January 10

‘News of the year’

Great article and pictorial review. As we go into 2015, it is important to remember who is in charge. He offers hope for a world in need!

FrankKing67 on wng.org

This edition was disheartening to say the least. America is going in so many wrong directions. I am earnestly praying for this nation.

Todd Taylor / Eastvale, Calif.

Thank you for waiting until the year expired to publish your year-end edition, catching the significant news events that occurred as the year was closing. It may seem like a small thing, but I appreciate it, as I do your approach to the news from a Christian worldview.

Larry Nocella / Wellington, Ohio

I did not appreciate your item for March 16: “Crimea votes to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.” The vote was a sham by Putin to validate his takeover.

Bill Curtis / Worchester, Pa.

‘Trends’

I wept as I perused the map showing all the states where same-sex “marriage” is now legal and several more that are in danger of activist judges foisting it upon them. Once it is legal in all 50 states, where do we go from there? I try not to lose heart, but I don’t have answers.

Beverly Uhlmer Roberts / Houston, Texas

It shocked me to discover how many states have been forced to accept gay marriage. When are our elected officials going to stand up to these judges and warn them that playing fast and loose with the Constitution risks impeachment?

Kerry Dougan / Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

‘Departures’

The year-end issue is always interesting, and it is good to have a news source that mentions the faith of public figures such as Ann B. Davis, Nelson Bunker Hunt, Jeb Stuart Magruder, and Mickey Rooney. It would have been nice to mention Richard Kiel’s faith in Christ.

Rick Sonerholm / Klamath Falls, Ore.

“Departures” is excellent every year. It’s a poignant reminder that, as Isaac Watts put it, “Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all its sons away.”

Paul Stone / Dublin, Calif.

‘Tolkien take away’

I agree: The Hobbit is overdone. The story was written for children, although I did enjoy the movies.

Paul Labrier on Facebook

I loved the book, and I love Peter Jackson’s take on it: the emphasis on friendship and forgiveness; how taking your place in the world keeps evil from encroaching on the Shire; how goodness wins; and how love for home and community make the world a better place.

Marta Koonce on Facebook

Megan Basham has a point, but I view the movies as a sort of fireside retelling of the books. As such there is very much to appreciate. And I disagree that Tolkien’s Christian themes were shunted aside. He included Christian morality and worldview as subtexts, and the movies have those in spades.

Country Parson on wng.org

‘Lap dogs and attack hounds’

I heard that report on CNN from Carol Costello. It was very catty and snarky, and disrespectful of human beings. I find myself skipping her reporting since that day.

Christie Cook on Facebook

Amen to this column, and thank you to WORLD’s staff for being truthful in reporting and honoring God as you do.

Jim & Elizabeth Johnson / Martinsville, Ind.

After checking the national news for 30 seconds, I’m back to my boycott (except for WORLD). This world has gone crazy. I refuse to join it.

_Rett on Twitter

‘Into the Woods’

Thank you for confirming my reaction years ago after seeing a recording of a live production of Into the Woods. I hated it. Fairy tales are supposed to show us that there is good and evil, that tribulations will come, but also that evil can be conquered. This movie allows the base nature of sinful humans to shine, with no redemption to give us hope.

Janet B on wng.org

‘The use and abuse of stories’

Excellent analysis by Janie B. Cheaney. The tragedy of the Rolling Stone incident is that lies and exaggeration in the media and among our nation’s leaders hinder reasoned approaches to helping victims. Sexual assault and promiscuity on campuses are very serious problems, but there is already a perception (in some cases true) that feminists exaggerate these problems to belittle men.

DCal3000 on wng.org

This otherwise insightful column blames Anderson’s YA novel Speak for contributing to the “victim mentality” in rape cases. That’s ridiculous. The main character Melinda was in eighth grade, not all adults in the book “have their own agenda,” and Melinda’s rape actually happened.

Joseph W. Smith III / Montoursville, Pa.

‘Christmastime, still’

At my church we have prayers for peace every Thursday afternoon at 5. Mindy Belz’s portrayal of the lights of the world shining across the globe in celebration of the birth of Jesus was powerful. I especially appreciated the church in Baghdad that has started two prayer groups, one for the persecuted and one for the persecutors. We will add our prayers to theirs.

June Parker / Greenville, N.C.

December 27

‘WORLD and Obamacare’

It is admirable that WORLD has chosen to move to a healthcare sharing ministry to cut costs and avoid funding ungodly things, while it is disgusting the magazine could face large fines. The American people have spoken in the midterm elections: “It’s time to scrap this thing and start over.”

Jack Giblin / Waxhaw, N.C.

‘Good counsel’

I’m glad more churches are finally becoming aware of mental health issues, but we have a long way to go before the mentally ill can expect real help, rather than harm, from many lay counselors.

Marsha McCulley on wng.org

‘From burden to blessing’

I just read the interview with Lon Solomon. What a story of hope through pain.

NickMiller on Twitter

‘Exodus: Gods and Kings’

Your review suggested that the movie focused on the cruelty of the Egyptians “so the audience understands why God would send such horrific plagues.” But the biblical account makes it clear that the plagues’ purpose was so that the Egyptians and Israelites “may know that there is no one like the LORD, our God.” As the movie title hints, the Exodus is as much a conflict between Israel’s God and the gods of Egypt as it is between Moses and Pharaoh.

Tim Miskimen / Chiang Mai, Thailand

‘In the fullness of time’

It is an awesome thing to contemplate God’s design and timing of our Lord’s coming as a baby. Andrée Seu Peterson communicated that big idea wonderfully and it touched my heart.

Mary Lyon / Toledo, Iowa

Correction

About 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease annually (“Possible cure?” Dec. 27).

WORLD Around the World

Mt. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo Submitted by Kelly Sager

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