June 27

‘The question looms’

Regarding Joel Belz’s challenge, I would bake the cake for a homosexual wedding and pray for wisdom in how to respond. This will only get tougher and more dangerous. How can we be surprised when friends, family, and customers think we are the bad guys for sticking to what we believe?

Susan Coombers on wng.org

I don’t believe that looking for the perfect questions is as important as faithfully cultivating our relationships with God and other people. I tend to care more about being right than about those I engage in conversation. No wonder my questions are generally ineffective.

Neil Evans on wng.org

As a freelance trumpet player who does many weddings, this issue is huge for my family. I expect to be sued at some point. When I told relatives that I could not perform for their wedding, they were gracious but hurt, and we now have no relationship. We desperately need laws like Indiana’s former RFRA.

Jesse Cook on wng.org

Be honest with them about their choices, how those choices displease God and break His law. If they still want you to bake a cake, bake it. Take their money and then use it to change our culture for Jesus.

Janet Johnson on wng.org

‘Old and alone’

There is much truth in your article, but many of us did not have children despite our hopes and prayers. As well, I have observed many elderly parents of children who could not or would not assist in their care. Children and money are a blessing in retirement, but neither is a guarantee of security.

Sally A. Musick / Norcross, Ga.

This article will discourage many single Christians. We are childless not out of selfishness but because it is God’s sovereign call on our lives.

Dave Osborn / Columbia Heights, Minn.

The tone of this article left a sour taste in my mouth. I left the decision to bear children to God. His answer was no. Some assumed I selfishly wanted a career and others didn’t know what to talk about when children couldn’t be the subject. Only God can see our hearts, so let’s show grace.

Kelly Rykken on wng.org

‘Depravity in our hearts’

I appreciated Janie B. Cheaney’s perspective on the Apostle Paul against the backdrop of gory Rome and in light of the gruesome “entertainment” available today.

Kathryn M. Lee / Indianapolis, Ind.

Cheaney noted how Paul directed readers to truth and excellence instead of railing against the evils of Rome. Believers will need to ramp up on his teachings; he taught us to pray for government leaders and others—and to be ready.

Neil Slattery / Fort Worth, Texas

I wonder how Christians’ entertainment choices help or hurt us in being “transformed by the renewing of your minds.” Many of us are desensitized to what is vile. I struggle between fondness for good art and honoring God. Does a film’s good plot or acting justify gratuitous sexual and violent content? Where will we draw the line?

Kevin Lopez on wng.org

‘Beyond pessimism’

Why is Andrée Seu Peterson so very gloomy? Is there no encouragement in Christ? No consolation of love? No sweet fellowship of the Spirit?

Dick Muller / Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Peterson touches our lives, not with some phoned-in, retooled piece of nothing, but with something prayerfully crafted that nourishes my soul and informs my preaching.

Jack Forness / El Cajon, Calif.

‘Dinosaur camp’

I give Jurassic World an 8.5 out of 10 for lots of action and great special effects. It’s a great summer flick!

Wayne Glunt on Facebook

Dispatches

I was disappointed but not surprised by Tony Campolo’s change of heart and very upset that he would compare opposition to same-sex marriage to support for slavery. Given that people of faith already are tasting persecution, this is so much more than a mere change of mind. This is betrayal.

Edwin Couser / Mount Holly Springs, Pa.

Quick Takes

My wife and I are both teachers and remember our old chalkboards and colored chalk, so it was great to hear about the recovery of those old chalkboards.

Todd Taylor / Riverside, Calif.

June 13

‘Destructive instruction’

Joel Belz, in his essay on destructive “modern” education, asks if order itself is a religious idea. It is. Our world is the battleground between God and the prince of chaos, Satan. We should expect continued attacks on order, and we must continue to defend it.

Donald Woolery / Rockford, Ill.

‘San Andreas’

This review informed us that the film uses well its “best assets,” namely, the actors’ bodies, but no need for concern: “this is a fairly clean movie.” Regarding Hot Pursuit (June 13), the reviewer seems to have listed the film’s “great crimes” without noticing them. You might review such movies to warn people against them, but that wasn’t the tone of these reviews.

Katharine Birkett / Saddle Brook, N.J.

‘Forgive us our debts’

I agree that bankruptcy laws should be changed and that those who can repay their debts should. As Christians we aim for a higher standard; God owns everything and we are to be faithful stewards.

Carolyn Young / Sun City, Ariz.

David Skeel overlooks that Jesus urged creditors to forgive debts and give up their right to justice, but unbelieving creditors cannot be forced to be selfless. Sticking them with the bill only besmirches God’s name. True selflessness would involve a Christian’s church family bailing out the indebted people and being a powerful witness to the world.

Daryl Sas on wng.org

‘Silent affection’

My own heart cries out from a void left by an absentee father. I want better security for my own children, not just silent affection, but wonder how effectively I communicate that.

Dawn Summers / Montrose, Colo.

‘The family business’

More great writing by Sophia Lee. May this article be therapeutic for PKs, including Lee, and a reminder to love the entire ministerial family that is serving us.

Paul Weinbrenner / Vancouver, Wash.

‘Is your nonprofit ready?’

The illustration of Uncle Sam pushing down the “Marriage” domino could be replaced with “Christian” denominations knocking down artificial birth control, abortion, and divorce and remarriage. Those issues are the root causes of why we are where we are.

Joe Marincel / Flower Mound, Texas

‘Rolling in green’

Young, altruistic evangelicals are playing a dangerous game getting into bed with Climate Change, Inc. The hypothesis of catastrophic anthropogenic global warming left science long ago and became a full-blown religion. The cultists have their own story of Eden before the fall, a god to worship (Gaia), and even a path to redemption for the fallen (buying carbon credits).

Sean McGren / Billings, Mont.

WORLD Around the World

Fussen, Germany Submitted by Carolyn Smith

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