Mailbag

‘The year in propaganda’

Jan. 11 Regarding Marvin Olasky’s column about propaganda, it seems, when I talk to people, most of the time they sound just like the nightly news. The news media are just not telling the truth and people are believing things that are not true. —Carl Pepper, Erie, Pa.

‘2013 departures’

Jan. 11 I very much enjoyed the “Departures” compilation by Edward Plowman. God has certainly created some amazing people! —Lee Berger, Longview, Texas

I applaud you for including Dr. George Hutchinson in “Departures.” Although highly educated at Princeton and Oxford, he humbly and faithfully served the Lord as an author, educator, and pastor in the States as well as overseas. He certainly was a giant in teaching and writing. —Karen Douglass, Lakeland, Fla.

You neglected to mention the passing at age 91 of one of my favorite singer/actresses: Edna Mae (Deanna) Durbin. She was a household name and one of the highest-paid women in the world in the 1930s and 1940s. —Michael Bodkin, Williamsburg, Va.

‘The exaltation project’

Jan. 11 When the Spirit cautioned in the Bible, “The fool hath said in his heart there is no God,” He surely had in view those instances Janie B. Cheaney cites of men deciding we can get along just fine on our own. Despite all the proof we’ve had over the centuries of the failure of those efforts, we still seem to think we’ll get it right the next time. —Paul Zierk, Blue Hill, Maine

This column was a great overview of moral world history, and it showed the connection between misplaced worship and the degradation of man. —Ed Schick, Brunswick, Ohio

‘Running the race’

Jan. 11 The story about Kara and her fight with cancer touched me deeply. I checked out her blog and prayed for her after reading this column. —Ken Tuttle, Little Rock, Ark.

‘Really, Mr. Benenson?’

Jan. 11 For those willing to accept, as Joel Belz put it, a demonstrably dishonest president, I have two simple questions: Will we, as a nation, be any better off economically, socially, or morally because of Obama’s presidency? And after it is over, will we still be that beacon of hope, a light on a hilltop, for the entire world to follow? History will answer those questions reasonably well. —Todd Taylor, Eastvale, Calif.

‘Going public’

Jan. 11 If CEO Doug Birdsall of the American Bible Society did indeed grade board members, he rightly was fired for insubordination. The board is his boss, not the other way around. The board may be weak and ineffective but it has to sort itself out and that is not the job of the CEO. —Andrew Engelman, Stuart, Fla.

Notable Books

Dec. 28 I wanted say how pleased I am with the books you have reviewed. I have purchased several and the reviews are extremely accurate so I have yet to purchase a dud. —Kevin Lantaff, Commerce City, Colo.

‘Angels unawares’

Dec. 28 Andrée Seu Peterson’s column reinforced my convictions about God’s ministering spirits. Years ago my car broke down on a lonely road. A man who stopped tried to attack me, but I locked my doors and prayed fervently. When I opened my eyes, both he and his car were gone. Angelic protection? I’ve always thought so. The Lord’s sovereign intervention that night changed the course of my life. —Pat Jacobs, Putnam Valley, N.Y.

Many years ago a young man knocked on our door and said he was traveling about the country studying Christian ministries. Someone had given him our name. We invited him in, fed him, chatted for a while, then gave him a bed for the night and breakfast the next morning. Our fellowship in the Lord was sweet and deep. We never heard from him again, but upon reflection, both my husband and I felt that this was one of those instances of “entertaining angels unawares.” I think we were able to encourage him, and I know he encouraged us. —Joan Brauning, Williamsport, Pa.

‘Disparate impact’

Dec. 28 Yes, boys and girls do differ and that needs to be recognized, not overlooked for the sake of political correctness. —Elizabeth Felton, Flowery Branch, Ga.

I saw an application of the hardwired differences between how boys and girls play when I dropped my 3-year-old son off at the baby sitter’s recently. Seeing a toy crib with a baby in it, he immediately said, “Daddy, I want that!” I handed it to him and he ran into the living room. Then he flung the doll aside and the next thing I heard was his “Boom!” The crib had become a ray gun. —Jonathan Waits, Church Road, Va.

‘Tidings of discomfort and joy’

Dec. 28 I appreciate Jamie Dean’s angle on The Episcopal Church exodus. I’m so grateful to the saints who did the right thing even when it hurt, and that they understood how God blessed them through it. I choked up when I read 16-year-old Sara’s quote: “It’s how we learned to be the body of Christ outside church walls. … It was painful, but it was painful with a purpose.” —Deborah Ung, Naperville, Ill.

‘Pay for play’

Dec. 28 As someone who has attended Baltimore Orioles games before and after the construction of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, I was surprised to read that promises to revitalize the city’s downtown “remain unfulfilled.” I cannot speak for tax revenue, but Camden Yards has clearly had a tremendous influence in the revitalization of the Inner Harbor area. —Jason B. Watson, Miller, S.D.

‘Going to extremes’

Dec. 14 This column about ideological purity made me think of a line conservatives could use against liberals: “Extremism in defense of vice is not liberty.” —Greg Boyd, Merced, Calif.

‘Waiting and singing’

Dec. 28 A very timely and true column, but regarding the comment that Christ came “because He wanted to, not because He had to,” I must demure. He had to: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” I recently turned 80, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized how God’s love is so inexplicable. —David S. Samsel, Carson City, Nev.

‘The mouth is a country’

Dec. 14 This brilliant column gave me a whole different perspective on spiritual gifts. I love the subtle and not-so-subtle ways Andrée Seu Peterson opens our eyes and points us to Christ, encouraging us to jettison so much stuff that hinders that most precious relationship. —Linda-Lee Bowman, Baltimore, Md.

‘The house that Steven built’

Dec. 14 Jesus warned us that we will know false prophets by their fruit, and I can’t help but think of that passage when someone like Steven Furtick surfaces with all his questionable behavior. The people attending Elevation should apply two powers: the power of discernment and the power of the checkbook. —Ed Ludeke, Tucson, Ariz.

Corrections

Colorado voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana in November of 2012 (Dispatches, Jan. 25, p. 9).

The former U.S. Surgeon General who spoke against abortion was C. Everett Koop (“Still-silent shepherds,” Jan. 25, p. 42).

The Wolf of Wall Street is rated R (“Box Office Top 10,” Jan. 25, p. 23).

Jared Loughner committed mass murder in Tucson, Ariz. (“Saving Seth,” Feb. 8, p. 45).

WORLD Around the World

Hatgal, Mongolia Submitted by Kyle Wood

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