The gospel has the power to break down the deepest walls of alienation

Linda Ballard (June 22) expresses disappointment at the Presbyterian and Church of Ireland stance on transgenderism.
Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Linda writes of ‘intersex conditions’; but these occur at such relatively low incidence, as to perhaps only draw attention to the male-female boundary.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Linda’s perspective on science, and her interpretation of scripture, both perplex me. Does the Ethiopian eunuch, mentioned by Luke in Acts Chapter 8, inform our modern understanding of transgenderism?

The Bible Society of Northern Ireland do an excellent modern translation of the Book of Acts, with a one page preface that seeks to understand the motivation of the author: ‘One of Luke’s main reasons for writing was to show that nothing could keep the Christian message from spreading everywhere’.

The global spread of Christianity, and the current surge of evangelicalism and pentecostalism, assure us that the words of scripture remain powerful and penetrating.

Christ’s love, peace and righteousness, are the only available antidote to the deep ocean of human alienation that threatens to drown all of us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Linda Ballard refers to Deuteronomy 23:1, a verse which implies that emasculation may have rendered the Ethiopian eunuch unable to experience full spiritual redemption.

When Saint Philip discusses the Suffering Servant Prophecy (Isaiah 53) with the Ethiopian eunuch, conversion and baptism soon follow. Churches do well to focus people’s attention on the glorious good news of Jesus Christ, because the message of sin-redemption-salvation is the only absolute antidote to the depth of spiritual alienation felt in every human heart.

Would our Churches thrive and prosper if we followed Philip’s wise example? We might do well, to speak very much more of Isaiah 53, and a great deal less of sexual politics. All are commanded to repent and believe the good news, irrespective of gender or gender identity.

Many people today feel alienated from self, from society and from their surroundings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The story of the Ethiopian eunuch’s conversion testifies to the power of the gospel to break down the deepest walls of alienation; whether constructed by self, by circumstances or by other people.

Our deepest sense of alienation can sometimes be a door to spiritual invitation and opportunity. That is what the Ethiopian discovered — an insight that remains true for all and every one of us today.

James Hardy, Belfast

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Related topics: