In our culture as Christians, we must always be kingdom-minded and aware of world views.  We have a world view based on the Bible.  We use Biblical terms and Biblical definitions for terms.  We as Christians formulate our opinions and our view of the world on every subject from the Bible if it even touches on that subject remotely.  This is a process called Sanctification, in which we are being set apart, and conformed to Christ.

I want to comment on an article written by Jason A. Van Bemmel on Monday, December 30, 2013 entitled “What We Lose When We Manipulate Jesus.”

This article was almost entirely spot on and for that I want to give Mr. Van Bemmel kudos and say thank you.

However, in concluding the article under point 1 of his thoughts Jason ends by saying “It’s ironic that a post which purports to be about love and respect is so hateful and demeaning.”

I don’t agree with his use of the word hateful here.  I believe that this is a usage of the term which violates its meaning, and in a sense is in conformity to the way our western culture in the U.S. is trying to redefine that word.  It’s hyperbole at best.  It is conformity with the world at worst.  I choose to consider this hyperbole, but I think it took away from the article, and made an inaccurate caricature of the Kissing Fishes – whom I would in no way ever agree with on the post being critiqued.

My reason for writing this, about what may otherwise seem as trivial splitting-of-hairs, is that we need to be separate from the world.  We need to be of truth.  And more importantly, we should not be strengthening and encouraging the misuse and misunderstanding of a powerful term such as hate – which is used many times in Scripture.

In our culture as Christians, we must always be kingdom-minded and aware of world views.  We have a world view based on the Bible.  We use Biblical terms and Biblical definitions for terms.  We as Christians formulate our opinions and our view of the world on every subject from the Bible if it even touches on that subject remotely.  This is a process called Sanctification, in which we are being set apart, and conformed to Christ.

How can we conform to Christ unless we are in agreement with Him?  That’s the work of the Holy Spirit, who has inspired or breathed the Scriptures.

We need to know that our culture also has a world view that is not at all based on the Bible.  While Christian influence is not completely gone, it is less than what it once was in the U.S.; and indeed the western world.

We need to know that our culture currently has little or no understanding of the definition and proper usage of terms such as love; hate; tolerance; respect; bullying; discrimination; sin; gender; marriage; father; mother; morality; faith; liberty; sacrifice; and so on.

If we solidify, reinforce or confirm their use of a word like hate we are actually undermining a Biblical world view and giving strength to their own.  That’s why I write this.

While otherwise as I mentioned, it is a wonderful article and spot on, I think little details such as this are important.  It is hard for any of us to not err from time-to-time.  I know I certainly have.

To me the brotherly thing to do, and in fact the most loving thing that I can do for the unsaved who may indirectly be influenced by this article and other writing of Mr. Van Bemmel, is to point this out.

Keep up the good work and be blessed!

Jeremy Brown lives in Canton, ME and attends Heritage Bible Church in Lewiston, ME.