Worldviews
The Newsletter of the Apologetics Resource Center
August 2006
The
Purpose
The Apologetics Resource Center has a mission
(purpose) statement. “Our
mission is to reach the minds and hearts of people with the message and truth
claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission is also to equip Christians
with a culturally relevant apologetic, enabling them to have a deeper level of
personal faith, contend for that faith and to enter arenas of resistance reclaiming
ground lost to skepticism, secularism, and other alien philosophies.
We seek to
impact anyone including thinkers, leaders and opinion
makers, with
the eternal truths of God’s word, so that all hearts and minds are in
tune with the heart and mind of God.” Jesus said, “He is the way,
the truth and the life” – and his mediation prayer for us is, “Father
sanctify them in the truth – Thy word is truth,” and “You
shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Therefore, the
shorthand goals of ARC are to (1) know the truth (sound doctrine); (2) to defend
the truth
(faith); (3) to advance the truth; (4) to be the truth.
Is there a need? Seven
years ago my own observations were confirmed by the growing number of Christian
leaders and writers, “shouting from our steeple tops,” that
the American church was rapidly losing its “saltiness” and its
light was growing more dim. In some quarters the problem is dead orthodoxy.
In others
it is a problem of a lack of sound doctrine and discipleship. Even where
doctrine and theology is emphasized, there is too often a one dimensional
focus on personal
piety and a lack of the understanding of our call to worldviews and engagement
of the culture both in word and deed.
The result too often
reflects a Church which has been more conformed to the
world, which is characterized by consumerism,
materialism and chasing the “American
Dream.” Christianity is compartmentalized and trivialized. Too often
we see the Church retreating into “holy huddles” or Christian
ghettos.
Because of a lack of
informed engagement, modernism and postmodern relativism
has grown like a cancer. The results:
- The United States
is the third largest unevangelized country in the
world.
- In 1991, 39 million
Americans were unchurched, in 2004 there were 75 million
(a
92% increase).
- Only 8% of adults
are evangelicals, 4% of teenagers.
- Only 22% of adults
and 6% of teenagers are certain that absolute moral
truth exists. s64% of adults and 83% of teenagers embrace
relativism.
- 20% of Americans
believe in a new age concept of God.
Recent Barna research
reveals that people who describe themselves as “Christian” also
describe themselves as “average” in each
of seven specific dimensions of spiritual life. The
highest
self-rated dimensions were “maintaining
healthy relationships,” “serving other
people,” “worshipping
God,” and “leading their family spiritually.” Predictably,
the lowest self ranked categories were “sharing
their faith” and “knowing
the content of the Bible.” But in additional
research where actual practices and belief in biblical
doctrines
were measured, the results were far lower in
actuality than people’s self perception.
Barna
concluded that, “Americans are generally satisfied
with being ‘average’ in
their spiritual maturity. That betrays the fact that
we do not serve an ‘average
God,’ or one who is honored by people who are
lukewarm about their faith.” Barna
notes, “Most people do not feel they are learning
enough about God, the Christian faith, or their role
in the world – and most of them don’t
seem to care.”
I resonate so much with
Robert Lewis who wrote The Church of Irresistible Influence
a few years ago.
He writes, “As the Church engages a third
millennium, it looks across a terrifying—and
ever widening—chasm.
He goes on to describe some of those chasms as “Between
first-century authority and postmodern skepticism,
between a bold proclamation of God’s love
yet unmet human needs, between the selfless vision
of
Christ and the self-obsessed reality
of our world, between the truth of God’s
laws and the moral compromise of our culture, between
those who believe and those who don’t.”
People
are increasingly seeing the Church as an irrelevant
sideshow along the interstate of the
world’s real journey. The Church is growing
more isolated and powerless. But Christ is not
and neither is His engaged Church.
What
To Do?
That’s why ARC exists. We serve a “prophetic” role
in the Body of Christ to alert, exhort, and equip. We do
the research, raise awareness,
and provide solid teaching for the life changing transformation of the mind
of believers.
There is also much weak
and misguided teaching out there for which we provide discernment.
There are many false or heretical
teachings manifested in cults
or other world religions. And that is a mission field that is horribly
neglected due to a lack of compassion as well as insecurity
produced by a lack of biblical
knowledge (2 Tim. 2:23-26).
We provide seminars and conferences for churches. We provide personal coaching
and interventions for Christians and their engagement with people, ideas,
and institutions. We do the research and collect the best materials by
our colleagues
and partners in theology and apologetics on hundreds of issues in our free
information packets.
We produce a respected
and practical journal providing a sound and life-giving
apologetic on a wide variety of issues. We maintain
a useful website that
offers a practical resource nationally and internationally. We also write
books and
contribute to books and Christian periodicals.
Help Us Help You
We very
much need your financial support. In our last Worldviews
(April-May), we detailed our financial
predicament. In it I let everyone know that “If
we are not better funded we must radically reduce our ministry.” We
are very grateful for those who responded and it helped reduce our
deficit from
$59,000 to $50,105. But our regular base support has not increased.
By necessity we have had to significantly cut back on our ministry.
As I communicated in
the last newsletter, two of our staff had to find other
work. Our administrator has left us as she and her husband
adopted
a baby,
but we cannot afford to replace her full time. Another primary staff
person has been paid only one month this entire year. We could not
afford to even
send out our June or July issue of Worldviews.
So we are making this
final appeal to our readers to prayerfully consider holding
us up and putting us back on track to continue this
very strategic
ministry.
We need financial gifts now as well as new monthly supporters.
Getting back on track means we will be able to continue
our important information
packet
ministry to the general public as well as to a growing prison ministry.
We can continue to coach and counsel Christians in evangelistic/apologetic
encounters.
We can continue to alert, inform, and train Christians through
Worldviews. We can establish a training center to equip
teams to serve their
local churches. We can develop and implement our high school and
college
ministries. We can
conduct conferences, seminars and classes in local churches all
over the U.S. We can establish a Christian Study Center
locally and in
other cities
like
the one we’ve begun in Kansas City. We can continue to expand
production and circulation of our journal. Will you help us now?
Areopagus Journal
One
great way to support ARC, to grow personally, and to be
prepared to “give
a reasoned defense” of the faith (I Pet. 3:15) is to subscribe to (and
study) our bi-monthly Areopagus Journal. Not only is a journal subscription
a personal kingdom investment but it also makes a great gift of eternal value
for others (6 issues, $25.00).
Our upcoming July-August
issue is on the New Age Movement and its many deceptions
and encroachments into our culture (even
the Church). The next issue will focus
on another major deception, even for Christians – Alternative or Complimentary “Medicine.”
Also you should invest in all or selected back issues. They can be kept
in your library for future use and we encourage you to copy certain articles
for
distribution to those you encounter.
Journal subscriptions
and back issues topics can be viewed and ordered on our
website (www.arcapologetics.org)
or on the form at the end of this
Worldviews.
Some back issue topics are Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism,
Yoga, Homosexuality & Same Sex Marriage, Building a Christian Worldview,
Name-it and Claim-it heresies, Why Evil and Suffering Exist, Evolution-Creation,
and
some 18 more.
On our website we’ve reproduced the introductory
articles of each journal called Veritas. The following are endorsements
by prominent Christians:
“With contemporary issues that are relevant, to the
point, and well presented. Areopagus Journal is a marvelous
way to stay up to date on apologetics and Christian thinking
that is on the cutting edge. Well done!” Dr. Darrell
L. Bock, Research Professional of the New Testament, Dallas
Theological Seminary
“Areopagus Journal responds to the issues of the age
in an effective manner and attractive way that honors the
gospel and draws others to Christ.” Harry Reeder, Pastor-Teacher
of Briarwood Presbyterian Church
“Areopagus Journal offers the right tools to do the
Lord’s work in an effective and fruitful manner.” Dr.
Phil Roberts, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary
“Areopagus Journal meets a crucial need by providing
thoughtful articles that can also reach the non-academic
audience.” Dr. Douglas Groothius, Professor of Philosophy
at Denver Seminary
“The Apologetics Resource Center is a valuable resource
for the Church at this strategic time when we need to enhance
evangelism and engage in crucial cultural issues. I highly
recommend the study of each issue of Areopagus Journal, which
is scholarly, yet user-friendly for the average layman, as
well as for passing on to others.” Frank Barker, Pastor
Emeritus of Briarwood Presbyterian Church
“Publications like Areopagus Journal are vital in
quickening a grassroots resurgence of interest in the national
defense and commendation of the gospel.” Dr. William
Lane Craig, Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology
Local Events
Wednesday
Nights at Briarwood – Presented by ARC’s
staff we present Part 2 of our apologetics series, on Wednesday
night from Sept. 6 to Dec. 13 (15 weeks), from 6:30-8:00
p.m. Room #E-004 & E-006.
1. We will pick up on
the second half of our Christianity and culture program
dealing with “Life
and Death Issues,” covering
abortion, genetic engineering and euthanasia (Sept 6).
Following this we will discuss the role of the Church or
Christians
in the public square (government/politics), and then the
role and effects of religious pluralism in a democracy.
Sept 27 will be a general Q&A session.
2. On Oct. 4th
, we will begin a series on cults and other religions
and will cover which is the true God, the true
gospel, Islam, Roman Catholicism, the New Age Movement,
the Word-Faith movement, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
and ending with Q&A.
A dinner is served from 5:30-6:30, cost is $5 or $4 for
the salad bar, and a reservation is requested (call 776-5238).
Child care is also available during the sessions. The
classes are also designed to be interactive so Christians
can bring
non believers as well.
Apologetics Training.
One of our important ministry goals is to train laypeople
in local
churches so they can become
a team to carry on ministry in their own churches. New classes
will be on Tuesday nights from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Briarwood
Church. The first session runs for 10 weeks, from Oct. 3 – Dec.12th.
The sessions will cover apologetics approaches, defending
the authority of the Bible, postmodern relativism, sound
principles of doctrine and interpretation of Scripture, common
objections answered, cults, Islam, Catholicism, cultural
issues. If you are interested in being trained to serve your
church, please visit our website for further details and
register there or on the form at the end of Worldviews.
Birmingham Theological
Seminary classes available. Steve Cowan begins a course
on Advanced
Apologetics on Monday’s
(Sept.11-Dec. 15) from 5:30-7:30 p.m., W204, at Briarwood
Church. Clete Hux teaches Contemporary Cults and World Religions
on Thursday nights (7:30-9:30 p.m.), in W204. Dr. Vic Minish
teaches Introduction to Apologetics on Tuesdays 7:30-9:30
p.m., in W202. Contact BTS at 776-5650 or visit their website
at www.birminghamseminary.org.
The Fight
We go through life taking care of business—our spouse,
children, school, work, meals, friends, sports, movies,
music, etc. What most people don’t
realize (even too many Christians) is that there is another level of reality
going on. We go to see The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings,
and see it on the screen, but we leave it there when we
walk out. The fact is that
there is a spiritual warfare going on all around us—all the time.
We
are explicitly warned to be watchful, not ignorant of Satan’s schemes,
and that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers
and principalities over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces
of
evil, and that he prowls about like a lion seeking whom he may devour (2
Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:10-18). Satan’s deception
even extends to sometimes being disguised as “an angel of light.”
We
must first be able to discern the sometimes subtle doctrines and schemes
of Satan. Then we must be moved to step out in faith, looking to God’s
wisdom, power and sovereignty in responding to the situation. The following
are two examples.
The growing popularity
and use of yoga in public schools is in conflict with the
Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Establishment
Clause of our Constitution’s First Amendment.
Years ago, we prayerfully
gathered like-minded Christians and organizations and systematically
challenged the encroachment of New Age spiritual
beliefs (often disguised) and practices in public school curricula.
This eventuated
in an official policy (Alabama Administrative Code 290-040-040-02)
prohibiting these practices, including Yoga.
Yet, recently we became
aware of community education programs offering Yoga classes.
We objected first to the local board and then brought
the issue to
a State Board member who is a Christian. He took it to the State
Superintendent who issued a memorandum to all city and county Superintendents
calling
attention to the regulation and advising “that yoga not be
offered…on a public
school campus in Alabama.”
This stops Satan’s
advances here. It took 1) discernment to respond; 2) knowledge
of the law & rights;
3) prayer; 4) pulling together with other Christians; 5) perseverance;
6) committed Christians being in positions of
influence and 6) Power & advocacy of the Holy Spirit advancing
His kingdom.
Be on the alert. Be
watchful. Investigate. If you have any public schools promoting
or engaging in Yoga, during
or after school,
contact us to
help you in an effective
response.
We alerted our readers in our last newsletter that Crawford
Broadcasting, Salem Communications, Inspirational Network and
several independent
Christian radio
networks are allowing several old Worldwide Church of God cult
splinter groups to air programs.
These groups deny the
Trinity, gospel of
grace, bodily resurrection
of Christ, hell and more.
We teamed up with James Kieferdorf in Texas to respond. James
told us that the Assembly of God (AOG) denomination was using
the promoting
one
of these
cult’s DVDs on their website. We contacted a dear brother
who serves in the AOG national board to help us not only
keep these “angels of light” from
their denomination, but to join us in contacting the “Christian” broadcasters,
insisting on the removal of their programs.
Pray with us as
we attempt to organize the leadership of the Southern Baptists,
Church of God and Presbyterian Church
in
America (PCA)
to write to these
broadcasters insisting that they remove these “wolves
in sheep’s clothing,” and
also to establish a basic doctrinal statement on which all
programmers must agree.
Culture Watch
Some Christians
believe, or act like they believe that Christian activism
in politics and government is the only
way to advance
the kingdom of God on earth.
But then there are others who disdain that approach and believe we are to
separate “from
Caesar” and just evangelize as well as doing faith-based social and
mercy programs.
But biblically, it is
not an either/or, but a both/and. As salt and light bearers
charged with a cultural mandate to, “take every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” and to, “love
our neighbor,” we are
to be involved in the public square.
Our laws, established
by congressional representation, are unfortunately interpreted
by the Justices on the U.S.
Supreme Court. That is why there
is a significant
battle both humanly and spiritually for the makeup of that court.
All
laws are someone’s morality. We want lawmakers
(and interpreters) to reflect the Christian revelation
of right
and wrong. Those outside the faith
or those who are immature in the faith often reflect the postmodern
relativistic mindset of our culture. They believe like
Al Gore that the Constitution
is a living organism that bends with the winds of change.
But Justices like Scalia,
Thomas and Roberts disagree. Scalia, speaking at the conservative Federalist
Society Conference, said that “Those who think the Constitution
must change as society changes…You would have to be an idiot
to believe that. The Constitution is not a living organism; it is a
legal
document and was originally
written as intended.”
The following are issues
and areas where Christians must engage—corporately
and personally:
1. The California state
Senate will consider a bill requiring schools to teach
children
about the contributions that homosexuals
and lesbians have made to society. The bill would require
textbooks to positively and “accurately portray the
sexual diversity of our society.” What should the Christian
response be? Order our packet on homosexuality in order to
be prepared to respond to advocates with both grace and truth.
In Georgia, a judge struck down Georgia’s Same-Sex
Marriage Amendment, which had originally passed by 76% of
the voters two years ago. So who determines what marriage
is? The majority of the population? Judges?
2. In a direct challenge
to the then U.S. Supreme Court’s
1973 Roe v. Wade decision allowing abortions, the South Dakota
legislature passed a bill banning all abortions except where
the woman’s life is in danger. The wording of the bill
states that, “Life begins at conception,” and
that science consistently demonstrates the unborn child is
indeed life.
Our Response
When Jesus provocatively asked Peter, “Where will
you go now?” Peter
responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal
life…You are the Holy One of God.” Our calling is to be salt
and light to the world. That translates into 1) active evangelism and discipleship
(Matthew 28: 18-20), transforming minds to believe the truth; 2) active participation
in the political spectrum; 3) persuasion by correcting erroneous thinking
and
being able to teach the truth (2 Timothy 2:23-26); 4) prayer (Revelation
5:8; Philippians 4:8; Ephesians 6:10-20) and then real transformation can
take place.
Be prepared to give
an answer. Order our three journals that deal with the
issues listed above. We also encourage you to copy the articles as opportunities
arise. You can order a copy of “Abandoning Nature” (Homosexuality & Same-Sex
Marriage), “Calling Evil Good” (Abortion, Euthanasia, Homosexuality),
and “Nothing Will Be Impossible for Them” (Genetic Engineering,
Cloning, Stem Cells). Use the form at the end of the newsletter.
Angels of Light
The application of this serious warning in Scripture against deception
extends beyond groups like Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses (2 Corinthians
11:12-15). Disguised as Christianity, two major denominations are reaping
the results
of denying the inerrancy of the Bible. But in the process of apostasy,
they are confusing the issues for which Evangelicals are fighting.
The
Episcopal Church (TEC) in America and the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)
formerly supported the ordination of homosexuals and same-sex marriages
during their annual convention this summer. The PCUSA approved
the interpretation
of its constitution to allow the local Presbytery the right to approve
the ordination of openly practicing homosexuals for ministry,
with a 57% approval
of the commissioners.
In addition to this
tragic decision, their General Assembly also accepted a
report that even with the traditional
language (Father-Son-Holy Spirit)
as
an anchor, they are “liberated to interpret, amplify, and even
expand on ways of naming God.” The report (5 years in the making)
encourages alternative names such as “Rainbow of Promises, Ark
of Salvation, and Dove of Peace,” as well as, “Giver, Gift & Giving,” “Lover,
Beloved, and Love that binds together Lover & Beloved.”
These
kinds of efforts are spearheaded by the liberal leadership of the PCUSA.
Men like Jack Rogers, former moderator of the denomination argues
in a new
book, Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the
Church, that the Bible must be interpreted “through the lens
of Jesus Christ’s
life and ministry, and He did not condemn homosexuals.” Rogers
further states that those who see it as sin “use biblical passages
to oppress marginalized groups.”
With Rogers own status
as a leader and a self-described “evangelical,” this
book is sure to provoke debate and promote the decline of our culture.
Do you know how to respond to those ideas and offer Christ’s
redemption?
Now some of the more
conservative PCUSA churches are considering leaving the
denomination. Many Presbyterians left to form the conservative
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in 1973 because of the liberalism
and rejection
of
the inerrancy and authority of the Bible. The 2.3 million member
PCUSA
has lost nearly two million members since 1965.
The 2.3 million
member Episcopal Church in America (TEC) is part of the
worldwide 80 million member Anglican Communion. But that
union is becoming
unraveled
because of the decisions TEC made during this summer’s
annual General Convention.
The Convention elected
for the first time a female priest who
is liberal, who voted to approve the election of practicing
homosexual bishop Eugene
Robinson
in 2003, and who accepts homosexuality as not being a sin.
The Convention rejected a resolution from the Anglican
Communion
written
by the
Archbishop of Canterbury
to “refrain from nominating gay bishops or developing
rites for the blessing of same-sex unions.”
They also
refused to even consider a resolution brought by the more
conservative element within the TEC, which affirmed
that
Jesus Christ
is “the only
name by which a person may be saved,” and acknowledged
evangelism as “the
solemn responsibility placed upon us to share Christ with
all persons when we hear his words, ‘I am the Way,
the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through
me’” (John
14:6). The rejected resolution also affirmed the “substitutionary
essence of the cross” available
to all persons and the need to evangelize all persons.
This
blatant liberal refusal has caused many conservative parishes
to begin leaving. One large theologically conservative
group
of ten dioceses,
nearly
1000 parishes (10% of TEC) is probably leaving. Now meetings
are taking place within the leadership of the Anglican
Communion to
determine the future relationship
with TEC. Indeed, Jesus is separating the wheat from the
chaff.
Reconciling
God & Science
So began a featured story recently in Time magazine.
(07/17/06). The story’s
focus is on Dr. Francis Collins, a now famous and respected scientist who
headed up the successful 2400-scientist, multi-nation
Human Genome Project that successfully
mapped the entire 3.1 billion chemical base pairs of human DNA. He now heads
up the U.S. government program on applying that information to medical research
treatments. Collins is also an evangelical Christian.
Collins is a member
of the American Scientific Affiliation, which believes
in “the divine inspiration, trustworthiness, and authority of the Bible
in matters of faith and morals.” He has also just written a book, The
Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, wherein he describes
his personal conversion from “an obnoxious atheist to a Christian.”
Collins asks scientific skeptics to investigate God with the same open-minded
zeal they apply to the natural world, assuring them that there’s
no incompatibility between belief and scientific rigor. He relates how
observing the peace and
serenity of Christian terminally-ill patients led him to consult a local
minister who gave him C.S. Lewis’s book Mere Christianity.
Impressed
by Lewis’s “nuts and bolts, logical approach,” Collins
investigated Christianity on his own methodological terms. After that,
he experienced a spiritual encounter with God while on a hiking trip,
and he surrendered to
Christ.
But even so, there remains
controversy among evangelicals on Collin’s
view regarding evolution. Collins maintains that young earth creationists
and even Intelligent Design adherents are both incorrect. He believes
that although
there are gaps in the evolution hypothesis, that science will continue
to fill those gaps.
We are encouraged to
read that Collins has an ongoing dialogue with Chuck Colson
and “some other folks” and
they talk it through. Because Christians are not retreating,
but engaging professionally, much ground is being gained
in scientific circles, which is helping to remove the wedge driven
by liberal
academics in the general population’s minds and hearts through
the exclusive teaching of evolution as fact. Be prepared to engage
others like yourself.
Order our two journals on these subjects, “Science vs. Christianity” and “Creation
or Evolution?”
Alternative Medicine
The public is being bombarded with enticing promises and claims
of new age oriented alternatives or “complementary medical” approaches
to treat illnesses or to promote health and vigor. Yoga, reiki,
transcendental
meditation, acupuncture, applied kinesiology, herbology, aromatherapy,
reflexology, and many other “therapies” are continuing
to gain ground. Practitioners say that the dizzying speed of
contemporary life has boosted the popularity
of these practices.
Their popularity is
being enhanced by its commercial value. For example, McDonald’s
restaurants now offer a Yoga DVD with their Adult Happy Meal. The computer
generated woman in it is named Maya (Hindu word for the illusionary separation
between the material and the divine, i.e. pantheism). She says that the
practice of Yoga flexibility leads to “an open mind.”
But
what are closely controlled, double-blind, peer-reviewed
studies demonstrating about the real efficacy of these
approaches? Our next two issues of Areopagus
Journal (July-August and September-October) will provide clarity and
discernment on this topic. The first will be on the New
Age Movement, to understand
the spiritual deception and fatal heresies of the belief system. The
Alternative Medicine issue will provide an understanding
of the real science and spiritual
issues related to these therapies. Subscribe today (www.arcapologetics.org).
Letters
I want to take the chance to thank you for the apologetics
website. I have been ministering to two lesbians and your
website and its information has helped me tremendously. I
have been reminded to pray spiritual warfare prayers for
all of you; not to say that you are not on top of things
there, but I just had a sense that you, possibly more than
other organizations, might get a lion’s share of that
sort of thing. Keep up the good work! I continue to spread
the word about your website and the work you are doing. Birmingham,
AL
I am very interested
in world religions, cults and apologetics. The more and
more I encounter the world and see the Christian
response to it, the more I am convinced that we as
a Church body are not prepared to meet the intellectual
and lifestyle
challenges of the world around us. Most Christians
do not know why they believe what they believe, nor how
to answer
objections brought by their friends, co-workers, mass
media, etc. It is absolutely imperative that we meet these
challenges
head on. La Mirada, CA
Thank you for your ministry
and the wonderful work you do. God bless you! Now, it said
on one part of
your site
that
you will help in witnessing to someone. Well, I have
been in a discussion with a certain gentleman for
a
few days now,
and I am e-mailing you to ask for a complete and
thorough response to his remarks. I have heard about the
Gospel
of Judas recently (briefly). What exactly is a “Gnostic” gospel?
Any information you would provide would be very appreciated.
God bless your ministry! E-mail
Oh, my! I am so excited
to find your website. I teach Biblical Worldview
at our church in Ohio. I have
been working on material
to this end for several years. I have begun to
read some of your materials, and I am blessed by your
intelligence,
insight, and commitment to the Lord. I will be
subscribing to Areopagus Journal today! In the meantime,
I just
wanted to encourage you in the Lord. I am a great
fan of C.S Lewis,
Ravi Zacharias, G.K. Chesterton and now you! I
am highly interested in and at the beginning of involvement
with apologetics.
I will use your resources to help me along the
way.
Thank you! Kettering, OH Thank you for your response to my inquiry. I read with
interest, your twenty page article, which I passed onto a
friend who was attending their services. I have decided not
to return. As is the case, at times, I have heard other statements
from friends since I initially asked you about this particular
church. While a member of the Catholic Church, I began visiting
a nondenominational charismatic church. I attended both churches
for a period of two years. After 25 years of being a Catholic,
alarming and heartbreaking truths came to my attention. I
left the Catholic and the charismatic church when we moved
to Alabama. I have been visiting churches since that time.
My vegetable soup religion continues to prompt me in these
searches. I would appreciate your input on the churches I
mentioned at the beginning of this letter and I am so grateful
for the time it takes for you to help me. Alabama
I
saw your ad in World Magazine. I’ll be back to your
site and am considering subscribing to the Journal, but couldn’t
pass up this opportunity for free resources. I appreciate
the wide range of relevant topics – choosing just five
was difficult. Michigan City, Indiana
Thank
you so much for making these information packets available!
I am a student
at
Auburn University and my roommate is Church
of Christ. She almost exploded yesterday because I would
not agree that baptism is essential to salvation. Another
friend’s family is heavily involved in the Benny Hinn
movement. My RA is a Mormon and another friend is engrossed
with Harry Potter. God bless your faithfulness to His Word
of Truth! In this world we do have troubles but Jesus has
over come the world! Auburn University, AL
Thank
you very much for the packet of information from you that
I received
in my mail yesterday…I
greatly appreciate all the information you sent me, and
I pray that God will
continue to richly bless your ministry for the Lord and His
people. Birmingham, AL
Thank
you so much for your help in our recent “life
challenge.” We let fear consume us and we were crying
out for wisdom! It was very difficult to think clearly and
to discern God’s will and your calming voice and expert
advice came to us when we were so desperate. We experienced
an out pouring of the Holy Spirit and we give God all the
glory…other family members and friends experienced
this revival also! Again, we appreciate your love and concern.
Birmingham, AL
You
were very kind to loan this book to me…I had contacted
you to assist my fiancée and me explore more carefully
our religious differences. John has not returned to the Jehovah’s
Witnesses and I describe him as a non-denominational Christian.
Birmingham, AL
Thank you so much for taking the time one afternoon this
fall to discuss apologetics with two high school kids and
me. It was an encouragement to me, as well as the kids. May
the Lord be gracious and continue to bless your ministry!
Birmingham, AL (top) |
