Letters to the Editor

We have really appreciated the Herald! We find the articles encouraging and challenging. We also appreciate the letters column it shows us what some of the opinions are in and around our MB denomination. Everyone at the Herald should be commended on a very-well-put-together publication! Thank you for keeping us "connected" while in service far from home (in Japan).

David and Charlene Chow, (E)
Cochrane, Alberta

Sometime we use a word in our churches that we think everyone understands. One such word is "worship". We talk of a worshipful attitude, a worship service and worship styles.

Let me share some information that changed my concept of worship. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states "The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. Broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims." This fits with Webster's' definition: to attribute worth to deity.

When I tell people that I appreciate their honesty and trustworthiness, I am attributing worth to them. When I tell God the value I place on Him because of who He is, I am attributing worth to God, or worshipping.

To worship is to tell God directly what it is about Him you appreciate. A partial list of attributes would include creative, eternal, holy, immutable, jealous, just, light, love, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, personal, sovereign, truth, wise, saviour.

The church worships when it credits God for His exceptional qualities through prayer or song. Not all prayer would fit the definition, as some prayer is petition/request or intercession. Not all songs are worship songs. There is a difference between "How Great Thou Art" or "Holy, Holy" (worship) and "Rescue The Perishing" (request/intercession). Requests, intercession, and confession are necessary and important, but they are not worship. Perhaps, then, it would be more correct to call Sunday morning church a service of worship, announcements, and instruction. When God speaks to the church through His Word and the sermon, we have moved primarily to instruction, noting, of course, that depending on what Scripture is read or the words of the sermon, there can be aspects of worship.

The reader may say, "Why does it matter anyway?" Perhaps it doesn't, but then again it may. How often do we tell God what it is about Him that we really appreciate?

Peter B. Klassen, (E)
Portage la Prairie, Man.

I disagree with John Redekop's response to Marvin Dyck's letter (Mar. 5): "I know of no court which will dismiss a charge because of an apology or the creation of a blue-ribbon accountability group." It brought to mind two instances in which this very thing occurred.

The first happened when I was still a teenager; I was headed down a very bad road when I was caught stealing from a department store. I was shaken to the core to learn that I had to face first my parents and several months later a judge. I had deceived my family for a long time, and finally I was caught. I decided the only option left was to face the music. In the months before my court date, I got a job. I got involved in volunteer work. I changed my friends. In court, I stood before the judge, and my parents and said I was very sorry. To the amazement of my lawyer and the relief of my family, the judge told me that he felt no further punishment was necessary—I had already shown my desire to turn my life around.

So great was my relief that I determined never to shoplift again.

The second event occurred in another court. Shortly after this, I was struck with meningitis. Bedridden for months, separated from my non-Christian friends and most often alone, I was finally forced to face my past and make a decision about my future. No longer could I hide behind lies, and secular wisdom. When I could walk, I went to a small MB church. There I found a group of people who embraced me and never condemned me for my former actions. Jake and Elsie Bergen brought me to the Lord, where I told Him I was very sorry. I found no judgement, but free and complete forgiveness. And I set up an accountability group—I joined the church.

You say, "This does not relieve the wrongdoer of consequences." I continue to face consequences for the choices I made in my past. Mr. Clinton will as well. It is not necessary to impose further punishment.

It is not the task of the church to stand in judgement over secular leaders. It is our task to welcome sinners into the fold, and teach them to live godly lives.

Lynda Konrad, (E)
Grande Prairie, Alta.

As I read the draft revision of the MB Confession of Faith, which I suppose will be approved by the General MB Conference convention in July, I noticed a few items that were strange or missing.

Article 2: In our time of "new revelations", we need to know: Is the Bible, the inspired Word of God, sufficient? Do we take a clear stand against new, personal revelations prevalent in the "Third Wave" movement? (Rev. 22:18,19).

Article 3: "Creation is under the bondage of decay." What does that mean? Are decay and Satan synonymous?

Article 5: It amazes me that repentance is no longer needed to become a child of God. I know this has become the practice, but do we need to bring the Confession in line with our practice or with the Word of God? (Acts 2:38).

In "Humanity’s Response" "sacrificial death should be included in the sentence, "Through His obedient life, His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection."

While I think the confession is well written, I sense that the wind from the "Third Wave" movement has become quite noticeable. In our time, "positive reinforcement" is generally accepted as the only way to draw people to Jesus. Too bad the writers of the New Testament didn’t know about this. They, including Jesus, sure were critical at times.

Isaak Eitzen, (E)
St. Catharines, Ont.

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