Truth and Love in Our Time – Hope Center’s Statement on Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion
Over the past few years, we have followed the legal proceedings involving Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola, as well as the public discussion surrounding them. It is evident that in today’s society, the Christian value system and worldview are being challenged.
The Supreme Court of Finland has now issued its decision in the case, and it challenges the Christian understanding of humanity. We regard this situation as serious and sobering, calling us as Christians above all to grow stronger in our knowledge of God and to remain steadfast in prayer.
At Hope Center, we remain firmly committed to the teaching of the Bible and to the Christian faith. At the same time, it is important to us to meet every person with God’s love, regardless of their background or life situation.
The Bible calls us to speak the truth in love. Love does not mean abandoning the truth or agreeing on everything; rather, it means treating one another with respect even in the midst of disagreement and remembering that every person is loved by God.
We believe that every person begins from the same place: apart from Jesus Christ, we are all sinners in need of salvation. At the same time, we believe that in Jesus a person receives a new identity—not through their own works, but by God’s grace alone, through faith alone.
“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:22–24 (NIV)
Our prayers are with Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola, that they may remain strong as they continue to speak the truth of the Bible. We also encourage others to pray for them. As a church, we want to remind everyone that this is not a time to give in to fear or confusion. Instead, we encourage every believer to live out their faith and to exercise the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion in our society, holding firmly to the truth and speaking the truth in love.
As a church, we also want to remind everyone that we are called to pray for our society and to seek its well-being. For this reason, we conclude by encouraging everyone, in the words of Scripture, to pray for all those who hold authority or positions of leadership in our society.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NIV)
