Mailbag

Healing memories that hurt

WORLD Magazine is hardly “Biblically objective journalism” in reporting “Healing memories that hurt” via “a trauma-focused approach to … find restoration in Christ.” This kind of journalism is not only sentimental and subjective, but it contradicts Scripture.

The word trauma (meaning a physical wound) comes from the Greek. It took on psychological meaning with the public demonstrations of Charcot (1825-1893) hypnotizing patients termed hysterical at La Salpêtrière. Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) studied with Charcot for three months and became convinced that early life trauma determined the mental state later in life. Freud replaced Charcot’s hypnosis with dream (traum meaning dream in German) analysis and what he called “free association” as his methods to plumb the so-called “unconscious.”

The belief that adverse life events in the past determine future behavior is foundational doctrine to insight-­oriented psychological counseling. The acceptance of this view replaces the doctrine of original sin. Fallen mankind is then viewed as a victim rather than a sinner. With this change in the doctrinal base, it is not surprising that a prison ministry intended as “a jail Bible study” instead involves listening to “countless inmates share their stories.” The cross, if mentioned at all, loses all Biblical meaning in this setting.

We, in the line of Adam, readily blame others for our disobedience: “the woman whom you gave me, she gave me of the tree … the serpent beguiled me” (Genesis 3:12-13).
     Carol Tharp / Winnetka, Ill.

Great article concerning trauma-focused ministries in prisons. As a former prison teacher and volunteer Bible study instructor in a halfway house, I witnessed the challenges that inmates faced when handling their trauma. I would hear the surface scars, but was at a loss in helping them get to the truth. The five-day program was also a positive aspect in that it would involve more inmates to receive the help they need. Plus, when inmate-to-inmate teaching is involved, “closure and healing” is just around the corner. There wasn’t a greater satisfaction than when an inmate was set free! It really is “Good News”!
     Dennis Daise / Goodland, Kan.

Human Race

I always enjoy reading the magazine but felt led to reach out regarding the brief summary titled “Falwell Jr. settles.” The summary ends noting that Falwell resigned after acknowledging his wife’s affair. While that is true, it doesn’t tell the whole story of his potential involvement in the scandal as well as his inappropriate behavior documented in photos around that time. The way the short piece is written, it could lead the reader to assume the blame for his resignation solely rests in his wife’s behavior, which is certainly not the case.
     Katie Young / Holt, Mich.

The Forge

I was disappointed in Chelsea Boes’ review of The Forge. In my opinion, the Kendrick brothers knocked the ball out of the park with this one. They intend their movies to be evangelistic and to challenge us to be salt and light in our culture—in our nation—starting with the role of fathers, or in this case with witnessing, mentoring, and discipling our youth and others. The world needs to hear the Word in order to be saved and then discipled. I found nothing overly scripted as Boes did.
     Barbara Mason Rohrs / Maumee, Ohio

When my wife and I saw The Forge, we encountered real human beings portraying the complex difficulties we all face to various degrees through life. We were not detracted by flashy effects or staging extravaganzas but were able to see into hearts and the inner struggles that actually occur. We are all disadvantaged by sin, but the Savior provides the way. The film demonstrates that in a powerful way through many angles.
     Jay R. Snyder / Ephrata, Pa.

Selling work short

David Bahnsen is out of touch with the real world. Unfortunately, we can’t always have a job that is fulfilling other than that it is transactional and pays the bills. Many times, we have to suck it up and show up to a job we dislike because we’re Christian adults and have a commitment to provide for our family. Not everyone can get their dream job. And it is not Marxist to believe that family should be a priority over work.
     Jack Giblin / Waxhaw, N.C.

I appreciate what David has to say about the importance of work. I only take issue with one little thing he said about work/life balance. He talked about how dads are looked down on for missing soccer practice, etc. I agree that it’s important for men to provide for their families, but after the Industrial Revolution, this looks very different than it used to. Work traditionally happened at home, with the children involved—especially farming, but also artisans and even shopkeepers. This allowed dads to be involved with their children, especially sons, without having to choose between work and family. I wish we could find a way to include children in their family’s work again.
     Sarah Collen / Omaha, Neb.

Work in progress

This was a very good article, including the extended illustration of Reagan’s cautionary tale of when you hear someone say, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” However, I wish the article could have referenced Mike Rowe and the large efforts he has exerted promoting careers in the trades.
     Bruce McKechnie / Honey Brook, Pa.

Forest of lies

I nearly stood to cheer when I read the column by Adam B. Coleman. I’ve almost stopped watching Fox as well as CNN and MSNBC. I was getting so upset watching in the evenings and having trouble sleeping. Lying and agitating from the right is just as bad as lying from the left.
     Dan LaRue / Lebanon, Pa.

As a conservative Christian, I was confused by some of the things Coleman had to say. How are conservative shows and hosts “profiting off our fears”? What evidence does Coleman have of commentators on the right “molding conservatives into consumers of hopelessness”? I don’t feel like I am being “poisoned” by the media I listen to, but am being informed about what is going on. As I am raising a family, I don’t have time to know a lot of what is going on and appreciate a conservative giving me information.
    Shirl Miller-Smith / Greenwood, Ind.

I will remember the phrase “conservative nihilism industry.” It’s time that we recognize that news sources from both sides manufacture victims and “cook audiences for dollars.” This is one of the reasons I’m thankful to have WORLD as a balanced Christian voice. It’s a blessing to have both the daily podcast and monthly journal. The new format gives me depth and a lot to think about—even more so than the previous biweekly.
     Brian L. Howard / Greensboro, N.C.

Two hoots and a holler

As a retired member of the U.S. Forest Service, I’ve concluded that God’s creation always involves change despite human efforts to stabilize things toward some perceived desired outcome. Maintaining old-growth forests, eradication or control of invasion of undesirable plants and animals, and wildfires are just a few examples of the struggles predicted in Genesis 3:17-19. We don’t have a good record in working and taking care of the Garden, and sin is an overarching principle.
     F. Carl Pence / Meridian, Idaho

I found the article lacking in perspective. Where are discussions about evolutionary biology and concerns about “survival of the fittest”? From an evolutionary perspective, the extinction of a species is not only predictive but could be considered necessary. I would be interested in hearing how the two-owl issue is addressed by those who believe in evolution.
     Tim McLain / Lompoc, Calif.

The heart assailed

I have always loved Psalm 131:2, but Andrée Seu Peterson enlarged my understanding of that verse. I tore the page out of the magazine and put it in a place where I will see it often.
     Barb Detlefsen / Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Clarification

Canadian pro-life group Campaign Life Coalition discovered 45 reported cases of patients with serious adverse reactions to Mifegymiso (Global Briefs, September).

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