Comments on: What Makes Friday Good?

By: Alexis Sol Ganaden

Alexis Sol Ganaden — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 02:00:32 +0000

This is the first time I read your blog, as I had been really curious about the things you wrote on “Reaching for The Invisible God” and “Finding God in Unexpected Places”, which are great by the way, making me want to read more from your works.

And this topic has been bringing me great confusion and the same time gratefulness simply because it is unusual and I feel undeserving of it. But when you lay things down this way, it becomes clear.

However, I do understand that this event also brought great conflicts among us since Jesus gave us [victims] a voice, there is no denying of the fact that few may be abusing such a pure and wonderful gift.

Nonetheless, since this event resounds through the ages, I know that this is more on where to set your eyes upon and where no to.

Thanks, Philip!

By: Phillip Hattingh

Phillip Hattingh — Sun, 31 Mar 2019 05:13:25 +0000

When we focus on Jesus first, the issues of social pathology, moral failures of humanity as inveloped in religion, Christianity, the Church, worldviews, philosophies, ideologies and inhumane practices and disregard for our shared space, place and encironment, our misgivings as followers of Christ, dissipate. Then Christ shines as the Hero and we shake off our own ‘victimness’. We then know He is not only for society’s victims, but WITH them. This gives joy and hope and energises our God-given mission as humans and practicing Christians.
Thanks for the historical and contemporary insights you share!

By: Ann O'Malley

Ann O'Malley — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 15:24:02 +0000

In these days when many Westerners condemn the church for its episodes of violence, slavery, sexism, and racism, I appreciate this article that states so clearly the impact of Christ and Christianity on the world.

My parents left the church not long after I was born. As a baby boomer, I was one of the few children growing up in my neighborhood who rarely attended church. I accidentally heard the gospel for the first time as a young teenager, and became a Christian several months later.

There was enough biblical literacy in our culture at that time that, even though I had very little religious instruction at home or church, I had certain impressions about who God is and what the Bible says. One impression was that the God of the Old Testament was primarily defined by His anger and judgment. But as I picked up a Bible for the first time and began reading it from cover to cover, I was amazed and excited to learn that even in the Old Testament, He expressed His deep concern for the poor and the oppressed. From the beginning, He was laying the foundation for the stunning reversal of values introduced by the Christian gospel.

We American believers badly need those grace-healed eyes. In these divisive times, that could be our greatest witness to the world around us.

Thank you for taking the time to minister to us through this blog.

By: Lynne McCleery

Lynne McCleery — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 03:20:46 +0000

I know He took the side of sinners. I know He came to save. All men. Regardless of their sin.
How many homosexuals will not be saved based on their experience of Christian condemnation?
Next time He will come to judge.
All men, regardless of their sin.
May I never be a stumbling block to a sinner coming to know the love and grace of God through Jesus.
There is none righteous, no not one.

By: Calvin

Calvin — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:04:59 +0000

Loved your article. Thank you and totally agree with you and pray that in the midst of all the divisions everywhere that the world will see Jesus for who he truly is and what he clearly demonstrated. When are you coming to South Africa again?

By: Scott Walker

Scott Walker — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 13:19:32 +0000

Jesus’ love for the marginalized was always at the individual level. From Zachius to the women at the well to the man called Legion, he addressed them personally, indeed intimately, with recognition of their unique history. Where movements go wrong is in placing the group identity above the individual. The Palestinian Christian Woman may not have been absolutely unique, but she was certainly not part of any mass movement. When Identity prevails over individuality, evil ensues. Racism is identity driven. Communism. Marxism. Sexism. Inverting the values to raise a “group identity” always ALWAYS fails to meet the needs of the individual. God relates to us one on one, without reference to our man made group identity. We need to relate to each other in the same way.

By: Angie

Angie — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 04:18:01 +0000

God’s expression in Jesus took the world by surprise, and the reverberations have not stopped. In a culture that glorifies success and grows deaf to suffering, we need a constant reminder that at the center of the Christian faith hangs an apparently unsuccessful and suffering Christ, who died ignominiously.
Thanking God for yr writing always.
It’s the authentic view always that you give which reverberates in my mind.-God Bless you and yours!

By: Larry Mais

Larry Mais — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 03:14:41 +0000

Stop, hey what’s that sound? The sound of another Yancey home run. Outstanding piece !!!!. Keep this up & you’ll have a book one day…ha ha…just kidding…you are one of my two favourite authors. Your writing challenges me & helps fuel my passion to serve Jesus. Thank you for being true to your calling…Amazing Grace indeed…

By: Elsie Wietzke

Elsie Wietzke — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 01:36:39 +0000

Your words are a gift! I am so grateful that Jesus is on the side of the “other. ” And I am thankful that He has relieved me of the task of sitting in judgement of others. Christ handles that, along with all else. Thank you, Philip, for your spiritual insight. I treasure your writing.

By: Tim Garner

Tim Garner — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 16:32:50 +0000

Philip, It’s your friend Tim from a while back on FB. You really do fill in all the pieces that Jesus came to the world for. As he said he came to save the lost, basically all of us. I believe the Church is growing in nations like China, Nigeria and even Syria because they are oppressed by their own Governments, thrown in prison or executed. It’s relevant because in contrast we in the United States feel the pressure of their suffering. While at the same time we have forgotten to LOVE our own lost and suffering when it is much easier than those countries and the movements you discuss have split us into certain groups when in reality we are all human beings and suffer. The difference is are our actions out of LOVE or spite? If we follow Jesus as I try every day to do even though I surely sin, are we held to a larger standard. I would say yes but only if we LOVE together as God loves us. You are magnificent in your thoughts of who Jesus and God truely are. Thank you time and time again for your insightful approach.