Mailbag

‘What goes into the mouth’

Nov. 30 I appreciate the wisdom and food for thought in this article. As a Christian, I find the expanding waistlines of many church members disturbing, and I worry about our witness to the world. As a registered dietitian, I worry about consumers buying into the idea of a healthy lifestyle costing a small fortune. —Kim Casey, Springfield, Va.

The Nov. 30 issue was a special treat because it contained two articles and a movie review by Sophia Lee. This young writer has an eye for interesting and unusual topics, and a voice that is both candid and clever. —Russell Board, Saitama, Japan

As an individual with food sensitivities, I felt your cover made light of those with medical dietary restrictions. I do agree, however, that a church-sponsored dietary plan is a little odd, especially if not biblically based. —Katie Yoars, Crystal Lake, Ill.

My husband and I are healthy eaters who sometimes eat pizza or ice cream, but some friends think that’s not good enough. Some have read that we might get brain cancer from diet soda, while others don’t eat pork (just following the Old Testament) or gluten (a self-diagnosed solution to nasal stuffiness). We can hardly have a potluck without confusion and hurt feelings. Moreover, the extra energy and money it takes to live that way takes away from more important things. —Bethany Van Raalte, Sioux Falls, S.D.

I agree with your article, but for those of us with celiac disease this “gluten-free” emphasis has been in some ways a blessing. Restaurants have more food safe for us, and there are many ideas for new recipes. On the negative side, some people do not take us seriously. We just have to trust the Lord with our health and not focus our lives on food choices. —L. Weishuhn, Tijeras, N.M.

Your cover made my eyes pop open! I hope people aren’t misled by the loaf of bread labeled “gluten free” and “organic wheat.” All wheat contains gluten. —Mimi Frerichs, Kearney, Neb.

Those who are overweight should halve their food budgets and send the extra money to Christian groups supporting hungry families in the Philippines and Syria. Spending less on food might force them into a Daniel-like diet. —Larry Marsh, Colton, Ore.

‘Not Annie The Musical’

Nov. 30 Thanks for your recent articles on adoption, especially the challenges associated with adopting older children. In 2007 we adopted three biological brothers from Japan, then aged 5, 6, and 7. Adoption is not an easy path, but it helps to understand that this is a calling. —David Murphy, Sheppard AFB, Texas

‘A perfect political storm’

Nov. 30 I wonder when, if ever, conservatives will say, “Enough!” Benghazi, IRS, and NSA intrusions didn’t do it. Perhaps Obamacare will move us to action because it affects people’s everyday lives. Sadly, we can’t count on most of the Republicans in Congress. They’re too busy eating their own. —Laura Thomas, College Grove, Tenn.

Dispatches

Nov. 30 I have enjoyed the cartoons through the years, but they were not funny today. This is not a criticism of WORLD; every day there is something new to show that this presidency is out of control. —James D. Carson, Beaver Falls, Pa.

‘Navigating the rapids’

Nov. 30 I enjoyed Marvin Olasky’s comments on navigating the rapids. He’s willing to examine non-core beliefs from time to time but too many people, many of them Christians, have not thought things through for many years. That’s a sign of intellectual death rather than conviction. —Dan LaRue, Lebanon, Pa.

‘Cease your sulking’

Nov. 16 Thank you for this column and another some months ago about the lie that sometimes it’s just too late. Andrée Seu Peterson shared a glimpse of herself and solid counsel that resonates with me, much to my prideful chagrin at times. —David Gehne, Racine, Wis.

‘Not bluffing’

Nov. 2 Your article on Jerry B. Jenkins and my favorite radio preacher James MacDonald left me disheartened and disappointed. Jenkins’ self-serving ramblings that playing the slots is gambling but playing poker is a skill would be laughable were they not so sad. Before coming to the Lord I played poker and bet on sports. It’s all gambling, and it destroys your soul, whether for large or small amounts. —Paul Piazza, Little Neck, N.Y.

How does Moody’s position—that its students must observe stricter rules than board members and staffers—differ from that of the scribes and Pharisees Jesus condemned in Matthew 23? The school justifies this by citing Christian liberty, but Paul admonished us to “use your freedom to serve one another in love.” —Beverly Alloway, Findlay, Ohio

Will Christians gamble? Yes, of course, but it sends a wrong message to have Christian leadership openly involved in the gambling world. I will not go “all in” with Jenkins, Moody, or other evangelicals who now condone gambling. —Cindy Garza, Houston, Texas

I have volunteered at one of the Moody Radio stations for over 12 years, and my husband and I have been donors for many more. God’s Word teaches us that leaders are held to a higher standard, and this is totally unacceptable. Thank you for your bold and biblical presentation of the news. —Cheryl Scrivens, Delray Beach, Fla.

‘Science supremacists’

Nov. 2 This is a beautiful essay that showed with great clarity and rigorous intelligence the corruption called scientism. I’ll look forward to more of Janie B. Cheaney’s columns. —Don Woolery, Rockford, Ill.

‘Dead seriousness’

Oct. 19 I disagree with your article on the death penalty. If the government becomes inappropriately compassionate, criminals will overrun society. But when the government carries out godly justice, people will respect the government and its laws. —Rachel Taylor, Yoder, Colo.

Would Jesus have us put to death poor people who murder and ignore the fact people with money are rarely executed? Instead of focusing on the right to terminate life with biblical justification, Christians should be working to reform a system that oppresses the poor. —Judy Guenseth, Galesburg, Ill.

The disparity of punishment between poor and rich is a problem. But when “wealth buys expensive lawyers who find ways for their clients” to avoid punishment, that is not perversion of justice for the poor, but for the rich. You cannot fix that by perverting justice for everyone. —Vic Tripp, Tucker, Ga.

Certainly, some must be locked up for life to protect the rest of us, but many could be helped to a better life. Our God is a God of hope and salvation and redemption. Thank you for digging into this subject. —Nancy Lansdowne, Vista, Calif.

In Romans 13 Paul refers to civil government as an avenger that properly carries out God’s wrath on evildoers. It is worth noting that all of Marvin Olasky’s interviewees frankly confessed to murder, so our system of justice can find and convict the guilty. —Fred & Nancy Rice, Culpeper, Va.

Corrections

Marilyn Rhames’ father was a body shop owner (“Teacher on a mission,” Dec. 14, p. 61).

The first four films in The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit series grossed a total of $4 billion worldwide (Dispatches, Dec. 14, p. 17).

Clarification

Oil and coal emit carbon dioxide when burned, as they react with oxygen (“Carbon goes green,” Nov. 30, p. 66).

WORLD Around the World

Mungyeong, South Korea Submitted by Jaime Weber

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