Such beautiful encouragement, Heidi. I am re-reading The Jesus I Never Knew for the umpteenth time and was wondering if you are watching the series The Chosen. It has been life-enriching. Thank you again for writing this books all those years ago. I have had open and helpful conversations with the leadership of the school I attended and we are on most excellent terms, so I havent gone behind their backs. More, I dont use the name of that school because Im aware that some of what I write might hurt them. 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! People have not unmasked the unholy conspiracy, The gospel as Good News was proclaimed in all simplicity I am 62 years old, and I am saying enough is enough! I read you comments concerning your struggles with mental illness and the lack of resources available. Like you, part of my journey involves working through a very legalistic upbringing in the church; while there have been so many subsequent encouraging steps forward to learn about, as you say, a faith that makes its followers larger and not smaller, one recurring setback in my life is a sense of anger against that upbringing (and the people involved with it) at times, this anger is a stumbling block that prevents me from continued growth. From there I received encouragement and God strengthened me at every step. If I knew this webpage exists, I would have come earlier. I pray and pray and pray and pray.no response. Look at the movie called Huda Jama. Philip, Mr. Yancey, Perhaps He knows something we cannot understand that most of His children who are not believers yet are actually Future Believers? Marsha Linehan, a fellow sufferer/expert on mental health who is Catholic, once remarked that the likes of us are in hell, so to speak and we need all the help we can get to get out. Hello ! Instead, we get blind reliance on ancient texts or ridiculous comments from Pat Robertson. He is the only One who defines christianity. [7] He went on to earn graduate degrees in communications and English from Wheaton College Graduate School and the University of Chicago. I no longer feel like I fit in that culture, but your books still speak to me, and I hear the gospel in them as much as I did way back when. She did something that probably none of us could imagine ever doing. 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. I never heard any more about the envelope incident from Matt, nor did I see any report written up about it. I want to SEE God. There are two particular ways in which I owe you a debt of gratitude. Bless you in your honest journey. Ive been an avid fan and faithful reader of your books over the years. Not a miracle. I asked Brian Harder if all was well with me and Bridges of Canada, and he said Yes, no problems. I cant seem to get my health and will together to get anything going so my wife, a nurse, supports our family at present. One of my favourite portions of scripture is Jesus encounter with the woman at the well; how tender he was with her. You have inspired a new series at our church, New Eyes. Enough turning the blind eye to church officials, government employees and police officers that have made it a lifestyle to break of the laws of this country. Ruby is my wife. I am looking forward to reading more of your books in the future. My daughter gradually showed progress. While serving as chaplain there, Monty spoke in chapel services at my invitation on several occasions. Thats also the way Ive treated my friends and family for as long as I can remember. Thank you! What does one do when mercy seems to not exists? Though different forces had shaped her personality, my mother was given to angry, hurtful outbursts (my dad sometimes advised me to walk on eggs around her). Im originally from Kenya, but now lives in Sydney Australia. Neither of us was what you'd call a "happy" student. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. P.S. Then I thought it would be awesome if I ever get one chance to talk to Goethe, the man who died in 1832. Philip. If a students skirt didnt touch the floor, she was sent to her dorm to change and told never to wear such a short skirt again. Your writing has blessed my life many times over. Your friend (from high school years and YFC, If you cant come, then please pray for us. It is so alarming! I wanted to ask you about your thoughts on atonement. Instead, I was referred to Bridges of Canada since they had contracted me out to CSC [45]. Philip, Ive appreciated your books for many years now. You are on the front lines; I sit in an office in isolation and write. Even though I couldnt muster the ability to trust Jesus after reading your book, I had a life changing encounter with him last year, which changed everything. If I meet somebody who I dont think likes me, I say to myself, Bob, this ones just temporarily out of order. John Howard Griffin, a temporary black man, had the most impact on me because of his expose Black Like Me experiment. God begin revealing things to me about my life and the choices I had made over the years. Ana Paula Nascimento (Juiz de Fora MG), Ana Paula, Im sure the Google translator did not do justice to your Portuguese, but your message came through loud and clear. . There is much wisdom in what you say, and your comments will give me something Jesus can deal with the details in his life, just as he deals with the details in all of our lives. I went onto a security assessment in Houston. I now own and have read all of your books. + The Jesus I Never Knew Anti-Semitism in the Institution I tend to go back to the Bible as a model, because I dont know a more honest book, Yancey explains. Your book Disappointment with God is the reason I found God in my life. St. Augustine teaches that the future is unknowable, which is also hinted at in many places in the Bible. In The Bible Jesus Read, Yancey challenges the perception that the New Testament is more important than the Old, that the Hebrew Scriptures aren't worth the time they take to read and understand them.Writing as always with keen insight into the human condition and God's provision for . Two misfits came together. 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. Now their daughters have thrown me out of Bridges, all based on a lies and hate . I read your book where is God when it hurts, that was not too long after I lost my mother and faced severe persecution from my father. Im so glad youre there with her. This week my Dad went home. The Bible Jesus Read, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1999. Personal I cant explain the camaraderie I felt with your words. It breaks my heart to think of him still away from the Lord. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. The failures, obstacles of life, and disappointment had consumed all my will to continue. I can live with that because I trust in the One who understands and knows all things. Currently I am reading Soul Survivor and can hardly put it down. 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. Several times the Epistles urge us to bring God pleasure. Mr. Yancey, I should have written this years ago when I first read The Jesus I Never Knew! From Gods timeless perspective, our end is known, Yes, Augustine wrote some remarkable reflections on timelessnesslong before modern cosmology gave a theoretical basis to what he intuited theologically. Very few had come to my aid. Thank you for all you do. God bless you and Patty. I have now just re-read it (still inspirational!) We peppered you with questions to help us gain some type of understanding as to why Jacob was born with such a devastating prognosis. He told me that in doing so I had breached protocol; I should have written to him first. In an "awful vow", against which Philip Yancey and his brother, Marshall, would constantly collide, his mother dedicated her two boys to God: "He is a ghost figure, summoned by our mother at key moments. Would you please expand on this or tell me where I can find the direct or indirect Biblical answers to this? Chiara Lubich gave me huge insight into how to live my life and she has and is still a huge inspiration to me however, God is great, because your book somehow showed me what we all need and that we are surrounded by grace and are surprised by grace. We look forward to more wonderful books. Education: Cooper Union Sc, Yez Santos Delgadillo, Agustn (19041980). Besides that, I love the honesty about your own struggles. Thank you for the information about Richard no doubt about it, I will keep praying for him. Looking for answers. I asked the guard at the main control station outside the chapel about this, and he told me he had no idea what happened to it. The weekend retreat will have three teaching sessions, each taught by different guys, maybe with sub-themes: Grace from God, Grace between Christians and Grace to the World. Smith would never forget or forgave my acceptance into Church Army. You encouraged me to keep the journal and use it as history. The Institution later wrote me to request that I return the Torah study books, claiming that they had been sent to me in error [49]. The issue is why God allows suffering. When some staff had asked me to bless their homes, to pray with them and to help them spiritually, Paul told them that I was not a real priest because I was not RC. Neither did I want to read the other peoples messages left to you, so that my opinion would be my own and not colored with other peoples classes. She commented on some good discussions we had had over the phone. I dealt with some emotional pain in Disappointment with God, but nothing like the kind of pain you experience. The Regioal Chaplain for Correctional Servies Canada John Tonks held a contract over my head for a whole year for me to sign, he kept promising to bring it and have me sign it for a 5 year contract with CSC but he never did bring it,it was a very cruel game he was playing. Categories . May God bless you and keep you. Just this summer I have been reading your book and it is speaking to me very clearly and refreshing my heart! Near the end of the book, Phil quotes a pastor speaking after a school shooting which killed 17 in Scotland. I was especially moved by your chapter that touched on homosexuality. I am 41 and have lived with Major Depressive Disorder since I was 17. And I know Christians dont do a lot of thinking, but they do have the Holy Spirit. Tony Compalo) are on our side. He and I had been to the same evangelical Anglican theological college, and we were part of the evangelical wing of the worldwide Anglican Church. I have 2 questions. I cannot feel its right to leave her on her own regularly, even though she would never stop me. Just like you, I am deeply baffled by how many Filipino Christians have voted, even defended our current president. Later I realized that we were the bad guys." After some time in the USA I returned to the UK and took Lynn Green up on his offer and joined YWAM again after a few months he suggested a new life and start for me in Youth With a Mission Canada. Yes, writers need prayer, as we work in isolation and its a paranoia-producing occupation. Interesting about Richard. 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). 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. Your note shows deep maturity, and Im sure you have much worth writing about. I believe we can know. I also resonate with the writer of Ecclesiastes. Thank you for your book. It oftens brings me to tears when I read it because I see my own history in that woman, thats what is so amazing about Jesus, his Grace. Yancey, Philip D. 1949- (Philip David Yancey), Contemporary Authors, New Revision Series. I want to thank you sincerely and hope you always keep on writing! Much progress, and I appreciate your concern. Education: Columbia Bible College, Columbia, B.A., 1970; Wheaton College, Wheaton, M.A., 1972; University of Chicago, M.A., 1990. We began to talk about discipleship, and I knew I had found the more. Beginning to attend his church, we talked about the forming Deacon body, and I felt called to that. I have written books with titles like Where Is God When It Hurts, Disappointment with God, Reaching for the Invisible God and The Question That Never Goes Away. I have not heard that criticism before, so I must (accurate, in this case) look into that. I have read a couple of your books and it has catapulted me to beautiful planets beyond this life. This comment stuns me, and warms my heart, Janine. Hope you understand. That kid throwing a tantrum He went back to the United States and she never saw him again. (https://www.netgrace.org/) who have convinced me that many of the accusations are 100% right. Writing is what Ive always done best. You are, besides the Spurs part, the same. He was saying, I want this one. Her name is Kristin, which of course means follower of Christ. Paul also told me that I myself belonged to a schismatic church and a schismatic Franciscan order. You might not want people to see you wiping your eyes and reflecting on your own shortcomings and repentance. Rumors of Another World: What on Earth Are We Missing?, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2003. Keep quiet. Nevertheless, Monty, Frank and I had an ongoing close relationship, both personally and professionally. Now back to the sunset. Before one Meeting, I happened to notice a book on a packed bookshelf titled It has been recommended that I have the book professionally edited and I was wondering if I could ask you for a good editorial recommendation. You were endeavoring to point to Gods love and care for his children. My wife and I often use your books as gifts when we talk to people in need of encouragement or a different bigger picture offered than the one we find in tacky church messages or half-hearted encouragement by fellow Christians. In my first comment I shared briefly about a crisis of faith I was in the middle of concerning evolution. Isten ldja! Jacob lived about as long as John Claypools daughter, and I may have recommended at the time his fine little book, Tracks of a Fellow Struggler. Much later, in May 2017, I met the V and C guard again in Morinville. We each attended a Bible college, though the school I attended has closed its doors. Recently I decided to try and step away from the constant critical analyzing to appreciate the undeniable beauty of faith in my life that I have found. Its been on my shelf all this time, and I didnt think to crack the cover until recently. My doctor told me to find a good GP and to take a year off work to recover. Physical Assault We get to confess, knowing we will be loved and forgiven. It made quite an impact on both my wife and I and I actually believe if it were not for that book and The Jesus I Never Knew we would have abandoned our faith. All the best! It is truly life changing. I am so glad that the Korean translation held your interest! What a beautiful spirit you show! I just cant accept this as a Master Plan. I am still speechless in the face of evil. Their 13 lives & testimonies still live to edify so many more through the gift of your book. I was so lonely that I accepted their invitation to come to their home for a meal and christian meeting. I often feel different than the Christian community that surrounds me far more skeptical, far more embracing of doubts, far more comfortable discussing the persistence of my questions than any answers Ive been offered. My Dismissal 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. Maybe, maybe not. I remembered how human you were in your books and how your writing established a template that allowed room for my brain, for my soul, for my poetic thrashings. I have not been honored back. Again and again, I would offer them your name, hoping they would find a similar freedom in realizing their doubts and questions did not disqualify them from faith. I have read Where was God when it Hurts ? Im not sure where youre trying to get articles published, but if in Australia they could give you more helpful feedback. Ive just published a memoir, Where the Light Fell, which details my own struggle with these same questions. Very sorry! I was told to sell my condo and move east, which I did. By the time I had given out about 15 stamps/cards, word had gotten around to Paul. You had just spent the morning speaking to a group of ministers of education and, probably, the last thing you desired to do was to provide a free counseling session. I am currently reading your book Whats so amazing about Grace and want to thank you for it. If this is supposed to be the most important relationship of my life, then its not netting out so well in progress Id always heard that as we age we tend to draw closer to God but Im finding it increasingly more difficult to embrace and sustain a passion for something that remains so abstract and unclear. That made me refer back to the year 2016. Gods blessings to you! Thank you. Here it is: Over the past several months, I have read four books dealing with similar topics: yours (Soul Survivor), Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible, Mouw (The Smell of Sawdust), and Carpenter, History of Fundamentalism in the 30s and 40s. My all-time favorite is Whats so Amazing about Grace, but recently I read Reaching for the Invisible God again, which caused me to remember that my faith is just that: faith. My partnership with Dr. Paul Brand was transformative for me. I tried Amazon. If this was the end of the story, it would not have been worth telling. My brother Philip, Once I found one, the pastor remarked that he saw me teaching and created a new Sunday School class to teach, which I did for more than a year. Before that time people saw him as grump but after that time he was a changed man. A big hug. Let brick and mortar churches choose more humble characteristics, RELIGIOUS empires have been built on mens longing for Truth Religion: Protestant. This is our home, and this is all weve got. Scott Carpenter, Mecury 7, When youre finally up at the moon looking back on earth, all those differences and nationalistic traits are pretty well going to blend, and youre going to get a concept that maybe this really is one world and why the hell cant we learn to live together like decent people. Frank Borman, Apollo 8, You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. In late 2015, around the same time as my interview with the Summerside RCMP regarding Gord Dominey, Dr. Beckner from Bridges of Canada called me to ask if I was interested in a prison chaplains job at the Stony Mountain Institution in Winnipeg. Do not ever touch me. These comments hurt deeply and, combined with my Irritable Bowel Syndrome, produced major panic/anxiety attacks that required me to wear adult diapers for some time to prevent me from soiling myself. I want to start off by saying that you have been an invaluable resource for me in my shaky Christian walk. (Magyarorszgrl), (google translate) (You can email me privately, if you are willing.). The treatment was therapy sessions that I could not afford. This year is the tenth anniversary of my accident, and your prayers have been answeredin reverse! Ive had you in the back of my mind as I have been writing a book the last two years. I have just read in Devotionals Daily your write up Do Yo Want To Know God? Thank you for having such courage to write such a book and I want to know how you did it. What He taught men the Apostles simply referred to as The Way That is the grace. Given the events of January 6, 2021, might that editorial have been a bit prophetic? Unfortunately, very credible stories have surface in congregations very close to us personally that are difficult to ignore. While listening to this I thought back to the time when I had reported to AWI Brad Sass that I had seen Imam Ramazan bringing a DVD player into the Institution without permission. Thanks again for sharing your openness and insightful work with the rest of us. It helped me in difficult periods of my life. Maybe it has always been this way, but I wonder it is possible to break through those dividing lines. For me, communicating with God doesnt seem to happen when I am actually praying. It is when I am pondering things while in the shower, or walking in the woods, or driving in the countryside. Sorry, Bill, but that story rings no bells for me. 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. Is it possible there is enough there to literally write a sequel? The Bible Jesus Read: Why the Old Testament Matters We wrote more in a book called The Gift of Pain. Upon their arrival, the team met with us in the chapel. Yancey, Philip D. 1949- (Philip David Yancey) | Encyclopedia.com My problem is that, at this age, I dont know where to start. Brand & I was blown away. Instead of talking it through with me and praying ,they reacted by removing me from the mens dorm, . Thank you for calling out evangelical Christians supporting Mr Trump. Homer Heater, Jr. She had called ahead and warned them this queer as she saw me was on the way. If Im ever in the area, Ill let you know. Each has received good reviews from people who count. Cautiously, warily, I returned, circling around the faith to see if it might be true.. U taught me that. Interview: Philip Yancey on U.S. Christianity, Faith That Matters God wanted to know me. Philip. The clarity of your challenge What is the alternative to grace? Threshold Ministries was found guilty of wrongful dismissal and was required to let me resign, pay me for two years of wages and benefits, and to not talk about my dismissal. He himself had told me on previous occasions to get out of his office, and it was understood that such demands were meant to be just for that time and not permanently. We confessed our grief and our fears. Sometime during that decade I purchased Disappointment With God, read it, and have been carrying it around from city to city ever since. I remember reading Job and this began to open my heart. And I dont want to hear that he is answering through nature or something like that. I am Munir Masih from Pakistan. Follow my devotional: Disappointed with god 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. Paul frequently delegated some of his own responsibilities to me, especially for a time when he was engaged in a house renovation project. Naturally, I defended Rabbi Ari. . Lewis Smedes has the answer to my question? The fact that you care, and that you hunger for relationshipthese are signs of health. Brand and I were 61 and 25, respectively, when we met. If so, I am sure others would love to read it! Let me know if you have insight or resources on any of this. I am confused if I am just appropriating certain verses for my self while the fact could be theyre meant for the ancient Israelites (Exodus 14:14; often used as a modern-day encouragement) or other groups or individuals. I noticed you didnt write anything on Praying (or speaking) in tongues. I hope I havent communicated that evangelical is the default setting for genuine Christianity! My children were safe. We help young men from addictive backgrounds with life controlling issues. Like you, I believe we need many more. Hillery, or as I call her, Hitlery, has proven over the years to be very anti- Christian . Currently, Im reading your book on prayer while trying to come to terms with the Sri Lanka bombings on Easter Sunday morning. with a lot less fear, and a lot more gratitude for the generosity of God. Ive always loved your books, and lens. After the Wedding, Word Inc. (Waco, TX), 1976. Can you recommend an amplified that youd feel comfortable reading/trusting? Nossas dvidas, tambm, sero silenciadas por revelao, por encontros marcantes com Deus. And yet, my desire to help others comes directly from the Bible. And I have a question. Thank you so much for writing Disappointment with God. The first time I read it I was dealing with issues regarding my perspective of God. Theres the evidence that demands a verdict. Pagpalain ka ng Diyos! Mr. Yancey, Im sure many people can relate to some of your anecdotes. I am also a social worker. Nevertheless, Ramazan took sides with Paul against me. Its hard, but its beautiful. I also just read about your harrowing car accident, and can now pray more specifically for your spinal condition. It really is an honour to communicate with you! At college, I often encountered friends who found themselves in the shadows between belief and unbelief. I have started to read through your book on prayer. I wanted to comment some text of the latest I have been reading (not finished yet), the Soul adventure. I used to struggle with it too. 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.. What God has meant for me to have will never go to anyone else and even if I happen to lose something that was meant for me, I will get it back eventually because it was mine to begin with. 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.