My Turn
With regard to his column (Somebody Say Amen!, September),
D. L. Foster is essentially correct: “If the church can’t depend on its
leaders to uphold God’s Word, we are headed for a shipwreck.” He is,
however, incorrect regarding several observations.
Sen. Barack Obama never stated that Romans 1 has no bearing on
Christian beliefs concerning same-sex relationships. He has clearly
stated that marriage is a God-ordained covenant between a male and a
female, and he displays his belief through his 16-year marriage to
Michelle.
Obama believes all Americans should have equal opportunity and
protection under the law. To equate his position with support of
homosexuality is being careless with the truth. Contrary to Foster’s
statements, I knew about the Metanoia Ministry and support it 100
percent. I didn’t know it was on our Web site. The ministry supports
people overcoming what they have determined is a sexual addiction,
heterosexual or homosexual. Again, contrary to Foster’s reference, I
have never experienced any contentions with the community about this
ministry.
Lastly, implying that African-American pastors support Obama
because of his ethnicity is both insulting and deceiving. When Obama
initially launched his campaign, African-Americans still overwhelmingly
supported Sen. Hillary Clinton. Obama’s inspiring and innovative
leadership have made the difference, not his ethnicity.
Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell
Windsor Village United Methodist Church
Houston, Texas
I enjoyed your article “Olympic Faith” by Chad Bonham (August), but
the author left out one of the great ambassadors for Jesus Christ in
the sport of softball, Jennie Finch. She has been a wonderful example
of a Christian athlete whose influence has grown well beyond the sport
that made her famous.
Clay Jacobsen
Camarillo, California
More on Todd Bentley
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli’s report on the Lakeland Outpouring was
excellent (News, August). The seven men mentioned as leaders in the
International Coalition of Apostles appear to me to need more scrutiny
than Todd Bentley.
In the report, Peter Wagner, declaring to Bentley, said: “I take the
apostolic authority that God has given me, and I decree to Todd
Bentley: Your power will increase.” Talk about bizarre.
David E. Hansen
Haworth, New Jersey
Fire in My Bones
I just read the August issue of Charisma. I think J. Lee
Grady’s Fire in My Bones editorial is outstanding. It covers several
points and cuts no corners in making the reader understand the
seriousness of the anointing and operation of the Holy Spirit.
Steven Kuhlke
Hillsboro, Oregon
Thank you for standing up and speaking out. I totally agree that we
just cannot keep everything that comes along without questioning what
spirit it is. Also, we need to stop seeking so many signs and wonders,
as Satan can do them too. Seek true repentance, for that is true
revival.
Colleen Bailey
via e-mail
God must truly be grieved by what is being passed off as revival
today. I too yearn for a genuine move of the Holy Spirit but am truly
wounded by what I am hearing and seeing under the umbrella of so-called
revival. Thanks for having the spiritual stamina to stand up against
the strange fire.
Arthur Karick
Reamstown, Pennsylvania
Of late, I have felt burdened for the church because of the
prevalent presence of false prophets, teachers and pastors. They have
contributed to the dramatic spiritual decline in the church and the
“assured salvation” for many deceived by their fallacies. Yet they
continue to get massive support and encouragement. We desperately need
a true revival, not one with hype, hysteria, and manufactured
enthusiasm and excitement.
Tom Hill
Lansing, Michigan
I read J. Lee Grady’s column and couldn’t agree more. Christians
need to stop chasing after an experience and get back to the basics of
true repentance, holiness and letting God be God. He doesn’t need our
help, just our willingness and cooperation to allow Him to work in our
lives. Steadfast reverence for God needs to be our goal for daily
living.
name withheld
I most sincerely appreciate Charisma’s wisdom and balance,
in particular J. Lee Grady’s last dozen articles, but none more so than
the one about Christians and crowbars (Fire in My Bones online,
July 31).
Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association, spoke to our
congregations, and when he asked us to pray for him and his family—and
for his co-worker Sarah Liu (who was imprisoned and brutally tortured
for six years)—I found myself secretly wondering if I was even worthy
to stand before them. If ever there were heroes of the faith today,
these are the gold standard!
Rev. William Mark Bristow
Grace Fellowship and Parker Heights Christian
Odessa, Texas
Thanks so much for keeping the “unity of the body in the bonds of
love” (Fire in My Bones online, July 9). I consider myself a
“Blue/Gray,” which, if you think about it, is a really nice color. It’s
on the same lines as C.J. Mahaney. I know God is moving to reveal His
glory, but I also know we must be grounded in sound doctrine. It is too
bad that people live in an “either-or” mentality rather than a
“both-and” one.
Andrea McWhorter-Waitley
Sterling, Colorado
Bynum-Weeks Divorce Fiasco
I was very disappointed to read that Juanita Bynum said her divorce
was “not a sad thing” (News, August). Did she really say that, and in
what context? Divorce is sin, and sin is always a sad thing. Those who
think otherwise disgrace the cross of Christ. I am embarrassed by the
recount of the behavior of both Bynum and Thomas W. Weeks III. Both
seem to prove to a watching world that oftentimes leaders of the church
adhere to no higher standards than Hollywood starlets.
Tonya Lee
Montgomery, Alabama
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