Christian Odyssey: Letters to the editor

I read your article "Where are we in prophecy?" I agree on principle with you that we should be focused on sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and learning to love our neighbor. However, I was a bit distraught over your exhortation to forget about eschatology and get on with living. We can’t take one verse that Jesus quoted to a generation almost 2,000 years ago and let it put either us or God in a box. For God’s words are far more vast than just the one you referred to. Jesus also said that God would not bring anything upon the land except he reveal it to his servants and prophets. If God did not want the last generation of believers to be drawn to eschatology, then a third of the Bible would not be prophecy. While we are not to study it for the sake of knowing the day or hour of his return, we are to study it to give us more faith and understanding so as not to be asleep at the wheel like so many of today’s pew sitters are. You see, I happen to know what the future of this nation is. But you don’t seem to care and you don’t think it is necessary information.

DN, email

Michael Feazell responds: Please allow me to respectfully point out that your assumptions are wrong on nearly every count. Jesus did not say, as you assert, that "God would not bring anything upon the land except he reveal it to his servants and prophets." That was Amos. He wrote, "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." Please note that he did not write, "to his servants and prophets," but "to his servants the prophets." Amos was writing to the kingdom of Israel, and what he said would happen did happen in that generation. Hope and consolation in time of distress come from faith in the love and grace of God and his promise of ultimate deliverance, not from claiming to "know what the future of this nation is."

The truth is that every Christian who has ever "watched" geopolitics through the "lens of prophecy" has been both distracted from the gospel and wrong in his or her conclusions. The intent of the article was to shift the focus from minor details to Jesus Christ.

How refreshing Mike Feazell’s article "Mirror, Mirror" was. It is so encouraging when pastors and leaders admit their frailties and weaknesses publicly. It is sad when pastors never share their highs and lows with the members in general prayer or even from the pulpit. We are all sinners needing the ongoing grace of God. That transparency and openness actually endears the pastor to the members. Paul said he shared his very life with the members. That transparency and honesty also makes it so much easier for members to approach the pastor with confidence because the leaders are not placing themselves on a "higher" spiritual level than the members. Thank you Mr. Feazell for a wonderfully open, transparent, humble and encouraging article.

KR, email

I really enjoyed the December 2009/January 2010 Issue of Odyssey magazine.

The focus on who Jesus is and who we are in Him once again reminded us of the thrilling life of a servant who is armed with this knowledge. And to think it’s only going to get better as we grow in Christ. And even better that when we meet Him in heaven and live a life without end with the Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Keep up the good work!

CM, email

Letters for this section should be addressed to "Letters to the Editor." Send your letters to Editor, Grace Communion International, PO Box 5005, Glendora, CA 91740-0730, or by electronic mail to john.halford@gci.org.

The editor reserves the right to use letters so addressed in whole or in part, and to include your name and edit the letter for clarity and space. We welcome your comments.