Letters to the editor
Complimentary observations
Again I congratulate you on an issue well done. The articles on the World Conference in India gave me a small taste of being there.
The idea of Assembly Gathered and Assembly Scattered would give the participants a more rounded view of India and the Mennonite church in the country. The focus on each continent is a good way of giving a brief synopsis.
Re the foolhardy observations: It was good to see a critical, not just complimentary view of the history of the church. It was also wonderful to phrase them as foolhardy--how often do we all make sweeping conclusions on the basis of a surface view of things. At the same time, I respect Don Ratzlaff's insights and the depth of his impressions.
Linda Polsson, (E)
Prince Rupert, B.C.
Observe Jewish festivals
Thank you for "Why is this night different from all others?" (March 21). Christians need to rediscover the Jewish roots of their Christian faith, and the New Testament meaning of the Old Testament festivals. If we are going to celebrate special occasions, why not celebrate those God instituted, rather than "baptized" pagan holidays like Easter? Keeping the Old Testament festivals is not mandatory in the age of grace, but a Jewish Christian friend told me, "Just because you don't have to do something, doesn't mean you have to not do it."
Alan Chattaway (E)
Surrey, B.C.
Vocabulary needs repentance
It is ironic that the issue (March 21) that contained the excellent account of the Reconciliation Walk and the apology for the crusades also had a review of a CD whose title contained the word "crusade". If we are serious about repenting of what our ancestors did during the crusades, that repentance should be seen in our vocabulary. I am not criticizing the contents of the CD or the work being done by organizations that include "crusade" in their name. I am appealing for greater care in our choice of words and even for renaming some groups whose name is an offence to the Muslims they are trying to reach.
George C. Bush, (E)
Bedford N.S.
Articles minister to us
We appreciate the Herald. Here, where we need to always give to others, it is good to receive encouragement and God's Word through the articles. We have been working with other MBM/S missionaries in planting a church among a class of people that have no evangelical church they could attend. We are struggling, like MBs in Canada, to find a way to present Christ so that people will recognize Him as their Lord and Saviour. Keep on sharing with all of us so that we will all be strengthened for this task.
We now need to return to Canada for family reasons. We are leaving a work recently started that needs much prayer.
Gordon Boettcher, (E)
Piura, Peru
Special delivery
I enjoy being able to receive the Herald. I look forward to it filling my mailbox at school. I am going to be finishing my studies soon and would like to receive the Herald at home.
Graham Stobbe, (E)
Three Hills, Alta.
Don't duplicate Focus
Is MB Communications having a mid-life crisis?
MB Communications was born as a result of the vision of the MB Church, which saw in radio tremendous potential for fulfilling the Great Commission. MBC has done a remarkable job of carrying out its mandate, and for that reason has been faithfully supported by the MB constituency. Now it seems that mandate is no longer relevant, and a "change in direction is needed" (News, March 21).
While no one would deny that "the family is under tremendous pressure today", this need is already being very capably addressed by para-church ministries such as Focus on the Family. Why duplicate its efforts?
I urge MB Communications to return to its "first love". I fear that MBC is joining the tragic slide of the evangelical church from theology to psychology, and is losing its "saltiness". MBC has been supported in the past, not because people in its constituency were looking for help for their dysfunctional families, but because they saw that the good news of Jesus Christ is the only answer to people's needs.
Annemarie Wiebe,
Morden, Man.
Whatsoever is true
Re: "A Tangled Web" (Jan. 24) and Amy Burslem's letter (Mar. 21): I commend the Herald for having the courage to sensitively and compassionately write about a subject matter that I was not aware of. The story was tastefully written without the slightest hint of sensual glamorization or erotic intent (there weren't any pictures). The issue hardly warrants the removal of the Herald from the living room. Young children have no interest in the Herald (as a young boy, I didn't).
The article did not violate Philippians 4:8, but confirmed it ("whatsoever things are true"). If it did, would Paul's rebuke to the church in Corinth concerning the man having sexual relations with his mother contradict his instruction to the Philippian church?
What better means to communicate these very real problems to the church at large than the MB Herald? Doesn't the secrecy of such activities allow the problem to grow?
The story did inform parents of "ways to guard against such sinful acts" by moving the subject out into the open. By bringing this problem into the light, more families will have the courage and the tools to disentangle their "tangled webs".
The anonymous father who told his story is to be commended for his honesty and courage; the editor and staff of the Herald are to be congratulated for their decision to print this article.
Dale Koop,
Chilliwack, B.C.
Be the church
I'm still thinking about Henriette Reimer's "Silence must be broken" (Sept. 13). No doubt many readers echoed, "We never get asked out for coffee either!" Forget waiting for an invitation. Put the coffee pot on in your home. Quit weeping and pleading with God for the church to be the church. You be "the church" by forgetting about yourself and caring for others.
R. Pemble,
White Rock, B.C.
Thanks
Thank you for the hard work that you all put into the Herald. You keep us in touch with home, even though we are far away. We have been in Brazil for just over six years, and in May will be returning to Canada, seeking His will in our lives there.
Patty Krueger,
Abbotsford, B.C.
King James Version
I appreciate the letter by Jake Janzen (March 7). He must be reading the King James Bible. Let me pick up on three of his statements: "Jesus did not have a biological father", "if I believe in Him" and "God has made us a kingdom of priests".
Satan must be laughing at how he has duped the leaders of the Christian churches into accepting the new versions. The NIV, RSV and NAS state: "The child's father and mother marvelled" (Luke 2:33). That is making Joseph the biological father.
Jesus said, "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). The new versions have deleted "on me". With that change, even Satan can qualify for everlasting life.
In Revelation 1:5-6, the new versions tell us that Jesus has set us free from the bondage of sin to serve "his" God. That is denying the deity of Jesus.
The translators of the Authorized King James Bible wrote, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God" (II Corinthians 2:17).
Jake Peters,
Winnipeg, Man.
Stepping out
The story by Art White (Jan. 24) was interesting and heartbreaking. Although Mr. White thought and prayed for the "nameless woman", he did nothing to help her actual situation. If this is a true story, he witnessed two crimes which should have been reported to the police: driving while intoxicated and assault. As an RCMP Victim Services Coordinator, I am concerned about what happened to the woman after her husband got home. Given the details Mr. White documented, it is likely that this woman had suffered years of physical abuse without reporting the assaults, and she probably was beaten for her act of "courage". If police were aware of her situation, they could have perhaps intervened in time to ensure her safety, and she may then have been connected with a Victim Services agency where she could have found emotional support and legal information. As a Christian, I wonder how I would feel if a woman like this ended up coming to my church in a few years and gave a testimony detailing the years of abuse and the lack of assistance she received from the church community. Sometimes helping our neighbour means stepping out of our comfort zones (in this case, out of our vehicle) and speaking out for the rights of the abused (Proverbs 3:27, 24:25).
Tanya Roberts,
Fort St. John, B.C.
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