Article June 21, 1993 ISSUE

Second Thought

Looking again at news and commentary

Excerpts from a commencement address given at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, May 29, 1992, by Sharon Neufer Emswiler

"Although Jeremiah was disturbed by the wickedness of his people and their approaching doom, nevertheless, he was able to keep on hoping. ... While he brought a message of judgment, he also spoke a message of hope. 'The days are surely coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'

"As we look around our world today, we see many things which make it difficult for us to have hope. We see injustices to poor people, to minority peoples, we see prejudice, we see and experience racial tensions that divide people from one another.... We see a world where violence is becoming commonplace even in our schools, where alcohol and drugs claim younger and younger victims every day. We see and hear the threat of AIDS around us. Will we give in to doom and despair, or will we keep on hoping...? As you speak out God's word, let it not be just a word of judgment, but also speak God's word of hope. Be one who helps to rekindle hope in the hearts where hope has died."

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