Jesus wanted Gospel preached to world

The Right Rev. Herbert Thompson Jr., bishop of Southern Ohio wrote in a letter to the diocese: "We have been a fractured church before. The first generation of Christians were divided over whether or not to admit Gentiles into the church."

Bishop Thompson's letter may have been more complete than the quote, but this statement alone is inaccurate for two reasons: First, Jesus quite explicitly ordered His followers to preach to the whole world. The early church debated only whether or not a Gentile had first to be a Jew before becoming a Christian (it decided that was not necessary).

The early church never debated its mission to the Gentiles, only the ecclesial details that were to be required. Second, the Protestant Episcopal Church cannot trace its roots to the original church that Jesus founded, since the Episcopal Church was founded 500 years ago in England by an earthly king. The moral error the Episcopal Church now embraces with its teaching about homosexual behavior is merely more evidence of 500 years of separation from true Apostolic teaching authority.

Geisel Gerald, Green Township

Same-sex couples can't produce kids

So, the Episcopalian convention has approved the nomination of its first openly gay bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson, who had divorced his wife and left his children so they he could live with another man. And this behavior should be "Openly acceptable, encouraged in our society, and considered natural in the eyes of God?" I am always reminded, from more than 50 years ago, of my mother's story about this lifestyle.

Imagine that a nuclear catastrophe wiped out everyone on the face of the Earth, except for six 20-year-olds, three men and three women. With no lines of communication or means of travel, the three couples are living in fertile valleys on three continents: one couple is man-woman, another is man-man, and the third is woman-woman. One hundred years later, what do you think we would find? One continent would have several generations of children, parents and grandparents beginning to repopulate the Earth, whereas there would be no human life on the other two continents.

Dan Nebert, Wyoming

Gay bishop action hastens Christ's return

Rejoice at the confirmation of a gay bishop, Christians, do not be alarmed, but rejoice. Rejoice at the installation of a gay bishop in the Episcopalian denomination. While a temporary stain on the garment of Christianity, know that it is prophecy in action. Before Christ and His church can triumph, the book of Bible's book of Thessalonians tells us there must be a falling away first. Take this time to pray that there are more confirmations, more falling away, and more sin. It has to be.

Jimmy Combs, Mount Auburn