Evangelical Theological Society

A Senator's Quandary: Carl FH Henry Reviews Mark Hatfield

In a forthright book that will gratify some readers, dismay others, but challenge all, Mark Hatfield, a Republican Senator from Oregon, reaches with deep evangelical concern for biblical authenticity in facing socio-political problems of our time. He bares his struggle to maintain political convictions and positions among his critics, and admits to periodic urges to vacate politics—with its cosmetic pursuit of image—in order to work to establish principles he considers imperative but threatened by the prevailing politico-economic establishment and the evangelical religious establishment. The volume is refreshingly honest, its respect for Scripture unmistakable, and its desire to stand on biblical terrain under the lordship of Christ highly commendable.

Hatfield refuses to blur Christianity into a culture-religion. Insisting on distinctions between church and state he protests any tendency to regard politico-economic structures as "almost sacred." The United States, he avers, is not exempt from stern biblical judgement, nor is national security identical with military power.

Without professing to be a theologian, Hatfield nonetheless ventures a theological rationale for his commitments. Both his theory and program therefore deserve careful study by the Christian community. The volume does not convey—nor does it claim to convey—a comprehensive political philosophy. Some problems and their solution are confronted more fully than others; some, like predator powers and inflation, are not discussed at all. While the book is more an earnest conversation than a schematic thesis, it glows with conviction and a sense of urgency to recognize both the mission of the Christian Church and the fate of the world in our century.

Two conspicuous themes are Hatfield's rejection of military solutions to world problems and his call for decisive demonstration by the Church as the new society. Hatfield's opposition to the war policies of Presidents Johnson and Nixon so infuriated some onetime supporters that his political career was in jeopardy. The image-priorities of many leaders and spiritual rejection by many evangelical Protestants were disconcerting, though Hatfield found support at Fuller Seminary, at the , and from former Senator Howard Hughes among others. Rethinking his loyalties, Hatfield placed Christ's suffering love and service to others above self-preservation.

Interview: Wayne Grudem talks about Gay Marriage & Same Sex ...

INTRODUCTION

In this unique hour and a half interview with The Reverend Doctor Wayne Grudem by telephone from the writer’s home north of San Francisco to his study in his Phoenix area home. So much was covered regarding Gay Marriage and Same Sex Blessings, some in more depth because of Dr. Grudem’s generous willingness to spend so much time with the interview. This interview is the fourth in a series of what are now six interviews on the subject. It is the first with an Evangelical. To give the reader some idea of what kind of Evangelical are we talking about and with in this interview, here is the complete quote from Phoenix Seminary where Dr. Grudem is a teacher:

We believe the Bible alone (the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired, inerrant, authoritative word of God. We believe in the resurrection of the saved unto eternal life and the lost unto eternal condemnation.

Phoenix Seminary students must affirm the above statement of faith. Words in italics are modifications to the National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith. Phoenix Seminary’s resident faculty, administration, and board members hold to the Faculty Teaching Position.

He and his wife Margaret have been married since 1969 and have three adult sons. Readers may email Dr. Grudem: wgrudem@phoenixseminary.edu

Without further introduction, this writer asks your indulgence as the interview is started, then followed by three Addendum: (1) An excerpt of longer length from Dr. Grudem’s new book with the subtitle: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture; (2) An excerpt of shorter length from Dr. Grudem’s new book published by Zondaverum, Politics—According to the Bible; (3) Excerpts from an interview with Dr. Grudem that tells us something of his interests and life.

INTERVIEW

No, it’s not a done deal. Every state that has voted on Gay Marriage in a statewide referendum has voted to retain marriage as one man and one woman. That is  31 States. The voters of 30 states have passed constitutional amendments affirming marriage as one man and one woman, and Maine voters overturned the legislature’s legalization of same-sex marriage. The only “defeat” was in Arizona in 2006, and that was reversed in 2008.]

It isn’t true  that “society” accepts the matter if you accept democracy as a means of determining what society wants. Even in California 52 percent of the population voted to limit marriage to one man and one woman.

Perspectives on evangelical theology, papers from the thirtieth annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society

Membership directory, Evangelical Theological Society, October, 2001

Understanding evangelicalism Biblically, plenary address, Evangelical Theological Society, November 15, 2001, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Evangelical hermeneutics

The worldly evangelicals