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Hallo again to all.
A phrase that we see in almost every statement from those who are making demands is 'the clear message of scripture'. Normally such statements use that phrase to explain that the Bible condemns homosexuality and that 'the clear message of scripture' is that the church must shun those who do not share that belief. We've tried not to get directly involved in that argument, leaving to the experts the debates about which Biblical messages are clear, and which are more obscure or blurry. So do most people: we don't think we've ever heard an argument about homosexuality and scripture during coffee hour or at a church social event. We've always envied those for whom scripture is clear, because every time we've re-read a section of the Bible we notice something that we hadn't noticed before, or understand something that we hadn't understood before. Clarity comes to us only with great difficulty and repeated study. Two weeks ago we mentioned here that we didn't think that Jesus was entirely clear about who our neighbour might be, in his exhortation to love him as ourself. Two of last week's Letters to the Editor take us to task for not finding it clear, pointing out that Jesus was quite clear. One writer took the time to educate us on who and what a Samaritan was from the point of view of Jesus' audience when he said that. It is now somewhat more clear to us, and we are grateful for the history lesson we received.
We wish the best to those who are so unhappy with their church that they want to mutiny and take control, or leave it and start a new church. At the same time, we'll pay no mind to the occasional claim that we are sub-Christian or pagan because we feel no need to leave. Our clarity must indeed be different from theirs. We love them dearly, and want them to be happy. Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. See you next week. Last
updated: 13 November 2005 |
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