March 2005 Letters to the Editor

AMS Staff | 23 March 2005

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Quality of Emu music moves me

I was concerned that the review of Emu Music’s latest product, We Are His People, (SC, Feb) may deter readers from purchasing and utilising this excellent resource. I have heard a number of the songs from this CD used in a variety of church settings across the state. Each time I have been impressed (and even moved) by both the musical quality and the way in which I have been edified by the lyrics which encourage me to reflect upon God’s word.

Amy Butler
Parkes, NSW

Nothing funny about creationists
Joseph Smith (SC, Feb) may not wish to take the biblical creation accounts at face value, but that does not mean that he should poke fun at those who do (eg Ken Ham and the Creation Museum), especially when they have a solid scientific basis for their reliance on the most obvious meaning of the Scriptures.
Andrew Amos
Terrey Hills, NSW

No role for Chuck in Australian Anglicanism
Prince Charles will never be ‘Head of the Anglican Church’. He will not be ‘Head’ but ‘Supreme Governor’ of the Church of England, a title introduced by the first Queen Elizabeth. The monarch has no such role in relation to the Anglican Church of Australia or any other part of the Anglican Episcopal Communion.

The Rev Dr JR Bunyan
Campbelltown, NSW

Do not reject US ministry models

In response to Jodie McNeil’s challenging article, ‘Football, meat pies and school church’ (SC, Feb) the Bible is clear that there is one Lord, one Faith one Baptism. So Jodie is right to see such youth groups as churches in there own right (for the Bible speaks of churches as well as of the Church).
We need to go much further in our understanding to know that in each community there is but one Church, though there may be many local fellowships of it.

Jodie has also made it quite clear that we still have an open door to schools in Australia. So we should be taking clear advantage of that door of opportunity.

However, it was a pity the headline ‘Australians must reject US models for school-based ministry’ was used.

I would rather say that we should avail ourselves of the information that all such models contain. We should go inside and outside the USA in our study. But in the end we should seek specific models and the right strategy for each and every school.

We need to strip ourselves of individual biases, and see what God can really do when the Church moves together in unity.

A strong emphasis on youth outreach is vital to the continuance of taking the Gospel worldwide, to hear the name of Jesus echoed from every corner of this earth.

John Brumby
Rutherglen, Vic

We are very happy, John

I am concerned that the letter ‘Not happy, John’ (SC, Dec) is nothing other than a sour dish of left-wing political propaganda served up under the guise of sweet Christian dressing.

There is not a shred of evidence to support the claim that the Government policies referred to are anti-Christian. In fact I believe the opposite to be true.

1. It was right, proper and necessary to show compassion to help save the Iraqi people from a cruel and oppressive dictator.
2. Again, surely our compassion needs to be directed to the thousands of would-be immigrants to Australia who do the right thing and apply to come here through proper channels, rather than many of the asylum seekers who attempt to jump the queue.

The other points in the letter are either wrong or else based on Labor Party propaganda and discredited media hype that has unfortunately been swallowed whole by the gullible but no doubt sincere authors of the letter.

On a much more positive note, I point to John Howard’s statesmanlike approach in leading Australia’s relief effort for the tsunami victims in South Asia, which set an example to the whole world.

This made me very proud to be an Australian and to know that the economy of our Christian nation is strong enough for us to give generously to other countries.

I am very happy, John.

Maxwell Wrench
Bilgola, NSW

After reading the letters under the heading ‘Bible needs to influence vote’ (SC, Feb) it would appear Christians vote using very different criteria. However, I am sure for most Christians the Bible motivates their voting habits.

The Coalition usually gets my vote because I believe they are aligned more closely with the Bible on moral issues than is the Labor Party.
I believe many of Labor’s social policies to be destructive and damaging in human terms. Some examples of Labor policy that have forced me to vote for the Coalition are:

the introduction of the Family Law Act which has contributed to the devaluing and weakening of the marriage commitment. (Opening Pandora’s box with the creation of the single parent phenomenon producing pain and problems for all involved);

support for gay lifestyles with the accompanying label of homophobe for those who do not support this type of sexual expression;

initiating the debate on euthanasia and will undoubtedly revisit it given the opportunity;

legalised abortion on demand and using the stem cells of aborted fetuses;

legalised prostitution.

Christine Mann
Grays Point, NSW

Common Bible under scrutiny

Peter Carroll’s reply (SC, Feb) to my letter (SC, Dec) merely elaborates the point I had conceded in my opening sentence: the CEV can be a good introduction for many Christians.

However, he does not address the problem I raised at all. To put it another way: in 25 years time, what depth of scriptural insight will be possessed by those who, having been brought up on the CEV, have continued to use only the CEV? What if theological courses and mature age Bible studies were to use only the CEV?

With the loss of the rich linguistic heritage of the original languages conveyed by other English translations, the plough boy of Tyndale’s day (and the slaves who heard Paul’s letters read) would have known more of irreplaceable Biblical concepts like ‘grace’ than will our children and grandchildren!
What thought is now being given by our church leaders, educational authorities and the publicity arm of the Bible Society to deal with this long-term problem?

Alan Langdon
Wentworth Falls, NSW

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