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MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio.
I’m Myrna Brown.
NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.
Time now for Listener Feedback for the month of April.
And we begin with a correction from our coverage of the rescue of the Americans in Iran.
In one of our interviews, we referred to the occupant of the rear cockpit—the one involved in the longer rescue operations—using the wrong title. We referred to him as “pilot” when the correct title is “Weapon Systems Officer,” or “WSO” they call that (wizzo) in military shorthand.
BROWN: Now to feedback.
Keaton Kleiner from Omaha, Nebraska, shared a different perspective on our April 15th story about college athletes coming to faith at Christian schools.
KEATON KLEINER: As someone who went, who attended a Christian school that heavily emphasized athletics, I saw firsthand how this dynamic can play out. While there's no doubt that some athletes came to know Christ, the overall effect on campus was more complicated. The presence of a large number of non Christian athletes undermined the school's Christian values.
Over time, chapel services shifted away from deeper engagement with scripture toward repeated efforts to lead athletes in the sinners prayer. The broader spiritual life of the school became centered on on campus evangelism, rather than equipping believers to enter the secular world with a deeply rooted faith.
It seems to me that evangelizing on secular campuses is both appropriate and effective. However, attempting to do so through athletics within Christian institutions can unintentionally erode the very foundation those schools are meant to uphold.
To me, I view this as a is, is this is the purpose of the school to equip the called or to save the lost?
EICHER: Tim Smith had this to say about Hunter Baker’s argument on ending the filibuster in the Senate:
TIM SMITH: I'm frustrated with how Congress struggles to get things done, like a lot of people, but dismissing the filibuster as just a Senate rule because it's not part of the Constitution, doesn't really capture its place in our history. It's been around since the nation's early years, and it's served a very important purpose.
I think a better approach would be to bring back the spoken filibuster. If senators want to block a bill they should have to stand there and speak and keep speaking to hold it up. That would force real debate and make them work to express something more meaningful.
Eventually they would run out of steam, but it would allow time for real arguments to be heard and for Americans to listen to both sides. There's wisdom in a multitude of counsel, and this kind of process could help Congress function better, while still giving the opposition a fair tool if they're willing to work for it.
BROWN: And Cassidy Rich from Phoenix had this response to Juliana Chan Erikson’s story about the Gen Z dating scene.
CASSIDY RICH: As a single Christian woman who just turned 31, I wanted to provide some insight into what it's like on the ground for many Christian singles.
I've run into variations of the same problems with each guy I've dated. Typically, he either has a porn addiction, he's not truly a follower of Christ, and/or doesn't want to support his wife as a stay at home mom.
Some people ask me where I'm meeting these quote, unquote, "not good guys," and I tell them, church, Bible studies, Christian dating apps, being set up by Christian friends, church speed dating events, and hiking/pickleball groups through various churches.
Porn and video game addictions are rampant among guys in their 20s and 30s. Guys aren't pursuing careers in which they can support a family, and very few churches are calling guys out on these issues.
I know it's not all the guys' fault and that women play a part. Many guys have told me that women they've gone out with often only talk about themselves, are ungrateful in complaining about everything, and if the guy does one thing even slightly wrong, she'll never go out with him again.
Unfortunately, I don't have a solution to this problem, but if I could suggest something for single Christians, it would be this: Guys, pursue a career that can support a family. You don't have to be rich, just responsible. Also stop watching porn and stop playing video games. Get accountability.
Women, stop emasculating men. Encourage them when they seem down and always, always, always be sweet. No guy wants to be with a woman who is critical all the time. If you want to be a stay at home mom, start saving your money now and learn to be frugal so you can be a blessing to your husband financially.
Thank you, WORLD Team, for continuing to do the Lord's work.
Tom Covington from Lafayette, Indiana wrote in about Denny Burk’s April 14th commentary regarding a meme posted by President Trump.
TOM COVINGTON: I was very pleasantly floored by today's opinion piece on blasphemy. I know that WORLD pays a cost whenever it pushes back against words or actions of the current administration, so I appreciate the courage and moral clarity. God bless you guys.
EICHER: And finally, a word of thanks from a young woman who was encouraged by Travis Kircher’s story April 10th about the barista who says she was fired for sharing the gospel with co-workers.
Here is listener Elizabeth Smalley:
ELIZABETH SMALLEY: I had a very similar situation at my job recently, but praise the Lord, my employers weren't too upset about it, and I was able to keep my job.
But it was very encouraging and a great reminder to just share my faith and to be faithful to God's word, no matter the circumstances and no matter the consequences. So thank you for that. I appreciate all that you do.
EICHER: And we appreciate you too, and all of our listeners to The World and Everything in It, and everyone who sent comments in this month.
If you’d like to share your thoughts with us, just email editor@wng.org. That is editor at wng.org.
BROWN: And that’s this month’s Listener Feedback.
EICHER: Oh, a quick reminder before we go, Myrna—we have a special weekend edition of The World and Everything in It tomorrow. It is the extended interview you did with David Nasser.
Really great interview. He is the Iranian-born pastor and author who fled the country with his family during the 1979 revolution. I cannot wait to hear the rest of that, and you can too tomorrow wherever you get your podcasts.
WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.
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