Philip Yancey’s newest book, What Good Is God, makes its U.S. debut today, October 19.
Latest Book Released Today In the U.S.; Live Radio Interview 1:30 p.m. (E.S.T.)
by Philip Yancey
Discussion
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Dear Mr. Yancey, I am just wondering why when you give illustrations about great “Christians” 2 names inevitably crop up: Mother Teresa and Henri Nouwen… Staunch Roman Catholics who believed Jesus but also in the gospel of works… are we not saved by faith? (Of course i know saving faith is evidenced by works) but Roman Catholic way of salvation is faith + good works. Wasn’t Jesus death on the cross enough payment then? Shall i subscribe to the Roman Catholic way of salvation through the sacraments and Mary as the dispenser of those sacraments? I find it strange that with the number of great Christian examples to choose from, you choose these 2 who despaired about their faith and even doubted that God existed. I do not condemn them or anything but i really want to know is there such a dearth of Christian examples that you have to use Roman Catholic stalwarts as your model Christians?
Christine Eustaquio
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Dear Philip,
Delighted to receive your email announcement and can’t wait to read the book.
You’re one of our favorite authors today. As Dr. Francis Schaeffer did, you have a finger on the pulse of true Christianity. That’s what we all need. Please keep writing & abundant blessings! -
I am not aware that Nouwen or Mother Teresa doubted God’s existence, though they did write openly about their experience of the “absence” of God. Recently the Vatican has moved much closer to the Reformed doctrine of justification by faith so I don’t think it’s accurate to say that Catholics subscribe to faith + good works. Regardless, I find much wisdom and nourishment from these two authors, as well as the many Protestants I cite.
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Christine Eustaquio’s opinions about the Catholic Church reflect my long-time prejudice against the Roman sect. I was raised Catholic by a staunch, Catholic father, but came to Christ as a young adult when a loving family of believers befriended me. For years, I bitterly regarded the Roman sect as the apostate church, even though I counted several born again Catholics among my close friends.
Years later a beautifully spirited old saint related to me a story from his missionary days in Mexico: His denomination called upon him and his wife to travel south from their home in Montana. Their mission? To construct a church building in a remote, rural Mexican village. Though the local Catholic diocese violently opposed Protestant expansion into its territory, one local priest risked not only his career, but his very life, to help build that modest Church of God meeting place. Through his sweet spirit and positive intervention, the local diocese relented, allowing the building construction to finish, while officially discouraging its own constituents from entering it.
That display of true Christian love was an epiphany to my friend, whose rearing had taught him that Catholics were a bunch of idol worshipers.
Preconceptions–especially in avowed Christians–are a ministry killer. Failing to love as Christ loved belies any gospel preaching or witnessing, and only succeeds in embittering people toward God’s truth. Jesus issued one of His most dire warnings as recorded in Luke 17:1-4, where He promised His disciples that they would regret causing “one of these little ones” to stumble.
Nuff said?
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Philip,
Was listening to your radio interviews and have read your testimony in the Men’s Devotional Bible. I was wondering what you think about the chosen people’s troubles they continue to have in their corner of the world. God told them that they were to take the territories in Israel when they left Egypt. This was to be their property that he promised to them. They have been having trouble keeping that territory in total from their taking of it. The Bible is very specific about that area they were promised but God has made them fight to defend its area from the beginning. They seem to have lost God’s help in keeping the Promised Land. It seems that most of the Jews are more or less secular. The Orthodox Jews continue to live the old ways of the Commandments. Why do you think they are having so much trouble with the Palestinian people. They were displaced when the Jews were given back their territory after World War ll. Do you think God is once again giving them a hard time because of their secular slide ?
Sincerely,
David Gauvreau
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Dear Mr. Yancey, I am just wondering why when you give illustrations about great “Christians” 2 names inevitably crop up: Mother Teresa and Henri Nouwen… Staunch Roman Catholics who believed Jesus but also in the gospel of works… are we not saved by faith? (Of course i know saving faith is evidenced by works) but Roman Catholic way of salvation is faith + good works. Wasn’t Jesus death on the cross enough payment then? Shall i subscribe to the Roman Catholic way of salvation through the sacraments and Mary as the dispenser of those sacraments? I find it strange that with the number of great Christian examples to choose from, you choose these 2 who despaired about their faith and even doubted that God existed. I do not condemn them or anything but i really want to know is there such a dearth of Christian examples that you have to use Roman Catholic stalwarts as your model Christians?
Christine Eustaquio
Dear Philip,
Delighted to receive your email announcement and can’t wait to read the book.
You’re one of our favorite authors today. As Dr. Francis Schaeffer did, you have a finger on the pulse of true Christianity. That’s what we all need. Please keep writing & abundant blessings!
I am not aware that Nouwen or Mother Teresa doubted God’s existence, though they did write openly about their experience of the “absence” of God. Recently the Vatican has moved much closer to the Reformed doctrine of justification by faith so I don’t think it’s accurate to say that Catholics subscribe to faith + good works. Regardless, I find much wisdom and nourishment from these two authors, as well as the many Protestants I cite.
Christine Eustaquio’s opinions about the Catholic Church reflect my long-time prejudice against the Roman sect. I was raised Catholic by a staunch, Catholic father, but came to Christ as a young adult when a loving family of believers befriended me. For years, I bitterly regarded the Roman sect as the apostate church, even though I counted several born again Catholics among my close friends.
Years later a beautifully spirited old saint related to me a story from his missionary days in Mexico: His denomination called upon him and his wife to travel south from their home in Montana. Their mission? To construct a church building in a remote, rural Mexican village. Though the local Catholic diocese violently opposed Protestant expansion into its territory, one local priest risked not only his career, but his very life, to help build that modest Church of God meeting place. Through his sweet spirit and positive intervention, the local diocese relented, allowing the building construction to finish, while officially discouraging its own constituents from entering it.
That display of true Christian love was an epiphany to my friend, whose rearing had taught him that Catholics were a bunch of idol worshipers.
Preconceptions–especially in avowed Christians–are a ministry killer. Failing to love as Christ loved belies any gospel preaching or witnessing, and only succeeds in embittering people toward God’s truth. Jesus issued one of His most dire warnings as recorded in Luke 17:1-4, where He promised His disciples that they would regret causing “one of these little ones” to stumble.
Nuff said?
Philip,
Was listening to your radio interviews and have read your testimony in the Men’s Devotional Bible. I was wondering what you think about the chosen people’s troubles they continue to have in their corner of the world. God told them that they were to take the territories in Israel when they left Egypt. This was to be their property that he promised to them. They have been having trouble keeping that territory in total from their taking of it. The Bible is very specific about that area they were promised but God has made them fight to defend its area from the beginning. They seem to have lost God’s help in keeping the Promised Land. It seems that most of the Jews are more or less secular. The Orthodox Jews continue to live the old ways of the Commandments. Why do you think they are having so much trouble with the Palestinian people. They were displaced when the Jews were given back their territory after World War ll. Do you think God is once again giving them a hard time because of their secular slide ?
Sincerely,
David Gauvreau