Issue #5 - 2000 A Publication of Ransom Fellowship CritiqueHelping Christians Develop Skill in Discernment In This Issue 04 TheYour DiscerningGod is Crazy Life A judge condemns himself instead of the criminal. How do you explain it? 05 OutJona ofthan TheirEdwar Mindsds A voice from the 1700s, reminding us of the importance of Bible study. 12 06 ThePray Darkeneding Warrior Fa Roomthers Drew Trotter reviews Gladiator and The Patriot. , 08 ReadingStudying fo ther all WordIt s Worth An excellent new resource for sharpening skill in studying the Bible. 02 Editor’s Note 09 ResourcesApologetics Giants Douglas Groothuis reviews a book on C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer. 03 Dialogue 03 Clicks 11 Poetry by Jane Greer 12 TunedWould J Inesus Mosh? John Seel asks if heavy metal music can be truly Christian. Critique Issue #5 - 2000 Editor Denis Haack Managing Editor Marsena Konkle Contributing Editors Editor’s Note Steven Garber, R. Greg Grooms, Douglas Groothuis, ne aspect of Christian discernment that is in a work which clearly reflected a pagan world Donald Guthrie, John Mason easily overlooked is the need to distinguish view, but that did not distract Paul from reading Hodges, David John Seel, Jr., O between primary or really essential issues, it, from noting the truth the poet was asserting, Andrew H. Trotter, Jr. and secondary, tangential ones. After all, if we and from using it as a point of contact for discus- correctly identify what issues are at stake, but sion with the Athenians. The fact that Paul Board of Directors then get distracted away from the important ones appropriated this quote without debating Craig M. Chambers MD by things that matter less, we’ve failed to stand whether it should be applied to Zeus made his for the truth in a way that is really crucial. witness all the more powerful. Something the Steven Garber, Scholar-in- Sometimes this is fairly simple. If someone Athenians believed to be true had suddenly— Residence at Council for asks a question about our faith, for example, but subversively—been turned into a reason to Christian Colleges and does so in a cynical or hostile manner, they still believe in Jesus. Universities deserve an honest answer. Refusing to care for Similarly, is it not possible that someone them because we don’t care for their attitude is an who has what my mother called a “foul mouth” Donald Guthrie, Vice President option the Christian dare not choose. It’s not that might say something that’s true, and even worth for Academics at Covenant cynicism and hostility are insignificant, but rather quoting? Might they not make a movie or write a Theological Seminary that from a biblical perspective, the person and novel which raises questions worth considering their question are of primary importance. and tells stories worth discussing, but with lan- Denis and Margie Haack, On the other hand, sometimes secondary guage that reflects the values and manners of co-founders of Ransom issues seem to loom large, especially when they Babylon, not Jerusalem? Fellowship are right in our face. Just because they are sec- Some suggest that to ignore bad language is ondary in importance for the conversation at evidence we don’t take such things seriously; Bonnie Liefer, Director of hand doesn’t mean they are unimportant. however, that need not be the case. Language is Communications at Coalition Consider language, for example. Profanity and important, but it is wrong to require Babylonians for Christian Outreach irreverence are important because words matter, to first clean up their manners before we’ll engage first of all, because they reveal what is at the core them, their art, and their questions seriously. Not Henry Tazelaar MD, Professor of our being. Words also make a difference. The only is it wrong, it is a denial of the gospel of of Pathology, Mayo Medical rhyme we all used to chant as children—”Sticks grace. What possible reason could we give for School and stones may break my bones, but words can being judgmental about how non-Christians never hurt me”—is a lie. Words can hurt, and the express their questions and ideas if our negative Submissions & scars they leave can last a lifetime. What is more, attitude becomes a barrier to discussing those Correspondence God exists, and that makes blasphemy a fearsome questions and ideas in light of the gospel? Critique considers unsolicited thing. Discerning Christians are concerned about manuscripts only for fiction So, some Christians make a point of asking manners, language, and civility, for these things and poetry. Mail with SASE to: neighbors and coworkers not to use certain words reflect what is in a person’s heart. They are also Marsena Konkle in their presence. Others are careful not to read convinced, however, that only the gospel of grace Critique Managing Editor novels or attend movies in which such language is is capable of truly changing a person’s heart. And 406 Bowman Avenue found. They are correct in believing that language that means they see and treat the non-Christian’s Madison, WI 53716 and manners are important. One wonders, manners and language for what it is: important, though, if they aren’t being distracted by some- but secondary. All other correspondence: thing that is of secondary importance. ~Denis D. Haack Denis D. Haack When Paul was in Athens he quoted one of 1150 West Center their pagan poets, agreeing that people, as created Rochester, MN 55902 beings, are the “offspring” of the Creator (Acts Ransom_Fellowship@com- 17:28). The poet was actually writing about Zeus puserve.com Critique #5 - 2000 2 Dialogue Kudos, Concerns, and a Click. hen the new and improved issue of Critique arrived in January, I wish http://www.boundless.org W you could have heard the response of our three teens: “Awesome!” “Wo-o-ow!” Boundless, Focus on the Family “Cool!” We heartily agree—it’s quite classy. Boundless is a web magazine—a webzine, We’ve taught our kids at home for eleven as those who know would call it—pro- years, and for the last three or four, I’ve set duced by Focus on the Family. I first aside Fridays as current events day, using learned about it because Steven Garber, Critique as a source of information, thought Ransom Board Member and contributor and dialogue. I’ve appreciated your help—for to Critique, writes an occasional column ourselves and the kids—in learning the skills called “Knowing and Doing,” in which of discernment. Recently another homeschool he explores the possibility of connecting You are invited to take part in family visited us from Colorado and was what we believe about the world with Critique’s Dialogue. Address all cor- delighted to discover such a resource existed how we live in it. Boundless is designed respondence to: ...And Margie, Toad Hall is a favorite. for Gen-Xers and Millennials, and the Denisse Cameron articles posted reflect that emphasis. Marsena Konkle Rugby, ND Critique Managing Editor Ransom Ratings 406 Bowman Avenue e so enjoy your publication, BUT I’m Design: Very simple, designed primarily Madison, WI 53716 concerned with the review of for text. W American Beauty [Issue #1 - 2000] or e-mail: that your latest missive portrayed. I was dis- Content: Go to the “Boundless [email protected] gusted with the awards that the production Archives” to locate articles by Dr. received. I have not seen it—but I would Garber, all of which we recommend Unfortunately, we are unable to rather active Christians take the stand that the highly. Also note the articles by Sarah respond personally to all correspon- article in Focus on the Family, “I Don’t Do Christian Thoughtfulness Hinlicky, whose thoughtful and provoca- dence received, but each one is the Titanic,” portrayed. I was disappointed in tive pieces often appear in First Things. greatly appreciated. We reserve the what I read as your tone of approval concern- Hinlicky posted two articles in the July right to edit letters for length. ing American Beauty. I hope you have other Boundless: “How to be Subversive—If complaints! Is the church to influence the You are a Guy” (Far from making men world or is the world to influence the church? unattractive, male chastity goes hand-in- Romans 12: 1-2 seems to apply. hand with a compelling masculinity) and Goldie Tutt “How to be Subversive—If You are a Farmington, NM Gal” (Feminism created the illusion that there’s no room for self-discovery outside [We appreciate your concerns—to see or not of sexual behavior. This virgin proves to see, that seems to be the question otherwise.). Christians are asking most. While we don’t claim the answers are easy or clear-cut, Denis Ease of Use: Primarily organized to make does plan to address more fully the issue of access to the various articles both quick movie-going in future installments of his and easy. Babylon series. We hope it will add to the dia- logue. ~Marsena] 3 Critique #5 - 2000 The Discerning Life Your God is Crazy A Judge Who Condemns Himself Instead of the Lawbreaker ften the questions we face in a plu- rates us from God, who knows no evil, chiatric hospital. Self-punishment of this ralistic culture require us to develop and since God is life, this means that the sort by a mentally healthy person is O an apologetic for our faith. A rea- penalty for evil is death. Christ accepted inconceivable. Of course God’s sense of sonable, winsome defense of what we the death we deserve as God’s punish- justice must be both stronger and more believe to be true.