Letters to the Editor 11-18-1998
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Creationism - Stolen Hat - Right To Life Thanks - Editor, Times-Union:
Creationism
Editor, Times-Union:A number of recent letters to the editor have expressed the writer's opinion on the Evolution/Creation controversy. I keep looking for someone to come through with a different point of view, as there is more than one position. I felt urged to try it.
I am a retired minister of the Gospel and have served numerous churches in northern Indiana in the 50 plus years since my license to preach and ordination. My training, of course has been in the field of theology.
Most certainly I believe in God who is Spirit as Jesus reminded the woman at the well. (John 4:24) I see His wonderful works throughout the vast realm of nature - the starry heavens above and the earth below.
In the spring when the farmers are planting corn, I visualize the potential of that little grain being placed in the ground. I watch its growth as I drive by the field week after week. By early July the plants are "knee-high" just as I observed similar corn plantings the year before. Suddenly, again tassels appear and I know it will not be long until the ears are fully mature and waiting for harvest. I remember that every individual grain is now capable of repeating the same cycle of growth and reproduction as the seed of the stock on which it grew. Harvest time has come and with the life purpose of that corn-stock completed, it dies. All of this possibility was hidden in that small kernel that the farmer put in the ground last spring!
The result of Creation is an observable fact. I note that every living thing - plant and animal - seems bent on fulfilling one primary purpose - the reproduction of its own kind. (Genesis 1:11;22-28) Everywhere I turn I find evidence of intelligence, design and purpose. With purpose evident all around me, I am forced to conclude that there must be a Purposer in this universe. I see this Purposer as the Eternal Mind - the Divine Spirit - the Reality that Jesus called "Abba" - Father."
Just how God brought about all of His Creation I do not know. Perhaps He spoke a divine word (however we may conceive of such a word) and that command was fulfilled. Perhaps God chose to work through a long detailed process toward the end He had in mind. Certainly it is not for any human being to dictate to the Creator how He should do His work. Genesis chapter 1 implies that the creation began with the less complex and progressed toward the more complex. I read nothing in the Bible that would necessarily imply that God started over "from scratch" every time He wanted to create something new. I welcome anything science can contribute to solving this mystery, recognizing, however that science's realm of inquiry is to describe and to analyze while purpose and meaning concern theology and philosophy. I was taught that all truth - scientific and spiritual - is God's truth and must somehow be part of the total picture.
If what I have been hinting at must be labeled "Theistic Evolution" then so be it. In my ignorance I see no reason to call this position "Untenable" as a recent writer has declared.
Through Jesus Christ I worship a God far greater than any human description of His being or of the way He fulfills His ultimate purposes. I think it behooves us all to bow humbly and submissively before this Eternal Mind whose method of operation is far beyond our human comprehension.
Rev. Robert E. Seitz - retired, Winona Lake
Stolen Hat
Editor, Times-Union:While I was at our Warsaw Citizens' Police Academy this last Wednesday, where we were with our Mayor of Warsaw, the Police Chief, several police officers and other dignitaries, and a crowd of 150 citizens police and their invited guests, I discovered upon my leaving, someone had taken, yes, stolen my very special awarded military styled cap, given to me on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
I am certain it is the only cap of its kind in the city of Warsaw, as I had received it in a nice ceremony in Bluffton, Indiana a few years ago. I was then remembered as one of the few G.I.'s that were still alive. On the front of this green military styled cap was the words Veteran of World War II, and on the top of the bill was a pair of Captains Bars, of my last rank that I have received while in The Reserves.
The cap ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, and I felt quite honored to be a receiver. This wartime remembrance was just as valuable to me as was my Purple Heart medal, received for thigh wounds, and also a Bronze Star Medal that was given to me for Valor in Action, when our "A" Company First Sergeant and I performed our duty in taken over an enemy Panzer tank. I was the "A" Company's Bazookaman at that time. I was only 19 years old, and I matured very, really fast that year as a combat soldier.
As one of the "Forgotten few" of World War II, I want this cap returned to me very soon and in the new condition it was. It is a part of my own personal history. You have stolen a very sacred piece of equipment that belongs only to me.
You are just a plain thief, nothing less, nothing more. Remember, this cap is the only one of its kind in Warsaw, and it is mine, I earned it, you did not.
Please put it into a grocery sack and take it to the Police Station, with my name on the sack. All of the older police, yes, the Chief, knows me too. No, I do not have a police record, never been arrested. Please return my cap, please.
Albert G. Smith, Warsaw
Right To Life Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Kosciusko County Right to Life would like to thank those who attended our second annual banquet in October. Three hundred people attended the banquet and pledges and donations from the evening came to over $19,000. These donations will be used to help us meet our goals for 1999. We also want to thank our banquet emcee, Jeff Plank, and all who had a part in making this an inspirational evening. Thank you to all of you who support Kosciusko County Right to Life throughout the year with your time and money. Together we are making Kosciusko County a safer place for unborn children and informing women about the reality of abortion before they make a decision that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
Dave Koontz, Kosciusko County Right to Life Board Member
Editor, Times-Union:
This past year has been a great learning experience for me. During this time I was fortunate to make many new friends and re-new many old acquaintances. I am very grateful to a small group of supporters who spent many late nights working with me in a variety of tasks, and to the voters of Kosciusko County who cast their ballot for me in this election.There are many others who also made contributions to the campaign and stood by me and supported me throughout. Even though we did not reach our ultimate goal, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for all of your contributions, whatever they may have been. It is an honor and a privilege to have your support.
My sincerest thanks to all!
Ofc. Jeffrey A. Bronsing, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office, Democratic Candidate for Sheriff 1998
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- Creationism - Stolen Hat - Right To Life Thanks - Editor, Times-Union:
Creationism
Editor, Times-Union:A number of recent letters to the editor have expressed the writer's opinion on the Evolution/Creation controversy. I keep looking for someone to come through with a different point of view, as there is more than one position. I felt urged to try it.
I am a retired minister of the Gospel and have served numerous churches in northern Indiana in the 50 plus years since my license to preach and ordination. My training, of course has been in the field of theology.
Most certainly I believe in God who is Spirit as Jesus reminded the woman at the well. (John 4:24) I see His wonderful works throughout the vast realm of nature - the starry heavens above and the earth below.
In the spring when the farmers are planting corn, I visualize the potential of that little grain being placed in the ground. I watch its growth as I drive by the field week after week. By early July the plants are "knee-high" just as I observed similar corn plantings the year before. Suddenly, again tassels appear and I know it will not be long until the ears are fully mature and waiting for harvest. I remember that every individual grain is now capable of repeating the same cycle of growth and reproduction as the seed of the stock on which it grew. Harvest time has come and with the life purpose of that corn-stock completed, it dies. All of this possibility was hidden in that small kernel that the farmer put in the ground last spring!
The result of Creation is an observable fact. I note that every living thing - plant and animal - seems bent on fulfilling one primary purpose - the reproduction of its own kind. (Genesis 1:11;22-28) Everywhere I turn I find evidence of intelligence, design and purpose. With purpose evident all around me, I am forced to conclude that there must be a Purposer in this universe. I see this Purposer as the Eternal Mind - the Divine Spirit - the Reality that Jesus called "Abba" - Father."
Just how God brought about all of His Creation I do not know. Perhaps He spoke a divine word (however we may conceive of such a word) and that command was fulfilled. Perhaps God chose to work through a long detailed process toward the end He had in mind. Certainly it is not for any human being to dictate to the Creator how He should do His work. Genesis chapter 1 implies that the creation began with the less complex and progressed toward the more complex. I read nothing in the Bible that would necessarily imply that God started over "from scratch" every time He wanted to create something new. I welcome anything science can contribute to solving this mystery, recognizing, however that science's realm of inquiry is to describe and to analyze while purpose and meaning concern theology and philosophy. I was taught that all truth - scientific and spiritual - is God's truth and must somehow be part of the total picture.
If what I have been hinting at must be labeled "Theistic Evolution" then so be it. In my ignorance I see no reason to call this position "Untenable" as a recent writer has declared.
Through Jesus Christ I worship a God far greater than any human description of His being or of the way He fulfills His ultimate purposes. I think it behooves us all to bow humbly and submissively before this Eternal Mind whose method of operation is far beyond our human comprehension.
Rev. Robert E. Seitz - retired, Winona Lake
Stolen Hat
Editor, Times-Union:While I was at our Warsaw Citizens' Police Academy this last Wednesday, where we were with our Mayor of Warsaw, the Police Chief, several police officers and other dignitaries, and a crowd of 150 citizens police and their invited guests, I discovered upon my leaving, someone had taken, yes, stolen my very special awarded military styled cap, given to me on the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
I am certain it is the only cap of its kind in the city of Warsaw, as I had received it in a nice ceremony in Bluffton, Indiana a few years ago. I was then remembered as one of the few G.I.'s that were still alive. On the front of this green military styled cap was the words Veteran of World War II, and on the top of the bill was a pair of Captains Bars, of my last rank that I have received while in The Reserves.
The cap ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, and I felt quite honored to be a receiver. This wartime remembrance was just as valuable to me as was my Purple Heart medal, received for thigh wounds, and also a Bronze Star Medal that was given to me for Valor in Action, when our "A" Company First Sergeant and I performed our duty in taken over an enemy Panzer tank. I was the "A" Company's Bazookaman at that time. I was only 19 years old, and I matured very, really fast that year as a combat soldier.
As one of the "Forgotten few" of World War II, I want this cap returned to me very soon and in the new condition it was. It is a part of my own personal history. You have stolen a very sacred piece of equipment that belongs only to me.
You are just a plain thief, nothing less, nothing more. Remember, this cap is the only one of its kind in Warsaw, and it is mine, I earned it, you did not.
Please put it into a grocery sack and take it to the Police Station, with my name on the sack. All of the older police, yes, the Chief, knows me too. No, I do not have a police record, never been arrested. Please return my cap, please.
Albert G. Smith, Warsaw
Right To Life Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:Kosciusko County Right to Life would like to thank those who attended our second annual banquet in October. Three hundred people attended the banquet and pledges and donations from the evening came to over $19,000. These donations will be used to help us meet our goals for 1999. We also want to thank our banquet emcee, Jeff Plank, and all who had a part in making this an inspirational evening. Thank you to all of you who support Kosciusko County Right to Life throughout the year with your time and money. Together we are making Kosciusko County a safer place for unborn children and informing women about the reality of abortion before they make a decision that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
Dave Koontz, Kosciusko County Right to Life Board Member
Editor, Times-Union:
This past year has been a great learning experience for me. During this time I was fortunate to make many new friends and re-new many old acquaintances. I am very grateful to a small group of supporters who spent many late nights working with me in a variety of tasks, and to the voters of Kosciusko County who cast their ballot for me in this election.There are many others who also made contributions to the campaign and stood by me and supported me throughout. Even though we did not reach our ultimate goal, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for all of your contributions, whatever they may have been. It is an honor and a privilege to have your support.
My sincerest thanks to all!
Ofc. Jeffrey A. Bronsing, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office, Democratic Candidate for Sheriff 1998
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