Reaching heaven in Beaufort, 12 inches at a time
Interesting as it is, Ryan Copeland’s article (“Years later, we’re still asking. Which Beaufort church steeple is closer to God?,” Jan. 24) leaves most readers and a few architects wondering which of two Beaufort churches truly has the nearer-to-God steeple.
However, is that really the important question? If not, what is?
The phrase “nearer to God” is spiritual to me, and others I’m sure, and cannot be measured in inches.
It reminds me of those doomed musicians on the sinking Titanic, playing their hearts out in prayer to “Nearer, My God, to Thee.” I’m certain they were not thinking inches or yards. They were surrendering themselves and fellow passengers to God. So the phrase as used in this article’s headline is unrealistic.
God’s heaven is in the heart of his creations. That is where He can be reached — not by the tip of a spire on a tower.
According to Scripture, the Lord destroyed a tower dedicated and intended to reach heaven. Remember Babel? (Genesis 11:1-9). Beaufort’s spires merely point to heaven.
As for their closeness, remember the poor widow who gave all she had as an offering when rich men offered so much more money. Jesus said her offering was far greater, thus revealing her true closeness to God. (Luke 21: 1-4). And for this reason, a town’s smallest church can be “nearer to God” than any imposing cathedral spire.
Ryan wrote an excellent article challenging engineers — but also providing me with an incentive to add some hopefully thought-provoking comments.
Thompson Everingham
Bluffton
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This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Reaching heaven in Beaufort, 12 inches at a time."