‘Dueling visions, gnawing suspicions’

March 3 Ralph Winter would not have retained the Frontier Ventures/William Carey International University campus if doing so undermined the gospel mandate. But, as a Last 1,000 supporter and a former student, I believe that when campus leaders waffle on their plans and offer nothing but vague platitudes for the $100 million windfall, they should put on the brakes. WORLD gave them plenty of opportunity to clarify their intentions and they couldn’t. Something doesn’t smell right. —Norm Parker on wng.org

Even in an internet age, in-person connections spark the kind of innovation Winter wanted to foster, so I’m sympathetic to the goals of Save the Campus. But its leaders should stop their attacks on campus administrators. Let’s build a vision for using the campus to reach the remaining unreached peoples. —Kevin Berasley on wng.org

WCIU’s decentralized approach allowed me to obtain a master’s degree without coming to campus, and I appreciate the vision to extend that opportunity globally. But I understand the concerns about donor intent. FV/WCIU’s refusal to commit to selling to a like-minded evangelical organization is troubling, as is the lack of clear communication over the years. —Rosa Edwards / Fayetteville, Ark.

You assert that Winter’s vision “is no longer welcome.” He is gone, but the organization’s vision for world evangelism remains, as the current leadership asserts. A large campus in Southern California may no longer be consistent with Winter’s vision. —Steve Shive on wng.org

‘Back to square one’

March 3 Joel Belz asks, if we could fix America by rewinding history, “how far would you go?” I would go back to the point at which this country accepted slavery. It is America’s original sin and will eventually cause its downfall. —Joe Comerci / Elmhurst, Ill.

I would choose 1928 because in 1929 the Anglican Church accepted artificial contraception, and other Protestant churches followed suit. Since then sexual sins have exploded and rained down chaos upon us. From abortion to gay marriage to transgenderism, it is not just disturbing, it is demonic. —Joe Marincel / Flower Mound, Texas

Some periods are filled with hope and good intentions yet tainted by greed, corruption, and callous indifference to other races. Even this nation’s founding is filled with bloodshed. We were rebels from the start, first toward the king of England, now toward the King of Kings. —David Riddle / Saluda, N.C.

Glossy versions of American and Christian history that ignore sin are problematic, but neither should we be cynical about the past. In the United States there have been shining strands of human character that have helped make the world a better place. The key is to pursue Christ and His kingdom above all. —Daniel McPhearson on wng.org

‘All right, we are two nations’

March 3 If we didn’t have the Bible, we would all go along with child sacrifice and laugh at sick jokes about the demise of our unborn neighbors. Romans 1 is playing out before our eyes, and it just can’t go on much longer—can it? —Janet Seagraves on wng.org

In our current political and cultural climate, I take heart knowing that “the three men I admire most / The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost” (also from “American Pie”) have promised never to leave us or forsake us. —Hannah Timmons on wng.org

‘On pandemics and providence’

March 3 Thank you for this rational and Biblical assessment. My mom and I were both very ill from influenza A after Christmas. I got better, but my mom died; did she suffer God’s wrath while I was spared? Of course not. It’s just the way of this fallen world. —Hunter O’Ryan on Facebook

Some actions clearly have consequences, but some things, such as natural disasters, are not clearly a consequence of anything. We should not try to explain exactly why everything happens, but it is always right to return to the Lord. —Andy Knudsen on wng.org

‘A well-behaved woman’

March 3 I wept as Janie B. Cheaney read her powerful tribute to her mother and her generation; I listened to it three times on The World and Everything in It. Apparently the culture that rails against the body of Christ would rather our girls become pregnant pirates than righteous women. —Richard Owens / Alpharetta, Ga.

I loved Cheaney’s comment that her mom made civilization. I pray that more women (and men) would make that their goal. —Tom Schenk on wng.org

‘Ready for the job’

March 3 Ken Isaacs, the Trump administration’s nominee to the International Organization for Migration, has led an amazing life. May God continue to use him to care for the least of these. —Christy Davis Nordstrom on Facebook

Although I have never met Isaacs, as a doctor I am constantly in contact with those whose good work here in Sudan depends on Isaacs and Samaritan’s Purse. The Washington Post writers who took cheap shots at Isaacs should come to Africa and see what he and his colleagues are doing rather than sit in their air-conditioned offices and make irresponsible comments about him. —Clarke McIntosh / Gidel, Sudan

‘A new Marvel’

March 3 I enjoyed Black Panther. It handled many politically charged topics without resorting to simplistic answers, and it portrayed women respectfully and with depth, especially the young scientist. And despite all the female warriors, the movie seemed comfortable with the men being strong and brave leaders. —Laura Weieneth on wng.org

‘A gerrymandering journey’

March 3 Usually I would not be interested in gerrymandering, but Evan Wilt’s added spice and local flavor made the story so much fun to read while clarifying the issue for me. Great writing. —Cheryl Irish / Bastrop, Texas

Corrections

Armenian Christians formerly lived in territory east of present-day Turkey (“All guilt, no atonement,” March 17, p. 14).

Protestant missionaries arrived in Vietnam three centuries after Catholics did. The person in the lower right photo on p. 33 is Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Tran Thanh Truyen (“After the fall,” March 31, p. 30).

More letters, emails, and comments we didn’t have space for in the print edition:

‘After the Super Bowl’

March 3 It would be just like God to use a controversial community like the NFL to manifest His grace and glory. We should pray for the brothers on the Philadelphia Eagles. They will need much grace. —Gary Hendrix on wng.org

‘Lustful eyes’

March 3 The Barna Group statistics indicate that tens of millions of men and women are watching porn, but because many of those in power, who should do something, are probably porn users themselves, I am not surprised so little is being done. —Bob Cremer on wng.org

‘Forever and ever’

March 3 It is so cool to think of our eternal life with Jesus. Most people retire after a long career, when their body is slowing down, but for Christians the new heaven and new earth will be a never-ending treat. —Robert Francis / Wakefield, Mass.

‘Kisses of regret’

Feb. 17 Christians should not have turned I Kissed Dating Goodbye into a formula for righteous dating. Josh Harris never intended anyone to treat his book like Scripture. —Karrie Pope on wng.org

Although the pain that some of these people feel is real, it does seem unfair to blame Harris. I wonder if community or family influence on some readers may have been more significant than the book. —Greg Eades on wng.org

‘Hindsight and hope’

Feb. 17 I want to put my arm around Harris’ shoulders and tell him not to take all this hubbub over his book to heart. Is God sovereign, even over our relationships, or is He not? —Annette Marquardt / Summerfield, Okla.

I was very impressed with Harris for apologizing to all the people he hurt, but his book is still worth a read. It might at first appear legalistic but, honestly, we need boundaries. Also, we need to see singleness as a gift from a sovereign God and part of His plan for sanctification. —Jackie Larson / Holland, Mich.