Sigh, the church is composed of people. Through all the changes in my faith and life I am still moved by it. Anti-Semitism in the Institution Ive always loved your books, and lens. As you may know, I visited Indonesia in 2015, and heard other stories of persecution of Christiansperhaps that is the background to what your father experienced. Of course God will protect you. You were a gracious captive as we discussed our journey with Jacob. It hurts to read all that you have been through. While reading your book called Whats so amazing about grace? , I found their answers was full of contradictions. The second to go, that I have at least three of my friends that stopped attending any churchs! Ive wanted to talk to my local vicars to discuss my situation, but they never seem to find the time. It affirms mine. There are so many more things I want to tell you. You have no idea how many people you helped with our words, but in heaven you gonna see them all and your prize will be there. This created a big disconnect for me, and I have spent years assuming that the disconnect was a sign of my own unbelief. Thank you for asking the hard questions! Id encourage you to check it out. The ugliness of the world does not need to pull us down which was something that was beginning to get to me until I chanced upon your book. Enjoy! Hi Philip- I will not mention what religion I was raised, nor the denomination of my friends church because it is not about the religion it truly is about our relationship with Him! I am not an autograph hound, but it was fun to get your autograph on my 1987 Fearfully & Wonderfully Made paperback, and chat about your coming release of you and Dr. Brands rewrite of that book with. Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series. Suddenly, I remembered word for word the Twenty-Third Psalm. (With Brenda Quinn) Meet the Bible: A Panorama of God's Word in 366 Readings and Reflections, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2000. Then hung himself for nine days. I grew up in the South as well and resonate with many of the things your share around race and healing from church contexts. It is much needed in our Christian world today. I have been looking for a way to describe my experience for many decades, especially as I get older and realizing that there was and is some good that came/comes out of that whole chapter of my life. "You perceive yourself as a besieged minority of truth and everyone else is out there straying. Thank you for following Gods path. The details of his life are so much less important than him knowing he belongs at the foot of the cross, with everyone Jesus died for. It is difficult not to have the impression its re-emergence in our lives was divinely orchestrated. The church sees no color or ethnicity we are all Christians or are trying to be. I have really enjoyed the perspectives you offer. Your books are thus offering great comfort to friends in need, family and as part of ministries we are involved in, in part outreach to prostitutes (offering prayer and an open ear, rather than guilt and condemnation). I went through trying to give my life to Christ as a child, in an atheist family, but the pastor of the local church kissed me on the lips and would sneak up behind me and dig his knee in the back of my knee to get me to fall into his body and I was searching for God and walking around out in nature playing church and preaching at the rocks and didnt have any safety in my life, but could look up at the stars or at an infant or my own hand or my own woMans Search for Meaning and was convinced that there had to be one. We are a fellowship of Christian men who are struggling with lust, in one form or another. . If Dawkins was ever able to read Role Reversal what might then result? The issue is why God allows suffering. The next day she took me aside and said she was going to make me into a real man . Virginia Bible College Im far from a church hopper myself. [jdb], Thank you for your books, your deep and honest writing and willingness to tackle the tough questions. Ungrace moved me deeply. The study does follow the progression of the book, though. The kind where the flight attendants are attached to the roof of the plane. In the process he interviewed diverse people enriched by their personal faith, such as President Jimmy Carter, Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller, and Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement. You bring joy to my soul. I use evangelical in its original meaning as good-news-messenger, and call those labeled as such to work harder on truly expressing that good news. Philip. Judy. I complete the one-year, graduate level thirty hours in four months with no grade lower than an A.. Thats a great question, and there are entire books written in answer. Literature for me opened the cage door that let me fly out." Where Is God When It Hurts and Disappointment with God convey some of my thoughts. (Matthew 3:4), I wouldnt doubt it. However, the date of retrieval is often important. It has been a great help to me to bringing to realisation my thoughts around what my attitude to many of the issues confronting Christians today should be; the answer is to be graceful of course. Cautiously, warily, I returned, circling around the faith to see if it might be true.. I am trying to put across (without causing stress to your followers) about how this book is, well, to be blunt not touching my heart strings. Nonetheless, if youre ever travelling in the vicinity of Vicksburg, Mississippi, my husband and I would love to treat you to a very lively but respectful conversation over dinner. One thing that occurred to me (probably way too simplistic, but . Hmm. Of course, there were good qualities too. I reported the offending comments to the volunteer coordinator, Chaplain Paul and to AWI Brad Sass, but nothing was said or done about it. Thank you so very much. It became obvious that Muslims at the Edmonton Institution were allowed their prayers, but Jews were not. I was especially moved by your chapter that touched on homosexuality. Hi, Im Ana Paula, Im 32 years old, Im from the Methodist Church, Im a journalist and Im currently studying Letras (Portuguese) (I do not know how to say). Youre truly open-minded, buying copies of a book for your family members when youre still trying to work things out for yourselflike all of us. What questions would be in the minds of that community. I felt very, very small. Neil Armstrong, For those who have seen the Earth from space, and for the hundreds and perhaps thousands more who will, the experience most certainly changes your perspective. I remember thinking, yeah, like that will help. Could you be kind enough to recommend a book I can buy for her? God Bless. I have spent my adult life in ministry, raised a large family, but recently went through a nasty divorce after 30 yrs due to my wife having mental health illness. One day as I sat at my desk, I found myself sobbing for quite a long time. I was so inspired by that book and the practical applications to life in the Body of Christ. The quote is (roughly), You cant worship a homeless guy on Sunday then ignore one on Monday. I am sitting enjoying the sunset over Purgatory Lake with 2 of my favorite things: Rumors of Another World and Punch Neapolitan Pizza. She feels you slandered both the church and the pastor. is that one difference in Job and Richard is that Job did not have Jesus! Thank you for your concern for him. And, as you know, it continues to evolve. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2006. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/yancey-philip-d-1949-philip-david-yancey. I knew this was truly the aim of all the rapid and miraculous growth, led by the Holy Spirit. It is sad to see churches fomenting fear amongst their members to scare them into voting one way or the other. John 3:16 and the born-again I think the burden we carry from being harmed by someone else (who is not repentant or wanting forgiveness) is between me and God to heal, to take away the bitterness and angerbecause I dont believe offering blanket forgiveness for the vilest of men is even sincere. When I was 17, I read your book Prayer: Does it make any difference? in Korean. In fact, as Ive pointed out before, the biggest group of givers on Kiva is Atheists, second are Christians. As you know, no book can cover everything, and I am sorry you had different expectations when you got this book. You show such a spirit of humble openness and authenticity. I dont minimize the question you raise; Ive spent much of my career raising it myself. I could not be alone with any males and no cooking there , that is a womans job not a mans ( I am a qualified Chef, after 4 years at a College of Technology training as a chef. Shortly afterwards, a couch appeared in my office. Look at Matthew 23 and Luke 11 in which Jesus lashes out against the judgmental and rigid religious leaders of his day; youll never find him more angry. And Lynn Green justified her actions by saying it was what she was taught. But it wasnt. Dear Philip, Thank you for writing What is so Amazing About Grace! As a 63-year-old Christian, I have been stirred by the topic of grace for the past 3 to 4 years. This week is special. To examine and live in the presence of God, in countless ways that I never would have considered. He has picked those whom HE wants. Aside from the necessity of weekly preparation (I develop and e-mail or snail mail questions to help with the classs preparation and our discussion), sharing your profound thoughts and detailed research had broadened my life-long experience of faith in the Almighty. Thank you. Hi Philip, Those who gleefully told me what was happening had not missed the irony of my message being followed by the deans actions. It offers a glimpse of what millions of people may be going through right now, in the midst of this pandemic. The Envelope From that time until today, I was exposed to some many coincidences that I had to marvel and wonder at what was happening. He told me not to run any other programs other than the official chapel service. The Kingdom could use you! (With Paul Brand) In the Likeness of God: The Dr. Paul Brand Tribute Edition of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and in His Image, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2004. I would be remiss if I didnt thank you properly or tell you that. Phyllis. Darwin was 99% correct about evolution and natural selection, but nobody knows how or why evolution really works. I have read a couple of your books and it has catapulted me to beautiful planets beyond this life. The traditional age for creation is 6000 years ago. Havent we all? The first time I almost lost my faith, the second time I got it back, and this time Im just enjoying it as well as the scribbled notes in the margins from my previous 2 sojourns. Mr. Yancy, How poignant, James. My wife and I after 2 years of marriage are still in a discernment process about where to worship. And thats okay! My name is Jee Kim. I have many friends now who face similar anguish. Isten ldja! Brett, Im in the midst of a memoir that revisits those days, with circumstances we share in common. You are a great resource for giving hope to non-Christians and people who need help in these days. The book you mention, Rumors, was retitled A Skeptics Guide to Faith and is still in print. I know for a fact that the first 11 chapters of Genesis did not take place 6000 years ago because of radiogenic dating. And this is where we find ourselves struggling. I would love to hear from you. TWO: There are several editions on Amazon with the pink cover , pasture and fence. It is so important to have a voice like yours in todays climate. I went to a priest I knew In PEI , it was there I met some american christians who came up to me in a coffee shop where I was using the free internet. The Creationist groups are responsible for part of our problem. One of the recent ones, Role Reversal on October 27th, is much in my mind at the moment. And one other: I dont know about kiva.org, and I dont in any way minimize the compassion and practical help from atheists and groups like MSF; there are a lot of studies, however, that show volunteering and charitable giving are substantially higher among church attenders. The problem is finding the right fire! No one will hire me , choosing to believe the haters instead of the hated. Philip. It is safe to be that open and honest. After I lost my job there in December of that year under mysterious circumstances, I appealed to the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Indeed, I was very grateful that I was being allowed to participate in doing something for someone else with no thought of any personal benefit, no pressure as they say. I got them signed at the same time as mine.. Angela, I see your confusion. I know that hurts deeply: grief is where love and pain converge. (With Paul Brand) In His Image, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1984. All the editions of the book itself, regardless of cover, are the same. We bring up grace at a Bible study and people dont respond. I am writing from the Oxford Union looking to send you an official invitation- please could I be given an appropriate email and phone number? Pray that the character of Christ will also be the character of his people. Or better, prevented the ignition. Question for you, sir. I asked him to return it to my office, and also told Paul about it when he returned. He's burned out on religion, burned out emotionally. Several different years. I considered not commenting, but I just gotta be me. How wrong I was. Your views if possible would be appreciated. It is one of my biggest concerns that younger people read less everyday and bury their faces into their phones. I have just started reading your book on Prayer. In November 1994, the Head of Chaplaincy for Correctional Service Canada (CSC) invited all Provincial Head Chaplains to Ottawa for meetings. Im a trainer and so I work with the four different learning styles: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, read-write. He is already on enough ballots to win or to take votes away from T and C so that the House can choose another. Even he does not have it all right. Brand and I were 61 and 25, respectively, when we met. Ive often written about the problem of pain, and my latest attempt is The Question That Never Goes Away. I had watched the very funny film, What About Bob? 2 or 3 times before settling on the one kernel I should take away on my spiritual journey: When Bob (Bill Murray) is interviewed by a reporter, he says, I treat people as if they were telephones. I am writing a book about addiction and recovery and would like to quote some passages in this book. Best-selling author and 1970 Columbia International University alumnus Philip Yancey often recounts tales of his time at CIU: how he met his wife, Janet; how his fellow students went on to do powerful ministry around the world; and even how he began a relationship with God during his time at CIU. There must be a God, not just because Creation rings with Him, but also because in all of these deep and lonely breakings He has continued to help me praise Him again. And Im writing a memoir which tells my very similar story. I looked across at Brian Harder of Bridges of Canada, and he was not at all happy. The work too hard and too much for me lifting 100 lbs of Soap and I weighed maybe 80 lbs, I ended recking my stomach and have a 14 inch scar down my stomach today from lifting too heavy a load, they never said sorry. Following is the few questions. For me, there are two principles to keep in mind. I was finally able to obtain social assistance after my GP in Charlottetown, Dr. Meek, put me on long- term disability for major depression. They deal with these science/faith issues so much better than I could, with far more expertise. A week before Christmas, and we got our double presents: My Dads remission and my daughters good progress. And, now, after reading Where the Light Fell it makes much more sense. I found out later that Pauls brother Marc had attended Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, Alberta, some 30 years earlier. I told him it was Paul, and so he set up a meeting for us. Having just read an unsigned alircte critical of your latest book, and as I am personally completing Whats so amazing about Grace I want to thank you for the insights you have shared. I do not understand Pauls hate. Before one Meeting, I happened to notice a book on a packed bookshelf titled Have you written any book that specifically address the questions raised in Bart Ehrmans book titled Gods Problem How the Bible fails to answer .Why we suffer? Or are there any book by any body else that refutes Bart Ehrmans claims? Thank you would like to hear your comments. I have been around chronic sickness my whole life and recently began writing about what it looks like to love people with chronic sicknesses, day in and day out as we Watchers are hurting too. I want to start off by saying that you have been an invaluable resource for me in my shaky Christian walk. I also warned my Bishop that the Anglican priest of my own church was molesting young boys. Kind regards from Cape Town, South Africa (and you would be amazed at how many people in the USA do not know where that is situated). I Was Just Wondering, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, MI), 1990, revised edition, 1998. Why so many different doctrines and beliefs? Thank you for your most straightforward response, Dmitri. Brand so is that the next book we will be able to read? I dont minimize the pain you feel at all. Absolutely. I do not know what the future holds and I do worry about the next generation. His writing took a more personal, introspective turn even as his activities turned outward. After having applied for welfare in Quebec and Ontario, and being refused every time, I finally ended up in PEI. Dear Mr. Yancey, Im so glad. I was accepted into the Church Army right away because of my years with Youth With A Mission, and good references . When this therapy failed, I was blamed, shamed and rejected by the groups that applied it to me. However, consider this summation but from a secular perspective: 1. C. S. Lewis would be another example. You clearly reflect the grace and kindness of our Savior. I had to express my gratitude (theres that word again). Of particular comfort are the passages about Jesus ministry as The Rosetta Stone, and your comparison of spiritual practice to music practice. Army chaplains invited me to attend church and I took them up on it. Ive often thought that the worst part of a recurring sinsay, an addiction to pornography, very common these daysis not so much the sin itself as the feeling that follows, that one is cast aside, disqualified for use by God. Marc had gone in as a Roman Catholic and had come out as an evangelical Protestant. Either virtually or physically. I was particularly disturbed when you quoted your brother who used to quote 1 Chronicles (parbar) and people thought he was speaking in tongues. However, I cannot find an Italian version. Its helped to reveal Jesus in a more tangible way to me. SO.. And that has been the common theme in your books. Is Peterson something similar? email Joannie: pyasst@aol.com. In the past few years where Ive finally begun to process all the pain in my life because I didnt have to be mother and just ignore the pain and push on, your books have meant the world to me. I hope you have supportive people around you (pastor, friends, counselor) who can give you in person what no book can. A big concern of Dobson is Supreme Court appointments. (God bless you in tagalog-Philippines). Philip Yancey's New Memoir Critiques Fundamentalist Upbringing The Regional Rep for Church Army Capt. In that culture at that time, that was unacceptable. What it has done however is to help me understand my host culture and community much better, the specific inheritances of what it means to be White that is never openly discussed, and those Westernised like myself absorb without awareness. We currently attend a small Presbyterian church. He spoke to a number of us seminary presidents last January. Brandt Shelbourne. I can feel my spirit giving up. I have heard of you, as both of my parents view you as one of their favorite authors. Then, I want you, first of all, to pray for them and for me. I am working with some guys to plan a Mens Retreat for the last weekend of September. Francis Collins, head of the National Institutes of Health, would be at the top of the list. You bear Gods stamp. I have good memories of my times with CMDA in Illinois and in Uruguay. I am Jess, and you have always been my favourite writer. As I finish reading chapter 1, I told my mom that Im glad this book is thick because theres still more pages left. Yes, I think a lot of it has to do with us humans relating to an invisible God. Philip, Amen to that! We as chaplains had to send out memos concerning just about all our movements and programs in the Institution. For now my faith is limited. Life can just feel so meaningless, and the world is filled with so much pain, I cant understand why God made people at all. One is in 1 Corinthians 5 where Paul says, What business is it of ours to judge those outside the church? The other is simply to follow Jesus and see how he treated notorious sinners and moral outcasts. Thinking of being depressed, beyond hope I had lost faith. I got the book through an app and started reading it. I finally got permission to bring in bins with lids for the garbage, to cut down on the flies buzzing around. Yancey offers comfort for 'spiritual explorers' - Baptist News Global God Bless! Let us give its due and rename it CNT for it is Clever, Not True., There is One called Christ and there is something called Christianity For me, heres the take-away: I was a scrawny little thing. Naturally, I defended Rabbi Ari. As the husband of a missionary daughter, I agree with you about Barbara Kingsolvers book, and we fully share admiration for Rich Mouw and his generous spirit. The publisher changed the title a few years agowhich is probably a mistake in the days of the Internet. Today's Christian Woman, September, 2003, Corrie Cutrer, review of Rumors of Another World, p. 98; January, 2007, Lisa Ann Cockrel, review of Prayer, p. 10. This evaluation confirmed that I was of sound mental health and that I had a keen sense of morality and a right versus wrong. Is it possible to discuss something as loaded as the election with these caveats in mind? It was only my dream but then you were on my heart next to Goethe. Jesus tells me to love others, to seek out the marginal, to not be a respecter of persons, and to seek His will because this is not our home and we have to make a difference while we can. I dont know enough to attempt an answer to your excellent question. Is it possible there is enough there to literally write a sequel? I feel disappointed with my own life because I motivated to accomplish in my own life. Whats So Amazing About Grace. My eyes and heart were opened to Christ, but only partly. Ive read the book and sat on my thoughts for a few days. Reality and the Vision: 17 Christian Authors Reveal Their Literary Legacy, Word Inc. (Waco, TX), 1990. I love your books. I like the fact that we share the same views. John Perkins, whom I got to know, holds out realistic optimism for reconciliation, something in short supply. I wont add to the formula answers. Open Windows, Thomas Nelson (Nashville, TN), 1982. Fast forward to a few years later when my world was turned upside down through multiple, sudden deaths that were very significant in my world.