Are you sure?
This bookmark will be removed from all folders and any saved notes will be permanently removed.
DEBT RELIEF ESSENTIALS: CARING CREDITORS, WILLING DEBTORS
HOW OFTEN have we heard, "Things are not what they appear to be"? Ask yourself what the most important element is in keeping a bicycle on the road, and after dismissing the tangibles (wheels, frame, chain, etc., which are certainly vital elements), you might settle, as I did, on something intangible: balance. It's something not obvious to the physical senses, yet very real and vital to successfully riding a bike.
In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy invited readers to resolve "things into thoughts" and to exchange "the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul [God]" (p. 269). And considering the problem of debt relief and the forgiveness of debtor nations in the underdeveloped world, it can be immensely helpful to pursue this line of thinking—to cherish the spiritual demand for balance as well as justice.
For example, a legal obligation willingly undertaken should be honored. Arguments abound against this concern in regard to debt incurred (often by governments no longer in power). Looking beyond the amount that's owed and considering what progress the debtor has made is instructive—is there evidence to suggest a reprieve will be used wisely?
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
August 14, 2006 issue
View Issue-
LETTERS
with contributions from BONNY LAVER, MARION HARDING, ANNA WILLIS, RUTH M. SAMPLE, ZADA VOGEL, RACINE COLBURN
-
A spiritual demand for balance
KIM SHIPPEY, SENIOR WRITER
-
ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Naomi Gaede-Penner, Jane Taguicana, Karl Giberson
-
NO DEBT IN GOD
BY BILL DAWLEY
-
SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE
BY DANIS COLLETT MUTCHLER
-
THE WAY OF LOVE PAYS ALL OUR DEBTS
BY ELAINE FOLLIS
-
DEBT RELIEF ESSENTIALS: CARING CREDITORS, WILLING DEBTORS
BY JOPIE VAN HONSCHOOTEN
-
CALM TO THE CORE
BY KATHRYN JONES DUNTON
-
DO GERMS MAKE US SICK?
BY MEG WELCH DENDLER
-
At long last, Love
Gwenn Gurnack
-
The church that children built
By Camille Richardson
-
A NATURAL PROGRESSION
JACQUELINE MACDERMOTT
-
FAITH-SHAPED PUBLIC LIVES
WARREN BOLON, SENIOR WRITER
-
'GET BEHIND ME, SHADOW'
Frederick R. Andresen
-
'I COULD BREATHE FREELY AGAIN'
LAURENZ PESCHKE
-
'PEACE BE STILL'
DORIS J. FILIATRAULT
-
RESTORED TO HEALTH THROUGH PRAYER
RICHARD C. KELLEY