The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

SEVENTH-day Adventist pastor Dr Leonard Johnson yesterday defended his decision to use the official independence day celebration as a forum to speak out against gambling in the Bahamas.

Dr Johnson told The Tribune that his decision to address the controversial issue came with the authority of God as he prepared

thoroughly for the special sermon.

His comments came during several e-mail exchanges with The Tribune amid heavy public criticisms that Dr Johnson’s comments were inappropriate for the historic occasion.

“In my sermon preparation I read the Bible seeking to be guided in selecting a text. Once that is done I study it prayerfully allowing the text or Word of God to speak to me. In applying I would seek to address current issues,” Dr Johnson said.

Dr Johnson’s sermon focused on two Bible personalities in an effort to pinpoint attributes of a good nation.

“Against the two names of Joseph’s sons I addressed a number of issues. Gambling was but one as forgiveness, healing and unity were also addressed.

“By looking at the second son Ephraim, which means fruitful, I made the points that Joseph was given to hard work, discipline, loyalty, integrity and thus God blessed him. It was at this point that I explained the blessings Joseph experienced were not by chance or luck.

“I made application to gambling and called for all to embrace the examples of Joseph as these build or make for a great nation. Incidentally the same qualities are found in the preambles to our nation’s constitution.”

On Monday, Dr Johnson who is also the president of the Atlantic Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists called Bahamians to trust in God before seeking the easier way out. He said we must be careful to leave a legacy of Godly principles and values.

He also used the address to urge victims of traumatic experience to let go of past hurts and pain. 

“Now when the Bible says forget, it is not that we no longer remember, even though we can get to that point, but it is saying that we need to let go. Stop holding on to it. Stop rehearsing it. Instead let go and let God take over for I believe in doing so the murder rate is likely to decrease and the road anger and rage in which we operate ought to reduce.

“The back and forth in parliament could be tempered a bit, resulting in healthier debates,” Dr Johnson said.