Letters to the Editor

SPCU first

Re the news item on Russia (Aug. 28): We have been working with St. Petersburg Christian University (SPCU) since 1994. SPCU is an evangelical, international and interdenominational Bible college/seminary that offers a four-year Bachelor of Theology and trains pastors, missionaries and teachers for the churches and theological schools of the former Soviet Union. Following the proclamation of the New Law on Freedom and Conscience by the Kremlin in 1997, all institutions offering religious training were also required to re-register. The first step by SPCU to meet the new requirements was to update its constitution. One of the stipulations was that SPCU had to have a Russian national founder, and an application was made to the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (UECB), which was approved in January 1998. Following the registration of the UECB last May, SPCU submitted its constitution for registration. Confirmation of successful registration was received from the Ministry of Justice by rector Victor Avdeev on July 7. The ministry made a point of stating that SPCU was the first Russian theological institution to have completed registration under the New Law on Religion.

Henry H. Dueck, Secretary, (E)
SPCU Board of Directors

Faith based on Christ

I am not an evangelical Christian, but I was taken aback to read that Jesus would have

never danced or laughed, at least not in church (John Schultz, Letters, Aug 28). Jesus thrashed His way through the temple with a whip, but never danced? He hung out with whores and tax collectors, but never laughed? He baited the Pharisees, destabilized just about everyone's comfort zones, but never danced or laughed? I'd like to see faith based on the life of Christ, rather than the comfortable banalities of tradition.

Randy Schroeder, (E)
Calgary, Alta.

Learn from others

Thank you for the reasoned perspective on homosexuality (Editorial, Aug 28). I, too, have been saddened by the many attempts, both within and without the church, to make this lifestyle acceptable. The step from acceptance and inclusion to endorsement and promotion is infinitesimally small.

Might I suggest that we learn from our brothers and sisters in the mainline denominations (Anglican, United and United Methodist)? Acceptance and tolerance (Where in the Bible does it say we must tolerate sin?) have given way to endorsement, promotion and finally an open flaunting of this behaviour. The result—tremendous pain, anguish, conflict and ultimately a breakup of the denomination.

We are fighting a spiritual battle against the "father of lies". In the

same way that God uses people to do His work, Satan has deceived many among us to do his nefarious deeds under the guise of "love", "tolerance" and "acceptance". We must refuse to be a party to his handiwork. We must resist steadfastly the encroachment of heretical viewpoints.

Win Wachsmann, (E)
Abbotsford, B.C.

Excellent

The excellent editorial on the homosexual issue (Aug. 28) was about as well thought through and presented as anything I've seen.

Kent Gaston, (E)
Fresno, Ca.

Jesus often in opposition

I am a white, middle-class, heterosexual female, married with two children. I've always been an active MB church/conference member and have no personal connections to the South Calgary Inter-Mennonite Church. The damage caused by the editorial on homosexuality (Aug. 28) is incredible, maybe irreparable. I wept! I have never seen anything so far removed from Christ's life and teaching. "There is surely something good about Christians who have love . . ." makes "love" sound like a sideline to Christianity, when in reality it is at the very core. The Bible does not directly address loving, committed, homosexual relationships. I applaud South Calgary for having the courage to wrestle for truth with real people.

I am distressed at the implication that multi-conference churches are weak links. Maybe they are in fact our strong links who model tolerance, recognizing their calling as bridge builders to God instead of bridge bombers.

You say, "Sin always leads to isolation. . . . If you choose to move away from your conference theologically, of course you will feel isolated." That's exactly what Jesus had to do. His calling was often in direct opposition to the religious leaders of His time. Genuine faith is a living, active convergence of life with Spirit inside those who have accepted God's amazing grace. God calls us, personally and in community with each other and the Holy Spirit, to examine and take responsibility.

The Herald has never dealt fairly with the homosexuality issue. We have not allowed ourselves to hear the gay voices that are present in each of our congregations (the majority hiding in fear). We pay too much attention to "sexual sins" because we don't give ourselves permission to discourse, learn and see the individual as Jesus did.

Connie Epp,
Winnipeg, Man.

Two views

I have enjoyed the Herald for many years. I greatly appreciate the sincere attempt to present disparate viewpoints.

Re the Aug. 28 editorial, I am having trouble with the idea that there are sins which are permitted within the church and sins that are not. I have witnessed churches damaged by bickering and infighting, and ministers unable to function because of malicious gossip and political use of Scriptures. There is no call to expel the idolaters and adulterers. Why is homosexuality the sin that cannot be tolerated? A Lutheran minister (and close friend) said that there are two ways to define church ministry: Gatekeepers check the credentials of everyone entering and leaving, making sure everything is in order. However, hosts say, "Welcome to the party, come in, look around and enjoy." No matter what views we hold on homosexuality, surely people are better off within than outside the church.

I am uncomfortable with any person or group declaring the final definitive truth, especially when it in any way relieves us of the responsibility of love. I don’t know God’s complete truth in this matter and I choose to exercise gentle Christian compassion towards all sinners, which typifies the wonderful MB heritage.

Re "Watch your steps" (Aug. 28): Novelist Stephen Donaldson states that there are two conflicting "spirits" (not spiritual beings): the spirit of order and the spirit of chaos. Both are essential and correct. Without order, there can be no safety. Without chaos, there can be no innovation or creativity. God works with both order and chaos. Being human, we typically prefer one to the other. Personally, I am more comfortable with the creative. In the church, most are happiest with safety. Sometimes we serve a "dangerous" God. Step 3 (We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him.) is just such a dangerous path. Without the intervention of God, as He chooses to make Himself understood, there is no chance of recovery from addictive behaviour. As a facilitator, we must let God speak for Himself and not make the mistake of substituting our personal understanding for the real thing.

Bob Semple, (E)
Waterloo, Ont

AA roots

In light of I Thessalonians 5:11-14, ("Therefore, encourage one another"), I share my personal witness to 12-Step programs. While it is accurate that recovering people have chosen "gods" other than the one true living God, as Beatrice Klassen points out (Aug. 28), my experience is that many move towards our Lord Jesus Christ with time.

The roots of Alcoholics Anonymous go back to a group of believers who saw others suffering and wanted to help. Can I do no less?

Robert J. Loeffler, (E)
Vancouver, B.C.

AA leads to Christ

I thank Paul Wartman for his article (Aug. 28). Beatrice Klassen's "Watch Your Steps" shocked me. I have learned many Bible truths from AA people that I never learned in church. The years that we were active in AV, it was often stated that we were not rivals or a substitute for AA. Maybe we should warn people that the 12 grades at school have flaws, or warn against the MB flaws. AA has led very many people to Christ. One man said, "For some the 12 steps is a tool to lead them to Christ. To others it's like a chain around their neck." It seems that's true of all spiritual things. Christ is the Solid Rock to some and a rock of offence to others. I do like Beatrice's "oak tree story" because I think we all have "oak tree" experiences. Many of us Christians have idols too and need them broken down to open our eyes. Why some people need an in-between step from self worship to Christ worship I don't know, but for many it works. So please let's not put enmity between AA and AV or between AA and the church.

Delia Alkestrup,

Meadow Lake, Sask.

Aliens demonic

I was horrified to see that our Board of Christian Education Ministries used an "alien sighting" contest at the convention (MBH, Aug. 7). Why are we Christians being duped by Satan and the world to encourage our children to play with "alien" figures and read alien stories? Do our leaders not know that aliens are related to demons and pagan gods? Watch the videos UFOs, the hidden truth featuring Ken Arnold and the video Demons - true life evil forces featuring Neil Anderson (cf. I Peter 5:8; II Corinthians 11:14). The magazine Prophecy in the News also has many articles regarding this subject as well as others.

Re Herald subscriptions: Why not let those who want it pay directly? Why should we all pay for the many who don't want it or just throw it away?

K. Peters,
Boissevain, Man.

Tolerance not needed

I respond to "We need intolerance" (Letters, Aug. 28). Tolerance has become so vast in our world that it has even plagued the church to the point where we put up with meaningless idle chatter in our foyers (II Timothy 2:16); pleasures of the world like money, sports and travel (II Timothy 3:4); and the great falling away when summer arrives as we run to fill the void of no Bible studies, no care groups, no Sunday school and minimal fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).

Shouldn't Christians be intolerant of practices that don't coincide with God's standard of living?

Joseph V. Bassani,
Abbotsford, B.C.

Wonderful

Thank you for the Herald. It is a wonderful magazine and a blessing for whoever is reading it.

Peter Fehderau,
Kitchener, Ont.

Priorities

During the last few years, we have heard much about paradigm shifts, refocusing, retooling, change, visions, worship styles, etc. The question begs to be asked: Has the church lost the clear vision given to us in Scripture (Matthew 28:18-20, Psalm 127:1, Matthew 16:18)? It is the Word of God that has the power to change hearts and minds (Hebrews 4:12), not our manmade changes. When the Word of God addresses change it does not refer to conforming to the trends of the world but rather to being transformed by the Word and power of God (Romans 12:2). Many of our churches have become so absorbed in how we do church that we have neglected to reach, teach and demonstrate the power of God's redeeming love to our world. Examining how much of your church's budget is spent on itself and how much on missions and evangelism will provide you with a good priority check.

P.J. Funk,
Aldergrove, B.C.

Continue to speak out

Over the past few years your articles continued to reinforce the truths from God's Word. In this day when it seems like anything that is biblically right is ridiculed, we need that encouragement to stay true and live out God's Word. Thank you for speaking out on issues like homosexuality, materialism, idolatry, euthanasia, adultery, alcohol, abortion, money, etc. even though you get attacked by the evil one. You have challenged me to walk closer with the Lord and prompted me to change some areas in my life which needed changing. Continue to speak out to our apathetic North American culture! Praise the Lord that there are organizations like yours taking a biblical stand. Be encouraged with Ephesians 6:10-13. The Aug. 28 editorial hit the nail on the head. We want to continue to pray for you and support you in God's ministry.

Elaine Matzek,
Langley, B.C.

Please write

Many thanks for your recent Herald. I was very disturbed by the article on Canadians for Intellectual Freedom (Sept. 11, p. 16) because of its implications for our nation. I have made several attempts at writing a letter to our local paper and our representative in Ottawa, Svend Robinson. So far, none of my letters measure up to what I would like to say. I am therefore appealing for a letter from a more capable, more experienced and younger person than I. Hopefully someone has already done it; if so, please send me a copy.

Victor Leng, (E)
Burnaby, B.C.

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