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Maddi’s Bracelet
I enjoyed reading Andrew de Gelder's column about the bracelet he wears to remind him of a spiritual insight (“Maddi’s Bracelet,” June 2025). Many years ago, I picked up a small stuffed rooster at a craft store. It sat in my window above the kitchen sink for years, reminding me that there is always forgiveness and love. Peter might have cringed when he heard that rooster crow, but it was a reminder that we can always go back to the Lord. That rooster also nudged me to forgive others despite the pain they caused. The rooster will crow, and we can start anew. Over the years the sun beat down on that guy, and he began to disintegrate. He was finally laid to rest, but each day as I worked at my kitchen sink he reminded me that forgiveness is not lost forever.
Janet Beldman // Dorchester, Ont.
Ecclesiastes
I was pleased to see an article praising Ecclesiastes (“The Most Underrated Book of the Bible,” online). I was, however, sadly disappointed in Rev. Aaron Vriesman’s failure to check whether Ecclesiastes actually declares that everything is “meaningless.” It does not. In Hebrew, Ecclesiastes claims that everything is hevel, that is, “a breath,” “wind,” “vapor,” or, as James 4:14 has it, “a mist.” “Meaningless” is an abstract, modern word that badly misrepresents this metaphor about life used in Ecclesiastes and elsewhere in the Bible. It robs the book of its poignant realism, which speaks also to the suffering of Christians. Ecclesiastes describes the human condition and its God-given limits. It teaches us humility, so that we will “fear God and keep the commandments” (12:13).
Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, professor of biblical studies, emeritus, at Eastern University
// Ottawa, Ont.
In Memoriam
Your January/February 2025 issue carried news of the passing of Rev. Louis Tamminga. It deeply saddened me. “Bro Louis” was a true mentor and father figure to me for many years. He authored a devotional series on the heroes of the faith, which appeared in Today several years ago. I wrote to Today expressing my appreciation for this series, and, to my surprise, Bro Louis responded. From then on, we exchanged letters. … He and a group of friends paid my tuition for classes with Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper). And he shared his life, his own faith and trials. He became a spiritual father to me. If I demonstrate any maturity or effectiveness as an elder among my prison brethren, it is because God lavished his grace on me through Bro Louis.
James Doyle // Miami, Fla.
Empathy
I very much appreciated (then-)editor Shiao Chong’s answer to a question asking if there can be a “sin of empathy” (Big Questions, March 2025). It amazes me that anyone can be concerned about too much empathy or excessive compassion (synonyms for love), especially today. As the editor answered, Christ stressed concern, compassion, and empathy on numerous occasions while he was on earth. And not only is the New Testament full of admonitions to show kindness, welcoming, and empathy to sojourners or prisoners, so is the Old Testament replete with God warning against lack of empathy for anyone in need. Thank you for your thorough and kind reply to a puzzling question.
Nola Latta // Oak Forest, Ill.
Your editorial on empathy completely missed the point of the current empathy discussion. It is not whether we should have more or less empathy. The discussion centers on the abuse and weaponization of empathy to drive opinion and policy in a destructive direction.
Dirk Start // Holland, Mich.
I had never heard of empathy being considered sinful before reading it mentioned by Shiao Chong in his editorial and the Big Question in the May 2025 issue. In these writings, the words empathy and compassion seem to be used interchangeably. This led me to pursue a word study to discover the differences between “empathy” and “compassion.” I find it very helpful in discussions for all parties to clarify the meaning of a word choice, so that everyone has the same understanding when the word is used in the conversation, to avoid assumptions and miscommunication. After better understanding the differences between these two words, I searched Scripture to read the context surrounding when (if any) these words were used. It allowed me to better answer "Did Jesus model empathy, or compassion?"
Nicole Strampel // Sarnia, Ont.