Organizing for America | Greg M's Blog: Letter to An Unnamed Evangelical Leader... Garry Wills

Letter to An Unnamed Evangelical Leader... Garry Wills

By Greg M - Aug 12th, 2009 at 1:50 pm EDT

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Tags: Faith, LGBT

Those who know me are aware that I am a voracious reader. A book I have recently acquired and am currently enjoying is What Jesus Meant, by author Garry Wills. "Garry Wills has written many acclaimed works on religion. His Papal Sin and Why I Am Catholic were New York Times bestsellers. He studied for the priesthood, took his doctorate in the classics, and taught Greek for many years at the Johns Hopkins University. He is now Professor of History Emeritus at Northwestern University. His works on American history have received many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Lincoln at Gettysburg." (…quoted from the jacket of the book)

While reading this morning I came across this letter that Garry includes in his book from an unnamed writer to an Evangelical leader. Garry admits not knowing the source of the letter, but seems to simply omit the recipient. Still, the letter is so poignant that Garry felt it was well worth including in his book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought many of you would as well. Here it is straight from Garry's book, What Jesus Meant, C. 2006 by Garry Wills, published by Penguin Group, Inc., chapter 2 The Work Begins, sub-chapter Are Some Still Unclean?, pages 33 – 35.

"Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law. I have learned a great deal from you, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination – end of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is: how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor to the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there degrees of abomination?
7. Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Leviticus 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev. 24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev. 20:14)?

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident that you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging."

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