I have a dream.

Dear editor,

In his book A Year To Live, John Bowker writes: "The consequences of treating Scripture as though history and personality made no difference to the words and content of Scripture have been, in Christian history, horrendous. By lifting a text from its context and treating it as a timeless truth, Christians claimed scriptural warrant for the murder of Jews (Matthew 27:25); by lifting a text, Christians found warrant for burning women whom they regarded as witches (Exodus 22:18); by lifting a text, Christians justified slavery and apartheid (Genesis 9:25); by lifting a text, Christians found justification for executing homosexuals (Leviticus 20:13); by lifting a text (Genesis 3:16), Christians found warrant for the subordination of women."

Will the day come when we can look back and say, "Christians once used Scripture to forbid the blessing of same-sex relationships?"

I have a dream. I dream of a church where membership is about loving the Lord. I dream of a church where members are free to know the truth as each is led by the Spirit. I dream of a church where we can weep for one another and for ourselves. I dream of a church which can integrate I Corinthians 13 into its life. I dream of a church which can embrace the pain of the world.

Everett Hobbs

Conception Bay South, Nfld.