ETHIX
By Joe E. Trull
- The Past is Prologue
- The Future is Hope and Promise
ETHIX,` muttered the stranger on the parking lot. He was reading my license plate. "You work for an oil company`, he asked? "No," I explained, "the word actually stands for Christian Ethics-the subject I teach. The "X` is a symbol for Christ," "Oh, we need more of that," he concluded.
I was in Richmond studying at Union Theological Seminary during my first sabbatical. Since I had to get Virginia plates for my car, I decided to try personalized tags that year-I`ve kept "ETHIX" on my car plates ever since.
I have always enjoyed reading other car plates, trying to decide what the numbers and letters meant. Was it the driver`s name or a message? Was it a puzzle or a paradox? Long before my year in Richmond I had decided on my own license plate identity-ETHIX!
The Danish philosopher Kierkegaard wrote in one of his early journals, "I want a truth for which I can live and die." He was asking the ultimate ethical question, "What is worth living for?" Jesus came to answer that question.
Like many of you, the study of Christian ethics (especially under the tutelage of T. B. Maston) changed my life for the better. I came to Southwestern Seminary as a fairly new Christian and a truly fledgling "preacher-boy" from Oklahoma. Although the "seasoned" youth evangelists at O.B.U. had explained my job was "to save souls and get folks ready for heaven," I often wondered what we were to do in the meantime.
My first year at Southwestern, I enrolled in Maston`s four hour course, "Introduction to Christian Ethics." The Christian faith, I learned, is not simply a highway to heaven, but primarily it is a way to walk on earth. The apostle John urged the first Christians to "walk just as he [Jesus] walked" (1 John. 2:6). It is no accident that the first disciples of Jesus were called followers of "the Way` (Acts 9:2).
For the first time I understood the relevance of the Christian faith to the real world in which I lived. This realization, along with the personal influence of T. B. Maston, led me to do graduate studies in Christian ethics during Maston`s last years of teaching (I was privileged to be his graduate assistant).
As my world of Christian ethics expanded, I discovered to my delight a host of persons dedicated to the cause of Christian ethics-people like Henlee Barnette, Jimmy Allen, and of course, Foy Valentine. Two years in the classroom at Carson-Newman College teaching sociology was followed by twenty years in pastoral ministry, where I tried to demonstrate that evangelism and ethics, belief and behavior, must be united if the church is to reflect God`s kingdom on earth.
For fifteen years I taught Christian ethics at New Orleans seminary. As the only ethics teacher, I got two "shots" at every student. The opportunity to help hundreds of students make the discovery I made years before reinforced my deep commitment to the cause of Christian ethics. Thus the reason for my license plate-Christian ethics has been my life.
My "early retirement" from teaching at New Orleans (you`ve heard similar stories many times) during my second sabbatical at first seemed diabolical-now I view it as providential. God always has double-agendas at work, even when humans intervene. When Plan A was destroyed, God downloaded Plan B.
So here I am. The car tag in the driveway reads "ETHIX." During the last year I`ve taught three ethics courses for two different seminaries, written several articles for publication, assisted the Texas CLC in Clergy Sexual Abuse materials, assumed a small pastorate, and continued research for a text on gender equality. What more could I want?
You know the answer. Here I sit, finishing my first editorial for Christian Ethics Today, as the new editor of a premier journal of Christian Ethics. Thank you, President Kelley, for arranging my early retirement two years ago. ETHIX is still my passion.
The Past is Prologue
In 1995 Foy Valentine dreamed a dream. A Center for Christian Ethics that would champion ethical values, address public policy issues, sponsor symposiums, distribute materials, offer counsel, and produce a Christian ethics publication. First-born among these goals was the journal, Christian Ethics Today. Since 1995, despite Foy`s veiled threat (as he grinned) that it would be published "spasmodically, as funding and energy permit," the journal has appeared as regular as rain (though not a good analogy in Texas) every two months-28 issues thus far!
This year the final dream became reality-the Center for Christian Ethics was fully established at Baylor, directed by Dr. Robert Kruschwitz. As you learned in the last issue, the Center will edit and publish a new quarterly journal beginning in the Fall of 2001.
However, over the past five years, Christian Ethics Today has developed a life of its own-it would not succumb to a premature death. The Trustees and many of almost 2 5 00 readers affirmed the value of the Journal and asked for its continuance. A new editor was found, a new Board was enlisted, transitions were begun, and support for the remaining three issues in 2000 was provided.
The purposes for the journal remain the same-they are described in detail on the back cover. The dream of Foy Valentine to produce a publication that clarifies, communicates, cultivates, and champions basic ethical values remains the mission of Christian Ethics Today. Our Journal occupies a unique role: as well as a clear voice supporting the cause of Christian ethics, it is also an independent voice, beholden to no power structures or vested interests. Such freedom allows us to be truly prophetic. We also want to be encouragers and builders of community.
Now I am not naive, and I have read Reinhold Niebuhr`s rejoinder-sin is pervasive and evil infiltrates all social institutions. The journal claims no infallibility (or inerrancy if you prefer). Certainly there are many fine similar publications, Baptist and otherwise, which we affirm and support. Let that be clear.
However, our journal is unique. But that uniqueness does carry with it liabilities, the greatest of which is financial. From the beginning, the journal has been provided to anyone who requested it, free of charge. That`s the way Foy wanted it, and I concur. We do not plan to charge for subscriptions, to assess dues, or to solicit advertising. As before, we depend solely on your belief in this Journal and your financial gifts, as you are able.
Through the decisions of the previous Board of Trustees, enough support has been provided for the next three issues. In past years we have received a few large gifts of several thousand dollars, which have made the difference. We pray that some of these may continue. But for now, we are 11 on our own." More than ever before, your contributions are "greatly needed, urgently solicited, and genuinely appreciated" (as Foy expressed it). If you are unable to send a gift, please do not let that keep you from receiving the journal-our mission is to share the message of Christian ethics.
The Future is Hope and Promise
Dag Hammersjold, former Secretary General of the United Nations, wrote in his journal, "For all that has been, Thanks! For all the will be, Yes!" For the first five years of the Journal, I am very, very grateful. For the years ahead, I shout YES!
In light of present conditions in our world and present conflicts among Christians (especially those called Southern Baptists), has the need for a clear voice about Christian ethics ever been more urgent? Ours is a great and wonderful opportunity to make a difference. God`s truth and grace revealed and personified in Jesus Christ overcomes human barriers, transforms social institutions, and restores broken lives.
What does the future hold for Christian Ethics Today? The adage is true, "If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it." Most with whom I have talked have said, "Don`t change anything-keep it just as it is." That is our plan. To keep producing the same high-quality journal that has developed such a large and loyal following in just a few years, which includes:
A regular vignette from Foy Valentine, like those he has done for five years. (This month we reprint Foy`s first article from Issue No. 1, a classic!)
Hal Haralson`s delightful and whimsical stories that always carry a deeper truth not soon forgotten. (All of his stories will soon be available in a book.)
KUDZU is everyone`s favorite-Rev. Will Dunn will keep us laughing.
Book Reviews, one or more in each issue, which keep us aware of the latest and best Christian ethics books available.
Ethical Sermons will be published in each issue, both for edification and to encourage ministers to preach ethical sermons in their church.
Articles of substance concerning moral values and Christian ethical issues will form the core of each issue, usually an original article, a lecture or speech, or the reprinting of a classical statement from the past.
Journal articles that explore biblical and ethical foundations for moral and ethical questions also will appear on a regular basis.
Occasional poetry, quotable quotes, and letters to the editor will continue.
Anything new just ahead? Yes, we plan to add a few new features that we hope will strengthen and improve the journal. A series of short statements from Christian ethics leaders about "The Most Influential Christian Ethics Book I`ve Read" will begin soon. Practical articles that aid churches and ministers to apply Christian ethics to their own community may also appear, perhaps gleaned from Christian ethics conferences past and present. An INDEX of all articles and authors of Issues 1-31 is scheduled for December.
Your suggestions are welcomed. Please submit articles to the editor, keeping in mind the Christian ethics focus of the Journal. Spread the word about our publication. We have added almost 100 new subscribers in June and July-our goal is 5000 readers by 2005.
After 17 years of teaching and 20 years in the pastorate, I am acutely aware of the controversial nature of Christian ethics. Sooner or later, some article may ring your bell the wrong way. My greatest fear, however, is not your reaction. It is rather the view expressed in Abelard`s criticism of Anselm: "If anyone went to him in uncertainty, he returned more uncertain still. He was wonderful to hear, but at once failed if you questioned him. He kindled a fire, not to give light, but to fill the house with smoke."
My hope for Christian Ethics Today is light, not smoke, that Christian ethics will be better understood, or at least, as Kirkegaard once said of his own writing, "to be more passionately misunderstood."
-JET
