Loneliness of the long distance letter writers
Actually, not so lonely this time!
A couple of weeks ago, The Weekend Australian Magazine (part of the Australian Newspaper) printed a somewhat unbalanced article about Sydney Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen (unfortunately not available online). CHN readers will be astonished—or perhaps not—to learn that the main gripe against Peter was nothing to do with his personal character; rather it was with views held by him that go against the prevailing Western secularist zeitgeist.
Three Friends of the Briefing managed to make it into print in response:
Letter 1. Jensen-mania has struck again but the question I was left with after reading the article was, “Why is it that the people with the greatest humility are the greatest targets?” Jensen is no “shrinking violet”, but neither is he angry, arrogant or aggressive. He holds to his convictions and for that I am thankful.
Rev Nigel Fortescue
Letter 2. I read with interest your article on Archbishop Jensen. What bigotry! Such a depressing record of narrow-mindedness, intolerance and refusal to acknowledge obvious truth. Peter Jensen, on the other hand, came across as a thoroughly warm and engaging human being.
Gordon Cheng
Letter 3. Peter Jensen's “narrow world view” has been standard Christian teaching for two millennia. It is still accepted in much of today's Christian world (eg Africa, Asia, and South America). He explains the biblical position with courage, clarity, and courtesy. In reply he receives inflammatory descriptions from opponents and journalist alike, along with egregious errors of fact. Yet even his detractors admitted his integrity and kindness. Readers can judge for themselves where the greater prejudice may lie.
Rev Sandy Grant