|  | |
Previous | Next
 |
Brief letters that include the writer’s name and address are welcome. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, though we may withhold names at our discretion. Letters may be edited for purposes of length or clarity. Send by regular mail to:
Letters, MB Herald
3-169 Riverton Ave.
Winnipeg, Man. R2L 2E5 |
or by e-mail to mbherald@mbconf.ca.
Please ensure that your mailing address is included in your e-mail correspondence. |
Cliché tiresome
I have wearied of the cliché that Henry Koop has repeated, that “Jesus loves the sinner, but hates the sin” (Letters, Oct. 8). His assertion that AIDS has been used to “destroy” homosexuals leads me to wonder whether Mr. Koop has ever met a homosexual, much less followed Jesus in loving him/her.
Stephen Mortley,
Niagara Falls, Ont.
Understanding needed
Thank you for the opportunity for dialogue in Letters. Ernest Penner’s concerns (Letters, Oct. 8) probably reflect the same limited understanding that most of us have had regarding the homosexual issue. Because my views were limited, it became important for me to explore this further. Based on my findings to date, I address his comments.
First, not all homosexuals fall into the category covered by the Old Testament law. Many homosexuals today choose to remain celibate. Many other homosexuals marry heterosexuals and remain faithful to their spouses. They do not commit the acts forbidden in Leviticus. Neither do they frequent bars, or participate in sinful acts with multiple partners. This does not alter the fact that they are homosexuals.
The sexual orientation of homosexuals is different from heterosexuals. By definition, they are not physically attracted to people of the opposite sex, but struggle with attraction for people of the same sex. This orientation is something they do not necessarily choose. On the other hand, their behaviour definitely is a choice. Many homosexuals choose not to engage in sinful behaviour. For those that do sin, I agree with Penner that even they can go to heaven if they repent and accept Jesus.
Second, there are no sins that are more acceptable than others in the eyes of God. We should not accept the sins of judging others, slander, gossip, etc. any more than we should accept the sins of the homosexual. However, the sins committed by many homosexuals, particularly the more vocal ones, are not something to which we can relate. Thus our fear of that sin makes it harder to love the sinner. Some may even fear that reaching out to them might destroy our churches.
My thanks to Henry Koop (Letters, Oct. 8) for reminding us to love the sinner while we hate the sin. How can we best show that love? That is difficult for us when our only experience with homosexuals is what we see in the media and not the person who may be sitting next to us in church. We have much to learn.
Helma Schmidt,
Leamington, Ont.
Bothered
Although I look forward to receiving the Herald, I’ve been bothered from time to time by what I read.
It bothers me that the DOXA leader (Oct. 8) answered a question of how well the group’s worship albums were selling, by using a Bible passage. It seems that there is pressure to be spiritual throughout the interview. Is there a false sense of humility here?
It bothers me that Peter Neufeld (Letters, April 3, 1998) could travel to Mexico and see the “holiness” of his Kleine Gemeinde cousins in not having modern music in church or the “devil’s television” at home, as if technology and cultural relevancy were somehow evil. He then uses e-mail to make us aware of our unholiness, misquoting Jesus along the way. Is there a false sense of piety here?
It bothers me that people constantly write letters saying that practising homosexuality is somehow a valid Christian lifestyle. The rest of us not struggling with such temptations are told to tolerate the actions of those who give in to sin. Is there a false sense of love here?
It bothers me that some will see this letter and think I’m out to do some spiritual clear-cutting. I invite their personal responses as I probably have something in my eye, sized anywhere from a speck to a plank. I believe Jesus said something about that. On the other hand, is there a false sense of forestry here?
Martin Blumrich,
Winnipeg, Man.
Fathers too
I was reading a study of Mennonite women who stayed in abusive marriages 3 to 29 years, trying valiantly to “make it work” because they thought it was their Christian duty, even at the risk of their lives. Their pastors and church friends reinforced that thinking, though the harm to their children is probably incalculable. Asked about helpful suggestions for churches, several women mentioned their church-based impression that the well-being of the marriage was totally their responsibility. They proposed that “men in the church needed more education regarding their responsibilities as husbands, while less emphasis should be placed on women’s responsibilities”.
Then I glanced at the Herald (Oct. 8) and saw “The Top Ten Temptations of Motherhood” – written by a man! I have no quarrel with the content, though I thought the tone a little blaming and the format inadequate. Maybe they should have been his ten most urgent prayers? May we expect, in the next issue, “The Top Ten Temptations of Fatherhood” – written by a woman?
D. Stewart,
North Vancouver, B.C.
Commendable
I commend you on the Herald Web site. Somehow, my hard copy always seems to arrive weeks after that of our friends; consequently, I am always behind the current discussion of Herald articles. In the past, your Web site left much to be desired, but now it is as if I am reading the copy that comes in the mail. Thanks!
Ron van Akker,
Langley. B.C.
Education good
In “Information” (Sept. 24), James Toews claims that “knowledge can be not only dangerous but also deadly.” Is his claim valid?
The story of temptation in Eden is not about the knowledge of good and evil. Rather, the key to interpreting this story is the serpent’s claim that the man and woman would become “like God” (Genesis 3:5). The temptation was to advance their position in the Cosmos, to be determiners, to have power, influence and control. In short, the story is about the temptation faced by humans to grasp life and identity for themselves, when such things are a gift from God.
“Gift and grasp” is a theme coursing through the Bible. Grasping leads to failure. Gift, on the other hand, leads to blessing. Only Jesus, it seems, understood that equality with God was not “something to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6).
The aim of education is not knowledge, but transformation. That is, an educated person is not merely one who knows things, but one who is transformed in attitude, conduct and relationships by understanding how the things he knows fit together. Moral conduct arises out of a transformation that occurs because the educated person has understanding. In public education, morality can be taught from the basis of logic. Unfortunately, such teaching rarely occurs. As a Christian, I will go one step further and say that a truly transformed person is one who is empowered by God’s Spirit, but that takes me beyond the point I want to make.
The point is this: Information is disseminated today like vitamins for the intellect. The problem is that many people are being taught, but not educated. It is not the knowledge of evil that should concern us, but why that knowledge fails to generate certain results.
Historically, Mennonites have been skeptical of “higher learning”. I don’t understand why. In my opinion, it is really the educated person who is “wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19).
James Klassen,
Dawson Creek, B.C.
New Confession lacking
I have just received the new Confession of Faith. It took a decade to prepare that? They need to go back to work. Maybe there are others who also find the Confession confusing.
Article 1: “God’s . . . love sustains this world until the end of the age.” What age are they talking about? What happens when God’s sustaining love comes to an end at the end of the age?
Article 4: “In sin people turn from God, . . . worshipping and serving the creature.” Who is the creature? Do they mean the devil?
Article 6: Are they saying that the body of Christ and the organized church are the same thing?
Article 8: “Baptism by water is a public sign that a person has repented of sins.” I have met many people who have been baptized with water without being Christians. In fact, one man allowed himself to be baptized five times; after that, he was finally converted.
Article 8: “Baptism is a sign of the believer’s incorporation into the body of Christ.” I think I know what that is supposed to mean, but then they add, “as expressed in the local church”. Are they saying that by joining a local church the person becomes a member in the body of Christ?
Article 17: “Christians treat people of other faiths . . . with respect.” The Bible says, “one faith” (Ephesians 4:5, cf; Ephesians 2:8). Are they saying that there are other faiths equal to the salvation in Christ?
Article 18: “Christ’s followers go to be with the Lord when they die.” Sounds good! The Lord is in heaven, so that is where they are. Then it says, “When Christ returns they will be raised.” What remains in the grave that can be raised when Christ returns?
Jake Peters,
Winnipeg, Man.
Previous | Next Last modified December 9, 1999.
© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.
|
