Letters to the editor

Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please keep your letters courteous, brief and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is also subject to space limitations. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren Church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald 1310 Taylor Ave. Winnipeg, Man.  R3M 3Z6 or send via e-mail. (Please ensure that your postal address is included in your e-mail correspondence.)

More than just pastors affected

I was very glad to see the Herald addressing pornography, and identifying it as idolatry (“The intimacy fix,” June 11). I was disappointed, however, at the heavy emphasis on pastors and sexual purity, as if purity were a personal attribute, instead of a healthy attitude to one’s own sexuality and to one’s partner. If we called pornography paper prostitution and consumers “johns” would it be clearer?

We could have used a definition and more analysis of social outcomes. Pornography is a support system for male dominance, even for rape. It shows women as objects for male consumption and propagates myths about female sexuality.

As such, it undermines healthy relationships, and pastors are not the only ones affected. I would have been interested to hear from their wives and their daughters and the members of their congregations. What happens when those pastors have to counsel people who have this increasingly prevalent addiction? What do these men say to disappointed or angry wives?

We probably need much more analysis of the fear of one’s own sexuality and hence the fear of the “power” of the opposite sex over one. Is there a connection between this fear and the reluctance to allow women to lead in the church?

The Christian church (it may be a holdover from our Greek heritage, from Gnosticism or from the institution of clergy celibacy) has often manifested extreme ambivalence about the body, though we proclaim that God made us and declared us good. Urbanization hasn’t helped.

There’s lots to talk about here. Pastoral purity is just the tip of the iceberg.

Donna Stewart,
North Vancouver, B.C.

Taking Scripture in context

In response to “The women’s issue” (Letters, July 2). Can the primary role of women [stated as mother] really be determined by one verse in the Old Testament?

I too read the book of Judges recently, where I came upon the song of Deborah (Judges 5:26). She sings, “Her hand reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple.” Where there was timidity on behalf of a man, the Lord handed Sisera over to a woman. Jael’s role as defined in the Scriptures is that of a murderess (or should I say murderer?).

From this one verse shall we determine that our primary calling as women not only can be but should be that of a murderess?

How can I single out one arbitrary verse about one arbitrary woman to determine not only my calling as a woman, but the primary calling of all women? (Did God give all women the same primary calling?)

Let’s say we do pick the Deborah of Judges 5:7 as our “role model.” What about the other verses that describe her role as prophetess, judge, leader of Israel?

Let’s say we do primarily emulate her role as a mother? What about the context of this verse? I believe the word “mother” in this passage describes her ability to lead, instruct, encourage and protect the women and men of Israel.

Maybe my primary role should be that of mothering – leading, instructing, encouraging and protecting God’s people. I wonder what position the local church would offer to a person with this calling?

Deb Dyck,
Winnipeg, Man.

Different heading

Since becoming a member of a Mennonite church here in Saskatoon, and serving in various ministries, I have enjoyed three of the best years of my walk with the Lord!

During that time I have received the MB Herald. The articles are relevant and informative and have assisted me in preparing for adult and youth Bible studies.

I offer an observation about the death notices. As I read the histories of my brothers and sisters who have since gone to be with the Lord, I have been inspired by their commitment to serve the Lord during their lives. These saints have set the bar very high for those of us who continue to strive for the Lord on this side.

In all due respect to your publication and to these saints I offer perhaps a more fitting title than “Deaths.” Perhaps “At home with the Lord” or “Stepped into eternal life.”

I’m reminded of the words of D.L. Moody when he stated: “One day you will hear that D.L. Moody has died. Well don’t you believe it for D.L. Moody will be more alive in that moment than he was in life!”

Ray Morris,
Saskatoon, Sask.

Why the letters?

I am amazed at the many letters concerning The Passion of the Christ. Do the writers want to ease their conscience for having gone to the theatre and spent good money in doing so? There is also a quote from Rick Warren in the recent issue. I cannot go along with his philosophy in his book Purpose Driven Life.

Norman H. Fehr,
Kelowna, B.C.

Another perspective

I comment on “New Low German programs launched” (July 2). Centro Menno is the MCC program in Santa Cruz, Bolivia that works directly with the 43,000 colony Mennonites and attempts to accompany them in their chosen simple lifestyle and faith. We have a drop-in centre, bookstore and library, which are some of the services that we provide to the colony Mennonites when they come to Santa Cruz. Over the years, Centro Menno personnel have walked with many of our fellow Mennonites in the colonies in Bolivia and love them as brothers and sisters. It is true that they do not have an easy life, since some are very poor; but to say that “many are . . . addicted to alcohol and drugs, sexually broken . . . Suicide is rampant” is not accurate and quite unfair. These social problems are certainly present in the Mennonite colonies as they are in other communities. From our perspective, however, suicide is not out of control as the article suggests. Also, it is very difficult for a radio station to be “flooded with calls” from the Low German-speaking Mennonites when hardly any of them have telephones.

Alfred Koop, Coordinator,
Centro Menno, MCC Bolivia
Santa Cruz, Bolivia