I was accused of being a "hateful," "intolerant," "homophobic," "right-wing, conservative Christian nut case," and a few other things not suitable for a family newspaper. I'll plead guilty on the "Christian nut case" charge, but I don't believe attempting to present objective information condemns one to being shackled to the adjectives above.

We do live in a culture where political correctness and moral relativity tend to trump truth. If you want to get flaming emails just write that recent biochemical research refutes many key elements of the theory of evolution; studies show that abortion has serious physical and mental health consequences for women; homosexual activity leads to a variety of physical problems including infection, incontinence, and a variety of sexually-transmitted diseases; that men and women are different from the neck UP (their brains are physically different); or that same-sex unions are very different from traditional marriages. Open your "inbox" with asbestos gloves!

Truth is not always pretty. That's why Jamie Buckingham wrote, "The truth will set you free, but first, it will make you miserable."

And perhaps that's why Saint Paul writes about the importance of "speaking the truth in love." He urges his readers, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Unfortunately, many people of faith do far better at speaking their version of the truth than saying it with love.

For instance Fred Phelps and his "God hates fags" protest group proclaim their version of truth that God does indeed hate "[crude term for homosexuals]," "dog kennels/pig sties masquerading as churches," and pastors who are "demon-possessed Pied Pipers from Hell."

Okay, really bad example. Phelps verbal vomit is neither loving nor true. (God loves every person—including homosexuals—unconditionally. He's not always happy, but He's always loving.)

Jesus, however, got it right, being described as "full of truth and grace." It's a tough balancing act, that truth and grace thing.

Some people claim to be full of grace and, so, are "tolerant" of all behaviors believing that truth is "relevant" and that there are no moral "absolutes." (Many mainline denominations are voting to recognize same-sex unions claiming biblical admonitions against such unions is no longer applicable.)

Curiously they are absolute that they know the truth and have no tolerance for those who disagree.

Then there are those who claim to be full of truth, who loudly proclaim judgment on those whom they believe are disobeying God's law.

Curiously, Phelps and others seem to be neglecting what Jesus proclaimed is the second greatest commandment, to "love your neighbor as yourself."

Neither extreme is exhibiting grace or truth.

But Jesus strikes a perfect balance between grace and truth.

He prevents the stoning of a woman "caught in the very act of adultery" (grace), then tells her to "go and sin no more" (truth). He befriends a socially outcast woman (grace), then tenderly confronts her concerning her multiple marriages and current affair (truth). And sometimes, Jesus simply shows grace to a crooked tax collector ("I'd like to come to your house for dinner") and the IRS agent discovers his own truth ("I'll pay back double what I've extorted.")

A good modern example of this balance are Christian groups in Africa teaching abstinence as the most effective way to combat AIDS (truth) while, at the same time, caring for it's millions of victims (grace).

I try to remain on the balance beam of grace and truth in my writing, but I inevitably fall off on one side or the other. Two weeks ago I received an email accusing me of being "tolerant" and "wishy washy" on the issue of civil unions. This week, I'm accused of being "hateful" and "intolerant" concerning same-sex unions. So, I hope that means I'm straddling the balance beam of grace and truth--at least this month.

And thank you for being gracious enough to keep reading this imperfect attempt to speak the truth in love. You're great (truth)—even you who send flaming emails (grace)!

(c) 2005 James N. Watkins

Comments

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Absolutely enjoyed reading it. Thanks for writing it. ruthcurt@wnyip.net July 2005

Hi, Jim. Just read your piece regarding the response you received to your article. I just read the book of Jude this morning and his warning about those who exchange the truth in the name of grace dovetails well with what you are saying. As I grow older it becomes more and more apparent that we sinners would all like to reshape the truth to accommodate our nature. Of course, that's what keeps many people from accepting grace - they love their "sin" more, which, of course, they neither admit nor recognize as such. To try to reshape love - to accept sin in the name of tolerance or compassion or whatever name - is to deny Christ and the cross as being wholly unnecessary for any kind of atonement or redemption. I also thought of I Cor. 2:12-15; those who responded as they did are those being described by Paul here. Keep on "speaking the truth" in love. fishnet@islc.net July 2005

God loves everyone? What do these mean? "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (Romans 9:13). "The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity" (Psalm 5:5). "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" (Psalm 9:17). Isaiah Phelps-Roper (July 2005)

Great question! Let's stick with the Romans 9:13 passage: "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated" (KJV). The Greek word translated "hate" is miseo: to hate, pursue with hatred, detest. (No getting around it!) However, it is the same Greek word used by Jesus when he commands, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."

With that in mind, it would seem miseo would be best translated in both passages as "loved less." The Apostle John writes in his first letter that "God is love." Obviously God cannot contradict His very character, but that doesn't mean those who reject Him are exempt from His judgment either. God is both merciful and judgmental—two things that we humans have trouble getting our heads around.

Most important, God loves all, ". . . not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9, italics mine).

You have a good balance. That's why you get an equal number of complaints by those who value grace over truth, or truth over grace, or believe that truth is relative to their personal capacity for grace (e.g. Fred Phelps.) It doesn't take a Bible to demonstrate that homosexuality is an aberration. Darwin is quite sufficient. What I like about your position on civil unions is not making it relative to any particular choice of relationship -- any two or more people who want to be responsible for each other's finances and terminal medical care can register the intention. Why? That is none of the state's business. And, as you always say, don't call it marriage. Alexander the Great did know the difference between his wife and his male lovers. jsiarlys@juno.com July 2005



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