On open letter to Emma Teitel concerning Trinity Western's covenant (Maclean's 12th May 2014)

Dear Emma,

Against what I consider my better judgement, I am finding your article on Trinity Western University (TWU) persuasive. I can see clearly, at least from your point of view, why you feel that lawyers graduating from TWU should not be allowed to practice law. The article is well thought out, well written and is perhaps one of the better representatives of your point of view.

On the other hand, I find your rewording of the TWU covenant as “in other words Gays are not welcome,” a bit puzzling. You yourself admit that this covenant has been in place for a long time, long before homosexuality was at the forefront of our thinking in terms of sexuality. Why do you not say heterosexuals are not welcome? Is that not equally logical (illogical)?

While it is certainly true that Gay rights have been trampled and need to be upheld, should we trample the rights of others in an attempt to rectify that? What about the rights of those of us who do not want to be defined by our sexuality, who want to find some shelter from the seductive forces of the current pseudo hyper sexuality of our society? Your article seems to trash any such rights. From the point of view of one who discovered the hard way that promiscuity is destructive in many ways, I also want to promote such rights which are increasingly being trampled.

I did not always felt the way that I feel today. I came to my current position by graduating from the school of hard knocks. I came to see that my self gratification was not about love, but rather selfishness, as I looked back on the trail of destruction and broken hearts (my own and others). Even after I stopped sleeping around, got married and was faithful to my wife, the addictive effects of my former behaviour continued to impact the intimacy in my marriage. I have come to feel that sexuality is a precious gift from God and not to be squandered and devalued outside of a monogamous life long relationship. I want better for my children and grand children, and hope that they can learn from what I now consider to be my wrong moves. Is this not what lies behind the impetus of the non-religious “second virginity” movement? Do not those of us who feel this way have rights too, or must we bow to the god of Political Correctness?

Respectfully Phil Heath

Saved from the penalty, being saved from the power, will be saved from the presence of sin

Been studying Psalm 103 in the fellowship. As far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us. That is even further than the North is from the south (I can keep going east or west forever!) But in what ways are our transgressions (sins) removed? Well first and foremost it means that He has separated me from the penalty (eternal consequences) of my sin. He is just to do this because He Himself has paid the penalty on the cross. I don't fully understand this, but I gladly and gratefully receive it.

When my attitude is right (walking in gratitude for what He has done for me) He is then actively at work also removing (separating) me from the power of my hurts, hang ups and habits. When I confess and choose with His help, the ongoing process of forsaking the wrong things, He is quick to forgive and restore me to full fellowship with Him. In this way He is involved in the complicated process of separating me from the power of my transgressions. I may not yet be what I (and probably you) want me to be, but thank God that, through this process, I am not what I once was! This process (called sanctification) even helps to separate me from my negative attitudes such as ingratitude, unforgiveness etc., all of which tend to drag me down. My sanctification will only be finished when I meet Him face to face.

And there is one more thing that helps with my ongoing growth in Him, and that is the sure hope that it will not always be wrestling with my hurts, hang ups and habits. Since I will be with Him for ever and ever and ever, it is necessary that I submit to this process of refinement, because when I finally get to go home with Him, I will be separated not only from the penalty, not only fully separated from the power, but also fully separated from the very presence of sin. Just think about it, no more hate, no more put downs, no more manipulation, no more grief (He personally will wipe away every tear), no more death, no more separations.

I know that I have not yet arrived (if you know me you will know that too), but on that day the process of sanctification will be complete. Just think all the annoying things about me will disappear! What a hope that up there, I will not even want to do negative things as He, in the blink of eye, changes me. Hallelujah – praise (hallel) the Lord (jah)!