Dear editor:
One common denominator that I have noticed consistently from the gang of liberal critics toward me and my recent Christian letters is that they obviously only quote selected parts of what I have actually stated. They are definitely not giving the public the whole truth!
Then they proceed to further distort and twist what I have really written. That is dishonesty. I encourage you readers to notice carefully what these folks are doing whenever they write a reply.
The most recent example was from Cheryl Montmayor (Sunday, Nov. 22) who questioned my definition of persecution. Persecution because of one's religion, politics or race can come in may forms, including verbal attacks, which can sometimes cause varying degrees of distress and trouble.
Next, you also didn't quote everything that the Matthew 5:11, 12 verses stated which I used in my letter (Wednesday, Nov. 18). You only mentioned the word "persecution." Read it again and you will notice that it also said that Christians would be blessed "when people insult you" and "falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Oh, and you completely ignored my 1 Peter 4:14 reference ... "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed."
You then attempted to argue that the Matthew reference (which is part of the Sermon on the Mount) could not have any application for Christians like me during this present time. What nonsense! My NIV Study Bible clearly states in the 5:3-12 commentary "that the Beatitudes are (both) a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers."
You had also better criticize the Rev. Charles Stanley, Ph.D. (First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga.), for preaching this very same truth! This great preacher is the one who taught me about how God promises great blessings for standing up for Christ (In Touch Ministries)!
And to "Doc" Crawford, can't you come up with something better than the "judge not that you not be judged" verse? This verse is misused by liberals commonly in an attempt to get true Christians and conservatives to just shut up! You use this verse like a club to hit someone over the head with. But it's somehow perfectly fine for you folks to judge and criticize. What hypocrisy!
Then we have yet another contradictory letter by George Lindholm (Wednesday, Nov. 18) in which he seems to go on a lengthy guilt trip kind of introspection about how careful he is not to be judgmental, dishonest and deceiving.
Then, after making himself feel better about himself once more, he seemed to quickly forget those high ideals and to begin vigorously attacking me, claiming that people like me have no right to impose our values and views on others. However, you folks seem to find no problem whatsoever in imposing your liberal, progressive, socialistic and often ungodly views upon the rest of us. Again -- what hypocrisy!
Thanks for blessing me again,
Lloyd Hoffman
Hot Springs
Editorial on 11/29/2015