A group of about 40 University students got the chance to "ask Cliffe" questions about Christian theology on the College Green yesterday. Evangelist Cliffe Knechtle whose speech was sponsored by the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship said during his three-hour presentation that he wanted to "introduce people to the closest friend I have . . . Jesus Christ." During the animated speech, Knechtle said material success was not incompatable with Christianity. "Money is not evil," Knechtle said. "It is the love of money, it is living for money that is evil." "[Although Christ said,] 'it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to pass through the gates of heaven,' . . . with God, all things are possible," he said. He also criticized the practice of self-denial in the name of religion, calling it "pseudo-spirituality" and "rubbish." "God's not impressed by me flagellating myself," he said. "God's impressed by my humbling myself before Him . . . Jesus does not call for asceticism." Towards the end of his speech, Knechtle was confronted by a reporter from the Philadelphia Gay News who asked questions about Christianity's view of homosexuality, and of preachers who are openly gay. Knechtle maintained that the Bible regards homosexuality as a sin, along with heterosexual lust, bestiality and "sex with machines." He said he considers gay preachers to be "hypocritical" and in the same category as preachers who womanize. Knechtle said, however, that he also sins because he is sometimes guilty of lust. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship will be sponsoring additional speeches by Knechtle throughout the week. Afterward, students said they thought Knechtle's message was helpful. "I think he has a lot of insight," College sophomore Edward Chung said. "I think [what he said] was instructive, but not too harsh." Students also said they believed that Knechtle's message was inspirational. "I think [Knechtle] is an excellent speaker," College junior Jayne Klein said. "I think he knows what he's talking about."
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