About the Dec. 6 story "Conservative project says liberals put views into Bible," "conservative" and "liberal" may be the terms different groups apply to themselves, but I don't see what's liberal or conservative about either view. Perhaps neither is quite heretical, but both support their positions by exaggeration at some points and suppression at others, as though they had tried to justify their own prejudices from the text.
In the example cited, "I will make you fishers of men," or "fishers of people," I looked up both the Matthew and Mark passages. Both say "anathropon" for "men" or "people."
In my reading, when the New Testament means men but not women, it says "aner" or another form such as "andros," and for women but not men, it says "gynai." "Anthropon," as in our words anthropology or philanthropy, suggests humankind or mankind of either sex. In older usage, "men" was pretty good, but in today's usage, "men" seems to leave out women while "people" is too indeterminate. Maybe "individuals" or "persons"? No, they don't work either. I can't think of anything that quite hits the target today.
Fortunately, the words are still there; they cannot be changed and 20 centuries of scholarship and inspiration cannot be overturned by either the literalists or the inclusive-language crowd. At best we can add a little glimmer of insight to doctrine established by people who came before us, some of whom were much closer to the facts than we can be now.
MICHAEL D. WOODS
Kernersville
Judgmental outburst
When I read the Dec. 3 letter "Assumptions," I hastened to find the Nov. 26 letter it referred to, "What scares people?" to find out what had prompted such a judgmental outburst, condemning all followers of Christ as being narrow-minded and arrogant. What a generalization. I simply could not let this go unchallenged.
I am sure the millions of followers of Christ living today, and the billions who have gone on before, will be saddened to learn that we have all fallen so short of the writer's standards. Most Christians I know identify themselves as sinners saved by the grace of God and have no claim to being perfect.
I have friends of many different religious persuasions and I am happy that none of them seem to think so poorly of Christians. Those I know seem to be willing for me to worship God in whatever manner I choose, just as I am willing for them to do the same. I don't believe he demanded perfection from his followers. I do thank the writer for not being critical of Christ himself, only his followers.
It was Goethe who said, "I will listen to anyone's convictions, but pray keep your doubts to yourself." My message would be, "Let's all lighten up and enjoy Christmas -- it's so much fun to be a believer."
RUBY B. LAMBERT
Winston-Salem
A suggestion
After reading "Not made in America," what seems to me to be the thousandth such letter proclaiming that the United States is falling into hell in a Louis Vuitton handbag, I have a headache.
Perhaps the letter writers are right. In any case, here is my suggestion: Have one of those Tea Party meetings, have it at Corpening Plaza, contemplate the fountain there, and learn how to fall with grace.
ERNEST RANCOURT
Winston-Salem
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