Letters

Spring 
It was disturbing to read the two letters by Kari Vanhoozer and by Christi Jordan, both of whom were critical of Truett lecturer Eugene Peterson saying that Jesus supports no violence in the cause of God. What was disturbing was not that the letter writers disagreed with Rev. Peterson's comment, but that they did so by making some very strong accusations which betrayed no knowledge of the New Testament teachings of Jesus to which Rev. Peterson was referring.
Ms. Jordan wants to know where in the Bible Jesus says there is to be no violence. 'The contrary can be asked as well, and was asked by Christians of the first three centuries of Christianity, "Where in the Bible does Jesus say there is to be violence?" 'The Christians of the first three centuries clearly saw that Jesus was the Prince of Peace, who ushered in the New Creation, and they refused to kill or serve in Caesar's army. 'As disciples of Jesus they were to live as Jesus lived and even die as Jesus died, by giving up his life on the cross rather than taking lives. 'Non-violence and peace were the norms of being Christian because it was the way of Jesus. 'Even in the following centuries after Christianity found itself as the predominant religion in the Roman Empire, the resort to violence was justified only by severe strictures and even then was still considered a sin, therefore calling for repentance. '
Jesus Christ, God made flesh, shows us more of who God is and what God wants than anyone or anything else in history. 'He is the high point of Scripture and is the standard by which we interpret all other Scripture. 'For example, we don't interpret Jesus by the Old Testament, we interpret the Old Testament by Jesus. 'It is true that from the interpretive perspective of Jesus that Old Testament violence is a problem, but then when Jesus Christ is central, all violence is a problem. 'As an aside, let me mention that most often in the Old Testament when there is war, it is God who calls Israel to war, not the king, and God tells Israel how and when they should fight, even if it means blowing trumpets while marching around Jericho instead of using conventional weapons and tactics. 'In Revelation, it is true that God makes war but how God fights is different. 'At the end of history, the Lion of Judah who has conquered is seen to be none other than the Lamb who was slaughtered. 'God fights by way of the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Vanhoozer calls Eugene Peterson "a man who will not speak the truth" and who "will propagate apostasy." 'Considering that Eugene Peterson has translated the entire Bible from the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts (The Message), is known as a man of prayer and humility, and was a faithful pastor for many years, these are outrageous accusations. When you add the historic and Christ-centered teachings of Christianity regarding war and peace, violence and the Way of the Cross, it is clear that she owes Rev. Peterson an apology. 'The truth is that justifying war and violence in the name of Jesus Christ is the apostasy.
Rev. Kyle Childress, BA '80
Nacogdoches, Texas
 

I enjoyed your article "Learning to Deal." I am an assistant clinical professor for a family medicine residency program. More college students with mental health issues will mean more medical students and residents with mental health problems. This is something that we have not had to deal with on a regular basis, but I foresee this changing. Thanks for the heads up. 
Laquita Shepherd, M.D. BA '83
Dallas, Texas

We read with interest "Singletary receives NCAA accolade." In the list of accolades there was no mention of Mr. Singletary being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1998) on the first ballot. I believe this is a unique honor for a Baylor Bear! 
We had the opportunity in 1998 to go to Canton, Ohio, to witness the ceremony when Mike, introduced by his wife, was inducted in the Hall of Fame. 
My brother, Philip L. Lewis (Baylor class of '84) was a team trainer for the Baylor Bears when Mike was a middle linebacker there, and we have had an interest in Mike's career since that time. 
We believe this additional recognition of merit is worthy of note, not only for Mike Singletary, but also for Baylor University. 
Joy Ruth Lewis
Jackson, Tenn.