Love-Hate Mail

Jesus, help usI just read your mocking article about the RFID tags that true Christians, who believe the Bible (which defines true Christians, hence the word believer as opposed to unbeliever), believe to be the precursor to the prophesied mark of the beast (“Under Their Skin,” March 20). You are a fulfillment of the very book you mock. In the last days, scoffers will come. Like all tares, you believe yourself to be wheat, not recognizing wheat as the legitimate. You proclaim yourself to be wheat, and the wheat, tares. Who told a proud arrogant mocker of scripture that you are a Christian anyway? Who is the one who persuaded such an obvious enemy of the cross that they were a Christian? Don’t you know the Bible says in Revelation 21:8 that the fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

What is it again that you believe makes you a Christian? Scoffing at scripture and the true believers are clear indicators that you are not. You will most likely be one of those who turn into true believers when the time comes and believe you are doing God a service. Claiming you are a Christian or going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonald’s makes you a Big Mac.

I actually don’t have a problem with your point of view in the article, although I don’t agree. It is your claim to the body of Christ I have the problem with. It is true that most Christians have a problem with enemy identification in their midst (e.g., Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Roman Catholicism, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, ad infinitum, ad nauseum). I would suggest if you want a true claim to the body of Christ, you get an Authorized Version—God’s promised, preserved word for English-speaking people—and read the books of John and Revelation until the fear of God hits your heart and you tremble at the thought of your own judgment, for it is only then that you are ready to be born from above into the kingdom purchased by the blood of Christ. Only then, through prayer and repentance, will you meet God’s requirement of humility to receive his grace, for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. I wrote this as a warning to you. I don’t want you to be able to tell God that you never heard that on your judgment day or think that you somehow have God’s favor. The Bible says you are his enemy, and he is angry with the wicked everyday. You mock and slander the word of God and his believers; you are no believer, but an unbeliever and a scoffer who has God’s wrath to look forward to. This I do not want for you. If you are humble and a believer like you claim, then perhaps you will follow II Corinthians 13:5, and God willing, it will save your soul.PASTOR EDWARD WATSONLIGHTHOUSE CHAPELlighthousechapel@nc.rr.com (Durham, N.C.)

Write onThank you for running Maria Browning’s insightful and thorough review of my novel (“Look at Me,” March 6). In an age of diminishing book coverage, it’s great to see alt-weeklies like the Scene giving precious editorial real estate to the discussion of literature and writers. Plus, for small press titles like mine, every review is that much more critical and appreciated. This one was no disappointment. Sure, I’m biased in saying this but extend my words to all your book coverage when I say: Keep up the good work!SUSANNAH FELTSsusannah.felts@gmail.com (Birmingham, Ala.)

Unusually cruelMaybe I’m a little late, but this is in response to the article “Homeward Bound?” by Sarah Kelley (March 6). I want to express the horrific way Paul House is being treated. He can’t even take care of himself as a grown man should because he is in the last stages of multiple sclerosis. The article said that even the Supreme Court has opined, “ ‘no reasonable juror’ would convict him given the evidence now available.” Why, then, won’t they let him out so he can spend his last days at home with his family? This whole uproar about execution being cruel and unusual punishment cannot compare to the cruelty of keeping a man on death row for 22 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Then they want to call him a flight risk. Outrageous! The man can’t even walk. Fess up, guys. You put the wrong man in jail, and keeping him there forever won’t make us forget that. This is a crime of humanity that should never have happened.DOUGLAS CURRYislboy03@aol.com (Nashville)