LIBRARY: Quarrel is with God

I am writing in response to Katsy Kline’s Dec. 29 letter and other letters critical of the demonstrators at the Coeur d’Alene Library. The demonstrators displayed signs such as “Jesus Loves You” (Is this “hate speech”?) and “Repent or you will go to hell.” What Ms. Kline and other critics fail to point out is that the demonstrators have a biblical basis for their messages, and they are simply testifying publicly in obedience to God’s commands (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20).

“The Lord is not slow about His promise (second coming to earth), … but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish (go to hell) but for all to come to come to repentance” (I Peter 3:9).

Christians refer to hell as the ultimate destination for unbelievers in the hope that the latter will choose to become believers and thus escape going to hell. When understood this way, this is not “hate speech” but an expression of Christian love.

My main point to the critics is this: Your opinions and judgments against the demonstrators need to be compared with God’s values. He inspired the human authors of the 66 books of the Bible to write what they did (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17), including condemnation of homosexual practices (Romans 1:16-32, I Corinthians 6: 9, 10, Genesis 19). Critics, please try to understand that your quarrel is not primarily with those demonstrators, but with the God of the Bible whose gracious offer of salvation and heaven needs to be seriously considered.

DAVID LAKE

Post Falls