To the editor:

The raging controversy over music reminds me of a story.  A team of renowned psychiatrists was holding a group therapy session for a whole crowd of disturbed individuals.  One of the patients whom they interviewed thought he was Napoleon.  Standing there, hand-in-coat, he recited his battles, reviewed his strategies, reported his love affairs and relished his accomplishments.  Psychotics throughout the audience followed with great interest.  Finally one of the psychiatrists spoke up, "Who told you that you are Napoleon?"  Napoleon answered, "Why--God told me!"  A voice boomed from the back of the audience, "I did not!"

In weak moments I wish that some Napoleon would arise and comment on this music controversy for as yet I do not feel that God has spoken clearly on the subject from the back of the audience or anywhere else.

We have heard one review after another and still the issue hasn't settled.  For some it will only be settled when a voice stands up in the back of the audience and settles it.  For others it does not need to be settled, for controversy, when well managed, can be the very stimulus to Christian maturity.  Here's hoping that the Clarion can continue to be good managers of controversy, stopping short of Napoleonism or speaking from the back of the audience.

Donald N. Larson
Professor of Anthropology