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In fact, 1,435 readers wrote to CT in 1995--via fax, e-mail, and "snail mail."

Readers wrote on many subjects, but most notably on the debate last summer between John Woodbridge and James Dobson on whether using "fighting words" in defense of truth help or hurt our cause (June 19, 1995), and on Woodbridge's earlier article, "Culture War Casualties," that sparked the discussion (Mar. 6, 1995). Runner-up was a wide range of opinions about the CT Institute in December 1994 on evangelicals and Catholics--J. I. Packer on the document "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" and Alister McGrath's analysis of the new Catholic catechism.

We heard from dozens more about adulterous pastors (April 3, 1995), and on the discussion engendered by Mark Noll's book "Scandal of the Evangelical Mind" (Aug. 14, 1995).

This issue shows lively opinions about November 13 articles by Caleb Rosado on affirmative action and by Frederica Mathewes-Green on the sin of gluttony.

In 1996, keep those cards and letters coming. We appreciate hearing from you.

- Thank you for providing us with such a thorough and fitting tribute to Billy Graham on his fiftieth ministry-year anniversary [Nov. 13]. As a pastor, I have heard many people say, in the wake of all the televangelist scandals, that "if Billy Graham ever falls, I'm hanging up my faith." Billy's faithfulness to his Lord and to his wife has provided a fantastic model of steadfastness for the rest of us. His example has, indeed, inspired other preachers to stay the course.

- Dale Johnsen

Yakima, Wash.

It could well be noted that some of us sensed Billy Graham's calling very early on. He was a classmate of mine at Wheaton College in the forties. I sang in Billy's gospel team quartet. I never remember being in a church sanctuary or an evangelical church on a Sunday evening; we went where the gospel was needed. We would drive in Billy's old Plymouth, and the five of us would pray all the way to the service. When Billy prayed, he often said, "Is it OK if I keep my eyes open while I drive and pray?" His message was always the simple gospel. "The Bible says...For God so loved the world...The Bible says...Come unto me all ye that labor...and I will give you rest...The Bible says...Now is the day of salvation...."

After every service we would comment, "Wow, two people came to Christ tonight," or the next Sunday, "Wow, three were saved tonight." We thought the numbers were unbelievable. As this was repeated Sunday after Sunday, I can still remember the quartet sharing on different occasions, "God has his hand on Billy; the Lord is really going to use this guy some day."

Billy hasn't changed. The Word hasn't changed. It's still "The Bible says..." The last issue of CT was a testimony to our humble prophecy.

- Donald R. Brown, D.D.S.

Bonita Springs, Fla.

To William Martin's point that within the fundamentalist/evangelical camp Billy championed the participation of liberal Christian ministers in his campaigns, racial integration, and cooperation with communists, I would like to add another possible reason for his iconoclastic perspectives.

At Wheaton, Billy Graham encountered anthropology from the stimulating teaching of the late Alexander Grigolia. If Billy's experience was anything like my own, he experienced sudden enlightenment upon learning the concept of culture. For the first time, I saw myself as a product of my culture, and others of theirs. If I was to effectually communicate with others, I must realize that my way of thinking is not the cosmic norm, and that I must respect the views of others by understanding the cultural forces acting upon them. I must be aware of my own ethnocentrism as well as theirs. Griggie taught us to respect differences in both culture--and race.

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January 8 1996, Vol. 40, No. 1