Letters to the Editor

Literal feasts

Bob Tebbutt's letter (Sept. 27) suggests John Calvin, who classified all who embraced "faith", whether Jew or Greek, as "spiritual Israel/church" and therefore the recipients of the Old Testament promises, covenants and blessings. Too bad for literal Israel; they blew it and have forever surrendered the promises and blessings.

In Leviticus 23 Israel was told to observe seven feasts. The first three, Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits, have literal fulfillments in the New Testament. The fourth, Feast of Weeks (50 days after Firstfruits), has a literal fulfillment in Pentecost. The three remaining (Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles) are left without any literal fulfillment--so far. If God has been literal with the first four feasts, why "spiritualize" the last three? Biblical consistency demands that all be treated the same.

Literal Israel is on the verge of making the prophecies of Daniel, Jeremiah, Ezkiel, etc. literally come to pass. Israel is going to take possession of the temple site in Jerusalem. The fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement is imminent. Can the Feast of Tabernacles be far behind?

Romans 11 says that literal Israel has been cut off because of unbelief but will be regrafted in. God will bring Israel back to Himself (a literal fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets), followed by the repentance of Israel (fulfilling the Day of Atonement feast) and by Israel's rest as celebrated in the Feast of Tabernacles.

If Bob Tebbutt is on the Internet, I would welcome his response and leave the "Letters" column open to others. I am very curious as to how these feasts are treated in his theology. Who knows? I might learn something. Argument can be constructive as well as destructive.

Ernest D. Schulz, (E)
Spirit River, Alta.
erny2@agt.net

Dreams can have meaning

Because we receive our Heralds three months late, I've refrained from commenting on some thought-provoking articles in the past. Having just read G. Goossen's and G. Nickel's articles (July 19), I couldn't help but say "Amen!" As Western Christians, we have done our utmost to silence God's quiet voice in the night, and it's great to see someone trying to turn up the volume.

The Bible gives us numerous examples of believers being encouraged, challenged, warned and taught through dreams, and yet we seem to believe we have no need of them. Many times I've been embarrassed here in Botswana as believers have approached me asking for help in interpreting their dreams. I've had to admit that I'm a novice in this area. My African brothers and sisters fully believe that dreams are the passageway from the physical/material world to the spiritual/immaterial world. Many Christians here have told me how the Lord used dreams to bring them to faith (similar to the stories related by Nickel, while others have shared how God has brought healing and guidance through dreams after conversion (like Goosen's experience).

We need a greater willingness to explore this area of God's working. One cannot simply enter in naively, but one must come with a firm knowledge of Scripture and a willingness to discern what God is saying or if, in fact, it is God speaking. Perhaps an article on dreams and visions from a biblical perspective could be carried in the Herald.

Thanks for a great publication. Like other MB missionaries, we look forward to every issue.

J. Bryan Born, (E)
Botswana

Timely reminder

"New Order Mennonites" (Aug. 30) was a timely reminder on change and balance. The comparison was thought-provoking, and the examples hit the mark. It is encouraging that we are not alone in questioning the intolerance towards more traditional worship forms. It seems it is not a matter of the "old" making room for the "new", but that the "new" has deemed the "old" worthless. Is there not room for the dignity of both?

Les and Norma Neufeld, (E)
Abbotsford, B.C.

Jesus is Lord

It was evident the Mennonite Brethren church I attended in another province worships God. However, Jesus was not mentioned. It is good to be in a church here in Winnipeg where Jesus is proclaimed as Lord and Redeemer.

Henry Koop,
Winnipeg, Man.

More dialogue needed

Thank you for continuing to provide us with a place for dialogue. That is precisely what was missing in the recent Conference approval of a resolution regarding certain activities. Dave Wagner (Letters, Sept. 13) is correct that the resolution's intent is "anti-stumbling, not anti-dancing". For that intent, the Board of Faith and Life is to be thanked. However, the resolution, by pronouncing a blanket prohibition on certain activities at conference-sponsored and church-sponsored events, has mandated only one way to protect against stumbling--avoidance. It has adopted the apostle Paul's particular response in the case of eating meat offered to idols (I Corinthians 8:1-13) as the way to deal with all activities "which are likely to cause offense". I take up Wagner's encouragement to discuss the implications of church-sponsored activities and suggesting that we consider other solutions.

Take the case of dancing. First, we need to take into account that there are many forms of dancing, some more appropriate than others. The least con troversial would include interpretive dance in worship services (a highlight of the 1996 Canadian Conference convention) and line dancing at a family event. Second, let's consider teaching each other how to appreciate the value of dancing while avoiding the dangers. Such non-avoidance may create less of a stumbling block to the spiritually immature, as well as prevent unnecessary objections to the Good News by those who have not yet accepted Jesus. Most important, we might better reflect God, who seems more comfortable with ambiguity and complexity than we often are, and who is given to extravagant expressions of delight in creation.

Roland Balzer,
Abbotsford, B.C.

Global village or narrow worldview?

It is pleasurable to read the Herald, although it comes irregularly--sometimes two copies in a week, then 4 - 5 weeks without news. I guess it's the price to pay for living abroad.

But are we living abroad, or is our world a global village? The world map in "YMI gears up for another summer" (June 14) is surprising. The equator is at the lower 1/3. The Americas take the middle position, and the former Soviet Union, Australia and a number of ther nations are cut in two. Algeria is over 4.5 times larger than France; on this map, it seems barely 3 times larger.

Does our worldview reveal our theology? Let us be world citizens.

Michel Paret,
Paris, France

Jesus is coming

Just as the hundreds of prophecies concerning Jesus' first advent were literally fulfilled, so will the hundreds concerning His second coming.

The first stage of Christ's second coming is "the rapture of the church" (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The second stage is "the revelation of Christ" (Zechariah 14:4, I Thessalonians 1:7-10, Revelation 1:7); Christ will come to the earth, deliver Israel and set up His kingdom for 1000 years. Israel shall be the ruling nation, and Jerusalem the capital of the world. We will rule with Christ in the kingdom age.

The first stage is separated from the second by seven years of "the tribulation" (Matthew 24:21, Jeremiah 30:7, Daniel 9:24-27).

The first stage of Christ's coming again can take place at any time. There are no prophecies to be fulfilled beforehand. But when we see signs of the tribulation already, how close is our going up?

The things that are going on in our homes, are the same things that went on in Noah's day and in Sodom and Gomorrah. We must be about our Master's business--winning souls. This is not the time to be idle. The more we believe in His imminent coming, the more we will work for the Lord and live holy, clean lives.

Jesus says, "O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:3). The Messiah was among them; they did not recognize Him. Are we any better?

David Graves,
Randolph, Man.

Letters enjoyable

We really enjoy the letters to the editor. Keep up the good work!

Abe and Edith Schmidt, (E)
Kitchener, Ont.

Witness to government

John Redekop's "The right and the wrong of the Christian Right" (Mar. 8) raises a question much in need of discussion within Mennonite Central Committee. MCC seems to have pursued two approaches to governmental change. The first is to convince enough voters to change positions in favour of specific theological viewpoints. This is also done by lobbying for specific legislation. A second approach is that of influencing governments towards systemic changes. An example would be the provision of criteria for the environmental inquiry process. MCC has tried to offer means for testing the integrity between the image presented to the public and the actual implementation of legislations.

While Redekop does a commendable job in raising questions about the religious right, it is helpful to also ask about an anabaptist perspective. In addressing the government of Canada, MCC has been pushed to focus on the Christian complicity with government and industry regarding the harvesting of resources in ways that negatively impact Native communities. The question of access to resources and on what terms they become accessible is an ever intensifying question--especially since fossil fuels, minerals, water, forestry and aerial space are so often found on Native turf. In addition to MCC's statements on industrial development and on aboriginal rights, we need a statement on a spiritual approach to justice and a fresh debate on the Christian's responsibility in achieving systemic justice within our country.

After my soul was converted to the Lord, I began to wonder about conversion in the system in which I live (Luke 4:16).

Menno Wiebe,
Director of Native Concerns, MCC,
Winnipeg, Man.

Misrepresentation of history

Thank you for "What did you do in the First World War, Grandad?" (Sept. 27). It is interesting that Mr. Hitchman's grandfather was an Englishman (not Mennonite). It is also interesting that he based his convictions on the Bible, and that he stood pretty much alone, without any support from a Christian church. It is only when we must stand alone on a personal conviction that the proof of our faith is shown.

On another point, why is the article accompanied by a photograph of French soldiers of World War I when a picture of British soldiers in a road building crew was needed? Be careful to not misrepresent history to your younger readers.

Love your magazine.

Harold Field,
Selkirk, Man.

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