In the last chapter, you mention Revelation 5 which prompted me to listen again to Chris Tomlins glorious song Is He Worthy?. Whats So Amazing About Grace. My eyes and heart were opened to Christ, but only partly. Mr. Rasmus informed me that it was not. Couldnt all of that money have been better spent? Last year, on So Paulos Gay Parade, we had a scandalous protest from the LGBT community. Others bring in a bag of 30 or more seven-inch nails and a DVD player and nothing is said. However, then I read a few interviews and Dobson made much more sense. I was convinced that I was not good enough for God or that He hated me,or I had committed some un forgivable sin. Im afraid, though, that Im way behind on a major writing project and have sealed myself off for the next year or so. During that time, I was contracted to the Edmonton Institution, a maximum security prison operated by Correctional Service Canada. I cannot recall the name of your friend that visited you who lost his fiance etc. He was in a panic to know what it was about, not wanting an issue to suddenly blow up in his face. Nothing to cushion to the blow. Is that all i can do? but i couldnt get any satisfactory answer or answer which solve my curiosity. Waiting on God? I have been a Christian for at least 35 years in a church that has historically placed a very strong emphasis on the doctrines of grace. The Poisonwood Bible has been highly touted, but I found it to be a very cynical and distorted book. I cant say I understand, because I really couldnt understand unless I shared your experience. I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful book: Disappointment with God. Then late last year, I randomly picked up a copy of The Jesus I Never Knew since I knew the author! However, it does not look as though it will address a question I am interested in. Ive been there on speaking trips 3 times, and couldnt agree more. Capt. Then I found a very healthy grace-filled church in Chicago. Instead, I was referred to Bridges of Canada since they had contracted me out to CSC [45]. Sitting on my couch in the soft glow of a lamp, I felt a deep desire to do the kind of work you and many others have done and are doinglifting people up with words. Your father left you a legacy, and you are embracing it. I once again appealed to the Human Rights Commission, this time for defamation, but received no compensation. + Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). I was not a pretty sight. She said this man came over to her and he began saying something in English she couldnt understand and she looked up at him. I wanted to share it with you, just in case you were able some day to pass it on to someone who could benefit. I wrote of this briefly at the end of Disappointment with God. Were thankful for a solid church body who lets us be us. But as I was adding a list of favorite places to that site today I ended up here and remembered that you had gone before me. The Sympathy Cards Have you written anything on this view you could direct me to? Can you suggest anything to help me feel Im worthy of the sacrifice madeI am simultaneously eager and scared to meet Jesus again. My Small Group is presently studying The Jesus I Never Knew. Never my friend, never stop doing what God gave you as gift, never stop fascinating people with your wise words. Ive written a bit about it in 2 books: A Skeptics Guide to Faith and Disappointment with Godas well as in the memoir just published, Where the Light Fell. It provides many of the names of people, charitable organizations and corporations that have punished me for exposing the abuses being perpetrated in their midst. Let the people around you know that you are serious about institutional corruption and the protection of whistleblowers. It is incredibly heartbreaking and life-changing to hold their hand, hug them, and pray with them as your world is changed. Threshold Ministries denounced me for my same-sex attraction, even though I had not been living a homosexual lifestyle since my teenage years. Betty Philip, Every one of these leaders told me to keep quiet about it or I would lose my job. I have only one advantage: I am still alive! When I failed to be accepted by a graduate school I had applied to, she said, God knew it would make you proud, so you didnt get in. Later, when I left the rural church I had served for a dozen years in west Texas to go to a suburban church in Ohio, she accused me of abandoning those good people for a big city church; again, because I was proud. Our human pleasure is a mere glimpse of what God must feel. He coauthored three books with the renowned surgeon Dr. Paul Brand. My husband has been unemployed for 16 months. It hurts to read all that you have been through. 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. "In this book, we see why [Yancey] is so effective" as a mediator or bridge between conservative and liberal Christians, John Congram stated in the Presbyterian Record. I recently looked up the theory and equations of radioactive dating. You helped give me hope that there was resolution in the matter concerning my Christian faith. I discussed it with an experienced educator here in Baltimore, Rabbi Moshe Oppen, and he said that the source is actually in two places in the Zohar: in Parshas Acharei Mos (67a), and in Parshas Emor (102a). Neither sources nor archives are sufficient. But we must also consider the damage that Korea has suffered in Japan. The issue is why God allows suffering. But to compare your comments about those who you feel lack truth with Jesus interactions with sinners, I know without any doubt who I would rather have feedback on my life from. My favorite book that you wrote is Reaching For The Invisible God. God bless you. I was excited to share with him and recommend your books to him. So, how can I be expected to forgive, as a Christian, anyone who causes me harm and is not seeking forgiveness? Got baptized the other year a few days short of my 57th birthday!? Philip. I like your books, where is God when it Hurts but I just can read preview because there is no bookstore in my city sell that book again and I need the books to do mid semester exam But my son is a delight and has grown into a fine man with a child of his own. We are The Church and we do not need seeds of discord from Phillip Yancey! The library has various Writers Guides to Christian Publishing that can tell you where to send articles, and you can probably find that online as well. Thanks again! Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. A great experience! You took my own questions, sought answers, and emerged wiser and stronger. Ive been challenged again but not by pain or fear, but by God himself to continue writing, resting in Him for my needs and my familys, and, in the same way, growing on writing to be like old prophets pointing to God with words. Philip. It is a delicate flower and it must be cared for. One of the recent ones, Role Reversal on October 27th, is much in my mind at the moment. This little girl spent the day helping the little boys get ready by cleaning them up, combing their hair, and wondering which one would be adopted by this American couple. Thanks. I cant explain the camaraderie I felt with your words. I love your spirit, Lisa. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/yancey-philip-d-1949-philip-david-yancey. I am constantly baffled by opinions I hear Christians say and by the state of the church vis--vis a suffering world. On Tuesday, February 14th, 2017, Brian Harder called me at my home five times, telling me that I had been dismissed from my position at the Edmonton Institution. There is no standalone study guide, but the current edition has study and discussion questions included in the back. I know a little about Borderline Personality, which in the US is recognized as a most challenging category. Dear Phillip, You wrote 2 books I have a question about-The Jesus I Never Knew & The Bible Jesus Read. C.S. (With Brenda Quinn) The Jesus I Never Knew Study Guide, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1997. Philip, Hi I too was refreshed to hear your take on evangelicals support of Donald Trump. I have not yet received a reply. March 24th April 28th May 26th June 30th July 28th August 25th September 29th . All the children in the orphanage got excited because at least one little boy was going to have hope that day. I admit I dont know how to pray but want to learn as the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray. Be encouraged! Darwin was 99% correct about evolution and natural selection, but nobody knows how or why evolution really works. N. T. Wright, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Vaclav Havel, Richard Rohr, Will Campbell, Jimmy Carter, Wendell Berry, George Herbert, Ernest Gordon (amazing POW survivor of the River Kwai Japanese camp who became chaplain at Princeton)the list goes on. What it did for me, I have been convinced it would do for others, especially non-believers. Now you too can be a grace-dispenser! People are allowed to freely sin without consequence and sermons are touchy-feely inspiration that wont offend anyone because, as you seem to emphasize, we need to reach sinners by not offending them. 91:10) No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. (Prov. We get to churches and Bible studies and find ourselves being judged for having no children. I finally got permission to bring in bins with lids for the garbage, to cut down on the flies buzzing around. It is my sincere hope that you will consider my case and use the authority given to you by God to defend the vulnerable members of our society. Theres the evidence that demands a verdict. It was a toxic work environment, with so many people being mocked, bullied and bossed around on a daily basis. 2. I cant begin to thank you enough for writing Where The Light Fell. Philip. Its the most unvarnished autobiography on prayer Ive ever read. I suggest you to translate your material into Urdu language too. I spoke to all four wardens at the Institution about it, as well as CSC Commissioner Don Head. Be blessed, sir! His face had a look of thunder on it. Thank you Phillip for taking your time in answering. Your comments touch me deeply. [38] I also sent two letters by registered mail, one to Misty and one to Clovis LaPointe at the Edmonton Institution [39] [40]. And I feel the same about Jesus. He goes on with, Because of Jesus, we have the assurance that whatever disturbs us, disturbs God more. Very few had come to my aid. I was also never given a full tour of the Institution and therefore had to try and find my way around as best I could. What a handsome, happy-looking staff! Enjoy! or The good of God by Yancey?? I cannot agree with the premise of mutual exclusivity between Gods sovereignty and Gods love. I must say, though, that missionaries to places like Africa and Haiti, and some parts of S. America and East Asia, have impressive firsthand accounts of possession that manifests itself in ways similar to that described in the Bible. Ive just revised and updated two of those books with Dr. Evidence of Gods presence is a teen placing a knife under some flowers while days before 16 children and 1 teacher at Dunlane Primary School are gunned down? God bless you and Patty. A number of things related to his passing away into a sure expectation that he would meet Jesus have inclined me toward a new understanding of and desire for God. On page 121, Phil says, as I pondered the question [Where is God when it hurts?] Zadok Online,http://www.zadok.org.au/ (July 9, 2007), Gordon Preece and Paul Mitchell, "Treasure Hunting with Philip Yancey," author interview. No misunderstanding Each has received good reviews from people who count. I wrote Disappointment with God exactly for people going through the kinds of challenges you describe. Since Ive not had that particular gift, and try to focus on mere Christianity, I havent spoken about it. Thank you. I love your spirit, and feel such compassion for you and all that you have borne. He once said to me, There is something I do not understand, Richard. Thank you for being a good and faithful guide for me along the way. This weekend to come I anticipate having the privilege of speaking at a small church Christian womens retreat and my kick-off question is Do you see God working through all of the prayers He hasnt answered the way you would have wanted? So most likely you are the person who built that foundation in my life. Im afraid my 2017 travel schedule is full. It provides extra background and may be helpful for you, but isnt tied in directly to the video group study. Philip Yancey publishes a shining example of "Christian" contradiction. The book is eloquently written so its still delightful to reread the same page for 10 times. I want to start off by saying that you have been an invaluable resource for me in my shaky Christian walk. Since then I have read most all of your books. That, I suggest, is uncalled for. As for C.S. We felt so understood when we read your books on the realities of suffering. He doesnt tell me to point fingers or join a country club church or sentimentalize or politicize or trivialize this great Gospel. Including every single member of my wifes extended family. Kerry and Brenda, One of them spends his life looking after the needs of homeless people, the elderly, undocumented immigrants, and people living (and dying) with AIDS. Can he elaborate/ clarify as I ended up with egg on my face. Its a sad state that the church is in today. Together we composed a letter to Bridges of Canada, asking for clarification regarding my dismissal. To those who struggle with my books, I reply, Then maybe you shouldnt be reading them. Yet some people do need the kinds of books I write. Dear Aaron, He shook my hand, and said twice said, Father Richard you are a good man.. Again.thank you again for your response! Ive been thinking about how that affects my relationship with God. God provides support and solidarity, yes, but not protectionat least not the kind of protection we desperately long for. I was offered a Correctional Services Canada in Charlottetown Prince Edward Island as a Community Chaplain and a volunteer chaplain at the local prison. If we are right with God, we are right with our neighbor, isnt that what I should count one? I pushed those out of the way long enough to issue a guttural, silent prayer that came up from a well of despair Ive never felt before. Philip, Tisztelt Philip! I wrote the book that Grace Notes reprints some 30 years ago and dont have the sources in front of me. Its the abject smallness of the earth that gets you. Stuart Roosa, Apollo 14, We learned a lot about the Moon, but what we really learned was about the Earth. Mourning and dancing touch each otherthis is a beautiful concept, straight out of the Bible, of course. I yearned for more, not knowing what more meant. Thanks for your kind words. Hi David, Philips blog assistant here, it was written by Lee Strobel in his book The Case for Grace. what truth is? So Id best decline. Mr. Yancey, I should have written this years ago when I first read The Jesus I Never Knew! The Bible Jesus Read, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1999. I want to thank you for writing this book and for your ministry of writing. They also do not believe the Talmud is the word of God. Mr. Yancey, Anyway, just wanted to write to thank you for a breath of fresh air. Finally, I decided theres no way to reconcile the linear, time-bound perspective of a human being with the eternal, timeless perspective of God, for whom our causation questions make little sense. in it you state that the High Priest wore a rope around his waist and bells when he entered the Holy of Holies. ps. We are a fellowship of Christian men who are struggling with lust, in one form or another. Philip Yancey (born November 4, 1949 [1]) is an American author who writes primarily about spiritual issues. I lost my job at the prison for reporting abuse of prisoners ,one a guard for having a retarded female North American Indian prisoner naked on the floor in his control room with her legs spread apart and him looking in. Thank you so much for your writing in your books, your blog, your articles. Our guest speaker was John Haddad who often shared excerpts of your book, Reaching for the Invisible God. He also shared that you were gracious enough to provide each family with a copy of the book. You replied with encouragement that was so unexpected, that it was almost jarring. I write books for myself, he says. Another first. At college, I often encountered friends who found themselves in the shadows between belief and unbelief. Judaism is so cut and dry. She attended the Alpha Course voluntarily a good few years ago and was confirmed in the Church of England, but was put-off when she tried to get involved especially as secretary with the Church Parish Council. But, as for a factual statement this is extraordinarily unsatisfying. Is it possible it is taken from Where is God when it Hurts? Answer: Thank you very much for your interesting question. Wisely, you dont reveal what side youre on, because your question applies to both sides in this regrettable campaign. And the verdict is in. Philip. Maybe its caused by some incidents which had big impacts on my life. It sounds like youre doing great, frankly. To find his books, click []. Certainly there is nothing wrong with pointing out in love, errors to people you know well enough to do so. . I was able to let go of the shame Ive always faintly clung to for the fact that I always felt like that person who went to the retreat and didnt get the experience Id hoped for, the person who closed my eyes during listening prayer times and was not blessed with a profound image, the one who yearned and longed and prayed for a tangible sense of Gods presence and overwhelming love and, more often than not, didnt get it. I have spoken to various pastors, councellors etc and they all spew the same garbage and meaningless words. Why? is indeed the question that never goes away, and I ask it myself all the time. And today I woke up and I found your Why I write post. I dont know enough to attempt an answer to your excellent question. But I have questions.so many questions right now. In short, you are better than that, Mr. Yancey, and I hurt for you because you do not seem to want to admit it. She is currently more open to the Lord. According to the RBC website, Yancey has been The problem is finding the right fire! Clearly, as he quoted, we are in fact a momentary cosmic accident that would never arise again if the tree of life could be replanted. How you feel about established fact is not at issue. Hes obviously not a Christian (its not even clear he believes in God) but he clearly takes the Bible seriously, and its refreshing to see that from someone in the elite. How wrong I was. I, too, was raised in a rather strict, confusing (Lutheran) church, seemingly focused more on law than on grace, even though the Word was preached by kind pastors. Thank you. Recently, I came across a copy of your book Reaching for the Invisible God, and I was extremely encouraged by your frank approach to doubt, the mysterious nature of God, and the personification of Him thats so widespread in protestant/evangelical culture. This is so personal that Ill respond directly to your email Philip, Dear Philip, At the group home where I stay, people say I pick up diseases from these ladies, because I developed a mystery physical illness some years ago, complete with black skin sores and blocked urinary tract! Dont get me wrong my parents did many good things for me. I dont buy it. In short, Soul Survivor gave a great boost to my spiritual journey, and I am grateful to you for writing it and for helping to broaden my understanding of Christianity and its many valid and beautiful expressions. What He taught men the Apostles simply referred to as The Way More confident. One of my favourite portions of scripture is Jesus encounter with the woman at the well; how tender he was with her. I am an older mom that has pursued a very task-oriented career for most of my life in order to pay the bills and keep the household running. I am saddened by the atomic bombings in Japan during World War II. To me, Stotts comment seems harsh, uncharacteristic of him. Literature for me opened the cage door that let me fly out." One time Paul also deliberately scheduled his own services to interfere with my own, after a mutually agreeable schedule had already been agreed upon in writing [25] [26]. Mainly, though, I have looked for healthy Christians to help heal my image of what wholesome faith looks like. Has PY written any books that are for those ( and I dont want to seem condescending) shall we say who are less gifted than he is. I was just wondering how are your days. Philip. Havent we all? Considering full term abortions, Benghazi, funding from Islamic nations, her husbands MANY sexual infidelities, and all the things she has contradicted herself on all these years. I just wanted to thank you for that initial spark. Hi Philip, I was put in a derelict house ,the walls were gone from all the rooms and bushes were there instead,the toilet had fallen through the floor,no water ,no shower ,it was termite ridden and I was terrified. I first read it about 8 years ago when something in me began to search for grace after years and years of growing up in a fundamentalist church and attending a very legalistic christian college. I dont minimize the pain you feel at all. The Trojan horse undermines the Church, imposing its blasphemy Thank you from the bottom of my heart from being willing to honestly broach subjects that so many wont. And for perhaps the first time, I was able to articulate so many of my experiences or lackthereof with God and the church. Anything that helps overcome the loneliness and what I call psychosis of writing. A Bible college, sometimes referred to as a Bible institute or theological institute, is an evangelical Christian or Restoration Movement Christian institution of higher education which prepares students for Christian ministry with theological education, Biblical studies and practical ministry training.. Bible colleges primarily offer undergraduate degrees, but may also offer graduate degrees . Yancey is a famous writer who has written 25 books and this one should make him even more renowned. Brian wanted to know what I had done wrong to make Mr. Rasmus want to talk to me in private. She was often judgmental and unsympathetic. Thank you Philip for the extensive research in The Jesus I Never Knew. Great story! Help those who suffer That they respond to you is proof that you are following in his steps. Enamored, the body of Christ is hypnotized, and hopelessly transfixed Reinforce the satanic suffix foolishly extending its legitimacy Yancey discusses his own spiritual journey in the book Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church. How do you look at the topic of election / predestination? We would cheer in the church as they showed the films from Selma of the police dogs and the fire hoses. Just like the Hague revoked the tax exempt status of the Church of Scientology this week, Id revoke them all. You express yourself so articulately, and I appreciate the care you put into this note. Lewis and St. Augustine. So all her previous marriages say nothing about her moral character and in fact may all have been very happy and successful. Ill make sure to get a front-row seat when you speak here, and to throw in some hurras and Amens , You make me want to return to Switzerland right away! Ive been curious about Buechner too. Your books are a great help for my spiritual growth, but I must say, Ive never been angry with God and never questioned God as Father and his Son as my Savior. I feel abandoned. My ladies small group have voted to read Disappointment With God this fall a unanimous vote, which may tell you that we are all struggling with this issue! I stood up for what I believed was the right thing to do. Hillery, or as I call her, Hitlery, has proven over the years to be very anti- Christian . ", Yancey was raised in Georgia, in an atmosphere of strict Christian fundamentalism, where "anything you could think of that was fun was wrong." The treatment was therapy sessions that I could not afford. I recently decided to write out my personal faith story over the Christmas holiday, covering my faith journey throughout my life and the crisis surrounding evolution that by the grace of God I did come to find peace and resolve in. Id stick with the hardback, available new for $13.21 US. My lovely wife does not attend church with me, or share in regular bible reading, but she does believe in God. Dont drive yourself crazy in asking the why questions, but to seek to see Gods love, concern, and care every day of our lives. T roublesome issues like divorce and homosexuality take on a different cast when you confront them not in a state legislature but in a family reunion. He noticed that I had taken off my clergy collar, and asked me if I had it off because of what Paul had said.