Friday, July 25, 2003

Credit where credit was not due

At the risk of being classified as "part of the religion company of His day," the liberty you took in saying Jesus would have been "happy to share ... even a bottle of Ripple if it gave Him the opportunity to show grace and compassion ..." is inexcusable. (Oops, I used the word "inexcusable." Does that mean I'm judging you as a part of that religion company?)

When one thinks of "Ripple" the imagery of drunks in gutters and flophouses comes to mind. There's no doubt Jesus would have gone to them with the truth of the gospel, but by stating He would have shared the bottle with them, are you saying the Lord would get down in the gutter with them, mimic what they do just to show them His love? I don't find that in the text. (Oops, I shouldn't have said that because now I'll be classified as one of those "fundamentalists" who is always tossing about his opinion as to the meaning of Scripture.)

Then you play the infamous "love" card in your editorial next door. I've searched the text and have a difficult time finding that Jesus said by giving "without regard to what we may receive" ... is what "sets Christians apart from the rest of the world." You quoted John 13:35 out of context. (Oops, there I go again with that attitude of mine.) You follow that with one of those heart-pounding statements, "When we love, we give, and we give generously ..." You and I both could come up with a list of folks who give generously for income tax purposes, but do not love.

Plus, I must add your editorial on giving tied in rather nicely with the "Your Support is Needed" ad on page 16 (printed edition).

Patrick D. Williams
Atlantic Beach, N.C.

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