She fully embraced the Reformed and Presbyterian faith as described in the Westminster standards. She would never burden others that they must because she did – but that she did isn’t really a question. She was of the old, rugged faith. She never felt the need to pressure anyone in regard to matters of faith but she also didn’t have a great deal of patience for cute or pop cultural theological moods. This was part of her strength.
As to Raquel Welch, thank you for your many condolences.
She was a wonderful lady and a fine Christian. The children have taken it a bit hard as they have many fond memories. I’ll tell you a few things the usual sources won’t tell you.
First, she was a serious Christian and church member. Many people (maybe most people) do things when they’re young or make decisions they think better of later in life. Because she did also she had great grace and understanding for every person. This is a great testimony of her hope in Christ.
She had no reason for games or play at the faith and she took her religion seriously. We had deep talks about theology historical and theoretical and she embraced both with care and study.
As with many, her faith grew more serious and practical with age. It’s often true that the most important things become the most important to us as we’ve matured personally. That’s just to say that spiritual and personal maturity are often coincident age and life experience.
Second, she fully embraced the Reformed and Presbyterian faith as described in the Westminster standards. She would never burden others that they must because she did – but that she did isn’t really a question. She was of the old, rugged faith. She never felt the need to pressure anyone in regard to matters of faith but she also didn’t have a great deal of patience for cute or pop cultural theological moods. This was part of her strength.
Third, she was just another lady of the church. She didn’t put on airs or expect special attention (although she could hardly avoid even with the best of intentions being the most glamorous person in the room). And she often advised churches and ministries on practical and business matters because she was brilliant in those things. You didn’t think she survived and thrived 60+ years in the public eye by just being a pretty face?
Fourth, she often attributed the revitalization of her faith to others with whom she had to do including other conservative Presbyterians Jimmy Stewart, Ron Reagan and Chuck Heston.
Fifth, she thought of the Reformed faith as the faith of her family, parents and ancestors and the one that was deep enough and strong enough to carry a person through a difficult and painful life.
Because of her peculiar life and the experiences that come with that she didn’t trust many people. When everyone wants to be your friend it’s hard to have any.
Still she was our friend and a delightful lady full of grace, wisdom and good humor. She loved our children and there’s no greater testimony of care and true concern than that.
We will miss her.
