Mailbag

Global briefs

WORLD’s update on the recent elections in the Republic of Moldova and the efforts of Russia to undermine the efforts of pro-Western leaders there is a welcome reminder of the dilemmas facing countries and nationalities that were part of the Soviet Union or were under Soviet control during the Cold War. But the article’s sidebar ironically illustrates a Soviet-style strategy pursued by Vladimir Putin in his efforts to reestablish the 20th-­century Russian empire in East Central Europe: It identified the principal language of Moldova as “Moldovan/Romanian.”

Ethnic Romanians constitute some two-thirds of the population of the Republic of Moldova and the language of the country is Romanian. There is, in fact, no “Moldovan-Romanian” ­language or “Moldovan” language. These are artifacts of imperialist Soviet attempts to promote the illusion that Romanians and Moldovans were separate peoples and to foster the idea that Moldova (like Ukraine, or Crimea, or Georgia, or the Baltic states) is really a territory of the Russian Federation, its benevolent “elder brother” (a phrase actually used by Stalin in the 1930s). There are indications that Russian interference in recent elections in nearby Romania is part of the same grand design.

The Russians invested an enormous amount of time, effort, and resources toward subverting the recent elections and pro-European referenda in the Republic of Moldova. Their narrow failure bodes positively for the Westernizing forces there. But that same failure will likely lead to renewed Russian activities in the area, including financial pressures, fake news campaigns, and the staging of provocations against Russia and pro-Russian elements. To what end? Following the Ukrainian precedent, such events would lead to direct Russian intervention in the affairs of Moldova to “restore order.” For the time being, such a result has been avoided by the actions of the Moldovans themselves. The West might not be so fortunate in the future.
     Paul E. Michelson, Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus, Huntington University / Huntington, Ind.

Simpler celebrations

I just received the December issue of WORLD. Whatever one thinks of Grace Snell’s article, “Holiday trimmings” (I enjoyed it), you have to love Mark Fredrickson’s cover illustration. It’s eye-catching and beautiful, and motivated me to turn immediately to Grace’s article. Good job by Mark.
     Paul Gebel / Edmond, Okla.

Holiday trimmings

I enjoyed your “Holiday trimmings” article, but it was a bit sketchy on the origins of Christmas. Ancient Jews believed that God gave great prophets an “integral number,” meaning they died on the same day of the year that they were born or conceived. The early Church fathers tried to determine what day Jesus was crucified and came up with March 25. They were several years off, but this became the date of the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary, when the angel told her she was pregnant. To this day the feast is on Catholic and Orthodox church calendars. Go ahead nine months from March 25 and you get Dec. 25.
     Leslie Ritchie / Hastings, Minn.

Mandate for change

Not five lines into her article, Emma Freire decided to tattoo Donald Trump’s newly appointed “border czar,” Tom Homan, and deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, with the pejorative moniker “hard-liner.” A quick review of definitions from dictionaries on the web defined this term as “someone, especially in politics, who is very severe and unlikely or unwilling to change their fixed beliefs.” Is this what WORLD or Emma Freire really wants to tell us about the nature and attitude of our newly elected public servants? More importantly, what does this say about WORLD and its journalists? I trust this is just a youthful attempt to add pizzazz to her work rather than a slip into the sleazy side of modern “J” school training.
     Deane Parker / Plano, Texas

Human race

There is no such person as a “transgender.” When you use the term in a news report, please put quotation marks around it. Sarah McBride is a man masquerading as a woman. If this is OK with the voters of Delaware, so be it, but I refuse to go along with their delusions.
     Beverly Uhlmer / Houston, Texas

The missing intangibles

While discussing the “missing intangibles,” Janie B. Cheaney states that “these kids can’t retain focus for 200-plus pages.” Six pages later, while commenting on Jordan Peterson’s book We Who Wrestle With God, Louis Markos states that “the book is overlong by half.” What an ironic juxtaposition.
     John R. Torczynski / Albuquerque, N.M.

Encore

In December’s WORLD we read an adoring review of Lady Gaga’s latest release. This follows Arsenio Orteza’s habit of discussing uncritically some of the most publicly debauched folks in entertainment (Prince, David Bowie, Lou Reed, and others). Yes, they are immensely talented, but to discuss them without any consideration of their very public moral pollution does not reflect WORLD’s raison d’être headlined on page 6 in every issue: “Biblically objective journalism that informs, ­educates, and inspires.”

I’m not saying such moral reprobates should not be mentioned in the pages of WORLD. They may be culturally relevant, and believers need to be properly equipped to consider them. But it must be in a Biblical context. Orteza should take some tips from the way WORLD’s movie reviewers treat movies: In addition to discussing the artistic merits of the flick, they will usually speak to or at least acknowledge any moral issues Christians should be aware of.
     Bruce McKechnie / Honey Brook, Pa.

Finding the extraordinary in the mundane

What a masterpiece! Both the painting and the commentary. This is why I read almost every word of every issue; I never know what will inform and inspire me. This gives me a whole new perspective of Luke 24. I see how I, too, must respond with wonder and worship as Jesus daily walks this road with me.
     Russell Guetschow / Vicksburg, Mich.

Freedom seekers

I will never again think that there’s one simple answer for drug dependency. I can only imagine how hard this story was to write. Thank you.
     Cheryl Irish / Bastrop, Texas

Resisting the deep state

I just read “Resisting the deep state.” Wow, I never knew there was a battle line and forces pushing back against regulations. Great story and explanation of the battle and tactics. Now I want to learn how to find out when there are issues that Christians need to respond to, and how to go about doing that!
     Timothy Anger / Emmaus, Pa.

Kim Henderson’s article is but one example of the well-informed, deeply researched journalism being produced by the impressive bench of writers WORLD has developed. You excelled yourself with deep coverage from a Christian perspective this past election season.
     Juliet Kane / St. Louis, Mo.

Krieg Barrie is so cool! I have admired his illustrations for years, not only for their visual appeal, but also for their amazing cleverness and creativity. His paper tiger is the most recent example. Thank you!
     Amy Arens / St. Louis, Mo.

“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see”

A profound thank-you to Carl Trueman for so beautifully expressing what I have always believed about the value of Christmas carols. Every year, I lament at the number of churches that brush on past them with scarcely a nod. It’s high time we all started giving them the credit they deserve!
     Elisabeth Bodey / St. Paris, Ohio

Hidden in humble circumstances

Am I the only one who feels really dumb trying to do the crossword puzzles? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad it’s there. But kudos to the people who make them.
     Teresa Russell / Knoxville, Tenn.

Correction

Louis Gossett Jr. portrayed a Marine drill instructor in An Officer and a Gentleman (“2024 Departures,” January).

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