PeacemongersIn "Anonymous Are the Peacemakers" [Dec. 4], Gerald Shenk rightly calls attention not only to the benefits of reconciliation, but recognizes the dangers and behind-the-scenes nature of the work as well. I was reminded of the article in leadership journal almost 20 years ago entitled "Why Peacemakers Aren't Popular."Conflicted people have a vested interest in the conflict and are usually much more interested in "winning" than in finding common ground or sharing mutual responsibility. The mediator sometimes gets caught in the line of fire.
When Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers … " he does promise joy and fulfillment in the process but also recognizes inherent difficulties, as peacemaking goes against the philosophy of society in general. We're humbled and blessed to be part of this process for dozens of clients in our little corner of the country.WILLIAM HENDRICKS
Executive Director Conciliation Ministries of Colorado
Aurora, ColoradoCrusading CriticsI read with interest Randall Balmer's article on Thomas Kinkade ["The Kinkade Crusade," Dec. 4] and CT's related editorial, but not because I'm a Kinkade fan. While I will admit to being mildly fascinated by the lighting effects on my visit to a Kinkade mall gallery (yes, I too have played with the lighting dial), I cannot share Kinkade's artistic/moral crusade.My own experience at a gallery, coupled with Balmer's description of Kinkade's "art factory," left me thinking of Kinkade as an evangelical Mr. Joyboy, Evelyn Waugh's memorable mortician from The Loved One. Both paint a pretty face but an unreal one.
In "portray[ing] a world without the Fall," Kinkade strips away the power of Christ's redemptive death and resurrection. A world without the Fall would have ...
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