Dear Marginalized Christians, 

Are you tired of being marginalized?  Then we must stop arguing the truth from a political, socio-psychological, or a statistical basis.  The world only sees us as a political demographic when we argue this way. 

We must argue from the basis that God is and that He is a rewarder of them who seek Him plus the implied corollaries.  Here is the bedrock truth of the Bible:  God has responded and continues to respond to a person’s (and a nation’s) choices generally in one of three ways.  
If a person or a nation chooses to honor God and obey Jesus Christ according to the Bible, God responds by blessing that person or nation. 

If a person or a nation chooses to ignore God, and do what they please, then God will let them have the consequences of their actions which is self-destruction. 

If a person or a nation chooses to reject God and hurt others, then God will actively judge and punish them. 

Our mission is to proclaim that our Lord Jesus Christ came from the Creator to earth to save men from themselves:  to preach forgiveness of sin by repentance and to teach trust in finished work of our Lord and Savior through His death and resurrection.  Our job is to present, not to persuade; persuasion is the Holy Spirit’s job.  Let us join together in unity, praying and proclaiming, around our mission and let us watch God do the rest around us, through us and in us.  It is our nation’s only hope; it is each individual’s only hope. 

Christians, the next time you find yourself in some discussion of politics, society, or cultural decay, proclaim these truths as “God says in His revelation to man, the Bible….”  This may not stop the marginalization of our faith or ourselves in the public arena, but we will have loved those whom Christ loves and for whom He died. 

Dr. Bill Henry
Pastor

* * * 

Dr. Bill Henry and I were graduated from Brainerd High School in 1966.  We were a class of very diverse students students when it came to the environment we were emerging.  A large percentage of our class have enjoyed very successful lives and contributed to our society.  Our class produced scholars, doctors, lawyers and judges, professional athletes, business owners, military leaders and heroes, and the list goes on. 

I say all of this to lead to this point: I do not know that I have ever been as proud of one of my peers as when I read Dr. Henry's letter to "Marginalized Christians".  Dr. Henry "gets it."  He is "right on."  He is like the beggar, who through love, is telling the rest of us beggars where he found the bread.  It brings to mind a quote of Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words". 

Thank you, Bill. 

J. Pat Williams

* * * 

I'm not sure who the marginalized Christians are Dr. Henry is addressing. 

In the U.S.A. Christians speak out all the time and marginalize non-Christians -and even other Christians - often. 

I recall being in high school in the 60s. In one class we had to fill out cards with our personal information, including church membership. What that had to do with home economics I'll never know. But I will always remember being ridiculed by the teacher publicly because I was in the wrong denomination. This went on and my grade suffered until my dad chatted with the principle. So, even though I am a Christian, I am not supportive of much more than elective Bible classes in public schools. Sometimes a ball game is just a ball game. 

The government is prohibited from infringing upon religion. That's a good thing. Ministers are free to pastor and preach their denomination's interpretation of Scripture from their pulpit on tax-exempt property. Many don't seem to realize that many of the men who made this possible were not "good Christian men" especially by the lights of many today in this area. 

I don't know Dr. Henry and wish no quarrel. But, I am also an American and appreciate the freedom to work out my own salvation, to agree or disagree, to participate or refrain. Freedom goes both ways. 

So, when I think of the sacrifices our ancestors made to give Dr. Henry the freedom to criticize others for exercising theirs and without so much as a hint of gratitude, it is painful. There are many countries where he would truly be marginalized. 

Thank God for America. 

Sharleen Robinson

* * * 

Ms. Robinson, 

Dr. Henry criticized no one. It seems as though you read his opinion letter with a predetermined sense of what the main point would be. 

I understand and respect your opinion, but you certainly missed the point, judging by your concluding statement. 

Dallas Cole