JULY 11

‘Blindsided’

This article and its companion, “Proselytizing Christians,” saddened me. These people try to justify homosexuality by discrediting the Bible, suppressing opposing voices, and claiming moral high ground, but legalization and church membership can’t provide peace of conscience. This is an opportunity to proclaim the gospel, not crumble under the pressure.

Henry Schuyten / Canton, Mich.

Thank you for bringing some clarity on the church’s stance regarding the inclusion of practicing homosexuals in the church body. The LGBT movement, I believe, is the greatest threat to our nation and one of Satan’s vehicles of attack against the church.

Glenn Jones on wng.org

Sadly, some of our Christian brothers and sisters are willing to compromise and redefine God’s standard of righteousness to reach out to those who are living outside of God’s will. It is tragic.

CHRISTOPHER COLE / PENSACOLA, Fla.

As usual, well said. A crisis of leadership often finds its origins in a crisis of faith. We thank God for WORLD’s leadership.

GREGG CUNNINGHAM / LAKE FOREsT, CALIF.

‘Proselytizing Christians’

Lisbeth Melendez Rivera noted that the Bible mentions homosexuality in only eight verses, but each time it addresses homosexual acts as sinful. And if the Bible is the Word of God, it only needs to state something once.

DON KIMBRO / ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

I “pay the price” of “chaste singleness” and “faithfulness” every day because I know it honors God. Just because you are attracted to someone doesn’t mean you have to have sex with that person.

HOLLY SMITH / FRESNO, CALIF.

Your article about the Human Rights Campaign’s meddling in the body of Christ only scratches the surface. HRC and other pro-gay groups in 2006 targeted three mainline denominations; in less than a decade the first two caved and the third may soon slip over the edge. Now an even larger group is spending millions to train advocates in emotionally manipulative storytelling. Only this time, evangelical churches are in the crosshairs.

KAREN BOOTH / MONROE, WIS.

‘Be on guard’

A senior pastor is not necessarily more likely to lead a church astray than a junior pastor or others in leadership. I know of examples of both. Perhaps the issue is whether the leader is seeking to serve or is driven by selfish ambition.

JOHN ADAMS / NORTH BEND, ORE.

Thank you for this brilliant reporting. Best of all was the warning about how to detect early the slippery slope of compromise, reinterpreting Scripture, and redefining truth.

NEIL SLATTERY / FORT WORTH, TEXAS

‘Our exile in Babylon’

Babylon may not be the correct comparison. As barbaric as the Babylonians and Persians were, Jews could generally live according to their customs, outside of temple worship. I believe our time is more comparable to late first- and second-century Rome, given Revelation’s depiction of the church. Are we ready? “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”

JIM VENABLE ON WNG.ORG

Pendulums always swing back. Someday if Christianity is no longer in retreat, it would be great if we were known as loving people who always helped and refreshed others with the good news of Jesus Christ.

CHRISTINE WILSON ON WNG.ORG

In the midst of so much anger, confusion, and discouragement, Janie B. Cheaney has given us some godly perspective. If we who are called by Christ’s name do not choose to be light in the darkness around us, who will? I will pray for the welfare of this city.

JOAN M. HOCHSTETLER / ELKHART, IND.

‘Gays and God’

I have Is God anti-gay? Allberry is “same-sex attracted” yet recognizes that the Bible identifies that desire as one among many we must resist to obey our Creator and find His best for us.

ELI WALTERS ON FACEBOOK

We so enjoy WORLD, but the headline and photo for this article are misleading. Those who don’t read it could come away thinking you’re calling Allberry’s book “sadly influential.”

MERIL STANTON / MOSCOW, IDAHO

‘Archimedes was right’

If government buys the pie, its fingers will soon be poking into each piece. Still, the vast majority of people who will never homeschool will benefit from Nevada’s school choice program.

CATHLEEN WINKLER ON WNG.ORG

‘Trust and obey’

What a beautiful story of Elisabeth Elliot’s life, and what a precious legacy she has left us all!

CHERYL SCRIVENS ON WNG.ORG

Dispatches

This humble group of faithful Christian souls who experienced the horrific shooting deaths of nine loved ones forgave the shooter. Why? Because God said so. This poignant act should have us all on our knees begging God to show us how to triumph through His grace.

MARTHA BALL / PITTSBURGH, PA.

‘After we’ve blown it’

As I was grieving over a recent and somewhat deserved rebuke, this column refreshed and instructed me.

JEFF PESHOFF / RUSTON, LA.

‘Speech, speech’

Mindy Belz uncovered a sore spot for me: politically correct attacks on humor. Even the comics avoid themes that might refer to some group or other—except Christians, of course. People who once poked fun at each other and laughed together have become afraid to enjoy our foibles. The world is becoming a dreary place.

ROLLIN MANN / SIERRA MADRE, CALIF.

‘Reasonable doubt?’

Thanks to Megan Basham for the review of Proof. With its compelling topic—God’s existence—and potential to generate discussions with our neighbors, it was such an opportunity. But it’s such a big disappointment.

GREG THORNTON ON WNG.ORG

JUNE 27

‘Mmm … four books of the year’

Why didn’t your review of The Book of Strange New Things contain a warning about the profanity and sexuality?

GLENN LAFY / TOWANDA, PA.

MAY 30

‘The ones who stay’

I thought I knew racial segregation, but my short-term missions trip to New Song Church in Sandtown changed my perspective completely. The stories I heard from children and young teenagers about incarcerated parents and fatal shootings affected me deeply. A New Song service struck me with the joy and abandon in its worship and praise. I also learned about their close bonds of community and family that transcended the drugs and murder. In the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death, I realized again the truth of Corrie ten Boom’s quote, “In darkness, God’s truth shines most clear.”

CHRISTIAN HAMMOND / MEMPHIS, TENN.

I want to thank all of the WORLD staff for what you do. Your reporting and writing come from minds that seem clear and free from bitterness.

MICHAEL LOTT ON WNG.ORG

Corrections

Shelby Steele was born on Jan. 1, 1946 (“Three wise men,” July 25).

City Church received contributions of $118,000 on four Sundays in May and $300,000 on the middle Sunday of the month (“Blindsided,” July 11).

The most expensive house in the world is billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s $1 billion skyscraper home in Mumbai, India (Quick Takes, June 27).

WORLD Around the World

The Dead Sea, Israel

submitted by Scott Grunwald