McIntire's legacy

We at Faith Theological Seminary read with interest Joel Belz's column regarding the passing of our founder, Dr. Carl McIntire ("This fight's over," April 6). He was willing to confront his own government when it attempted to curb religious freedoms in the name of tolerance and political correctness, and willing to confront the church for becoming "conformed to the spirit of this world." The legacy of Carl McIntire will not be recorded in history books but in the hearts of those he touched by his uncompromising stand for truth. - Arthur G. Martin, Faith Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pa.

I read with sadness your article on Carl McIntire. I first came to know him when I became a member of the Bible Presbyterian Church, which he formed when he broke away from the mainline Presbyterians. I was greatly impressed by his charisma, knowledge, eloquence and the power of his message; I even briefly attended his seminary in Elkins Park in the early 1950s. I began to have second thoughts, however, after he couldn't find room in the same church for a young Presbyterian pastor named Francis Schaeffer (yes, that Francis Schaeffer). - Richard Bausback, San Diego, Calif.

Thumping the left

Kudos to Marvin Olasky for "Left out" (April 6). It shows the bias against Christianity in our modern times, and it shows how we have opportunities to oppose that bias. Like Mr. Olasky, we need to jump at the chance to voice our faith and how it applies in the world today. If we get over our fear that we will be viewed as "Bible thumpers" and tell about our logical reasons for our faith, maybe the world at large can gain a more objective understanding of Christianity. - Robert Tiffin, Los Osos, Calif.

Cheering Cheaney

What a beautiful piece ("How sweet the sound," April 6). Janie B. Cheaney's words so beautifully pictured the setting, the prayers, and the distant bagpiping of the glorious old hymns that she provided an emotional, even spiritual experience. I am seldom moved by today's writers, but this column had me cheering-almost out loud. - Hamilton B. Allen, Rochester, N.Y.

Monopoly money

Your recent article on stamp prices should have been adjusted for inflation ("Steep stamps," April 6). Ironically, since the postal monopoly has been with us for so long, this more useful figure would probably indicate little change in real stamp prices since 1885. The more important issue is not another price increase, but that the government continues to maintain an unjust and inefficient monopoly. - D. Eric Schansberg, New Albany, Ind.

With contempt

Thank you for your article on clergy abuse ("Clergy sexual abuse: the Protestant problem," March 30). Our child was sexually abused by the house father at a mission school. We were treated with the same contempt by the mission as were those victimized as adults. We were told that we were hurting the cause of Christ, that we were lying, etc., because we tried to have the pedophile removed from a position of authority. Our child was not the only victim, nor was she the first to come forward; we were, however, the first to call the pedophile a criminal, and for this we were scorned. Thank you for being a conscience to a weak and stumbling church. - Judith Anderson, Leeds, Ala.

Aid or trade?

While the American government ponders more foreign aid to fight terrorism, I would point out that recent economic successes of countries such as Brazil and South Korea are not primarily the result of foreign aid but of open markets that allowed these countries to sell goods in North America and Europe ("The $10 billion gamble," April 6). The best thing the United States and Europe could do for foreign countries in need of aid is do away with duties, tariffs, and subsidies. This allows other countries to succeed through trade. Here in Canada, thanks to the U.S. government's willingness to apply tariffs and fund subsidies for products as varied as softwood lumber and hothouse tomatoes, we have increased unemployment and you pay more to support inefficient producers in your own country. - Peter Scholtens, Langley, B.C.

I never have quite understood all the pros and cons of our big contributions to foreign aid, so thank you for Mindy Belz's article. - Norman C. Remington, Warwick, R.I.

Veith: right or wrong

I generally agree with Gene Edward Veith's article on the agenda of the animal-rights crowd, but I must strongly protest his pejorative definitions of vegetarians and vegans as those who don't eat meat for ethical reasons ("Pets are people, too?" April 6). I am a born-again Christian "vegan" who eschews meat and animal products for health reasons, not ethical reasons. For Mr. Veith to lump us "born-again vegans" in with the animal-rights fools is insulting and hurtful. Perhaps, considering the example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, if he ate better he might think more clearly. - Bryan Mion, El Sobrante, Calif.

I'm outraged that animal-rights attorneys are arguing that apes, monkeys, and other primates should be considered people under the law. What next? I shudder. - Mildred C. Plumley, Denton, Md.

Gene Edward Veith's column on the status of the United States in the world order was dead on ("Impotent condescension," March 30). The world is both jealous and awestruck at this country and what it has achieved in little more than 200 years. While "God Bless America" has been sung often since 9/11, we need to remember that God has blessed America. I pray He continues to do so. - Leslie J. Holmquist, Boxford, Mass.

High points and low

Mr. Mohler's timely column about attempts by revisionists to morph the term evangelical calls our attention to yet another example of Satan's continuing attacks ("A new low?" April 6). While the terminology we use to label ourselves is probably of little import to God, the beliefs in our hearts are. If, as revisionist Robert Brow was quoted, "our hearts are changing our minds," we're in big trouble because God says that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." - Lynn Metier, Rochester, N.Y.

Thank you to Mr. Mohler for sounding the alarm. The essentials of the Christian faith are under attack from within. The Evangelical Theological Society made a courageous move to say, "Enough is enough." - Brian K. Anderson, Bryonne, N.J.

I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Mohler and the fine work he has done, but his call against "The Word Made Fresh" sounds like a call to pick back up the fundamentalist banner. It was easy for Mr. Mohler to throw out the names of "scary" theologians like Stan Grenz, but he failed to mention the names of some of the other signers, men who come from solid evangelical schools and are solid evangelical scholars, not liberals. Mr. Mohler may not like "The Word Made Fresh," but he is not the one who gets to define evangelical. - Christopher Morton, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Are evangelical institutions committed to the values and doctrines implied by their titles? Evangelical leaders must work to understand those boundaries and then diligently and clearly promote and defend all that is implicit in evangelical faith, evangelical doctrine, and evangelical lifestyle. To do otherwise is akin to false advertising. - Everett Piper, Spring Arbor, Mich.

Correction

Mickey Edwards is a former Republican congressman (April 13, p. 11).