Bakker Scandal and TV Ministries

Peter G. Kreitler’s article (Editorial Pages, March 18) on religious intolerance among TV preachers raises a valid point for Christians today and a dangerous one at the same time. His identification of a spirit of recrimination and condemnation among the leaders of the electronic church is well taken. The problem of Christians behaving lovelessly and divisively among themselves is becoming recognized as a serious problem in convincing the public of our message and personal sincerity.

The problem with Kreitler’s viewpoint is that he assumes that the solution is an increasing tolerance of activities, life styles and philosophical views that are demonstrably incompatible with Scripture.

We must not forget that Christianity is a radical doctrine that sets the believer apart from society. As Christ says in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on Earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” The fact of a person choosing to follow Christ is a divisive act between that person and the rest of the world.

It is an all too human tendency to want to see things as we would like them to be rather than as they are. We become indignant that we cannot carry our favorite sins into our new life. But a refusal to come to terms with this difficult teaching leads us to the development of a watered-down gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ probably has some difficulty recognizing as his own.

AL PENNINGTON

Sepulveda