Brother Bush

Christian Century, May 17, 2003

I"M NOT COMFORTABLE that President Bush's conservative evangelical theology seems to be dictating the policies of his administration, and probably neither are the United Methodist signers of the "Prophetic Epistle," a full-page advertisement in the April 5 CENTURY.

But then why should he repent and allow mainline liberal Protestant theology to dictate national policies? Criticize the policies because they are bad policies. But let's not try to make national policy "congruent with Jesus' teaching" (as if we could get agreement on the nature of Jesus' teachings). Enough mischief has done in our history by trying to turn the U.S.A. into the kingdom of God.

Frank C. Senn
Immanuel Lutheran Church,
Evanston, Ill.

I am grateful to my brother and sister United Methodists for the painful, heartfelt cry directed to our brother United Methodist, George W. Bush. The issue and implications of this unnecessary, un-American, preemptive war with its daily slaughter of the innocents are too grim and global for the church to silently acquiesce in the name of false patriotism. Massive and continuing street demonstrations may get through to tin ears; some of the truth of the "Prophetic Epistle" may register with our White House brother for whom both profound disagreement and earnest prayer will continue to be offered.

Donald E. Walden
Champaign, Ill.