The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Return of Winter Soldier

7.24.07 @ 12:01AM

(Page 2 of 3)

BEST AT BEING BAD
Re: George H. Wittman's When Spy Games Turn Nasty:

The Russian/Soviet intelligence services have not "turned nasty." They've always been nasty.

Moreover, from the tiny slivers of information about their tactics that have slipped out from under the iron veil behind the Iron Curtain over the decades, they are the nastiest and very successful as a result.

No shrinking violet Congress in holier-than-thou oversight, you see.
-- A. C. Santore
Pennsylvania

ANACHRONISTIC CHRISTICS
Re: Mark Tooley's Martin Luther Comes Out:

So, Ms. Stange believes that all the dead Protestant reformers would embrace modern attempts to re-write Scripture and enthusiastically affirm homosexuality in all its permutations if only they had lived in our benighted and enlightened age. It appears to me that she and others pushing this nonsense are using the following logically fallacious reasoning in order to make their case: (1) The old reformers were rebels. (2) The new reformers consider themselves rebels. Therefore, (3) the old and new reformers are in agreement in all matters of faith and practice. Or, maybe they are hoping that the people they are trying to convince are as ignorant of their own church history and source of authority as they are. Martin Luther never sought to undermine the orthodox teachings of Scripture as Ms. Stange seeks to do. Originally, he desired to clean up the distortions of the sacred text and end the corruption within the hierarchy of the Roman church leadership. That is hardly the same thing as attempts by liberals within mainline denominations to make Scripture conform to their preferred view of sexuality. Martin Luther risked everything to preserve what they are trying to re-interpret.
-- Rick Arand
Lee's Summit, Missouri

We Lutherans are well known for our theology of "properly dividing Law and Gospel." Many Lutherans, however, have dropped the Law in favor of an open-ended Gospel which accepts everyone -- especially those who are purported to be society's outcasts. "Gospel freedom" is said to mean accepting and affirming homosexuals and their "lifestyle." Anyone opposed is cast as ready to don the white sheets and firing up the ovens. In anticipation of the adoption of "liberated" policies for homosexual Pastors and same-sex unions, the leadership has appealed to orthodox Lutherans by saying the ELCA is inclusive and so they still could share in the wonderful fellowship of the ELCA dispute their differences. The orthodox are not buying it. They know that it would not be long before any dissent from the pro-homosexual policy would be ruthlessly suppressed. The orthodox also know the real question is what will our children and grandchildren in Sunday School and catechism classes be taught? Very few have any illusions of what would happen.

All Lutherans believe the Gospel is the very meaning of Christ and that which is the only thing which will save us. But Luther clearly taught that the Law is also the Word of God. While the Law cannot save, it is good. In Luther's fine distinction, the "Christian" does not need the Law; but the "creature" does. In this world and until His return, Christ's disciples live both as "Christian" and "creature" at the same time. Luther also said faith is a funny thing. Those who boast of great faith often have none while those who despair of little to any faith often have much. Many homosexuals (as many others in the deepest of sin) will walk into heaven before us because as Christians their love of Christ was more pure. As we taught to say in catechism, "That is most certainly true." Even still, that doesn't make sin right. When Jesus turned away the crowd that was about to stone the woman caught in adultery, He said ".".neither do I condemn you." He also ended saying, "Go and sin no more."
-- Mike Dooley

Lutherans especially should be familiar with Protestantism's founder and his Bible 1545 translation (BibleGateway.com) which has a revolutionary (for today) translation of Leviticus 18:22 -- the only Bible verse that could be used to condemn homosexuality. He translated it as "Man shall not lie with a BOY as with a woman." Obviously, this condemns pederasty, not loving relationships between consenting adults. Jesus defines sin as lack of love. What is unloving about homosexuality?
-- Fred Conwell

Martin Luther, based on his belief in sola scriptura, would not have endorsed homosexual marriage or gay rights. The Bible identifies homosexuality as a sin. In love Luther would "speak truth to power" and condemn the gay rights movement and those championing it as promoting sin. While post-modernist thinkers may believe traditional values and ideas on "lifestyle" and "orientation" are no longer valid those who recognize the immutable nature of God's word understand that fallen humanity is in need of Christ's grace and salvation more than 21st century moral pabulum.

I wonder what Mohammed, American liberalisms favorite cleric, would have to say on the subject of homosexual marriage? Why doesn't Stange put pro-homosexual propaganda in the mouth of Islam's "prophet?" I'm sure madrasah trained Barak Obama would be an awe inspiring source of information on the subject. No doubt the response from the international Muslim community would be lively and spirited.
-- Michael Tomlinson
Jacksonville, North Carolina

FAST TRACK
Re: W. James Antle III's Credibility Gap:

The current crop of Republican Leaders in the Congress should be proud of their accomplishments.

It took the country 40 years to become fed up with the pork-laden, corrupt governance of the Democrat party. It only took the Republicans 12 years to accomplish the same results.

BTW, I went to the same high school (High Point Regional, Sussex, NJ) as Congressman Scott Garrett. I was a friend of his older brother, who was my classmate. Even at that young age, they were both conservatives at a time (the Watergate Era) when it was not exactly popular to be one. It is heartening to see a politician who has remained true to himself, and has resisted the temptation to compromise conservative principles in order to "get along."
-- Herb Kennedy
Jacksonville, Florida

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Islam, Protestantism, Global Warming, Law, Military, Iraq, Russia, Immigration, Unions