The Current Religious Scene

I commend Present Truth Magazine as a courageous statement of the pivotal religious issue of our time. If we at all value the name "Christian" or wish to call ourselves by it, we had better make up our collective mind to return to the concepts of the adequacy and authority of the Scriptures by themselves for "all things that pertain unto life and godliness."

I must add a word of thanks to you for disabusing me of some incorrect secondhand opinions I have had of Martin Luther and John Calvin. I know they were fallible men like myself, but I was not aware of the fullness of their viewpoint and its closeness to the actual claims of Scripture. They were much more Biblical than I have given them credit for being.

T. B., Church of Christ Minister
Michigan

"Four Great Certainties"

For a long time I have admired and appreciated the material in Present Truth Magazine. However, I had one reason for disappointment with it. The material was great, but I felt that because of the type of arguments presented, it was not suitable to give to non-Christians. I had hoped that you would sometime publish something with this doctrinal basis which would be suitable for non-Christians. I believe you have done it with your booklet, Four Great Certainties.

J. K.
Colorado

"Sola Scriptura

I agree with you that ecumenism and neo-Pentecostalism are dangers to the church. However, I would like to point out that another very dangerous threat to the church lies in the un-Scriptural higher critical method, which many liberal and misguided pastors are using today. The laymen of the church should be aware ot this danger and be able to recognize it when they hear higher critical sermons from the pulpit. The method has as its basic premise that the Bible is not totally inerrant, that since men wrote the Bible there must necessarily be errors in it, that the Bible is only a container for the Word of God and not the very Word of God itself, and that through human reason a man can finally dig out what is God's Word from all the fallible human words in the Bible. This method not only denies the inerrancy of Scripture but purports to be able to interpret through human reason, which is a denial of the principle that only Scripture interprets Scripture. If one is to follow the Reformation dictum of sola Scriptura, then this subjective method of interpretation is false.

J. B., Lutheran Seminary Student
Missouri

"The Protestant Era at an End!"

I believe that your brochure, The Protestant Era at an End! "hits the nail on the head" as far as stating where we are at this critical time in our history. The more people can understand what is happening, the better they will be able to make a stand for the historic faith once for all delivered to the saints.

T. S., Presbyterian Minister
Virginia

Eternal Security

Wow, what a relief! For so long I have been searching for my salvation in an almost forgotten childhood experience and, in the process, only reaping a harvest of doubts. Present Truth Magazine has come as a true gift as I've come to see that my salvation has been made complete in Jesus Christ and that His imputed righteousness is mine today through faith. This is real assurance. The truth shall indeed make one free!

D. B.
California

"Narrow"

Sir: You are "narrow" in your views on the authority of Scripture. You are "narrow" in your view of the work of the Holy Spirit. You are "narrow" in your view of experience versus gospel. You are "narrow" in your view of the current Pentecostal, Catholic and neo-evangelical movements. Thank God for that "narrow" view, for it is needed today in a world of theological "broadness." I enjoy your publication.

D. B., Baptist Minister
Michigan

Surprise

Brinsmead continues to delight with his deep insight into the heart of the gospel. But it is a surprise to find him comfortably quoting Paul Tillich, however true the isolated quotation might be.

R. R., Lutheran Minister
California

Freedom to Obey

I have read most of the special issue entitled "Justification by Faith and the Charismatic Movement." You are making a helpful contribution to what will be, I suspect, the most intense and, hopefully, the most fruitful theological debate within the Christian church in a long time. We may indeed be on the verge of a new Reformation. In so far as it is of God, I am sure you would agree that we can welcome it.

As I observe the charismatic movement locally and stay in touch with it personally, I share your concern about a total submersion in subjectivity. On the other hand, the growth, not only of the charismatic movement, but of the human potential movement in secular circles, and its appeal to Christians and to church programing in such forms as "relational theology" as propagated by Faith at Work and WORD publishers, is an unmistakable sign that the dimension of the emotional life has been woefully neglected in the teaching and Christian experience of our "mainline" Protestant churches. We seem unable to reach a balance between the objective reality of the gospel, which alone gives us a place to stand in assurance of God's saving grace, and the filling of the Spirit, which enables us, without debauchery, to express freely and joyfully the feelings that, as creatures of the flesh, are also God's gift. To literally thousands, perhaps millions, of serious, struggling, earnest Christians, this question of how to experience within the liberty and joy which Christ came to bring is "where it's at."

Unless the gospel we preach is God's vehicle of grace for truly setting people free for joyous, obedient living, there is something wrong in the way we are communicating it. Simply to say that we must hold on to the objectivity of the gospel, while necessary, is not sufficient, The same apostle who so powerfully upholds the value of law while insisting on the all-sufficiency of grace, calls us to walk "in the Spirit" and manifest the fruits of love, joy, peace, etc. While these qualities are deeper than our feelings in their fullest implications, they are exceedingly difficult for most Christians to appropriate with any sense of reality if their emotional life never gets healed.

I hope and pray that your concern for the preservation of Reformation truth may be broad enough to explore its weaknesses as well as its strengths and so encourage those who see both to stay with the struggle to preach and experience a genuinely "full gospel."

J. F., Presbyterian Minister
New Jersey

Faith and Works

I find Present Truth Magazine articles well written and worth the time and effort to read. As an Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian priest, there is, of course, more than a little with which I do not agree. I do, however, feel very much in sympathy with the references to "subjectivism" so rampant throughout many areas of Christendom today. Often it does seem as if the folks involved in the charismatic movement are in truth trying their best to force God's hand: "Show us a sign!" I tend to agree with one of my teachers (perhaps one of the greatest), the late Prof. Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy, that the predominance of natural religion in America, and common in practically every denomination, does account for the popularity and strength of subjectivism so evident throughout the present religious scene in America.

Where I part company with you is, as you can well imagine, in your presentation of justification by faith in its pristine purity. For it seems so evident that, from a historical perspective, and certainly as observable throughout Protestantism in America, one just cannot find illustrations of what you promise: "Then will the conscience be cleansed, the heart will find peace with God, and a life of good works will flow from the certain conviction of being accepted of God." As O. H. Mower, a psychologist at the University of Illinois, has observed, how many are those who have tried to believe in and follow the orthodoxy which you postulate to their spiritual desperation! In particular he cites clergy who go on and on preaching "justification by faith" and yet whose consciences stand accused because of undisciplined lives and personal moral crises which let them know in obvious terms that unless they let the apostle James have his say too, they are destined for spiritual suicide. I must say in all honesty that I have yet to meet a minister or layman who manages to translate what you write about —"justification by faith"—into his own day-to-day experience.

Never for a moment do I consider that the "works" which I do earn me a farthing in the eyes of God. Yet I do believe that God expects acts of obedience and response to His commands. I also believe that faith leads to a "conscience cleansed" (but see nothing wrong with and much to commend in what seems to me a fruit of faith: the motivation to confess my sins without feeling it stained with the brand of "works"). And that faith leads on then to "a life of good works." But I also believe that when the fire of faith burns low, better to settle for "works" than to simply throw up one's hands in despair (as has happened with so many to leave the church, usually with a guilty conscience).

I admire your kind of clear and forceful writing, which is obviously supported with some honest scholarship and yet coupled with genuinely sincere faith.

D. G., Episcopalian Priest
Vermont

Why?

Thank you for the help you have given (and still are giving) to me in sorting out what the Bible has to say about my assurance of salvation. Coming out of a conservative Lutheran environment, then being involved for a time with the Jesus People, and now studying for the Lutheran ministry, you have provided me with very valuable counterbalance to the emotionalism prevalent today in much theology.

In the last two years I have seen some of my former Christian associates fall away from Christ, others get further into "tongues," and some become deeper Christians. Why is it, though, that so many people seem to equate "faithfulness to the Bible" (a very necessary thing) with "Everyone must be a Christian just like me"? I find this tendency far too many times in myself demanding that everyone allow me to live out my own style of life but claiming that if they are to be Christians, then they must do it my way. I wish that more people could remember that we are to take a firm and unified stand on the basis of Scripture and that we are free in other areas to disagree.

Among the Jesus People I found a tolerance of disagreements on adiaphora but a unity of theology (although admittedly embryonic). Now I find that I am among people with whom I share a deeper and more accurate understanding of Christ's work and yet less tolerance for deviation in unimportant matters.

Lest you think that I am postulating a "return to basic theology and forget the rest," I am not. But I think that we many times do fall under the indictment made against us by Pentecostals—that we show very little love. If we truly (and I believe that we do) teach Christ correctly, shouldn't our lives show it in such measure that any counterfeits (be they liberal "social concern," Pentecostal enthusiasm, etc.) will be shown up as nothing more than a carbon copy?

I really want to know why it is that the world doesn't still say of us as it did of the early New Testament church, "See how they love one another."

M. H.
Wisconsin

Lacking

I am thankful for the warning that we Protestants are lacking faith in Christ. Your magazine has answered many personal questions concerning what Christ has accomplished for me. It has also clarified certain teachings in the church which I felt uneasy about but was unable to diagnose —namely, the position that one could accept Christ as Saviour and then, at a later date, accept Christ as Lord by asking the Holy Spirit to fill him.

T. S.
Nebraska

Misguided

One finds it difficult not to thoroughly admire your courage, zeal and enthusiasm, however misguided. At your earliest convenience you might check Paul's two admonitions in Acts to believe on Jesus and be saved, while the apostle asked another group of believers, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" If this line of thinking is followed open-mindedly, I think you will agree there is a possibility of two separate works of divine grace.

F. G., Minister
Texas

Prejudiced

Your magazine is only partly true. Quite evidently it is quite prejudiced against the manifested ,thus bringing division in the body of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ did baptize me in the Holy Spirit after He saved me. I do not feel that I have to prove anything to anyone. I know what the Lord Jesus did for me and when He did it. Neither does God have to prove anything to anyone —He is God.

L. C.
Tennessee

From England

Thank you so much for your publication. I agree entirely with your views. I have been an evangelical Christian for nearly forty years and, like you, can find nothing in Holy Writ to support the "second blessing" of the tongues movement. Indeed, I have been puzzled and worried over the drift towards Romanism in the Pentecostal movement and the World Council of Churches despite the great issues of the Reformation. The tendency today is to forget the past and cover over doctrinal differences, forgetting the great doctrines of the Reformation.

H. D., Minister
England

From South Africa

Here in South Africa we face the same problems as you face—i.e., an aggressive Pentecostalism, a remarkable growth in Catholicism, and widespread doctrinal ignorance of our Protestant heritage among English-speaking South Africans. I have been concerned about this for some time but have not known what to do in the circumstances. Unfortunately, Pentecostalism makes such a great appeal to our people, although among Baptists the movement is not great. But as far as I can see, the writing is on the wall, and the Baptists will not be able to withstand the great pressures that are going to come upon them—unless something is done to stem the tide. On the other hand, there is a growing Reformed movement apparent among many Baptists, and I feel that there is going to come a time when the issues will become so clear-cut that division will result.

Reading some of the material in Present Truth Magazine was like a breath of fresh air after being surrounded on every side by voices of subjectivism. God make strong your arm to forward the proclamation of truth! May the Lord, the living God, bring about in our day such a day of His power that New Testament Christianity shall be restored to its purity, that churches shall know the power of the God who justifies the ungodly, and that countless numbers shall come to faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

R. J., Baptist Minister
South Africa

Cohesive

I find the letters in Present Truth Magazine interesting—particularly those from the so-called charismatics. Having been involved in Pentecostalism in my early Christian life, I can understand their position although I do not share their discomfort. I have no argument with sola gratia, solo Christo and sola fide as well as sola Scriptura because my salvation is utterly dependent upon the written Word of God apart from any outward manifestations or physical experiences.

I feel that the tongues movement is a cohesive element which seems to further the ecumenical movement, which has compromise as its foundation. If Babylon is to be rebuilt, perhaps this babble is the root or foundation of this event. Satan can counterfeit the Spirit of God, and we see the evidence on every hand.

G. S.
Washington

On Campus

As a student, I first read Present Truth Magazine on the recommendation of one of my instructors. I'm very impressed with your stand on the Word alone and with your emphasis on justification by faith. I've been very disturbed by the subjective, experiential, Pentecostal trend on our campus. It seems to be spreading like an epidemic. I know that several students and most of the faculty share my concern. We have become acquainted with Present Truth Magazine, and we have been gaining perspective on the implications of justification by faith and on its meaning. We've also been seeing the very real dangers in subjectivism and our obligation, as dorm counselors, to combat this both in our personal lives and in our ministries. Present Truth Magazine has been a real help in pointing out the danger and in providing a solidly Biblical foundation. We'll keep recommending your magazine to those we meet.

C. G.
Colorado

Wondering

I'm wondering how you arrived at the name of your magazine. You couldn't be farther from the truth!

L. R.
Ohio

Quite a Job!

You do not know which way the wind (Holy Spirit) is blowing. You have quite a job on your hands, for this charismatic movement is of God, and no man can stop it! God said that in the last days He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. If you had ever been to a charismatic service and felt the beautiful presence of God, you couldn't print Present Truth magazine.

M. J.

Divisive

It is tragic that in a day and age such as ours, when Christians are finally beginning to love and accept each other, you have nothing better to do than publish a magazine, the entire contents of which only speak against movements that differ from you. Even though I may agree with some of the magazine's content, I think it is one of the most divisive things I have seen!

R. B., Methodist Minister
Ohio

A Blessing

It is a blessing to my soul to see that someone is knowledgeable enough to be able to correct, by Scripture, the fallacies of Pentecostalism without becoming embroiled with hellfire and brimstone.

W. J.
Texas

Likes Emphasis

I've read some of your articles and although I don't share your view of today's "Jesus Revolution," "charismatic" or "Pentecostal" movement, I am most thankful that the centrality of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ was emphasized in these articles.

B. B.
California