FROM THE EDITORS December 17, 2001 Issue

Christianity and hate

John Selover

An Oxymoron? A contradiction in terms? No, not exactly; but it is true that these two words are not often seen together in this magazine.

However, there is one way that hate and Christianity, can meet on the same page and not be inconsistent. Consider how Jesus, the founder of Christianity, is described in the Bible's book of Hebrews: "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows" (1:9).

This very dear and anointed man taught life, he healed, he overcame death and the grave because his spiritual character enabled him to hate iniquity—to hate sin, greed, jealousy, killing, revenge, pride, self-importance—the whole range of human foibles and failings. This glorified man, Christ Jesus, loved good, loved God, loved the spirit of Truth that he taught and lived. His was an utterly complete character.

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