November 29

‘Interpretive dance’ and ‘Unscientific method’

I was saddened to read of the efforts by BioLogos supporters to promote evolution. In their attempt to transform the gospel into something they aren’t ashamed of, they should not expect to find favor from the world. The world embraces evolution not so much for its scientific merit, but because a secular worldview requires it.

Vance Wendelburg / Stafford, Kan.

Thanks for exposing BioLogos and its connections to Calvin College and the Templeton Fund. Their joint worship of “science” is a rejection of the science of their Creator and of their Calvinist heritage. Following this idolatrous path will soon lead to the rejection of all miracles and supernatural activity. They might as well reprint the Jefferson Bible.

Norman de Jong / Caledonia, Mich.

You wrote that BioLogos “excludes” its critics, but the group did invite me to the event to broaden its discussions about human origins. I have found BioLogos leaders to be uniformly honest, decent, and fair. I echo Os Guinness’ hope that leaders of both groups will help evangelicals recover a constructive view of science while combating scientism.

C. John “Jack” Collins / St. Louis, Mo.

I was appalled at BioLogos. Public schools and universities are already creating evolutionists and atheists by the truckload. I pray churches will stand up against this satanic plan to take people away from the truth of creation, how sin came into the world, and why Jesus had to come to save us.

Cheri Brunner / Palouse, Wash.

If evolution is true, then death existed prior to the arrival of mankind and is not the unique penalty for sin, and Christ’s death at Calvary did not pay sin’s penalty. Embracing evolution denies biblical inerrancy and undermines the very foundation of the atoning death of Christ.

Carl Foresti / South Plainfield, N.J.

Not all those who disagree with theistic evolutionists are young-earth creationists. “Old earth creationism” acknowledges the evidence for a long history of life, but calls into question evolutionary, naturalistic mechanisms for change. It allows for God’s intervention in history via miracles, and holds to a historical Adam and Eve.

David Snoke / Pittsburgh, Pa.

BioLogos is leading our churches astray. That we should revere evolutionary science to be a more effective witness is counterproductive. How can they embrace what is false to tell the truth?

Gary S. Karwoski / Stickney, Ill.

Our children are being taught enough lies by the secular world—must those lies be taught in the church as well?

Dorothy Austin / Farmington, Minn.

When a BioLogos program director discounts miracles and says that God was not involved with creation of life on this earth, it should immediately red-flag the foundation’s motives and those who accept money from it.

Gene Pomiak / Hemet, Calif.

‘Long land battle’

Excellent article by Angela Lu. If democracy is indeed government by the people, it’s high time the government turned over control of the land to local people.

Randy Dimmett on wng.org

Our family has had some small-scale interactions with the Bureau of Land Management, and so I really appreciate the tone and clarity of this article.

Cavanaugh on wng.org

Other factors in this land management issue are the UN Convention on Biodiversity and the 1992 Wildlands Project, which aim to set aside vast tracts of land for nonhuman use only. The Bush and Obama administrations haven’t slowed this down.

Richard H on wng.org

‘A hothouse yucca’

I don’t understand why voter identification is an issue. It is required of everyone, not just one group of people. We need ID to buy cigarettes or register a car, so why not for something as sacred as voting? This privilege should be protected, and our elections should be guarded from those who would like to cheat the system.

Kimberly Cornutt Jones on Facebook

Buying cigarettes and driving aren’t rights. Voting is a right, and that’s the difference. It has nothing to do with personal responsibility, but with causing undue hardship on the poor. Acquiring an ID costs money they don’t have for missed work, childcare, and transportation.

Christa Lehr on Facebook

‘Taking a stand’

I often think about the persecution of Christians. Are we ready, not only for what Andrée Seu Peterson described but for the time when friends and loved ones will reject us for believing in Christ? That time will come.

Pat W on wng.org

Finally! Somebody understands what Francis Schaeffer warned us about. As a Presbyterian minister alarmed by America’s increasingly tyrannical government, I pushed our presbytery to form a study committee on civil disobedience, but it’s like pushing a wet noodle to get any help to complete the work. Why can’t my fellow church leaders see the danger?

J.R. “Randy” Riddle / Conway, S.C.

Philosophical issues are not life and death, and my conscience is clear in remaining silent on most things.

PhillipW on wng.org

‘Helping without giving’

Thank you for prompting me to evaluate my own charitable giving. I’ve read so many good articles for free on WORLD that I’ve now crossed the line and become a paying member.

Jasmine Yow on Facebook

Thanks for the tip and the benevolent perspective on saying no. It is good to realize our limits and be wise in spending even for good things.

Debra on wng.org

‘Forgotten feast’

I appreciated this reminder that “without recognition of a Creator, who’s to thank?” I would add that the impoverished in India and the wealthy in America both should be thankful for the opportunity for forgiveness through Christ and eternity in heaven. God’s greatest gifts, in the eternal perspective, are the same worldwide.

Paul Creelman / Burlington, Wash.

‘Time for action’

After listening to the president’s immigration speech, I reread J.C. Derrick’s article and was so impressed. Obama’s speech was almost exactly what Derrick predicted. Prescient reporting indeed!

C.E. Barnard / Manassas, Va.

‘Happy days of despair’

My late husband suggested that the rebellion of the 1960s was in part a reaction against the pseudo-spirituality and hypocrisy young people saw in their parents and other authority figures. It is sinful to congratulate ourselves for our gifts, talents, and blessings but not be thankful to God.

Dee Vincent on Facebook

Notable Books/spotlight

What an unfortunate time to mention Bill Cosby so positively. These new allegations of sexual misconduct are piling up, but similar accusations have been around for years.

Cal White / Cobb County, Ga.

November 15

‘The new photos’

I noticed the new photos almost immediately and had to double-check the bylines to see if WORLD had hired new staff. It is not the authors’ photos that make your articles worth reading, but their hearts that are revealed in their writing.

Dan Marshall / Concord, N.C.

WORLD Around the World

Yosemite, Calif. Submitted by Ron Giesecke

Send photos to mailbag@wng.org