Letter to the editor — April 26

Media on Christian bashing bandwagon

These comments are in response to the editorial by Kevin Wilson, “No hypocrisy served here,” published April 23, 2015.

Much of the news media have jumped on the bandwagon of Christian bashing these days, probably not realizing that the ultimate result of this, for any group, can fuel deadly behavior by those needing just a little encouragement. Expression of opinion is one thing, condescension and bashing is quite another.

Many who write usually have a passion for what they believe so they “pick and choose” to make their case. In too many instances it can begin to sound like unrestrained Internet comments.

Mr. Wilson apparently does not understand Christian doctrine and the progressive revelation of God in both the Old and New Testaments. The theologian, Charles Hodge, succinctly defines it as, “The progressive character of divine revelation is recognized in relation to all the great doctrines of the Bible ... What at first is only obscurely intimated is gradually unfolded in subsequent parts of the sacred volume, until the truth is revealed in it’s fullness.”

And while the Old Testament is indeed God’s Word, the final culmination and revelation of God in this Church age is the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and the testimony of the New Testament. For Christianity, the New Testament will verify or amplify applicable fulfillment of Old Testament passages while leaving some to be understood for a specific time by the context.

The first amendment to the Constitution gives the press and religion the free exercise of their work and beliefs without government interference. The media, however, seems to be using their constitutional right to chip away at freedom of religion with impunity. We must protect each other’s rights, or risk the danger of eventually losing them all.

Alan Dodd

Portales