To the editor:
I was interested in the column about Jesus and biblical texts by Russell Contreras (March 31). As a scientist and a Christian, it is important for me to respond and to encourage Russell and others who want to seek out what the Bible says.
The most important thing to understand is that the Bible is a whole entity. To properly understand what Jesus said and who he was, one must understand Old Testament teachings and the history of the Hebrew nation as well as the teachings of Paul and other apostles after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Without understanding the setting and the context of the life of Jesus, one cannot fully understand who he was or what he was doing here on Earth.
To just take one verse here and there from the sayings of Jesus is dangerous. One could easily pull out verses here and there from the gospels to support almost any view one wanted. This is how extreme cults are formed (Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate). This applies to liberals and fundamentalists alike. (I am not a fundamentalist, but I am not a liberal either.)
For example, I disagree with Kangas, who Contreras quoted as saying that Jesus wanted wealth distribution and similarly socialist views. In my studies of biblical teachings, I do not think that is what Jesus wanted. It is clear Jesus wanted those with resources to love and support the poor. But a simple redistribution of wealth will not solve the world's problems. Jesus' point was bigger than that. Jesus did not come to overthrow the Romans (as many Jews at that time thought) or to set up a new political system. However, this is what the verses Contreras gave in his article seem to convey.
Also, it is very important to understand is that the Bible was written in Hebrew and Greek. A proper understanding of idioms and cultural linguistics of that time is important to understand the context of what is said (and not said).
Fortunately, the message of the Bible is simple enough. You've seen it everywhere, now go read it: John 3:16 (and read verse 17 while you're at it). And preferably not in the King James Version. Jesus did not speak in "thees" and "thous." To really understand John 3:16-17, one should really read the whole book of John to see why John wrote it.
I was encouraged to see someone like Russell searching for Jesus. I hope Russell and others who are interested in the Bible will search deeper than just the words, that they would hear the words of Jesus and examine their hearts as well. It's more than just words. It is life.
Chad Smith
senior technical assistant,
Department of Geosciences
To the editor:
This is an open letter to Russell Contreras:
I can only pray that, in studying, you are honestly seeking the truth, for if this is true then you will have no choice but to accept the word. However, I'm afraid your recent column reveals you are selectively picking through bits and pieces to find that which supports what you already believe.
It was humorous to see your surprise in learning that the Bible contained references to "human sexuality." Perhaps you have felt God lacked sex education? Christians celebrate healthy sexual relationships between a married man and woman as a great gift of our creator, just as we celebrate the beauty of conception (why do you think fundamentalists oppose abortion?).
The Bible teaches the appropriate context for these physical acts without shame, for they are not shameful acts, but fornication, adultery and homosexuality are perversions of God-given sexual pleasures and are therefore condemned.
I notice you failed to mention the so-called "homosexual metaphors" you seem to have found. I suspect this omission is due to the fact that identifying such metaphors require the convoluted interpretations that allow pro-homosexual groups to find homosexuality in everything from the Constitution to Barney to Macbeth. Whenever homosexuality is mentioned in the New or Old testaments, it is condemned directly and without apology.
You were certainly reaching when you proposed Jesus was not only a wild social liberal, but a borderline socialist. The justification for this proclamation was the fact that the Bible speaks against unabashed greed and advocates support for those who cannot help themselves. Perhaps you thought fundamentalists were not acquainted with these verses? There is also the famous verse which reads, simply, "If a man will not work, let him also not eat."
Do not patronize the Christian religion by reading the Bible "as one of many" books used to base life. Jesus was a man who said he was God and would be raised from the dead. He was either utterly insane, or he was truly the son of God - just as the Bible is either all crap or it's all true. You can't have it both ways. Either believe it all or don't read a word of it.
Think of it this way: You don't often hear people say of a friend, "Yeah, he's real nice and he makes a lot of sense; it's just when he says he's God that bugs me."
Douglas Matthew Linder III
freshman, finance
To the editor:
I would like to thank several people who helped in this year's Student Fees Advisory Committee hearing and deliberation process. SFAC, comprised of students and faculty, donated two full weeks away from school to listen, decide on and recommend the future of fee-funded units for the UH campus' fiscal year 1997-98. We recommended the dispersal of more than $7 million.
Dr. William Munson, dean of students, and his staff gave countless hours of work to aid the process in an efficient manner. Dr. Elwyn Lee, Dr. Jack Ivancevich and many other administrators listened to the committee, and we were able to come to an agreement with our recommendations and were able to keep the fee at $102 (per student).
I would also like to personally thank the units that gave their budgets, questionnaires and presentations in a clear, honest and punctual manner. We are working hard as a committee to improve accountability, institutional effectiveness and cohesiveness among fee-funded units.
We volunteer our time to make sure students are getting what they pay for and what they need. We must have the cooperation of all units in order to complete this task. When units do not follow the deadlines, do not present their information effectively or do not prove a need for their service or organization, we do not recommend funding. It is as easy as that.
We feel confident in the decisions we made this year and encourage wider involvement in the future.
Thank you to all of those people who are working hard to make the University of Houston a better place for all of us.
Craig Rickard
chairman, SFAC