Last month Jason Roach wrote an article for Evsngelicals Now looking at how the Gospel deals with our shame as well.aa our guilt. It was a very helpful article showing how some cultures are more alert to one or the other. The only change I would make is to give more emphasis to the fact that we all experienced both. People on our estate may experience guilt and are guilty of sin whether or not they feel it or can express it. However, we can experience shame when we are not guilty. We can feel a sense of false guilt. However the article was thoroughly Biblical and Orthodox. Jason is a wise, humble Bible teacher and evangelist.
EN have now published a letter from Tim and Lois Wells which frankly misunderstands and so misrepresents Jason. They suggest that Jason is preaching another Gospel based on his subjective experience rather than the Bible.
The letter’s accusations are serious and false. The letter should not have been published. I urge Evangelicals Now to remove the letter and apologise to Jason. Perhaps a donation could be made to Jason’s employer, the excellent London City Mission.
This is important for three reasons. First, a newspaper has responsibility for the factual accuracy of all it publishes including letters.
Secondly, it is important that if they invite people to write for them that they also take responsibility for their care. I suspect people will be more reluctant to write for a magazine or paper that doesn’t.
Thirdly, sadly this is part of a culture we see at the moment where big questions about genuine concerns are not asked but we seem quick to find fault and accuse of heresy with zero evidence. There seems to be a presumption that for leaders this just comes with the trade and they can handle this. Maybe some can, though actually I suspect that persistent bites of this kind take their toll emotionally and spiritually. What I do know is that they should not have to handle it. This culture of devouring one another needs to go.
I hope the EN team will quickly address this.
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PostScript: EN appear to have now removed the letter.
Faithroots 