Letters to the editor

Church to take up slack

Re: "Are the churches ready?" (Jan. 10). Many MBs are financially self-sufficient; however, their churches and conferences do not enjoy the same luxury, operating with deficit budgets. How can we do social ministry when it takes a trapeze artist to get across the money pit now?

The list of ministry possibilities will broaden as more government cutbacks occur, unless the people elect leaders who govern with conviction, wisdom, fortitude and common sense. That common sense may lead some zealous parliamentarians to start taxing churches since they are so rich. Where I work, staff are encouraged to be pro-active. I would rather see us apply ministry resources to preventing crises by teaching skills to those who are the most needy now. Eventually we all will be needy in one way or another.

Rudy Hiebert, (E)
Abbotsford, B.C.

Catholicism not the answer

As an evangelical missionary in a Roman Catholic country (Italy), I was taken aback by the letter of Joanne and Larry Kohut (Nov. 22). While there are Catholics who are genuinely saved, it seems to me that many in North America are confused as to the true nature of the Roman Catholic Church, the "gospel" it preaches and the consequent spiritual condition of the vast majority of its members. The Synthesis of the New Catechism, Questions and Answers (a Roman Catholic publication) asks, "In what way are we forgiven our sins?" The answer: "Principally through baptism, which unites us to Christ who died and rose from the dead and who gives us the Holy Spirit." Again, "Do other forms of forgiveness for sins exist?" The answer: "According to the will of Christ, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of those baptized; it exercises this power through its cardinals and priests, normally in the sacrament of penance." Question: "How should we prepare for death?" Answer: "By asking the Mother of God (Mary) to intercede for us `in the hour of our death' (Ave Maria) and to trust ourselves to Saint Joseph, patron saint of the good death" (translated from Italian). The Roman Catholic Church does not preach the simple, life-transforming message of salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. My wife and mother-in-law were raised in the Roman Catholic Church in Italy. I thank the Lord that He sent evangelical missionaries to their city so that they could hear the gospel, believe and be saved.

Stan Goertzen, (E)
Bologna, Italy

Cathedrals empty

Re "Catholics fellow Christians" (Letters, Nov. 22). The Bible never talks about Catholics or Protestants. Jesus says, "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7). "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John 14:6). In other words, only those who believe, personally accept Jesus into their hearts and ask and receive forgiveness of sins through Him can enter the Kingdom of God.

Having been in Europe numerous times (as well as living there), I find it to be materially rich, educated, religious and ungodly. Its cathedrals are huge, beautiful and empty. The masses are nominally religious, but their hearts are empty of any real meaning and hope. Having travelled, lived and worked in many countries, both developed and underdeveloped, I'm perplexed by the spiritual darkness, gross human suffering and misery. Tour Central and South America. Massive, beautiful churches and multitudes of children begging for the necessities of life at their doorsteps. Bring them the gospel of Jesus Christ so they, too, can have hope, joy and peace, now and forever. It is a question of the heart relationship with Christ, not of outward affiliations.

J. Penner,
Winnipeg, Man.

Bond in Christ

Someone gave you my name and I now receive your magazine. I thank you. May I share a thought? "Oh that our common bond is not the Mennonite denomination or any other, but our gracious Holy Spirit of God." Only then will "the things of earth grow strangely dim".

Lukie Beyer,
Port Rowan, Ont.

Additional thoughts

Thanks to Jim Holm for "Planned from the beginning" (Dec. 6). Although some find these genealogies dull reading, I found this one exciting. The genealogy proves that Jesus is "the one and only". I add a few thoughts.

1. Jesus did not have a biological father; otherwise, He would have inherited sinful blood. He was a perfect, sinless sacrifice. Jesus entered this world via the womb like us so that we could become like Him (I John 3:2).

2. Jesus came to occupy an everlasting Kingdom, not a temporary earthly one (Psalm 145:13).

3. When Satan had Jesus crucified, he had an innocent man killed. Eternal justice demands a penalty. Satan's time is limited. This becomes more exciting. An omnipotent Jesus (Matthew 28:18) gives me authority to belong to His family if I believe in Him (John 1:12). Thus, I have become a royal Priest (I Peter 2:9). In Old Testament days, a king could never become a priest. King Uzziah tried and was stricken with leprosy (II Chronicles 26:19). Conversely, a priest could not become a member of royalty. But God has made us a Kingdom of priests.

Jake Janzen,
Winnipeg, Man.

Thank you

Thank you for the Herald. I appreciate it very much. Good reading material. Praying for you.

Tina Guenter,
Calgary, Alta.

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