First, an apology and a retraction. In this column last time I wrote about celebrity in the church, and how it helps some folks get away with stuff. I mentioned Os Guinness in the company of several other influential evangelicals who either had divorced, or were in the process of doing so. I have since learned that Os and his wife are happily reconciled, and never, in the midst of their difficulties, actually were divorced. I rejoice for them, and apologize to them and you for my then lack of current information.- The Editor

Jr. 2000
by R.C. Sproul Jr.

What if I ran for president? This year's election would be the first in which I would be eligible. When I first developed an interest in politics and economics, back in the junior high, I had a plan. I'd be elected, shrink the government down to size, and be remembered forever as the great savior of liberty. Now it's time. But what would happen? I would begin by interviewing people. I'd need a campaign manager and a fund raiser. The job of my campaign manager would be to get me before as many people as possible, in order to tell them as little as possible. The fund raising guy would pick up the slack, and spend what he raised on television ads.

Wouldn't it be something? A national yard sale on my inauguration day. The Post Office, gone. The IRS would find no buyers, so I'd lug it down to the Goodwill box. And they in turn would lug it down to the dump. Land for sale a over the west, and millions of bureaucrats along Pennsylvania Avenue holding signs saying, "Will meddle for food."

Every tank, every bomber, every M-16 that is now stationed overseas in defense of Rwandans and Kosovars and South Koreans would come back home, to be strategically placed around every abortion mill in the country, to protect the youngest Americans from medical butchers and misled moms.

The Federal Reserve would slink back to the swamp from which it came, never to return, sealed forever in a gold coffin. And I'd put a sip on my desk that read, "The buck stops at the state capitols, unless we get invaded or some- thing." The UN would have neither my ATM number, nor my phone number.

And then you'd never hear from me again. I wouldn't come and measure the barrels of your shotguns, or search for forbidden flash suppressors. I wouldn't come around asking you how much you made, and taking my cut. I wouldn't be home when you wanted a loan for college, or to start a business, or to buy a home. For a while people would wonder, "What ever happened to that guy" "I think he's still president." And finally people would stop wondering, and get on with their lives. There's my vision. So vote for me.

Well Done
by Laurence Windham

Chuck Irwin was one of those people that God puts into your life for reasons that you don't see at first. But as you get to know them and reflect on the conversations and encounters that you have had with them, you find that they enriched your life more than you ever expected. I received word last month that Chuck had passed from this life to his reward. The news filled me with sadness and joy. Sorrow that I would not be able to fellowship with him any longer in this life but happy that he was now with the Savior that he served out of love.

Chuck and I had worked together in Orlando for Ligonier Ministries. For several years this good man volunteered in the shipping department. But that was the least of what he did. From office to office Chuck would make the rounds discussing theology, church polity, contemporary issues in the church as well as the day's news and events. Though in his seventies, Chuck never slowed down. Though retired, he kept himself busy with the things that mattered.

He never stopped learning. Every Tuesday morning I would barely get in the door before he started discussing with me what he had read and studied during the weekend. I will always admire him for his desire to continue to garner wisdom and knowledge. And he never stopped giving either. My small library was enriched by his kind and thoughtful contributions of Augustine, Calvin and Luther.

Chuck is gone. That is so hard to believe. I'll never forget Tuesday mornings…Big band music playing in the background, him omnipresent coffee cup, and Chuck assembling audio albums, discussing doctrine, sharing donuts, or telling a story from World War II. My life is richer because of his friendship. Good Bye Chuck

What's Next?
by R.C. Sproul Jr.

Anybody know what's next? The church at present lacks an issue du jour. Ten years ago there was a huge fuss over integrationists like Crabb, and Minerth and Meier. Lots of books back and forth. Then came the Toronto Blessing and we bickered. Next was Promise Keepers, followed by Evangelicals and Catholics Together (please don't ever confuse ECT (BAD) and ETC (GOOD)), gender confusion in the Bible and I suppose the last thing was Y2K. I'm not suggesting that those fighting on the side of the angels on those issues should have been pacifists. Nor am I suggesting those battles are either fully won or fully lost. There's still too much psycho-babble in the church, too much babe-babble in the church, and too much smoking the peace pipe with the enemies of the gospel. It just seems odd that there seems to be nothing new warming up in the bullpen. I wonder what that ole debbil's got cookin' now. Whatever it is, let's remember both to continue to preach the gospel in season and out, and to fight the good fight whoever pops up on the other side. The goal is to fight the current trend with the ancient wisdom of the gospel. And to remember that the devil never gives up. None of those battles were our first, nor our last. We need to be diligent, without panicking, faithful without fear.