[ Golden Gater Online - September 18, 1997 ]
The "Moral Minority"
In response to Eric Kurhi's column on Christianity (Sept. 11), I can only say, "Hey, I resemble that remark!"
While I make no apologies for what Eric's aunt said -- the Gospel is often offensive -- I would hasten to point out that she is not following what Jesus taught. Jesus would never snoop around.
I am a Christian, and I make no apologies for that fact. If that makes me unpopular, then so be it. God is the center of my life and shall remain so. Being a Christian on a secular campus such as SF State is not easy. I'm part of a disrespected minority. I tend to think the majority opinion runs in Eric's favor.
I feel I should address some of Eric's statements about Christians. First, he said Christians have no authority. If you don't believe the Bible, then I guess we don't. The Bible is our authority. Period. If you don't accept it, then you're right -- we have no authority. Although, really, who could be more authoritative than God?
Second, Eric's characterization of church services is way off. I go to church to learn about God and worship Him, not to get a crash course in morality. Morality is not something that can be taken in a "crash course." Becoming more like Jesus takes a lifetime.
Third, when I witness I don't hit people with a "one-two punch of guilt and hellfire." This is not the heart of the Gospel. The heart of the Gospel is God's love for everyone, even the worst of sinners, and His power to rescue them. Love is the heart of the Gospel, not hate.
Fourth, parables are not anachronistic. Many people find meaning in them today. What new Christian can't see himself (or herself) in the parables in Luke 15, especially the story of the prodigal son? The stories -- the pictures used such as agriculture and sheep -- are geared to people in Jesus' time, but the truths behind them are for today.
Eric accuses Christians of looking through a pane of stained glass. The only glass we look through is the glass of Scripture. To me, there can be no clearer way of seeing the world with all of its immorality, prostitution, violence, poverty and other problems. Christians don't see the world through a pane of stained glass. We see the world for the sin-wracked place it is.
I don't press anybody to pick up a hobby (as Eric calls religion) against their will. I give them the Gospel. They decide their response. It is not my job to convert people; God does that. All I am to do is speak the truth.
Eric ends his editorial by saying, "See you in Hell." Jesus spoke of Hell, and it's not a place he'll want to be.
Yes, I am a tract-wielding, Bible-believing, born again Christian and I'll wear that title proudly no matter how hard peer pressure whispers (or screams) for me to compromise. Some things are simply more important.
[ Golden Gater - September 18, 1997 ]