2 readings produce different views Is there a clear, unbiased way to interpret the Bible? Rolf Jacobson's column (February, "Open the Bible, find yourself") was a solid, even stirring reminder of the good news of God for us and all people. But it's interesting to juxtapose that article with the one written by Timothy J. Wengert (November, "Are we 'that people'?"). Jacobson reminds us of the promises of God, spoken by Moses to the people in Deuteronomy, and says, "Rejoice! We are that people too." Wengert looks at ritual and moral law, also spoken by Moses in Old Testament times, and says in effect, "Relax, we are not that people." Perhaps both are working with accepted hermeneutical principles, and perhaps both are right. But one is left with the haunting suspicion that we today are simply very good at hearing what we want to hear and ignoring the rest. Is there a clear, unbiased way of deciding? The Rev. Steve Ramsey Arlington, Ohio Listen for the lesson In "The lost art of storytelling" (February), finally we touch upon the matter of stories as told to and by the ancients. The factual thrust of the story was unimportant and beside the point. What was important was the lesson conveyed by the story. I commend the book Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary Burge and the video series by Kenneth Bailey, both of which greatly illustrate ancient Jewish storytelling and our present-day understanding of biblical stories. Larry L. Shupe Harland, Wis. Let dissenters leave I support the decisions of the Churchwide Assembly on sexuality issues. Jesus taught us to love our neighbor and that the law is subordinate to love. I respect those with a different interpretation, and so I say, "Let them go." Our energies can be better spent doing the work of Christ than battling each other. Judy Schlegel Durham, N.C. Standing firm I have not gotten over the Churchwide Assembly actions. I continue to be appalled and grieved. I am still in shock. The problem is not one of interpretation of Scripture. God hates sin. He is a Holy God, his attribute of holiness demands judgment against sin. I will not compromise God's word. Dorothy Stewart Beaver, Pa. It's a conspiracy You have reached the lowest levels of journalism and conspiracy against the word of God. It is sad that you allow trash, like what the Rev. Vicki Pedersen wrote (February, "A shared experience"), published. But this is not surprising, you have been going to the dumps for a long time. The Rev. Bassam Abdallah Hammond, Ind. Ministry in troubled world Thanks to The Lutheran for your thought-provoking coverage of timely and substantive issues such as world poverty, religious conflicts, patriarchy and sexuality. While Christ was not of this world, his ministry was certainly in the world — a world at least as troubled as our own. Linda Erickson Lake Park, Minn. Rational thought needed A couple of online comments about "Lutherans & climate" (January) were very negative, including stock phrases like lies and Kool-Aid drinkers. Such views continue to unnecessarily polarize and politicize the issues, including the science and reflect denialism, and a need for certainty rather than rational thought. Note that even some American evangelicals have come to endorse the need to defend the environment against global warming. Bob Buntrock Orono, Maine Free markets rule The cover article on the global food crisis (January, "Approaching the global food crisis") failed to address or even mention the No. 1 reason for hunger in the world today: politics, specifically governments led by dictators and presidents-for-life who bleed their countries to buy real estate in Paris while their people starve, all aided and abetted by their cronies in the U.N. and numerous NGOs feeding at the trough. What the world needs to end this problem is more free markets in liberal (in the classic sense) democracies. Charles Piette Lander, Wy. Remember the poor The January issue was very meaningful with its emphasis on the global food crisis. The Bible is very clear on helping the poor. As a transplant Lutheran, I am and have always been proud to be a member of such an outreaching church as the ELCA. So it is with sadness that I read of the necessity of cutting back on the churchwide budget. But the work of the church goes on. Thank you, God. Myra Heuer Rock Valley, Iowa Questionable coverage In every article published about the George Tiller murder, a statement was made about his performing late-term abortions. Why didn't you also report on the horrific murders Dr. Tiller committed against helpless infants? John Webb
Willis, Va. |
| Old - 3/1/2010 |
| I know that many people have strong feelings regarding the actions taken at the CWA. I have been blest to be in a congregation where people on both sides of the issue were able to approach discussions with humility and respectfulness, in spite of strong differences of opinion about what the Bible has to say about same-gender relationships. I thought Rev. Pedersen's article in the February Lutheran was a wonderful attempt at striking a conciliatory tone. How incredibly sad that any Christian, much less a leader in our own ELCA, should feel the need to characterize her sincere expressions of faith as "trash." |
| Robert - 3/8/2010 |
I too am saddened by the tone (and content) of Rev. Abdallah's letter, especially "trash" and "(The Lutheran) is going to the dumps". I'm even more saddened since we briefly were members of 1st Lutheran in Hammond, IN 40 years ago and our daughter was baptized there. As for the coverage of the murder of Dr. Tiller, it was well publicized in all venues that he was one of the few doctors who would perform 3rd trimester abortions, a truly sad occurence but usually for unfortunate necessity. The vast majority of abortions performed at Tiller's clinic were 1st and 2nd trimester. Any editorializing was left to the reader. Does John Webb consider his personal judgement of Dr. Tiller's practice to be justification for his murder? The court was not convinced by the murderer's like argument. |
| Mick Lee - 3/10/2010 |
| There are those of us who are struggling with our consciences and are trying to remain in the ELCA after the CWA. We were assured that there is still a place for us; yet we have now been met with a lot of "holier-than-thou's" who say they have more Christ-like love than we do for our homosexual brethren. After the CWA, we have been called heretics, sinners against the Holy Spirit, and hateful people the ELCA can do without. We were told we can disagree and still belong; but in a number sectors it has been made clear that we are less than "welcome". Where is the fellowship? Where is the respect? Was all the talk of a "big tent" Lutheranism just pretend? |
| Dave N. - 3/11/2010 |
Mick - as someone who supported the CWA actions, I'm sorry that you've been getting hit by attacks on your faithfulness. I don't know what sectors you are referring to, but I've seen those kinds of attacks from both sides. As far as leadership circles go, I think communications from ELCA Churchwide have maintained a fairly accepting tone; some Lutheran CORE leaders have been much much more judgemental though I think they are starting to temper what they say. On the Synodical level here in NJ, and at my own congregation, people have been generally respectful of both sides, though I've heard that has not been the case everywhere. Certainly online discussion groups and blogs bring out the worst in some people - again regardless of their position on this issue. I guess I try to focus most on what's happening locally. If people there can't discuss this with humilty and respecfulness, then a congregation has deeper issues than just this one. Also, if people agree with you on the CWA actions, but cross the line in terms of tone, maybe it would be good to "police our own." If you supported the CWA actions, and you hear others with the same view start throwing words like "hateful" and "bigot" at those who opposed the CWA actions, then maybe you should sit on them. And if you opposed the CWA actions and hear people of like mind claiming that their view is the only one possible for faithful, intelligent, Biblically-literate people, or explicitly calling supporters of the CWA actions unfaithful and ignorant, then maybe you should be the one to call them out for crossing the line. |
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