Culture War: Praising What Is Good

As an example of positive cultural warfare I’d like to post the following letter from one of our church folks to the principal of his local public high school. This brother has been known to go to school meetings to speak out against various issues like evolution, but this letter shows that he is also willing and eager to speak up when good happens. This is part of being “ready to give an answer with all gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, 16). It also follows the “see-the-positive-and-commend-it” model of Paul when addressing various pagan and ungodly people (Acts 17:22; 24:10; 26:3; 25, 26). Read and appreciate:

Letter to the Editor (of the school newspaper)
Mr. Holman for Mayor

“On December 17th my wife and I attended the annual Pinelands Regional ‘Winter Concert.’ As the program of music and song unfolded, we were surprised and delighted to discover that this was no mere ‘Winter’ or ‘Holiday Concert’ at all. It was, in every sense, a Christmas Concert!

We congratulate Mr. Holman and Mrs. Sedlak on their selections, which consisted of traditional Christmas Carols and other sacred choral music. There was mention of ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’ and of ‘God and sinners reconciled!’ Of Jesus coming to ‘save us all from Satan’s power when we had gone astray…’ By the end of the concert, I was definitely ready to celebrate this season of joy! Mr. Holman even invited the audience to join in the singing! All this, mind you, in a public school auditorium!

Thank you, Mr. Holman, for remembering what Christmas means to so many of us--I can’t tell you how encouraged we felt. The situation is not as far gone as I had supposed. Yes, the drive toward secularization threatens to sterilize even this most joyous time of the year, but on this evening my faith was restored.

At one point, toward the end of the concert, Mr. Holman turned to the audience and said, “Merry Christmas…yes we do say that around here!” The place erupted in applause.

After the concert, I personally thanked Mr. Holman, pointing out the overwhelming positive response of the crowd. He too had apparently noticed it, and jokingly suggested that this might be his chance to run for mayor! Go for it Ross! And thanks for reminding us of the reason for the season.”

A letter well written that shows grace and gratitude even in the middle of war; a model worth following. Thanks bro!


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