Sickness and cause

Press, 20 April 1982, Page 20

Sickness and cause

Sir,—Bill Filshie (April .15). equates Bible authenticity with mythologies which have no place in Scripture. It is true that the origins of Easter, Christmas, and Mariolatry are pagan; but to doubt the Bible because some people hold beliefs found nowhere in it is. plain nonsense. The prophet Jeremiah (xvi, 15-19) foretold the return of the Jews to Israel; to be followed by a “day of affliction” when the world laments, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies and things wherein there is. no profit.” Similarly, how anyone can refer to people as "Christian” who persecute and slaughter ■others is beyond comprehension. Christ taught non-vio-lence, and turning the other cheek. In Romans, xii, 19, Paul informed “Christians,” “Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.” If the Bible is true, the world situation will deteriorate rapidly. ; Only Christ’s return in power saves it from utter destruction. — Yours, etc., B. CRAWLEY. . April 17, 1982. Sir,—Why should any Christian be expected to feel ashamed for the horrible things done in the past, “in the name of Christ?” Anyone can call themselves a Christian, in the same way as a rival producer can stamp another producer’s trademark on his own . product. Why are people so undiscerning when it comes to true and false Christianity? Looking at the example of Jesus, was it not He who tore into the false religious behaviour of His day? Furthermore, the very fact that there are so many imitators of the way founded by

Jesus, indicates that there must >be something real to imitate. There could not be a false if there was not a true. What better way for the enemies of God and His. Son than to set up a multitude of imitations, and thus drag millions away from forgiveness, eternal life, and cleansing from sin—Yours, etc., RICHARD GUNTHER. . April 18, 1982.

Sir,—As the originator of the correspondence under this heading may I endeavour once more to bring correspondents back to the subject. Unfortunately, some, correspondents have been drawn aside by the red herrings used by my opponents and are debating their subjects, not mine. My subject is the question raised by the London “Daily Mirror” in its expose of violence and crime in Britain. “How do we cure a sickness which has no cause?” I pointed out that there is a cause, diagnosed accurately by the Bible as sin in human nature, resulting in the deviation referred to by Isaiah, “All we, like sheep, have gone astray.” The same book provides an effective remedy in the Gospel of Christ, as millions living today can testify. This Gospel is the only power under Heaven which can change human nature and destiny. It is a proved remedy. There is a cause — and there is a cure in Christ. — Yours, etc. H. G. ORAM. April 19, 1982. [This correspondence and its tributaries are now closed. — Editor.]