about peace. for they will have comforts. 12 Be happy when people curse you 7 Blessed are those who show no for this! Be very glad! For great is your mercy, reward on earth. And remember, every

24 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THE MOVIES Reviewed By David A. Thomas, Assoc. Prof. of Rhetoric, Emeritus, University of Richmond1

Health Care: Sicko (2007) and pharmaceutical lobbies. That when their combined insurance ran wouldn’t pay ten cents to see a includes Hillary Clinton, known for out. They ended up moving into their “IMichael Moore movie,” a woman her efforts to enact a universal health grown daughter’s basement when they told me when I said that I had just seen care system in 1993, to the ridicule of lost their home in bankruptcy. The Sicko. Michael Moore, Oscar winner the whole country. Now she is the sec- movie shows other true horror stories for 2002’s Bowling for Columbine, also ond highest recipient of the industries’ where people suffered financially, even made Fahrenheit 9/11, an anti-Bush campaign contributions. Ironically, died, for lack of access to a necessary polemic in 2004 that infuriated many thanks to Michael Moore, today the operation or medicine. Republicans. Surprisingly, it crushed country may be more receptive to her Sicko also spotlights the shameful box office records when it earned over original idea; but will she still be posi- stories of MDs and other medical pro- $200 million world wide, and won the tioned to resume a leadership role? fessionals whose highly paid jobs are Palm d’Or, the Cannes Film Festival’s The major health debate in America to meet quotas of denials of payment, highest award in the bargain. So far, today revolves around coverage for solely in order to maximize HMO and I’ve seen Sicko twice. Both times, the the enormous number of uninsured insurance company profits. One tac- audience applauded. The first time, on people. The number continues to rise tic shown was when companies devise the movie’s opening day, the audience almost exponentially as corporations sophisticated methods for eliminating interrupted the movie with applause drop benefits. In the last presidential claims. For instance, although you frequently. But not everyone appreci- campaign a couple of years ago, the might not have actually had some spe- ates his movies. figure of 36 million people was ban- cific preexisting condition when you There is no doubt that Michael died about as the size of the uninsured bought your insurance, one company Moore’s movies are rhetorical. They population. Today it is 50 million. says that as a “prudent” person you are intended to be social texts that Apart from group plans, it is generally ought to have known that you would influence public opinion. Moore is a difficult for anyone to obtain afford- develop it, therefore your claim will be political lightning rod who attracts vis- able health insurance coverage. There denied. ceral reactions, pro and con, whatever is nothing in place to halt this trend. The most poignant stories in Sicko, he does. His movies are opinionated, However, Sicko is not about the the ones most people talk about after to be sure. He is passionate about the uninsured. From the beginning, seeing the movie, revolve around subjects of all five of his documenta- Moore’s narrative directs attention to a group of 9/11 volunteer EMTs ries to date. the 250 million insured Americans who had worked to rescue victims at With regard to Sicko, Moore takes who believe, often wrongly, that their Ground Zero. They contracted dev- pains to be a degree or two less obnox- coverage is adequate. The first part astating respiratory problems and are ious than usual. In a two-part CNN of Sicko tells stories of tragic misad- now disabled. Because they were all interview with Moore on July 8-9, ventures people have had with their volunteers and not covered by New 2007, without editing, Wolf Blitzer health insurance. Moore claims that York City or other government insur- said he thought the movie is “pow- everyone in the audience has had such ance, they had no recourse and are not erful.” Moore replied that in view of problems, or knows someone who receiving any care. Moore chartered a the media’s [read: CNN’s] never cov- has. Speaking for myself, that is a true boat and took them to Guantanamo, ering any good stories about France, statement. Insurance has proved to be where he first requested the U. S. Canada, or England’s health care sys- less and less of a solution, as insurance military to give these 9/11 heroes the tems, he is now the “balanced” source companies multiply the number of ill- same free medical care they provide on the subject. nesses they will not cover—seemingly to Gitmo’s detainees. Being rebuffed Sicko is the least partisan and most the ones that people actually come in that attempt, he took his patients objective movie Moore has made to down with—and also increase limits to clinics in Havana, where they were date. No one is “ambushed,” journal- to the amount they will pay off. welcomed and all received excellent istically speaking. Moore excoriates For just one example, we see a well- care and medicines—for free. No one politicians, as usual. This time he tar- insured middle-class couple who had denies Moore’s resourcefulness result- gets congressional members on both successfully raised six children and ed in Cuba providing what America’s the left and the right side of the aisles educated them in top schools, only health care system refused these who have sold out to the insurance to lose everything to medical expenses heroes, but Moore has been attacked

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 25 politically for going to Cuba. Seven Movies From mented to win the Afghan War once Many other Americans have also and for all. (It sounds like an Afghan gone abroad to obtain the medi- 2007 Worth Seeing version of the “surge.”) Their interview cal care that is priced out of reach here are several important mov- is very stimulating, with the major real at home. Moore takes us on a quick Ties from 2007 that I have not cri- political issues about the war clearly tour of Canada, France, and England, tiqued in this journal. Out of the ones articulated by both sides. The sec- where universal health care is freely that I could have chosen, I will discuss ond act is a combat scene involving a available to all, including expatriate seven, with a note explaining why each Marine assault on an Afghan target, Americans who moved there just for has important social texts and ethical which is the point attack for the new the purpose. In these scenes, Moore implications. strategy under discussion. Due to an debunks the standard propaganda put Three Iraq War Movies. Even with intelligence SNAFU, that mission out by the AMA and the health care the Iraq War still in progress, this past comes to grief. The third and primary industry lobbies about the evils of year Hollywood made several probing scene entails a liberal history professor “socialized medicine.” There is a stark feature movies about the conflict. The (Redford) having a Dutch Uncle chat contrast between other countries and more substantive choices tended not with his promising but slacker stu- our system. to be box office hits. Rendition is the dent over why he should become more Ethical Considerations. Midway story of a scientist who was “rendered” engaged in the vital issues of the day, through the movie, Moore asks, “What (i.e., taken out of the country) by U. S. including the war. As luck would have has happened to us as a people?” Later, forces as a security risk, to an unnamed it, the two Marines at the center of the the movie ends with the question, “Why North African prison for harsh Act II skirmish were former students is the U.S. the only Western country interrogation that would be illegal of the professor. This movie is an excel- that fails to provide free universal health domestically. The suspect is stripped, lent choice for a church discussion care for everyone?” These are embar- isolated, beaten, and shocked. The group. rassing, albeit legitimate questions. movie includes some graphic scenes of In the Valley of Elah is my personal Sicko takes on the greed and inhumane “waterboarding.” The movie is clearly favorite among the war movies. Tommy decision making of the health care a commentary on the issue of torture. Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon are the system, trading health care coverage After a series of denials, the interroga- parents of a young returning Iraq War for maximizing profits. Sicko focuses tion produces a manifestly false con- veteran who suddenly goes missing in on the major HMOs and insurance fession. The movie leaves open the a stateside assignment. Played out as a companies, and to an extent, on the bare possibility that the suspect just police procedural, as events unfold, it top pharmaceutical companies. Sicko might possibly be guilty of something. turns out that members of the young will be a major catalyst for putting a Viewers are left to make their own man’s unit were involved in his fate. national health service on the public judgments about torture as an instru- The movie respects the patriotism of agenda. Hopefully, serious attention ment of official U. S. policy against those who support the war (Jones), will also be paid to price gouging terrorism, with precious little data to yet clearly shows that the results of (where it exists) by doctors, hospitals, base a decision on, except that “water- the war as actually being fought and HMOs, and Big Pharma. Assuming boarding” and the rest of the torture experienced in Iraq are psychologi- that the Bush Administration will techniques are bad, and they probably cally debilitating on the participants. have shifted the Iraq War policy to a yield false information anyway. The The young man’s life in combat con- major troop drawdown by then, pub- movie played during the height of ditions are reflected by the plot device lic health could become just as impor- public hearings over Attorney General of using the horrific pictures recovered tant as Iraq in the 2008 presidential Alberto Gonzalez’ defense of the Bush from his cell phone. To me, it is clearly election campaign. administration’s position on torture. a movie about PTSD. The biblical Sicko conflates the political with the Lions for Lambs is a thought- allusion in the title is merely incidental ethical. We do not think twice about ful, sophisticated script directed by to the story. The movie has a memo- providing free schools, police, and fire Robert Redford. The movie is struc- rable image of the US flag being flown protection. Why not universal health tured as a three-act drama with a dif- upside down at the local high school care? How, in principle, are they dif- ferent cast and theme for each act. at both the beginning and the ending ferent? The answer lies in the private The three parts are connected loosely of the movie, symbolizing our national enterprise system that has four lob- by the coincidental circumstance of distress over this prolonged war. byists for every legislator, and spends happening simultaneously during a Four Other Ethical Movies. One hundreds of millions annually to com- time frame of about an hour. In one of the year’s best movies is The Great bat any reforms. That politicians rely act, Tom Cruise is a hawkish Senator Debaters, starring Denzel Washington on their contributions every election being interviewed by veteran cynical and Forest Whitaker. Do not be misled year doesn’t help. ■ newscaster Meryl Streep about the lat- into thinking this is a static, dull movie est new Neocon strategy being imple- about academic debate. It is a civil

26 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today rights movie through and through. technological weapons. Tommy Lee upper class life to go off “into the The story, based on an actual event, Jones plays an aging traditional West wild” to find his identity and passion is about Wiley College, a small Black Texas sheriff who has difficulty coping in the 1990s. It is a difficult movie to college in Texas during the Great with the massive drug trade spilling describe succinctly, but let me charac- Depression, that beat the national over the Mexican border through his terize it by saying that it is a textbook champions at Harvard. (In fact, it county. Javier Bardem, Spain’s greatest example of the monomyth, or the life was Southern Cal.) But the real “great actor, plays a hit man who will prob- path of every young man who leaves debaters” of the story are the tough ably join Hannibal Lector as one of home, experiences many adversities, is debate coach (Washington), a hot the screen’s most memorable villains. taught by many mentors, and learns blooded farm labor organizer, and the The movie is very violent and not for wisdom. In this case, the story ends more cautious Methodist college presi- the squeamish. tragically when the young man even- dent (Whitaker), over the ethics of Juno is a small independent film tually starves to death in the wilds of civil rights activism in a dangerous Jim about a pregnant teenager who con- Alaska. Along the way, he meets all Crow era. In real life, the college presi- fronts her moral issues of dealing with of the major quirky archetypal fig- dent was the father of James Farmer, her parents, her boyfriend, and the ures that populate a good quest story Jr., who subsequently went on to prospective adoptive parents for her and makes many mistakes due to his found CORE, a pioneering civil rights unborn baby. It’s a very honest, can- hardheaded naivete. Nevertheless, the group in the South. James Farmer, Jr., did movie, with some light touches, movie conveys themes of redemption was one of the school’s debaters that though it never trivializes the basic and atonement. On top of that, it is year. It’s just a great, inspirational situation. Juno does not come up with brilliantly adapted and directed by movie, and a great commentary on any pat answers. Given that the girl Sean Penn. The cast is superb, espe- civil rights. When I attended, the audi- ought not to have become pregnant, cially Emile Hirsch in the leading role, ence broke into spontaneous applause but she did, so what then? Audiences Hal Holbrook as the wise old man, in the middle and again at the end. will probably acknowledge the prac- and Catherine Keener as a retro hippie Take your teenagers. tical wisdom of the choices everyone who served the young man as a sur- No Country for Old Men is a ultimately makes. Juno will appeal to rogate loving mother figure. ■ modern day western based on a novel a lot of families, and it will generate by America’s leading serious novelist, frank discussions. 1 David A. Thomas retired in 2004 Cormac McCarthy, who was recent- Finally, my personal favorite movie and now resides in Sarasota, ly nominated for a Nobel Prize. The of last year is Into the Wild. Based on Florida, and he invites your com- theme of the story is the overwhelming a nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer, ments at davidthomas1572@com- domination of individuals in our soci- the movie is about a bright young cast.net. ety by the bad guys who have superior man who abandoned his privileged

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 27 Book Reviews “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed.” Francis Bacon (d. 1626)

Red Letter Christians Campolo is professor emeritus of practices to sell “low-cost rapture” Tony Campolo, Ventura, CA: Sociology at Eastern University in seeking transfer growth from the “old- Regal Books, 2008. St. Davids, Pennsylvania, founder of line suppliers,” Methodist, Episcopal, Reviewed by Michelle D. Basich, the Evangelical Association for the and Lutheran. If all this seems par- Ventura, CA. Promotion of Education (EAPE), ticularly heathen or even offensive, Associate Pastor of the Mount Carmel perhaps that is because Christians ver the past couple of decades, Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, do not usually consider their faith Oevangelical Christians have been and author of 35 books. ■ from a purely marketing perspective. associated with the religious right and Twitchell however sees religion as one the most conservative positions of the Shopping for God: big marketing experiment. Where best Republican Party. Rebelling against to purchase an afterlife? From a tried this designation are those who prefer to How Christianity Went and true, tithing-required, robe-wear- be called Red Letter Christians, desir- From In Your Heart to ing church with elders and history, ing to live out the red letters of Jesus’ In Your Face or from the fun-loving, people-pleas- words in the New Testament. Believing James B. Twitchell, New York: Simon & ing pastor who plays golf with you that Jesus is neither a Republican nor Schuster, 2007, $26. on Tuesday, preaches prosperity on a Democrat, these individuals tran- Reviewed by Aubrey Ducker, Sunday, and wears a mike like a rock scend partisan politics and concentrate Winter Park, FL star? on issues viewed critically through a Certainly the prime marketing sea- moral and biblical lens. f God had a face, what would it be son running from Black Friday to End- Into this arena of thought steps “Iand would you want to see, if seeing of-Year markdowns, also known as the Tony Campolo, the powerful evan- meant that you would have to believe . Christmas season, offers churches a gelist known for his passionate and . . ” The lyrics to Brian Withycombe‘s unique revival period. From the first prophetic sharing of the radical mes- 1992 hit song ask, “if God were one time the church decided to use the sage of Jesus. In Red Letter Christians, of us,” how would we react? Every pagan festival of sun (Winter Solstice) Campolo examines many of the Sunday morning evangelists, min- as an opportunity to promote God, hot-button issues facing evangelicals isters, prophets and priests put their people have used this time as a mar- from the perspective of Jesus’ red-let- human face on God attempting to sell keting machine par excellence. The ter words in the Bible. These include the church and salvation to sinners Twelve Days of Christmas highlight the environment, war, the AIDS cri- and seekers alike. James B. Twitchell consumerism’s link to the Cross as sis, Palestine, education, gun control, sees a marketing opportunity, one no other secular song, yet Christians the role of government and choosing which has been used for centuries, but continue the myth that the twelve the right kind of candidate. No matter now adds Madison Avenue techniques days are a road to salvation hidden where you fall on the political spec- second to none. from Catholic police of the middle- trum, Campolo will make you think If you could buy God, what would ages. Even today, the battle of Merry and pray and act. you pay? Where would you go “shop- Christmas versus Happy Holidays pits In Red Letter Christians, readers ping” for God? Twitchell, Professor “real Christians” against those who will discover: of English and Advertising at the would market the holiday to a secular • Why no political party has the University of Florida, answers these world without offence. corner on truth and numerous other questions. As the Reading this book is both a chal- • A Red Letter Christians’ voting title implies, religion (or in particular lenge for the believer to accept much guide Christianity) has changed from a deep of the history of Christianity not • Why Christians should avoid feeling held in our soul to a showman taught in Sunday School and an intro- being tied to a political party like performance art intended to force duction to marketing principles being • The problem of partisan politics conversion and compliance. Be like mastered by the flourishing mega- • The importance of being your friends and neighbors or be left churches, as mainline denominations politically active out of the party! see continual decline from the glory • Why being an evangelical does Pastorpreneurs as Twitchell calls days of 1950s revivalism. not mean you’re a conservative them are building “city-states of Pastors and church growth min- Republican believers” as they use big box retail isters should read Twitchell’s book

28 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today even if only to learn what others value for 29 years. He writes from a deep sional help is recommended for any- and attempt. Some books should be understanding of religion and spiritual- one with issues or problems that are neither tasted nor swallowed whole, ity and presents a well-articulated view beyond the scope of self examination. but they should be read for their value of healthy psychology. In this text he In the search for deeper meaning, and shared with others in need of the draws upon examples from literature, there is guidance for those in reli- lesson. ■ various religious traditions, and his- gious traditions as well as for those torical figures as well as from his own who are more secular in their orien- Fulfilling Heart & Soul: experiences as a psychiatrist to illustrate tation. The modern spiritual pilgrim healthy ways of meeting needs and will find affirmation in the concept of Meeting Psychological finding fulfillment, offering insights using conscience to integrate scientific and Spiritual Needs from the likes of Lao-tze, Shakespeare, knowledge with spiritual life. Whether with Conscience Victor Hugo, Boris Pasternak, Albert we are religious or secular in our orien- N.S. Xavier, M.D., Bloomington, IN: Camus, Jesus and the Buddha in order tation, we can live lives of superficiality AuthorHouse, 2006, $26, $15 (paperback). to stop self-defeating habits and move or we can find a deeper purpose. Self Reviewed by Charles Kinnaird, toward a healthy identity. There is also examination and conscience can help Birmingham, AL an intriguing story of the ancient king us to remove some of the spiritual and Asoka, who reassessed his life and leg- psychological defenses that often keep he unexamined life is not worth acy and was able to transform himself us from living at a deeper level. Tliving, as Socrates famously stated. and his society to one of equity and Sigmund Freud gave us the concept Dr. N. S. Xavier has a remedy. He has fairness by embracing Buddhism and of the superego. N.S. Xavier has liber- given us a delightful book which can its principles. ated the conscience from the superego serve as a primer for healthy examina- Writing with humor and clarity, to give us method of examination for tion leading to a full and meaningful the author provides us with a practi- individual growth and societal devel- life. I had an “aha moment” right from cal guide for using the conscience in opment. He writes with a frankness the beginning as I read the introduc- making right choices and enjoying the and honesty not often seen in books tion of Fulfilling Heart & Soul, where healthy pleasures of life. We are given on spirituality, and offers a practi- the author explains the difference psychological insight that is accessible cal application of spiritual values not between conscience and the superego. to the layperson in matters ranging always evident in self-help guides. We The conscience uses reason, fairness, from self esteem, relationships, and are shown how to better understand and compassion in guiding the indi- sexuality to freedom and identity. our own needs as well as others’ needs, vidual toward right thinking and right Stick-on tabs may come in handy to and then how to go about meeting actions. The superego, on the other mark particularly useful pages. There those needs in a healthy way. Fulfilling hand, is that inner guide that is shaped is a page that lists ways to improve self Heart & Soul is a groundbreaking by family and society. There are times esteem and another that lists traits of work of insight that will encourage when the superego may actually be in self-actualizing people. One chapter the individual reader. It would also be conflict with the conscience if it arises has a table that compares healthy guilt a dynamic study tool for small groups from an unhealthy family or social sys- vs. unhealthy guilt and another table or for courses in counseling, ethics, or tem. Racism and fanaticism are two contrasts authentic individuality with spirituality/religion. ■ examples of unhealthy prompts from a egocentrism and dependency. We are superego shaped by unhealthy societal reminded also of the benefits of plea- There Is A God: How and religious traits. sure and the healthiness of laughter. The illumination continues with For those interested in spiritual prac- The World’s Most the opening chapter where Dr. Xavier tice, an appendix includes introduc- Notorious Atheist demonstrates how Jesus helped oth- tory information on meditation and Changed His Mind ers to get past their superego to make centering prayer. Antony Flew, with Roy Abraham Varghese, use of their conscience. In the case in There is advice in the book for New York: HarperOne, 2007, $25 which some men brought a woman integrating past experiences in ben- Reviewed by John Scott,1 caught in adultery to Jesus, demand- eficial ways rather than being trapped Dallas, TX ing that she be stoned, Jesus was able in unhealthy cycles. Fulfilling Heart & to calmly diffuse the situation to allow Soul provides means for achieving for- any atheists have changed their the men to cease from their unthink- giveness and reconciliation as well as Mminds, but none have attracted ing legalistic reaction. He showed methods for finding hope. The author as much media attention as Antony them how to use their conscience to consistently demonstrates how con- Flew. That’s because he had been the bring fairness to the situation. science can raise self-esteem in cases world’s intellectual champion for athe- Dr. Xavier is from India and has where the superego may be causing ism for more than fifty years. He wrote practiced psychiatry in Birmingham unhealthy guilt. Of course, profes- over thirty philosophical works, some

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 29 of which are considered classics by Flew’s book plainly shows it was writ- 740-page book, The Resurrection of the atheists. Then, in 2004, he made the ten “with Roy Abraham Varghese.” Son of God.) The questions are: How surprise announcement that he now And the practice of getting help with do we know that Jesus existed? What believes in God. His new book, There the writing of a book is extremely grounds are there for claiming, from is a God, explains why he disagrees common. Walk into any bookstore the texts, that Jesus is God Incarnate? with his former self. and see how many autobiographies What evidence is there for the resur- Part I of the book, “My Denial of are written “with” another writer. rection of Christ? the Divine,” tells how Flew became In any event, Flew shot back this Following the Bishop’s responses to an atheist despite growing up in a response: “My name is on the book those questions, Flew wrote: “I am very good Christian home as the son of a and it represents exactly my opinions. much impressed with Bishop Wright’s Methodist preacher. And he contin- I would not have a book issued in my approach, which is absolutely fresh. ued to be an atheist notwithstanding name that I do not 100 percent agree He presents the case for Christianity his association at Oxford with C. S. with. I needed someone to do the as something new for the first time.” Lewis, the former atheist who had actual writing because I’m 84 and that In my opinion, the appendix by become a Christian apologist. was Roy Varghese’s role. The idea that Bishop Wright is worth the price of Part II, “My Discovery of the someone manipulated me because I’m the book. Divine,” explains how science and old is exactly wrong. I may be old but A Qualified Recommendation reason finally compelled Flew to it is hard to manipulate me. This is my of the Book believe in God. In one of Flew’s earlier book and it represents my thinking.”3 Over the past 50 years I have read works he took the position that those The credibility of Flew’s response is hundreds of essays, articles and books who say God exists have the burden of enhanced by his reputation for integ- on both sides of the God debate. Most proof. Flew has not changed his mind rity, which is as solid as a blacksmith’s arguments for God’s existence can be on that point. But now he believes anvil. Not even Christian scholars loosely divided into two broad catego- that burden has been met. He calls the questioned that when Flew was an ries: those based on scientific obser- evidence “compelling and irrefutable.” atheist. vation and those based on personal Based in part on recent DNA research Even before the New York Times experience. After Francis Bacon for- he says, “The only satisfactory expla- magazine article was written, the fol- mulated the scientific method, he said nation for the origin of ‘end-directed, lowing facts were well known and the best proof is still “personal experi- self-replicating’ life as we see on earth, undisputed: The world’s leading atheist ence.” The path of science may lead is an infinitely intelligent Mind.” And had changed his mind and announced to belief in a Creator, but the path of he finally concedes that a Divine Mind his belief in God. He made that experience to faith in a Savior. is “the only viable explanation” for the announcement himself, in person and I would put Flew’s book on the origin of the laws of nature. in public. No one made it for him. He “must read” list in the first category— Flew does not personally disparage did it at a symposium that was video- books that purport to prove the exis- any of the currently popular atheists. taped at New York University, and he tence of a Creator through science and But he does undercut their credibility granted several interviews afterwards reason. However, I will not pretend by pointing out various misstatements in which he discussed his reasons. that I understood all of it. I very much in their books. I’ll cite just one example. Those are the same reasons explained enjoyed those parts I did understand. Richard Dawkins is generally regarded in his book. So there has never been But there is much in the book outside as the world’s leading atheist now that any doubt that the thinking reflected my body of knowledge. I am among Flew has relinquished that “honor.” In in the book came from the mind of the more than ninety-nine percent his best selling book The God Delusion Antony Flew. of the people on this planet who are Dawkins takes several pages to con- Flew’s Position on Religion not experts in physics, geology, chem- vince his readers that Einstein was C. S. Lewis stopped being an athe- istry, biology and astronomy. I know an atheist. Flew refutes Dawkins in a ist before he became a Christian. That’s very little about DNA, which played rather straightforward way—he uses where Flew is now. He accepts the a major role in Flew’s thinking. And an exact quote by Einstein that begins: existence of God, but is still ponder- I don’t have sufficient time to read, “I’m not an atheist.” ing religious claims based on “divine study, understand, verify, analyze, Is Flew Really the Author? revelation.” And he says, “I think that and draw confident conclusions from An article in the New York Times the Christian religion is the one reli- the massive volumes of complex data magazine, written as if it were an gion that most clearly deserves to be relied on by scientists who take con- exposé, “revealed” that a friend of honored and respected . . . .” But Flew flicting positions in the God debate. Flew did most of the actual writing on still has questions. So he asked Bishop I’m glad to know that many of this book.2 His name is Roy Abraham N. T. Wright to address those ques- the world’s most esteemed scientists Varghese. That hardly qualifies as tions in an appendix. (Bishop Wright believe in God.4 At least that proves investigative journalism. The cover of is the author of the highly acclaimed (continued on page 22)

30 • winter 2008 • christian ethics today FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2007

he year 2007 was one of our Foy Valentine— dreamed of a journal event was to sponsor a conference on Tbest in the twelve-year history of Christian ethics that would be sent “The Minister and Politics” last June of Christian Ethics Today. A record free of charge to anyone requesting in Washington, D. C., during the joint number of 5400 subscribers, a major it. He often said, “as long as finances meeting of the Cooperative Baptist conference (funded by the Piper and energy allows, we will continue to Fellowship and the American Baptist Foundation) on “The Minister and publish and send the Journal.” To date Convention, U.S.A. The four hour ses- Politics” in Washington, D.C. the we have not missed an issue. Although sion featured four renowned speakers: production and distribution of more his energy is no longer with us, Foy’s Gregg Boyd, Tony Campolo, Melissa than 1000 audios and videos of the dream lives on! Rogers, and Jim Wallis. Numerous conference, and the largest number of attendees claimed it was the best con- financial contributors ever! Special Thanks To Our ference they had attended in many During 2007, 898 contributors Major Supporters years. Audio and video CDs of the ses- (an increase of 147 over 2006) gave A special word of gratitude is due sions have been mailed to hundreds of $106,046 (an increase of $17,361 to these supporters who have kept ministers, students, churches, and col- over 2006). In addition, a one-time the dream alive through major con- lege and seminary libraries, as well as gift of $10,000 came through the tributions of $1000 or more in 2007: to subscribers and supporters of CET. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship from a Baptist Foundation/Noble Hurley The funding also allowed the grant to provide Christian Ethics Today Fund Editor to promote the Journal and the to several hundred ministers in men- Northminster Baptist Church, cause of Christian ethics through visits toring groups throughout the country. Jackson, MS to state conventions, the Texas CLC Most gifts ranged from $10 to $500. Patricia Ayres, Austin, TX conference, and Oklahoma Baptist Significant gifts came from founda- Barbara Baugh, San Antonio, TX University. The $32,477 expended tions and churches. Contributions of Dr. Tony Campolo, St. Davids, PA includes unused funds from previous $1000 or more came from 14 indi- Dr. and Mrs. Jeph Holloway, years. viduals, including one supporter who Marshall, TX gave $15,000 and another who give Dr. Donald and Patsy Meier, SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL $17,500. El Paso, TX STATEMENT 2007 Every gift, no matter the size, Jim Pate, Dallas, TX *Balance: 12/31/06 $52,489 is deeply appreciated. These larger Dr. Burton Patterson, Southlake, TX **Expenditures 2007: $120,597 gifts, however, do allow us to send Ella/Lev Prichard Trust, ***Gifts/Income 2007: $141,046 the Journal to hundreds of readers Corpus Christi, TX *BALANCE: 12/31/07 $73,310 who would otherwise not be able to Dr. Herb Reynolds, Waco, TX receive it, including students, minis- Dr. Paul Robertson, Sugar Land, TX *This amount includes unused funds ters, college and seminary libraries, Gary and Sheila Rose, from the CIOS/Piper Grant. and churches—all free of any cost. Midwest City, OK **Expenditures in 2007 include The cost of producing and mailing David Smith, Houston, TX $32,427 expended from the CIOS/ the Journal for the last three years has Robert L. Stephenson, Piper Grant. remained under $90,000, an amount Oklahoma City, OK ***This amount includes the CIOS/ most journalists find astounding. Piper Grant of $25,000. The credit goes to our capable staff CIOS/Piper Fund Grant of workers in five different cities, who The Journal is deeply grateful for FOY VALENTINE MEMORIAL keep expenses to a minimum. the third year of a grant of $25,000 FUND: $184,342. From our inception in 1995, the from the CIOS/Piper Fund of Waco, founder of Christian Ethics Today— Texas, for special projects. A major

Christian ethics today • winter 2008 • 31 Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics “We need now to recover the prophethood of all believers, matching our zeal for the priesthood of all believers with a passion for the prophethood of all believers.” —Foy Valentine, Founding Editor

MISSION The Christian Ethics Today Foundation publishes Christian Ethics Today in order to provide laypersons, educators, and ministers with a resource for understanding and responding in a faithful Christian manner to moral and ethical issues that are of concern to contemporary Christians, to the church, and to society.

PURPOSES • Maintain an independent prophetic voice for Christian social ethics • Interpret and apply Christian experience, biblical truth, theological insights, historical understanding, and current research to contemporary moral issues • Support Christian ecumenism by seeking contributors and readers from various denominations and churches • Work from the deep, broad center of the Christian church • Address readers at the personal and emotional as well as the intellectual level by including in the Journal narratives, poetry, and cartoons as well as essays • Strengthen and support the cause of Christian ethics Christian Ethics Today was born in the mind and heart of Foy Valentine in 1995, as an integral part of his dream for a Center for Christian Ethics. In his words, the purpose of the Journal was “to inform, inspire, and unify a lively company of individuals and organizations interested in working for personal morality and public righteousness.” When the Center was transferred to Baylor University in June 2000, the disbanding Board voted to continue the publication of Christian Ethics Today, appointing a new editor and a new Board. The Journal will continue to be published five times annually. From the beginning Christian Ethics Today has been sent without charge to anyone requesting it, “as money and energy permit.” More than ever before, your financial support is “greatly needed, urgently solicited, and genuinely appreciated.” The Christian Ethics Today Foundation is a non-profit organization and has received a 501 (c) (3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. Gifts are tax deductible. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Philip Wise, Chair Pat Anderson Aubrey H. Ducker, Jr. Tony Campolo Fisher Humphreys Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler Darold Morgan Carolyn Dipboye David Sapp

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