Letter to the Editor: Letter writer misunderstands Christianity

Published 1:00 pm Friday, June 26, 2026

Nancy Butler’s letter (“Not all authority deserves grace,” published June 17) asked for Christians to “push back” and I am fulfilling her request. The writer admits she is not a Christian. Perhaps that’s why she did not understand (or chose to distort) what Mark Akers wrote (“Being Christian means praying for all presidents,” published May 8).

She quotes snippets from Mark’s letter and then completely mischaracterizes what he said, while lathering on the insults (e.g., “morally deficient, smug little fool” and “his shameful drivel”).

Mr. Akers presented a simple and accurate description of the Christian faith and the Gospel message: Every person has sinned. God is holy and must deal with sin. Fortunately, God is also loving and He has provided a path for reconciliation with Him. Confess your sins to Him, acknowledge that Jesus is His son, who died for your sins and rose from the grave. Ask Him to forgive you.

Mr. Akers says he has done this and I say “hurrah, praise the Lord.” Mr. Akers never said that salvation in Christ gave him license to do whatever he wants (as Ms. Butler said). True Christians try to become more like Jesus during the remaining days of their lives. Being a Christian is not a license to go on sinning. The “anything goes” mentality belongs to those who reject the existence of a righteous God.

Mr. Akers succinctly presented the Gospel message in his letter. He encouraged people to turn to Jesus- even those that write nasty letters to the editor. Sadly, many people will reject this message and suffer the eternal consequences, but Christians are called to keep on sharing the Gospel message anyway.

Christians look to the Holy Bible for God’s instructions on how to live their lives. As Mr. Akers correctly says, it instructs us to pray for “kings and for all that are in authority.” Ms. Butler incorrectly interprets Akers as saying Christians are to “support anyone in authority.”

I regularly pray for various leaders in Olympia and King County- that they will repent of their sins and turn to Jesus, and that they will lead us in ways pleasing to God, in ways that are not harmful to us. But I do not support these leaders and hope they will be removed in the next election. I am confident that God is still in charge regardless of what these folks may say and do.

To answer Ms. Butler’s last question: “Am I proud to be associated with this man?” I have never met Mr. Akers, but based on his letter, I believe him to be a brother in Christ and I commend him for his gentle letter sharing his faith and proclaiming the Gospel message. Jesus warned that believers in Christ would face trials and persecution and they should remain steadfast.

Kristopher Galvin

Black Diamond