Question:  Dear Greg,

            I’m a retired police officer.  Jesus saved me from possible suicide (too many child sexual assault cases) nearly 15 years ago now.  I was a soldier before that (Vietnam), so I’m no stranger to the violence that man unleashes against his fellow man.  I would like your feelings and input on how to explain God to someone like me.  How to explain why the Lord lets so many bloody conflicts happen?  How to witness to someone who is seeking salvation, but can’t come to terms on the why of conflict and battle.

            Thanks, I hope you have time to answer.  May God bless all you do.

            Ran

Answer:  Dear Ran,

            Thank you for your service to your country in Vietnam and for your service as a police officer.  And thank God that he saved you from suicide, given the distress and trauma you had experienced in both fields of conflict.

            How to explain God to any hardened, callused and cynical person who has seen war, hatred and brutality?  As you know, the one and only Source to whom we can point others is Jesus.  Paul, I believe, puts it best in 1 Corinthians 9:15-23, when he speaks of becoming all things to all men that he might win them to Christ.

            In order to communicate and share the truth of the gospel we must translate the gospel into the language and the culture of those who need the plain truth of the gospel.  No one message or translation fits all of the cultures, people groups, sub-groups and sub-cultures of any geographical area.  North America , for example, is pluralistic in its culture.

            So, given that larger context, the same principle applies to two people who live in the same neighborhood, speak the same language, share the same culture, etc.  They are often very different, given their experiences and background, and thus the task of sharing Jesus with them can be complex.

            We are all given that opportunity as tools in the Master’s hands, as we have opportunity to help and serve others.  Thank God that he will speak through us, using us in spite of ourselves, to be effective servants, shining the light of Jesus to others.

            May God bless you—thank you for allowing us to be of some small service.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht