Don Kirkland. Something Ventured: Selected Writings from My Career in Journalism. Greenville. Baptist Courier Press. ©2014
I have been feasting for the past several days. I discovered by accident former Baptist Courier editor, Don Kirkland’s book, Something Ventured. It is a spiritual feast.
Don’s writing skills are well known by South Carolina Baptists. His knowledge of Scripture is apparent in every entry. He makes me wish I knew about Walter Rauschenbusch, the father of the social gospel movement; however, this is not his greatest contribution. His real contribution is in helping us understand our roles as ordinary Christians.
Don tells us that the Bible sheds light on all the times in Jesus’ ministry that are not specifically accounted for, “He went about doing good.” He makes its clear that going about doing good is exactly what we are to do. He quotes renowned poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “All service ranks the same with God.” Jesus puts it this way, “You are the light of the world.”
According to Don, “Christianity must be visible to others or it is not Christianity at all.” Later he says, “I encourage those who will hear me to never throw in the towel. Never stop doing what Jesus expects of us.”
We hear you, Don. Thank you.
