Death and life in El Paso and Las Cruces

AUGUST 31, 2019 APPLES AND WORMS BACK TO SCHOOL Homeschool charters: Take the money?­ Blaine Amendments:­ What’s next if they die? Christian colleges:­ Financial ­troubles A better idea in New York City: Play chess

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many offer faster, easier, and simpler, we embrace

deeper, richer, and stronger. Because in the end,

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World Gate.indd 4 7/23/19 10:04 AM Trust. It’s something that’s earned. It doesn’t

come quickly. It’s the result of being time tested.

When the trustworthiness of God’s Word was

being challenged, we stood for truth. When

many offer faster, easier, and simpler, we embrace

deeper, richer, and stronger. Because in the end,

we place our trust on the truth that endures. We

are The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,

and we are TRUSTED FOR TRUTH.

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World Gate.indd 4 7/23/19 10:04 AM CONTENTS | August 31, 2019 • Volume 34 • Number 16

36 19 32

50 55

FEATURES DISPATCHES 7 News Analysis • Human Race 32 Offering ‘the love of Jesus’ Quotables • Quick Takes With federal agencies overwhelmed, churches at the border are stepping up to help with a flood of traumatized migrants CULTURE Movies & TV • Books back to school 19 Children’s Books 36 More money or more strings? Q&A • Music A homeschooling innovation brings opportunity and danger NOTEBOOK 42 Drowning in red 55 Health • Medicine Historic Christian colleges like Nyack College are facing Sports • Lifestyle financial crises that are forcing big changes VOICES 46 Blaine, Blaine, short-sighted 5 Joel Belz briber from the state of Maine 16 Janie B. Cheaney State constitutional roadblocks to school choice grew out of 30 Mindy Belz anti-Catholic hostility and the myth of educational neutrality 61 Mailbag 50 Life after chess 63 Andrée Seu Peterson Former New York public-school student Alex Lenderman, 64 Marvin Olasky one of the world’s top chess players, mastered the game and embraced the Christian faith in the process ON THE COVER: Illustration by Krieg Barrie

Give the gift of clarity: wng.org/giftofclarity What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose.

COME STUDY for the church

MBTS.EDU/WORLD What Jesus purchased is precious. We’ve made it our purpose.

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MBTS.EDU/WORLD Notes from the CEO “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and those who dwell therein.” —Psalm 24:1

From my nonscientific survey, it seems all the mainstream news and Chief Content Officer Nick Eicher R ­educational organizations dabble in “kids’ news.” But two of them—CNN Editor in Chief Marvin Olasky Senior Editor Mindy Belz and NBC—seem more intentional about it and appear to be putting substantial resources behind the effort. Editor Timothy Lamer CNN10, the network’s daily show aimed at students, is not quite as bad as you National Editor Jamie Dean might expect. It seems that the producers are not force-feeding their worldview to Managing Editor Daniel James Devine Art Director David K. Freeland viewers. Instead, they prefer a splash of secularism here, a pinch of progressivism Associate Art Director Robert L. Patete Reporters Emily Belz, Charissa Koh, there. What’s most subversive is what the program leaves out: any evidence of Sophia Lee, Harvest Prude God’s work in the affairs of the world. East Asia Bureau June Cheng, Angela Lu Fulton Story Coach Susan Olasky NBC News Learn, the “educational arm of NBC News,” according to its Senior Writers Janie B. Cheaney, Andrée Seu ­website, is much worse. NBC serves up a worldview stew laden with poisonous Peterson, Lynn Vincent Correspondents Sandy Barwick, Megan Basham, adult agendas diced into smaller chunks for kids. Their story selection and age- Julie Borg, Bob Brown, John Dawson, Juliana Chan Erikson, inappropriate subject matter reveals an appalling agenda. I found these headlines Katie Gaultney, Charles Horton, (accompanied by video stories on the website) when I filtered stories for sixth Mary Jackson, Sharla Megilligan, Jill Nelson, Arsenio Orteza, Jenny through ninth graders: Lind Schmitt, Andrew Shaughnessy, Laura Singleton, Russell St. John, • “What It’s Like to Undergo Gender Transition in College” Marty VanDriel, Jae Wasson Mailbag Editor Les Sillars • “Teen Who Defied Parents … Testifies Before Congress” Editorial Assistants Kristin Chapman, Amy Derrick, Mary Ruth Murdoch • “LGBT Community Worries About What Will Happen During a Trump Graphic Designer Rachel Beatty Presidency” Illustrator Krieg Barrie Digital Production Assistants Arla J. Eicher, Dan Perkins Admittedly, I cherry-picked those headlines to demonstrate the absurdity of grown-ups who want to impose their obsessions­ upon Website wng.org the young. But there are many more stories­ like these, and even Executive Editor Mickey McLean Managing Editor Lynde Langdon the less egregious ones contain­ overt cultural “lessons.” Assistant Editor Rachel Lynn Aldrich God’s World News, the division of WORLD that focuses Reporter Onize Ohikere Correspondents Kiley Crossland, Anne Walters on fulfilling our mission with school-aged children, wants to Custer, Laura Edghill, Samantha Gobba, Julia A. Seymour, Steve fill the void of video news from a Biblical perspective. We’re West, Kyle Ziemnick working toward rolling out a daily video news program for Editorial Assistant Whitney Williams students at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.

For our small staff, this is an ambitious project. The effort Website wng.org/radio will be worthwhile if the program allows us to inform, educate, Executive Producer/Cohost Nick Eicher Managing Editor J.C. Derrick and inspire more students than ever with the wonder and News Editor Leigh Jones ­possibility of God’s fascinating world, and his daily work in it. Features Editor Paul Butler Dialogue Editor/Cohost Mary Reichard Reporters Kent Covington, Anna Johansen, Sarah Schweinsberg Correspondents Maria Baer, Myrna Brown, Laura Finch, George Grant, Kim Henderson, Trillia Newbell, Cal Thomas, Emily Whitten Producers Johnny Franklin, Carl Peetz (technical), Kristen Flavin (field) Kevin Martin Listening In Warren Cole Smith, Rich Roszel [email protected]

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Martin Founder Joel Belz Development Pierson Gerritsen, Debra Meissner, Andrew Belz, Sandy Barwick HOW TO CONTACT US Administration Kerrie Edwards To become a WORLD Member, give a gift membership, change address, access other Marketing Jonathan Woods Advertising Partnerships John Almaguer, Kyle Crimi, ­member account information, or for back issues and permission … Kelsey Sanders Email [email protected] Member Services Amanda Beddingfield Online wng.org/account (Members) or members.wng.org (to become a Member) KIDS’ AND TEENS’ PUBLICATIONS Website wng.org/children Phone 828.435.2981 within the U.S. or 800.951.6397 outside the U.S. Publisher Howard Brinkman Monday–Friday (except holidays), 9 a.m.–7 p.m. ET Editor Rich Bishop Write WORLD, PO Box 20002, Asheville,­ NC 28802-9998 world journalism institute Website worldji.com Back issues, reprints, and permissions 828.435.2981 or [email protected] Dean Marvin Olasky  Follow us on Twitter @WORLD_mag Associate Dean Edward Lee Pitts  Follow us on Facebook @WORLD.Magazine BOARD of directors John Weiss (chairman), William Newton (vice chairman), WORLD occasionally rents subscriber names to carefully­ screened, like-minded organizations. If you would prefer Mariam Bell, Kevin Cusack, Peter Lillback, Howard Miller, not to receive these promotions, please call customer service and ask to be placed on our DO NOT RENT list. R. Albert Mohler Jr., Russell B. Pulliam, David Skeel, David Strassner, Ladeine Thompson, Raymon Thompson MISSION STATEMENT WORLD (ISSN 0888-157X) (USPS 763-010) is Published biweekly (24 issues) for $69.95 per year by God’s World Publications, Biblically objective journalism that informs, (no mail) 12 All Souls Crescent, Asheville, NC 28803; 828.253.8063. Periodical postage paid at Asheville, NC, and additional mailing educates, and inspires ­offices. ­Printed in the USA. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. © 2019 WORLD News Group. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WORLD, PO Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802-9998. MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS VOICES Joel Belz

religious liberty clause, is very deliberate—and that fussing with the tax code on that front is dangerous business. “Every other American law —whether a federal statute, state constitutional provision, state law or university regulation—is subordinate to and subject to review under the Bill of Rights.” That doesn’t mean every constitutional Liberty at risk right is absolute. It is time, French asserts, to be careful. A TIMELY DEBATE BRINGS A SOBERING Altogether unlikely and unnecessary, says CONCLUSION Marci Hamilton in her side of the WSJ debate. She is a professor at the University Whenever, in recent times, the conversa- of Pennsylvania and CEO of Child R tion among us evangelicals has turned to USA. And she says bluntly, “Too the so-called LGBTQ community, two themes much harm is done in the name of surface frequently. religious liberty.” She cites cases “Can you believe,” folks ask repeatedly, “how like the Amish communities where fast all this has happened?” she says children’s education is And second: “So where is the LGBTQ badly damaged by their parents’ ­movement moving next? I can’t see any more claim of religious liberty; or like taboos for them to cross.” the North American Indians who Both are thoughtful and legitimate questions. sought the “religious right” to use But too much focus on the past may have a nerve damaging drugs in their ­tendency to obscure what lies ahead. We are tribal worship services. what we are; we are what we have become—as But Hamilton weakens her repugnant as that reality might be. What are case by citing small and relatively we going to do about it? impotent groups. Yes, their rights All that’s why I was especially intrigued too are important—and they may with a major editorial feature in the July 27 carry some limited precedent. But Wall Street Journal highlighting the likely We are what no one should pretend the cases are similar to impact of LGBTQ advances on future national some bold effort to negate the tax advantages policies. The question WSJ editors boldly pose we are; we of thousands of organizations and millions of is whether those advances haven’t just put the are what citizens—just because some folks choose not to homosexual community into the American we have participate in practices they consider to be mainstream, but may have put American out-of-bounds. ­religious liberty for others in peril. become—as Hamilton tries to calm the fears of those Yes indeed, that peril is real, says David repugnant as who buy French’s warnings. But she spends a French, a senior writer for National Review and that reality little too much space arguing that even if those a columnist for Time. But it’s not because there warnings come true, things won’t be so bad. She may be still other groups out there seeking to might be. scoffs at the Religious Freedom Restoration Act be recognized as legitimate components of What are we of 1993, passed easily back then by Congress society. It’s more because some of those newly going to do and signed by Bill Clinton, but later neutered by enfranchised components of society are so the Supreme Court. And perhaps she tells you determined now to make life tough for those about it? more than you want to know just by reading the who have opposed them. Specifically, the pattern title of her book, God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of is to remove tax-exempt status from their Extreme Religious Liberty. opponents. Any school, orphanage, publication, All of which, I think, validates French’s student group—or even a church—might lose arguments—and suggests we ought to listen to its tax-exempt status if it doesn’t endorse full his warning: “Religious Americans are the canary homosexual rights. Such entities might be in the coal mine of the First Amendment; they left free to operate with their own moral are right to think their freedom is under fire.” preferences—but they’ll no longer enjoy the No cause for panic. Just time, if The Wall benefits of tax exemption. Street Journal is concerned about religious French argues that the Constitution’s early ­liberty, for maybe the rest of us to be a bit more

KRIEG BARRIE KRIEG placement of the Bill of Rights, including the thoughtful. A

 [email protected] August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 5

DISPATCHES News Analysis / Human Race / Quotables / Quick Takes

Makeshift memorial in El Paso

News Analysis during the filming, and he wasn’t able to show it as much as planned. It didn’t matter. Spielberg realized Troubled waters it was far scarier to portray crowds of beachgoers enjoying a sunny day at BACK-TO-BACK MASS SHOOTINGS IN EL PASO, the water with no idea a predator was TEXAS, AND DAYTON, OHIO, BRING A TRAGIC circling nearby: “It’s what we don’t see CONCLUSION TO A LONG SUMMER by Jamie Dean which is truly frightening.” On Aug. 3, a sunny Saturday in El Paso turned truly terrifying for a End-of-summer television this Other channels aired Jaws, the crowd of shoppers at a local Walmart, R year included an annual ritual 1975 movie about a shark roaming the when a different kind of predator that seems counterintuitive for anyone waters near a New England beach breezed through the store’s auto- still trying to enjoy the ocean: town. Director Steven Spielberg said matic doors toting an AK-47-style

MARK RALSTON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES MARK RALSTON/AFP/GETTY Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. the mechanical shark malfunctioned rifle.

Manage your membership: wng.org/membership August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 7 DISPATCHES News Analysis

The gunman killed 22 people and injured more than two dozen others. The dead included Jordan and Andre Anchondo, a young couple who died shielding their infant son from the attack. The baby survived. So did the gunman. Patrick Crusius, 21, sur- rendered to police, and he later told them he was ­targeting Mexicans. He also apparently posted a screed online hours before the rampage, decrying what he called the “inva- sion” of immigrants at the U.S. ­border. The manifesto appeared on 8chan, a web- site infamous for attracting white supremacists. Hours later, more gun- fire: Connor Betts, 24, opened fire in a historic district in Mourners pause Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people, outside Ned Peppers Bar in Dayton (above); including his sister. Police stopped the Walmart employees in attack in less than 30 seconds, shooting El Paso react to the and killing the gunman outside a shooting. crowded bar. After the bullets flew, so did the accusations: Some critics blamed After a falling-out President Donald Trump for the El with a new owner, Paso attack, citing his use of words like he eventually cut ties invasion to describe migrants heading with the company.

toward the U.S. border. He now says the DAYTON: JOHN MINCHILLO/AP • EL PASO: MARK LAMBIE/THE EL PASO TIMES VIA AP Others pointed out that the Dayton extremist site should gunman may have supported Sen. be shut down. An Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on internet cloud ser- Twitter—and no one is blaming the vice that provided Democratic presidential candidate for support to 8chan the Ohio shooter’s attack. announced it cut off Still, a wise use of words is a con- larly important for public leaders its services for the site after the El Paso stant Biblical theme. While the New reaching wide audiences. (Please see attack. The current 8chan operators Testament book of James doesn’t talk Marvin Olasky’s website-only column said they were working hard to find much about blame, it does talk about at wng.org/shootings.) another home. blaze. James writes of the tongue: One person apparently absorbing Meanwhile, Brennan told Wired “How great a forest is set ablaze by this lesson: the original creator of the magazine he has found a new kind of such a small fire!” 8chan website that hosted the El Paso home: a Baptist church in the There are reasonable ways to talk shooter’s manifesto. Fredrick Brennan, Philippines, where he now lives. After about reasonable concerns over immi- 25, started the site in 2013. he left 8chan, he grew deeply gration, gun control, and other issues. Brennan once wrote favorably of depressed, but made connections at a But it’s best to avoid throwing flames, eugenics, and says he developed the local church, where he also met his because we don’t know the flammabil- views because of a painful medical con- wife. He says he finds comfort in

ity of those around us. That’s particu- dition that left him disabled at birth. Christianity.

8 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 The details of his religious beliefs are BY THE NUMBERS unclear, but Brennan’s Twitter account now contains a reference to Ephesians 6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic ­powers over this present darkness.” Darkness extended to other corners of the world, as videos surfaced of police in Hong Kong openly beating demon- strators on a subway escalator. The footage came as massive street protests The survival rate for Ebola patients treated with two new experimental drugs. continued in the city and pro-democ- The usual Ebola survival rate is around 50 percent. racy demonstrators pushed back against 90% encroachment from mainland China. Back in the United States, some affluent parents fearing the encroach- ment of government regulations appar- ently devised a startling way to pay less $1.23 trillion for a college education for their chil- The projected borrowing by the federal government in 2019, more than dren: They gave up custody of them. double the government debt in 2017. A ProPublica investigation reported dozens of parents in affluent Chicago suburbs had transferred legal guardian- ship of their teenage children to other family members or friends so that the children would qualify for need-based financial aid. Some Democratic presidential can- didates propose free college for all, and many of them flocked to the Midwest in early August for a rite of passage in the party’s contest: the Iowa State Fair. The number of judges President Donald Trump has appointed to federal courts, Candidates flipped the obligatory nearly 17 percent of the federal judiciary. pork chops and made happy pilgrim- 146 ages to the famous carved butter cow, but some managed to keep it serious. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ate his corn dog with gravity, and mystic guru Marianne Williamson explained to an Atlantic reporter why she doesn’t talk much about policy specifics: “The part 760,000The number of illegal immigrants U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended of the brain that rationally analyzes an at the southern U.S. border from October 2018 to July 2019. issue is not the part of the brain that decides who to vote for.” Rationality may overtake lower tier candidates like Williamson by the end of August: That’s the deadline for ­candidates to meet polling and other criteria set by the Democratic National Committee to appear in the next round of televised debates. Several hopefuls may not survive that particular shark week of sorts— making more room for a focused battle The share of U.S. millennials in a July YouGov poll who reported between the bigger fish in the sea.A 27%having no close friends.

 [email protected]  @deanworldmag August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 9 This is a ministry DISPATCHES Human Race that is trying to actually do some good out there along with other factors, negligent practices have for the Lord when it like education, household allowed hundreds of sex income, and health. abuse cases. The suit was comes to health care. Cuccinelli said the rule will filed by three law firms for not change humanitarian- a group called Abused in — Cameron & Roanna, based immigration pro- Scouting. Lawyers say they members since 2017 grams. But it will affect have identified 350 sexual about 400,000 people a predators who volunteered year who already live in with the BSA. S.D. himself the United States and want alleged a scout leader to become permanent assaulted him “hundreds” residents. of times back in the 1970s. The suit accuses BSA of Died covering up and not prop- Toni Morrison, Nobel erly documenting instances Prize–winning author, died of abuse. Boy Scout officials on Aug. 5 at age 88. in a statement apologized Announced alleged crimes: “This case Born in Ohio in and said they have U.S. Attorney General will continue on against 1931 to an updated their report- William Barr, the French anyone who was complicit African ing system and have government, and Jeffrey with Epstein. Any co-­ American begun an investiga- Epstein’s accusers want conspirators should not family, she tion into the cases answers as to how the rest easy.” French officials showed an brought to their ­billionaire was able to kill also demanded an investi- early love for attention by the himself in his cell at the gation into Epstein’s death literature. lawsuit. Metropolitan Correctional but did not confirm Morrison earned Center in New York. whether they had planned her master’s degree in Blocked Autopsy results could put to charge Epstein, who had English from Cornell A federal judge blocked PAPER: RICHARD B. LEVINE/NEWSCOM • CUCCINELLI: EVAN VUCCI/AP • MORRISON: PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/GETTYIMAGES to rest internet conspiracy a residence in Paris. University and became a three pro-life measures in theories that Epstein’s teacher at Howard Arkansas. The measures wealthy associates orches- Reduced University. She took a job include a ban on abortions trated his death to keep The Trump administration as editor for Random after 18 weeks, a require- him from revealing their finalized new “public House in 1965 and would ment that abortion provid- secrets. Officials said charge” rules that will work there for 18 years ers be certified in obstetrics Epstein, 66, hanged him- reduce legal immigration while publishing her own and gynecology, and a ban self. Officials have ques- to the United States. Ken books, songs, and essays. on any abortion instigated tioned why the jail took Cuccinelli, acting director Morrison wrote 11 novels, because of a diagnosis of him off suicide watch of U.S. Citizenship and dealing primarily with the Down syndrome. The despite evidence he had Immigration Services, lives of African American American Civil Liberties tried to take his life a previ- said the policy women and the effects Union and Planned A Biblical solution to health care ous time. Prosecutors had encourages of racism on the vul- Parenthood filed a lawsuit charged Epstein with sexu- self-reliance nerable. She won against Arkansas Attorney ally abusing and trafficking and self-­ the Nobel Prize for General Leslie Rutledge, For the last twenty-five years, Monthly costs underage girls. Anonymous sufficiency. literature in 1993. claiming the state’s new sources said the guards “Our rule Morrison also had measures are all unconsti- Samaritan Ministries members Ranges based on age, house- assigned to Epstein worked generally pre- a distinguished tutional. District Judge hold size, and membership extreme overtime shifts vents aliens career as an aca- Kristine Baker agreed and have been sharing medical level and did not check on him who are likely to demic and received the blocked the laws from for hours before he was become a public charge Presidential Medal of going into effect during costs while praying for and found dead. Barr from coming to the United Freedom in 2012. ­litigation. She wrote that Individuals $100–$227 announced a pair of federal States or remaining here the abortion advocates encouraging one another — inquiries by the FBI and the and getting a green card,” Sued were likely to win their 2 Person $200–$454 Justice Department’s he said. The rule change A plaintiff, identified only case entirely in the end. all without health insurance. inspector general and said requires the government to as S.D., has filed a lawsuit Rutledge has appealed to 3+ People $250–$555 the department would con- consider an immigrant’s against the Boy Scouts of the 8th Circuit for rein- Faithful. Affordable. Biblical. tinue looking into Epstein’s need for public assistance America (BSA), claiming its statement of the measures. samaritanministries.org/world (877) 578-6787 10 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Visit WORLD Digital: wng.org This is a ministry that is trying to actually do some good out there for the Lord when it comes to health care. — Cameron & Roanna, members since 2017

A Biblical solution to health care For the last twenty-five years, Monthly costs Samaritan Ministries members Ranges based on age, house- hold size, and membership have been sharing medical level costs while praying for and Individuals $100–$227 encouraging one another — 2 Person $200–$454 all without health insurance. 3+ People $250–$555 Faithful. Affordable. Biblical.

samaritanministries.org/world (877) 578-6787 DISPATCHES Quotables

‘This is not a ‘Those memory. We are still living who play this genocide until today, in with fire all its details.’ Yazidi lawmaker SAIB KHIDER will perish on the fifth anniversary of the ISIS invasion of Iraq. Even though their homelands have by it.’ been liberated, more than YANG GUANG, China’s 400,000 Yazidis continue to spokesman for its Hong live in displacement camps Kong office, in a warning and 2,900 are missing, to protesters in according to a report from 21Wilberforce. Hong Kong.

Policemen shout at protesters ‘With the rise of at the airport in Hong Kong. college tuition, it is ridiculous that university presidents ‘We will HONG KONG: VINCENT YU/AP • BARR: RICHARD DREW/AP • KHOSROWSHAHI: ISA HARSIN/SIPA/AP • M make more get to the bottom money than the of what happened, and president of the there will be accountability.’ entire country.’ U.S. Attorney General WILLIAM BARR on “serious NATALIE KIM, a student at ­irregularities” at the Metropolitan Correctional Swarthmore College, to Center in New York City where accused sex ­campusreform.org on a report that 179 university trafficker Jeffrey Epstein committed presidents make more than suicide (see p. 10). the U.S. president’s $400,000 salary. (President Trump has declined the salary.)­ Seventeen public university­ presidents make more than $1 ‘The business million. William H. McRaven of the University of Texas will eventually be ­system made $2,578,609. a break-even and profitable business.’ c

Uber CEO DARA KHOSROWSHAHI after RAVEN: ERIC GAY/AP reporting the largest-ever loss and slowest-ever revenue growth for the ride-sharing company.

12 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Give the gift of clarity: wng.org/giftofclarity

EDELMAN: HANDOUT • MISSILE LAUNCHER: TSA • CALENDAR & SWEATING: ISTOCK • ILLUSTRATION: KRIEG BARRIE has a dream. The Australian fast-food fast-food The Australian has a dream. Heat of the moment Heat Sam Edelman Sam trapped in a metal shipping container full of cocaine in the port of of cocaine full in a metal shipping container trapped apparently began to panic and fear suffocation, and they called the and they suffocation, panic and fear to began apparently and the pair quickly gave themselves up amid the 104-degree heat. up amid the 104-degree themselves and the pair quickly gave AFP news service reports that two alleged drug smugglers became smugglers drug alleged two that reports service AFP news A sweet deal A sweet police to ask for help. It took officers two hours to find the container, container, to find the two hours officers It took help. ask for to police Antwerp on July 24—the hottest day ever recorded in Belgium. They They in Belgium. recorded ever day hottest on July 24—the Antwerp Rarely have criminals been so pleased to be found by authorities. The authorities. by be found to pleased so criminals been have Rarely In the future, Halloween may only fall on Oct. 31 if that date is a date on Oct. 31 if that only fall may Halloween In the future, Saturday. Officials with Snickers are proposing to change the to change proposing are Officials with Snickers Saturday. official day of Halloween to the final Saturday of October. The October. of Saturday to the final day of Halloween ­official brand’s Twitter account announced the proposal on July 26 and invited on July 26 and invited the proposal announced account Twitter brand’s The star treatment The star owner franchise KFC Michelin Guide to review restaurant has petitioned the fancy ­restaurateur about time it “It’s Michelin star. his first he can earn hoping that his KFC, review He Metro.co.uk. told Edelman place,” food just a fast as not recognized got of is worthy the cooking is that Michelin stars for one criterion that notes Springs, his Alice to who come said he has customers Edelman ­taking a detour. is the most KFC “My away. than 600 miles more from restaurant Australia, me apart.” sets what that’s he said, “and in the world,” KFC remote Twitter users to sign a Change.org petition. To sweeten the offer, candy- the offer, sweeten To petition. a Change.org sign to users Twitter maker Mars said it would give away 1 million free candy bars if the federal if the federal candy bars 1 million free away give Marsmaker said it would government brings about the change despite the fact that Halloween isn’t a isn’t Halloween that the fact despite about the change brings ­government national holiday and therefore its date is not set by law. by set is not its date and therefore holiday national . anyone wearing the textiles the textiles wearing anyone by off mosquitoes can ward up a sweat. working Sweat equity Sweat the sweat you The more the smell. That’s you sweeter outlined by promise in researchers Portuguese the the journal published by American Chemical Society. In their July article, engineers of Minho the University from ways discovered have claim to to textiles modify cotton to smell when a citronella release an added As sweat. it contacts claim bonus, the researchers Quick Takes

August 31, 2019 • missile launcher in his checked luggage in his checked launcher missile and had hoped to keep it as a souvenir. After After it as a souvenir. keep and had hoped to the authorities allowed weapon, the ­confiscating charges. facing without Texas to fly home man to the shoulder-mounted missile launcher during a launcher missile the shoulder-mounted authorities After baggage. of checked screening said he owner the weapon’s him down, tracked in Kuwait while serving the missile launcher found that doesn’t mean his military status allows him to him to his military status allows mean doesn’t that a stow officials at Administration Safety Transportation Airport found International Baltimore/Washington Security alert in July military member learned U.S. duty An active airplanes first, board be able to he might while that DISPATCHES WORLD Magazine 14 ILLUSTRATION: KRIEG BARRIE • PATTERSON: OAKLAND A’S • WEST PALM BEACH: LANNIS WATERS/THE PALM BEACH POST/ZUMA WIRE • U.S. BANK: CLEVELAND POLICE DEPT. Manage your membership: wng.org/membership “Raining Tacos” isdrivinghimcrazy. continue to campthere, butthat thecontinuous loopof“Baby Shark”and events. Ahomelessmansleeping onthepatio told thenewspaper that he’ll facility, threatening to diminishthecity’s abilityto rent thebuildingoutfor homeless people hadbegun camping onthepatio ofacity-owned banquet a citypark.Cityparksdirector Leah Rockwell told loudspeakers willhelpdrive outa City officialsin West Palm Beach, Fla.,hopethat blaring children’s songs from Musical movement the thief’s nameandaddress written onit.To create thenote, therobber According to police, theteller handedhimthecashheasked for, thanked verifying thenameandaddress, police quicklyissued anarrest warrant. teller was stunnedthat when sheflipped over thenote shediscovered money July29 madeat least onekey mistake. Police say theU.S. Bank him by name,andkept thenote. After reviewing security footage and Bureau ofMotor Vehicles office that includedhisnameandaddress. A Cleveland bank robber apparently recycled aslipofpaperhehadearlier used at theOhio Testifying against himself Hardened cat love the Cuyahoga County Jail beginning Aug. 11. before ajudge whosentenced herto 10 days in An elderlycat lover inOhioisfacing a10-day jail whopassed anote to ateller demanding Her mostrecent ordered citation herto appear home. Police began issuing Segula citations. sentence after beingcharged withillegally her to police near hersuburban Cleveland feeding stray cats. NancySegula, 79, doesn’t deny shefeeds stray cats that visitheron didn’t appreciate herkindnessandreported homeless encampment I was worried aboutthem.” But herneighbors back porch. “Iused to have aneighbor that always feed themandcare for thembecause he leftthem,” Segula told WJW. “Iwould had acouple ofcats, andhemoved away, so The

Palm Beach Post that hastaken over that that can you not beromantic aboutbaseball?” Patterson quoted A’s executive BillyBeane: “How office. InanInstagram postannouncinghis signing, This brought himto theattention oftheA’s front Field, andthevideo went viral onsocial media. videotaped thepitching session at Coors brother how fast hecanmake hisfastball. Patterson’s then, Patterson saidhe’s been training justto see in arecreational league aboutayear ago. Since didn’t play baseball incollege, butstarted pitching sional contract withtheOakland A’s. Patterson high-school baseball player hadsigned aprofes mph fastball. ByAug. 1,the23-year-old former challenge andwowed workers stadium witha96 Nathan Patterson During aColorado Rockies game onJuly 15, From fan to player August 31, 2019 31, August walked into aCoors Field fan • WORLD Magazine WORLD - 15 VOICES Janie B. Cheaney

group GLAD, formerly Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, changed its name to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, in order to underscore trans inclusion. Trans became trendy, especially among the young. The rate of self-identification with the opposite gender, or no gender, has mushroomed among school-age children. According to an Valley of delusion extensive survey conducted two years ago, as REALITY MAY BE STARTING TO PUSH BACK many as 25 percent of California kids are ­questioning their biological sex. AGAINST THE TRANSGENDER CRAZE Given that teens naturally struggle with defining themselves, this is extremely It was bound to happen sooner or later. At dangerous. Permanent sterility is only R the church where I help serve dinner for one of the possible health conse- the downtown community once a month, I quences of puberty blockers, hormone meet all kinds: street people, addicts, gays, and therapy, and transition surgery, and the occasional cross-dresser. This individual there’s no evidence that psychological flaunted the figure and clothing of a teenage well-being is any better. Recent studies girl, with the facial hair and facial structure of a indicate the opposite. I predict that in man. It wasn’t just the face, though; no one 10 years, or less, we’ll see a monumental would have taken this person for anything but backlash from 20-somethings whose male, no matter the accoutrement. lives were permanently altered, or We had a pleasant conversation, but later, even ended, by this delusion. when making a request for our guest, I used the But even now, reality is beginning pronoun “he.” I was immediately corrected: For the last to push back. Female athletes resent getting “She.” trounced by biological men in women’s sports “Uh, OK, sorry,” I said. An apology may not two years, events. Committed feminists resent being have been warranted, but it was automatic. GLAAD’s labeled as “terfs” (trans-exclusionary radical And that was not the time for an extended ‘Accelerating feminists) when they ask what it even means to ­conversation on gender confusion. be a woman. For the last two years, GLAAD’s A small exchange, but it indicates the Acceptance’ “Accelerating Acceptance” report has shown ­direction we’re headed. How far we can travel in report has declining acceptance, especially among young that direction is not so indicative. After reading shown people who are usually the first to hop aboard a about it for the last several years, and talking civil rights bandwagon. In every demographic, with the one transgendered person I know by declining young men and women reported discomfort with name, I’ve come to some conclusions about the acceptance, learning a family member was LGBT, or having social phenomenon known as transgenderism. especially such a person as their child’s teacher or family My understanding is that a small fraction of doctor, or sitting beside an LGBT individual at the population, less than 1 percent, suffers from among young church. In some demographics, the acceptance genuine confusion about their sexual identity— people. level dropped almost 50 percent in a year’s time. the brain, somehow, disagrees with the body Andrew Sullivan, a gay activist with some about whether one is male or female. This conservative leanings, believes the trans com- ­confusion, formerly classified as a “disorder,” munity’s high-handedness has alienated middle appears to be a legitimate psychological America. He’s for dropping the T altogether, ­problem that might, at least in some cases, be because the interests of Ts and LGs conflict in successfully treated. significant ways, and he fears trans activism will

But in 2013 the Netflix seriesOrange Is the wipe out the progress gays and lesbians have ANGELA WEISS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES New Black made a star out of Laverne Cox, the made. first openly transgender person to appear as a The pushback may signal a return to sanity, or series regular. Beginning in 2015, Bruce/Caitlyn a reaction against the efforts of activists to herd Jenner made a very public transition overwhelm- an entire culture into this uncharted territory. ingly backed by the media (Wikipedia no longer It could get ugly. Our challenge and calling is to has an entry for “Bruce Jenner”). “Trans,” once see the herd as sheep without a shepherd, and the junior “T” of the LBGT acronym, became worthy of our compassion as God’s anxious and the new civil-rights frontier. The advocacy confused image-bearers. A

16 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019  [email protected]  @jbcheaney

CULTURE Movies & TV / Books / Children’s Books / Q&A / Music

Movie year-old Zak has Down syndrome and chafes at the strict rules of the elder care facility in which the state has Friends in flight placed him. Even though his caretaker, Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), is as under- THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON REMINDS US THAT standing and affectionate with him as EVERY PERSON REFLECTS THE CREATOR’S GLORY she is with all her charges, he’s not an by Megan Basham old man. He has a whole life to live, and he wants the freedom to choose how to live it. Namely, he wants to be a As long as there are highways who set off on a winding odyssey along professional wrestler. He escapes out R and byways to traverse, it’s hard the back roads of the coastal Southeast. of a window to make his way to the to imagine audiences will ever grow Jawing, cavorting, and fleeing from wrestling school of his idol, the myste- tired of a good old-fashioned road story. trouble, they sail through scenic deltas rious Salt Water Redneck. Provided, that is, that we’re traveling and trek across barrier islands where From there he crosses paths with in good company. With the new PG-13 they meet a host of quirky locals— Tyler (Shia LaBeouf ), a troubled indie The Peanut Butter Falcon, we some allies, some enemies. young drifter who’s fallen afoul of a unquestionably are. Each young crew of violent fishermen. If all this Leaning in to the Mark Twain com- man is running sounds like it has the makings of a Zack Gottsagen parisons it will inevitably draw, the film from something. (left) and Shia treacly Hallmark melodrama, don’t

SETH JOHNSON/ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS AND ARMORY FILMS AND ARMORY ATTRACTIONS SETH JOHNSON/ROADSIDE tells the story of two unlikely friends Twenty-two- LaBeouf worry. The unsentimental script

 [email protected]  @megbasham August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 19 CULTURE Movies & TV

doesn’t talk down to the filmmakers trust us to cast or to us. Plus, it’s too understand why Tyler funny for that. A blind man needs to be a kind of who insists on baptizing brother to Zak—why he the pair before he’ll help needs this chance to prove them does seem to miss to himself that he can be a some finer points of theol- good guy—without spelling ogy, but as anyone who’s it out with a big, weepy lived in the Deep South can meltdown. attest, the scene isn’t We get an equally lay- exactly caricature. ered character with Zak. The movie includes Full of his own contradic- some rough language, par- tions and doubts, he isn’t Movie ticularly from Tyler. But it just there to provide les- doesn’t feel gratuitous, since sons to Tyler and Eleanor The Farewell his language does at least on how to be a better per- tell us something about the son. He has his own grow- “Based on an actual her grandmother? Billi’s lie” is the opening parents worry her emo- character’s background and ing to do, and actor Zack R tagline to director Lulu tions will get the better harsh life that differentiates Gottsagen crafts a leading Wang’s second feature of her and she’ll reveal him from Zak and Eleanor, man who is alternately inse- film,The Farewell. The the secret to Nai Nai. who don’t speak as he does. cure, hilarious, and gutsy. PG-rated movie tells the Traveling from Japan We know he’s grown up in We live in a culture story of a Chinese family and America, the family poverty and has to fend for that too often treats the dealing with the impend- gathers in Nai Nai’s apart- himself. We know he’s suf- most glorious creation in ing death of its beloved ment in China. Director fered loss and done things the universe—a­ human matriarch by not telling Wang masterfully shows he’s ashamed of. We know being—as disposable. The her she is dying. the love and respect the he still doesn’t make the Peanut Butter Falcon Billi (played by family has for this little wisest choices, yet his reminds us that whatever Awkwafina) moved from dynamo of a lady who ­dirtiness and crudity don’t our backgrounds or chal- China to New York with speaks frankly and make him less valuable as a lenges, we all shine with her parents at a young teaches lessons with person. And neither does God’s beauty. A age, but maintained good humor and cheer to Zak’s extra chromosome. strong bonds with her all who will listen. Despite grandmother, or Nai their worry over Billi, it is (Parents should be aware Nai. Now Nai Nai has brothers Haiyan and that Zak initially goes on BOX OFFICE TOP 10 stage IV cancer, but Haibin who struggle most the lam in his underwear, FOR THE WEEKEND OF AUG. 9-11 is oblivious to it: not to break down in according to Box Office Mojo although this aspect is Billi’s dad Haiyan and front of their mother. played for comedy.) CAUTIONS: Quantity of sexual (S), ­violent (V), uncle Haibin choose Cultures clash in The The Peanut Butter and foul-language (L) ­content on a 0-10 scale, to withhold the Farewell. Billi has grown Falcon is a quiet film at with 10 high, from kids-in-mind.com ­diagnosis from their up in America, and her times, yet thanks to gor- S V L mom in hopes of values and ideas are `1 ­ geous cinematography and Fast & Furious Presents: letting her die free ­different from those of Hobb & Shaw PG-13...... 3 6 5 incredible performances of anxiety. They her Chinese family. Her `2 Scary Stories to Tell from the two lead actors, in the Dark PG-13...... 2 6 5 orchestrate an parents are unapologetic it’s never boring. `3 The Lion King* PG...... 1 3 1 ­elaborate ruse in about their move to LaBeouf’s reputation for `4 Dora and the Lost City which the family will America for what they off-screen antics can some- of Gold PG...... 2 3 1 gather in China to hoped would be a better `5 times overshadow how Once Upon a Time in celebrate a hastily life, but they seem to live Hollywood R...... 4 7 10 planned wedding, with a foot in each culture. ­talented he is. As with his `6 The Art of Racing giving them all an The family members are similar role in Fury, he in the Rain* PG...... 3 4 1 opportunity to bid thoroughly Eastern in `7 The Kitchen R...... 5 7 10 breaks our heart for Tyler farewell to Nai Nai. religious outlook. How `8 Spider-Man: with a few restrained Billi can’t believe they deal with lies, death, Far From Home* PG-13. . . . . 3 5 4 expressions and gestures. it. How could it be and the afterlife could `9 Toy Story 4* G...... 1 3 1 CASI MOSS/A24 These whispers of loneli- `10 Bring the Soul: right—or even prompt worthwhile dis- ness and self-loathing are The Movie Unrated...... not rated legal—to keep this cussions among viewers. all the more affecting for *Reviewed by WORLD crucial report from —by MARTY VANDRIEL their subtlety. He and the

20 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Movie The Art of Racing

in the Rain Documentary Judging by the and Eve’s wedding, and R ­preponderance of pontificates: paw-print bumper stickers, “If a driver has the The Family furry lives matter more courage to create his own The new Netflix ently not enough, the than ever. Hollywood has conditions, then the rain documentary series, show implies that always made animal mov- [the film’s metaphor for R The Family, could have Fellowship members ies, but no major release adversity] is simply rain.” been an insightful explo- marshaling support for is as self-serious about a Fine. But absurdity ration of the poisoning traditional marriage and canine’s “humanity” as reigns. For example, Enzo effects of secrecy and the sanctity of life is The Art of Racing in the believes the daughter’s political power on faith. uniquely treacherous. Rain. Conceptually, stuffed zebra is demon- Instead, it contributes to This is all frustrating whether or not commer- possessed. Is this the divisive age we live in because the series had cially, the new film is one repeated hallucination by turning common ample provocation to giant leap for dogkind. played for laughs? Nope. In ­failings into Da Vinci explore far more worth- The film presents A Dog’s Purpose, at least Code–style conspiracies while territory. itself as a traditional the human characters and subtly suggesting When a Russian ­family drama. Race car learn something about evangelicalism itself is a Christian sets aside the driver Denny Swift (Milo themselves. The Art of threat to the nation. totality of the New Ventimiglia) hopes to Racing in the Rain is all The “family” in this Testament to parrot the compete on the Formula about a dog’s self-discov- series is the Fellowship, a Fellowship ideal of court- One circuit. He falls in ery. Enzo watches and press-shy group that min- ing the powerful because love and gets married, reflects, preparing to be isters to government lead- of a single verse in Acts, and he and his wife Eve reincarnated as a person. ers. The biggest downfall we cringe from the (Amanda Seyfried) have a “Not all dogs return as of the series is that, a few Biblical illiteracy. daughter. Then tragedy men,” Enzo says. “Only brief interludes excepted, The filmmakers rightly strikes, followed­ by a far- those who are ready. I it relies almost entirely on look askance at a positive- fetched legal turn of am ready.” the testimony of a single events that sends the Can you guess the man: author Jeff Sharlet. second half of the film on ending? This would be problem- a whole new arc. The PG rating fails to atic even if Sharlet hadn’t All the while, Enzo note brief sexuality and built his career by sug- (voiced by Kevin Costner), two misuses of God’s gesting the philandering Denny’s golden retriever, name. On a positive note, pols of C Street represent narrates every detail. the film calls pregnancy a wider Cosa Nostra of Enzo laments his inability “amazing … a baby being Christianity. The series to talk (to the Swifts), assembled.” The three provides adequate proof and copes as newcomers other audience members that the Fellowship is monopolize his beloved at the showing I attended committed to, if not Denny’s time. (Still, I seemed riveted, shedding Sharlet secrecy, at least flying counted six occasions happy tears. It’s also sad, under the radar, but it when Denny smooches though, when people reads sinister motives thinking, prosperity his pooch’s head.) Enzo ­forget their pets’ place. into the group’s behavior Christianity and the idea bears the rings at Denny —by BOB BROWN to such a degree it that any believer should becomes laughable. have a rock-solid certainty Anyone who grew up he’s called to great leader- going to church in the ship. But then it commits 1980s and 1990s has the equal error of calling heard common phrases for evangelicals to prove like “Jesus plus nothing” their principles with or expressions of waiting political resistance in this on God for direction. present era. It misses These are not evangelical that both the resister and code language for secret conspirator may sin if plots. And because their foremost concern is pedestrian sins like greed with political power at all. and adultery are appar- —by MEGAN BASHAM ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN: DOANE GREGORY/20TH CENTURY FOX • THE FAMILY: NETFLIX • THE FAMILY: FOX CENTURY GREGORY/20TH DOANE IN THE RAIN: OF RACING ART

See all our movie reviews at wng.org/movies August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 21 CULTURE Books

turns the spotlight not on what the poor can do but on how the rich “oppress, Board game lessons marginalize, alienate, or create or FREEBIES VERSUS VIRTUE IN CIVIL SOCIETY enhance privilege and power.” by Marvin Olasky Husock shows how Robert Hunter’s Poverty (1904, republished by Franklin Classics, 2018), America’s first great Last summer I praised Richard goes unmentioned. Some losing­ statistical overview of the R Scarry’s children’s books for tendencies, alas, gain rein- poor, emphasized values. He showing how everyone in Busytown— forcement: Get $80,000 by praised those among the Stitches the Tailor, Farmer Alfalfa, winning at the races, $100,000 impoverished “who are up Blacksmith Fox, and others—could by winning one sweepstakes, before dawn … kiss wives and work and contribute. That contrasted and $150,000 by winning children, and hurry away to with the chance-emphasizing Candy another. Players can spend a work or to seek work. The Land game. weekend in Las Vegas and world rests upon their This summer my entering-­ ­collect $50,000. How often ­shoulders, it moves by their kindergarten granddaughter does that happen? ­muscle.” They differed from ­graduated to The Game of Those life lessons con- paupers “who have lost all Life. Created in 1960, it has a trast with the central message self-respect and ambition, who rarely, lot going for it. Everyone gets of Howard Husock’s Who if ever, work, who are aimless and married. Most have children, Killed Civil Society? The drifting, who like drink, who have no represented as blue or pink Rise of Big Government and thoughts for their children.” pegs. Players also learn that Decline of Bourgeois Norms That all changed when the it’s good to buy auto and fire (Encounter, 2019). Husock ­emphasis of poverty-fighters became insurance. shows how poverty-fighters a the provision of services rather than Some advice seems century ago promoted an the promotion of “constructive norms ­outmoded. It’s rewarding for American three-self doctrine: for personal behavior,” which are “the everyone to go to college, since self-respect, self-control, self-govern- ethical soil in which individuals and ­graduates get $6,000-$20,000 each ment. He compares that emphasis on their communities can thrive.” But he payday, while those without college honesty, trustworthiness, and truth doesn’t explain the Biblical origin of get a maximum of $5,000. College debt with a 2012 social work textbook that those norms.

BOOKMARKS rungs labeled Skepticism, Humanity, Theodore Dalrymple’s False Positive: A Year Individuality, and Tolerance. But of Error, Omission, and Political Correctness Gopnik’s skepticism disappears when in the New England Journal of Medicine he genuflects before his first “foun- (Encounter, 2019) carefully shows what its dational document” of modern subtitle promises, and lets us see that presti- ­liberalism, Charles Darwin’s On the gious publications often err. Origin of Species. Shelf Life (British Library Publishing, 2018), edited by Gopnik quotes from one of the signs with rainbow- Alex Johnson, includes essays about books and reading hued block letters: SCIENCE IS REAL. LOVE IS LOVE. by Theodore Roosevelt, philosophers Francis Bacon and KINDNESS IS EVERYTHING. But he doesn’t deal with the Arthur Schopenhauer, British Prime Minister William leading indictment of current American liberalism: 60 Gladstone, and others. Cultural Engagement million aborted babies since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. (Zondervan, 2019), edited by Joshua Chatraw and Karen How is treating human beings as trash scientific? How is Swallow Prior, includes 50 essays that can engage college it loving? How is it kind? students on issues of sex and gender, human life and Some academics will like Cecelia Watson’s Semicolon immigration, work and politics, art and war, and more. (HarperCollins, 2019), which praises “the uncertainty New Yorker writer Adam Gopnick’s A Thousand Small that a semicolon permits.” Let’s act toward this generally Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism (Basic, avoidable punctuation mark the way Lyndon Johnson 2019) is a good book for understanding the strengths and spoke about economic advisers who told him on the one weaknesses of liberalism. The ideology seems strong hand this, on the other hand that. Johnson’s plea: Get me when we perch high on the ladder of abstraction, on a one-armed economist. —M.O.

22 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Books for parents reviewed by Mary Jackson

LABOR WITH HOPE Gloria Furman with AFTERWORD Jesse Scheumann The publication of Rachael The list of things expectant mothers need to welcome a child keeps Denhollander’s What Is a getting longer, but this book prepares women for the spiritual Girl Worth? (Tyndale) is implications of birthing new life. Its short chapters contain rich Sept. 10. It tells her story: Scriptural insight and meditations on pregnancy, labor, and The determined and idealis- ­motherhood. Furman interweaves gospel themes with birth pain, tic homeschooled gymnast fertility, miscarriage, and adoption, helping women connect their suffered sexual abuse at the experiences with eternal realities and see how their work fits hands of Larry Nassar, the into the Biblical narrative. She offers hope: “All our groaning will end when we finally see what we’ve been hoping for … the former USA Gymnastics ­consummation of God’s promised restoration bursts forth in full.” team doctor who molested hundreds of young athletes. Denhollander, the first THE HOUSEHOLD AND THE WAR FOR victim to accuse Nassar THE COSMOS C.R. Wiley publicly, has become an It’s easy to see how the household as a foundational institution is advocate for others who crumbling, and Wiley puts forth a robust macro-level vision for why have experienced sexual it’s worth saving. He dissects words—their origins, implications, and abuse. This book gives context within history and Scripture—like piety, duty, cosmos, and ­readers a fuller picture of household. Put together, a picture emerges of the family not as a her struggles and doubts, personal lifestyle choice, but as a microcosm with interconnected duties and dependencies intended to reflect how the Church—the and the rawness of her household of God—operates. This book has encouragement for pain, confusion, and fears. fathers, for family enterprise, and for weary, modern parents in Denhollander’s experience need of restored vision. shows the difficulty victims face in coming forward and PARENTING WITH LOVING CORRECTION why their voices are often Sam Crabtree ignored or snuffed, even in the Church. Crabtree begins this short book with the premise that children are natural-born sinners shaped by their parents’ correction. He defines correction as identifying a problematic attitude or action, then promptly moving the child toward compliance. As any parent knows, that is easier said than done. The book explains the importance of discipline and how Christian parents should go about teaching their children obedience. It addresses some age-specific behaviors, but will be most helpful to parents with young children. In a time when parental correction is undermined, Crabtree offers much-needed Biblically based tools and admonishments.

HERE, NOW: UNEARTHING PEACE AND PRESENCE Denhollander also wrote IN AN OVERCONNECTED WORLD Kate Merrick a companion children’s book, How Much Is a Little As Merrick’s daughter was losing her battle with cancer, the family Girl Worth? (Tyndale Kids, traveled to Israel for treatment. There, Merrick and her husband 2019, with illustrations by decided to go “off the grid,” cutting out social media, texting, and Morgan Huff ). It conveys to email—except for one weekly update—and opted for flip phones only operable in Israel. The couple realized “the connectivity that young girls their true, promised community only resulted in loneliness and burnout.” unchangeable value, as “cre- They found creative ways to enjoy their kids and their immediate ated and cherished by God … surroundings amid difficult circumstances. Merrick’s humor and worth everything, even His candor enhance the book’s valuable insight into the temptation Son … worth leaving heaven,

DAVID HARRISON/GENESIS PHOTOS HARRISON/GENESIS DAVID technology presents for people to disconnect from real life. worth giving His life.” —M. J.

To see more book news and reviews, go to wng.org/books August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 23 CULTURE Children’s Books Award winners 2019 NEWBERY AND CALDECOTT BOOKS reviewed by Rachel Lynn Aldrich AFTERWORD WORLD previously reviewed the 2019 Caldecott MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS Meg Medina Medal winner Hello This Newbery Medal winner centers on sixth grader Merci Suárez Lighthouse in the March 2 as she encounters changing dynamics at school, bullying, and issue, but the other middle-school boy-girl drama. But the real heart of the story Caldecott Honor books are focuses on Merci’s family. Her beloved grandfather, Lolo, is also also full of warmth and encountering changes as he ages and faces the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Merci has to learn that growing up means not always getting what you want and sacrificing your desires to support others, especially your family. Although the book moves slowly at points, it ultimately offers a satisfying, heartwarming, and bittersweet conclusion. Cautions: language. (Ages 12 & up)

THE NIGHT DIARY Veera Hiranandani In this Newbery Honor book, 12-year-old Nisha and her family must leave Pakistan for India after the British relinquish control of the country during the 1940s. Both sad and hopeful, the story wrestles with questions of war through the words and thoughts of a child. Because Nisha’s father is Hindu and her mother is color. Thank You, Omu! by Muslim, the book also tackles questions of religious differences. A historical note and discussion questions at the end make this Oge Mora (Little, Brown book a great way to study a lesser-known period of history. Books for Young Readers, Cautions: descriptions of killings that could be disturbing for 2018) tells through bright, ­sensitive children. (Ages 12 & up) collage-style illustrations YOUR FALSE IDEAS ABOUT GOD how a grandmother’s ­generosity and cooking THE BOOK OF BOY Catherine Gilbert Murdock Apologetics Student Conference skills make her new friends. The Book of Boy, a Newbery Honor winner, is a quirky, medieval Her choice to share what adventure story about a boy named Boy and a man trying to she has not only feeds ­collect the scattered relics of St. Peter in order to get into ­others but inspires them to reTHINK Apologetics will train your students how to stand strong heaven. The book’s plot assumes a medieval worldview, resulting be generous themselves. in more than a few theological missteps: Relics are essentially in their faith while living in today’s hostile culture. magical objects; people move back and forth between heaven A Big Mooncake for and hell on their own merits; and there are many strange, Little Star by Grace Lin Have you been on a college campus lately? The intellectual and Are the students in your home, church, or youth group prepared for ­supernatural incidents. But this is also what makes the book (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2018) is a moral challenges awaiting our youth are immense. According to what lies ahead? Sadly, most Christian students are ill-prepared for interesting, and it might be a good addition to a unit study on recent statistics, 1 out of every 4 college professors is a professing an aggressive secular campus and culture. It's time to step up the medieval history. Cautions: bathroom humor. (Ages 13 & up) fable inspired by the atheist or agnostic. The majority of professors view the Bible as an training of our young people. Stand to Reason will help you do just Chinese Moon Festival. The outdated book filled with myths. More than half of college that. Join us at one of our two-day reTHINK Apologetics Student ALMA AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME story explains the moon professors have unfavorable feelings toward evangelical Christians. Conferences in California, Minnesota, Texas, or Alabama. Juana Martinez-Neal phases by describing a star that eats a mooncake. This sweet Caldecott Honor book traces the family history orange county, ca Minneapolis, MN dallas, TX birmingham, AL The Rough Patch by behind a little girl’s many names. Alma Sofia Esperanza Brian Lies (Greenwillow José Pura Candela thinks her name is too long, so her

Books, 2018) is a gentle tale THANK YOU, OMU!: OGE MORA father tells her about her grandparents and great-­ grandparents for whom she is named. With each story, about what it SEPT NOV FEB APRIL Alma sees how her ancestors passed along more than just feels like to their names as she recognizes their character traits in grieve loss and ­herself. With warm, delicately colored illustrations, this find joy 27–28 8–9 28–29 24–25 lovely picture book celebrates the heritage our families through new 2019 2020 have given us. In a world that prizes autonomy and self-determination, it’s a refreshing friendships. 2019 2020 story, indeed. (Ages 4-8) —R.L.A.

24 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 To see more book news and reviews, go to wng.org/books RETHINKAPOLOGETICS.COM YOUR FALSE IDEAS ABOUT GOD Apologetics Student Conference

reTHINK Apologetics will train your students how to stand strong in their faith while living in today’s hostile culture.

Have you been on a college campus lately? The intellectual and Are the students in your home, church, or youth group prepared for moral challenges awaiting our youth are immense. According to what lies ahead? Sadly, most Christian students are ill-prepared for recent statistics, 1 out of every 4 college professors is a professing an aggressive secular campus and culture. It's time to step up the atheist or agnostic. The majority of professors view the Bible as an training of our young people. Stand to Reason will help you do just outdated book filled with myths. More than half of college that. Join us at one of our two-day reTHINK Apologetics Student professors have unfavorable feelings toward evangelical Christians. Conferences in California, Minnesota, Texas, or Alabama. orange county, ca Minneapolis, MN dallas, TX birmingham, AL

SEPT NOV FEB APRIL 27–28 8–9 28–29 24–25 2019 2019 2020 2020

RETHINKAPOLOGETICS.COM CULTURE Q&A

ADRIAN ZENZ A higher purpose ONE CHRISTIAN RESEARCHER’S INTERNET SLEUTHING EXPOSED THE MISDEEDS OF A WORLD SUPERPOWER by June Cheng

When Chinese officials claimed in sometimes not. The Chinese have the detentions of the Canadians R February 2018 that reeducation become much more careful in what [Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor], a camps for Uighurs in Xinjiang did not they put out and how they put it out, lot of us academics and experts believe exist, German researcher Adrian Zenz but at the same time, the amount of that the Chinese state is transgressing decided to prove them wrong. He available information has only ever some key boundaries. For my own started digging through Chinese tended to increase over time. So now it safety and because I have children, I ­government data on the internet—­ takes more sifting. You can’t expect to wouldn’t consider going. construction bids, hiring ads, local find documents with the old key How is the Chinese government ­budgets—and found evidence that the terms—you need to find new creative changing? In the past, we had the government had built massive reeduca- ways of finding the same things. There’s impression that the Chinese government tion camps that held 1 million Uighurs. a cat-and-mouse game element to this. was intense, but still quite rational. And Zenz, a Christian, views his research as How much do you think average even though they are still rational and a way to serve the voiceless, including Chinese citizens know about what is calculated, they have lost certain Uighurs who see China eradicating happening in Xinjiang? They know boundaries. We wonder, where is the their language and culture. Here are only the official government line unless limit? Perhaps they are so confident in edited excerpts of our interview. they have traveled to Xinjiang. Even if themselves that they think they can do What most surprised you as you they traveled to Xinjiang, they could get anything to foreigners, which would sought evidence that China was the wrong impression if they go as tour- have been unthinkable 15 years ago. detaining Uighurs? That there is so ists. They think everything in Xinjiang They are capable of doing anything much. I found information on govern- is safe and beautiful and modern. It’s now, and that requires us to take a step ment websites, private websites, and only when they have firsthand contact back. Chinese media. I realized the impor- with locals that they find out things. How does your Christian faith tance of looking at the past years to How could they learn the truth? affect your work?My faith informs build up a case, with strong evidence Technically they can find out about it what matters to me in life. I have a from 2014 to 2016 when reeducation from Western media pieces that have built-in passion for other cultures and was a small-scale campaign. Then it been translated into Chinese, but a lot I’ve developed a passion for research. grew gradually, so you could trace the of that is blocked unless you have a But I don’t believe in doing research for development of the system and the ­virtual private network, which is its own sake: I want my life to serve a ­terminology. The key is figuring out ­getting harder to get. Plus a lot of higher purpose, to serve other people. I the government’s terminology for Chinese people­ think Western claims don’t just want to live so I can become ­reeducation camps. Uighurs say, “We’re are exaggerated—the­ trust in the wealthier and more famous. I want to going to study,” but a key phrase for the Western media is not very high. The use the gifting God has given me in His government is “transformation through state was really successful in reducing service, and ideally that should benefit MARTIAL TREZZINI/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK education.” that in the course of the Tibetan upris- other people. What changed after the publication ing in 2008. When there was any little Do you enjoy doing research like of your research last year? The Chinese mistake in Western media reporting, this? For a long time I thought that government stopped using that key Chinese officials­ would immediately research was a fun thing that maybe phrase in issuing bids and official point it out. That has paid off for them, can get you prestige. But now I realize reports. The links to several websites and it makes spreading the word about research can expose entire nations as that were instrumental to the report, Xinjiang really difficult. telling lies. It can expose evil. So I especially construction bids, went Are you blacklisted from entering ­discovered a whole different side to dead. Sometimes I was able to find China? I haven’t tried to go back. It’s research. I feel God is using this gift in alternative information at another link, possible they would let me in, but since me to achieve good things for other

26 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 human beings. That gives me a lot of purpose. How did your spiritual beliefs develop? I grew up Catholic, but as I became an adult, I began to lose interest in the ritual of Sunday worship. I had bigger questions in life: What is my life about? Where am I headed? So I left the church, although I generally believed in the existence of God. Later during an encounter with a Korean American pastor in Washington, D.C., I felt the presence of God come upon me very powerfully as he talked to me about where I was headed after death. I was actually shocked to realize that Christianity, which I had been taught my whole life, was ­actually true. I realized this was the answer to all my questions. Christianity was the foundation of why I exist and why I’m doing what I’m doing. What can Christians do to help Uighurs in Xinjiang? It’s important that at least some people in Christian circles stay informed. Not everybody needs to read all the news all the time, but some people should really be informed to keep people posted. One of the concerns I have about the North American church is that many people are very poorly informed. They read very little international news and only know about events in their immediate surroundings. What would you like U.S. Christians to do when they become better informed? Christians can create more awareness. They can take up an issue like the one in Xinjiang or the house churches in China and hold an event concerning it. They can write a letter to a local politician. They can ­connect with scholars and activists. I’m not saying every church must do everything. ‘For a long time I thought that But the church sometimes thinks too little about speaking out about matters of justice research was a fun thing that and leaves that field to specialist organiza- tions and NGOs. maybe can get you prestige. But Do we sometimes pay attention only to now I realize research can expose things that directly affect us or our purses? Yes, often the Church is very much like the entire nations as telling lies.’ society around it, but for Christians that’s not acceptable. We are called to care for others, to look to the interests of others and not just ourselves, as Philippians 2:3-4 says. There’s no way to do that if you’re not even informed. We have a calling to speak out even at the risk of incurring personal loss. That’s what motivates me to speak out. A

 [email protected]  @MarvinOlasky August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 27 CULTURE Music

Proof of the continuing influence of Art Neville in general and the Wild Tchoupitoulas album in particular can be found throughout Jazz Fest: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Smithsonian Folkways), a five-disc, decades-spanning, 53-track box recently released to celebrate the 50th go-round of an event that has become an annual Crescent City rite of spring second only to Mardi Gras itself. The box includes three Wild Tchoupitoulas tracks: “Indian Red” (Disc 1, the Golden Eagles), “Big Chief Got the Golden Crown” (Disc Art and music 2, the White Eagles), and “Brother JAZZ FEST BOX SET SHOWS THE LATE ART NEVILLE’S CONTINUING INFLUENCE by Arsenio Orteza

On July 22, seven months after a thematically and aurally cohesive R he announced his retirement, the collection of originals and covers that New Orleans keyboardist and singer would establish them as a major act. Art Neville died. He was 81. Its combination of infectious New His career spanned six decades and Orleans grooves, syncretic spiritual includes accomplishments that rever- themes, and boilerplate social protest berate to this day. It’s a 17-year-old charted the course that the brothers Neville, for instance, singing lead on would follow both in the studio and John” (Disc 2, the Dixie Cups). And if the Hawketts’ perennial New Orleans onstage until Charles’ 2018 death. the “Tchoupitoulas-ness” of the first favorite “Mardi Gras Mambo.” And the But perhaps the most significant two is diminished by their being albums that he recorded as a member project in which the eldest Neville ­traditional, Tchoupitoulas-antedating of the Meters beginning in 1969 defined participated was the one that in 1976 songs, the third is a bona fide Cyril French Quarter funk and contained brought all four Neville brothers Neville original. songs that with the dawning of hip-hop together in the studio for the first time— Art himself appears three times: would be sampled hundreds of times. the critically acclaimed and indisput- first as a Neville Brother (on a rather The Meters broke up in 1977 but ably unique Wild Tchoupitoulas. underwhelming “Yellow Moon”), not before touring with the Rolling Named for a Mardi Gras Indian ­second as a Funky Meter (heating up Stones and applying their inimitable tribe whose “big chief” was the “Fire [sic] on the Bayou”), and third as syncopation to recordings by LaBelle, Nevilles’ uncle George Landry, Wild a Neville Brother again (on “Amazing Dr. John, Robert Palmer, Allen Tchoupitoulas featured hooky chants Grace/One Love”). Toussaint, and Lee Dorsey. Shortly rife with good-natured our-tribe-is- That last performance, incidentally, thereafter, Art and his three younger better-than-your-tribe boasting and isn’t Jazz Fest’s only gospel number. ERIK KABIK PHOTOGRAPHY/MEDIAPUNCH/AP brothers Charles, Aaron, and Cyril (a nonsense syllables such as “Jock-a-mo Disc 3 contains four in a row, high- Meter himself during that group’s feena hay” and “Mighty kootie fiyo.” lighted by Irma Thomas’ impassioned ­latter years) began performing and When the Library of Congress added “Old Rugged Cross” and the late recording as the Neville Brothers. the album to the National Recording Raymond Myles’ frenzied take on In 1989, with a string of stylistically Registry in 2012, the occasion marked Andraé Crouch’s “Can’t Nobody Do inconsistent and commercially unsuc- one of the few times in recent history Me Like Jesus.” cessful releases on a series of major that a decision associated—if only But the Neville Brothers’ John and minor labels behind them, the ­tangentially—with the U.S. Congress Newton–Bob Marley medley is the last Nevilles hooked up with the producer facilitated rather than impeded the track on the last disc. And as such it Daniel Lanois to record Yellow Moon, pursuit of happiness. has the final word.A

28 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019  [email protected]  @ArsenioOrteza Recent jazz albums reviewed by Arsenio Orteza

ANTIDOTE Chick Corea & the Spanish Heart Band No matter how closely you scrutinize the revisited songs, “My Spanish Heart” and “Armando’s Rhumba” (from My Spanish Heart) and “Duende” and “The Yellow Nimbus” (from Touchstone), you won’t hear any coulda, shoulda, woulda. Instead, you’ll hear development, especially in the ENCORE cases of “Duende” (formerly three minutes, now 10) and On the Corner Live! The “My Spanish Heart” (formerly 1½ minutes, now seven). Music of Miles Davis (Ear You’ll also hear (or, more accurately, feel) flow, specifically Up) documents an exhilarat- the flamenco kind: The credits include the tap dancing of ing 2015 Nashville concert Nino de los Reyes for a reason. by the saxophonists David Liebman and Jeff Coffin, SONGS: THE MUSIC OF ALLEN the bassist Victor Wooten, TOUSSAINT New Orleans Jazz Orchestra the keyboardist Chris Actually, Allen Toussaint only wrote six of these nine cuts, Walters, the drummer but they’re among his most famous (“Southern Nights,” Chester Thompson, and the “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Java,” “It’s Raining”). So one guitarist James DaSilva. Its gets a pretty good idea of how Adonis Rose’s predominantly title, however, is misleading. brass ensemble would’ve gone about swinging the At a combined total of 21 Toussaint compositions that they’ve bypassed in order to minutes, “On the Corner” make room for their original Toussaint-tribute tunes (two) and “Black Satin” do set the and “Tequila” (which Toussaint, like lots of other folks, tone, but they’re the only recorded). They’d have done so crisply and with verve and selections drawn from imagination. Maybe there’ll be a Volume 2. Davis’ On the Corner album itself. There COME WHAT MAY Joshua Redman Quartet are also Aaron Goldberg (piano), Reuben Rogers (bass), and selections Gregory Hutchinson (drums) respond to the warmth from Dark ­suffusing Redman’s tenor sax with playing of an almost Magus elegant restraint. The payoff: melodies whose muted (with the incandescence sheds just enough light on the titles to ecstatic make one wonder how the two go together. There really “Moja” for is a sense of surrender, for instance, to Redman’s some rea- ­articulation of the title tune—a sense so palpable that son renamed “Mojo”) and when Redman entrusts that articulation to Rogers and one apiece from In a Silent then to Goldberg midway through, the continuity feels Way, Live-Evil, Big Fun, and spontaneous and inevitable simultaneously. We Want Miles. Liebman gets top billing because he’s REALM OF SPELLS Jah Wobble & Bill Laswell the biggest name, because he Peter Apfelbaum’s sax parts on “Off World Departure” performed alongside Davis notwithstanding, this marriage of spacey Metal Box bass during the gestation of these throb and detached Album studio craft isn’t so much (mostly) funky jams, and “close enough for jazz” as “farther enough away from because his playing shows no everything else.” At times, especially in the 10-minute title diminution. But it’s DaSilva’s track, it approaches every Public Image Ltd. fan’s fantasy hard, texture-thickening jam. Eventually, though, one misses the foregrounded rhythms—like those of the chaos of a Keith Levene or a John Lydon, a chaos without late, great Reggie Lucas which titles such as “Dark Luminosity” and “Code of before him—that keep the

MARK HUMPHREY/AP Echo’s” come off as a little too accurate. funk roiling. —A.O.

To see more music news and reviews, go to wng.org/music August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 29 VOICES Mindy Belz _

Aldaoud lived on the streets, unable to ­navigate checkpoints or government services without identification. In a video message sent to family and friends in Detroit just before his I’m comforted knowing that the death, he said he was sick, out of insulin, and had been beaten for sleeping on someone’s delivery of the information aligns property. Besides questions about why he was sent to with my family’s worldview. Deporting to death Najaf, attorneys involved in the Aldaoud case —Lynn M. JIMMY ALDAOUD’S CASE SPARKS NEEDED told me the United States didn’t have to deport him to Iraq at all. A third country had agreed to QUESTIONS ABOUT U.S. REMOVALS TO accept Aldaoud—but U.S. officials refused. WAR ZONES Third-country repatriation is not uncommon when deportees cannot safely return Jimmy Aldaoud was what lawyers call to their own country. R low-hanging fruit. The 41-year-old Detroit “The cruelty is the point for ICE, it suburb resident had more than 20 convictions, seems,” said Steven Oshana, executive the most notable for assault and stealing power director of A Demand For Action, an tools from a garage in 2012. Family and friends advocacy group working on behalf of say doctors believed he was bipolar with Iraqi victims of genocide. “We had a schizoaffective disorder, plus he was a diabetic. third country ready to accept him, and In the eyes of immigration authorities, the they insisted he go back to Iraq.” Iraqi national was ripe for deportation. While ICE has rounded up about 100 his parents and an older sister long ago became Iraqis in the Detroit area, along with U.S. citizens, Aldaoud remained a permanent Kurdish Iraqis living in Nashville this legal resident, homeless and troubled, and month, and seems intent on deporting ­subject to removal. U.S. Immigration and them, too. Customs Enforcement(ICE) detained him in Oshana said members of Congress late May and put him on a commercial flight to may hold hearings in light of Iraq, along with several others. Aldaoud’s death. Already a bipartisan bill in the Aldaoud _ Family members disclosed on Aug. 7 that House could delay Iraqi deportations for two Aldaoud had died in Iraq, apparently unable to was born in years, allowing the cases at least to go before an obtain insulin there and succumbing to diabetes. Greece, not immigration judge—given that Iraq remains a His death rocked Detroit’s Iraqi Christian Iraq, and war zone and Christians there face genocide. community, where Aldaoud grew up. But Congress and the Trump administration Cases like his have been pending since 2017 came to the also need to address the ongoing cruelty in when ICE raided Chaldean sites and detained United States such removals. Many involve business owners ages 7-10 114 Iraqi nationals, threatening to deport them to with his Iraqi and heads of families who decades ago were ages 11-14 a country where Christians like them continue convicted on a firearms violation or a drug ages 3-6 to face genocide. These Iraqis have lived in the parents as a charge—legitimate crimes they’ve now served United States for decades but are eligible for refugee at 15 time for. Breaking up families and upending deportation because they have criminal months old. businesses leads to lasting economic hardship It’s about time the whole records. for their communities. Aldaoud was born in Greece, not Iraq, and Detroit attorney Clarence Doss, who has family had access to news came to the United States with his Iraqi parents handled 25 such cases, said some Iraqis received as a refugee at 15 months old. He didn’t speak pardons by the Michigan governor, clearing their from a biblical perspective. Arabic and had never set foot in Iraq. criminal record and ending the deportation When immigration authorities arrested him orders. These are erratic, expensive remedies We all need to stay informed and educated, but it’s in May, they put him on a commercial flight to that involve years of litigating nearly every case often overwhelming to even try. WORLD produces Najaf instead of Baghdad. Najaf is one of the individually, at taxpayers’ expense. facts-based, biblically objective journalism. Because holiest cities for Muslim Shiites, and a center While deportation orders remain in place, the truth-seeking resources must reference the ultimate for anti-American hostility. Aldaoud, who did Iraqis—even though they are legal residents— authority on truth. not speak Arabic, arrived in Najaf without a could be removed by ICE, without notice like With annual memberships covering every life stage, passport, ID card, or other documents. He had Aldaoud, and sent to Iraq, where they have no FACEBOOK your family can remain in the world but not of the world. only a little insulin, and no community. There ties. It’s something Dass said for each is “a are no Assyrian or Chaldean Christians in Najaf. source of great mental anguish every day.” A

30 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019  [email protected]  @mcbelz Get the right WORLD for everyone at gwnews.com.

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I’m comforted knowing that the delivery of the information aligns with my family’s worldview. —Lynn M.

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ages 7-10 ages 11-14 ages 3-6

It’s about time the whole family had access to news from a biblical perspective.

We all need to stay informed and educated, but it’s often overwhelming to even try. WORLD produces facts-based, biblically objective journalism. Because truth-seeking resources must reference the ultimate authority on truth. With annual memberships covering every life stage, your family can remain in the world but not of the world.

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AllBrands_fp_WORLD.indd 2 7/29/19 3:24 PM FEATURES

With federal agencies overwhelmed, churches at the border are stepping up to help with a flood of traumatized migrants by SOPHIA LEE in Las Cruces, N.M., and El Paso, Texas Offering ‘the love of Jesus’ Guatemalan migrants Carolina Morales and her son Bryan watch a movie at El Paso’s Vino Nuevo church, which gives temporary shelter to migrants released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection due to overcrowded facilities.

JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ/ REUTERS/NEWSCOM

This is the first story in a series.

eated, politicized language mong those asylum-seekers are children who, after ­surrounding the border issue a long day of traveling, look to play. At Heart for the reached a boiling point on Aug. 3 A World Church in Las Cruces, I saw five children pop when a 21-year-old man opened their heads into a vertical row by the doorframe and look fire at a Walmart in El Paso, up at church volunteer Freida Adams with soft puppy eyes. Texas, killing 22 and wounding at Adams smiled down at them. “Qué necesitas?” least 24. Police identified the The kids suddenly looked shy and began fidgeting. One shooter as the author of an child nudged the tallest boy, and he offered Adams a pretty ­anti-immigrant manifesto published on an online forum smile: “Libros?” where other white supremacists have announced their Adams nodded: “Esperas aquí! Iré a buscar algunos Hmurder plans. There, the shooter defined his attack as “a libros”—“Wait here! I’ll go look for some books.” The boy, response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas” and said he’s who looked to be about 6, hesitated. Adams smiled and “simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic leaned down: “Do you want to come with me?” The boy’s replacement brought on by an invasion.” face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. Meanwhile, hundreds of local churches in border cities “Come,” Adams said, holding out her hand. He capered from San Diego to Brownsville, Texas, were offering over, and as he slipped his tiny hand into hers, she turned to ­something very much lacking in the current national me and whispered, “You see the trust that just happened?” ­conversation: Compassion to fellow image-bearers of God. She looked delighted. I visited several of them in Las Cruces, N.M., and El Paso, It’s common for border crisis volunteers like Adams to Texas, which share close economic and social ties with see children cling to their parents with tight fists, eyes Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, El Paso’s sister city. The U.S. Border ­darting with apprehension. By the time Border Patrol Patrol’s El Paso sector, which encompasses New Mexico and agents release them from holding facilities to shelters and two western Texas counties, has experienced the largest churches, these families have already been away from numbers of asylum-seekers released into the area. their home countries for months. Many fled violence, Offering ‘the love of Jesus’ August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 33 ADAMS: SOPHIA LEE • LAS CRUCES: MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES - - We’re We’re Bienvenidos! of the migrants, checking on med of the migrants, supplies at the city shelter, ical donations withand coordinating with her I was other churches. see her and didn’t day the entire a former missionary As eat once. In El Paso, a network of about 30 of a network In El Paso, Overcrowded and understaffed, the El and understaffed, Overcrowded as the numbers kept February, By helping weren’t enough. helping weren’t now is the number of people crossing crossing of people is the number now in how of chaos and the level the border dealing with are agencies federal various alone, sector In the El Paso the situation. 14,593 apprehended agents Patrol Border minors and 117,612 unaccompanied year. within this fiscal ­family units reputation, the worst facilities have Paso the Border describing with one observer holding facility as a “human dog Patrol that agents logs show Custody pound.” in a up to 900 migrants had crammed its own breaking facility designed for 125, for more holding them guidelines by out ran Patrol As Border than 72 hours. migrants to keeping it resorted of space, on people slept where under a bridge, desert nights. and dirt during cold rock and Customs Immigration U.S. soaring, (ICE) sent out a call for Enforcement few churches The people to help. more Meanwhile, Adams was on her feet the entire day, taking care day, on her feet the entire was Adams Meanwhile, In Las Cruces, Heart for the World Church has been receiving Church for the World Heart In Las Cruces, parking lot, about 11 a.m., a bus pulled up at the church At nodded and smiled. I could see the guests spoke, As Adams ground, and soon the parents were pushing their kids down the their kids down pushing were and soon the parents ground, It had a soccer ball in the field, or coloring together. kicking slide, with their children. played been a long time since these parents Debbie volunteer Church Cruces, Las Morris from a drives Mexico, New asylum-seeker Guatemalan sponsor. his U.S. meet to churches answered the call. In Las Cruces, 23 churches signed 23 churches Cruces, the call. In Las answered churches sponsors in have already all these asylum-seekers Almost up. or friends who relatives, members, States—family the United hearings. for their court to house them while they wait agree them give churches off, them drops Patrol After ICE or Border of and help them plan the logistics a place to stay temporary to their sponsors. traveling Green since March. Tuesday every about 20 asylum-seekers line the back of toys a stuffed and cots topped with blankets piled with coloring books, tables are the kids’ play room; and broth of chicken and blocks; and an earthly aroma ­crayons, volunteers the kitchen, where simmering beans emanates from the road. the main meal and pack PB&J sandwiches for prepare the church, entered and their children of migrants and a group Once they all settled onto their cots, looking apprehensive. them in Spanish: “ greeted Adams Freida here You’re not in detention anymore. You’re here. glad you’re for them. She then prayed as our guests.” Their grip ontheir shoulders and facial muscles visibly relax. loosened, and as the kids gingerly inched toward their children After a meal they let them go. table, blocks on a play the Jenga outdoors to the play the kids ran soup and tortillas, of chicken - Adams - - - - August 31, 2019 • In many border cities, certain churches and nonprofits have have and nonprofits certain churches cities, border In many When Border Patrol drops migrants off at shelters, the first off at shelters, migrants drops Patrol When Border Often by the time these migrants arrive at churches, they’ve at churches, arrive the time these migrants Often by For the churches that are doing what that are the churches For The record-breaking numbers of The record-breaking When the Trump administration administration Trump When the WORLD Magazine 34 been helping passing migrants for decades. What’s different different What’s for decades. been helping passing migrants migrant girl who wailed all day and wouldn’t let any adult hug or let any and wouldn’t all day girl who wailed migrant Adams: worries that most look of stupor the it’s But console her. back stare nothing but When she offers a doll to a girl who does trauma. the mark of severe that’s she knows with dead eyes, for signs of fever, bops little noses for signs of a cold, pats their bops little for signs of fever, Those medical conditions she can bellies for signs of bloating. she met a Once, ones. fix as a nurse—but not the psychological down. The kids pick up on their parents’ tension, and they parents’ The kids pick up on their down. feel unsafe. instinctively does is touch the children—she cups their foreheads thing Adams they are or what’s happening. Most migrants have heard about heard have migrants Most happening. or what’s they are them been separated have or families, separating officials U.S. to put them close and refuse So they hold their children selves. been held in cells under horrible conditions and bused forbeen held in cells under horrible conditions where not knowing facility to facility, of miles from ­hundreds a vast majority don’t have lawyers. lawyers. have majority don’t a vast they can to help this much-malignedever the task has not been easy. feel safe, group what’s actually happening: Most of the actually happening: Most what’s today the border approaching migrants and families and children, vulnerable are mocked asylum-seekers as tattoo-bear asylum-seekers mocked a little page thuggish men who “read ing, coaching them to fake lawyers” by given spin from different very sob stories—a President Trump has repeatedly con has repeatedly Trump President southern at the arrivals demned migrant He’s invasion.” calling it “an border, der themselves to Border Patrol agents. Patrol to Border der themselves have apprehensions Patrol Border the border. public attention to dragged stopped people from entering the port of entering the port from people stopped sought to asylum, thousands entry to seek surren and unlawfully the border cross persecution, and poverty only to face an to face an only poverty and ­persecution, deter seeking to administration entering. from migrants HANDOUT C begin theprocess ofdealingwith deepwounds and trauma. but arefuge forpeopleto“connect and withGodatthealtar” church?” Velasquez begantoseeherchurch notjust asashelter Besides, shesaid,“Who’s goingtobethere forthemifnot the more.” Shetookitasasignthatshewas doingtherightthing. funds, shesaw that“God provided every less, time—not not make it,every time the church ran outoffoodor suppliesor doubted herselfat first, but every timeshethought she wouldn’t only 12outoftheoriginal80church membersremain. Velasquez They saidthemigrants were destroying theirchurch. Today, migrants passedthrough El-Elyon. underwearperiod-stained forweeks. Infourmonths, 7,986 overcrowded cells. Women were sickfrom wearing thesame aches afterbeingcramped backtoback,limbingrossly from icytemperatures indetentioncenters, orsuffered muscle weeks ofdrinkingwater from thetoilet,orran fevers andcolds 90 peoplewhocomplainedofstomachaches afterdays and given time, thechurch hallandsanctuarywere filledwithupto church 24/7, receiving about70newmigrants every day. At any own cellphonestocallsponsorsandarrange transportation. They setupatableonthestage toprocess peopleandusedtheir chickens, boilrice, andpushthepewsasidetomake way forcots. kitchen tounfreeze andfrywhole church, volunteers rushedtothe migrants was ontheway totheir she gotthefirst callthatabusof50 to getonboard. InFebruary, when problem inspiring church members in ElPaso, saidsheatfirst hadno speaking Church ofGodEl-Elyon Velasquez, pastor oftheSpanish- was just nocapacityanymore.” to more than1,000 aday. There Then itkept growing andgrowing ­people aday—that was, oh,insane. and thatwas crazy. Then200 it, “At first it was 100peopleaday, one volunteer inElPaso described find room. way, leaving thecitytoscramble to migrants offatabus station any was fullbuttheagentsdropped 112 city sheltertoldBorder Patrol it Cruces learnedthatlessononestormy Mother’s Day, whenthe leaving vulnerable familiesonthestreets—is unacceptable. Las saw aneed.Sowe offered thelove of Jesus.” Thealternative— response whenIasked peoplewhy theybecameinvolved: “We not herresponsibility: “WhatIamisthehandsandfeetofJesus.” and ahugwon’t drastically changethesepeople’s lives, butthat’s “shell-shocked” expressions. Adams says sheknows thatameal ­refugees, andshesays theseasylum-seekers share thesame in Venezuela andThailand,Adams isusedtoworking with Some church membersbegancomplainingaboutthesmell. The needwas so great thatVelasquez decidedtoopenthe And thepeoplekept coming. As Again andagain,from church tochurch, Iheard thesame have lost members. Maribel helping migrants. Some hurches take ahugeriskin  [email protected]  @sophialeehyun - mere border crisis:“Ibelieve there’s amovement ofChristians not aliar.’ Theyhave somuchfaithinGod.” the judge’s heart.Godwillhelpme. Thejudgewillknow I’m always say, ‘ also stressed, butthey’re “They’re immigration lawyer who’s notreligious commentedtome, excited—and oftenoffertopray forthe volunteers as well. One faith. Whenchurch volunteers offertopray forthem,theyget her own house. her husbandmoved allthemigrants remaining inthechurch to stopped sendingthem.For anextra safetyprecaution, sheand ­worship. Thentheshootinghappened,andICEtemporarily other church volunteers, cookingandnursingleading eachdayseekers toherchurch. Shewas backonherfeetwith ICE calledherandtolditwould againsend70asylum- Mexico underthe“Remain inMexico” program. But thatday, government begansendingmost ofthe asylum-seekers backto text. Her church hadbeenquietforafewweeks aftertheU.S. she says, “Don’t missthis. Wake up!Wake upandbeready.” Christians whoturnaway from thismoderngreat migration, here. Goandmake disciples.” Andwhenever shemeetsother ­whenever shehugsthe migrants goodbye, shetellsthem,“You’re have isthatanchorofGod’s presence, that’s enough.” So persecution, want, fear, andthreat. Afaithwhere whenallyou abiding faiththat’s comenotoutofcomfortoreasebutstruggle, El-Elyon church worshipping at Asylum-seekers Freida Adams saidsomething biggerishappeningthana Every volunteer I’ve metremarked ontheseasylum-seekers’ “Yes, we work itout,” she said.“God is good.” “They allfitin your house?”I exclaimed. Five days before theElPaso shooting, Velasquez sentmea Dios meayudará American Christians have lost—“a deep, too.” Sheseesinthema faith thatmany coming. TheGreat Commissionistheirs, coming intotheU.S. Amissionary force is —God, God, God. God will touch God,God.Godwilltouch —God, August 31, 2019 31, August verrrrrry • religious. They WORLD Magazine WORLD A 35 MORE MONEY OR MORE STRINGS? A homeschooling innovation brings opportunity and danger BY MARY JACKSON IN SANTA ROSA, CALIF. photo by Gary Fong/Genesis Photos

s a young mom, Martha Hazelrigg rarely left the house with her four homeschooled children during school hours. When they did venture out, she coached them to tell inquisitive grocery clerks and shoppers they attended a local Christian school. It was true: Hazelrigg’s children homeschooled through that school’s independent study program. But in 1985, home education was rare, and mothers had legitimate fears that skeptics, even family members, might report Athem to the government. Thirty years later, Hazelrigg’s oldest daughter, Christy Harmeson, homeschools her five children without any qualms about leaving the house on school mornings. She usually sees a scattering of families like hers at parks, stores, libraries, and hiking trails. In the San Francisco Bay area, where Harmeson lives, museums, aquariums, and even the University of California Berkeley host “homeschool days” or special classes for home-educated children. These programs sell out quickly. Homeschooling has gone mainstream. About 2.5 million students— 3 percent of all school-aged children in the United States—homeschool,

36 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Homeschooling mother Adria Bishop with her sons Tyler, Austin, and Wyatt

August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 37 in having homeschool charters, but homeschooling mom Heather Deyden- Littrell notes, “Other states are picking up on what is happening and seeing it as a viable option. It’s becoming more of a wave.” So far, a few other states offer home- school charters, but most offer less

money than California families receive, GARY FONG/GENESIS PHOTOS lessening their appeal. For example, 10,000 Alaskan students are enrolled in such charters, and districts give parents up to $2,000 in educational funds. More money or more strings: More home- schoolers across the nation will need to choose.

dria Bishop, 36, a Sebastopol, A Calif., homeschooling mother of three, last year left the Christian co-op she was a part of to join Summit Academy, a homeschool charter program­ that had recently opened a Sonoma County location. Enrolling was easy: She had to pro- according to Brian Ray, president of the Austin Bishop, who is enrolled in a home­ vide her children’s­ birth certificates National Home Education Research school charter program, reads a book. and a recent utility bill. Institute (NHERI). It’s no longer a “Homeschooling can be really movement of non-establishment peo- ment and may be open to ideas that steer expensive,” says Bishop: “We ple on the left and evangelical believers government funding to homeschools. already forgo one income and pay on the right: Nationwide, only 21 percent Some homeschoolers in California for all our curriculum.” The Bishops of parents in 2012 cited religious or have been using tax dollars to pay for received $2,800 per child—$8,400 moral instruction as their reason for parts of their homeschooling expenses for all three. With those funds, they homeschooling, down from 36 percent through a charter school program. purchased an iPad, math curriculum, in 2007, according to the National Homeschooling purists, though, worry an Oakland Zoo membership, and Center for Education Statistics. that any government money comes with in-home guitar lessons for one son. Ray says more families are choosing strings that threaten the independence They also paid for field trips to to homeschool for lifestyle reasons. They they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Alcatraz Island and Safari West. might have a child who is a gifted athlete This is an issue bigger than The Bishops’ approach illustrates or musician, or one who struggles in a California, however, since 43 states and one of the main appeals of home- traditional classroom environment. This the District of Columbia allow charter school charters: It’s a way to get has changed the face of homeschooling, schools—public schools freed from many something back from all the taxes as these new homeschoolers may not be of the regulations that inhibit innovation they pay toward education. concerned about government entangle- in district schools. California is unusual California allows enrolled families to receive up to $3,200 per child, which they can spend on anything as long as it’s on their charter Nationwide, only 21 school’s list of approved vendors. Almost anything goes—except for percent of parents in 2012 faith-based curriculum and resources. But parents can still buy religious curriculum with their own cited religious or moral dollars. Those funds make a big differ- instruction as their reason ence for some families. Approved vendors offer books, curriculum, for homeschooling, down STEM kits with science equipment, tutoring services,­ educational toys, from 36 percent in 2007. gymnastics classes, zoo and

38 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 museum passes, music and horseback homeschool charters let parents pick internet was OK) and turn in an atten- riding lessons—as well as less conven- their own books and coursework. Some dance sheet and work samples from tional educational enterprises like tick- offer a set curriculum for those who ­different subjects. Since those samples ets for Disneyland. Charters require want it. cannot contain faith-based references, parents to return non-consumable Bishop chose her own curriculum, Bishop submitted science worksheets items, like laptops, iPads, and micro- including some Bible-based texts, like without Bible verses or mention of God. scopes when their children withdraw Apologia Science: “As a Christian, I was from the program. like, ‘What are you not going to let me ushback to the homeschool charters Homeschool charters differ from do?’ I was nervous about that … but it Phas come from at least two direc- ­virtual charters, hybrid schools, and was very hands-off.” She used her own tions: government and more traditional independent study schools that assign money, not the charter’s funds, to buy homeschools. specific curriculum and often offer in- overtly Christian curriculum. In May, San Diego authorities accused person classes at resource centers. Most In return for the state funding, Adria an Australian man and his partner of Bishop had to submit to minor state using their company, A3 Education, to Heather Deyden-Littrell works through oversight. She had to meet with a buy real estate and fund other ventures:

GREG SCHNEIDER/GENESIS PHOTOS SCHNEIDER/GENESIS GREG homeschool curriculum with her son Dylan. ­certified teacher once a month (via the A3 ran both homeschool charters and

August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 39 GREG SCHNEIDER/GENESIS PHOTOS ------Both bills died. Nathan Pierce, direc Pierce, Both bills died. Nathan California already requires parents of parents requires California already accused after authorities year, Last Traditional homeschoolers worry homeschoolers worry Traditional homeschooling and set teacher qualifi cation standards. liaison and legislative tor of operations Family for the Sacramento-based the (FPM), credits Ministries Protection thousands of homeschooling families said one Pierce who opposed the bills. to join homeschool charters springing California. She admits up in Northern for extra $12,000 the money—nearly their one-income sound family—does “It’s says, Harmeson But, appealing. state take we not to think the more hard will the government the more money, to home have you ‘This is how say, voluntarily are school’ … and that we our freedom.” etching away home privately 270,000 the state’s schooled children that to file an affidavit as a private home address their registers homeschool the state’s school. But has fought otherestablishment regulations. of Perris, and Louise Turpin David and neglect abusing, of torturing, Calif., ing their 13 homeschooled children, bills to two proposed lawmakers state of oversight government more provide home-schooling One man families. marshal home fire dated a yearly ainspection and another established committee to oversee government have shown up to support us in this up to support us shown have stigma this said: “There’s Eklund fight,” homeschooling.” really not that we’re chartersabout the effect of homeschool to educate their freedom on their own and her Harmeson Christy children. through husband homeschool privately years, In recent co-op. a local Christian left the co-op of her friends have several old Ellie Littrell with -old Ellie Littrell year - Orange County mother of three County mother of Orange Windi Eklund is part of a homeschool Windi might that the state She worries charter. private She says limit her options. been mostly have ­homeschool families few “Very silent about that prospect. Eight books homeschooling worry the about effectof homeschool charters on theirown freedom to their children.educate would bills that is advancing Legislature opening. limit new charters from Traditional homeschoolers homeschoolers Traditional - - - August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine Because charters aren’t required to required Because charters aren’t A3 Education’s alleged corruption A3 Education’s 40 Gov. Gavin Newsom recently appointed recently Newsom Gavin Gov. charter schools’ to evaluate a task force state and the effect on public schools, them. Controversy over charters over them. Controversy earlier this year teacher strikes spawned and elsewhere. in Oakland, Los Angeles, students. California’s unionized teachers, hire to limit teachers unions want powerful ter growth. California has more charter has more California ter growth. other state—660,000, than any students million K-12 6 of the state’s or 11 percent Bishop was one of them. one Bishop was California lawmak came at a time when to cap char attempting already ers were the state froze the assets of all A3 char the froze the state and parents, teachers, many leaving ters, Adria in the lurch. vendors homeschool traditional ones. Authorities indicted 11 indicted Authorities ones. traditional alleged scam” they for a “charter people million in $50 than more the state cost charges, the Following funds. education INSTAGRAM  that grew outoftheTurpin case, they homeschoolers opposedthelegislation their freedom.” come outofthewoodwork todefend when [theyfeel]threatened, people … said, “My experience hasbeenthat California’s liberal politics, butPierce tend tostay inthebackground of was itsbiggest. Homeschooling families restrictive state bills, last year’s battle homeschooling familiesofpotentially your peopletostop calling me?” state legislator asked him,“Can you tell [email protected] Though bothprivate andcharter In FPM’s nearly35years ofalerting more. ing, asex abuse scandal that engulfed hischurch, and celebrity, later celebrity, alack offormal theological train of factors that might have contributed to Harris’ fall: early what Christianscanlearn. known evangelical isatragedy, andit’s worth reflecting on homeschooling isafailure. But theapostasy ofawell- Should we kiss homeschooling goodbye too? Christianity goodbye.” Somemay also have wondered: Harris kisses marriage goodbye,” and,“Ikissed he once taught. to the“LGBTQ+ community” for theChristiansexual ethic announced theendofhis19-year marriage. Heapologized Instagram postonJuly26, shortlyafter aseparate post but theheadline isdreadful: “Iamnot aChristian.” Church inGaithersburg, Md., before stepping down in 2015. became pastor ofthe3,000-member Covenant Life living andtheology, hespoke at more conferences, andhe a one-hitwonder: Harriswrote more booksonChristian lar courtship book homeschool kids. articles, andheproduced teen icon: Hespoke to homeschool audiences, hewrote the couple’s oldestson, Joshua,became something ofa families educating theirchildren at home. familiar faces to many inthegrowing numberofChristian In the1980s and1990s, Gregg andSonoHarrisbecame OF TEACHING CHILDREN ONE MAN’S APOSTASY DOESN’T UNDERMINEAWAY HARRIS ANDHOMESCHOOLING Gregg Harrisspoke at conferences andworkshops, and Lots ofChristianwriters have noted thesmorgasbord The shortanswer isno. Harris’ failures don’t mean The Twitter responses were predictable: “Joshua Harris announced hisrenunciation of Christianityinan Four years later, Harrishasgrabbed attention again, In 1997, Joshua Harrisgained fame for hiswildlypopu  I Kissed DatingGoodbye @WORLD_mag New Attitude , amagazine for

BY JAMIE DEAN JAMIE BY are oftenonopposingsides. The dren andparents dobetterwithoutit,” homeschooling. “Our viewisthatchil sight asantitheticaltothepoint of education.” funding, thenthestate controls involved withthestate andtake state homeschooling: “Whenyou get against taking government dollarsfor schooling. President Mike Smithwarns to keep thegovernment outofhome spent more thanthree decadesfighting Defense Association(HSLDA) has Virginia-based Home School Legal . But hewasn’t HSLDA seesgovernmental over - - in thecontext ofChristianswhoknow uswell. speakers, buttheideal diet comes from Biblicalpreaching should value helpful teaching from good booksandgood conferences—are thebestsoil for Christiangrowth. We hearts andgives thegrace to keep going. isn’t aguarantee ofadream marriage. OnlyChristchanges formula for producing godly children, andpersonal purity to know allthedetails ofhow ithappensinaman’s soul. pure inheart—for they shallsee God.” taught theultimate reward isthesame:“Blessed are the bring. tional bliss, butdon’t doubttheblessings puritydoes can use it.Don’t putyour hopeinpersonal purityfor rela in homeschooling, butdon’t behopeless abouthow God

Another takeaway: Healthy churches—not occasional Things that are more certain: Homeschooling isn’t a But apostasy isaterrifying mystery, andit’s impossible In thepursuit ofboth knowledge andpurity, Jesus So asthenew school year begins, don’t putyour hope - - -

all needtobandtogether.” private andcharterhomeschoolers. We strange thatthere isthislinebetween after private homeeducationnext: “It’s makers restrict charters, theywillcome Littrell thinkshe’s wrong. Shesays iflaw school battles.” said hisgroup doesnotfight“public Pierce ofFamily Protection Ministries about homeschoolcharters, Nathan ters takingpublicfunds. Whenasked families atoddswithhomeschoolchar its network ofprivate homeschooling Smith said.ThatbeliefputsHSLDA and Homeschooler Heather Deyden- August 31, 2019 31, August laying thewoes of Harris and pray for these lessons— on the Bible. on theBible. man hasgiven up ing because one on Biblicalteach We don’t give up that were helpful. things hetaught rejecting the tion at hisfeet or an entire genera We canponder • WORLD Magazine WORLD —without A - - - 41 - - DROWNING IN RED Historic Christian colleges like Nyack College are facing financial crises that are forcing big changes. Some haven’t survived BY EMILY BELZ photos by Frankie Alduino/Genesis Photos

yack College, a “They’re good Christian people Christian and ­dealing with a market that’s gone really Missionary south … [but] it’s an ugly financial pic- Alliance ture,” said Thomas Bakewell, a CPA and (CMA) school attorney who has consulted with dozens in the New of faith-based colleges and universities York City area, on financial issues. He also served for 15 received an years on the board of Lindenwood independent audit in 2017 with an opin- University while it went through a ion any institution dreads: “substantial major financial crisis. (Bakewell hasn’t Ndoubt about its ability to continue as a consulted for Nyack.) going concern.” Since 2010, Nyack has lost across its The evangelical school with a 120- programs at least 1,000 students in its year history in New York was looking at total enrollment, which was down to looming insolvency, according to the 2,315 in 2018. Each year since 2016 audit, because of its tens of millions in Nyack has been operating $6 million to debt and falling revenues. $8 million in the red—huge losses for an Nyack has about $70 million in debt, institution with a roughly $60 million according to its IRS 990 forms, on which budget. From a random sampling of it paid about $4 million in interest in the 990s, most similar Christian colleges 2017 fiscal year. The 2017 audit noted operated in the black even with falling that Nyack had to withdraw the major- enrollment. ity of the funds from its endowment to When Bakewell looked at Nyack’s cover expenses (some of that has been 2017 audit, the most recent that is pub- paid back), stopped paying into licly available, what he saw was a “fail- employee retirement funds in 2015, and ing college,” but he cautioned that his has violated its debt covenants. Still, the assessment was based on a 2-year-old school has managed to stay open to offer audit. Nyack declined to provide its 2018 classes this fall. audit, and New York State Department

42 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Nyack College in Manhattan, N.Y. of Education officials said Nyack had not Jackson, Tenn. “You’ve got to be careful Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for yet filed the audit with them—it’s due in that you don’t let the tail wag the dog,” Christ) for offices in the city, a October. he added. “You have to guard your ­project called CoLab NYC. The U.S. Department of Education ­mission and your identity, and what’s The Nyack campus went up for has the school on “heightened cash happening in the classroom.” sale this year, and President Mike monitoring” because it scored a −0.2 out Nyack is selling its aging 107-acre Scales said the school has no partic- of 3.0 on its FY 2017 “Federal Financial campus in affluent Nyack, N.Y., about 30 ular requirements on who will buy Responsibility Composite Score,” where miles north of the city, and consolidating the campus. The school has also a minimum score of 1.5 is required to the entire school (including its affiliate recently taken out a $38.5 million avoid federal monitoring. Alliance Theological Seminary or ATS) loan from Procida Funding & Nyack is an extreme example of the into six stories in a skyscraper in lower Advisors (a non-bank lender) to help financial crisis in Christian higher edu- Manhattan, right around the corner with debt and operations costs, cation, where falling enrollment has hit from The King’s College. according to a report in the hard at schools without big endowments. The college characterizes the Rockland/Westchester Journal Some colleges have closed in recent Manhattan move as a return to its roots News. years, or lost accreditation, or looked to because it began in New York City in Nyack noted in filings with the wealthy alumni and donors for big money 1882, focused on training missionaries. It state that the school had found the bailouts. Cincinnati Christian University moved to the Nyack campus in Rockland Jersey City dorm property through a is one that is facing the possible loss of County in 1897. A century later the philanthropist connected to the its accreditation over its finances amid school began offering some classes in school. falling enrollment (see below). Manhattan, and then recently decided Nyack administration and board Financial minds think the best way that the aging Rockland campus was “no members, as well as officials from forward for these schools is to stick to longer financially viable.” the CMA, declined interviews. their Christian commitments and their Though already straining under debt, Other financially struggling educational mission as a way to remain a the school in 2016 took out a $55 million schools have taken a similar route of distinctive product that Christian stu- mortgage from a French investment selling prime real estate and moving, dents will choose. Schools also need to bank, Natixis, to buy its Manhattan although usually to less expensive areas. learn to be more nimble in making diffi- ­campus and consolidate the school Fuller Theological Seminary announced cult reforms. there. Students will live in housing in in 2018 that it would be selling its his- “It’s just demographics. There’s a nearby Jersey City. With extra space in toric campus in pricey downtown limited pool there for everybody,” said its Manhattan property for now, Nyack Pasadena, Calif., and building a new Gary Carter, longtime CFO of Union has been offering its available space at campus in Pomona, an area with lower University, a Southern Baptist college in affordable rents to other ministries like housing costs. That would put “a Fuller

FUMBLING THE BALL Cincinnati Christian University, losing hundreds of students Sams, vice chairman of the CCU board of trustees, was and millions of dollars, decided in 2015 to focus on athletics. able to tell me the average SAT scores for incoming Now CCU’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning ­students, but Heineman said the students are “hitting the Commission (HLC), has said the university is in grave minimums” set by the National Association of Intercollegiate ­danger of losing its accreditation. Athletics. The HLC issued the university a “Show-Cause Order” on The HLC requires schools in July 11. It lists CCU problems including insufficient faculty, accreditation trouble to “pub- confused mission, and executive conflicts of interest. Some lish the Show-Cause Order of the concerns stem from CCU’s 2015 plan to bring in prominently on its website,” but more students and funding by building a football team and the order is three clicks away a $5 million stadium. CCU grew the number of student from CCU’s homepage. I told ­athletes from 150 to more than 400, but the number of Heineman it took some search- incoming nonathletes in 2017 shrank to 39. ing for me to find the announce- CCU laid off 34 faculty and staff members and hired ment, and asked if he thought the posting met the HLC David Fulcher, a former NFL player with the Cincinnati requirement. He said CCU has engaged outside legal help Bengals, as football coach. The faculty-student ratio to meet the requirement and that “if it didn’t, we would soared from 1:21 to 1:37. The graduation rate fell from 42 switch it.” percent in 2015 to 32 percent two years later. CCU halted Lee Mason, a 1968 CCU alumnus and former teacher, plans to build the stadium. Meanwhile, the football team found out about the Show-Cause Order through Facebook. struggled: Last fall the team had zero wins and 11 losses He told me the school’s troubles go all the way back to the and was outscored 574 to 90. 1980s. His daughter, Kristina Rickert, graduated in 1990. As CCU President Ronald Heineman told me on Aug. 8, we spoke, he turned to her and asked, “What do you think “We’re probably expecting 525 undergrads and 118 in our about what’s going on at school?” She replied, “My school’s graduate programs.” Neither Heineman nor Jonathan gone.” —Leah Hickman FOOTBALL: HANDOUT • NYACK COLLEGE: FRANKIE ALDUINO/GENESIS PHOTOS they would have hadalotofpeople campus untilNovember 2018. sibility ofamove intotheManhattan didn’t tellNyack students aboutthepos her friendshave transferred. Theschool the campuschanges. Shesaidmost of lack ofcommunicationtostudents over semester becauseoftheconfusionand Pearson decidednottoreturn forthisfall leadership andotheractivities. But and was heavily involved instudent She hasloved hertwo years atNyack sity (it’s majorityblackandHispanic). able, andsheloved Nyack’s racial diver college closetohomethatwas afford because shewanted togoaChristian upstate New York, enrolled atNyack semester. Manhattan campus inthespring a plannedstart atthenewconsolidated Rockland campusthisfallsemester, with said itwould continueoperating onthe reversed courseearlierthisyear and cate forthefall2019semester, andthen that allclassesanddormswould relo school’s plans. Nyack first announced exactly whatisgoingonwiththe in thetransition, asstudents don’t know the then-acting Provost Mari Clementstold education inreach ofmore people,” “If there was more communication, Kaelee Pearson, arisingjuniorfrom Nyack’s retention hasbeendifficult Los Angeles Times  [email protected] .  @emlybelz - - - - tinue goingthere. …But itisvery unorga always trytomake away formetocon the benefitofdoubt.Financially, they Pearson said.“I’mtryingtogive them dling my money andIdidn’t even know?” one intheManhattan campus. cial aidcounselorhadchangedtosome called thecollege, shefoundherfinan still beoffered.) Also, whenshe recently ment thatallthesamecourseswould move tothecity. (Scales said inastate sors from hermajor weren’t goingto the city, andsaidseveral ofherprofes Family Studies majorcouldcontinuein crazy.” apologized tousformakingourlives stay,” shesaid.“[President Scales]never she’s thinkingofattendinganother Afterward sheplanstotransfer, and internship thatbeganthissummer. Pearson decidedtotake ayearlong a question aboutmakingitvoluntary. a week inManhattan, butdidnotanswer chapel would still take placethree times ­concerns aboutthisaswell. Nyack said campus. Otheralumnihave voiced no longerbemandatoryattheManhattan the college’s spiritualcommunity, would whichshefoundacentral partof ­chapel, nized atthemomentandvery uncertain.” “Communication-wise, you’re han She wasn’t sure ifherYouth and Instead ofreturning toNyack, Pearson was alsosurprisedthat - - - - - Nyack College - - quickly.” ed,” saidBakewell. “Theydon’t adapt bound, andit’s particularlybadinhigher and enrollment hasbeengrowing. financial reform andleadershipchanges, pledged thefundingonconditionof ­million infollowing years. TheGreens stepped inwithatleast another$40 in witha$70 milliongift,andthen family ofHobby Lobby wealth stepped under $52 millionindebt,theGreen Oral Roberts University was suffocating Christian collegesfindnewlife. When rate. to lower bothtuitionandthediscount a collegerarely canreverse thatpattern that creates its own deathspiral because as 60or70percent. Union’s Cartersays discounts ontuition,sometimesashigh for students are givingbiggerand bring debtlevels down. colleges shouldbemore “bare bones”to in amenitiesandathleticsthinks schools tomake unnecessaryinvestments sees thedebt-based approach asleading college andnever graduated. He also debt afterthewifeattendedaChristian couple inhischurch whoare deepin ­position. Rightnow he’s counselinga sibility nottoputstudents inthat ­institutions inparticularhave arespon “Organizations become tradition- But big bailouts have helped At thesametime, collegesdesperate August 31, 2019 31, August A out ortransfer after incurring ready. If not,theymay drop those students are college- and Oliver wonders ifall acceptance rate is98percent— to fillupenrollment—Nyack’s are acceptingmore students upset thatschoolslike Nyack Christian colleges. He is ­engineering atsecularand also taughtmechanical he’s­member oftheCMA, campus inRockland. A is partofNyack andshares its Theological Seminary, which an onlinestudent atAlliance me,” Pearson said. God andseewhere He leads more affordable. where thecost oflivingis Christian collegeinFlorida, debt. Douglas Oliver hasbeen “I’m just goingtotrust Oliver saidChristian • WORLD Magazine WORLD 45 - BLAINE, BLAINE, SHORT-SIGHTED BRIBER FROM THE STATE OF MAINE State constitutional roadblocks to school choice grew out of anti-Catholic hostility and the myth of educational neutrality BY MARVIN OLASKY

hoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.” The current drive for school choice illustrates well the slapstick humor of Proverbs 26:27. The U.S. Supreme Court on June 28 agreed to hear a case challenging bans on the use of taxpayer funds to pay for, indirectly, tuition at evangelical and other religious schools. Ironically, the ancestors of many of today’s evangelicals erected those stop signs 105-145 years ago. The bans are called Blaine Amendments: 37 of the 50 states have them. Delaware’s Wis typical: No state money “shall be appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of any sectar- ian, church, or denominational school.” Given the way government funds now often have anti-religious strings attached, we might see such prohibitions as helpful—but they came into existence in a different era for a very different reason. Most WORLD features have what journalists call a “face,” a person who can add human interest to what otherwise might be a dry story. This story is unusual in that the “face” is a man who died in 1893, Maine Republican James G. Blaine, the son of a

46 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 loosely Presbyterian father and a from the King James Bible, along with be gathered up and forced into [public] Catholic mother. generic moral instruction. school, and those who resist or impede Blaine became speaker of the U.S. That would not have been enough to this plan, whether parents or priests, House of Representatives in 1869. He clinch Mann’s victory but for concern must be held accountable and punished.” lost that position when the 1874 elections among many Protestants about the The Civil War brought out in the produced a Democratic majority in the growing number of Catholic immi- North an emphasis on sacrificing indi- House of Representatives for the first grants, largely from Ireland. Opposition vidual rights to preserve the Union. That time since the Civil War. One reason: to such immigration, and concern that carried over into the educational debate. Wartime tensions had Andrew Coulson’s Market diminished, while con- Education quotes a state- cern about GOP con- ment from California’s nections to big business education superintendent scandals had increased. that children should be Blaine wanted to run taught to consider teach- for president in 1876, ers as “superior to the but some Protestant parent in point of voters were nervous authority.” about his semi-Catholic Many teachers sup- ancestry and the ported such thinking. The charges of corruption Wisconsin Teachers’ that dogged him. Blaine Association declared in issued a statement 1865, “Children are the emphasizing six genera- property of the state.” tions of Protestant In 1866, the National ancestors on his father’s Teachers’ Association side, and noting that he (precursor to the National attended church Education Association) regularly. published claims that “the Blaine and other duties which a citizen Republicans, such as owes to the government Sen. John Sherman of are prior to any personal Ohio, looked for ways to or individual claims.” drive a wedge into the Some Biblical Democrats and excite Protestants in the North Republicans. Then, as still put theological duties now, most parents were first and emphasized deeply concerned about parental responsibility for the education of their educating children, but children. Education in they were outnumbered. America had tradition- Blaine represented well a ally been in the hands of generation that embraced private, often church- a myth of educational led schools paid for by neutrality, the idea that parents, with scholar- school subjects could be ships provided to needy taught without any students. children going to Catholic schools would ­reference to God, as long as the students Since the 1840s, though, tax-supported grow up to oppose American liberty, led had a daily Bible reading. government schools had spread through- to riots in the 1840s and 1850s, including Some theologians opposed that out the Northern states. The intellectual one in Philadelphia in 1844 that resulted notion. R.L. Dabney, in an 1876 press leader of the movement was Horace in 13 deaths and the burning down of a debate with Virginia’s superintendent of Mann, a Unitarian. He had overcome Catholic church. schools, said, “If secular education is to opposition from Protestants by assuring Some writers wanted to stop all be made consistently and honestly non- them that the new, secularized public immigration, but others looked to public Christian, then all its more important schools could still include daily reading schools to save America. An article in branches must be omitted, or they must The Massachusetts Teacher in 1851 stated submit to a mutilation and falsification, that children of immigrants “must be far worse than absolute omission.”

James G. Blaine in 1884 (above); an 1888 taught as our own children are taught. … Leaving God out of teaching, he added, cartoon of Blaine depicting his attachment In many cases this can only be accom- was like “the play of Hamlet, with the

CARTOON: GETTY IMAGES • BLAINE: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS • BLAINE: LIBRARY IMAGES GETTY CARTOON: to special interests (left) plished by coercion. … The children must part of Hamlet omitted.”

August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 47 CONFESSION: JOSEPH KEPPLER/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS • CROCODILES: THOMAS NAST/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS - - An (2) (2) The GOP convention made “clean” made “clean” The GOP convention His involve Blaine failed nationally. An 1872 cartoon shows Blaine kneeling as Blaine kneeling shows cartoon An 1872 ment in bribery cases sickened many ment in bribery cases sickened to support They refused Republicans: as Mugwumps, him and became known with their on the political fence stuck “mugs” on one side and their rumps on Blaine lost went. as the joke the other, Cleveland Grover to Democrat narrowly called the party and what Republicans and Rebellion.” Romanism, of “Rum, (1) scandals. of list a long to he confesses with Catholic crocodiles shows cartoon 1875 children. on school advancing symbolism continental liar from Blaine, “Blaine, in down has gone of Maine” the state as one of the mostpolitical history ever. campaign chants negative effective nomi its presidential Hayes Rutherford The Senate then slight majority. a nee by the Blaine Amendment by turned down That did not end the matter, four votes. a prominent though. Blaine remained and years 16 GOP leader for the next He of state. twice as secretary served nominee presidential became his party’s in 1884. - 2 ` That prediction was correct: was That prediction 1 ` Blaine would be nominated despite brib Blaine would wrong. though, were ery accusations, Senators such as William Wallace Eaton Wallace Senators such as William to little desire of Connecticut showed This whole dodge. … further an “election James business originated with the Hon. to one of his dodges was It Blaine. … G. that Predictions get a nomination.” - - - - - , then a new August 31, 2019 • The Nation The

laine and other Northern Northern and other laine lis not were leaders Republican WORLD Magazine What became known as the Blaine as the What became known Grant in 1875 proposed a constitu in 1875 proposed Grant

48 did not care: His goal “is not to pass itdid not care: but to use it in the campaign to catch anti-Catholic votes.” federal government too much power too much power government federal the states. over Blaine’s favored political magazine, fail and Blaine but said it would ­measure Representatives in 1876, but many sena but many in 1876, Representatives the tors thought the amendment gave Amendment easily passed the House of Amendment easily passed the House will rave.” Ohio Sen. Sherman said Ohio Sen. Sherman will rave.” fools. were the Pope” from “Priests an amendment the following week. week. an amendment the following full of anti- debate was Congressional Sen. Catholic sentiment. Vermont “The Catholics sneered, Morrill Justin any religious tenets, and prohibit any and prohibit tenets, religious any going to reli funds from government such Blaine introduced gious schools. tional amendment that would require require would tional amendment that government-funded to establish states to teach forbid those schools schools, Catholicism, which Grant called a Catholicism, which Grant ambition and­center of “superstition, ignorance.” advocates of a bland Protestantism. He He Protestantism. of a bland advocates President gained the support of who had only a super Grant, Ulysses S. but hated of Scripture ficial knowledge and Southern whites, two groups two whites, and Southern to and anyway, to the GOP lost largely support among Northern win crucial tening or did not care. They perceived perceived They not care. tening or did to batter both Catholicsan opportunity B Blaine supporters kept alive his big- to, or control of, any part of the school using their grants at religious schools. otry and political strategy by placing funds of this state.” But the Ohio Espinoza’s legal team claims that reg- “Blaine Amendments” in state constitu- Supreme Court ruled that a Cleveland ulation runs counter to the Montana tions. For example, Missouri’s says no voucher plan was legitimate because Legislature’s desire to make scholarship state government body can “pay from school funds would reach “sects” only funds usable at all private schools in the any public fund whatever, anything [that through the “independent decisions of state. They say Montana’s Blaine clause would] sustain any private or public parents and students.” That’s crucial: should apply “only to public funds, and school, academy, seminary, college, uni- Evangelicals should not want govern- not private donations incentivized by versity, or other institution of learning controlled by any religious creed, church or sectarian denomination whatever.” Three dozen other states passed sim- Evangelicals should not ilar decrees. They clearly forbid direct appropriations from state government to want government choosing religious schools. But what about tax credits that put decision-making in the which religious schools hands of parents rather than govern- ment officials? What about tax credits for scholarships that can be used at receive funding. either secular or religious schools? Also, does legislative intent make a ment choosing which religious schools tax credits.” They argue that laws difference? Blaine Amendments passed receive funding, but empowering parents requiring religious schools to be not because legislators were against aids the Biblical injunction to teach excluded from the scholarship program ­religious teaching but because many ­children as “you walk by the way, and violate the religion and equal protection incorrectly assumed the public schools when you lie down, and when you rise.” clauses of the U.S. Constitution. would emphasize Protestant teaching. The specific funding mechanism is Many displayed a clear anti-Catholicism important. Christian schools that hen Blaine died in 1893, The and hoped Catholic schools would fail directly receive government grants WWashington Evening News stated, for financial reasons. might be forced to choose between for- “He has carved his name on the rock of saking funds or forsaking Christian enduring fame, where it will remain he Becket Fund for Religious worldview teaching. Danger resides in when the waves of countless years have TLiberty has detailed the history of any plan using taxpayer funds, because rolled against it and receded from it.” many Blaine Amendments and recent politicians or bureaucrats can exclude But 40 years later Blaine biographer judicial interpretations of them. For Christian schools. Still, the danger is Charles Russell gave an accurate sum- example, Arizona’s Supreme Court in much less in a tax credit plan, because mation: “No man in our annals has filled 1999 examined that state’s educational government never gets its hands on the so large a space and left it so empty.” tax-credit law in light of Article II, money. Private scholarship plans sup- And yet, as long as Blaine Section 12 of the Arizona Constitution: plemented by taxpayer funds are also Amendments remain, their originator is “No public money or property shall be much safer than direct grants. only mostly dead. We’ll know Blaine’s appropriated for or applied to any reli- The U.S. Supreme Court has hinted space is empty if Justice Clarence gious worship, exercise, or instruction, that it may bury Blaine. In Trinity Thomas writes the majority decision in or to the support of any religious Lutheran v. Comer (2017), the Supremes Espinoza, for he has forcefully noted establishment.” allowed government funds to go to a that “nothing in the Establishment The court in Kotterman v. Killian Lutheran school—but the 7-2 decision Clause requires the exclusion of perva- upheld the tax credit, noting that no was on narrow grounds. The vehicle for sively sectarian schools from otherwise money “ever enters the state’s control as pounding a stake through the heart of permissible aid programs.” In Mitchell v. a result of this tax credit. … Thus, under the Blaine Amendments may be Helms (2000), Thomas referred to the any common understanding of the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Blaine Amendments by noting, “Hostility words, we are not here dealing with Revenue. to aid to pervasively sectarian schools ‘public money.’” The Arizona court also Here are the facts: Kendra Espinoza has a shameful pedigree that we do not noted that Blaine Amendments were a and two other Montana moms trans- hesitate to disavow.” He emphasized “clear manifestation of religious bigotry ferred their kids to a nondenominational that “this doctrine, born of bigotry, … we would be hard pressed to divorce Christian private school. They hoped to should be buried now.” If Blaine is bur- the amendment’s language from the receive Big Sky Scholarships funded by ied, states now have the opportunity to insidious discriminatory intent that private donors who would receive a fund approaches that favor neither any prompted it.” modest state tax credit. But the Montana particular religion nor atheism. They Similarly, the Ohio Constitution now Department of Revenue, citing a Blaine can return authority to parents and give states that “no religious or other sect, or Amendment, created an administrative all the opportunity to skip poisoned sects, shall ever have any exclusive right rule barring scholarship recipients from apples and the poisoning of minds. A

 [email protected]  @MarvinOlasky August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 49 LIFE AFTER CHESS Former New York public-school student Alex Lenderman, one of the world’s top chess players, mastered the game and embraced the Christian faith in the process BY EMILY BELZ IN NEW YORK photos by Eugene Lee/Genesis

he world has whizzes now start much younger. His about 50,000 family isn’t wealthy, and in high school neurosurgeons, he couldn’t afford the elite private according to a coaches that players of his caliber typi- recent count in cally hire, but Lenderman still joined the the Journal of chess elite. Neurosurgery, His current FIDE rating (the World but there are only Chess standard for measuring players) is 1,500 chess grandmasters worldwide. 2654, ranking him 10th in the United Jerald Times, director of chess at a States and 97th in the world. TNew York charter school network, uses In high school in Brooklyn, Lenderman the stats to show that being a chess helped lead his public-school team to grandmaster might not be as lucrative as multiple national chess championships. brain surgery, but it is harder to achieve. Author Michael Weinreb captured­ that The chess teacher’s network hasn’t story in his book Game of Kings: A Year produced a grandmaster yet, but New Among the Oddballs and Geniuses Who York schools have long generated a Make Up America’s Top High School ­talent pool for champions and grand- Chess Team. masters. Aleksandr Lenderman, 29, is Lenderman, who became a Christian one of the chess grandmasters who several years ago, shrugs off that early attended a New York City public school. fame now, and barely blinks when I Lenderman is slight and boyish and mention reading the book about him. loves baseball. He also has one of the Instead, he’s focused on whether he can rare analytical brains that allowed him to make it back to the U.S. championships. become one of the top chess players in the world. He learned the game at age 10 from his German grandfather. Most Chess grandmaster Aleksandr Lenderman

50 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019

New York schools have produced many U.S. chess champions. The ­program Chess in the Schools began bringing chess to public schools in low- income neighborhoods here in 1986. This past school year, the program was in 48 New York City public schools and taught chess to 6,000 children. Success Academy, a newer network of 48 charter schools in the city, now requires chess instruction for students in kindergarten through second grade. (After second grade, students can elect to take chess classes and can specialize in chess when they’re in high school.) The network’s chess program has about 10,000 students a year. The philosophy behind requiring chess: It develops analytical thinking skills, concentration, and self-control. Times, the head of Success’ chess pro- gram, says learning chess has similar effects on the brain as learning a lan- guage. A study of New York students in 1993 showed that chess improved ­reading scores, while previous studies showed math improvements. Chess ­students might be a self-selected group, so those studies aren’t conclusive, but chess clearly improves basic skills like concentration and creativity. Chess offered those benefits to Lenderman. Famous chess coach Bruce Pandolfini talked about Lenderman and his high-school teammates to Weinreb for his book about the players. Pandolfini some of Lenderman’s petulant teenage before,” said Lenderman. But there was pondered their professional future: behavior: shouting at his father after a something else: “Something about him “Their lives have already been made tough loss and accusing his opponent of was different, just the way he talked to much better. They’re already better cheating. me and everything about him … it felt problem-solvers. They’re already “I was always not an easy person to like he really cared about me.” tougher mentally. They’re already more deal with,” he says now. That changed Kacheishvili told Lenderman he creative. They have more things to draw over time as he became a Christian, with should be able to make grandmaster on to get them through the difficulties in mentoring from another chess grand- “very easily,” which Lenderman had a life. The benefit will last for the rest of master: “I needed to grow spiritually as hard time believing. But because their lives.” well and learn how to deal with Kacheishvili believed it, Lenderman Chess also led Lenderman, whose struggles.” began to believe it. At 21, he became a family is Jewish, into a community that George Kacheishvili, a laid-back grandmaster. eventually led him to the Christian faith. grandmaster who also calls New York He also began losing But that took time as he navigated the home, got to know Lenderman at a better, instead of giving up all-consuming elite chess world. As a ­pivotal moment in his young career after in frustration. During one teenager, Lenderman was on the cover high school. Lenderman felt he was in a tournament, when he was of Chess Life magazine for being one of slump, like a .300 hitter in baseball already doing badly, he the few young Americans to win the ­dropping to .250, he said. Other coaches says, he decided to play a gold medal at the World Youth Chess weren’t helping. Kacheishvili and meaningless game “as if Championship. Lenderman played against each other in it’s going to be a million- Lenderman racked up champion- a tournament, and soon Kacheishvili dollar game.” For the next ships, but he says he also treated the was coaching Lenderman. year he played well, and people around him badly, and he didn’t “The way he looked at the game of gained 100 rating points— know God. Weinreb’s book chronicles chess is something I’ve never seen a big leap forward.

52 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 of Kacheishvili’s first name] seemed like him to work less as a coach to make ends a very normal, reasonable person, not meet. someone who just is completely oblivi- He’s going from New York, the old ous to everything. And so I asked Giorgi, center of the U.S. chess world, to St. ‘Do you believe in God?’ And he says, Louis, an emerging center. Wesley So, ‘Yes, of course. Only … silly people don’t one of the top American players (and believe in God.’” also a Christian), went to Webster, and Lenderman began memorizing the other top players like Fabiano Caruana, Lord’s Prayer, and after he explored No. 2 in the world, are based there. Jesus and concepts like sin, he asked to Lenderman hopes to improve his be baptized in the Russian Orthodox chess under the tutelage of world cham- Church. He uses an email address with pions like Susan Polgár: “My goal is to “33” in it to identify with the traditional try to realize my maximum potential, my year for Jesus’ death and resurrection. God-given talent, which is chess.” Lenderman’s atheist grandfather in He also wants to grow socially. His Germany, the one who taught him chess, two main grandmaster friends in New has tried to convince Lenderman he’s York, seven-time U.S. women’s cham- wrong about his new faith ever since his pion Irina Krush and Kacheishvili, are conversion. Lenderman’s other set of very busy. Maybe he’ll make some more grandparents are Russian Orthodox friends or meet a girl. Jewish immigrants to New York. He’s “I want to stay a virgin before I hesitant to go into much detail, but his marry, but at the same time, I feel like conversion was hard for his family to maybe the fact that I’m almost 30 and swallow initially, though they’re more I’ve never even dated, that’s also a little accepting now. too extreme,” Lenderman said. “I just On a typical day in Brooklyn, where want to get out there in terms of social he lives with his parents and near his life. That doesn’t mean I should be stay- grandparents, Lenderman coaches some ing out till 1:00, drinking. … I don’t like individual chess students (making at party life. But at the same time … I need least $150 an hour) and then studies to get out of my comfort zone a little bit chess for hours. He also trains in karate, and prepare myself for life.” because he thinks exercise is essential Elite chess sometimes temporarily for professional chess players, given that delays a dating life, a dynamic that top Lenderman they often have to play grueling games players like Magnus Carlsen and that can go for 10 hours. He uses two old Caruana have publicly discussed. One day Kacheishvili was complain- laptops to study chess—one is a backup But Jerald Times, the chess director ing about some ailment, and Lenderman computer if the other one fails. in New York, has worked to show that suggested reiki—a form of New Age This fall, as he contemplates a life chess is for everyone, the jocks and the healing. Kacheishvili dismissed reiki beyond chess, Lenderman plans to leave geeks. He has taught in low-income with a laugh, and said God would take the Russian-Jewish neighborhood schools, at the elite Dalton School in care of him. Lenderman was surprised where he has lived his whole life. He Manhattan, and in South Africa—and that Kacheishvili believed in God. will move to St. Louis and attend college there’s one question he always hears “My grandpa always told me people at Webster University, studying data from students: “Is chess for nerds?” who believe in God are people who are analytics. He wants the degree in order For Times, a key to answering that not educated,” said Lenderman. “To me to have career options that may come question is to focus on getting students Giorgi [the non-Americanized spelling with stable health insurance and enable into official tournaments, which makes chess more of a sport in students’ minds. It’s also where students gain the actual skills touted in so many studies: the burn ‘My goal is to try to of competition, the desire to improvise, and the yearning to gain status as a player. realize my maximum “Abstract reasoning, calculation, delayed gratification—those skills are potential, my God-given gained inside of the tournament hall,” Times said. talent, which is chess.’ And that’s where Alex Lenderman feels most at home, even as he goes back —ALEKSANDR LENDERMAN to school. A

 [email protected]  @emlybelz August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 53 After hearing and reading excerpts for years, it’s exciting to get the full interviews. Marvin Olasky is an experienced journalist and an expert interviewer who asks good questions and lets the other person speak. —iTunes reviewer

Season one guests include John Dickerson, Rosaria Butterfi eld, Kay Coles James, and others.

After hearing and reading excerpts for years, it’s exciting to get the full interviews. Marvin Olasky is an experienced journalist and an expert interviewer who asks good questions and lets the other person speak. —iTunes reviewer

Hear the depth and substance you’ve always wanted from interviews with prominent authors, politicians, thought leaders, and the kind of intellectuals that make you feel smarter just by hearing their voices. You know the type. Marvin Olasky does too, mostly because he’s interviewed them for decades and knows exactly what questions to ask.

Get the full story with The Olasky Interview. Available everywhere you listen to podcasts.

OlaskyFP2.indd 2 7/25/19 3:41 PM NOTEBOOK Health / Medicine / Sports / Lifestyle

Health A polio campaign team member dispenses the vaccine to a child. A day in a polio members collected kits for the day that included identity tags, green ­overalls, and oral polio vaccines. campaign Nigeria is the only country in Africa where the wild poliovirus is still NIGERIA IS NEARLY POLIO-FREE THANKS TO considered endemic. But the country ORAL VACCINATIONS, BUT SOME PARENTS REMAIN has not recorded any natural transmis- RESISTANT by Onize Ohikere in Karu, Nigeria sion in nearly three years and could be declared polio-free by the end of this year. At 7:00 on a Saturday morning in outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital Despite the rigorous vaccination R July, dozens of volunteers gath- city. campaigns, several challenges still ered at the primary health center in Supervisors for different groups pose a risk for future outbreaks. Polio is the town of Karu. It marked the start received last-minute reminders on a highly infectious viral disease mostly

ONIZE OHIKERE of a four-day polio campaign on the how to verify their team’s work. Team affecting children younger than 5.

Visit WORLD Digital: wng.org August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 55 NOTEBOOK

Mainly spread through feces, the virus heard rumors about side effects and the The wild poliovirus became a global multiples in the intestine and can infect use of expired vaccines. epidemic in 1996, when it paralyzed the nervous system, eventually resulting Salihu spent a few minutes confirm- 75,000 children around the world. At in paralysis. The disease has no cure ing he came from the hospital and the time, former South African but can be prevented by vaccination. explaining how they coordinate the President Nelson Mandela launched At the clinic, all the volunteers campaign process. Finally, Nwokorie the Kick Polio out of Africa campaign teamed up and left for their designated gave him permission to squeeze out the together with Rotary International. areas. There, they started a routine that drops into his son’s mouth. Oliver Christiaan Rosenbauer, the continued for the next four hours: “I wanted to know the density of spokesman for polio eradication at the knock on each door, introduce them- what they’re giving, reactions to it, if World Health Organization, told me selves as a team from the immunization it’s still valid,” Nwokorie told me. that just 10 years ago Nigeria was the unit, and ask if families have any chil- Over the four days of the campaign, epicenter of polio transmission, with dren age 5 or younger. some 207 volunteers stopped at 31,304 genetic traces found as far as Indonesia. At the houses with Since September 2016, health work- children, they dis- ers have not detected any case of the pensed drops of the wild poliovirus in Nigeria. The World oral vaccine into each Health Organization requires a geo- child’s mouth, then graphic region to have no new cases of marked his left pinky the wild poliovirus for three years finger with a purple before certifying it as polio-free. marker to indicate he Outside of Nigeria, only Afghanistan received it. and Pakistan still record cases of the At one house where wild virus. a team knocked, a Rosenbauer said vaccination teams mother unlocked the in Nigeria still battle to reach commu- wooden guard door nities because of the country’s insecu- with her two young rity, nomadic population movements, sons in tow. The and gaps in vaccination campaigns, sounds of a cartoon among other challenges. He lauded echoed from the tele- Nigeria’s feat as a success story but vision in their living noted more work remains. room. Only the young- The country still records cases of est boy, who was 5, vaccine-derived poliovirus. This weak- received the oral dose. ened strain of the virus can mutate and He came forward spread in communities with low immu- ­hesitantly, while his nity rates and trigger an outbreak. brother watched with “The fact that you have a polio a smile and later ­outbreak in a given area means you examined the little have vaccination gaps,” Rosenbauer mark on his finger. said. “So you need to boost community Team members vaccination … to a level the virus doesn’t also used white chalk find any susceptible children.” to mark the outside Ogah Donatus was washing laundry of each house they outside with her 2-year-old daughter visited so their super- playing nearby when the team came to visors knew whether her compound. As soon as they they needed to revisit. Often the initial Marking pinky fingers (top); Oliver explained their work, she gave the team visit was successful,­ but sometimes Nwokorie and his family (above) members permission to vaccinate her hesitated before accepting the vaccine. families would refuse the vaccine. daughter. Umar Salihu, one of the team leaders She told me her three older children I accompanied, said a big challenge homes. The volunteers go through a had also received all their vaccines, they face is parents who mistrust the full day of training and receive a $12 including against infections like ONIZE OHIKERE vaccinations. His team knocked on the ­stipend for their work. John Nelson ­meningitis. Despite the worries of some door of Oliver Nwokorie, who con- Ifeanyi, one of the lead volunteers, said Nigerian parents, she had no qualms firmed he had a 1-year-old son. But last year the clinic ran the campaign about the vaccinations, she said: “It’s a Nwokorie was hesitant: He said he’d seven times. preventive measure from the disease.” A

56 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 Manage your membership: wng.org/membership Quinn Nystrom traveled from Minnesota to purchase insulin at Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy in Fort Frances, Ontario.

time and keeps patients waiting, but shortages leave them no choice. Christ is allergic­ to bees, so she ­carries an EpiPen. When an EpiPen shortage struck Canada last summer, she didn’t feel right getting a new one. She and many other Canadians kept their expired EpiPens. A drug’s expira- tion date is the time after which the drug could have lost 10 percent of its potency, so an expired EpiPen might still work. But it might not work, and a severe allergic reaction would be the consequence. Thankfully, Christ didn’t have to find out because the shortage ended. Medicine One year later, Canada is running out of EpiPens again. Pfizer, until recently the only company authorized A new drug war to provide injectors to Canadians, ­continued to have manufacturing U.S. TURNS TO CANADA FOR CHEAPER DRUGS, ­problems. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, the BUT DOES CANADA HAVE ENOUGH TO SHARE? Canadian health minister, has signed by Hannah Harris an emergency interim order to allow U.S.-based provider Kaléo to send ­epinephrine auto-injectors to Canada. When pharmacist Heather Christ import of cheaper prescription drugs That may sound like an easy solution, R arrived for her afternoon shift at from Canada. But Canada doesn’t have but it was complicated. The new Shoppers Drug Mart in New Brunswick, enough drugs to share with the massive ­injectors didn’t have instructions in Canada, she noticed a tower of empty U.S. market, and the Canadian Health French for distribution in Quebec. pharmacy trays stacked nearly 2 feet Minister’s office said, “While we’re They operated differently than EpiPens, high. The reason, Christ said: shortages. aware of ongoing state-led initiatives to so pharmacists had to spend extra time Patients with high blood pressure import Canadian drugs, we weren’t teaching patients how to use them. The request a 90-day supply of medicine, consulted on specifics.” injectors came in packages of two, so but the pharmacist may only give them Given Canada’s preexisting drug pharmacists had to open the packages enough for 10 days. A mom comes to shortages, Christ says expanding the to redistribute them one per patient. pick up an anti-convulsant for her market is “alarming from Canada’s point And Kaléo had to rebuild trust, since it ­epileptic child, only to find the drug of view.” If the United States drills a hole suffered a product recall in 2015. isn’t available. in the already leaking Canadian drug Why the recurring shortages of other When drugstores run out of drugs, pipeline, and then tries to fill a tank 10 drugs? Opinions abound. Manufacturing “people just get panicky,” says Christ. times the size of Canada’s, the drug and shipping problems. Disruptions in But that’s nothing new in Canada: Christ supply will run dry. A 2018 study pub- international supply. Discontinued sighed heavily and said, “It’s been part lished in the journal Health Economics generics in favor of newer, brand-name of the scenery for so long.” Christ, a & Outcome Research: Open Access found drugs with greater profits. Lack of 30-year veteran of Canada’s pharmaceu- that if one-fifth of U.S. prescriptions are ­suppliers. Government price caps tical industry, says the country’s drug filled in Canada, Canada’s drug supply imposed by Canada’s nationalized shortage has worsened in recent years. will be exhausted in six months. healthcare system. And the future of More than 1,800 drugs are on Canada’s Christ says Canadian pharmacists Canada’s drug supply? Christ said, “I’m needed list, according to the official sometimes work around drug shortages discouraged.” She sees the recurring Drug Shortages Canada website. by adapting prescriptions. They work problems as the new normal: a normal Last month U.S. President Donald from scratch to create alternative that could be worsened if the United

JERRY HOLT/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE VIA ZUMA WIRE/ALAMY VIA ZUMA TRIBUNE STAR HOLT/MINNEAPOLIS JERRY Trump announced plans to allow the ­compounds. The process takes extra States comes looking for a share. A

August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 57 NOTEBOOK

Sports Fortnite Creative, and the most popular, Fortnite Battle Royale. Fortnite Battle Royale, a third-person Gamers in Queens shooting free-for-all, was the focus of THE FORTNITE WORLD CUP SHOWS A VIDEO GAME’S the World Cup. In Battle Royale, 100 starting players build their surroundings REMARKABLE POPULARITY by Isaiah Johnson in New York and then battle. A purple storm slowly closes in, forcing the players into a A sold-out crowd in the Arthur smaller and smaller space and killing Giersdorf R Ashe Stadium in Queens roared as those who cannot move quickly Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf lifted the enough. Those who manage to avoid Fortnite World Cup Solo trophy above the storm and take out all of the com­ his head on July 28. Inside the arena, petition earn a “Victory Royale.” which usually hosts the U.S. Open, As serious competition began on the ­purple and blue lights cut through the second day of the finals, anxious par- smoke and confetti filling the air to focus ents, gaming teams, and players’ agents on the 16-year-old as he celebrated filled the stands. Media swarmed the winning the first-ever Fortnite World lower levels of the stadium. In place of Cup, a tournament for players of the the usual tennis court, a two-story popular Fortnite online game. The $3 ­gaming station towered above the million first-place prize was the largest crowd. The walls were covered with ever awarded at a gaming tournament. video screens, allowing the audience to Forty million people had competed see each player’s face as he competed. for 10 weeks to try to reach the World Cheers and moans rose with each Cup finals in New York City. The finals player’s elimination. Matches often lasted three days, awarded $30 million came down to the final seconds of play, in winnings, and showcased the hottest accompanied by the announcers’ e-sport right now. Colleges, including excited commentary. On the last day, Christian ones like Olivet Nazarene, have Bugha overwhelmed his competition begun offering e-sport scholarships. with elimination after elimination. In just two years, Fortnite has become one of the most popular video games in history. As of March 2019, the game had amassed almost 250 million players. It pulls in billions of FORTNITE FLAK dollars in revenue, even though it is Kids who score “kills” on Fortnite might consider themselves virtual heroes, but free to download (developer Epic some parents view them as addicts. The enormous popularity of Fortnite has moms, dads, and teachers alike complaining about children and teens playing Games makes money through in- the game in class (on mobile phones) and skipping sleep in order to battle online game purchases). after midnight. Fortnite’s design appeals broadly Some studies have suggested video games can improve brain function. Others across age groups. It differs from differ. Some players struggle to control their hobby: A LendEDU survey last year other popular shooting games by found that Fortnite players on average spend six to 10 hours per week on the refraining from showing blood. It game, with 35 percent admitting they’d missed school time in order to play. combines the appeal of online multi- Parents tell of teens growing angry when made to put their consoles away. player games with virtual storytelling: Blogger and former teacher Erika Sanzi wrote that she leveraged her kids’ love Players can attend live events like of Fortnite as motivation: “They’ll race to get their homework done so they can concerts with other players inside the play.” game. The colorful design, thematic The appeal is partly social. As they play, Fortnite gamers typically talk to one costumes, and trendy dances that another on headsets, creating a virtual, after-school meeting place for friends. (The chat function is unfiltered, though, and players may use it to bully or swear players can earn for their characters at rivals.) have set Fortnite apart as a brand. Fortnite’s violence is cartoonish, but game characters, including some sexual- EPIC GAMES VIA AP None of these concepts is new to ized female characters, do shoot one another with realistic guns. Some research gaming, but Fortnite has expanded has linked violent video games to aggressive behavior in children, but the data is their reach. It contains three game conflicted. China and Japan have large gaming industries but relatively few gun modes: Fortnite: Save the World (a deaths. —Daniel James Devine post-apocalyptic survival game),

58 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019 even when she walked out, she “knew this was a marriage God put together, and I had no right to break it apart.” She returned to the house. They talked. Mark realized he had to change. He started reading Rekindled by Pat and Jill Williams, a book about revitalizing marriage. After that Sunday conversa- tion there were no more

Mark and big turning points, both Dorothy Loomans say, “just lots today and of slow, hard work.” in 1974 They took family camp- ing trips and had date nights here and there. Mark remembers trying to learn how to have “soul-building” conversations with his wife on their dates, instead of just discussing the business of the family. Mark says he looked at Lifestyle Dorothy 10 years later and said, “We are happily married. This is turning into a mar- riage that is better than I Regaining a could’ve ever dreamed it could be.” She agreed with him. lost love After their younger daughter mar- A CRISIS IN MARK AND DOROTHY LOOMAN’S ried in 1999, the Loomans began doing MARRIAGE TAUGHT THEM TO PRIORITIZE ONE devotions together each morning. by Charissa Koh Today they read the Bible, then rewrite ANOTHER portions of it in their own words before praying through an extensive prayer First in a series on long marriages p.m. to midnight, five or six days a list. The process usually takes them an week, while attending classes. Over hour and a half, and they say this has Two years into his first pastorate, time, the lack of communication and drawn them close to each other and to R Mark Looman sat down to lunch time together drained the marriage. God. They also enjoy doing things with his wife Dorothy and their two Mark says, “I can’t even imagine how together: gardening in their raspberry girls. From Mark’s perspective, every- many nights she just went to bed by patch, kayaking, and performing in thing was normal, but over the last herself, had supper alone, put the kids community theater plays. eight years, Dorothy’s frustration had to bed, week after week after week.” Now in their 60s, and with pastoral been silently building. At that lunch, it The Loomans wanted to serve God and pastor’s wife experience at four became too much: She told Mark she in ministry, so they pushed through churches, the Loomans agree on advice did not love him anymore and walked seminary. Dorothy desperately hoped they’d give to young couples: “You have out the door. “I wasn’t sure if I’d even Mark would spend more time with the no idea about how still immature and see her again,” Mark says. family after graduating and becoming a young this relationship is compared to Before coming to the church, Mark pastor. Instead, he prepared and taught where it is headed if you will just be had attended seminary. “He would go lessons for Sunday morning and eve- faithful, trust God, keep your vows.” to work, he’d go to class, he’d sleep, he ning services, plus Sunday school and After 46 years of marriage, they speak was consumed with homework, and Wednesday evening. He was also the of “heights to be reached and depths in our relationship just suffered terribly,” youth pastor, plumber, and janitor in your relationship and feelings of love Dorothy remembers. The couple had their small Marlette, Mich., church. that will rise to the surface in your 40th two young children, so she stayed home One summer Sunday in 1983, things year and beyond, you have no idea of

HANDOUTS with them while Mark worked from 3 came to a head. Dorothy recalls that when you’re in your 20s and 30s.” A

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Weapons-grade crisis [ July 20, p. 32 ] Recently I was reading Time next to WORLD, and the contrast jumped out at me. You superbly cover stories­ others barely touch, from Iran’s verified nuclearcapability ­ to pro-life Democrats to 21st-century Anglicans to 19th-century Scottish evangelicals. You fill a huge void. —DOUG PERKINS / Wilmington, Del.

Almighty science? ­during a moonwalk and how his [ July 20, p. 5 ] Sadly, many Christian view of God grew exponentially. His scholars and leaders have adjusted story helped my faith and under- Career and calling their understanding of the Bible to fit standing grow exponentially as well. [ July 20, p. 57 ] Thanks for the article the fad of “theistic evolution.” God’s —HELEN MARTIN on Facebook on the Boyds’ Kingdom Home in clear account in Genesis 1 doesn’t Uganda. We’ve been drilling wells there need millions of years, reordering, or Life of the party for 20 years, and there are many oppor- distorted “evidence” to be true. [ July 20, p. 42 ] Excellent article. I tunities to serve the people of Uganda. —MICHAEL DuMEZ / Oostburg, Wis. often comment on abortion-related —BARBARA & LES GUTZWILLER / articles in mainstream publications Harmony, Pa. Christians should be among the top and beg moderate Democrats to speak proponents of rigorous scientific out against the extremism in the party. There’s more going on here. Many methodology, but in its proper place It might inspire others to know they children in Ugandan orphanages have as a tool for stewardship. I’ve encoun- aren’t alone, but I never see it. family but are there because of poverty. tered Christians who have adopted an —LISA AIKMAN ROSENDALE on Facebook That’s why the government is focusing anti-intellectualism that dismisses on family reunification and promoting ­science as human wisdom. I have been waiting to hear about adoption. Westerners coming in to run —PAULINE MARIE FERRILL on Facebook ­liberals who reject the sinful aspects orphanages make this more challenging. of the Democratic platform. What a —AMY WALTERS on Facebook Good scientists have humility and hard road to navigate. understand the limits of science, and —CHRISTY DAVIS NORDSTROM on Facebook Allies against porn most scientists I know fit this [ July 20, p. 55 ] It is wonderful to ­description. The people who give too Golden state tarnish know that some non-Christians are much reverence to science are typically [ July 20, p. 8 ] Praying for those in concerned by the prevalence of por- journalists and politicians, who use it authority is Biblical, but that doesn’t nography in our culture. Libertarians to build storylines, philosophies, and imply, as Paula White prayed, that don’t understand that only by the grace public policy. those who raise questions about the of God is there resistance to depravity. —SCOTT ROGERS / Tucson, Ariz. president are “demonic.” Praise God —JOHN DEGGES / Salt Lake City, Utah we have a voice in our government, A man over the moon but we can’t lose sight of our primary Eleven- to 15-year-old children [ July 20, p. 50 ] As a 14-year-old boy, mission, which is the Great becoming perpetrators of sexual I wept for joy when Neil Armstrong Commission. assault is a horror, but it’s not surpris- hopped off the ladder onto the —LIZ JONES on wng.org ing. Porn normalizes perversions and moon’s surface. Your article about objectifies victims. Apollo 11 reminded me what a Marvin Olasky’s great report on —KAREN OPP LaBARR on Facebook ­glorious time it was to be growing California didn’t mention SB 276. The up in America. bill would tighten the state’s immuni- Dirty fighting —JOHN BOLES / Camden, Ala. zation requirements and undermine [ July 20, p. 22 ] If It’s Time to Fight doctor/patient privileges and privacy. Dirty is a prescription for implement- Years ago I heard Jim Irwin, who Many Democrats are patting their own ing radical progressive ideas, then it’s went to the moon on Apollo 15, backs for such heroic action. also a powerful tool for conservatives describe an encounter with God —LORENA SARUWATARI / Camarillo, Calif. to counter them. But things get ugly

Visit WORLD Digital: wng.org August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 61 VOICES Mailbag

when God’s people think they have to so busy correcting the heresies of counseling for a season. Although his fight dirty to win. ­wayward churches that we neglect all left ear was stone deaf, he heard the —ERNIE BROGDON on Facebook the other of the Lord’s commands? I still, quiet voice of the Spirit in a way agree with Tim Carney: We need a few of us ever will. Historically, politics in republics are Great Awakening in our churches. —KAREN DAVIS / Exton, Pa. dirty, but that’s better than the histories —TIM G. LARSEN on wng.org of socialist, monarchist, and militaristic Correction forms of government. Those usually True grit China researcher Matthew Robertson involve assassination and genocide. [ July 20, p. 38 ] The comment from pointed out some prisoners have —PATRICK ROWE on Facebook Rwanda’s Anglican Archbishop blood-borne illnesses that make their Laurent Mbanda was profound: “How organs ineligible for transplantation Glorious by design do you value me when you don’t value (“A fatal harvest,” Aug. 17, p. 40). [ July 20, p. 16 ] The problems with what I believe?” Isn’t this the defining the theory of evolution aren’t just issue of the American culture war? Read more Mailbag letters at wng.org ­“scientific.” Can this theory explain Mbanda’s standard to resolve the why we are so moved by beauty? Can Anglican dispute is adherence to the LETTERS and COMMENTS it explain why we care so much about Word of God. Where are our criteria Email [email protected] one tiny bird caught in a screen? for framing a civil discussion? Mail WORLD Mailbag, PO Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802-9998 —BOB HINKLEY on wng.org —JORGE A. VELEZ / Long Beach, Calif. Website wng.org Facebook facebook.com/WORLD.magazine Land of the alienated The gentle counselor Twitter @WORLD_mag [ July 20, p. 26 ] Have conservative [ July 20, p. 63 ] I was one of many Please include full name and address. Letters Christians lost their first love? Are we blessed to sit under David Powlison’s may be edited to yield brevity and clarity. VOICES Andrée Seu Peterson

Please don’t miss the salient feature of that comment—that happiness comes only as the finished product passes the hearing test. Your piece of writing isn’t done till you can read it out loud and say, “Ahhh.” This is because so much of writing (I am sometimes tempted to say 90 percent) is rhythm. That should give the most discouraged wordsmith courage: just pay The sound of attention to iambic pentameter (“That time / of year / thou mayst / in me / behold”) and dactylic hexameter (“This is the / forest pri / writing meval, the / murmuring / pine and the ­hemlocks”) and you’re halfway home. A GOOD WRITER IS A JOYFUL PROBLEM-SOLVER Johnny Mercer had a fun “problem” to solve: write for an actress with Harold “Hal” Prince, producer and ­serious voice limitations (Audrey R ­director, died at age 91 on July 31. It got Hepburn) playing a country me thinking about musicals and lyrics and how ­bumpkin adventuring in the big city today’s aspiring writers, including humble (Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Mercer magazine columnists, could do worse than drafted not one, not two, but three study the old heyday Broadway songs. All different “solutions” to set to Henry ­writing is problem-solving, and it’s fun to see Mancini’s tune. One was “I’m Holly / how the best of the best solved their “problems,” Like I want to be / Like holly on a and had a blast doing it. tree back home / Just plain Holly / Take Sheldon Harnick (lyricist) and Jerry With no dolly / No mama, no papa / Bock (composer). Here’s your assignment boys, Wherever I roam.” said Prince: Take the story of a poor Jewish We should always be grateful that milkman with attitude and five daughters, in instead they chose the following lyrics 1905 backwater imperial Russia, and tell us for the homesick Hepburn strumming how he felt and make us like him. Bock and her guitar on a Manhattan fire escape: Harnick’s answer was “If I Were a Rich Man” Your piece of “Moon River, wider than a mile, I’m crossing in Fiddler on the Roof that I still whistle 55 you in style someday.” years later while washing the kitchen floor. writing isn’t There was some heated discussion about the I learn more about the craft from this handful done till you “my huckleberry friend” detail in the last bar of of verses than from a lecture: “I’d build a big, can read it the song, committee types balking at its out-of- tall house with rooms by the dozen / Right in the-blue specificity, and Mercer’s own friend the middle of the town / A fine tin roof with out loud and Margaret Whiting suggesting he leave the words real wooden floors below / There would be one say, ‘Ahhh.’ out. In the end, Mercer went with his instincts, long staircase just going up / And one even the studio backed down, and forevermore we ­longer coming down / And one more leading have the thrill of that impish insertion with all nowhere, just for show.” its rich conjuring of childhood summers and Nothing more to say. We love Tevye instantly, picking wild berries by the river, and subliminal and none of us knows—’cause the songmeisters allusions to Mark Twain and American inno- don’t want us to know—how coming up with cence—dispensed in a three-word phrase. these words was deceptively simple, like Harnick recalls: “Jerry [Bock] would go into watching Ginger Rogers do everything Fred his studio, and write music. Eventually he Astaire did but “backwards and in heels.” The would send me a tape. … At some point in the creators had to rhyme, but that’s just for starters. writing I would have an idea …, ‘I don’t want to They had to evoke character and Yiddish sense be handcuffed. … I want the freedom to … change of humor, all while advancing the story. the meters. …’ And when I gave him my first An interviewer asked Bock and Harnick: lyric, and when he gave it back to me, I thought, “What is the happiest moment as a team that ‘This is wonderful.’ … I thought of it as a waltz, you can recollect?” Bock replied: “They came he’s done it as something else, and it’s better when a lyric is finished, and Sheldon sings the Jerry Bock (seated) that way.” and Sheldon Harnick song for the first time. There is nothing like at work in New York That was the sound of joyful problem-solving,

WALTER ALBERTIN/NEW YORK WORLD-TELEGRAM & SUN/PHOTOQUEST/GETTY IMAGES & SUN/PHOTOQUEST/GETTY WORLD-TELEGRAM YORK ALBERTIN/NEW WALTER that moment.” City in 1960 the sound of writing. A

 [email protected] August 31, 2019 • WORLD Magazine 63 VOICES Marvin Olasky

their National Education Association funders are big fools who demand “college for all.” Atlanta’s Westside is typical in that regard: Becky O’Mara says students without academic aptitude “are told that college is the path … you feel like a failure.” Tim O’Mara has seen how accomplishments change self-perception: “When you give a kid a bike and you start building things Labor days for the first time, they’re like, I can’t do this. And BUILDING CHARACTER WHILE TRAINING then we do it piece by piece. They learn those pieces and then they build a whole bike and all BE TRANSFORMED. CHRISTIAN MECHANICS AND TECHNICIANS of a sudden their confidence really takes off.” I saw at Bearings the wall In 1968 CBS, facing political pressure, charts that show day by day R finally allowed onThe Smothers Brothers whether students take care of Comedy Hour a song, “Waist Deep in the Big their tools, show up on time, and Muddy,” that implicitly called President display the other “soft skills” Lyndon B. Johnson a “big fool” for leading future employees will need. Using America deeper into the Vietnam War. The donated bikes of varying quality, song has a platoon fording a river that goes kids who stick with the program from knee deep to neck deep in the Big also gain “hard skills,” becoming Muddy—“and the big fool says to push on.” accomplished mechanics with Forty years later, in 2008, an 8-year-old in skills transferable to other tasks. Adair Park in Atlanta’s Westside had a bicycle About 250 students participated that needed new tires and tubes. Tim O’Mara, in the program last year. who owned a video production company, and As students work, they listen his wife Becky, who worked at a local church, to Christian rap and through that, wanted to be good neighbors. They offered to fix along with spoken-word CDs, the bike if the girl would do chores in their yard. many encounter the gospel. She worked so diligently that she ended up Bearings has also seen tragedies. with a new bike—and soon children throughout The little girl who earned the the neighborhood wanted the same. Before first bicycle has had numerous long children learning how to repair and problems. One Bearings regular assemble bicycles filled the O’Mara driveway ‘Then they grew up with a single mom, a dad in jail, a sister on Saturdays. Five years later Tim and Becky who had her first child at age 14, and a younger had created a bike shop and gone all-in on a build a whole brother killed this past March. Still, he’s now nonprofit that became WORLD’s Southeast bike and all working with a small-business owner outfitting Region Hope Award winner in 2013. of a sudden camper vans. By itself that might look like a cute tale James Garfield, president in 1881 when about a ministry, but the story of Bearings Bike their confi- American colleges were just starting to turn Shop is more than that. During the past dence really into German-style universities, defined an ideal ­half-century American education has become takes off.’ college as theologian “Mark Hopkins on one one-dimensional: Every student is supposed to end of a log and a student on the other.” We can attend college, even though most students are improve American education for students with not inclined to sit in a classroom and discuss mechanical rather than academic aptitude: abstractions. How about an O’Mara fixing one wheel of a Nationally, one-fourth of high-school bicycle and a student fixing the other? ­freshmen now fail to graduate in four years. Classical Christian schools have been a You’re passionate about the gifts God has given you Half of students who start college drop out wonderful innovation of the past three decades. and looking for a college that will allow you to pursue and hone ­during or after their first year. Others hang Christian mechanics schools and training your talents. You want a place that will prepare you for the life around, often learning little but piling up debt. ­programs are rare. If you know of a good to which God has called you. You’ll find it at Union University, Meanwhile, the United States faces a skills gap. ­nonprofit one, please nominate it for next year’s JASON C. HALES where we equip students who don’t want to sacrifice Young workers who gain the skills and self-­ Hope Awards by writing to [email protected]. To academic quality or Christian community. discipline to become technicians and mechanics read about this year’s regional winners, and to A young lady with her At Union University, be transformed. can readily move from poverty to the middle new bike at Bearings vote for the one that moves you the most, class. Nevertheless, many liberal politicians and Bike Shop please go to wng.org/compassion. A BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY AT uu.edu BE TRANSFORMED

64 WORLD Magazine • August 31, 2019  [email protected]  @MarvinOlasky BE TRANSFORMED.

You’re passionate about the gifts God has given you and looking for a college that will allow you to pursue and hone your talents. You want a place that will prepare you for the life to which God has called you. You’ll find it at Union University, where we equip students who don’t want to sacrifice academic quality or Christian community. At Union University, be transformed. BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY AT uu.edu BE TRANSFORMED THE FREEDOM OF HOMESCHOOLING WITH THE SUPPORT OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL AT A PRICE YOU WON’T BELIEVE

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