‘Moody blues’

Feb. 3 As a former student at Moody Bible Institute, I was sick at heart after reading this story. Being part of a thousand voices singing “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” was inspirational, and the classroom learning was faith-strengthening. I pray this Biblically based school will right the ship. —Don Wilkinson / East Berlin, Pa.

Bravo to Paul Butler and Marvin Olasky for solid, Christ-honoring journalism. Their work rises above the din to convey the points of view and issues at stake. —Jessica Hockett / Evanston, Ill.

Sadly, this sort of behavior is not limited to Moody. We see cultural influence on all Christian institutions of higher learning. Those wanting to be “culturally relevant” are willing to trade their souls for the proverbial bowl of porridge. —Charlotte Rissler on Facebook

‘Not just noise’

Feb. 3 From WORLD’s call for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race to this column, your criticism of President Trump stands out. His flaws are well-publicized, but he is on our side. We need to cheer for this man every chance we get. —Scott Kiewit / Laurel, Miss.

I agree with Mindy Belz: We should not assume that Trump’s or any presidency will end well. I suspect that even as things got worse for Daniel he prayed for King Darius, and that reminds me to do the same for Trump, members of Congress, and all whom the God of heaven has set up to govern us. —Steve Larson / Richmond, Texas

Belz writes that Trump has caused a “tottering ship of state and a growing global resentment.” We should not make enemies for no reason, but I’m glad we have a president who will advocate for American values, American sovereignty, and common sense. —Catherine Frappier / Point, Texas

I was not a Trump fan at first. I am now. He showed up for the March for Life, appointed conservative justices, supported Israel, and reversed failed social experiments in the military. —Steve Wacholtz / Thornfield, Mo.

I appreciate WORLD’s concern about Trump, but he is the result of many decades of kicking cans down the road instead of dealing with immigration, business-stifling healthcare, and national security problems. We’re tired of giving money and votes to professional politicians who don’t deliver. —Charles Clough / Bel Air, Md.

‘Once we’ve confessed’

Feb. 3 Russell St. John makes a good case for the forgiveness and restoration of Highpoint pastor Andy Savage, but I am still uncertain that he should be back in ministry. In such matters we should err toward the higher bar for church leadership. —Chris Stabler / The Woodlands, Texas

If Savage was truly repentant, he would have called what he did 20 years ago “abuse,” not merely a “sexual incident.” Abusing someone under his shepherding care permanently disqualifies him from pastoral ministry. —Amy Brook / Hudson, Ohio

How does St. John know that the church’s applause for Savage was “not appropriate”? A young man had a moral lapse two decades ago and repented, and now his accuser has decided he hasn’t repented enough. Some Christians seem to think he should cover himself permanently in sackcloth and ashes. —MaryJo Dawson / Trinidad, Colo.

Applause? Seriously? There is no question that we should forgive, but sin always has consequences for those in leadership. —John Montgomery / Terre Haute, Ind.

This is one of the best articles I have ever read on the subject. It is fair, insightful, and most of all written with a Christ-centered wisdom. I noticed that Russell St. John graduated from the World Journalism Institute; clearly you are mentoring others to continue doing excellent journalism. —Kristofer Sandlund / Zanesville, Ohio

‘Wanted—a few hard workers’

Feb. 3 Many companies face a shortage of workers for skilled trades, but the problem is deeper than “Americans just don’t like to work.” It relates to family breakdown, the devaluing of skilled trades by elites who disdain hard work, and a lack of parental guidance. Our worldview is messed up, and now we are paying for it. —Rob Johnson / Cleveland, Ohio

Americans are hard workers, but supply and demand pushes them into higher-paying pursuits like software engineering and real estate. When the labor supply for “sweat of the brow” jobs falls enough that the pay increases, more Americans will take them. —Alexandra Sheeks / Woodinville, Wash.

‘Spare the stone’

Feb. 3 Janie B. Cheaney’s excellent explanation of Deuteronomy 21:18-21 connected law to grace and repentance, all possible because Jesus fulfilled the law at Calvary. Now I am better equipped to respond to two adult sons who try to discredit Scripture using the same arguments Cheaney mentioned. —Sharon Stewart / Miller, S.D.

My hope, and the hope of all Christian parents with rebellious children, is in the atonement of Jesus. By His grace we all find redemption from rebellions both great and small. —Thomas Nally on wng.org

‘Pot shots’

Feb. 3 Here in Colorado Springs the crime resulting from the legalization of marijuana is staggering. The men we work with in our prison ministry say weed was their gateway drug. I can’t imagine the crime in California if criminals launch pot businesses. —Wendy Smith / Colorado Springs, Colo.

‘A tale of two feminists’

Feb. 3 This article is encouraging. I get tired of people yelling at each other instead of listening to each other. As Green said, “We should address things head-on, through open dialogue.” —J. Lee Harshbarger on wng.org

‘Under the radar’

Feb. 3 Paul Pennington observed that the conflict over our “eroding values” plays out among fatherless children. What a sad and frightening commentary on American culture. The most vulnerable and innocent pay the harshest price for those eroding values. —Tria McCracken on wng.org

‘Political Pelagianism’

Feb. 3 Marvin Olasky’s column was a reminder that political or economic systems will not fix sin. The seven deadly sins—lust, gluttony, greed, envy, sloth, pride, and anger—teach us that we are capable of that which we condemn. —David Rose / Canton, Mich.

More letters, emails, and comments we didn’t have space for in the print edition:

‘Not just noise’

Feb. 3 This column inspired me to write to my U.S. senator and representative about bringing the 100 Iranian Christians to the United States. —Jone Reid / Winston-Salem, N.C.

I have faith that the president truly cares about this country. He wouldn’t need to tweet if we had an honest press corps. —Kathy Connors / Medina, Wash.

Past Republican presidents allowed the left to trash them with impunity. Trump fights back, and I find that a refreshing change. —Timothy McGowan / Lund, Nev.

‘Pot shots’

Feb. 3 I disagree that both conservatives and liberals are inconsistent regarding the attorney general’s stance on enforcing federal marijuana laws. Conservatives insist laws be enforced or changed; liberals say laws can be ignored if they are “wrong.” —Dan Krueger / Kenosha, Wis.

‘Wanted—a few hard workers’

Feb. 3 After 40 years in construction I have a degree, a cushy office, and a good salary, but some days I wish I was digging ditches. When employers start paying enough to support a family, there will be a long line of hardworking applicants. —Kevin Markesbery / Petersburg, Ky.

My students from family dairy farms are not afraid to work 65-hour weeks for a modest wage, but few will have the opportunity to do that on their own farms. Prices are simply too low, and they cannot compete with mega-farms that rely on illegal labor. —Chad Dechow / University Park, Pa.