Letters: May 2012

Stewardly Economics

I just read your editorial (“Can Good Stewards Grow the Economy?” March 2012) and got a little excited. It’s not the responsibility of economists and politicians to fix our economy. It is my responsibility first. I can have a great impact simply by buying local whenever I can. I can invest in the younger generation of businesspeople who need encouragement, opportunities, and resources to start up new business ventures.

Of course, wisdom is warranted in any investment activity. Prudence and diversification are so important. The older generations have saved for retirement, and for most of us [savings are] invested in distant corporations. It is sad to see corporate bosses receiving millions in payouts and bonuses when our youth are lacking opportunity!

—Clarence Haak
Orillia, Ontario

Changing the World through Creativity

I appreciate Perini’s perspective that everyone is creative (“Changing the World: One Creative Act at a Time,” March 2012). Creativity, like intelligence, can be expressed in many different ways. A creative approach to a math problem or a new insight into a particular issue may not seem as creative as painting a picture, but all are valid examples of creativity.

Creativity requires courage. . . . when something new or different is proposed, people have a tendency to find flaws in it. A creative person needs to be confident and willing to risk ridicule to see his/her approach through. Creativity allows people to take ownership of their work with a sense of empowerment. God shows incredible beauty through the diversity of his creation. He has also given imagebearers diverse gifts to be used to further his kingdom. Creativity is something that needs to be encouraged and celebrated . . . it can be a way for us to find the person God intended us to be.

—Jason Visser
Lethbridge, Alberta

The Jesus Questions

I read “The Jesus Questions” (March 2012) with interest. I liked the concept of students reading questions that Jesus posed, and they were good ones to ponder.

However, I have noticed a trend in churches and post-secondary schools that concerns me. Many Christians today believe it is a noble and high calling to question the Bible, question the faith we have been brought up in, question the things that Christians have considered sin for centuries, question whether salvation can be obtained in any other way than what the Bible outlines. Some of [this thinking] is a result of the “seeker-sensitive movement” where many have tried to dumb down the gospel to make it more understandable or less offensive. As well, it seems that daily Bible reading and study is a rare thing among the new generation of believers, causing us to lose touch with our ultimate reference source for spiritual answers. Ultimately, God calls us to trust his Word and his leading.

—Jim Verwoerd
Abbotsford, British Columbia

Binational Church

The statement “The BOT Canada must and can become the direction-setting agency for Canada” (“Why Being a Binational Church Is So Important,” March 2012) has been an unfulfilled promise for 30 years or more. When will the CRCNA become a “partnership umbrella” for the CRC (U.S.) and CRC (Canada) equally working together as “binational churches with one mission”—the gospel of Jesus Christ? Many Canadian charities whose missions were nurtured by the vision of U.S. Christian leaders are now fully functioning on their own, understanding and funding uniquely Canadian ministries and joining in partnership efforts around the world. I believe we have dedicated (CRC) Christians and knowledgeable people with skills and determination in Canada that can accomplish that. Let’s wait no longer.

—John Schuurman
Burlington, Ontario

Living Together

In an attempt to debunk the use of biblical proof texts, Ms. Lettinga cites Jesus’ example in John’s account of the adulterous woman in John 8:11 (“Mom, We’re Living Together,” February 2012). She asserts, “Consider Jesus’ response. . . .”

I did just that and here’s what I found: forgiveness and a charge to leave her life of sin. In this regard I couldn’t agree more. This article would have been much better summed up as follows: “What should we do in response to cohabiting Christian couples? Approach them in love, offer forgiveness, and charge them to sin no more.”

—Mark A. Staal
Southern Pines, N.C.

Virginia Miller Lettinga misses an important point. The state became involved in married life some 4,000 years ago for reasons of divorce. The church became involved in the later Middle Ages because marriage became a sacrament, getting even more control over the lives of its members. Protestant churches never have given the blessing to the marriage, only over the marriage. Until the church’s involvement, marriage was a social affair and common law was the norm. From a historical perspective we seem to have returned to the earlier model of common law.

—Bert den Boggende
Brooks, Alberta

Virginia Miller Lettinga’s article calls to mind Dietrich Bonheoffer’s words “It is not love that sustains the marriage. It is the marriage that sustains love.”

—C. Fred Stassen
Kingston, Ontario

When I saw the cover of the February Banner, I thought of a possible photo of Joseph and Marry anno 1 b.c. They too had their questions and problems. But after some serious, loving reflection, advice, and divine inspiration, they came together again in Nazareth. The picture then taken could be a farewell one at the eve of their departure: They agreed to go together for Jesus’ sake to Bethlehem.

—Jan Pereboom
Jordan, Ontario

What Do You Believe?

I very much agree with the article “What Do You Really Believe” (January 2012). I am in my early thirties and grew up in the church (not the CRC). I had the head knowledge and even tried to put my knowledge into action, but it has just been in the last couple of months that the Holy Spirit has really come alive in me. I have renewed amazement at what Jesus and God are doing in the Scriptures and have a newfound passion to love God’s people.

The church has to more openly show love to one another, and then we can spread that love to the rest of the world with the help of the Holy Spirit. I was glad to know that I am not the only person going through something like this. There is evidence that God is still at work in our world.

—Melissa Slomp
Brooks, Alberta