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| Received
March 1st, 2005:
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| LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR: POSTMODERN
REACTIONS TO PAUL'S EPISTLE TO THE "FOOLISH" GALATIANS |
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| Imagine,
if you will, that the Apostle Paul has recently published an
article in Christianity Today about the problems in the
Galatian church, exactly as he first addressed them almost two
thousand years ago. Considering the current ecumenical and
tolerant mind-set in postmodern Christianity, I wouldn’t
be surprised to see these “Letters to the Editor” in the
subsequent issue: |
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| Dear Christianity
Today:
In response to Paul D.
Apostle’s article about the Galatian church in your February issue, I have to say how appalled I am by the unchristian tone
of this hit piece. Why the negativity? Has he been to the
Galatian church recently? I happen to know some of the people at
that church, and they are the most loving, caring people I’ve
ever met.
Phyllis Snodgrass; Ann
Arbor, MI |
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| Dear
Editor:
How arrogant of Mr.
Apostle to think he has the right to judge these people and
label them accursed. Isn’t that God’s job? Regardless of
this circumcision issue, these Galatians believe in Jesus just
as much as he does, and it is very Pharisaical to condemn them
just because they differ on such a secondary issue. Personally,
I wouldn’t want a sharp instrument anywhere near my member,
but that doesn’t give me the right to judge how someone else
follows Christ. Can’t we
just focus on our common commitment to Christ and furthering His
kingdom, instead of tearing down fellow believers over petty
doctrinal matters?
Ed Bilgeway; Tonganoxie,
KS |
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| Dear
CT:
I’ve seen other
dubious articles by Paul Apostle in the past, and frankly I’m
surprised you felt that his recurrent criticisms of the Church
deserved to be printed in your magazine. Mr. Apostle for many
years now has had a penchant for thinking he has a right to “mark”
certain Christian teachers who don’t agree with his biblical
position. Certainly I commend him for desiring to stay faithful
to God’s word, but I think he errs in being so dogmatic about
his views to the point where he feels free to openly attack his
brethren. His attitude makes it difficult to fully unify the
Church, and gives credence to the opposition’s view that
Christians are judgmental, arrogant people who never show God’s
love.
Ken Groener; San
Diego, CA |
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| To
the Editors:
Paul Apostle says that
he hopes the Galatian teachers will cut off their own privates?
What kind of Christian attitude is this? Shame on him!
Martha Bobbitt; Boulder,
CO |
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| Dear
Christianity Today:
The fact that Paul
Apostle brags about his public run-in with Peter Cephas, a
well-respected leader and brother in Christ, exposes Mr. Apostle for
the divisive figure that he has become in the Church today. His
diatribe against the Galatian church is just more of the same
misguided focus on an antiquated reliance on doctrine instead
of love and tolerance. Just look how his hypercritical attitude
has cast aspersions on homosexual believers and women elders!
The real problem within the Church today is not the lack of
doctrinal devotion, as Apostle seems to believe, but in our
inability to be transformed by our individual journeys in the
Spirit. Evidently, Apostle has failed to detach himself from his
legalistic background as a Pharisee, and is unable to let go and
experience the genuine love for Christ that is coming from the
Galatians who strive to worship God in their own special way.
William Zenby; Richmond,
VA |
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| Kind
Editors:
I happen to be a member
of First Christian Church of Galatia, and I take issue with Mr.
Apostle’s article. How can he criticize a ministry that has
been so blessed by God? Our church has baptized many new members
and has made huge in-roads in the Jewish community with our
pragmatic view on circumcision. Such a “seeker-sensitive”
approach has given the Jews the respect they deserve for being
God’s chosen people for thousands of years. In addition, every
Gentile in our midst has felt honored to engage in the many
edifying rituals of the Hebrew heritage, including circumcision,
without losing their passion for Jesus. My advice to Mr. Apostle
is to stick to spreading the gospel message of Christ’s
unconditional love, and quit criticizing what God is clearly
blessing in other churches.
Miriam “Betty” Ben-Hur;
Galatia, Turkey |
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| To
the Editors of Christianity Today:
I’ve recently taken
time off from single-handedly inventing perpetual revival in the Church in
order to read your fine publication. Though many might be
critical of the recent article by Paul Apostle, I happen to
believe that Mr. Apostle’s more dogmatic sentiments are simply
misunderstood, and that one needs to look at his article in
fresh, new ways. That’s why I am pleased to announce that I’ve
asked my good friend Eugene Peterson, editor of The Message
Bible, to create a paraphrase of the article so that today’s
Christian can get a better sense of what Brother Apostle is
trying to say. For a small fee you’ll soon be able to download
this new paraphrase from the Pastors.com website, and then you’ll
see that Paul is much more tolerant and laidback than you think.
Paul doesn’t think the Galatians are fools; he just thinks
they’re a little crazy! Then again, aren't we all?
Pastor Richard Warren;
Lake Forest, CA |
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| EDITOR’S
NOTE: Christianity Today apologizes for our rash decision
in publishing Paul Apostle’s exposé of the Galatian church.
Had we known the extent in which our readership and advertisers
would withdraw their financial support, we never would have
printed such unpopular biblical truth. We regret any damage we
may have caused in propagating the doctrines of Christ. |
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| In
all seriousness, these fictitious “Letters to the Editor”
are not far removed from the current sentiments that go against
many Christian apologists today--- especially against those who
endeavor to make Scripture the guiding rule of the Church. More
and more, subjective feelings and emotions are superceding the
authority of Scripture in matters of doctrine. We should not be
influenced by this prevailing notion that loving Christians,
like Paul, cannot (or should not) engage in legitimate
disagreements concerning our faith and practice. Christ and His
apostles have set a biblical standard in which we can rightly
judge and discern the validity of every new teaching that comes
into the Church. As it says in 1 Timothy 4:1, 6, 16: “…The
Spirit explicitly states that in later times some will fall away
from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and
doctrines of demons...In pointing out these things to the
brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly
nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine
which you have been following...Pay close attention to yourself
and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do
this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those
who hear you.”
Basing our theological
beliefs on a sincere assessment of Scripture may not always
bring us perfect understanding, but at least we are striving to be grounded in God's
word, and not upon the feebleness of human wisdom or experience.
If and when Christians disagree, let us always strive to define
our particular beliefs on the teachings of Scripture alone. As
Charles Spurgeon once said, “The best way to promote
(Christian) union is to promote truth.” God's word is truth!
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