Dear Editor,

It has been fascinating reading the letters in response to Rev. Waldt's February 20th letter, but frankly, I am disappointed that no one except Rev. Brundage has endeavored to counter his position. Perhaps it is the power with which he states his case and the thorough scriptural foundation on which he supports his position. It is therefore understandable that Rev. Brundage would use Roman law and Jane Austin as reasons for the affirmative vote on Amendment A and rebuttal to Rev. Waldt.

In Rev. Brundage's follow-up letter to Rev. Waldt's response, he/she states that "Literature doesn't trump Scripture, but it can shape the mind that interprets Scripture. Poets, playwrights, and novelists often have deep insight into human experience and divine love." This statement speaks volumes about his/her rationale and position. When we fail to first let Scripture shape the mind and heart that interprets literature and everything else in our lives, the enemy is already inside the gates. George Barna stated in a June 2001 survey that "The Christian body in America is immersed in a crisis of biblical illiteracy." I sincerely believe that the reason we Christians have lost our saltiness is that we have lost our Christian worldview and scriptural perspective. Many in our church are looking at our Christian faith and Presbyterian traditions though the lens of pragmatism and postmodernism and trying to reform the PCUSA. The apostle Paul exhorts us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 NIV) The renewing of our mind comes with a deep personal relationship with Christ and His revealed Word in Scripture, not from this world.

The almost 3 to 1 rejection of Amendment A is powerful testimony to the fact the average layperson sitting in the pews shares the views of Rev. Waldt even thought they may not be able to articulate them the way he does.

Philip H. Warren
Inactive Elder
Faith Presbyterian Church
Medford, NJ