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Letters to the Editor
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING N.T. Wright to SPU.
One of the biggest gifts you have off ered the pastoral community
is bringing us into contact with the great thinkers, leaders,
and pastors of our time. N.T. Wright added to the dialogue
you have envisioned, that of “engaging the culture.”
He masterfully spoke truth, using humor and scholarship to
blast at our infl ated balloon of American self-confidence.
But I also very much appreciated his pastoral heart. Th e
words of Scripture are not just a scholarly pursuit to him,
but have sunk deeply into his soul. He is allowing them to
change his world, and thus ours.
— Lucia Delamarter ’73, Senior Pastor, Everett
Free Methodist Church, Everett, Wash.
I JUST HAD TO COMMENT on your having N.
T. Wright speak at Seattle Pacific University this spring.
First of all, I have read a good deal of Wright’s work
including the fi rst three in his series on Christian Origins
and the Question of God. Also, I have encouraged others to
read Wright. I agree with President Eaton that he is the most
important contemporary Christian scholar. … I do not
think anyone is speaking more relevantly to the church today
about the validity of Christianity. So I commend you for having
him speak and encouraging others to become acquainted with
his work.
— Richard Robinett, Caldwell, Idaho
“THE BIBLE AND CHRISTIAN Imagination,”
which appeared in your online feature about N.T. Wright (“The
C.S. Lewis for Our Time?” Summer 2005 Response)
was the fullest explanation that I have ever read about what
the gospel means to those of us who are artists in this world.
So often we hear about our “mission” only in terms
of the spiritual. But when it comes to art and artists, our
role (if addressed at all) is often expressed in vague terms
such as “to bring glory to God,” “to worship
God,” or “to create beauty.” All good and
true, yet this superfi cial understanding relegates art to
something done in a church for a few hours a week, or worse,
something done for mere entertainment, with no bearing on
“real life” or on making an eternal impact on
this world.
After reading this article, I began to think about the issue
in a new way. I’ve always known that art has a bigger
purpose than amusement or adornment. I know this because of
the lasting impression that books and music, and even movies
and TV, have made in my own life. My goal now is to view my
own art (music) and my love of all the other art forms with
this perspective — and learn how to share it with others.
— Maureen Cruz, Chicago, Ill.
WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO GET our fi rst issue
of Response magazine. It is so encouraging to see
SPU bring in speakers of the quality of N.T. Wright, bishop
of Durham. Th e article about him in response was so good
that we brought it to our church and passed it around. Praise
God for schools like Seattle Pacific that stand tall for the
gospel of our Lord in these troubled times.
— Rich and Barbara Buckham, Bremerton, Wash.
The World Looks a Little Brigher
YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN! I read the Summer
2005 issue cover to cover, and the world looks a little brighter.
I’m a little more inspired, challenged, and encouraged
than I was before, and I’m proud to be an SPU alumna
… . Keep up the superior work. By the time I got to
Kevin Lakey, well let’s just say, Kevin, we don’t
know you, but we love you and are praying for you. You have
our admiration, and you’re welcome to visit us anytime,
with or without your first-quarter roommate!
— Janet Newman Sclar ’82, Hydesville, Calif.
THE RECENT EDITIONS of Response
have increasingly impressed me with their relevance and sheer
excellence. Th e comments and interviews with N.T. Wright,
Dennis Bakke, and others are a delight. For the inheritance
of SPU’s eff ort to apply the gospel in our world, I’m
grateful to be an alumnus.
— J. Scott Horrell ’71, Professor of Theological
Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas
I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING Response
since we inaugurated a Servant Leadership Awards Program at
SPU. I just wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation
for having the opportunity to receive your fine publication.
The content is so interesting. I especially enjoyed the articles
on Dennis Bakke and N.T. Wright in the [Summer 2005] issue.
— William Reichardt, President, Barney II Foundation,
East Syracuse, N.Y.
ALOHA FROM THE BIG ISLAND. My thunderous
applause to you and your publication Response. To my delight,
I have inadvertently been receiving it in my post office box
… intended for the last box patron. My husband and I
have been in full-time ministry for 25 years in both local
church ministry (until 2002 with a church in Gig Harbor, Washington)
and missions. We are presently in Hawaii with Youth With A
Mission. Imagine my delight in seeing such a beautiful Christian
worldview that your school imparts to its students. We have
two grandchildren in high school, three in middle school,
and then a scattering of younger children all residing on
the West Coast. It is [with] the high school boys in mind
that I have let both my daughters know of your publication.
... With SPU’s emphasis on both higher education and
missions, the combination seems to fit within the scope of
our family focus.
— Patricia Eachus, Keauhou, Hawaii
Beyond Job Satisfaction
I WAS PLEASED TO SEE the article about
Dennis Bakke’s perspective on work. As a business graduate
student, I’ve heard job satisfaction discussed ad nauseum.
Bakke delves deeper, though. According to his perspective,
what we do in our professional roles can be an act of worship
in which our souls and our skills align to bring glory to
God. He champions a work environment in which there are opportunities
for people to rise to a challenge and apply the best of themselves.
He likens this to making the final shot at the buzzer of a
championship basketball game; it’s a thrilling place
to be, and the opportunity is as important as the outcome
of the attempt.
While critics may argue that it is careless to allow just
anyone to have the opportunity to make a tough decision, this
article was a good reminder that people thrive when given
that kind of chance. Our efforts are more meaningful when
the whole person is engaged. Leaders can facilitate meaningful
work by letting go of some of their responsibilities and passing
the ball to others. I am grateful to the people who have afforded
me that kind of opportunity. Those moments stand out as high
points in my walk with Christ; they were places where he showed
his faithfulness vividly.
Worshiping my Creator through my work takes me beyond job
satisfaction and into
the “Master’s joy.” Thanks to Sarah Jio
for highlighting Bakke’s refreshing outlook.
— Lindsey Peterson ’97, Seattle, Wash.
In Honor of Women Evangelists
THE PICTURE OF EVANGELINE Booth of The Salvation
Army immediately caught my eye in the Summer 2005 issue of
Response. I was a Salvation Army officer (ordained
minister) for 25 years. When I was serving as corps commanding
officer/pastor along with my husband at The Salvation Army
Temple in the Greenwood district [of Seattle], I was able
to complete my bachelor’s degree at SPU.
While attending SPU, one of my classes was a women’s
studies course taught by Karen Winslow, a professor in the
Religion Department. Weekly, we discussed the roles and presence
of women throughout church history. Karen inspired me to read
beyond class requirements, until I had shelves of books on
the subject. To my chagrin, there was little recognition of
the women of The Salvation Army and their role and impact
in the Christian church and society. I continually said, “Somebody
needs to write a book to tell our story.” One day …
I realized I should write the book.
Winepress Publishing and The Salvation Army published Broken
Alabaster Jars in 1998. With this letter, I am including copies
which I would like to donate for placement in the University’s
library.
Thank you for all the interesting and informative articles
in Response. I look forward to every issue!
— Anne Pickup Madsen ’91, San Pedro, Calif.
YOUR AUTUMN 2005 ISSUE was very good as
usual. I want to add something to the article on women evangelists.
We lived for a long time in central New Jersey near Zaraphat,
where Alma White College [named for evangelist Alma White]
and the Pillar of Fire Church are. ... They were very hospitable,
and on Sundays
after morning services, everyone was welcome for dinner in
the big hall. During the services, people would get out of
their pews and dance together in the front of the church.
They had a good Christian radio station with excellent music;
that attracted me to them when I still lived in New York City.
The college is thriving today, and their preparatory schools
are excellent for hard-to-educate children.
— Rimmer de Vries, Camano Island, Wash.
IN RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE in your Summer
2005 issue on the subject of women evangelists, I submit the
following: My grandmother, Althea Whiffen Cathey, was an evangelist
as a young woman. She married a Free Methodist minister, Franklin
Cathey, and subsequently eight children redirected her career
to godly motherhood.
Their oldest child was Lois, who married Dana Newton, nephew
of Alexander Beers, first president of Seattle Pacific College.
She was valedictorian of the first SPC graduating class in
1915, a class of three students. And she was the devoted mother
of three SPC graduates: Jerry Newton ’49, Florence Newton
Arms ’46, and myself.
The evangelistic spirit of Alathea Whiffen Cathey lives
on and on to additional generations (Psalm 103:17).
P.S. I wish I were at Warm Beach Senior Community to sing
in the Sandpiper Choir, led by Lawrence Schoenhals. I’ve
sung in many choirs, and he was the best.
— Hubert Newton ’46, Portland, Ore.
Lawrence Shoenhals: "Mr. SPC"
THANK YOU SO MUCH for running the article
about Professor Schoenhals in the summer issue of Response.
As I read it, my mind was flooded with many vivid and precious
memories of my student days at SPC in the 1940s. Lawrence
Schoenhals was pretty much “Mr. SPC” in those
days, for he wore several different “hats” around
campus. The A Capella Choir he led was always magnificent.
One Christmas vacation the choir went on tour, and they sang
in my home town of Vancouver, Washington. How proud I was
to introduce Prof. Schoenhals and the singers to my parents
and friends down home.
— Leon E. Strunk ’49, Asheville, N.C.
Remembering Jim
I, TOO, WAS VERY SADDENED to read in the
Summer 2005 Response about the passing of talented
photographer Jimi Lott.
I actually had the privilege of working with Jimi before
the folks at my alma mater did. About 25 years ago, I was
editor of the Anacortes American newspaper in Anacortes, Washington,
and Jimi did photo work for both that paper and its sister
newspaper, the daily Skagit Valley Herald in Mount Vernon,
Washington.
Jimi was a gifted and energetic individual. I also remember
that he was loads of fun to work with. I am delighted to read
that in recent years, he was known as a “very, very
devoted Christian,” as your article mentioned.
Thank you for paying tribute to him in Response.
— John Fortmeyer ’77, Publisher, Christian
News Northwest, Newberg, Ore.
What Do You Think? Don't be shy!
We'd like to hear your opinion about response or
any articles printed in the publication. To tell us what you
think, send email to response@spu.edu or click
here. You may also write Editor, Response, Seattle
Pacific University, 3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 116, Seattle,
Washington 98119–1922. Letters must be signed and will be
printed as space permits.
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