Letters to the Editor: Angry about Galatians

I found this amusing and revealing at the same time. You can find it (and other pointedly humorous articles at The Sacred Sandwich. Imagine,if you will, that the Apostle Paul has recently published an article in Christianity Today about the problems in the Galatian church, exactly as he first addressed them almost two thousand years ago. Considering the current ecumenical and tolerant mind-set in postmodern Christianity, I wouldn’t be surprised to see these “Letters to the Editor” in the subsequent issue:

Dear Christianity Today:
In response to Paul D. Apostle’s article about the Galatian church in your February issue, I have to say how appalled I am by the unchristian tone of this hit piece. Why the negativity? Has he been to the Galatian church recently? I happen to know some of the people at that church, and they are the most loving, caring people I’ve ever met.
Phyllis Snodgrass; Ann Arbor, MI

Dear Editor:
How arrogant of Mr. Apostle to think he has the right to judge these people and label them accursed. Isn’t that God’s job? Regardless of this circumcision issue, these Galatians believe in Jesus just as much as he does, and it is very Pharisaical to condemn them just because they differ on such a secondary issue. Personally, I wouldn’t want a sharp instrument anywhere near my member, but that doesn’t give me the right to judge how someone else follows Christ. Can’t we just focus on our common commitment to Christ and furthering His kingdom, instead of tearing down fellow believers over petty doctrinal matters?
Ed Bilgeway; Tonganoxie, KS

Dear CT:
I’ve seen other dubious articles by Paul Apostle in the past, and frankly I’m surprised you felt that his recurrent criticisms of the Church deserved to be printed in your magazine. Mr. Apostle for many years now has had a penchant for thinking he has a right to “mark” certain Christian teachers who don’t agree with his biblical position. Certainly I commend him for desiring to stay faithful to God’s word, but I think he errs in being so dogmatic about his views to the point where he feels free to openly attack his brethren. His attitude makes it difficult to fully unify the Church, and gives credence to the opposition’s view that Christians are judgmental, arrogant people who never show God’s love.
Ken Groener; San Diego, CA

To the Editors:
Paul Apostle says that he hopes the Galatian teachers will cut off their own privates? What kind of Christian attitude is this? Shame on him!
Martha Bobbitt; Boulder, CO

Dear Christianity Today:
The fact that Paul Apostle brags about his public run-in with Peter Cephas, a well-respected leader and brother in Christ, exposes Mr. Apostle for the divisive figure that he has become in the Church today. His diatribe against the Galatian church is just more of the same misguided focus on an antiquated reliance on doctrine instead of love and tolerance. Just look how his hypercritical attitude has cast aspersions on homosexual believers and women elders! The real problem within the Church today is not the lack of doctrinal devotion, as Apostle seems to believe, but in our inability to be transformed by our individual journeys in the Spirit. Evidently, Apostle has failed to detach himself from his legalistic background as a Pharisee, and is unable to let go and experience the genuine love for Christ that is coming from the Galatians who strive to worship God in their own special way.
William Zenby; Richmond, VA

Kind Editors:
I happen to be a member of First Christian Church of Galatia, and I take issue with Mr. Apostle’s article. How can he criticize a ministry that has been so blessed by God? Our church has baptized many new members and has made huge in-roads in the Jewish community with our pragmatic view on circumcision. Such a “seeker-sensitive” approach has given the Jews the respect they deserve for being God’s chosen people for thousands of years. In addition, every Gentile in our midst has felt honored to engage in the many edifying rituals of the Hebrew heritage, including circumcision, without losing their passion for Jesus. My advice to Mr. Apostle is to stick to spreading the gospel message of Christ’s unconditional love, and quit criticizing what God is clearly blessing in other churches.
Miriam “Betty” Ben-Hur; Galatia, Turkey

To the Editors of Christianity Today:
I’ve recently taken time off from single-handedly inventing perpetual revival in the Church in order to read your fine publication. Though many might be critical of the recent article by Paul Apostle, I happen to believe that Mr. Apostle’s more dogmatic sentiments are simply misunderstood, and that one needs to look at his article in fresh, new ways. That’s why I am pleased to announce that I’ve asked my good friend Eugene Peterson, editor of The Message Bible, to create a paraphrase of the article so that today’s Christian can get a better sense of what Brother Apostle is trying to say. For a small fee you’ll soon be able to download this new paraphrase from the Pastors.com website, and then you’ll see that Paul is much more tolerant and laidback than you think. Paul doesn’t think the Galatians are fools; he just thinks they’re a little crazy! They again, aren't we all?
Richard Warren; Lake Forest, CA

EDITOR’S NOTE: Christianity Today apologizes for our rash decision in publishing Paul Apostle’s exposé of the Galatian church. Had we known the extent in which our readership and advertisers would withdraw their financial support, we never would have printed such unpopular biblical truth. We regret any damage we may have caused in propagating the doctrines of Christ.