An Open Letter to Mr. Falwell: Princeton Theological Seminary Responds
105 Comments
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Zach Vincent, MA from Liberty University
10 years ago
As a Liberty alumni, I am deeply embarrassed and troubled by the comments made by my school's leader. We ALL share human dignity because we are all created in the image of God, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc. It is not our duty to fight a holy war against "enemy peoples" with guns and words; rather, our holy war is to be fought with the love and transforming power of Jesus Christ by shining his light in the dark areas of this world and to people who have not yet seen or embraced the light. So, rather than arming myself with a handgun out of fear of "those Muslims" and contributing to be brokenness of the world that Jesus is eager to redeem, I am compelled to share the transforming love of Jesus with Muslims by engaging in relationship with them, supporting them, loving them, offering them an invitation to follow after Jesus, and helping them on their journey with Christ, and, thus, partnering with God is his redemptive work in the process.
J
Joshua Rumple
10 years ago
Masters Student, Saint Leo University
C
casey blaylock
10 years ago
SStopthe rhetoric!
C
Corinne Trish
10 years ago
Fear and hate isn't the way
R
Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, Jr.
10 years ago
Timely, substantive, and extremely poignant.
R
Rev. Deborah Kunkel
10 years ago
Institute Youth Ministry, student
C
Cheryl Crawford
10 years ago
Professor,Practical Theology Azusa Pacific University
L
Luke Zerra
10 years ago
M.Div. candidate, 2016.
R
Ricardo Sheppard
10 years ago
Well said.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Love has more power than force!
A
Andrew Mangione
10 years ago
As a person who is Christian and has even personally worked to protect the rights of hunters and sportsmen & women in NYS politics, the thought of justifying guns for use by Christians as a means of killing people, even if they threaten our way of life in this world, worries me. Our faith is in a God, Christ Jesus who says "I have overcome the world." Fear is a lack of faith. I am proud of my colleagues foe penning this letter.
A
Almond Sin
10 years ago
Princeton Theological Seminary, alum (2015)
H
Hayley Cohen
10 years ago
M. Div. 2016 Candidate Princeton Theological Seminary
"Whenever I groan within myself and think how hard it is to keep writing about love in these times of tension and strife which may, at any moment, become for us all a time of terror, I think to myself: What else is the world interested in? What else do we all want, each one of us, except to love and be loved, in our families, in our work, in all our relationships? God is Love. Love casts out fear. Even the most ardent revolutionist, seeking to change the world, to overturn the tables of the money changers, is trying to make a world where it is easier for people to love, to stand in that relationship to each other…There can never be enough of it." - Dorothy Day
C
Caroline Newman
10 years ago
M.Div/MA Candidate 2016
K
Kelsey O'Brien
10 years ago
M.div. 2017
L
Leanne Ketcham
10 years ago
M.Div Candidate 2016
R
Rev. Dr. Yolanda Pierce
10 years ago
"What if the mightiest word is "love?"
B
Brady Beard
10 years ago
Princeton Theological Seminary, alum (2015)
E
Erik "Skitch" Matson
10 years ago
M.Div student at Princeton Theological Seminary
S
Susan Jaillet
10 years ago
When your religion asks you to kill another person, you need a new religion. Please read the 10 Commandments: Thou shalt not kill.
As a Liberty alumni, I am deeply embarrassed and troubled by the comments made by my school's leader. We ALL share human dignity because we are all created in the image of God, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc. It is not our duty to fight a holy war against "enemy peoples" with guns and words; rather, our holy war is to be fought with the love and transforming power of Jesus Christ by shining his light in the dark areas of this world and to people who have not yet seen or embraced the light. So, rather than arming myself with a handgun out of fear of "those Muslims" and contributing to be brokenness of the world that Jesus is eager to redeem, I am compelled to share the transforming love of Jesus with Muslims by engaging in relationship with them, supporting them, loving them, offering them an invitation to follow after Jesus, and helping them on their journey with Christ, and, thus, partnering with God is his redemptive work in the process.
Masters Student, Saint Leo University
SStopthe rhetoric!
Fear and hate isn't the way
Timely, substantive, and extremely poignant.
Institute Youth Ministry, student
Professor,Practical Theology Azusa Pacific University
M.Div. candidate, 2016.
Well said.
Love has more power than force!
As a person who is Christian and has even personally worked to protect the rights of hunters and sportsmen & women in NYS politics, the thought of justifying guns for use by Christians as a means of killing people, even if they threaten our way of life in this world, worries me. Our faith is in a God, Christ Jesus who says "I have overcome the world." Fear is a lack of faith. I am proud of my colleagues foe penning this letter.
Princeton Theological Seminary, alum (2015)
M. Div. 2016 Candidate Princeton Theological Seminary "Whenever I groan within myself and think how hard it is to keep writing about love in these times of tension and strife which may, at any moment, become for us all a time of terror, I think to myself: What else is the world interested in? What else do we all want, each one of us, except to love and be loved, in our families, in our work, in all our relationships? God is Love. Love casts out fear. Even the most ardent revolutionist, seeking to change the world, to overturn the tables of the money changers, is trying to make a world where it is easier for people to love, to stand in that relationship to each other…There can never be enough of it." - Dorothy Day
M.Div/MA Candidate 2016
M.div. 2017
M.Div Candidate 2016
"What if the mightiest word is "love?"
Princeton Theological Seminary, alum (2015)
M.Div student at Princeton Theological Seminary
When your religion asks you to kill another person, you need a new religion. Please read the 10 Commandments: Thou shalt not kill.