But I believe the main problem is this: people don’t read the ENTIRE bible. There is a reason why the other 62 books other than the 4 gospels are in the bible.. if we are going to believe what is in the bible is in fact from God.. shouldn’t we pay attention to all the other books as well?

It is common for men to “filter” out things they don’t like or things that make them uncomfortable. But often these are the things that we really should be praying and pondering over, and asking God, “Are you trying to tell me something?”

I would also like to add this: Jesus loves the sinner but hates the sin. Regardless of any type of sin, that truth still applies. Whether a man sleeps with 15 women or another man, it is still the same. It is still sin. Here’s an analogy, though it may be a weak one. Imagine your partner smokes. Now will you say you don’t love him/her because of that? No! You love them anyway but you want them to quit because it is in their best interest and wellbeing. How is that not like with God?

Jonathan Ngan

Thank you for your 7.3.08 / 10 am response to Brian (which I note Brian agreed with also.)

This perspective and understanding is deficient in too many Christians today. I believe we have failed in the areas of teaching and leadership.

People like to categorize issues as small or large, generally in proportion to the direct pain or inconvenience they are not or are experiencing right now. When we fail to recognize the deep and long term effects of ignoring the little things we reap a harvest of corruption. C.S. Lewis brilliantly describes this process in The Abolition of Man.

I have a personal saying that goes like this:

“The little things are the big things and the big things are too late.”

Thank you for addressing these little things.

Shane Coley

I appreciate your kind reply. Yes you are quite right, and I did not mean to imply there is nothing of value in this movement. Wanting to emphasise the words and deeds of Jesus is always a good thing, and no side of religion or politics – left or right or anywhere in between – has all the truth and all of God’s blessing.

I guess my main concern was that in presenting themselves as believers who really want to take Jesus seriously (which is a good thing) they are giving a clear impression that this means being on the left side of politics (which I am not so sure is such a good thing).

It is absolutely clear when you read people like Campolo or Wallis that they are definitely people of the Left. That is not so bad in itself, but what is bad is when they imply that this is the only place a Christian should be, and it is the only place Jesus would be.

I certainly admit to being of the Right, but I do not intend to baptise my position as being the one and only truly Biblical position. I tend to find things on the Right a bit closer to the biblical worldview than the Left, but I know there is some room to move here. And I acknowledge that believers can and should be on various places on the political spectrum.

Thanks again for your thoughts. Much appreciated.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

I agree with you on the points you have made. I do feel my response was quite direct and I should have made myself more clear in some regards too.

I fully agree that Paul’s letters were full of rebuke and chatisement of others, how it is very important to live out our faith by being firm with sound doctorine, and I agree with the fact that love can come in the form of rebuke. Furthermore, the fact that “unity is never to be achieved at the expense of truth, sound doctrine, or right living” is very true. I dare not say more as the points you have made, I believe strongly too!

Your article about Jesus and Judgement is very true and I agree whole-heartedly with it. Praise God for it!

The main problem I had with On Raeding Jesus was that you simply focused on what was wrong with that the Red Letter Christians and nailed them on that – hence why I felt you were causing a bit of divide among the church.

I’m not going to judge how other the Red Letter Christians would react to this article, and I do sincerely hope that it will allow these people to realize their incorrect ways! I just hope you will able to find something nice to say about them to encourage them in the good things they do – because I am sure it is all not bad.

Would you agree?

Brian Chu, Victoria

But I respectfully must disagree with you here, on at least four counts. One, I fail to see how I am being a hypocrite in all this.

Two, according to your way of thinking, Paul and the other New Testament writers were quite wrong to do what they did. For example, Paul challenges Peter to the face; he says if anyone preaches a false doctrine, they should be accursed, etc. His letters are full of correction, rebuke and chastisement of other believers when they go astray. He saw it as his Christian duty. Yet you seem to not approve.

You misread Scripture if you think unity must be retained at any cost. Sound doctrine and Christlike living are some of the things we are all exhorted to pursue, and the New Testament is full of criticisms of those who do not or will not make these a priority.

And we are told to speak the truth in love (also in Ephesians). Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is warn another person about their false doctrine or wrong living. That is lovingly speaking truth into their lives. Why do you have a problem with that?

Three, you misread Matt. 7. Jesus is warning about hypocrisy in our judgments, not judging itself. This is clear when you read the whole context, especially 7: 13-23. Jesus could say in John 7:24 that we are to “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” We are told to test all things; hold to that which is good and reject that which is bad. The Bible is full of passages expressing the need to judge, to discern, to distinguish, to make moral differentiation.

Unity is never to be achieved at the expense of truth, sound doctrine, or right living. I have written about this all before, if you care to have a read: http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2007/06/14/jesus-and-judgment/

Four, with all due respect, your comment seems like one long judgement and attack – on me! Given that I have nowhere said judging is always wrong or that we should never critique others, I am not guilty of hypocrisy on this issue. But it always interests me that some people who speak the loudest about how we should not judge, are the ones who do the most judging. Now that might be a case for hypocrisy.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

Indeed, Jesus affirmed many of the biblical teachings that skeptics most love to mock:

• Matthew 19:3–6, Mark 10:5–9—God created Adam and Eve as the first man and woman, and this was the basis for marriage
• Luke 11:51—Abel was a real individual
• Matthew 24:37–39—Noah and the Flood (Luke 17:26, 27)
• John 8:56–58—Abraham
• Matthew 10:15; 11:23, 24 (Luke 10:12)—Sodom and Gomorrah
• Luke 17:28–32—Lot (and wife!)
• Matthew 8:11—Isaac and Jacob (Luke 13:28)
• John 6:31, 49, 58—Manna from heaven
• John 3:14—Serpent
• Matthew 12:39–41—Jonah and the great sea creature (vs. 42—Queen of Sheba)
• Matthew 24:15—Daniel and Isaiah

Jonathan Sarfati, Brisbane

However, I do have one huge problem with what you’ve just written. Dare I be bold enough to say that you are being a hypocrite in attacking fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?

I myself do not agree with the Red Letter Christian’s way of reading the Bible. However the Bible, which should be focused on in its entirety, says that we as followers of Christ should have unity, and should encourage one another with words of love and graciousness. Surely you did not miss this part of Ephesians?

I do encourage you to rethink the way you deliver your attacks upon fellow believers. Surely these Red Letter Christians are bringing people to Christ, and while some may be slightly deluded after joining such churches, maybe its up to us, who know better to give them a helping hand to know the character of God more!

Unfortunately for you Mr Muehlenberg, Matthew 7:1-5 may be appropriate reading tonight.

Brian Chu, Victoria

Ewan McDonald, Victoria.