GUNS IN CHURCH
Firearms column
lacks full context
Pastor Thomas Rush’s guest column reasoned that “Guns in church really are OK” (Opinion, May 2) and supported his opinion with two quotes from the New Testament. Unfortunately, the context does not bear out his assertions. He cites Simon Peter’s misguided defense of Jesus at the time of His arrest. Peter draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest. Pastor Rush generalizes Peter’s rash act as justification for carrying concealed weapons into churches. However, that is not consistent with Jesus’ words that immediately follow in Matthew 26:52: “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Wisdom enough for me.
In the second citation (Luke 22:35-38), Jesus does indeed say to his disciples, “He who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” But Jesus goes on to say: “‘For I tell you, this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: “And he was counted among the lawless”; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.’ They said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ He replied, ‘It is enough.’” That is, Jesus agreed the two swords were enough to get Him declared an outlaw under Roman law, but only to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4-12.
JAMES BELCHER, ALPHARETTA
ECONOMICS
Read book before
criticizing premise
Kyle Wingfield’s lame attempt at satire in Thursday’s AJC (“If Professor Piketty took his book into ‘Shark Tank,’” Opinion, May 1) in my opinion sums up the current state of politics and was an insult to his readers. Rather than present a rational argument against Picketty’s thesis on wealth disparity, Mr Wingfield attempted, but failed, to ridicule the author without doing him the courtesy of at least reading his book. Whether we agree or not with Picketty’s conclusions, we should at least be prepared to debate his argument in an intelligent, logical fashion.
IAN SHAW, CUMMING
ISRAEL
Cartoon off base
in Israel criticism
It seems Mike Luckovich’s alternative universe is expanding (Opinion, May 4). Israel being an apartheid state is a lie only the left can create. Arabs in Israel enjoy citizenship, voting rights and representation in government. Compare this to Arab states where Jews are a rarity, women are second-class citizens, and possession of a Bible is forbidden. Mike, you really do need to get out more.
MARC O'DELL, ALPHARETTA
