This afternoon I had a regular examination by my dermatologist, Roger T. Moore, M.D. Having lived with a bald head for more than fifty years under Florida’s wonderful sun I am susceptible to occasional development of precancerous cells on my head. I urge my many friends in the deep South to be Skin Wise: seek the shade, cover up with tight woven clothes and wide hats, examine your skin, and visit a dermatologist if there is a suspicious change. My visit with Dr. Moore and his staff was pleasant even though my scalp was not perfect.
Now I want to continue with thoughts roused by Gloria Neufeld Redekop. (See past post.) The title of her book suggests that she wrote it to engage Fundamentalist Evangelicalism. Engage is a fascinating word.
An engagement usually follows a time of intense friendship. Two persons are obviously attracted to each other. They so enjoy each other’s company that they pledge marriage for life. The pledge initiates an engagement.
It is expected that the engaged couple will marry, thus legalizing their relationship. But marriage does not end engaging. There are several nuances to the definitions of engagement.
Sometimes the engaging is so intense that the friendship ends and the relationship ends in a divorce. The divorce may be mutual and congenial, but even then the engaging continues, especially if the the couple are parents and a child is the concern of both parents.
Now to return to the spiritual pilgrimage of Gloria Redekop, as I understood her account to the group gathered for the New Perspectives on Faith on Sunday evening, October 20, 2013. As a young woman Gloria was attracted to the peace described by the fundamentalism of evangelicalism. She was so drawn by the promise of peace that she went forward to altar calls many times. However, she was disappointed. Nothing ever took away the fear of hell instilled in her by the fundamentals.
To be continued
