February 15, 2007
Dear Editor,
Whenever I respond to a person who either raises a question about, or expresses an opposing viewpoint to, an article in the column “In Search of TRUTH”, I always respond in an effort to foster a healthy, logical, and hopefully enlightening discussion on the original article. Unfortunately, neither space nor time will permit me to respond to all the queries or statements raised by Mr. Dempsey.
Literal, not liberal, quotes
It is a fact that I believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible as the Word of God, and in the Constitution of Belize as the supreme law of Belize. I also believe that these two books of law and grace are invaluable assets in the socio-economic development of Belize. This is especially so considering that, “men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and upon the rule of law” (Preamble – Belize Constitution).
Leviticus and ridicule vs. refutation
Mr. Dempsey, in his letter, seemed to have been more concerned about ridicule as opposed to logically refuting my arguments on the death penalty, for murder; based on my excerpts from the Bible and the Constitution of Belize. In his hurry to ridicule he said, “If you insist on using the Bible as your moral arbiter, take a look at Leviticus! I quote, without the archaic language – from Leviticus 1: 9, 11:10, 19:19, 25:44, and Lev 20:14 My favorite. Keep it in the family. Compulsory death penalty for anyone who ‘sleeps’ with their mother-in-law! Probably certifiably insane, but hardly warrants the death penalty. These and other equally ridiculous penalties are mandated, ordained punishments!”
As a point of interest, the book of Leviticus in its primary interpretation is about the relationship between God and His chosen people, the Jews as the nation of Israel, during that dispensation. Among the many ways of applying the Word of God besides a primary interpretation, there is also a practical, and a prophetic interpretation that applies to Leviticus; and to the other books in the Bible.
Mr. Dempsey’s chronicle of examples of persons who were wrongly convicted for murder and executed would have been meaningful if he had also chronicled how many persons were rightly convicted of murder and executed. A penalty always results in a loss for the person penalized; whilst it may also serve as a restraint on others (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
It is noteworthy that Jesus, with respect to the Mosaic law, said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets – – – For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled – – -. ” (Matthew 5:17-20)
Root causes of the current mayhem
According to Mr. Dempsey, “Government revenge and judicial murder have no place in a supposedly modern, professed Christian country. Would the death penalty for the kids on the street (and that’s what they are – OUR CHILDREN) stop the despair, hopelessness and nihilism present because of abject poverty? They live with death and violence on a daily basis. A direct result of the disintegration of society to line the pockets of the Fortunate Few.”
While I have never argued that capital punishment would stop crime, capital punishment is a penalty for an offence committed in violation of a law.
According to the Apostle Paul – to replace the despair, hopelessness, and nihilism, with a more meaningful life, “The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”
The Apostle Paul then goes on to say, “But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, evil men who push away the truth from them. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively – – – Yes, they knew about God all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship Him or even thank Him for all His daily care. And after awhile they began to think up silly ideas of what God was like and what He wanted them to do – – – So it was that when they gave God up, and would not even acknowledge Him, God gave them up to doing everything their evil minds could think of – – – Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness and sin, of greed and hate, envy, murder, fighting, lying, bitterness, and gossip. They were backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, always thinking of new ways of sinning and continually being disobedient to their parents – – – They were fully aware of God’s death penalty for these crimes, yet they went right ahead and did them anyway and encouraged others to do them, too. (TLB – Romans 1:16-32)
Selective quotations and the seasons – Mr. Dempsey said, “Selective quotation from the Bible is used by religious fanatics to put the fear of God into poor, uneducated people.” However, the Bible does say, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs1:7)
After all it was God who said, “Let bright lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. They will be signs to mark off the seasons, the days, and the years. Let their light shine down upon the earth.” And so it was. For God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. (Gen 1:14-19 NLT)
Time and science
Time as we know it was created by God. Today we are aware, from scientific discoveries, that time as we know it is dependent on three astronomical phenomena: the rotation of the earth about its axis (a day – 24 hrs); the revolution of the moon about the earth (a month – 29.5 days); and the revolution of the earth about the sun (a year 365.25 days); and the seven-day week defined by God. From these we derive our calendars of time.
In the Bible the word day is used in four ways: (1) the part of the solar day of twenty-four hours which is light (Genesis 1:5); (2) a period of twenty four hours (Matthew 17:1); (3) a time set apart for some distinctive purpose as “day of Atonement” (Leviticus 23:27); and (4) a longer period of time, during which certain revealed purposes of God are to be accomplished (2 Peter 3:10; Genesis 2:4).
The Age argument
On the basis of the above, no one can deny that from the creation of Adam to the present is just over 6000 years. While I have never argued that the universe is 6000 years old or billions of years old; there is enough inconclusive scientific evidence to support either argument.
However, I am a firm believer in “Intelligent Design” because man was created in God’s image; by God who is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent; the Creator of heaven and the earth. And therefore neither the atheist nor the evolutionist or any other unbeliever could have existed, or exist today, without God, as God is revealed in the Bible (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Having it both ways?
Mr. Dempsey said, “No, Mr. Gordon. You cannot have it both ways – either you believe in a God of Wonder, a God of Love, or you believe in a sadistic, vengeful God with a black sense of humour who surely must be ‘set on His throne in Heaven’ roaring with laughter at the mess we have created. I know which God I prefer.”
Sorry, Mr. Dempsey, I do not want to have it both ways. And that is because I believe in God who said, “- – you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
What does it mean to love your neighbour? It means you will do no harm to your neighbour. It means you owe no one anything except to love him or her; for he who loves another fulfills the law. So, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:8-10)
Mr. Dempsey in his letter to the editor said that by a process of mental gymnastics I arrive at “God in His wisdom established government.” To which he categorically says, “No, Mr. Gordon. Maninvented government. Manin his vanity and greed laid down what we call ‘The Law’ to justify his plundering of God’s creations and to establish his power over lesser mortals.”
Unfortunately, Mr. Dempsey’s assertion denies the laws governing the universe, and therefore God as Creator. Yet Mr. Dempsey says, “Thank you for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging, as divinely revealed in the Bible. The judgment of God is infallible”. And that, Mr. Dempsey, is the truth; and so God says to all of us, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
Henry G. Gordon