Debate on Jesus

Press, 3 November 1984, Page 20

Debate on Jesus

Sir,—As Paul Maling suggests, Jesus indeed loves everyone, and avoids condemning others. To a woman caught in adultery (John, viii, 11) he said, “Neither do I condemn you,” but also “go now and leave your life of sin.” He would have the same words for a homosexual. He would not condemn the person, but would certainly condemn the practice. Jesus reserves condemnation for those who observe the letter of the law but not its spirit — who have no love. The Greek word for love (agape) used by Jesus, Paid, and John means “active benevolence, compassion or deep concern for.” The Greek word (eros) for sexual love is not used in the New Testament, and certainly not of Jesus. Such deeds as giving to the needy show love, as clearly explained in I John, iii, from which Paul Maling quotes. — Yours, etc., M. PAUL MOSLEY. November 1, 1984.

Sir,—Homosexually, sodomy, and all other sins, and sexual deviations have always existed. That is precisely the reason for Christ’s coming, to show the proper way to live. He said, "I am the way the truth,” etc. Since He was without sin and was perfect (He had to be to show the way) the idea that He was homosexual is absurd. When Jesus speaks of love of man, He means fellow humans, and love in this case means kindness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, etc., which has nothing to do with homosexuality, or sex at all. — Yours, etc., 808 WEBSTER. November 1, 1984.