334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005  Fax - (785) 379-5061                  Josh Gooding, Pastor

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of hatred, doom, and love Minor prophets  “You’re Going To Hell”, “God Hates You”, “God Is Your Enemy”. When you live in or near Topeka, you cannot get away from the Phelps “church”. Tactics used by this group to convey doom for our nation are a source of embarrassment for most, and engender responses of anger and revulsion in many. It is clear that the “church” views itself as a modern day prophet. “We have a duty, and we are going to faithfully fulfill it”, states one of its spokespersons. Its single-minded members traverse the nation and in so doing expose themselves, including their small children, to great risk. As Christians, we have to determine whether or not this is authentic prophecy, which thus speaks for God. In the final analysis, their presence and hatred do serve to confront all of us with questions about individual, communal and national morality. Put aside for a moment the singular “sin” identified by Phelps & Co. as that which will lead to our destruction, and consider the larger questions, such as: should we be concerned about our individual and collective morality? are we accountable to God?  The Bible offers many examples of prophets and prophecies of doom. In the writings of the minor prophets (don’t you just love that term – a great way to dismiss them in one fell swoop!) we come across such happy news as this from Obadiah: I will bring you down, says the Lord. (4) For the day of the Lord is near against all nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you. (15) A God of wrath and judgment is hard to face, and that’s why we’re prone to avoid those biblical passages altogether. In general, I think we live in denial about questions of morality and accountability to God. We prefer instead to think only about a God that forgives all our iniquities, and requires nothing in return.  Born in Europe during WW II, I was taught to hate those who occupied and terrorized us. We would have relished having God destroy the enemy without mercy. How do you suppose the innocents of Darfur speak to God about their murderers? How do you suppose people in Iraq speak to God about those who blow up innocents with car bombs?  No doubt their understanding of and response to God’s wrath and punishment is quite different from our own. Nevertheless, such thoughts and feelings are real and should not be ignored, no matter how uncomfortable that may make us.   The Phelps group aims to make us uncomfortable. Personally, I think they’re false prophets. I’m not aware they ever speak of a God of love. I’m not aware they ever speak of Jesus, and yet they dare call themselves ‘Baptists’ and ‘Christians’. Even the minor prophets present rays of hope, forgiveness and a vision for a God-filled future. In Christ we have the vision of God’s unconditional love. That does not mean we have no responsibility and accountability to God. It does mean that we may be clear about that which God requires of us - to follow Christ, humbly.   - Pastor Piet - Nov. 11, 2007