A frequent letter writer to this newspaper takes a break from delivering holier-than-thou criticisms of everyone who disagrees with him so he can ham-handedly do the impossible: prove God’s existence through rational argument.
St. Paul tells us, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:17).
As a Christian, I recognize what a fool’s errand this is, especially when he begins his argument by dismissing science as an unfaithful touchstone while championing ancient longings for a transcendent being as somehow more persuasive.
This is akin to asking the letter writer to abandon his Bible as a foundation for truth and, instead, seek some mystic thought or strong emotion to fashion his world view.
If you are not a Christian, I trust that you will not judge all of us by this overly-critical and naive thinker. If you are a Christian, I hope you will conduct your life by the teachings and example of Jesus Christ so others will be drawn to our faith and “be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (I Peter 3:15).
I know it is a fool’s errand to entreat the frequent letter writer to abandon his longing to see his name in print, but please know that there are many of us Christians in our community who care more about your well-being than finding fault in you.
Since I am a very fallible human, I welcome your comments and criticisms in any forms you choose to render them.
Dave Aycock
Fayetteville, Ga.
Thanks, Dave. You are not the only one that find Trey’s editorials.. well, tiresome, fractured and painfully frequent. This probably won’t be published, but for years now I’ve been wondering why this news site hasn’t expanded it’s name to The Citizen, Trey.
I think this letter applies to many of us. Well said.
Dear Dave—Thank you for such a thoughtful and well-written letter.
Aww, Dave, you took Trey up on his offer to interact by writing your own letter to the editor (Trey swears he NEVER reads the comments!). And how really beautiful of you to assure him, “please know that there are many of us Christians in our community who care more about your well-being than finding fault in you.” If he ever read the comments, he would know this already, as several folks who reply to him have expressed concern about him many times. It’s so kind of you to tell him in a letter to the editor where he might actually read it.
Plus, it feels like, from the frequency of his letters, Trey just really needs a pen pal. Maybe you can be the one. Thanks for your kind words and genuine way of representing Christianity.