Impact Blog
A weekly journal and interactive discussion with Peter.
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Can the Bible be Believed?
Written by Peter Youngren on June 11th 2010Can you believe the Bible literally? Books and movies today convey the idea that the Bible developed from oral traditions that were written down only centuries after the events had occurred. The time span involved would make it next to impossible to know if any stories of the Bible represent actual historical events. Take the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John as an example. Can we know the real historical Jesus? After Jesus’ crucifixion and death, it is suggested, that many viewpoints emerged, one that Jesus was a mere human teacher who “lived on” spiritually in the hearts of his disciples, while others claimed that he was divine and had physically risen from the dead. The power struggle of ideas lasted for several centuries, and finally with the help of the Roman Emperor Constantine, those who advocated “a divine Jesus” won, and the four Gospels we have in our Bible today were approved, while the “lost Gospels” of Thomas, Judas and others were disallowed. Consequently, no one can really know what Jesus said and did; his deity, atonement and resurrection become legends.
The Comeback: You made it possible.
Written by Peter Youngren on April 29th 2010Twelve years ago, in early 1998, my heart was heavy with sorrow, because after 18 years of fruitful gospel ministry in India and more than 40 campaigns, our ministry there had come to an end. A political party, with an agenda to make India a religious state, was gaining ground, and I was charged with the “crime” of “mass conversion”, and was to be banned from the country.
Last week was a great come- back, and you made it possible. Our strategy in conducting our first gospel campaign after the return to India in Orissa was that this is the state known for its anti-christian persecution. By conducting a successful outreach here, we will be able to break down any walls of fear, because if it can happen in Orissa, it can happen anywhere .
Written by Nathan Thurber on April 25th 2010
Nathan Thurber has been with me here in Orissa, and he wrote a report that I think will inspire you. -Peter
Peter is distributing the magic of God’s love.
The local newspaper in Bhubaneshwar continues, “the blind are seeing, the lame are walking and the deaf are hearing at the Orissa Gospel Festival.” This is an astounding headline in a strict Hindu region of India rocked by religious violence in 2008 that left many dead and countless more homeless. A reality not soon lost on the psyche of the Orissa population.
Bhubaneshwar, a city in India’s eastern region known as the city of temples, has a population that is over 95% Hindu. It is called the “temple city” and boasts more than 600 Hindu temples, many of which are massive, beautiful works of ancient art.
Gospel Festival Finally Off The Ground
Written by Peter Youngren on April 23rd 2010Hello from Orissa, India.
After many twists and turns, including untold negotiations with federal authorities in New Delhi, India, the State government in Orissa and the Indian Consulate in Toronto, I was finally granted permission to preach the Gospel here.
The backdrop to this campaign is that for the past 15 years Orissa has been known for communal violence, highlighted by the brutal murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in 1999. As late as August, 2008 there were thirty-five attacks on Christian institutions in one night.
Don’t Look for Results; Reveal Jesus
Written by Peter Youngren on April 21st 2010The 15-city Grace Canada Tour is over, and 1,133 Canadians have responded to Christ. When the idea for this outreach, St. John’s Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, was birthed, the number one priority on the agenda was to see people come to Christ.