Philip. Interesting question. . I know that God will honor your charity work. Born 1948, in England; married Virginia Bell (a writer); children: three. I hope that none of my readers is that grotesque anomaly an unchurched Christian-for the New Testament knows nothing of such a monster! This really upset me. We look forward to more wonderful books. He may not have agreed with them, but He never argued for armed insurrection or even lobbying your Roman Senator. We have about 40 men signed up to take the class with us right now, some of whom are Spanish. 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. The weekend before I was to begin they called me and retracted my acceptance. Not that I feel capable of teaching on the subject, but that I feel guys need to know more about this. Life is still almost overwhelmingly hard and I know that none of my dreams are likely to become reality in this life. With kind regards Alison Veness, I do indeed get to U.K. now and then, so watch my Facebook site. Brandt Shelbourne. I lived on $644 a month. She said to go ahead, so I told her about how my life had changed after reporting illicit activities at work. Hi, Mr. Yancey, I want to thank you for writing The Jesus I Never Knew. How fortunate we are to be able to grow through fellow pilgrims across the globe and the centuries, so like and unlike us. Im just repeating what the Polish nanny said who looked at my book and said it translates Disappointment with Mold. Philip. Your writing, at the very least, extends sympathy to the likes of me. He does not know why evil exists Simply dumbfounded. God still sits on the throne and is active and in control during the joys and the heartbreaks (as we may see it). I recommend it to you highly. 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. They needed water. Feel free to write me if you would like more info. I try to be honest about church challenges, but definitely come down on the side of the church. Thank you for visiting Korea and giving a precious message. I was told to sell my condo and move east, which I did. I admit I began it rather cynically (in fact, without the first few paragraphs on Watching, I dont know if I would have made it through the pain is actually good part). So, I went back, the door opened for me, and I stepped in. It helped me in difficult periods of my life. Philip. The NIV Student Bible - Philip YanceyPhilip Yancey Is it possible it is taken from Where is God when it Hurts? I have searched and searched and searched and have found very little that even addresses the question, and even less that at all helps. I am not thanking you for the books you have written and that I have liked so much, but I am thanking God for you and the books. Well thats how much of an impact this book has had on me, and I would recommend this one to anyone as the must read (if you only read one book by Philip Yancy) Since coming to Alberta as a chaplain 29 years ago, I have on many occasions reported the verbal, sexual and physical abuse of such people around me and under my care. 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. There is nothing in Johns account to suggest she was an amoral woman. I was recently bombarded with advertisements, all over social networks, for a book of yours The Question That Never Goes Away. I remember thinking, yeah, like that will help. She had amazing spiritual insight and was keen to evangelise her community. Anti-Semitism in the Institution ", Yancey tackles the issue of prayer in Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? And praise God that, in spite of all the experiences which seemed to contradict grace, that grace penetrated your life and made you a servant to the church. where did philip yancey go to college? - mail.dynamictyping.dev One day I hope to do a book on writing, and then Ill try to figure out an answer to your question. I followed this direction, with help from friends. and Vanishing Grace. I now view politics and religion cynically as a tool to maneuver people to an end that benefits their personal goals, not goals of a God whom might think differently. In 2009, I reported physical abuse at The Bethany Group, a long-term care facility in Camrose where I was the chaplain. And to breed proud fools strutting about with their devout vanity, LET us bell the cat, name the evil to expose its ideological tactics God is always there when the eyes of faith are open. Stalekracker. Brand, updating the medicine, cutting duplication, and improving the text. Let us give its due and rename it CNT for it is Clever, Not True., There is One called Christ and there is something called Christianity Oh God I dont know if I can keep this up. Youre very welcome. She told me in front of the class, You have remarkable resilience to be where you are today. I marvel at the apparent freedom God has given us, to choose for or against Truth. Then again, its very good for the universe that Im not God. I have seen the worst of church and political hypocrisy and the way so many of us hate those who are different. 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. A subsequent letter of dismissal from the Bridges of Canada head office in Fredericton praised me for my dedication but also failed to include a reason for my dismissal [37]. (With Brenda Quinn) Meet the Bible: A Panorama of God's Word in 366 Readings and Reflections, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2000. I miss my kids so much its like a deep grief. I doubt anyone has an answer that would satisfy Ehrman, however. Oh, my, what trials you have been through! And actually, Im not very expressive facially myself, so Im glad that when I speak, not everyone in the audience responds like me. I admit I dont know how to pray but want to learn as the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray. 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. Ramazan had not obtained a signed gate pass, and his bag had not been scanned as he came in. Such beautiful encouragement, Heidi. Disappointment with God: Three Questions Nobody Asks Aloud, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1989. I know you have been receiving good and aweful feedbacks and comments, but let me just express mine. If you read, say, Job, Psalms, Habakkuk, the complaints against God and criticism of how creation works are stark and obvious. More than 30 years of committed faith coupled with countless hours invested in scripture, bible group study, supporting books and prayer have still led to a frustrating distance from a God who professes unconditional love and acceptance. Why is it that when im so depressed that I honestly dont want to wake up in the morning and beg God for a feeling of peace/a word etc that nothing happens? There are two main things I want your help in.. I am writing a book about addiction and recovery and would like to quote some passages in this book. Perhaps He knows something we cannot understand that most of His children who are not believers yet are actually Future Believers? Thank you. I have a question that has always burned in the forefront of my mind and was wondering if you could point me to any resources. Back in 2007, I decided to put myself out there and finally answer what I believed to be Gods call on my life to be a worship pastor. Philip. My worry was needless. I do think the Israelite story, which later became the Jewish story, may be an example worth considering; its no accident that so many spirituals and so many civil rights sermons hark back to those days of oppression and liberation. The Bible Jesus Read will give you abundant new insights into the heart of God the Father. It has been a great help to me to bringing to realisation my thoughts around what my attitude to many of the issues confronting Christians today should be; the answer is to be graceful of course. Dear Brother Philip, I was thrilled to be accepted, and proceeded with preparations to sell my home and to move to Winnipeg. However, I have this book and have searched it thoroughly and I cannot find the quote. Im a Jesus lover and freak with a faith that doesnt make sense of why i have such an unbreakable faith. See resources from our past podcasts. I found Whats so Amazing about Grace? to be very approachable, clear and interesting. And I just want to let you know how right you are, You have no idea how hard it is for me to read without distraction. Instead of returning me home to the UK, I was sent for further punishment . Bruce Smith the Church Army regional Director ,later to be the National Director came up to me on the platform and said we have found out about your (gay past just thoughts in Hawaii) you are no longer accepted in the Church Army ,and he walked away leaving me with my suit cases , shattered and no place to go. Dear Mr. Yancey: I write this, I am praying, in a most respectful manner. Since then Ive always been searching for more and more books of yours. Everything was spelled out in black and white. He told me that in doing so I had breached protocol; I should have written to him first. He told inappropiate gay put down jokes at church meetings . I hope you keep on writing. I can only hope your words are as ministering to them as they are to me. 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. Philip Yancey grew up in a strict, fundamentalist church in the Deep South. Whatever I did to deserve all of this must have been just awful, and I feel that I deserve all of this because otherwise God would help me, right? Thanks for introducing me to Shusaku Endo. Thank you in advance. This never bothered me much till I recently read a volume about Darwinism. I believe that if Im faithful in my Christian walk, others will see love, joy, peace, patience, etc. Its true, of course, that a huge percentage of Christians worldwide practice that gift. I am an evangelical Christian. Did you need to read a book to know how to communicate with them and let them know your feelings? This film begins with the quote No one ever converted to Christianity because they lost the argument. Following the quote in the film, it says Phillip (sic) Yancey, author, Rumors of Another World. Ive been thinking about how that affects my relationship with God. Im sure youve come up against this objection before and Id love to know your thoughts or book recommendations. Im also glad youve started writing. It doesnt end. However the last few months have been some of my most desperate. Even days after that final judgement, I was not able to focus on my work life seemed too heavy to face. I dont buy it. They dismissed my story as a fabrication. It seems that you and the writers mentioned have something subtle in common. I tend to go back to the Bible as a model, because I dont know a more honest book, Yancey explains. Still writing, or planning on writing, that? Sigh, the church is composed of people. That was because my wife and I once went through that similar situation. In recent years . You might try Writing For Your Life. "This was something I wanted for myself. I understood this comment to be a threat. Almost fifty years, in fact. The Bible assures us that we will find Him when we seek Him with our hearts. Couldnt all of that money have been better spent? We sold our house. But I understand your intent, and am glad you waited so long to bless me with your kind and generous words. Philip. Dr. W.E. [38] I also sent two letters by registered mail, one to Misty and one to Clovis LaPointe at the Edmonton Institution [39] [40]. I give it to everyone I can think of, for any occasion. Thanks again, I look forward to your new work. Thanks from the heart. I am now trying to read Reaching for the Invisible God. They found her in a diabetic coma on Thanksgiving day and Hospice was called in a few days afterwards. When there are only two candidates that are miles ahead of the rest of the pack, it would appear to me to be a waste of vote to vote for anyone other then Trump. . I looked across at Brian Harder of Bridges of Canada, and he was not at all happy. 2. It didnt take long for this little girl to draw conclusions about herself based on the way that people treated her. Your father would have been so proud." 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. Id read too many responses to suffering which merely seem to say: sickness is a product of the Fall, and God will heal it one day. Brad expressed his sorrow over what had happened to me. 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 was so lonely that I accepted their invitation to come to their home for a meal and christian meeting. I was stunned by his anger, his rage. Besides politics, were everyday closer to a hate speech that really scares me. Every one of these leaders told me to keep quiet about it or I would lose my job. Look at Vukovar. I have weird tastes in movies. Just like you, I am deeply baffled by how many Filipino Christians have voted, even defended our current president. I guess the kind of sympathy contained in your reply is something I dont hear much from people around me; too few ears, too many mouths, including my own, to be fair. This automatic OTF knife model is easier to carry and fires slightly . Philip, Dear Mr. Yancey: I attended the 1995 Attention Makes Infinity writing workshop (poetry, with Paul Mariani) at Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs, and heard you speak about the existential nature of Ecclesiastesimpressive, and I still have the VHS tape of that evening. I dont think I realized how profoundly those years shaped me in both positive and negative ways until I finished Where the Light Fell. Im sorry it took a disability to teach you empathybut in the long run, which is more important? Peace, Please let me know if you would allow us to provide our brothers with this wonderful resource. Thats a great question, and there are entire books written in answer. I was raised in a wonderful Christian home but like you, I had many questions about things I had seen in the church and even more questions, as I experienced new churches different from the ones I was used to in the south. Soul Survivor is my personal favorite because I got to write about my heroes. While on the trip, we worked on a trailer that really needed to be condemned and replaced but since we did not have the money for that, we did what we could to fix leaks and replace the rotting floor. Homer Heater, Jr. Can you suggest anything to help me feel Im worthy of the sacrifice madeI am simultaneously eager and scared to meet Jesus again. Brand did. I wonder if you have a study guide for Where is God When it Hurts? ? Dr. Following Pauls verbal attack, I sent a letter of complaint to Brian and Bridges of Canada head office. Hinds Feet on High Places ~ Hannah Hurnard And I was terribly disappointed to hear that James Dobson would be supporting Trump. Ive only been to Phoenix once, for some golf, but I have some good friends there, so dont be surprised if you can check that one off someday. Most of the credit for his success must surely go to his wife Janet. But its JESUS! Contributor of about 800 articles to magazines, including Reader's Digest and Saturday Evening Post. A penny for your thoughts: In thinking about prayer, it seems out of balance. I didnt want anyone to think, I might think such a thing. My two most common phrases are I dont know what to believe and Lord, is this really you?. (With Tim Stafford) Student Bible: New International Version, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2002. 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. This truly encourages me. (See http://qideas.org/contributors/gabe-lyons/) He directs a kind of think tank that works on building bridges between Christians and the culture around them. In the end he left the hard questions ("if there be any other way . How much grace and reason went into a law like this? This amplified the discomfort I have been feeling for many years about the emphasis of evangelicalism on a personal relationship and emotional experiences with God that I simply could not relate to, as much as I wanted to. I wanted to send you a book by my second favorite writer Calvin Miller but cant find your address. (With Paul Brand) Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1980. 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! Anyway, just wanted to write to thank you for a breath of fresh air. Barth, Karl They actually have morality police patrolling with clubs to punish the disobedient. . Writing (especially about such a sensitive topic) is hard and I deeply appreciate the time and effort and struggle you put into it. I ran into Youth With a Mission again in 1979 while working for Barry Mc Guire and Rev Jean Darnell and a Team touring the UK. I have no idea if he intervenes in my life (or anyones) like that. My last two books were Vanishing Grace and The Question That Never Goes Away. After completing my training I wanted to work in the prisons as a Chaplain and so Church Army sent me to a parish in Northern Ontario. Dear Lisa, I have honored this pledge by giving my whole life to the vulnerable in this country; to the young, the elderly, the sick, the dying, to prisoners and anyone in need. Several times the Epistles urge us to bring God pleasure. If this was the end of the story, it would not have been worth telling. During the debriefing at the end of the evaluation, which included Bridges manager Brian, no issues or major concerns were brought up. Darren G. Had been in the position for one year and had set things up, Capt. I do not want excusesIf he loves me why wont he just answer in a way that will change me? Just a quick note about me as a earnest christian for many years, I have basically given up on organized religion en masse , precisely because of the amount of un-grace( as you put it) I have encountered. I might not be the best Christian, but I know who I am. I told him that I did not think I would be accepted, since Monty Lewis and Frank Costantino with Bridges of Canada had refused to give me a job due to my same-sex attraction and my frequent reporting of sexual abuse of children by priest and pastors in Canada and in the USA. As I argued with the Lord in my head, He moved me to write an article to call on Christians to pray for brothers and sisters in Christ who are under persecution. Muslims try to wipe out Christians, and that is evil. You writing always seems to point the reader to this image of God in us. 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. May you know the God of all comfort, worthy of trust even in those things we cannot comprehend. 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. you write next! I have always been a regular reader of scripture but my goal was to improve my prayer life. And Perhaps until that fine day, He sees most of us as being just temporarily out of order. Im writing to thank you for everything you wrote and I had the opportunity to read. My question is about your friend Richard (Disappointment With God), and whether he ever returned to the faith after all of these years? I am planning on going to London and paris then Korea early of next year. Each time, I rediscover a love for the Bible, and the merciful Father who has gone to such great lengths to bring us into a relationship with Him. I felt so inspired by what I have learned from Him (before I even entered the church doors and received influence from imperfect people), I began to journal. May you continue to experience joy in serving. . Jesus introduced a new way, making the commands more personalI am the truthand at once simpler and more demanding (Love God, love your neighbor as yourself). I found out after lunch that this innocent decision further revealed the depth of misgivings that Brian had towards me. How boring it must be to have the same kind of relationship with billions of people. Every Blessing upon you and you family! Im reading through Reaching for an Invisible God, savoring it by only reading a few pages a day and really considering what you say and it occurred to me that I ought to be praying for this man who has, along with John Stott, been such a constant spiritual guide for me in the mornings when I pray & study the Bible. As a faehtr of two young children, I was moved by the message. I support free legal services for the poor and disenfranchised, and generally campaign for Democrats. He never commented, but some of the Roman Catholic chaplains were grateful for my comments. It is so alarming! I have spoken to various pastors, councellors etc and they all spew the same garbage and meaningless words. If they lied about this, then maybe they're lying to me about the Bible and Jesus and God and everything else as well. I want to start off by saying that you have been an invaluable resource for me in my shaky Christian walk. Philip. The failures, obstacles of life, and disappointment had consumed all my will to continue. Ghian Hi Philip, Im a missionary in Latin America, Biology teacher/school administrator, and have greatly grown through your books. I will try to take it to heart because I know its what Jesus would want me to do, but I am finding it very difficult to want to relate to fellow Christians who are willing to die on the swords of anti-abortion and homosexuality, but who see no need for social justice reform in this country. I look forward to reading more of what you have to say and teach. Since then, Ive been through a confusing, but very revealing, journey which will be too long to write about in this already long comment. This year, our Medical Doctor told us that we have an almost nil chance because of my past chronically health problems that never seem to end. Your book, Whats so Amazing About Grace is my seventh book in my quest to immerse myself in the topic of grace. A few days ago I was searching the book shelf for more books to help me sort through this time in the fog, and I found yours. When he came back he told me that what I had been told was not true. I would say that you were afraid to lose the respect of either side of the conflict. Were thankful for a solid church body who lets us be us. We forgive others because He forgave us. I keep asking those kinds of questions, and its encouraging to know that some of my readers do too. I applied for social assistance but was refused. I would also like to encorage you to continue taking on the hard topics and shareing your viewpoint. I went back into my office, shaken by his outburst. Yes, its right to challenge and critique and question and even doubt aspects of our faith, because it leads us closer to Christ. Thats an important part of history we need to learn from. ChristianityTodayLibrary.com newsletter January 21, 2008 reproduced in, Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church, "Library of Congress Authority Record: Yancey, Philip", "Soul Survivor Philip Yancey "About the Author", https://nypost.com/2011/12/25/in-my-library-jimmy-carter/, Official biography by Zondervan Publishing, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Philip_Yancey&oldid=1135826760, Short description is different from Wikidata, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 January 2023, at 02:40. Judaism is so cut and dry. But the night of the invitation I was again alone and crying and remember thinking, what have I to lose. It changed the trajectory of my thinking. Your writing has helped me through tough times and I cannot thank you enough! 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. what truth is? The guard then told me that he had not wanted me to take out of the Institution; rather, he had meant for me to take it to the Administration Office. Unfortunately, it was a one-sided plea. Enjoyed very much your message video to folks in Newtown. He goes on with, Because of Jesus, we have the assurance that whatever disturbs us, disturbs God more. Surely thats the only time Ive been linked with David Robinson. I have read one of your books. When I became a Christian at 16, your book The Jesus I Never Knew was the first Christian book I read. Discovering God: A Devotional Journey Through the Bible, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1993. Brand so is that the next book we will be able to read? Your note shows deep maturity, and Im sure you have much worth writing about. Im so excited I cant wait to tell the friend I aforementioned about this, since shes a big fan of yours and the one who introduced me to your books. Mark Dickson not Capt. Walking through life as a Christian isnt easy, but I am thankful that your writing has been a part of my journey. We here calls to defend Trump (OK, not at our Lutheran and Reformed churches). Do you remember that story, if you do can you tell me which book it is from? I read it and put it on my bookshelf, stirred but not capable of truly understanding the idea. Two of his books have won the ECPA's Christian Book of the Year Award: The Jesus I Never Knew in 1996, and What's So Amazing About Grace? Of course were all sick, were all sinners, and your last paragraph expresses it well. Philip, Ive appreciated your books for many years now. Its been on my shelf all this time, and I didnt think to crack the cover until recently. Regardless, thank you for commenting. Thats why, in desperation, Im contacting you. Change is most certainly on the docket for the next few years. So, during the spring of my senior year I was invited to preach to my fellow students and the faculty. Hi Philip, I would like to thank you for your books. I have spent my adult life in ministry, raised a large family, but recently went through a nasty divorce after 30 yrs due to my wife having mental health illness. The title is Amazed: Why the Humanity of Jesus Matters and is available on Amazon (not yet Prime, but it is available in paperback and Kindle). My prayer for him is that he may have a Damascene encounter and emulate the dramatic change that took place in Pauls life. If I choose well, and God is pleased, how is God benefited? If not, I suppose you can quit brainstorming the topic of your next book! Ive been meaning to send you a message for a while. We both knew then, and still know, that God brought us together, and it was not a coincidence., The pastor led me to Heartland Baptist Bible College, where I enrolled in the Practical Bible Training extension program. During my convalescence, both my doctor and psychologist told me that that I was not mentally ill but that there had just been too much loss in my life to cope with.