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Rich Heritage Continues
Your article “Once Upon a Time in Los
Angeles” thrilled me! What a tremendous
blessing to have attended an
institution with such a rich spiritual heritage.
I thought it was impressive that “Students
Take the Gospel to Public High Schools” and
“New Ministry Seeks to Change Perceptions
of Student-Athletes” highlight the current
fulfilling of that mission in the same issue!
How many other Biolans all over the world
continue to be “Christ’s ambassadors, as
though God were making his appeal through
us” (2 Corinthians 5:20)? Thank you, Biola,
for equipping us to bring Jesus to our
neighbors, co-workers, families and friends!
Nancy (Plagerman, ’90) Lambert
Cheney, Wash.
Sam Harris’ Atheist Crusade
I have to say this last issue with Sam Harris posed
as the devil incarnate, which plays out the very
attitude that he is seeing as dangerous in
religion, pushed me over the edge. At Biola, I
learned to love the world that God so loved. I
learned to live a life of faith in the way of Jesus. I
learned to explore with an inquisitive mind and
courageous heart, trusting that all truth is God’s
truth. Instead, I find each issue of Biola Magazine
contains a message of doom or fear. It tells me
who I should be afraid of (i.e., Sam Harris
because he “wants to save the world” from me),
or who is threatening my faith (i.e., Brian
McLaren or any other emergent-postmoderntype),
or the negative reasons why I should send
my kids to Biola (i.e., because they won’t be on
co-ed residence floors). Does Biola really want
or need to portray itself this way? An institution
of Biola’s academic and spiritual heritage could
afford to take a higher road and continue the
100-year legacy of faith that embraces God’s
world. Give us resources to live out this legacy,
not in fear and suspicion, but with courage and,
above all, love.
Jennifer (Hofer, ’93) Warner
Walnut Creek, Calif.
We were very disappointed in the cover on the
summer 2007 issue. The world has enough scary
pictures without a Christian school adding to the
collection. A much better picture would have
been the one on page 39 [Christians praying
together]. I’m not sure the purpose of giving
atheism a front cover of Biola Magazine. We would
not have selected this magazine from the
newsstand if given the opportunity. The world is
moving away from Christianity; let’s try to
present our best on our Christian materials.
Gary (’93) and Diane (’85) Strickler
Palo Cedro, Calif.
As a graduate of Biola University, my daughter,
Amy Kalanges, receives Biola Magazine. I must
admit, I do not usually read the magazine.
However, the picture of Sam Harris, a noted
atheist leading the movement to rid the world of
religion, caused me to pause, and pause I did to
read the entire article on his quest. What caught
my attention more than anything else was how he
looked — haughty (especially in his interview
picture with Rick Warren), steely-eyed,
brandishing a “better than thou” demeanor, but,
most importantly, almost an evilness that belied
reason. Are we being once again tested by Satan
and in human form?
Mary Kalanges
Sacramento, Calif.
Portrayal of Catholics
Thank you so much for the good article by Dr.
Robert Saucy (“What Should Christians Know
About ‘Evangelicals & Catholics Together’?”).
Having ministered for 37 years in a
predominantly Catholic country, we agree with
his explanation of the differences. We love
Catholics and saw many come to Christ “by faith
alone.” Evangelicals always say, “Christ is the one
and only Savior.” Catholics are willing to “come
together” as long as they do not have to change
their doctrines. May God continue to give us
evangelical leaders like Dr. Saucy.
Charles Belch (’50)
Nevada City, Calif.
As an evangelical Catholic, I use Dr. Saucy’s
cautions regarding “Evangelicals & Catholics
Together” as a defense rather than a critique of
Catholic theology. Catholic doctrine attempts to
interpret the Scripture in light of the New
Testament time whereas Protestants typically
interpret Scripture in light of the Reformation,
resulting in the ignoring of important verses
troubling to their theology. [For example,] Dr.
READER MAIL
Saucy claims that salvation is by grace “by faith
alone,” however this is not a biblical concept. The
only place that “faith alone” is used in the New
Testament is in James 2:24 wherein it says that
man is not justified by faith alone! The “works”
referred to by Paul were Jewish rituals which
might have prevented the inclusion of Gentiles
into the faith, not moral acts of obedience to
Christ which are part of the process of our
salvation (Hebrews 5:9). My hope is that
Protestants would further their understanding of
Catholic theology in light of the whole of
Scripture. We do indeed share a common
heritage. We are saved solely by the grace of
Christ, which fosters obedient conversion. May
God bless us all in unity who believe and confess
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gordon Prepsky (’86)
Ypsilanti, Mich.
Jesus Christ, Not ‘Isa Masih’
In Len Bartlotti’s article about the Taliban
[“The Taliban As I Remember Them”], he
refers to “Isa Masih” as if this is really a
legitimate title for Jesus Christ. I’m sure that
Dr. Bartlotti’s intentions are completely
beneficent, but the name Jesus refers to the
Hebrew “Salvation of YAHWEH” and has a very
specific meaning. The Arabic word “Isa” has
no such meaning. I would advise verbalizing
this correction when witnessing to Muslims,
for the sake of all parties involved.
Sean Mauer
Washington Crossing, Pa.
FALL ’07 05