April 13 Today in OPC History

On April 13, 1967, the Rev. Edwards Elliott wrote the following letter to Mr. David Hannah, the coordinator of American Athletes in Actions.

Dear Mr. Hannah:

The cool disregard of the Lord's Day by athletes presumed to be able to give a Christian testimony is most offensive. Isaiah 58: 13-14 has not been erased from Scripture. The day may seem to be helpless before your advancing tread, but it still says, "Don't tread on me." It was at the Paris Olympics that Eric Lidell refused to run on the Lord's Day. His testimony has entered the illustration books as an example of how the Lord honors those who honor him. The race was postponed, and Lidell went on to win it. The righteousness of the law is to be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Sin remains defined according to law, and the moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments. His commandments are not grievous. His yoke is easy. But it is a commandment, and it is a yoke. I therefore plead with you not to knock yourselves out as Christians by undercutting your own testimony of the gospel of the grace of God. Schedule the meet on another day of the week.

Mr. Elliott's letter was in response to a flyer that the athletic division of Campus Crusade for Christ, the American Coaches & Athletes in Action, was sending out in Southern California. The flyer read, "ARE YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS INTERESTED IN ATHLETICS? DO YOUR YOUTH WANT AN EXCITING NEW PROGRAM? ARE YOUR CHURCH LAYMEN LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH THE UNCHURCHED?" The flyer then proclaimed that the Rose Bowl Invitational Track Meet on Sunday, June 4, with an evangelistic thrust may be the answer.

Picture: Edwards Elliott and family