Happy to be a liberal?
I was truly disturbed by your publication of the guest editorial on Nov. 25. “Why I'm proud to be a liberal” seems an attempt to justify the support of liberal values for Christians. I cannot argue against some of the points Barnette makes except to say that I did not determine them to be liberal. Conservatives believe in compassion, the Constitution, as well as equal rights. But to say that Jesus was a liberal is a stretch. Jesus was a radical compared to those of his day (no doubt), however, I would not characterize him as liberal. Being a liberal and being a liberator are two different things.
Liberators liberate people. Liberalism enslaves people. Liberals of today in a political sense enslave people to special interest groups, welfare and class warfare. This was never the message of Christ. He preached a message of deliverance from sin and peace with God. He preached adherance to God's law and love for our fellow man. These are not liberal values, they are biblical values.
Barnette then tried to tell us that Jesus was ecumenical? He seemed to know the definition for liberal but missed the definition of this one. Ecumenical means universal in relation to the church. Jesus was univeral in his reach, not his worship. Jesus was very narrow in his thinking. He said things like, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me.” He also told us that narrow is the road that leads to everlasting life. As I said earlier, Jesus was universal in his reach to the whole world but he was very exclusive when it comes to those who are seeking God. We are only saved through his blood when we call upon his name.
In summary it is not enough to say that Jesus is a liberal because he belived in liberating women and children. Jesus wants to liberate us all. This includes unborn children who should be given a right to come out of the womb. I doubt very seriously that Jesus could be a liberal in the sense of modern-day liberalism. I recognize the fact that not all views published in your paper reflect Virginia Baptist views, but I cannot understand this publication unless there was something to prove.
Neal Hawks, Wytheville
The Italians and the war
I have just returned from Italy. The handbell choir of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Ruckersville played concerts in four churches, worshiped with the Italians, played for the public in the Galleria (a very old mall) and taught the Italians how to play handbells.
The Religious Herald printed a letter critical of the political views of Anna Maffei. My purpose in this letter is not to refute the points of the letter writer but to offer a different perspective on the matter.
I walked side by side with Anna Maffei in the train station of Naples, handing out food to homeless people. Before going I was advised to leave all my money behind, and even to remove my digital camera from my belt.
Naples is a beautiful and enchanting place, perhaps the essence of the culture that we most identify as Italian. But it is also a dangerous place, possibly the most dangerous place to live in the entire country. Anna and her husband Massimo have chosen to spend many years of their lives ministering there.
The night before we returned home Massimo thanked us for coming. One of the reasons he wanted us to come was to stem the growing tide of anti-Americanism. The Baptists in Italy want to work together with all Christians to advance the gospel.
Are Italian Baptists naïve about Iraq? Maybe. But Southern Baptists have their own form of naiveté and blindness. Some would almost equate the U.S. military with the sword of the Lord. To be honest, this has been a hindrance to my faith. I have felt much closer to God after going to Italy, where the Baptists are a small group and not powerful. They look to the power of God, not to man.
I have had opportunity this year to go both to Canada and Italy. I now realize that our country is so big and loud that everybody else in the world gets news about the U.S. They have already heard American opinions ad nauseam. It is time for us to shut up for a while and just listen.
Mark R. Buckner, Stanardsville
The truth about the BWA
I am writing in response to Bill Sigmon's letter to the editor. I wholeheartedly agree with one sentence in his final paragraph-“I pray that concerned pastors and messengers will have the courage to tell their church members the truth.”
This is the truth: For 100 years, Baptists have supported the work of the Baptist World Alliance. The Baptist General Association of Virginia continues to partner with the BWA because the BWA continues to faithfully uplift the name of Christ around the world.
Consider these truths. Through its ministries and programs the BWA proclaims the gospel, meets human needs, strengthens fellowship, promotes evangelism, education and church development, stimulates cooperation and serves as a prophetic voice for human rights and religious freedom.
I have witnessed many of these aspects of faithful Christian witness firsthand. As chairman of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's glocal missions and evangelism committee, I was invited to attend the European Baptist Federation meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, this past September. While worshiping in a Baptist church in a predominantly Muslim country, I heard a BWA leader deliver the morning message on the sole sufficiency of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of life.
In Lebanon, I also met two leaders of Baptist World Aid. Virginia Baptists have partnered with them on numerous occasions to administer world missions relief funds. For example, during the Oct. 4 Virginia Baptist Mission Board meeting, $5,000 was approved for emergency and relief needs in North Korea. Neither Southern Baptist missionaries nor Virginia Baptists would be allowed in North Korea to administer these gifts, but through our partnership with Hungarian Baptist Aid, we have access to ministering to the needs of lost people in a closed country.
Southern Baptists, the International Mission Board and Virginia Baptists cannot reach the world for Christ alone. We must continue to partner with other Christians such as the Baptist World Alliance, who have a heart for sharing the love of Christ.
Stanley Hare, Victoria
Virginia Baptist heroes
This letter of gratitude is addressed to the heroes of Virginia Baptists' disaster relief team who came to my rescue in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley in central Florida.
I am a senior citizen with health issues who lives alone. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Charley, I was temporarily imprisoned in my home by storm debris. Downed power lines in my back yard and trees blown down in my front yard prevented me from exiting the house. A friend helped me tear a tunnel through the branches to get out the front door, but huge branches still hung by threads of bark over my home, threatening to crash through the roof at any time.
I did not call for help, as I knew others had more urgent needs than my own. Besides, I didn't have time to dwell on my dilemma, as I had to get to work. I manage a charity thrift store that assists local citizens in need with donated merchandise. I knew the hurricane had left so many victims who needed that help in the way of beds, linens, household items, clothes, etc., that my store could donate to them.
Seminole County sheriff's investigators called Mark Weible, Orlando Baptist Association planning director, who called in the Virginia Baptist disaster relief team. The next day the Virginia crew was at my home with their chain saws and expertise. For two days they toiled in the hot sun to make my house a safe place for me to live again. I just couldn't believe that they not only did all that laborious work, but they gave me a cash donation from the crew. I have never felt to humble-or thankful.
Truly they are the heroes sent by the Lord. I will forever be grateful for all they did for me and all they do for everyone else in dire need.
God bless all of you forever.
Heidi S. Higdon, Chuluota, Fla.