Assaulted by Salt? Newsweek Makes a Correction

Newsweek magazine recently published this correction:

In the Feb. 6 article “Cut, Thrust and Christ,” we misquoted Jerry Falwell as using the words “assault ministry.” In fact, Falwell was referring to “a salt ministry,” a reference to Matthew 5:13 where Jesus says “ye are the salt of the earth.”

The article reported on the fact that evangelical schools are dominating the college debate competitions, with Liberty University ranked number one in the nation. Harvard University is currently ranked 14th.

Clearly, the Newsweek reporter had no concept of a “salt ministry” and simply misunderstood Dr. Falwell’s statement.

Nevertheless, the mistake is really funny in its own way. An “assault ministry” or a “salt ministry?” Perhaps it is hard to tell the difference some times, when the presence and influence of salt can seem like an assault. Still, I would rather be found acting like salt, than launching an assault. May God grant us grace to know the difference.