Commentary on" SECRET RADIO" and Jeri Massi

It is unfortunately necessary for me to write this as I would like to clear my name from unjust and malicious slander. When people look up my web site, frequently my name pops up with a certain web site that I do not recommend nor endorse. I would like to explain and defend myself as I consider my web site to be for the purpose of honoring my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let's start from the beginning.

In March '04, I began to do a search on Christian web sites. "SECRET RADIO" immediately caught my attention, and I looked it up. There was a fictional book online about a young woman's memories of her senior year at an IFB college. Since I had gone to two Baptist Bible colleges, I became very interested and avidly began to read the daily posts that were published in a kind of serial, diary format. The book was written in first person with the author using a fictional woman's name. The author even fictionalized and feigned great sensitivity for her readers to make it look as though she personally had suffered and been terribly hurt by a lot of bad men in leadership positions. After each serial, comments were offered for readers. Because reading has been a hobby for most of my life, I recognized that the author of this book really had an excellent command of English. Jeri Mass [the real author] did a very commendable job of creating the characters of young women in a conservative [fundamentalist] Christian college. As I read each serial, I began to hope and pray that Miss Massi would be truthful and really give an accurate portrayal of what life was like in that type of college. I tried to encourage her by kind and tactful comments. I shared some of my experiences from my years that basically could be summarized this way: the teaching and practical programs at Christian colleges of this type are generally good and even very good. Yes, there can be problems with the leadership and faculty, but the biggest problem that Miss Massi has omitted is the terrible, rebellious, un-Christlike attitude of a significant number of students at so many of these colleges. These would be the "children of Belial" that the Bible refers to in the OT [although not all the rebellious students were]. This problem is nothing new; it goes all the way back to Genesis where Adam and Eve sinned against God and thus brought a sin nature upon themselves [Rom. 5:12-14] that was spread to ALL people. Sin=death; both physical and spiritual. This is why it was necessary for Jesus to sacrificially die on the cross-it was to take our sins upon Himself and pay for them perfectly and completely [II Cor. 5:21; I Peter 2:24; 3:18]. After 3 days, Jesus rose victoriously, proving that He is the Son of God by conquering sin and death. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) and "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:7). The new birth MUST take place if we call ourselves God's children. The new birth is manifested by the fruits of the Holy Spirit [love, joy, peace, etc.] and a desire to put Jesus Christ first in all things [Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:18].

Sadly and tragically, I do not see the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His attributes in the life of Jeri Massi as evidenced by her writing and her life. It is obvious that she is intelligent and that she has a prodigious ability to take in information. But her problem is that she will twist, distort and defile any kind of facts and information she receives for the apparent reason to spread personal malice. It was my sincere hope that she write for the Lord and expose the main problems of Fundamentalism and give practical solutions [as she is more than capable of doing!] I had hoped that she would do it in a Christ-like manner and "speak the truth with love" [Eph. 4:15]. I really hoped that for herself and for the characters in her works of fiction, she would create models of the virtuous woman from Prov. 31. How beautiful is that woman! We read in God's Word how she is not only virtuous but wise, hard-working, charitable, being blessed with honor and praise. One of my favorite attributes is simply that she speaks with kindness. How attractive are all these attributes in a Christian lady! But Jeri Massi has refused the wise way of the virtuous woman.

Now as I close, I believe it appropriate [according to Matt. 18:15-17] to personally address Miss Massi and ask her the following questions:

1. Could you please give me your testimony of salvation? To whom have you been saved to and what have you been saved from? In the light of II Cor. 5:17 ["Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."], in what specific ways does this describe you?
2. Please explain the ways you are obedient to the Lord in the context of the local church [I Tim. 3:15]; what personal ways is Jesus precious to you [I Peter 2:7]; and how are you exhibiting his life before others [Matt. 5:14-16].
3. Why have you consistently distorted facts and used libel and slander against myself and others?
4. In looking at the FFF [forums], many have confronted you and appealed to you to be reasonable and explain yourself. Why have you never answered the allegations of being so evil, especially in the form of hateful, ill-mannered, vindictiveness? One lady continually quoted Rom.12:19 ["Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."]; why didn't you answer her? Here is your opportunity.
5. You claim to be serving God-are you doing it His way? In the light of I Cor. 3:11-15 and Rom.14:10-12, do you expect God's blessing? Are you pleasing Him? Will you be commended and hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."? I just hope and pray you will see that God's work must be done His way.
6. There is an old saying, "Hurt people, hurt people." Have you been hurt in your life, Jeri? Was it in your childhood? Are you bitter because you're not married? These questions I don't want you to answer to me, but it would be wise to first take your hurts and burdens to the Lord [Matt. 11:28-30], then talk with your pastor and then with an older, wiser Christian woman in your church whom you trust. Jeri, this is extremely important because it is so obvious that you are basically a law unto yourself. You must realize that you are NOT the measure of all things: only God is! We have to make decisions according to His Word.

Jeri, as I have said before, you have terrific talent and great potential; why not surrender completely to the Lord and be the Christian woman God wants you to be? Let's take care of this problem soon and do it the Bible way. I have prayed for you, and I will continue to do so.

Sincerely in Christ,
Peter Schissel