Issue #3 - 2002 A Publication of Ransom Fellowship

CritiqueHelping Christians Develop Skill in Discernment

In This Issue

04 TheThings DarkenedHave Changed Room Could it be? A Hollywood summer movie that takes on profound issues? A review of Changing Lanes by Drew Trotter.

06 PaperAesthetic andFaithf Canvasulness 08 Resources for viewing and creating art both in and out of the church: reviews of Image; Visual Faith; and The Creative Life.

08 ResourcesEmbodying Christianity Reviews of three books on alternative medicine, as well as God’s Plans for You, and Symbols of the Christian Faith.

12 ReflectionsChristian Classical Learning Preston Jones bends a discerning ear toward the growing movement of Christian classical schools. 02 Editor’s Note 03 Dialogue 14 TunedStuff Tha Int Matters The surprisingly thoughtful songs that shouldn’t really surprise us from a heavy metal band, . Critique Issue #3 - 2002

Editor Denis Haack

Managing Editor Marsena Konkle

Contributing Editors Steven Garber, R. Greg Grooms, Editor’sNote Donald Guthrie, John Mason Hodges, David John Seel, Jr., Work, Rest, and Busyness Andrew H. Trotter, Jr. Board of Directors Craig M. Chambers MD few months ago us, “Jesus being paged out of the Last Supper? Or Dept. of Internal Medicine, Dr. Richard getting a call on his cell phone?” Olmsted Medical Center A Swenson, author of several books pub- Beyond Jabez Steven Garber lished by NavPress, In Critique #9-2001, Donald Guthrie reviewed Scholar-in-Residence at Council for Christian Colleges and lectured at L’Abri on The Prayer of Jabez, a slim book that has become Universities margin and overload. something of a publishing phenomenon. Now “We do not know re:generation quarterly (issue #7.3, p. 6) has some Donald Guthrie what heaven looks fun with the topic asking why Jabez’s prayer gets Vice President for like,” Swenson says, all the attention. “The Bible is full of obscure Academics at Covenant Theological Seminary “but this much we know: God is not pacing the petitions ripe for spinning into the next self-help throne room anxious and depressed because of success,” they point out. “All it takes is some dig- Denis and Margie Haack, the condition of the world. He knows, He is not ging.” A few of their suggestions: co-founders of Ransom Fellowship surprised, and He is sovereign. It is okay if we “The prayer of a righteous woman” recorded in Rev. Ed Hague have limits. He is able.” Psalm 56:1: “O Lord, be merciful unto me, for men Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA He challenged us to consider how progress hotly pursue me.” always results in more and more of everything Paul’s prayer in Galatians 5:12: “Oh that Bonnie Liefer going faster and faster, so that at a certain point these agitators would go all the way and emascu- Director of Communications progress comes up against human limits. After all, late themselves.” for Coalition for Christian we were created as finite creatures. In the 50’s and Or the prayer of the daughters of Edom in Outreach 60’s, he noted, all the futurists predicted a slower, Lamentations 4:21: “I rejoice, that the cup shall Henry Tazelaar MD not a faster life. In fact, many predicted that by pass me over and I will become drunk and make Professor of Pathology, the turn of the century there would be one wage myself naked.” Mayo Medical School earner per family working no more than 20 hours per week. Obviously, they didn’t get that one An introduction Submissions quite right. You may not have noticed, but Critique’s mast- Critique considers unsolicited manuscripts only for poetry. Wired magazine (December 1999) fills us in head (the column immediately to the right on E-mail: [email protected] with some statistics on the topic. The average this page) grew by one name in the last issue. or mail with SASE to: German worker, for example, works 34.35 hours/ Rev. Ed Hague, pastor of Christ Church PCA in Critique Managing Editor week and takes 30.0 paid vacation days each year. Athens, GA, joined Ransom’s Board of Directors. 406 Bowman Avenue In France the average is 34.06 hours of work/ We have been praying for years that God would Madison, WI 53716 week and 25.3 paid vacation days each year. In provide a minister who shares Ransom’s vision for Norway the numbers are 29.31 work hours/week cultural discernment and engagement to join the Correspondence and 21.0 days paid vacation. In hard working Board. Since so much of our work impacts the All other correspondence Japan: 38.38 work-hours/week and 20.0 days church, and is accomplished in and through the and changes of address: vacation. And now the statistic you were waiting church, we wanted someone with a pastor’s per- Denis D. Haack for: In the United States the average worker puts spective to help direct the ministry. God has 1150 West Center Rochester, MN 55902 in 39.47 hours/week and takes 12.1 paid days of answered that prayer in Ed, and we are very Ransom_Fellowship@ ■ vacation each year. grateful. compuserve.com Could we be too busy, saying Yes to too ~Denis Haack much? “Can you imagine,” Dr. Swenson asked Copyright © 2002 by Ransom Fellowship

Critique #3 - 2002 2 Dialogue Abstinence Education continued... eel responds to Mr. Grooms: Lewis counsels, “What we want is not more Thank you for taking the time to little books about Christianity, but more little S respond to the ongoing discussion books by Christians on other subjects—with regarding abstinence education. While we have their Christianity latent.” At issue is what never met, as a fellow Contributing Editor of “latent” means. It must remain consistent with Critique, I take your criticism seriously and am a biblical worldview and not subtly accommo- sorry my article disappointed you. It has been date itself to another one. Too often, well- said that disagreement is an accomplishment. intentioned evangelicals are guilty of commu- Too often we fail to understand the nub of a nicating forms of religious humanism by You are invited to take part in disagreement. Let me see if I can add further promising change that in the end requires the Critique’s Dialogue. Address all light on our differences. (Denis Haack’s recent gospel (i.e., have a great family life by learning correspondence to: article, “Christ is Lord in Tolerant Babylon,” these communication techniques). has much to add to this discussion.) Abstinence education is being presented Marsena Konkle Let me be clear that I am in favor of as a form of secular social policy. Politics Critique Managing Editor abstinence—chastity is a better term in that it establishes laws that constrain behavior. But 406 Bowman Avenue associates sexual behavior with morality. I am laws constrain behavior effectively when their Madison, WI 53716 only critical of how abstinence education is intent is also affirmed in the beliefs of the being presented in our public schools. I do people. In the end, people cannot be coerced or e-mail: not believe the approach being taken is an legislatively, as the failed attempt at Prohibi- [email protected] effective way to change behavior. It may also tion proves. If there was cultural support for prove to be counterproductive, even under- chastity until marriage and significant shame Unfortunately, we are unable to mining the good it is attempting to achieve. when it was violated, abstinence education respond personally to all correspon- Nor do I believe that our communication might still have purchase in the lives of young dence received, but each one is about life, morality, or even the gospel requires adults. But this is not the case as the movie 40 greatly appreciated. We reserve the that we say everything. It is never an all or Days and 40 Nights recently illustrated. right to edit letters for length. nothing presentation. Our words must be tai- As University of Virginia sociologist lored to the context and the person. As you James Hunter explains, character education suggest, Christians can appeal to common without a moral framework will have no bind- grace in public life without having to agree or ing address in individual lives. He concludes even assert the epistemic grounds for our his book, The Death of Character: Moral shared understanding. There are many nonbe- Education in an Age Without Good or Evil, by lievers who hold to the importance of human saying, “It is difficult to think of another age dignity and freedom of conscience, for exam- when the key socializing institutions for the ple, who do not have the philosophical foun- cultivation of normative ideals and virtuous dation to make the claim. Often one finds that habit have been so reluctant to communicate people hold to partial truth without the basis to children their standards and the god-terms for doing so. This is the experience Paul speaks that give them sanction... Against this formi- of as “holding the truth in unrighteousness.” dable array of historical and sociological cir- Pre-evangelistic strategies, however, need cumstances, our political establishment offers to point beyond themselves rather than leav- a range of trite palliatives.” Likewise, Katie ing the impression that they are sufficient in Roiphe in Last Night in Paradise: Sex and themselves. They need to be pointers and not Morality at the Century’s End, dismisses what promises, starters and not conclusions. C.S. continued on page 11...

3 Critique #3 - 2002 The Darkened Room

Things Have Changed office, angering and setting him off again. A review of Another time, one is addressing an envelope containing the papers that will let the other Changing Lanes off the hook, just as he listens to a phone message that turns him once again into a by Drew Trotter revenge-seeking monster. Back and forth the story goes, building in intensity until the two do blatantly criminal, even life-threatening, Hollywood is not exactly known for films acts to one another. The plot severely strains that explore the difficulty modern man has credulity in several places, but the viewer with concepts like repentance or forgiveness. doesn’t care because its movements are so Changing Lanes is a stunning exception. unexpected and deal with such serious moral Lanes, the product of a collaboration questions that we don’t have time to notice between first time scriptwriter Chap Taylor continuity problems. Film Credits and veteran Michael Tolkin (The Player, The And that is only one of the movie’s Starring: Ben Affleck Rapture), tells the story of two men, caught strengths. Able and clear direction from (Gavin Banek) in the desperate situation of being late to Roger Michell (Notting Hill) enables Ben Samuel L. Jackson (Doyle Gipson) court for hugely important, though hugely Affleck to give thus far the best performance Kim Staunton different, reasons, who have a minor acci- of his career and Samuel L. Jackson to play (Valerie Gipson) dent that alters each of their lives forever. the angry but conflicted Doyle with a subtle- Toni Collette (Michelle) Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) is a young, rich, ty and range that goes well beyond the talky Sydney Pollack white lawyer carrying important papers that script. All the supporting performances are (Stephen Delano) Richard Jenkins will enable his superiors to profit from an magnificent, contributing to the film in the (Walter Arnell) unethical, if not illegal, action and he’s try- way minor characters are supposed to. Toni Ileen Getz (Ellen) ing to get to court to file those papers. Collette, as Gavin’s mistress/associate and Amanda Peet Doyle Gipson, played humbly, yet powerful- Amanda Peet, as his wife, note special men- (Cynthia Banek) ly, by Samuel L. Jackson is an older, poor, tion, but William Hurt, Kim Staunton and William Hurt (sponsor) black insurance salesman traveling to court Sydney Pollack are no less remarkable in for a final hearing on the custody of his two their roles. The actors all supplement a script Director: Roger Michell sons. The two men blame each other for heavy on dialogue and a cinematography their misfortunes and spend the rest of the with little interesting from a visual stand- Screenplay: Chap Taylor day (importantly, Good Friday) playing out point with elegant facial work (the film is Michael Tolkin their anger in a series of punitive acts. The filled with close-ups and two shots). Jackson’s movie seems set up for a formulaic, tiresome sad, hunched-over portrayal is a particularly Producers: Ronald M. Bozman mano-a-mano battle between these two with virtuoso performance. He makes the middle- Scott Rudin a hackneyed ending. Guess who, in Holly- aged Gipson seem older than his years by Adam Schroeder wood these days, would win? physically portraying the effects of the char- Original music: Lanes gives us the battle we expect, but acter’s alcoholism and pent-up anger without David Arnold almost nothing else. From the moment of seeming affected in any way. Cinematographer: the car wreck, the movie takes twists and The movie has formal weaknesses (par- Salvatore Totino turns, usually relating to the consciences of ticularly some poor editing though the two- D e v e Costume Designer: the two main characters, that leave us baffled car wreck scenes are some of the best work l o p

i Ann Roth n and questioning what will happen next. One ever), but form is not this movie’s champi- g

D i

s of the two picks up the phone to call off the oning element. Rarely does a Hollywood

c Rated R for language. e r n

m war and apologize just as a fax comes to the movie in scene after scene raise such complex e n t

D D D D Deepening Discipleship 4 moral questions; Changing Lanes is almost too marriage will full of them for the viewer to assimilate the look like in a few ideas and sort them out without chaos result- years, much less ing. Questions about ethical legal procedure, what Gavin will responsibility to one’s employers, the impor- be like. If he tance of doing what is right over what is expe- comes out of this dient, provision for one’s children versus doing moral frame- the neighborly thing, marital responsibility, work as a good resisting temptation—all these and more fill man, then God almost every scene. But chief among them is the question of pride and its effect on the human heart, especially Chief among the issues raised in this movie is the question of pride when the pressure is on. Neither and its effect on the human heart, especially when the pressure is on. man is able to say “I am sorry” and forgive the other his sins, and this inability really does live on Wall Street. variety and number of powerful discussion forms the moral center of the film, resulting in And perhaps most importantly, as in the starters that Changing Lanes has. Though the mayhem that almost kills each of the main movie reviewed last time in these pages, In the flawed, Lanes does not disappoint as a story characters. Bedroom, God is left out of the entire process. that causes one to think, and think hard, When the two finally do come to a reso- When Gavin, lost and seeking, drops into a about what we as a culture view as “repen- lution at the end of the film, their rapproche- Catholic church (remember: the action takes tance” and its consequences. It is a step in the ment carries a moral uplift that reverses the place entirely on Good Friday) for advice, the right direction to present human forgiveness common, contentless, unbelievable Hollyood best the priest can muster as an answer to his and reconciliation, and does so with power ending. The development of each character, dilemma is the Rogerian response, “Why does and grace. ■ especially that of Gipson, is well paced by the world have to have meaning?” Gavin right- ~Drew Trotter Michell; the audience feels they have learned ly throws up his hands as if to say, “If you don’t Dr. Andrew H. Trotter, Jr., is the executive director of the the futility of revenge by the time the two give know the answer to that question, I don’t need Center for Christian Study in Charlottesville, Virginia, up and reconcile. to waste my time here anymore.” And if that is where he teaches and writes on theology and culture, focus- The reconciliation, however, does have all the church does have to say, he is right. ing on modern American film. Copyright © 2002 by Hollywood-style consequences. We are sup- No film in recent memory contains the Andrew H. Trotter, Jr. posed to believe that a single off-camera conversation changes a woman’s mind Q UESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION about staying with her hus- band when years of chaos and 1. Paintings play an important role in this film—as establishing shots, as background metaphors, as con- anger have made her take a trolling images for a scene. Which use of a painting most affected you and why? What about the world- hard line in custody proceed- view represented in that painting, or perhaps by the painter, makes it a good one for use in the scene? ings just hours before. And an 2. A technique called “slow ramping” (zooming in on a subject by increments rather than one, continuous ambiguous dinner scene lens activity) is used in the final scene. How does it contribute to what that scene means in the story? involving the blackmail of Gavin’s father-in-law and 3. As we have argued above, the formal power of this movie comes from its strong character development. employer, and with him Of the two main characters, which one was the most interesting to you? Why? Gavin’s wife, purportedly 4. A major sub-theme of this movie is well-described by one of the main characters when he describes the forms the basis for a pro bono world as a sewer. Do you see it this way? What do you mean by that? legal career in a sophisticated, Wall Street law firm. I’d like to 5. Are these characters “real” to you? What makes them so? Focus on one scene and its dialogue to answer see what that work place and the question.

5 Critique #3 - 2002 Paper and Canvas

Aesthetic Faithfulness People with renewed minds are not to approach Nurtured at L’Abri as a young man, who can lead the way. Besides helping life as if sensually numbed. Turner’s pilgrimage has taken him into us see art and culture in terms of the Steve Turner the world of popular art where he has biblical story of Creation, Fall, and sought to live with biblical integrity as a Redemption, Turner addresses the Christians must discover a renewed vision for the writer and poet. Along with several col- common concerns and misconceptions arts, especially the visual arts—a “renewed lections of poetry, he has written books that so many believers have about art. vision” because the gifts of imagination and on Eric Clapton, U2, and Van Morrison. Objections are treated with integrity, vision are a part of the Christian’s birthright. Over the years I have been grateful for and Turner’s answers reveal his commit- William Dyrness Steve Turner, returning again and again ment to biblical orthodoxy. Imagine is to poems that say so much so well. His compelling because it is rooted in the As evangelical Christians we have tended to rele- faithful creativity has enriched my imagi- Scriptures, because it is written by some- gate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of nation, and increased my love of God. one who loves words, and because it is human life we feel is more important... We have Now, with a maturity born of a life- the product of a life lived out on the misunderstood the concept of the time seeking to read the intersection of Christian faith and a Lordship of Christ over the whole of world as he reads the Word, post-Christian culture. Lively and practi- man and the whole of the universe Turner has written a book cal, Imagine shows us what it means to and have not taken to us the riches designed to help us be dis- think and live faithfully in relation to that the Bible gives us for ourselves, art, pop culture, cre- for our lives and for our culture. “The best art doesn’t tell people ativity, and the grace Francis Schaeffer of imagination. His what to believe but enables illustrations through- magine them, for a short time, to see out are insightful, and I first discovered Steve reveal his ability to I Turner in the 70’s through things differently.” listen with care to his poetry. At the time I was not those who may not given to reading much poetry, but his cerning in a world where art and culture share his deepest convictions and values. poems caught my attention: vibrant and are essential because people are made in And, as you might guess, his analysis of surprising, Christian without being nec- the image of the Creator. But please much of what passes for “Christian” art essarily “religious,” and profoundly sub- ignore the subtitle. A Vision for Christians and music is a thoughtful and much versive. “Why don’t we try loving each in the Arts suggests you can safely ignore needed corrective. other?” asks the opening line of this book if you aren’t an artist, but that I recommend Imagine to you highly. “Humanist’s Love Poem.” “Feeling this would be an error. Please read it if you Though it doesn’t come with discussion molecular urge for you / we must chemi- are an artist, and if you aren’t. questions, it would be an excellent study cally react if we can.” This was apologet- “The best art,” Turner argues, for small groups, and is provocative ics with a sense of humor, taking the “doesn’t tell people what to enough to generate discus- Naturalism of the day with enough seri- believe but enables them, for a sion on its own. ousness to expose its fatal flaw. Turner short time, to see things differ- celebrated love and the glory of God’s ently, and the Christian can Visual Faith good world, now so broken, and reflected enable people to momentarily I discovered William on it in ways that prompted response. glimpse the world through eyes Dyrness around the same “Natural History,” for example, is a med- that have been touched by time I discovered Turner, D e v e itation on mortality and meaning that Christ.” That challenge applies but truth be told, my reac- l o p i n was worthy of Ecclesiastes’ Teacher. to more than artists, of course, tion was quite different. g

D i

s “Most of us,” it begins, “do not go down but may God raise up a genera- Dyrness is a scholar who c e r n

m / in history, / we just go down...” tion of artists among his people has much to teach me, but e n t

D D D D Deepening Discipleship 6 Isn,tOptional whose scholarship requires discipline if I am Now, in Visual Faith: Art, Theology, and introducing a new idea, but by calling us to learn. He studied in Holland with Dr. Worship in Dialogue, Dr. Dyrness restores back to the Scriptures.. Rookmaaker, and in 1971 published a art to its rightful biblical place in the I commend Visual Faith to you. Please thoughtful study of the themes of degrada- church in a carefully argued and balanced read it and give a copy to every elder in your tion and grace in the art of the painter work of theology. church. Georges Rouault. L’Abri had taught me that, “Contrary to what our tra- as Rookmaaker was fond of saying, art needs dition may have taught us,” Postscript: studies & exercises no justification and is included in the cultur- Dyrness writes, “I believe that The Creative Life: A Workbook for al mandate which defines biblical faithful- making beautiful forms is theo- Unearthing the Christian Imagina- ness. So I was eager to learn about art. logically connected to our call tion is a Bible study guide designed Rouault: A Vision of Suffering and Salvation both to listen and respond to to provoke reflection on creativity was to say the least, a very stretching read, God in prayer, praise, and and imagination from a Christian but it also thrilled me as an example of a sacrament.” He does not mean perspective. Some will want to use it Christian scholar engaging the world of by this that the art should be for small group study, and it comes modern art in a way that glorifies Christ. limited to religious themes complete with a leader’s guide for But then over appro- that purpose. And some of us (my time, a problem priate preference) will want to extract some revealed itself—a rather “Making beautiful forms is for corporate wor- of the Bible studies and exercises as a supple- Protestant problem. theologically connected to ship, but he makes a ment to studying Imagine. Either way, it’s a Evangelicals believe our call both to listen and compelling argument useful resource. ■ that the cultural man- that this should be ~Denis Haack date of Genesis calls us respond to God in prayer, part of the recovery to faithfulness in the praise, and sacrament.” of a biblical view of Sources: arts, but most also art for Prot-estants. Art & the Bible by Francis A. Schaeffer (Downers Grove, believe that art, espe- He is also culturally IL: InterVarsity Press; 1979) p. 7. Up to Date: Poems for cially visual art must never invade our wor- sensitive and understands that evangelism in people who feel that poetry has forgotten them by Steve ship. In this they are following the Reformers a postmodern world must include a concern Turner (Belleville, MI: Lion; 1976, 1980, 1982) p. 31, who rid the Church of images, seeing them for image and beauty. “It is true that the 79. as idolatrous, a hindrance to the true worship Protestant imagination has been nourished of God. I remember Francis Schaeffer saying uniquely by the spoken and written Word, Books reviewed: that he regretted that the Reformers did not and therefore, we tend to think that every- Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts by Steve preserve all that art instead of destroying it, one must be spiritually and morally nour- Turner (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press; 2001) but at the time they didn’t see it as some- ished in the way that we (and our forebears) 128 pp. + notes. Visual Faith: Art, Theology, & Worship thing worth preserving. Since then the Prot- have been. Surely these verbal means are of in Dialogue by William A. Dyrness (Grand Rapids, MI: estant church has tended to be devoid of critical importance. But our children and Baker; 2001) 161 pp. + notes + index. The Creative Life: visual art. This has always struck me as very their friends have been raised in a different A Workbook for Unearthing the Christian Imagination by unfortunate, and though I have understood world; they are often uninterested in our Alice Bass (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press; 2001) the arguments behind it, they have always traditional word-centered media. Instead, 115 pp. + leaders guide. seemed to me to be contrary to Reformed they are looking for a new imaginative theology. Christianity is an embodied faith, a vision of life and reality, one they can see fact underscored supremely by the Incarna- and feel, as well as understand.” tion, and though visual art can like any good Visual Faith is an important work of gift become a snare in this fallen world, that theology, correcting an unfortunate error is no reason to conclude that true worship which has plagued the evangelical Protestant can not embrace both word and image. community for far too long. It does so not by

7 Critique #3 - 2002 Resources

Examining Alternative lace yourself in this situation. You that would lead you to rely less upon his applicability of the message. Your next- have been told you have an illness omnipotent rule, that would substitute door secular humanist will find it diffi- P for which conventional medicine for grace, and that would invite an cult enough to answer the question does not have a known or desirable treat- unwanted spiritual force into your life? “Does it work and is it safe?” The ment and that many doctors don’t believe Should you ask your doctor? Would she Christian has an additional level of dis- exist—let’s say the dreaded “dentopuritic dismiss your suffering, faith, or intuition? cernment to reach for: an examination of syndrome*” whose main symptom is Should you ask your elders? Would they her situation in light of the truth of the uncontrollable itching of the teeth. There just stare with a blank expression, not Gospel and recognition of her position are no laboratory tests to prove with relation to her creator/ you have it, but you suffer sig- redeemer. In other words, “Is it nificantly, always wondering why Our embodied souls and our ensouled lawful and wise to utilize?” other people don’t have the urge bodies must each be treated as an As a Christian family doctor to chew on a Brillo pad. intentional creation of our God. that practices an ever-increasing You desire healing, you lift amount of nutritional and preven- your concerns to the Lord in tive medicine I am accountable to prayer, and you wait. Suddenly like a knowing enough detail to provide you God for the therapies I recommend. I flash out of providence a subtitle on Yoga with fitting guidance? teach and treat to the best of my ability Illustrated grabs you: “Healing Touch The widespread nature of alternative and try to model my teachings to those Cured My Teeth-Itch.” The national therapies and the modern idolatry of per- who come to me for help. While there magazine touts a particular yoga vinyasa petual youth have made the above quan- are individuals that derive no benefit as “the path to breathing out the itch of dary an everyday occurrence. Sadly, the from my efforts, there are many who dentopuritic disease.” As you are paging more we learn about health, the more note a significant improvement in their through the article, a stranger notices complicated our lives become. The ques- mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. and reveals that he too has DPS, and has tions raised above are difficult to answer, This sense of ‘well-being’ is a reflec- been able to control his symptoms by but necessary to address. tion of how closely an individual’s per- chelation therapy and mega-dose herbal We must make choices on how we ception of health and current experience supplements. care for our body-temple. We must evalu- match. How we define health dramatical- What is this flood of potential alter- ate the trustworthiness and motivation of ly influences our relationship with healers native therapies? A gift of God? Or a trap each messenger and the validity and and our evaluation of therapeutic modali- Briefly Noted: Wisdom for living I have only been in J. I. Packer’s presence once. He lectured at a conference, and I approached him afterwards with a question. “Oh, I would have thought that obvious,” he said, before helping me to understand why it should have been. Some of us need help thinking through what we believe, and for that, J. I. Packer is a wonderful mentor. God’s Plans for You is a collec- tion of 15 succinct essays on a variety of topics from joy to poor health to sanctification to church reformation. The chapter “Guidance: How God Leads Us,” for example, is worth the price of the book. “The aim throughout [the book],” Packer says, “is to show how life looks and feels when lived by faith in the sovereign God of the Bible, and to help in forming atti-

D tudes, focusing values, and making decisions amid the perplexing cross-currents of decadence e v e l by Denis Haack o in the culture and the church.” As with all his writing, Packer is never dry, and his passion for p i n g ■ truth, love of God, and clarity of thought always leads us not just to faithfulness, but to adoration. D i s c e r n Book recommended: God’s Plans for You by J. I. Packer (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books; 2001) 219 pp. + notes. m e n t

D D D D Deepening Discipleship 8 Medicine ties. I have the privilege of caring for a man himself. So he sent messengers, saying to native medicine abound at the bookstores, who seems to have half of the diseases in my them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god but few address the topic from a Christian internal medicine textbook, yet sees himself of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this perspective. However, there are three recent as healthy and able to contribute to the lives injury.” But the angel of the LORD said to publications which all deal with the inte- of those around him. Others, more numer- Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the gration of Christian faith and alternative ous, have little objective disease, but much messengers of the king of Samaria and ask medicine. dis-ease about life. them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel The Center for Bioethics and Human The amount the U.S. spends on health that you are going off to consult Baal- Dignity as part of their “BioBasics Series” care is expected to rise to $1.37 trillion in Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Therefore this is has published a basic, concise guide, Basic 2002. That’s equal to 13.9% of the gross what the LORD says: ‘You will not leave Questions on Alternative Medicine: What is domestic product. Is this right? “For where the bed you are lying on. You will certainly Good and What is Not—quite a lofty under- your treasure is, there your heart will be also” die!’” So Elijah went. 2 Kings 1:2-4 taking for less than 100 small pages. Auth- (Mt. 6:21). Is our health an idol? Is our ored by a seven person team, it exudes the relentless search for healing in part a symp- In contrast, King Hezekiah of Judah became wisdom of counsel, speaking clearly and con- tom of the disease of faithlessness? deathly ill and was told by the prophet Isaiah cisely on the interaction of faith and alterna- The Christian’s perspective of Health that he would not recover. Heze- tive medicine. The question- should be fundamentally different given our kiah chose to respond differently answer format is very easy to knowledge that our nature is fallen, our sal- than Ahaziah. navigate and the entire book vation is secure, our mission is divine and may be read in a few hours. our value is priceless. In modern times I Hezekiah turned his face to the Examining Alternative believe we understand health as a greater wall and prayed to the LORD, Medicine: An Inside Look at the good than blessedness. This is a perception “Remember, O Lord, how I have Benefits and Risks, by Paul C. that is well worth re-examination. People can walked before you faithfully and Reisser, MD, Dale Mabe, DO, be blessed, and therefore healthy, despite with wholehearted devotion and and Robert Velarde. I found the poor circumstances. For an exercise in under- have done what is good in your book to be well-written and per- standing the depth of health our God would eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitter- suasive rather than informative have for us go to the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12) ly. Then the word of the LORD in its style. Several hot topics of and replace the word blessed with healthy. came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Alternative Medicine and its Our definition of Healing should have Hezekiah, ‘This is what the LORD, the mainstream leaders (Andrew Weil and spiritual-eternal and physical-temporal facets; God of your father David says: I have heard Deepak Chopra) are given a chapter for our embodied souls and our ensouled bodies your prayer and seen your tears; I will add thoughtful discussion. must each be treated as an intentional cre- fifteen years to your life.’” Isaiah 38:2-5; 2 The role of postmodern thought and the ation of our God. Our bodies and human Kings 20:2-6 rise in acceptance of alternative therapies is relationships teach us experientially about appropriately titled “Escape From Reason.” our Creator and serve as an ongoing analogy God’s reply to the kings shows that our The authors state, “...if we muzzle the skep- of our continuing need for grace. Some of us health care choices are not value neutral. Our tic, insist that ‘how I feel’ is the only basis for may need more teaching than others. obedience and submission to the one true evaluating any treatment and demand that Our Healer must always be recognized God must be paramount and not denigrated any and all claims about healing are equally to be the one, true God and not His agents by the form of healing we pursue—whether valid, we can bid medical progress farewell.” on this earth. There are lawful and unlawful conventional or alternative. A discussion of homeopathy and Therapeutic forms of healing for the follower of the one Still, the questions remain. What is a Touch details the seemingly absurd asser- true God. Two kings of Israel illustrate this. person with DPS to do? Does it work? Is it tions of these two fields of practice and safe? Is it lawful? Is it wise? Should I use it? explores the difficulty a post-modern culture Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice Clearly, more information is needed about imposes on the disciplined investigation of of his upper room in Samaria and injured DPS and its treatment. References on alter- the claims made.

9 Critique #3 - 2002 Resources cont.

Mabe, in a chapter entitled “Why I same practice for another person who is Left: A Former New Age Practitioner There is both danger searching for truth would be at best Tells His Story,” beautifully recounts the and potential good in meaningless and at worst opening oneself grace of God in his life and the reconcili- to the demonic.” ation of faith and alternative medicine in alternative medicine. We are called to be as wise as a ser- his practice. Unfortunately, I found the pent and as gentle as a dove (Mt. 10: general tone of this book to be somewhat its founder and proponent Rev. George 16b). There is both danger and potential arrogant. I can understand how the Malkmus, giving criticism and praise good in alternative medicine. There is authors desire to maintain truth and where it’s due. Finally, Alternative right and wrong, truth and falsehood, objectivity, but truth is not made strong- Medicine also effectively turns the exami- Christian freedom and responsibility. Our er by prideful connotation. If you want nation microscope back upon conven- mission is to be faithful—for this there is to sharpen your conventional medicine tional medicine. I highly recommend no alternative in medicine or in life. ■ axe, their grinding wheel is spinning at this book. ~David H. Haase, MD full clip. Let’s come back to your case of Finally, Alternative DPS. After investigating Yoga, *Dentopuritic Syndrome (DPS) is a fictitious disor- Medicine: The Christian you learn that it is Hindu in ori- der I just made up. If your teeth have begun to itch Handbook by Dónal gin and that traditional yogic uncontrollably while reading this article you may O’Mathúna, PhD, and exercises of posture and breath actually be suffering from hyper-suggestability syn- Walt Larimore, MD, is real- are intended to culminate in drome, a far greater problem than DPS, but treat- ly two books in one. The spiritual enlightenment. One able through daily exercises in discernment. first several chapters exam- way this occurs is in the experi- ine health, disease and suf- ence of “Kundalini arousal.” In David H. Haase M.D. and family are currently home- fering, principles of good Hindu mythology Kundalini is less and jobless, sponging off family and friends until health, and an overview of the serpent goddess who rests at he starts his new practice in Clarksville, TN. He hopes conventional, alternative, and ‘Christian’ the base of the spine and when aroused to practice “Whatever is wise and works,” to the glory therapies. The later chapters are a well- travels up the spine, activating the per- of God. Any charitable donations for his support may researched and structured encyclopedic son’s prana (life-force breath) and clearing be given to the American DPS Society, or Ransom evaluation of popular alternative thera- the person’s charkas (energy stations). Fellowship in his honor. pies, herbal remedies, vitamins and Doesn’t sound so ideal for the Christian, dietary supplements. It includes a scrip- eh? I interviewed a Christian that main- Books reviewed: ture index as well as a subject index. I tains a regular yoga practice and she said, Basic Questions on Alternative Medicine: What is found the book easy (and interesting) to “When you practice a series of asanas (or Good and What is Not edited by Gary P. Stewart read, broad in scope, focused in detail, poses) and combine that with deep (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications; 1998) 64 with easy to understand summaries of breathing and relaxation it produces a pp. Examining Alternative Medicine: An Inside Look each topic. Discussion was fair and heightened level of spiritual awareness. As at the Benefits and Risks by Paul Reisser, et al respectful, yet decisive when Biblical a Christian, after a yoga practice I can (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press; 2001) 320 truth gave such direction. Extensive scrip- (and do) open my bible and discern with pp. Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook tural notation and contextual biblical greater clarity because the mental and by Donal O’Mathuna and Walt Larimore (Grand quotations abounded in the text. Espe- physical distractions of this world have Rapids, MI: Zondervan; 2001) 512 pp. cially enlightening discussions revolved been removed, creating space for the around “Christian therapies” such as the workings of the Holy Spirit. The general D e v e Hallelujah Diet—a vegetarian diet focus- focus of yoga is to empty oneself to be l o p i n ed on raw foods and barley supplements. open to the divine. Since I know no g

D i

s The authors let the Bible speak for itself other divine but Christ who lives in me, I c e r n

m in evaluating this “Diet from God” and am meditating in obedience, but the e n t

D D D D Deepening Discipleship 10 Dialogue cont.

Discussing Sex Education ...Abstinence Education continued from page 3. she calls “morality light.” “Abstinence, sexual hough we do not have abstinence pre- men on abstinence. While I cannot account harassment codes, date-rape pamphlets, ‘safer sentations at our Christian school, I for the boys’ presentation, I have it on good sex,’ and The Rules give us the fervor, the T have previously been a student at authority that it was much like the girls’: a romance, and trappings of self-denial without schools with such programs. After reading list of horrible consequences that could hap- its deeper moral purpose.” This dismissal of Mr. Greg Grooms’ response [Critique #2 - pen if I chose to engage in sexual activity. abstinence education is from a woman who 2002] to Dr. Seel’s article, “Scaring the Sex Among this list were various STDs, heart- acknowledges both her past promiscuity and Out of You,” I found several points that I break, and the worst of them all...PREG- her unbelief in God. Roiphe, as well as think Mr. Grooms misunderstood. Mr. NANCY. (Gasp.) The second approach I teenagers, longs for moral clarity. It is high Grooms thinks these programs “convict stu- encountered when I transferred to The time we provide it. How else are we to be salt dents of sin,” yet they do not present sex in Cambridge School of Dallas and took some in decay and light in darkness? terms of right or wrong at all. The presenters of Dr. Seel’s classes, including Apologetics. Knowing what is right and having the merely show pictures of the awful diseases We discussed sexuality as opposed to its con- power to do what is right—particularly on and guarantee the loss of the audience’s sequences outside of marriage. We discussed Friday night—are not the same. In the end, appetite. Dr. Seel realizes those external steps sex as a good gift from God and intrinsic to heart change is needed. Short of conversion, such as “exercise, rest, proper nutrition, and our identity as humans. Sex was discussed in as we deal with nonbelievers, we should accountability structures” as well as prayer is its moral and spiritual context. avoid reducing sex to biology and abstinence important, but he also knows that if you I had two different responses to these to disease. Instead, we should be calling them don’t reach kids at the heart level, their approaches: the former made me nauseous to their highest dignity as those made in behavior is not going to change. Scare tactics and the latter helped me integrate my faith God’s image. Men are more than rabbits. only work for so long. Eventually, the fear with my sexuality, be compassionate towards Women are more than objects. Humanness wears off and the curiosity perks back up. To others, and understand the embodiment of demands it—which is why God does. talk on the heart level to kids about sex, Jesus human nature on a deeper level. The latter Morality is rooted in who we are. Morality is does not even have to enter into the conver- had a lasting impression and the former didn’t. tied to metaphysics. This is why Fyodor sation. Every single person deals with the While abstinence education does not Dostoyevsky could warn, “If God doesn’t deep longing to be loved, to have intimacy; necessarily need to explicitly state the gospel exist, everything is permitted.” by focusing on these desires a speaker can or even use Christ’s name, these presentations Whether we are talking to our neighbor point to God in a way that everyone can should approach sex as intrinsic to human- over the fence or in a public school assembly, relate to on a deeper level. Perhaps more stu- ness and morality. They should point to we need to be truthful in what we say, even if dents would be encouraged to think through Christ even if they don’t say his name. we don’t say all that we know to be true. their sexual decisions after some heart-level Linking sex’s biology with morality will give Abstinence education, as it is commonly pre- reflection. I’m just not convinced by Mr. kids a larger framework from which to sented in public high schools, based as it is Grooms’ argument that a granola bar and a approach sexuality as a whole. on a medical and therapeutic paradigm, couple of miles on the Nordic track will do As a Christian high school student doesn’t seem to meet this test. The issues you the trick. preparing for college, I am very nervous for raise are important. They get at the heart of Anne Briggs my friends who don’t have sex because they our engagement in a pluralistic society, a Dallas, Texas don’t want herpes or a baby. For them sex is society in which we can no longer assume an not a gift from God that is intrinsic to who understanding of objective moral standards ow do you stop kids, like me, from they are, but something they can get away —whether it’s about sex or evil itself. Sex, it having sex? During my school career, with if they’re careful. turns out, raises more questions than just sex. H I have encountered two distinct Emily Hyslop John Seel approaches by school officials. In my public Dallas, Texas high school, we had an assembly for all fresh-

11 Critique #3 - 2002 Reflections

Christian Classical any Christian parents have grown Moscow, Idaho, and “father” of the clas- of resources that will stimulate thought disenchanted with public educa- sical school movement, Christian schools and encourage an increasingly mature M tion, and some have opted to can’t operate within a “broad and gener- understanding of the integration of clas- send their kids to one of the over two ic” evangelicalism but only under the sical learning and the Christian world- hundred “Christian classical schools” that umbrella of “classical Protestantism,” view among schools that dare accept the have been established across the country that is, Reformed Christianity. Wilson challenge of a genuinely counter-cultur- since the early 1990s. The Christian clas- notes that many Catholic schools can al education.” And in contrast to the sical education movement, which com- justly claim the word “classical” (they reactionary language one sometimes prises schools with names such as Nehe- teach Greek and Latin, too). But, with hears from better-known classical school miah Christian Academy (CA) and the some exceptions, Catholic teachers are leaders, Littlejohn says things like, Geneva School of Manhattan, is growing excluded from participation. “Christians and educators...must be rapidly and is a major contributor to the While this is the general point of diligent to pursue truth with humility... revival of interest in Latin and classical view among most of the classical schools, We must read, pray, discuss, and exam- Greek now underway. a few have come to see that there’s some- ine our ideas and attitudes, and we “A classical Christian school...is thing strange about embracing—indeed must remain open to the work of the seeking theologically Reformed grammar making central—a pedagogical device Holy Spirit [in our efforts to educate and secondary teachers,” declares a com- invented by Catholics (the medieval triv- children].” mon classified ad in World magazine. ium which emphasizes grammar, logic If the Christian classical schools This particular school, like the some 170 and rhetoric) and studying Latin, which movement is going to be taken seriously educational institutions formally linked the Reformation did so much to shove in the academic world in the long run, to the Association of Classical and aside, while at the same time excluding its members would probably do well to Christian Schools as of April distance themselves from some of last year, is serious about of their current leaders. In learning. Its eighth graders Elements of the Christian classical schools addition to openly working read, among other demanding movement are motivated by cultural and against Christian interdenomi- texts, The Iliad. They also nationalism, Douglas Wilson study the New Testament in denominational separatism, but many has co-authored a short book Latin, and they have a year- just want what’s best for their kids. titled Southern Slavery As it long course in logic. Was (Canon Press) which While such schools are maintains, among other classical in several respects, there is a ten- Catholics from the classroom. Among things, that the antebellum South was, dency among them to embrace the word those who are taking this more open literally, a holy land and that slavery with insufficient discernment. Infanti- view are Robert Littlejohn, founder and bred mutual respect between the races— cide, ruthless gods and blood sports are director of the Eastern Consortium for indeed, that relations between blacks part of classical civilization, and being Classical Christian Schooling (ECCCS) and whites were never better than in the ancient doesn’t make something worth- and Charles Evans, Dean of Faculty at South before the Civil War. Wilson’s while. Many classical schools also seem St. Timothy’s-Hale School (Raleigh, NC) co-laborer in this effort is a neo- to be less than discerning when it comes and editor of the ECCC’s newsletter. Confederate Presbyterian minister and to interdenominational cooperation; for Insofar as academic integrity com- League of the South leader named J. while they seek breadth insofar as the bined with traditional yet ecumenical Steven Wilkins, whose views are profiled wealth of the Christian intellectual tradi- faith is concerned, the ECCCS is the in the spring 2001 issue of Intelligence D e v e tion is concerned, they tend to be nar- most promising association within the Report. Wilkins has been a speaker at l o p i n rowly exclusive. According to an article broader Christian classical school move- major conferences of the ACCS, and at g

D i

s published last year in World by Douglas ment. Charles Evans says that the goal their national conference in Memphis c e r n

m Wilson, founder of the Logos School in of the ECCCS is to “provide a network last June were featured the wares of a e n t

D D D D Deepening Discipleship 12 Learning neo-Confederate vendor. is often academically inferior to what can be So, the growing Christian classical had at good public schools. It’s also sad that schools movement has its challenges. elements of the Christian classical schools The good news is that thousands of movement are motivated by cultural and Correction Christian kids have received a good educa- denominational separatism—in the worst In the last issue of Critique, we called tion in their classical schools. Most of the cases, by neo-Confederate civil religionism. attention to Byron Borger and parents who send their children to schools But many in the movement want nothing to encouraged readers to use his book- affiliated with the ACCS aren’t aware of the do with separatism. They just want what’s store, Hearts and Minds, as a nature of some of the leaders’ views, and one best for their kids, which partly means that resource. Unfortunately, we gave the assumes that those views aren’t widely taught they want their children to grow into adults wrong URL, sending folks to a clear- in ACCS schools. Keen students taught at who are wise and, with God’s help, able to inghouse on terrorism, human rights, ACCS-affiliated schools have become fresh- navigate the rapids of this odd life. ■ and addiction. The correct URL is men at competitive universities (e.g. Van- ~Preston Jones www.heartsandmindsbooks.com and derbilt and the University of Virginia), and we regret the error. Thanks to Ed many of them can quote long passages of Preston Jones, a contributing editor to Books & Culture, Hague for spotting the error. Scripture and great literature from memory. teaches history, psychology and politics at The Cambridge At some of these schools, average students School of Dallas (formerly Logos Academy). Copyright © have five or six Advanced Placement exami- 2002 by Preston Jones. nations behind them by the time they grad- uate from high school. It’s a sorry fact that Christian education

Briefly Noted: Christian Symbols Though you wouldn’t guess it from the tiresome fish emblems Order From: adorning cars today, Christians have over the centuries developed a rich and creative array of symbols to express aspects of their faith. Now Alva Steffler, professor of art at Wheaton College, in a simple and helpful book gathers, illustrates, and briefly describes hundreds of them for a generation of evangelicals who have only recently discovered that visual symbols communicate truth in ways that words simply can not. Symbols of the Christian Faith is a wonderful resource, useful in all sorts of ways. It will increase our understanding of our Christian heritage. It will also broaden our imagination and deepen our love for the truth in all its clarity and mystery. It is a resource which can enliven our discussion handouts and studies. And unlike the over-

by Denis Haack worked fish, Steffler introduces us to a host of new (yet ancient) symbols which, if used All books mentioned in Critique may be creatively, may perhaps prompt questions and discussion in a cynical yet visually-orient- ordered directly from Hearts and Minds. ed world. ■ A portion of the proceeds will be donat- ed to Ransom Fellowship.

Book recommended: Symbols of the Christian Faith by Alva William Steffler (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans; 2002) 140 pp. + bib. + index.

13 Critique #3 - 2002 Tuned In

Stuff That Matters: don’t make a habit of listening to (lyrics/singer), (drums), Shavo —particularly Odadjian (bass). They have released two albums: I metal with a decidedly anti- System of a Down in 1997 and Toxicity in 2001. Christian, Green Party, left-leaning Raised in L.A.’s “Little Armenia,” the Armenian bias. But I do try to listen to what’s Genocide of 1915-1923 looms as a large shadow important to young adults. It’s my over their personal biographies and consciousness. calling as a father, educator, and In a century of genocide, the massacre of 1.5 sociologist. million Armenians (many of them Christians) by A month after September 11, I Turkish Muslims is both the forgotten genocide was in New York to visit my eight- and the archetype of all that would follow. Hitler een-year-old son, Alex, who attends would later justify to his top military commanders a boarding school there. During our his quest to rid the world of Jews in August 22, visit he insisted that I purchase 1939, when he said rhetorically, “Who, after all, The System of a Down’s latest album, Toxicity. A speaks today of the annihilation of the Armeni- month after its September 4, 2001, release, Toxicity ans?” This was a quote that would later be repeated went platinum. The record store clerk went on and at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal. (See Radical- on with an animated description of the group’s sig- Kevork B. Bardakjian’s Hitler and the Armenian nificance as I pulled out my credit card. [Rolling Genocide.) Stone: “smart rock and ardent social argument;” SOAD’s lead singer ’s grandfa- ization Time Magazine: “band screams loudest and most ther was raised in an American missionary eloquently.”] For months the CD sat on my desk, orphanage in Armenia after his parents and fami- unopened. I really don’t like metal. ly were exterminated. “I would not be alive if not of And then this spring my twenty-three year- for the American orphanages that raised my old-son, Dave, was pictured in The Washington Post grandfather after the Armenian Genocide of Pop leading an anti-globalization/environmental protest 1915, so I have a lot of love and respect for the march in Washington, DC. The byline under his good things that America has and can continue to picture read, “Dave Seel of Waterville, Maine achieve,” Tankian told CMJ magazine. Religiously [Colby College] protests U.S. foreign policy in inspired hatred and violence is a deeply personal Columbia as the procession makes its way toward reality for these four musicians. We may forget. the Capitol on the National Mall.” All of a sud- They cannot. den, System of a Down seemed a lot more rele- SOAD is hard to categorize politically or vant. It had become personal. I opened the CD musically. They are musically genre-bending— and listened. The words on the first cut, “Prison seeing metal as a Song,” caught my attention: malleable form. An eighth grade stu- Utilizing drugs to pay for secret wars around the dent at my school world / Drugs are now your global policy / Drug commented, “It’s money is used to rig elections / And train brutal like combining corporate sponsored dictators around the world metal and Opera.” They are sometimes This is not a typical “boy band.” These musicians compared to the D e v e have something to say. now disbanded East l o p i n System of a Down (SOAD) is a L.A. political rock- g

D i

s group comprised of four American Armenians— ers, Rage Against c e r n

m Serj Tankian (lyrics/lead singer), the Machine. But e n t

D D D D Deepening Discipleship 14 System of a Down System is far more nuanced. “While Rage was much who would think of humanity and the more in-your-face with their political standpoints, planet before corporations.” Nor does System is able to deliver them in a brilliant, finely he have any confidence in science or tuned way that would get you to give your house to technology. Stalin if they told you to,” writes Mike Hess in Night Times. Science has failed our world / Science System of a Down wants you to think—and to has failed our mother earth / Spirit- think about things that matter. They are not about moves-through-all-things single-issue politics or superficial Hollywood activism—but the natural expression of a radical- System is right; their concern is more ized consciousness that is critical of hypocrisy and than politics. It’s a worldview, a way of injustice wrapped in red, white, and blue symbols seeing reality. Their views represent a of capitalist greed. “If there is a message to the loose mix of Rousseauian romanticism, music, it is ‘Wake up!’ And not necessarily in any neo-pagan earth worship, and anti-glob- political way, but just think freely and think more. alist economics. “My belief is that vio- It’s like you watch television and listen to the radio lence in all forms is a low-level human energy out- and you let ‘em think and choose for you. Don’t be put, and undermines our existence as beings of afraid about what someone is going to think about light... All of us are radiant beings with physical tem- you. The reason why people tell us that our sound porary shells that seem to define us more than it by is so real and different is because we’re not afraid to should. When you listen to music and you are do what we like doing. It’s like Serj’s line that says, uplifted, the place you go is not physical,” Tankian David ‘Free thinkers are dangerous.’ Get dangerous... explains on the SOAD web page. For a far more What satisfies me at the end of the day is knowing realistic appreciation of nature and of our responsi- that I didn’t conform to the norm. As long as I can bility to it, one would do far better to read anything John stay true to myself and be proud of what I’m doing, by Wendell Berry. then I’m cool. Everything else is just an outside Christians are as quick to dismiss political dif- opinion,” singer Daron Malakian told Mean Street ferences as religious ones. But there are three themes Seel, Magazine in September. that we need to hear in System’s message: authentici- Their politics is not free-form libertarianism, ty, connection, and significance. SOAD is authen- but the politics of radical ecology. In the song, tic—close to their fans and inured of celebrity status. Jr. “ATWA,” which stands for “air, trees, water, ani- They haven’t “sold out.” This is a difficult balance to mals,” SOAD espouses killer Charles Manson’s maintain in the music business where pressures for ecological philosophy. “The main problem is that market success are as high as in any multinational people don’t consider themselves as nature,” corporate boardroom. SOAD is a reminder that Tankian remarked recently. In the song, “Forest,” there is more to life than the commodity form. he sings: Human authenticity demands it. Second, SOAD longs to enhance connec- Why can’t you see that you are my child / Why don’t tions—between people and between people and you know that you are my mind / Tell everyone in nature. In a fragmented world, we have lost all sense the world, that I am you / Take this promise to the of inter-connection. This is the meaning of their end of you album title, “toxicity.” Christians will disagree with the pantheistic direction of their solution. But we Serj acknowledges that he voted for Ralph Nader. must acknowledge that the reason this solution is so “I feel sorry for the universe. I don’t believe in attractive is rooted in our uncritical acceptance of any of those globalist pigs. I voted for the person continued on next page...

15 Critique #3 - 2002 Tuned In cont.

...continued from previous page. sex. We went from the twist to protest John Seel is the headmaster of The Cambridge School of songs in the ‘60s. We’ve been in a shallow Dallas, a Christ-centered, classical college preparatory free-market radical individualism (a conser- phase, but people get bored by shallow school. He is the author of Parenting Without Perfection: vative form of Social Darwinism) that stuff. I think the times are starting to Being a Kingdom Influence in a Toxic World (NavPress, rarely asks the question, “Who is my change,” Malakian explained to Gundersen. 2000) and a frequent speaker on education, teenagers, neighbor?” I hope so. The starting point of and culture. Copyright © 2002 by David John Seel, Jr. Third, System of a Down calls us to Christian discernment is not to agree or live lives of significance. Tankian chides, disagree about religion, politics, or music, “We’re not singing about bull s**t, but stuff but to listen for the heart of the other per- that matters.” Perhaps this suggests a cul- son. This is where human connection tural shift. Edna Gundersen of USA Today begins as well as social change. And so, for writes, “System resists categorization as Alex, I have finally written this review. For fringe mascots or single-issue activists. Dave, I sent this email after his brush with Malakian embraces multiple causes, politi- fame: “I’m proud of you for taking a stand cal, and musical, that he hopes will gain on matters that matter in a day when youth currency as the masses tire of bland enter- culture is trapped by its worship of con- tainment and social decay. The time is ripe sumerism and entertainment. Justice begins for cultural explosion, he says.” It is time to when one asks the question, ‘Who is my wake up. Free thinkers are dangerous. “In brother?’” These are lessons a father can the 50’s, they were singing, ‘Let’s do the learn from a heavy metal CD. ■ twist,’ which isn’t far from singing about ~John Seel

Critique Mailing List: Critique is not available by subscription; rather it is sent as a ministry to all donors to Ransom Fellowship, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-deductible ministry. To receive Critique, send donation with mailing address to: Ransom Fellowship, 1150 West Center, Rochester, MN, 55902. Everyone on Ransom’s mailing list also receives Notes from Toad Hall, a newsletter written by Margie Haack in which she reflects on what it means to be faithful in the ordinary and routine of daily life, and gives news about Ransom’s ministry. Critique is a newsletter (published nine times each year, funds permitting) designed to accomplish, by God’s grace, three things: 1. To call attention to resources of interest to thinking Christians. 2. To model Christian discernment. 3. To stimulate believers to think biblically about all of life. The articles and resources reproduced or recommended in Critique do not necessarily reflect the thinking of Ransom Fellowship. The purpose of this newsletter is to encourage thought, not dictate points of view.

Critique #3 - 2002