Letter to the editor: The love command

Notes: "It is enlightening and sobering to see the current Anglican controversy in the context of Karen Armstrong's 'A History of God'. It shows what can happen when religious belief systems clash and the utter futility of the conflicts, often bloody ones. A more irenic and gracious approach is seen in these words of John Newton. 'The longer I live, the more I see the vanity and sinfulness of our unchristian disputes: they eat up the very vitals of religion .... When our dear Lord questioned Peter, after his fall and recovery, he said not. "Art thou wise, learned and eloquent ?" Nay, he said not,"Art thou clear and sound, and orthodox ?" But this only, "Lovest thou me ?'"

Subjects: Newton, John, 1725-1807; Love - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion; Anglican Communion - Parties and movements; Conflict management - Religious aspects - Christianity