I admire some things about John Calvin, strongly object to others (e.g., his treatment of dissenters), and have real questions about some of his doctrines, such as Limited Atonement. In the short book Church: Why Bother? Upon completion of your books, I have always thought that I must write and tell you what a great encouragement they have been to me personally. Many of us have been in a daze slightly bewildered and confused. Dear Mr. Yancey, A number of Yancey's books have been bestsellers in the Christian market, and a fewincluding The Jesus I Never Knew and What's So Amazing about Grace?have sold well enough to find places on the mainstream bestseller lists. Here are my thoughts to my 74 year old Christian father, the most wonderful man I know. Thank you for taking the time to write these books, share your own journey and bring hope to people who need to noodle over these things. However, I didnt feel the process of releasing the book would be complete until I had expressed my thanks to you for writing it. Or do you just send your work out to different publishing houses (is that the right word?) Im going to send the devotional I wrote, but I do not know what the translation will be because Ill use google translator. Youve shown me both pain and Gods goodness. So, just how does a man whos been through all Yancey has, draw close to the God he once feared? Your writing has helped me through tough times and I cannot thank you enough! My mind raced back to Japan, where I heard from parents who had lost their children to a tsunami in a middle school, and forward to that very morning when I heard from parents who had lost theirs to a shooter in an elementary school. I read the Jesus I Never Knew, and it gave me new appreciation for the sermon on the mount. I am saddened by the atomic bombings in Japan during World War II. But the damage had been done for a life time . But had become something more in Janice Greens evil eyes and The Nicholson in Hawaii hated, homophobia , for the first time in my life I was labelled and because of Nicholson, Green and Lindsey and Smith, 4 people, the rest of my life would suffer the results of their hatred .None of them ever took the time to talk to me about it my feelings and views , they simply labelled me and did everything in their power to destroy a good man, my life. http://lifeisbynancy.blogspot.com/ Capt. Philip. Thank you for your life and your writing! Lately I have been reading John Stotts book Through the Bible Through the Year and was finding it quite helpful. 1:27) Why the difference? Campus Life, Wheaton, IL, editor, 1971-77, publisher, 1978-79; freelance writer, 1980. When the verdict was brought forward, I could not stand and stayed silent with tears. I would point to how Jesus dealt with people who were moral failures Jesus chose one such woman, a woman who had five failed marriages in her resume, as his first missionary. Phil also told me that Don would make prisoners stand facing the wall on the unit for his whole shift, not allowing them to move. Thank you for having such courage to write such a book and I want to know how you did it. I knew this was truly the aim of all the rapid and miraculous growth, led by the Holy Spirit. Congratulations. I did not I could not imagine anyone holding a grudge and hatred for 18 years, I had very high respect for the Bishops, and leaders of the Church ,too high it seems and it did not enter my head that some could be as ugly as non Christians or worse. I saw Reaching for the Invisible God. I am an avid reader with diverse tastes, but I have never bought a Christian book before. When I asked him about the missing couch, he laughed and said, I am sitting on it. More than anything though, I have grown immensely from your work on the issue of pain and feeling disappointed by God. I was offered a Correctional Services Canada in Charlottetown Prince Edward Island as a Community Chaplain and a volunteer chaplain at the local prison. I know we are to forgive others and the reason we should forgive. On page 119 the words discussion of parenthood helped to define my purpose more clearly and keep me focused. Blessing to you and whatever chapter you are in. If Dawkins was ever able to read Role Reversal what might then result? There are so many great references to other famous writers, many of whom were Christians who have struggled in their faith. However, Paul made it a big issue and dragged me along into it. I have been struggling mightily with the New Testament worldview of demons as opposed to our modern worldview. As a Croat generation and proud of my ancestors who have left me in the legacy of love for homeland and faith I must correct you. It is a delicate flower and it must be cared for. I mailed the letter to Brian Harder and Misty McLaughlin by registered mail that evening. Ive read almost all your books, and let me start by thanking you for helping me see grace for what or should I say who he really is. I have a business in Minneapolis that affords me the time and funds to spend a good deal of my time in recent years in homeless ministry. I admit I dont know how to pray but want to learn as the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray. He began to gain back his life and ministry, in the midst of an uncomfortable and unpleasant life. AWI Brad Sass was shocked by the news of my dismissal, and said that it would not have happened if he was at Edmonton Institution. I spoke to all four wardens at the Institution about it, as well as CSC Commissioner Don Head. I have friends who work with the organization G.R.A.C.E. Your comments very well worth reading. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/yancey-philip-d-1949-philip-david-yancey. Ive always loved your books, and lens. I would appreciate hearing from you with respect to that book! It helped me see where God is coming from, in a way I was unable to see plodding along at just a couple chapters a day like I had done previously when reading through the Bible. In our church we sing a song called Our sin cleans out with the precious blood of Jesus. But I continue to hang on because, being Asian, the concept of debt of gratitude is so indelibly written in my consciousness. The way you write about his thoughts gets rid of that linguistic barrier. We are a nation that is still horribly divided along racial, economic, and criminal lines. What Ive learned, though, is that the more specific and detailed I write, it summons up responses in others who had parallel experiences, though not the same. Now I am 68yrs old, retired nurse and creative therapist: my husband a clergyman, divorced 17yrs ago but remarried to the same man(!) Thanks for taking me to a deeper understanding of my faith, who God is and who I am. The fact that she had been married five times may have just been that in those days young girls were married off to much older men, who may have died. So, what is the answer to communicate with God and Him with me I have even told God that I will be quiet and wait to hear from Him but to no avail. Recently a Christian relative said he does not pray for mercy for others anymore, but that they should be given their ministry instead. A great experience! I would be deeply grateful. I support free legal services for the poor and disenfranchised, and generally campaign for Democrats. Today I read these words: Although I believe that my readers come from different churches or denominations, at least two things surely unite us. In recent years . Pierre Allard with the CSC Commissioner office knew me well and publicly acknowledged me for me excellent work as a Prison Chaplain later said he was sorry he did not keep an eye on what Rev John Tonks and Revd Chris Carr were doing reguarding my 5 year contract, he would not have let them play the games they were playng. Along with ten Anglican prayer books marked Property of the Chapel, the box contained the 30 Torah study books, Jewish DVDs and Hanukkah candles that Rabbi Ari had donated to the Edmonton Institution [46] [47] [48]. God looks at the heart.Look at David in the bible.God said David is a man after my own heart. I was stunned, to put it mildly, and deeply shaken. I had to express my gratitude (theres that word again). Thank you Phillip for taking your time in answering. As you know, Dr. Heater, there are many, many people out there who were damaged by the church or its institutions. I am currently reading your book Whats so amazing about Grace and want to thank you for it. I was reborn in Spirit through your book. It all makes a lot more sense now. The dream of Nelson Mandela is still only halfway fulfilled. The Christus Victor view has an attractive richness to it but seems to leave out the juridical side that is apparent in Pauls letters. He is already on enough ballots to win or to take votes away from T and C so that the House can choose another. When Life Hurts: Understanding God's Place in Your Pain, Multnomah (Sisters, OR), 1999. I read quite a bit so I may have lost memory of where this story originated. Threshold Ministries did not fulfill this requirement; instead, they blacklisted me across Canada and discontinued their payments early, just as I was having my teeth fixed. But then I discovered that a lot of those things I was taught were wrong. You show such a spirit of humble openness and authenticity. Thank you for waking me up to the greatest gift the Church has to offer the world. I have had a desire to write for some time, and have been doing so for over a year, and would like to publish a book. His grace truly IS amazing and His love IS unconditional! Whew, great question and well-expressed. Its so yummy and life giving. It has been while reading your books that I have been challenged by questions about race and justice, learned from some of my *now* favorite authors, speakers, and thinkers (thanks to your introduction in Soul Survivor), and been encouraged to wrestle with my faith. God bless you. My former involvement in the gay lifestyle as a youth was public knowledge, due to an online news article [23]. This is not helping the Evangelical cause. ", Yancey was raised in Georgia, in an atmosphere of strict Christian fundamentalism, where "anything you could think of that was fun was wrong." I read your book on prayer (Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?) Gift. 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. 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. I love reading your observations of how God is working in different parts of the world. Never. Everything that youve ever known, your loved ones, your business, the problems of the Earth itselfall behind your thumb. However as you can guess, the Evangelical section is against this. How then did Christian doctrine evolve into such complexity? I went on a special program that brought together juvenile delinquents and federal prisoners, arranged by Chuck Colsons Prison Fellowship. Philip, Whenever I hold the book in my hands, I can clearly see that you threw away more than 10 pages to make one complete page. God bless you and keep on writing and reaching out to people like me. It helps me to consider alternatives. The way God is portrayed in the Bible is not like the way I would have liked Him to be because of the anger issue. 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. Whats So Amazing About Grace. My eyes and heart were opened to Christ, but only partly. Hi Philip, And also work on the subject. I am not an overly emotional person, but the journey of research and reading this has taken me on in order to better understand the Christian faith, why people deconstruct and what I truly believe, has been heart-rending. What it did for me, I have been convinced it would do for others, especially non-believers. Thank you for having the heart of Christ. I am a biological male happily married to another male, and although I respect your difficult decision to keep an open dialogue on homosexuality, I dont believe your attitude is morally defensible. I wont add to the formula answers. Then, when my conscience would not let me do so, I was verbally, physically and sexually assaulted. Odin, by the way, took a spear and drove it into his side. Judy. People have not unmasked the unholy conspiracy, The gospel as Good News was proclaimed in all simplicity 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? Wisely, you dont reveal what side youre on, because your question applies to both sides in this regrettable campaign. In fact, as Ive pointed out before, the biggest group of givers on Kiva is Atheists, second are Christians. I thank God for your and your wife and trust that He will allow you to have many more years of provoking us to think more deeply about who He is and who He wants us to be. If I were going to write on that topic, Id need to spend months researching and thinking about it. The official Amplified Bible is very trustworthy, giving alternative readings from the original Greek. But just getting through a day, through a morning takes so much strength. Rev. Thanks a lot Philip, thanks a lot. This is what God himself apparently says since mathematics is the magic behind physics and the Word himself (Jesus, the second person of the Trinity) is the spirit of mathematics. The church of Christ that I am a member of welcomes everyone. I just submitted it to a publisher this month, and it should be published in 2021. He has overcome much anger over the years. I know that God will honor your charity work. 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. I would cry out but my pain has robbed me of the energy. Its a very confusing (and contentious) topic. I have a lot of faith but when you feel God isnt there when youre in that much despair its very disheartening. I dont remember the details, but I do remember that it was while reading that section of the book that I realized I wanted to be a writer. I havent read Hell: The Logic of Damnation by Jerry Walls, but that may be helpful too. As a graduate counsellor in training; I know that these writings will sustain my faith in God and assist me in being present with those who have given me the privilege to be with them in their deep suffering. The fact that just from the distance of the Moon you can put your thumb up and you can hide the Earth behind your thumb. The Pastor of the church we attended ended upon running around on his wife and eventually committed suicide. And your work has helped me through it. Its so nice to see someone brave enough to be real. Have you read any of N.T. Platinum Book Award, ECPA, US, 1992. My self-confidence or esteem has bottomed out. I understand quite frankly that this is an emotional appeal, Mr. Yancey, but if these circumstances dont warrant it, Im not really sure what does. Just because a fellow Christian puts a lesser importance on a sin that is extremely important to you, doesnt give us the biblical right to bash them and pronounce that in our own judgment they can not be a Christian! Its almost completely for your benefit if you choose to do that and essentially of no practical use to me. . How can I And reading your book has convinced me that something is Grace. If I had known of the recent history of chaplaincy at the Edmonton Institution, and in particular Paul Vanderhams actions against Reverend Barry Rose, I would never have agreed to go. Upon my arrival I was told that there was no position for me. We are walking different paths but yet come to the same conclusions. It is soul soothing and through reading it, I came to understand that there are just things in this life that I will never understand. Ill send you a private email with any editorial ideas. Your father is watching you. They Speak With Other Tongues ~ John Sherrill Being a gay man is to want something that only women are supposed to want, thus robbing women of their proper use as Paul puts it, whereas being a lesbian was virtually incomprehensible to the ancient Roman world in which the Church fathers wrote what became the New Testament canon. Thanks again! Prisoners also confided in me that Spilsby set up fights between them on the ranges, that he was a cruel man. Dont let the guilt get to you as thats not usually a good motivator. The Holy Spirit has been working on my heart today and I find myself back here reading your blog and I love your bio. When I read Whats So Amazing About Grace, it feels like Im listening to a gifted story teller, with the occasional commentary or explanation following a story. I always wanted to thank you and Calvin for sharing yourself with me, but I was too late with Calvin,and didnt want to be too late with you. His writing took a more personal, introspective turn even as his activities turned outward. Then why call him God?. Dear Mr Yancey, More faithful. I kept waiting for the miracle to happen and it did not. Turn the other cheek. Near the end of the book, Phil quotes a pastor speaking after a school shooting which killed 17 in Scotland. Hello Philip, Im Brazilian. I would love to be a Christian again. I just finished reading The Bible Jesus Read and want to tell you that it was both challenging and encouraging. Hello, this is Hee-Soo from South korea. Mary-Ann McKerchar, Thank you, Jeremy. Just surrender onto Him and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and you will see. I tried Amazon. Philip, Dear Mr. Yancy, As was my practice, I asked the V and C guard if I could go in and visit her. Philip. I looked for a psychiatrist and his diagnosis: anxiety. Its all about Gods grace reaching us by unsuspected ways sometimes. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. We sold our house. We prayed together, and he asked if he could come and talk with me on an ongoing basis. Having grown up in a pentecostal environment, I never felt anywhere near good enough to be in church much less a minister, but I stepped out in faith and I ended up resigning about 18 months later over my personal faith crisis surrounding the subject of grace. Id love to hear any you would recommend. From the time of my Confirmation at 15 until age 64, I kept only a vague and unlearned concept of God. The good news is I finally got around to reading and finishing the book and I have become a huge fan. it happens more for me throughout the day through things I see and experience. Thank you for your ministry (writing these books: Whats so Amazing, Prayer, Does it make difference?, Where is God when it hurts and The Jesus I never knew) which I just encountered when I started in seminary 2 years ago. Hope you have a great day. Please respond to
[email protected], Im not sure how to respond. I was wondering if you did any consulting and, if so, information on your rates. Of course, I was present and took notes! Much later, in May 2017, I met the V and C guard again in Morinville. 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. Although I have strong opinions on the topic, Ive struggled to express them in a way consistent with the fruits of the spirit. Is that all i can do? but i couldnt get any satisfactory answer or answer which solve my curiosity. However, it does not look as though it will address a question I am interested in. If the Bible has so many varying interpretations, how can we feel that it is my anchor of my soul? Im 23, a recent college grad, and Ive been telling my friends that youre my favorite author since high school, when I first read Whats So Amazing About Grace. One source from jewishanswers.org, however says: Question: Theres a belief that the High Priest had a rope tied around his waist when he entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple during Yom Kippur (to pull him out should G-d judge him unfit and take his life). He speaks and writes on a very down to earth level, and his examples from his own life make all the difference in understanding what he means. Ken, as a person whom was so broken I contemplated taking my own life due to life circumstances and choices I had made. Can you expand some more on your thoughts concerning election/predestination and how you look at it at this point? That was roughly ten years ago and my doctrinal crisis eventually bloomed into an existential crisis, particularly when I set out to disprove evolution a few years ago and to my horror realized I had been wrong. Im feeling a strong pull to Catholicism or eastern Orthodox. All that to say, Philip, that your style of communicating really speaks to me. But it began to reach me in incredible ways. Moreover, the team reported that the prisoners valued me very much, saying that I was always present and available to them on the ranges. Id listen to others talk about hearing from God so easily and felt two layers of shame one from my own doubts (is my faith not real?) The books Ive written on that topic are Where Is God When It Hurts, Disappointment with God, The Question That Never Goes Away, and The Gift of Pain.. I dont know if this is the right manner or place to send a plea to Philip Yancey. My question is, more, what good is he? I am Jess, and you have always been my favourite writer. There are many of them in the crumbling part of town where I live. I see it as parallel to what a parent feels when a child learns to walk, or choose well, or loves. They buy their own books. Such an encouragement. Im still working on it (being more grace-ful). And thats okay! Currently we are working through Where is God when it hurts . Philip. Only HIS select few will make it into Heaven. Sometime after my dismissal I talked with one of the case workers, Phil Joy. Thats something to believe in. Shortly after that I accepted an invitation to the board of Coalition of Prison Evangelists (COPE), of which Frank was president and founder. I told them that the bullying had not just been verbal but had included shouting, physical shaking and pushing, and that it was all because I had reported pedophiles. [8] For three decades Yancey contributed as an editor-at-large, for Christianity Today, and also wrote articles for publications including Reader's Digest, The Saturday Evening Post, Publishers Weekly,The Atlantic, Chicago Magazine, Christian Century, and National Wildlife. When he also told me to stop, I did so immediately. Please pray for Bret. Epicurus famous paradox reads, Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? I have tried to fit-in with a local church for 9 years, but have recently left because I found no real warmth, or friendship there, even though I was a steward for a number of years and was involved with making coffee on the church rota. Our paths have crossed over the years but I have never had the privilege of meeting you. I applied for social assistance but was refused. I know that in the U.K., where it seems youre from, it can be very difficult to find a church with a sense of nourishing community, a church that also shows spiritual vitality and opportunities for service (and not just in U.K.!). I appreciate the suggestion for the blog. After 45 years of marriage I have learned a few things and maybe its time to collect them! Ive had you in the back of my mind as I have been writing a book the last two years. Where DID that expression come from?) Such behavior is a violation of Canadian and international religious rights and freedoms, since all inmates have the right to celebrate their religious holidays. Im still cringing all these years later!! Your books have always been challenging my traditional beliefs in Christianity, and I thank God they do. I really mean that. The Business Detail, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/title-page?lang=eng, Spiritual Lessons from the Human Body: An Interview with Philip Yancey RCCG, https://www.dropbox.com/s/b1sr3nroq4ivp25/2018%20Men's%20Retreat%20Promo.mp4?dl=0, http://qideas.org/contributors/gabe-lyons/, http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/07/my-take-how-churches-can-respond-to-mental-illness/, http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/january-february/my-top-5-books-on-mental-illness.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3EfssqGuQM, http://necrometrics.com/pre1700b.htm#Martyrs. Philip. I want you to know how much your journey through your writings has impacted my life. I was raised to believe I fall so short, but now Im like my name Nathan Davidtelling my sins to myself. Your publisher wants niche marketing to increase sales, but you have the stature to defy that impulse. I wrote this book with Dr. Paul Brand, who was a specialist in physical pain because of his work with leprosy patients. Tragedy and death were so often on her mind that she couldnt stop talking about what had happened to neighbors or in nearby towns, telling us in detail even when her two young and obviously unnerved grandchildren were visiting. He told me yes, and to go to a certain door, press the button and they will let you in. The natural world is controlled by the Word through mathematics to the natural laws. ", Over time, Yancey writes in Soul Survivor, he was able to dispense with the hatred and racism while keeping the faith. Bless you, and thanks! I used to attend a local Church. Its requisite to becoming a Christian Christ is there waiting for us to accept Him. Even as the Christianity here is thoroughly European in images, tradition, rhythm (Christmas and Easter in Summer and Autumn makes no sense, symbolically or corporeally) and sensibility. May our great God grant you wisdom to write more so that you can continue become a blessing for others in pain and those in great agony. Despite his renunciation of strict fundamentalism, Yancey remained religiously active and, after college, he began writing for the Christian magazine Campus Life. I was exasperated on coming to this summation. Thank you! I will try my best to take this privilege as often as possible. Until then, I feel connected to you in Him and I wish you and your family all the best. When I refused, I was dismissed without receiving any reasons in writing. All the best! Booklist correspondent June Sawyers called Yancey "one of the most approachable evangelical Christian writers. Again, I was told to shut up about it. One of them spends his life looking after the needs of homeless people, the elderly, undocumented immigrants, and people living (and dying) with AIDS. If so please let me know where to send you a copy. It has shifted the question What is the most graceful action/reaction from somewhere in the cluttered dusty back of my mind to the forefront. Im sure you have an opinion on the matter. The YWAM director Lynn Green invited me to join the YWAM community and told me that YWAM holland was wrong for the way they treated me. I wrote that book in my active journalism days, when I was seeking people to interview who might be models for my life. His Word is very contrary to almost all aspects of my life. You are not wanted here.I was devastated. You introduced me to the transcendent Babettes Feast, and your chapter on the new math of grace blows me away, more so every time I read it. Thats how the light gets in. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Philip. Philip. Christian Book Award Winner, ECPA, US, 1992.