Collective defense ‘bearing arms’ aim
A Nov. 15 letter writer hasn’t read his biblical texts far enough. Following the Luke passage he cited, the Apostles responded by saying they had two swords. Jesus’ response: “That is enough” (NIV).
If all the Apostles were present, this means 83 percent were “unarmed.” Twelve verses later, Peter cuts off the ear of one in the party arresting Jesus. Jesus tells him, “No more of this,” and heals the man’s ear.
In the preamble of the Second Amendment, the general right to bear arms is predicated on the need for the security of a free state, i.e. collective, not individual, defense.
James W. Hiestand
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We’re in trouble with TrumpWorld
We have lost our way in America. There are 535 members of Congress but only about 52 with completely independent voices. Due to gerrymandering, there are very few competitive seats, and voter suppression has made it impossible for millions to vote.
We have become an oligarchy with money destroying our representative democracy and a president who has turned the executive branch over to the rich and powerful. We have a Congress where representatives go to get rich; a majority are millionaires.
Sen. Bob Corker said President Trump is unstable and could trigger WWIII. His secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, reportedly called him a moron. It’s rumored his national security adviser, Gen. H.R. McMaster, labeled him an idiot. Never before have we had a president whose ability to govern was more in question.
Trump’s tweets concerning North Korea are extremely dangerous. His torpedoing the Trans-Pacific Partnership will give China great influence in Asia. China will do what Nikita Khrushchev said he would do but couldn’t – bury us economically. This is especially possible since China understands the importance of green energy and Trump doesn’t. We are in trouble!
Wilbourne C. Markham Sr., Signal Mountain
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We must decide: The word or world
I was interested in the Oct. 29 Free Press editorial about the reformation and Luther’s 95 points of “disputation “
The five solas mentioned were indeed the “backbone” of Protestantism (Scripture, faith, grace, Christ and God’s glory alone).
However, it appears today that Protestants no longer protest and these solas have lost their importance. As the editor astutely mentioned, “Catholics and Protestants are more similar today than they are different.”
Who changed? Not the papacy, for now she wears a smile and urges her wandering children to “come home.” However, her dogmas and traditions are mostly the same (meatless Fridays not withstanding).
I understand indulgences are still available, and for a sufficient offering you can buy Grandpa out of Purgatory.
Long ago, the papacy chose tradition over Scripture, and it appears that America and Protestantism are becoming the lapdog of the papacy.
However, predictably so, the revelator in John 13 said all the world would wander back to her.
Where do you stand? With the world or the word?
W.R. Barger, Monteagle