This thank you note is long overdue. There are some sensitive and controversial aspects to this book that I need help navigating, and Whats So Amazing is just that. I felt like I was walking on egg shells as far as my faith and practice was concerned. None apologized ever even though I sought reconsiliation. Dad inscribed it, saying he thought my reading it would leave me hungry for more in the way of spiritual things, and that has been true. It appears to me that nothing, from Elizabeth Fritzl to Stalin to the 2004 Tsunami, will force a real discussion. Just like you, I am having a hard time shedding the influence it has upon me largely because I owe an immense debt of gratitude to the denomination that facilitated my becoming a US citizen. Thank you for your existence..!!! 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Like you, I feel Im sometimes on a high-wire act, tiptoeing through the culture and subculture both. As a faehtr of two young children, I was moved by the message. I particularly liked your use of illustrating your points by including the stories and experiences of so many individuals. "You perceive yourself as a besieged minority of truth and everyone else is out there straying. I was not welcome however I could stay a short time to sort out what I was going to do. Still thinking about it. Im sure a blog comment isnt the best way to contact you, but I saw that youd been recently answering them, so I thought Id give it a go! Philip, Can I please humbly request prayer for healing for my lovely God given wife who has cancer. Mark your calendars today! All the best! I received an e-mail reply from him shortly afterwards, confirming my dismissal but providing no reason for it [36]. Even so, AWI Brad Sass wrote me three weeks later that this is what he heard was the reason for my dismissal. Some examples. Nevertheless, I always had just enough and with Gods help I moved on from my depression and started volunteering at a long-term care facility, taking services and doing visits. Please note that its adapted from the book A Skeptics Guide to Faith. Philip, Mr. Yancey, I could not speak to any male as they arranged a plane ticked back to YWAM LA I was treated shamfully and illegally . As a respected scholar you almost certainly know better than I that discrimination against gay people is at its heart discrimination based on gender. I believe at this point I own almost all of your books and I wanted you to know they have really meant so much to me in trying times and not so trying times. Now, with Bridges of Canada having been contracted by CSC to provide chaplaincy services, Paul would have to join Bridges of Canada if he wished to continue working at the Edmonton Institution when his contract with CSC came up for renewal. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. If I recall correctly, I wrote a paper on the kingdom of God which received positive feedback. But I found nothing. (With Brenda Quinn) The Jesus I Never Knew Study Guide, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1997. The quote is from a book titled The Power of the Powerless which is a collection of Juergen Moltmanns sermons, published in 1983. Yes, I think a lot of it has to do with us humans relating to an invisible God. It has obscure beginnings in the Middle Ages and keeps getting repeated. Now for my problem, I have a huge hole in my soul and being. I have been struggling with my life. Beforehand I apologize for any grammar error. I hope to hear from you. Thank you. 2. Again the British and German Embassy refused to help me even though I pleaded for help . 3. However, consider this summation but from a secular perspective: 1. Thank you. I began to teach Sunday School and lead Wednesday night prayer and study meetings, meanwhile preparing sermons. And this is where we find ourselves struggling. Im a new Jesus follower and your books have been very useful to me. I teach philosophy in Chicago. I shouldnt comment specifically as I, in another country, know few of the details, though Im aware of the turmoil in Brazil. Turning it on, I found a number to call. It was a simple misunderstanding on my part. Clearly any deity worth his salt could have opened a window. Then again, its very good for the universe that Im not God. I fell in love and was married before I entered medical school to a young woman who was reared in a very fundamental baptist church. Barry Rose, the chaplain that I had come to replace. I grew up as a Pastors kid in a pretty strictly religious home. He is the recipient of a Christianity Today Book of the Year Award, two ECPA Book of the Year Awards, and eleven Gold Medallions. My last two books were Vanishing Grace and The Question That Never Goes Away. But it began to reach me in incredible ways. I could no longer even function as the person I had been before. And how fortunate I am to read your writing & share it to help with that. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Although I have strong opinions on the topic, Ive struggled to express them in a way consistent with the fruits of the spirit. Along the way I realized that God had been misrepresented to me. Thank you Philip, for your faithfulness to Jesus and your gift. I was shocked and distressed by all this hatred being expressed by a lay CSC chaplain. Church, my home church. I sometimes counsel people to take a vacation from church after a wounding episodeand churches seem to specialize in those. Two misfits came together. Thank you. Christian History, August, 2002, "Exactly the Opposite: Chesterton Is Seldom What We Expect but Often What We Need," p. 44. After I told him what Paul had said, he went to talk to the Warden. FYIO, Ill give here one good source for checking the numbers. For the first time I understood that the story of the prodigal son is really about extravagant grace and forgiveness, and that is what I had missed in my childhood church experience.. I have always been a regular reader of scripture but my goal was to improve my prayer life. There is this deep sense, a calling maybe, to make others aware of it anew. I wrote the study guide for Carl Medearis book Speaking of Jesus and attended the Simply Jesus event a couple of years ago. I was offered a Correctional Services Canada in Charlottetown Prince Edward Island as a Community Chaplain and a volunteer chaplain at the local prison. Ive been wanting to write to you for a long time. It amazes me how timeless it is, even 14 years later. . I am a great admirer and follower of your writing and teaching and your Grace Notes daily readings are an essential part of my day. 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! May you know the God of all comfort, worthy of trust even in those things we cannot comprehend. That inspired me to write a memoir, but my teaching duties put it on the back burner. Im so grateful to Philip Yancey for helping me understand modern Christianity better. I am relieved to have found out that you still hold the same beliefs, and those beliefs that you have imparted through your books were those that I gauged in voting during our elections. Theyre still voting Republican. Paul and former police officer and chaplain Oliver Johnson told me that Spilsby had been connected in some way to the murder of an inmate in the past, and that he was quite capable of killing me. Last year, on So Paulos Gay Parade, we had a scandalous protest from the LGBT community. You may remember me from our contact in the early 2000s. I recommend 2 books by Lewis Smedes: Forgive and Forget and The Art of Forgiving. Where DID that expression come from?) I prefer the term Jesus followers, keeping the focus on the one we follow. I life what Im learning and experiencing as I explore widely, but we also want to settle somewhere. I love this letter, Lionel. Dont give up. Today I find out that you have endorsed the democratic platform and candidate, and am wondering what I had missed when reading your writings formerly. I believe that if Im faithful in my Christian walk, others will see love, joy, peace, patience, etc. So much hate from those who should know better. Do you know the source of this belief? Only relationships turn around lives." It was not until about 26 years later that I heard about Gord Domineys sexual abuses again. Hes very in touch with current trends. The Lord clearly reached out to motivate me to catch up on my long ignorance and vague beliefs. When I read my bible or Christian books I want to visualise the stories. You confirm my suspicions. Now its anybodys guess. I know there are plenty of Christians who share my point-of-view, even though I know many more who dont (unfortunately). I got the book through an app and started reading it. They had received a phone call from my former employer, The Bethany Group, and claimed that I had questioned a doctor. Wow. I cant seem to get my health and will together to get anything going so my wife, a nurse, supports our family at present. Currently I am reading Reaching for the Invisible God. 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. But by now I was attending another. Please, keep writing friend. Maybe I can explain the context of my gratitude. I was raised to believe I fall so short, but now Im like my name Nathan Davidtelling my sins to myself. Its refreshing to me that you dont focus on the distinctions. Even Peter, the apostle, said, Some of the things Paul says confuses me. Recently, we attended a series The cultural adjustment coupled with the differences in church life was really hard for me. Born November 4, 1949, in Atlanta, GA; son of Marshall Watts and Mildred (a teacher) Yancey; married Janet Norwood (a social work director), June 2, 1970. There, I was told by two lawyers that my dismissal was unacceptable. By the way, I was reading your story this morning and the statement, Along the way I realized that God had been misrepresented to me, succinctly describes my experience having been raised in the Catholic church. Wellington, South Africa. He asked me to send him an updated resume. Philip. I want to know simple answer, if you can, are you more of Progressive Christian? Ive been curious about Buechner too. Justin married Delphine Chiasson. SF Jonas, [] article originally appeared on the authors website on October 28, 2021. Deeply explore and do not write what only a part of the source says. We desperately need people to speak some spiritual sanity here. Hes gotten past his anger, and is open to spirituality, more of the New Age kind. We all have them and only in Jesus can we find real hope and life. And feel free to share with any who may benefit from seeing the film. Both of these milestones have just occurred. Years ago, early in my faith walk, I read the books you wrote with Dr. I was excited to share with him and recommend your books to him. I would love to hear what you have to say about this. I would appreciate hearing from you with respect to that book! We just endured an incredibly painful election season, and the hatred and anger engendered by it continues to be expressed across this country. Improbable but true. Of course. Phil later has to correct himself with, No, Im sorry. God can and will transform our suffering. Let brick and mortar churches choose more humble characteristics, RELIGIOUS empires have been built on mens longing for Truth It affirms mine. Thanks for taking me to a deeper understanding of my faith, who God is and who I am. I could not tell that my hearing aids were malfunctioning, so I could not understand why Paul was doing this to me. 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. Keep on brother! With everything on the moving truck and ready to leave, I was informed that Scott was having an affair, that he had left his wife and was living with another woman. "His openness and transparency are appealing, and he writes with love.". I think you are a money-loving hypocrite. I have hoped that once I had it finished you would read and give me feedback on the advanced reader copy. Thomas & Joyce. I am not on facebook only email. Know the unknown God who humbly walked the earth on record My friend pointed out that even if we had put in a new trailer, it would also be neglected and in a few years end up in the same shape. From the time of my Confirmation at 15 until age 64, I kept only a vague and unlearned concept of God. Kindest regards Im still working on it (being more graceful). You replied with encouragement that was so unexpected, that it was almost jarring. May I humbly inform you it has been pointed out by numerous (sound-minded) people on the internet that the shooting was nothing more than a hoax? It has given me additional assurance in growing my relationship with God. Education: Columbia Bible College, Columbia, B.A., 1970; Wheaton College, Wheaton, M.A., 1972; University of Chicago, M.A., 1990. I found it as I was searching if theres any of your events I could participate. God bless! 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. As we talked he started to say the word preach the same word was forming in my mind at exactly the same time. Friends even repeatedly appealed to the premier of PEI, Robert Ghiz [13] [14]. I feel defeated. I also just read about your harrowing car accident, and can now pray more specifically for your spinal condition. My concern is this: Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, the life. You have read my mind, answered questions, said things many Christians I know wouldnt have the courage to say, ministered to me, soothed me, moved my soul and in doing so have changed my life and enriched my walk in faith. We always have and we always will.. Hi Philip- I tend to go back to the Bible as a model, because I dont know a more honest book, Yancey explains. And now it appears it would be best if we moved into a rental. Philip Yancey (born November 4, 1949 [1]) is an American author who writes primarily about spiritual issues. Yes, too bad! "I've written pretty openly about my unhealthy church background," Yancey told Sojourners interviewer Jim Wallis. My father asked me to read, The Question That Never Goes Away. I did. Couldnt all of that money have been better spent? 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. My biggest one is visual. I cannot find it in the list of your books on your website. BARTH, KARL (18861968), Swiss Reformed theologian, described by Pope Pius XII as the greatest theologian since Thomas Aquina, Most ancient societies and religions had an idea of an afterlife judgment, especially understood as a "weighing of souls," where the gods would rewar, Nicholson, William 1948- Christmas I feel called to speak to those living in the borderlands of faith., To contact Philip, Kevin, the Kitchen Manager at the Edmonton Institution, also had a big issue with Jewish inmates. I have followed your ministry over the years. It has been a number of years since I read your book The Jesus I Never Knew, but I recently picked it up again and used it to describe the incarnation (salt-water aquarium) for a Christian Worldview Course that my wife and I are doing for people. what bible college did philip yancey attend. Thank you for encouraging me. Brad gave me a big hug and told me to run my programs in spite of Pauls objections or criticisms. At times, it seemed that the only people that did not deny the problems that to me were as plain as day were the people who most vehemently rejected the faith that I was holding on to. In your place, I would simply be honest in the endnote, saying that you were unable to track down the original source. What ever happened to Richard? Actually some species cooperate or stay as they are for millions of years flying in the face of evolution. Its sane, reflective, and creative. Regardless of what you believe about evolution, life has changed through the ages. So, until we meet, thank-you for your work and may the Lord keep blessing you. J, e voc e eu, podemos atravs de obedincia, nos juntarmos batalha para inverter este sofrimento. Its so nice to see someone brave enough to be real. [2] He is published by Hachette, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, InterVarsity Press, and Penguin Random House. I try to write honestly about my experiences, and you should know that just because I tell a scene does not mean I approve of it: for example, I agree with you about my brothers cynical attitude and didnt write that scene in an approving way. My guess is that you are somewhat melancholic as well as very bright. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), April 27, 1994, Bashir Qureshi, review of Pain, p. 1294. Im going to start reading it and seeing if there are any parallel things. I love the way you write about the Christian faith. Something completely random and yet connected happened to me in the same week that Spilsby took my couch. Keep your spiritual eyes open and rest assured that God wants to communicate with you also! She gave birth to a little girl who looked different than the other children. If one used the Lords name in vain they were doomed for eternity. 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. and Vanishing Grace. 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. I went straight to the Wardens office and complained, and Warden Clovis came out with me and we went around to the door where I had been instructed to go through by V and C. There, the Warden was confronted by an angry Mr. French, who told him they were searching an inmate. I asked him to return it to my office, and also told Paul about it when he returned. Back in the day, I loved What is so Amazing About Grace. Philip. I just read your comments about Donald Trump. Nothing in life is more important than encountering and accepting the love of God. Since then, Paul hated evangelical Protestants. You quoted the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, as an example of human suffering and tragedy. Editor at large, Christianity Today. By all means introduce yourself at Westmont! Paul even told me what clothes to wear on the job. As a result, much of the food was thrown away, and because of lockdowns there was no feast. Your book In His Image (you wrote with Dr. Paul Brand) sits here on my desk as I try to wrap my mind around the Imago Dei and what it means to being the likeness of God. 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. There is NO CHANCE the equations and results are incorrect. I let it go because I felt that it had fulfilled its purpose in my life and I thought someone else might benefit from reading it. He is much less angry now, and open to spirituality and the supernatural, though more in a New Age kind of way than traditionally Christian. Thankfully all is well and nothing much happened other than cause a lot of concern on the plane and having to spend the night at an ER in Charlotte. A big hug. Dear Philip. He doesnt tell me to point fingers or join a country club church or sentimentalize or politicize or trivialize this great Gospel. Thanks! Much progress, and I appreciate your concern. When Life Hurts: Understanding God's Place in Your Pain, Multnomah (Sisters, OR), 1999. Im just repeating what the Polish nanny said who looked at my book and said it translates Disappointment with Mold. Philip. And by the way Philip, the atrocious mathematics of grace was a lovely title to try and explain the explainable I should know because I am an engineer who knows a thing or two about math and, I must say it, anyone who wrote to you with those negative comments, quite frankly, may have missed the point of the gospel entirely!!