Mailbag

'Setting captives free'

May 5 Like Saul of Tarsus, Charles Colson was dramatically transformed from a proud, misguided zealot into a humble servant of Jesus Christ. His legacy to me personally, aside from the impact of his testimony and wisdom as an author, are two large binders filled with letters and beautiful drawings from my Prison Fellowship pen pal, Trivon. He was incarcerated at age 21 and is now 40. Because of Colson, the shining light of faith has penetrated those cold, concrete walls and is reflected in Trivon's spirit, and mine. -Fanchon Dewell Cornell; North Blenheim, N.Y.

'I believe'

May 5 Andrée Seu Peterson describes meditation as "not linear but frolicking." This is the first time I've understood that God smiles upon my preferred form of personal time in the Word, even though it is not very academically rigorous. I tend to soak His Word in until it becomes a song in my soul and, sometimes, literally a song of worship. -Ken Shackleford; Fayetteville, Ark.

Seu Peterson wrote that a person enters the Word "as into a secret doorway, and is led by the Spirit into many-chambered mansions." How beautiful! And how true! -Judith Burr; Bethel Park, Pa.

'Doubting Darwin'

May 5 Marvin Olasky notes how Tennessee is providing ways for educators to critique evolution. Then in "Campus tilting" (May 5) Eric Teetsel notes that a Christian college's skepticism of Genesis 1 and 2 is "the most vague sort of biblical hermeneutics." It is encouraging that some governments are opening a door toward scriptural truth, yet concerning that some, if not many, Christian colleges are closing it. -Michael DuMez; Oostburg, Wis.

Geneticist Richard Lewontin once wrote that evolution, no matter how inexplicable, had to be defended at all costs because "we can't allow the Divine Foot in the door." I pray the development in Tennessee means that at least the Divine Toe is in the door! -Kathryn Presley, Bryan, Texas

'Establishment choice'

May 5 As an evangelical pro-lifer, I still distrust Mitt Romney but I will likely end up voting for him. President Obama is so extreme and there don't appear to be any other viable options. I see Romney's wealth as evidence of an ability to manage finances, a real asset in government. -Andy Shaub, Ibarra, Ecuador

Your criticisms of Romney in your political cartoons are justifiable, but enough is enough. It is time to unite together against our common opponent. -Daniel Visnovsky; Sparta, Mich.

'European war zone'

May 5 Great column. It's an uphill battle for the gospel here in Europe, but God is moving. I am a tennis instructor while in England. When European kids get athletic scholarships to play tennis at American colleges, especially in the South or Texas, they get the gospel much more than they are used to, and some return to Europe and preach it here. -Brian T. Keating; Windsor, England

'Missed conception'

May 5 Not every Christian who decides not to have children is doing so for selfish reasons. My sister and I grew up with horrible abuse, and I had a terrible problem with anger until age 47. We and our husbands decided not to bring children into the world, not so we could buy toys or take fancy trips, but because we wanted to stop the cycle of abuse. -Linda Sullivan; Dayton, Ohio

'Here be dragons'

May 5 I disagree that state legislators are often overworked and underpaid, judging from the never-ending stream of rules and regulations emanating from state capitals. But if it is true, I have a simple suggestion: Work less and pass fewer laws. -James Peterzell; Madison, Ga.

'Campus divide'

May 5 As a Vanderbilt University student active in the Christian community, I oppose the administration's "all-comers" nondiscrimination policy and agree with the path that Baptist Collegiate Ministry and Reformed University have taken. They plan to remain registered student organizations until the policy becomes a problem in practice. However, the issue has consumed far too much of our time and energy. We allowed ourselves to get too political and lost sight of the lost. -Peter York; Nashville, Tenn.

'Intense isolation'

April 21 Thanks for showing the difficult road that is parenting a child with autism, and the demands and stress it puts on families. It made autism real instead of merely providing statistics. I have seen God work through our experience parenting a child with autism. We are learning what it means to love unconditionally and have seen so many answers to prayer. -Ruth Stieff; Des Moines, Iowa

'Bedroom politics'

April 21 Seeing the three political agendas in favor of abortion, same-sex marriage, and mandatory coverage of contraception side-by-side in print shows how anti-population they are. They echo the ancient strategy of the one who comes to "steal and kill and destroy." -Glenn Hardaway; Lake Helen, Fla.

Our grandson's 10th-grade class of 400 had a three-hour lecture last year on the homosexual, transgender, and gay community. He was the only one not attending. Taxpayers don't seem to get that it's our money. -Roger B. Olds Sr.; Willowbrook, Ill.

'Compared to what?'

April 21 I was delighted with your April 21 issue: Joel Belz on Paul Ryan's "Path to Prosperity," an interview with Dr. Ben Carson, an article on autistic children and their parents, the latest movies reviewed, a Reason Rally report, your quotes page, plus Seu Peterson and Olasky and the other great writers. I am very glad I renewed my subscription. -Jonathan Prentice; Burlington, N.C.

My wife and 13-year-old son are constantly competing for WORLD when it arrives, but I finally got to read it myself and saw the ad for your podcast, "The World and Everything In It." I signed up and love it! The interview with Dr. Carson was wonderful. We used his Best-Worst Analysis technique the very next weekend as my daughter was considering joining ROTC. -Marv Walworth; Tigard, Ore.

Quick Takes

April 7 We have been living on food stamps for over three years, since my husband ended up on unemployment. It has taught me firsthand what it is like to be in need. Some people out there take advantage of the system, but those who need help should take it. You can't always pull yourself up by your bootstraps. The church needs to learn how to help her own, not judge them. -Cathy Dumont; Myakka City, Fla.

'Conscience killer?'

April 7 I enjoyed the review of The Hunger Games and appreciated that you looked at its darker side without discarding it completely. These books represent the fine edge between hope and despair on which our culture walks. This book series deals with the darker side of life but in the end hope survives in the form of love, and I think that can be a very Christian message to take home from the movie theater. -Anne Marie Gregory; Cedar Rapids, Iowa

'Dirt rich'

March 24 As a rancher's daughter and nurseryman's wife, I was offended by this article. True, the cost of farm land has been rising in some places, making some farmers millionaires, but regulation has multiplied as well as the cost of gas, taxes, energy, and labor. And who is benefiting-farm families or corporations that own farms and dominate the subsidy arena? I know hundreds of farm families and have never met one flush with cash. Suggesting many are rich based on a couple of random facts without context is unfair. -JulieBeth Lamb; Escalon, Calif.

'Pet-centrism'

March 24 What a tragic irony that comments such as, "When you can't save one, it's pretty tough," and "defenseless creatures with no say in their futures," did not concern babies but dogs and cats. I used to marvel at the changes my grandmother had seen during her lifetime (1888-1970). Thankfully she isn't here today to wonder not at how far we've come, but at how much we've lost. -Genny Wittenbach; Lebanon, Ohio

WORLD around the world

Jacmel, Haiti Submitted by Shane Biller

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