PRISONER EXPRESS

Interfaith dialogue does not present itself as a discomfort for those whose system of faith is the most dialectically defendable. I say "defendable" meaning a defense -- an apologetic -- that dose not have to forfeit reason and has no fear of placing experience beneath the spotlight of theological scrutiny. Providing a balance between the rationalist and the mystic with a few paradoxes strategically placed by Providence, not only to make the faith that much more defendable; but altogether more mysterious so that it is that much more difficult to refute. I write of course, about the traditional biblical Christianity.

As I turned the pages of the magazine, I came to an interview with a Mennonite pastor. She talks about her own past growing up as a Mennonite and covers a brief history of the Mennonites that sprang from the Anabaptist movement during the sixteenth-century. From the beginning, the Mennonites tenaciously held to the fundamental doctrines of traditional Christianity, and after covering the brief history, she seems to dismiss it as she begins to speak about the diversity of her own congregation, and how her message appeals to many walks of life; building her position as a true Christian pastor. Towards the closing of the interview, she compares her congregation to the one in which she grew up, saying, "there are Mennonites back in my home congregation... who listen to Pat Robertson, believe that George Bush is a wonderful Christian, and think that the Bible needs to be taken literally -- whatever that means. I do often wander what keeps this incredibly disparate group of people together."

Having casually separated herself from this "incredibly disparate group," she knocks down her card-house of liberality showing in this case she is the most illiberal of all. George Bush is only a wonderful Christian to those who know that all Christians are wonderful in Christ's eyes. Menno Simons who the Mennonites get their name certainly believed the Bible needs to be taken literally knowing exactly what it meant to do so, and in asking "whatever that means" this pastor should go back a few steps to square one to determine what it means to really be a Mennonite. Wondering what keeps a group like this together, it is imperative to take the Apostle Paul literally when he wrote (in the Bible), "you are all ONE in Christ Jesus." Thinking her a comrade in arms, I was caught unaware by this glimpse behind her mask of profession.

This Mennonite pastor is not alone. I have heard of one ordained Anglican priest who is an outspoken atheist; as a professor of philosophy at a university he systematically sets out to destroy the faith of his Christian students. I could continue to march among the ranks pointing to those who seem to be sincere on the surface, but underneath are masters at spiritual treason; taking opportunity to spread their poison throughout the company of the faith. When our own soldiers turn swords and become the slayers, it undermines our defenses in a terrible way, and with Chuck Colsen we have to realize that we have entered into a new dark age. But this time, it is different. The barbarians are no longer at the gate. Instead, they set on thrones within, and as Pogo understood, it is that we have met the enemy and we are it. A threat that in many ways -- when eternity is at stake goes far beyond everything we may consider too close for comfort.

-J.S. Karch