Letter to a Pastor.

I appreciate your response. I think it is God's job to make people uncomfortable, I agree with this. But I think it is our biggest and most necessary job to make God and his truth palatable and comforting and that we leave people with a yearning to return to church or a craving to go to church.

I learned this in Israel from a scholar (Adventist preacher that was on the trip--) in language/ Hebrew/ archeology etc... when he was explaining something and it always stuck with me -- the Bible when talking about Raise a child in the way it should go....... (Proverbs 22:6) when looking to the original language it says something more to the affect of: "present God in a way that is palatable to your children so that they acquire a taste for him and they will crave Him when they are older." What does palatable mean? I suppose it means in a way that is not repulsive-- I liken it to broccoli or asparagus. If someone has never tasted it cooked correctly-- it is repulsive, mushy, and not something that people will want again. Or, if a kid is raised on good food-- they will crave it and it will be comfort food later in life.

Just as vegetables- so is Christianity/ the Gospel-- when presented to someone the wrong way-- it may have all of the vitamins but will never be eaten again. People walk away thinking, if God accepts us, then how come..... Or-- If Christians believe God is love then how come......... Someone who does not have a taste for Christianity because it was never presented properly-- (truth presented in an intolerant way, legalistic, not Gospel centered Way).

Remember Paul, said "To the non-Jews I TRY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO LIVE AS THEY DO even ough I can't be quite as free-living as they are, because I'm under the law of God in obedience to Christ. BUT I DO LIVE AS CLOSE TO THEIR WAY AS POSSIBLE in order to WIN THEM. And to ose wo are sensitive about certain issues, I try to be sensitive about the SAME issues. I TRY TO FIT INTO HE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL PATTERNS OF THE PEOPLE TO WIN THEM TO CHRIST." [See 1. Corinthians 9]

Paul, the greatest preacher of Christianity's time (right after Jesus-) is saying... I am sensitive to people... I let God do the work. I am smart enough to know that people are not receptive to offensive language and snobbish-holier-than though pretenses of being better. I am going to win them to Christ with Love-- and with the Gospel.


He also made a point of saying earlier in the book of 1. Corinthians says in one translation: Big words and complicated theological terms are not what win people to Christ. The death of Christ on Calvary is God's powerful message of salvation-- THAT-- his undying love-- is what saves people. It's simple. Why do we all make it so complicated by boiling it too long, adding too much salt, and adulterating it with the least of commandments-- and manage to forget that loving your neighbor as yourself is really way more important.

I am sure somewhere in this e mail and any number of e mails I have sent to you I have put you on the defense and made you feel like I don't respect you etc... I am sorry if this is the case. If I felt that it was a waste of my time to communicate with you so directly and pointedly- I wouldn't be bothered. I do not think you are closed minded or ignorant to the fact that we all need hope and Jesus. But, sometimes, I think we all forget that we don't even know the beginning of what offends and becomes the stumbling block that Paul warned about. With that, I am sorry if I offend you-- but I urge you.... Let GOD do the offending and pressing-- don't do it for him by using our church as a vessel. Present God in a palatable way... and people will crave Him and the acceptance he brings. People will develop a taste for his love and character.

Present God in a repulsive way that invokes feelings of shame and resentment-- it is nothing but a disaster. Fear impregnates the soul with a monster and does not allow anyone or anything beautiful to ever be born again.

-- Ashley