Letters

Philippa Thompson and Brendan Ng (NZ Baptist, September) may think “extending marriage equality to gay couples ... will not destroy Christian marriage any more than inter-racial marriage has,” and no doubt it won’t while people are determined to marry according to Biblical principles. However, racial equality is right but homosexuality is wrong. God made man in his own image (Genesis 1:26) and Jesus Christ died on the cross for everyone (2  Corinthians 5:15), which settles the racist issue as we are all of Adam’s race.

Read more: Racial equality right, homosexuality wrong

I hope Ian Ford (NZ Baptist, July) doesn’t make haste to leave the Baptist Church. I agree that it is indeed a time to stand. However, I am not sure that it is to be counted. (Counted by who?)

I have been deeply challenged recently by Ezekiel 22:30 where God says, “I looked for a man [or/and a woman] among them who would stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” 

Read more: Standing in the gap

Amongst all the anniversaries and celebrations this year, I wondered if the NZ Baptist was going to do anything about the fact that it is the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Baptist Church in England, which was the first real Baptist church from which all others have come.

Read more: Another 400 year marker

I appreciated Ian Ford opening up a debate on gay marriage in the NZ Baptist. I have noted widespread moral decline in New Zealand over the last 50 years, which corresponded with the weakening influence of traditional Judeo-Christian ethics. These ethics were the basis for the marriage laws that currently operate.

Read more: Speak out against gay marriage bill