We’ve Got Mail
Letters from our Readers
“To say that I was touched by the beautiful article written by Hal Haralson entitled ‘A Good Deed Kept Secret’ [August, 2001], would, indeed, be an understatement. Frankly, it made me smile from ear to ear and it made me cry genuine tears of happiness and joy to see that one or two dedicated Southwest Employees knew even in those early days that they were always empowered to ‘do the right thing’ and to practice the Golden Rule.”
Colleen Barrett, President, Southwest Airlines
“Thank you for the really enlightening interview with Roger Paynter of Austin on the ‘faith-based initiative’ nonsense. The interview was more insightful on G. W. Bush than anything I’ve seen in any of the major media. The other essays — Dunn, Moody, Wellborn, Sellers, Valentine (wonderful curmudgeon), etc. — are also first-rate.”
Jim Nash, Burlington, MASS
“I liked your article about Karla Faye — in fact, the magazine is one I read cover to cover. Many of the authors I know — others I hope to know even more through their articles.”
Virginia Connally, M.D., Abilene, TX
“I have read [CET] from cover to cover and have entered a subscription online. I am impressed with the journal… I intend to call it to the attention of my colleagues here at the University of North Texas. The journal is MUST reading.”
D. Barry Lumsden, Ph.D., Editor Community College Journal and Professor of Higher Education ˆ
“Christian Ethics Today is one of the best things to happen to me, as for a number of years I have been concerned about the lack of ethics evident almost everywhere — even in Baptist institutions.”
Marvin Harris, Professor of English ret., ETBU.
“Thanks for printing Truett’s sermon on religious liberty. I had never read the sermon in its entirety.”
John Thielepape, Arlington, TX
“I shared the June issue of CET with those at our ‘Dead Pastors Society’ (i.e., moderate Oklahoma pastors). Not only were they envious of my having copies before them, but also Bruce Prescott (Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists) was mildly miffed that you scooped him on Gladys S. Lewis’ article.”
Richard Kahoe, Ph.D., Woodward, OK
“Thank you for the Journal. I am grateful for Gladys Lewis’ piece … We served together in happier times on the Board at SWBTS. She is one tremendous lady.”
Bill Cumbie, Springfield, VA
“Thanks for printing Dan Gentry Kent’s informative article on ‘Can you Believe in Inerrancy and Equality?’.”
Henlee Barnette, Louisville, KY
ˆ “Christian Ethics Today has greatly blessed my life … I pass my copy on to other preachers in the area and encourage them to subscribe.”
Strauss Atkinson, Amarillo, TX
“I look forward to each issue and read them from cover to cover. My faith is enriched by your stimulating spectrum of writers.”
Paula Harrison, Dallas, TX
“Have read your article [Institutional Ethics] twice and have seen your thesis frequently after being in ministry since 1948. Thank you for confirming what I have pondered for several years.”
Sam Phillips, Minister of Pastoral Care, FBC, Tulsa, OK
“The Journal is in good hands. Bill Hull’s fine piece on the Left Behind craze correctly decries that ‘alternative positions are not out there in the marketplace competing for attention.’ That’s one reason I wrote Making Sense Out of Revelation [to be reviewed soon in CET].”
Bill Turner, Pastor, South Main BC, Houston, TX
Editorial Postscript: This summer we received a few letters from readers unhappy with some articles, particularly those critical of President Bush’s “Faith-Based Initiative” and Ron Sider’s article contending the President’s tax proposal was “Grossly Unfair” to the poor.
The Journal is by its very nature controversial. As the old adage states, “We comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.” Perhaps that is too simplistic. But if we are doing our job, your comfort zone will at times be invaded, your traditions questioned, your convictions challenged, and hopefully, your understanding expanded. ˆ A story is told of long-time Southern Seminary ethics professor Henlee Barnette once telling the President of his institution, “If you don’t get a call from me each week that makes you want to fire me, I’m not doing my job!” Our job is not evangelism, but Christian ethics — and that can be very disturbing!
