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To send letters to the editor, please see our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters.

Charlie Brown

It was nice to read something about A Charlie Brown Christmas, which I have watched many times. It has a very overt message about the Christ Child with the scriptural quote by Linus. Sadly, Charles Schulz himself lost that faith over the years, and in later years he considered himself to be a secular humanist. But it was a great piece of animation.

Bob Wierdsma // Peterborough, Ont.

Media Reviews

In the recent article “‘Keep Writing!’” (January/February 2025), it was encouraging to see students take interest in reviewing the popular media they consume. The Banner indicated (three times) that it did not run certain reviews because “content might be problematic for our more sensitive readers.” This begs the question: What’s the problem? The sensitive reader or the content? Part of The Banner’s mandate is to stimulate critical thinking. Popular movies, TV shows, and books deserve critical review with a clear indication of why Christians would or would not want to engage. Culture speaks its worldview loudly. The Banner has the opportunity to speak loudly as well. What does the Bible have to say about the content—hardships, violence, hero worship, depression, isolation, sexuality, substance abuse—in the movies the students chose?

Rachel Bouwkamp // Wyoming, Mich.

Like God

Thank you for your deeply thoughtful editorials. I found your editorial “To Be Like God” (January/February 2025) to be a very helpful, biblical, and thoughtful piece. It gave me new insight, which you do so often with your editorials. Thank you for that.

John Meiboom // Toronto, Ont.

White Supremacy

I applaud your profound, subtle editorials. I believe you (editor Shiao Chong) were called by God to promote unity as the Christian Reformed Church struggles with difficult issues within the church. I also applaud the denomination’s stated commitment to “hear the cries of the oppressed, forsaken, and disadvantaged, to seek justice and love mercy as we walk humbly with our God.” … As you stated in your recent editorial the Bible doesn’t call us to seek power. The Bible calls us to exemplify the fruit of the Spirit. Zachary King says in his article “Why a Denomination” that “collective seeking, discerning, and submitting to God’s will remain essential for our churches.” As a denomination are we complicit in what is happening in the current U.S. federal administration, which is demonstrating what unbiblical white supremacy looks like? Are we complicit when we aren't working at finding a way forward to boldly and openly communicate that white supremacy has been declared by the denomination to be unbiblical and therefore not an acceptable belief system for CRC members?

Barbara Van Enk // Los Angeles

A Metaphor in CRC Building’s Destruction

How apt for the CRC, losing affirming churches, pastors, longtime faithful members, and finances to see a metaphor from today's drive-by of 1700 28th St. SE in Grand Rapids, Mich.: storm clouds hovered above the destruction of the former CRC building, surrounded by fence barriers and two signs: one limiting access to a certain class of people, and one that said "caution you are under surveillance."

Bob Bosch // Grand Rapids, Mich.