Letters to the editor

Joseph Smith | 28 November 2006

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Roadblocks and God’s wrath

Many are the suggestions as to what are obstacles to mission; Top 5 Roadblocks to Mission (SC, Oct).

I should like to add another, taken from the writings of the 19th-century English bishop JC Ryle, as follows:

“People will never set their faces decidedly towards heaven, and live like pilgrims, unless they really feel that they are in danger of hell… Let us bring the law to the front and press it on man’s attention. Let us expand and beat out the Ten Commandments and show the length, and depth, and height of their requirements.” (‘Holiness’ p10).

More recently – about 60 years ago – the well-known English preacher D Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote the following: “Personally, I would hazard the opinion that one of the main factors in the explanation of the loss of authority on the part of the church recently, has been her increasing departure from this doctrine (the wrath of God). At first, it was muffled, then for a while it was not mentioned at all, and, finally, it was openly attacked and denied.” (The Plight of Man and the Power of God, pp59-60).

Archbishop Jensen’s article ‘Ignore God’s wrath at own risk’ (SC, Oct) was a noble step in the right direction. The warning needs constant repetition because the concept that God loves everyone is deeply rooted in most people’s thinking, and it will take time to remove it. Let us heed the advice of CH Spurgeon in his commentary on Psalm 5:5 which states that God hates all workers of iniquity.

He wrote, “It is not a little dislike, but a thorough hatred which God bears to workers of iniquity. To be hated of God is an awful thing. O, let us be very faithful in warning the wicked around us, for it will be a terrible thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.”

The Rev Harold Hinton
Fairfield, NSW

More metal, please

Hi, I am a 14-year-old Christian metal fan, and I found your article on
Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (SC, Nov) a good insight into the metal world. It’s not usual that you read anywhere about the huge some-what underground Christian Hardcore scene.

I became a Christian Hardcore fan about a year ago. I made the decision to stick to more Christian bands for my own safety, not to be influenced by the secular music. I listen to bands such as P.O.D., Norma Jean, UnderOath and Blindside.

Take UnderOath for example: they’ve made a huge fan base of Christians and non-believers with their music. Most do not know that they are a Christian band until they look deep into the lyrics and read the thankyous of the band members.

I also wish to say that you should include more Christian Hardcore/Metal reviews in your magazine.

Tim
Engadine, NSW

God’s love central to gospel preaching

The Archbishop has clearly reminded us of the need for an ongoing response of faith and repentance (SC, Sept). However, I am a little concerned about the gospel being preached within the Diocese to obtain that commitment. I perceive a subtle and dangerous shift.

In our preaching, the person and work of Christ and the grace and love of God only receive slight mention in contrast to the greater amount of words and emphasis given to our response of faith and repentance. This surely weakens the basis for our response and isn’t honouring to God.

Similarly in our teaching on Christian living we are being told what to do without a proper focus on Jesus’ character and saving work. This is contrary to the New Testament letters. Gladness and heartfelt thanks are no longer accompanying our obedience, so that it is a duty rather than a service of perfect freedom.

A second aspect of our shift is seen in ‘liturgy-free’ services where the element to miss out first is confession of sin and repentance. Also, the Archbishop correctly infers that much of our singing is self-expression rather than gospel-focussed.

Thirdly, I have noticed that in our endeavour to obtain conversions and instruct believers there has been a diminishing of the gentleness and compassion of Christ.

Are we truly aware of the ‘bruised reeds’ among us – the young in faith, the doubters, the overloaded Sunday School teacher, the stressed church treasurer, the trials of the sick, bereaved, elderly and poor?

So I ask, has there been a shift away from the centrality and uniqueness of Jesus in our preaching and also in our ministry as pastors? (Or is it just me?)

Noel Pilcher
Richmond, NSW

No Bible credit ban

I very much enjoyed the article on ‘Interest’ mentioned in the last issue. I am in broad sympathy with its message and agree that our debt economy is a disaster for many.

However, the article says: “Interest is clearly banned in both the Old and the New Testaments,” but establishes nothing of the sort.

In my opinion, it uses the OT as a basis for Christian ethics in a highly questionable and arbitrary way. I am not sure why we are allowed to eat pork on this reasoning; or why we shouldn’t carry out capital punishment on unruly teenagers. It is bodgy biblical theology!

Second, it offers virtually no NT evidence at all. Luke 6:35 seems to me to be almost completely irrelevant. Using the Bible like this is unacceptable, whatever the rightness of the cause!

Michael Jensen
Oxford, UK

QUICK MAIL

Bring back the movie reviews

No more movie reviews in Southern Cross? They were the only movie reviews I could trust! Surely, someone from Anglican Media would be able to review films for readers – we need the Christian perspective to make an informed choice. Alas, too many Christians turn off their ‘Christian’ brain when going to the cinema or to the local DVD store, and Anglican Media’s film reviews help Christians to make informed decisions and to think Christianly about what they watch.

Polly Seidler
Newtown, NSW

Mary not a single mum

I have great respect for Greg Clarke (SC November), but I’m puzzled that he seems to have preferred Luke’s assessment of the relationship between Mary and Joseph in Luke 2:5, that they were pledged to be married, over that of Matthew in Matt. 1:20-24, where Joseph responds obediently to the angel’s command to take Mary home as his wife. Clarke’s description of Mary as an unmarried mother may well have contemporary resonance, but may not be accurate.

Philip Cooney
Wentworth Falls, NSW

Irwin shame (Pt 2)

I would like to support the writer of the letter ‘Irwin Shame’ in November Southern Cross for all the reasons she put forward. Your magazine has much to commend it and is in a very attractive and readable format. Articles such as the one in question pull it down to the level of a ‘gossip mag’ trading on celebrity, in this case a celebrity’s tragedy.

Carol Anderson
email supplied

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