Mailbag

Editor’s note: WORLD’s Aug. 27 issue generated more than double the number of letters we usually receive, prompting us to publish an extra page of reader feedback.

Cover reflections

The cover for the Aug. 27 issue was too provocative for a magazine any age member of my family could see. Please consider this when you choose artwork for your covers.
     —Ann Hemme / Strongsville, Ohio

Please tell us you had second thoughts about the Aug. 27 cover. We trust you to appear in our homes, where our children dwell. You’ve set a base thing before their young eyes and ours. Trust betrayed is hard regained.
     —Lawrence Lucas / Moscow, Idaho

Congratulations on the stunning cover, which draws one in even though the ­content of the article is distressing.
     —David Constance / Deland, Fla.

The eyes have it

Wow! Thank you for the new look. I was not a fan of the last makeover and even considered not renewing. It was not an easy read for my 50-something eyes.
     —Michele Harn / Williston, Tenn.

The latest redesign has ­produced the best-ever WORLD for my aged 87-year-old eyes. I’ve not been able to breeze through WORLD as I do now!
     —Peter Kushkowski / Portland, Conn.

I complained about the ­previous redesign and am delighted to see the new WORLD—all of the readability problems are gone! I want to say “thanks” and “great job” after my previous complaints.
     —Rebekah Matt / St. Louis, Mo.

For those of us who read your magazine for “dessert” at the end of the day, it’s a more relaxing experience—easier on the eyes than the former format!
     —Karen Davis / Exton, Pa.

Kudos to you all on a much more readable layout! We like maps here in our classical homeschooling household, so we welcome the map header in Global Briefs as well as the informative sidebars.
     —Lauren Nichols / Fort Wayne, Ind.

A year ago, my subscription lapsed. Upon seeing the return to an easier-on-the-eyes font and layout, I am sending in payment ­immediately. Thanks for a publication that challenges our thinking.
     —Ann Bailes / Anderson, S.C.

The twisted self

Thank you, Carl Trueman, for explaining how our ­society got to this point regarding sexuality—I think I finally understand! I pray the Lord will return men and women to clarity in thinking, especially those who influence the most vulnerable.
     —Beverly Lambert / Westminster, Md.

Your cover story, while interesting, was void of much Scripture. WORLD’s apparent drift toward a “Scripture-light” publication causes me to pause.
     —Kim Reed / Rapid City, S.D.

Trueman’s cover story was the most complete, informative, but concise article I’ve read regarding the cultural deviation away from Biblical and logical truth. I’m going to attempt to get all of my children to seriously read it.
     —Scott Keller / Snellville, Ga.

Living with a legacy

Kim Henderson conveyed well the heart of Valerie Elliot Shepard and her ­commitment to making her parents’ legacy known. She lives the calling with grace, love, and faithfulness to their memories and God’s glory.
     —Chris Lipscombe / Gulfport, Miss.

I see the legacy of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot continuing, and I pray my grandchildren’s grandchildren will know of their faith in the gentle and lowly Jesus they loved and served.
     —John & Eva Herberich / Chattanooga, Tenn.

Special interest

I was moved by the article on Christian schools and special needs. I have a daughter with Down syndrome, and I have been asking our church’s school to address this issue for years.
     —Christy Keyton / Dothan, Ala.

Yes, many Christian schools do not provide a robust ­special needs program, but it isn’t because they don’t “value” such students. Schools simply don’t have the money, and that problem will not be solved by a “creative mix of tuition, government funding, and fundraising.”
     —Alan Pue / Castle Pines, Colo.

There is a great need for Christians to support special needs education for those who choose not to plug into the public school system.
     —Melissa Hodges / Aledo, Ill.

Crossing the Rubicon?

I don’t believe the FBI crossed the Rubicon. I believe Donald Trump did. The FBI has never done anything like this before because we have never had a president like Donald Trump before.
     —James A. Avery / Charlottesville, Va.

Unprecedented? One reaps what one sows. I remember when a presidential candidate entered political rallies to the cries of “Lock her up.” What goes around, comes around.
     —Glenn Palmer / Norfolk, Va.

Our former president’s behavior and comments crossed multiple Rubicons from which our nation may never recover. It is not surprising if one or more of those crossings have brought him into legal difficulties.
     —Phil McLain / Newberg, Ore.

How transgender activists define man and woman 

Regarding your Back­grounder article: I say, “The emperor has no clothes!”
     —Rebecca Blair / Albany, Ore.

The circular definitions of female as “opposite of male” and male as “opposite of female,” while true, define nothing. Ironically, and likely unintentionally, these definitions at least assert the binary-ness of gender.
     —Ray Dobelstein / Ponte Vedra, Fla.

Quotables

Astronomer Allison Kirkpatrick finds herself “lying awake at 3 in the morning wondering if everything I’ve done is wrong.” It’s time to interpret the uncovering of historical evidence in light of the Book written by God, who created all galaxies.
     —Jorge A. Velez / Long Beach, Calif.

Truth spoken here

Although I agree with Lynn Vincent’s point in her column, there’s a certain tone of crassness that disturbed me. Can we not choose words that reflect a speech and tone that is always with grace according to Colossians 4:6?
     —Jeannine Ramer / Uniontown, Ohio

I could literally feel my smile grow as I read Vincent’s inaugural column as executive editor. As a longtime reader, I found great relief and great joy to read more Machen and less Keller between her lines—and all with a twinkle in her eye!
     —Noel Adams / Cedar Park, Texas

Thrillers on trains

Two train movies you could have included on your list: Silver Streak with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor and the best train movie ever, The Train with Burt Lancaster and Paul Scofield.
     —Gerald Bonsall / St. Albans, Vt.

Mysterious reads with female leads

It seems almost all good books feature “strong females.” I would love a list of books with admirable male leads. Children should read about positive characters of both sexes as they strive to become the men and women God created them to be.
     —Gail MacDonald / Sewickley, Pa.

As an educator, I was thrilled to find books that held the attention of students who weren’t fond of reading. I had a waiting list for the Jennie McGrady series by Patricia Rushford, with students keeping each other reading faithfully so that they could have the next book.
     —Ginny Shaffer / Newville, Pa.

Evil exposed

Thank you for featuring Serial Killer: A True Crime Podcast. It’s tough listening, but the intrepid Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer do not shy away from the truth.
     —Henny Bulten / Montgomery, Texas

Kermit Gosnell’s arrogance and defensiveness about his evil deeds were chilling. Hopefully, the Lord will bring him to see his evil deeds and seek forgiveness and renewal in his life.
     —Jim Bates / Marshall, Texas

Correction

The Cedar Hill (Texas) Police Department investigated the incident of alleged abuse against the daughter of Matt and Christi Bragg (“The list,” Sept. 24.).