Law One: God established seed time and harvest

“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest ... shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

It is important to have a basic understanding about farming if we want to understand how the kingdom of God works. The Bible was written in the language of farmers using illustrations common to farmers. Since we live in the digital computer age some may think that this makes the Bible obsolete. Not at all! Agriculture is universal. People in all ages eat food and food comes from the farm. People are still born today the way Adam’s first children were born. All food and every person ultimately come from a seed. So when the Bible speaks of ‘seed’, it really speaks to all times and cultures.

When Jesus taught the parable of the sower and the seed, He said that this parable is key to understand every other teaching. To put it bluntly; if we understand “seed time and harvest” we understand God’s kingdom.

Law Two: Plant Your Seed

“There is a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

Jesus understood this in John 12:24, telling us that if a grain of wheat doesn’t fall into the ground (is planted) it abides alone. In other words, that seed will never multiply into a harvest.

Unplanted seed has its usefulness. You can eat it or use it to pay your living expenses. However if you want your seed to multiply it must first be put into the ground.

What is true for soya beans, wheat and corn is also true when it comes to love, friendship and finances. First we give and then we receive, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” (Luke 6:38)

Law Three: Money given to God is like seed

“...Remember this - if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much he will reap much.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 - TLB)

No one questions whether this is works or not on the farm. It obviously does. However, the Bible is not talking about agriculture here; it is talking about money seed. Money given to God takes on the characteristic of a seed. When we give money to God and His gospel, we will receive a harvest.

Law Four: Your seed must die

“...except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abides alone.” (John 12:24)

Sometimes people give so that their gift will also provide them some personal benefit, maybe to help a family member in need. This is good and right. However it is not “seed- giving”. In the kind of giving I’m talking about the seed must die. It must become useless to you.

When King David approached a local land owner to purchase animals that he would sacrifice to God, the land owner graciously offered to give the animals free of charge. David would have none of it. His reasoning was “neither will I offer burnt offering unto the LORD my God of that which cost me nothing.” (2 Sam 24:24).

Why was David so adamant that the offering had to be costly? Because real giving only happens, when something of value is released and rendered useless to us. It is like the offering you give to the Gospel. You can’t eat, pay bills with it, or use it for a nice meal in a restaurant. The offering is dead to you, but it is alive as a seed in the kingdom of God.

Law Five: Your harvest size is determined when your seed is sown

The Bible is clear; if we give a little we will get little. The farmer who plants a few seeds will have a small crop, while the farmer who plants much seed will have a large harvest. Some may wish to wait until the day of harvest to decide how big of a harvest they want. It doesn’t work. The size of your harvest is determined at the time you plant the seed. If the farmer wants a big harvest, he needs to make that decision well in advance.

I don’t know about you, but for me it’s much easier to adjust to the problem of having too much than having too little. A wise farmer will always plant a little bit more than he needs.

I’ve heard believers suggest that they don’t need much. This may sound humble and even spiritual, but if you look at the nature of God, it’s more spiritual to desire more than enough than to wish that you will barely get by.

God wants us to enjoy abundance, not only to meet our own need. After all we are blessed to be a blessing to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Many, like me, have left their native land and settled in North America. To leave family members and the language we master behind can be challenging to our identity, no matter what the reasons why we immigrated. Belonging is one of the fundamental necessities for a human soul – and I believe – a God given attribute.

The apostle Paul describes our belonging in God’s kingdom in Ephesians 2:19-22: “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

We belong to the grand family of God, and no one is a stranger anymore! This family is more solid than any earthly family because Jesus Himself is the cornerstone for the whole structure. Every piece, every single section of this building is vitally important. Your presence and participation are crucial, because there is a specific task for you in the household of God.

When we share the Gospel, we simply tell people that they are loved and accepted in Christ, and invited to be sons and daughters in God’s family. No one is forced to accept the invitation, but most people want to. When we realize how great God’s grace is towards us, our hearts leap with joy, and we gladly respond.

There is a whisper in every person’s innermost that tells us we are all part of something greater than our self. We belong to God – He gave us life. Belonging is a satisfying gift, freely available to everyone, because of the plan God has for us. Once we know that we belong, we are ready to build together with God and others.

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It is sometimes hard to realize that there are billions, who have never even heard the name of Jesus. In North America there are church buildings everywhere, and we have Christian bookstores, radio and television readily available. A common misunderstanding is that people without access to the Gospel live in remote areas. Not so! Most live in large cities, especially in Asia.

These three stories are from people in Bali, Indonesia, who all share a common background – they had never heard the name ‘JESUS’. One of them heard the choir sing, ‘Hallelujah’, and thought that the God we worshipped must be named hallelujah. They were all familiar with Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Dunkin Donuts, but “Jesus, who is that?”

HINDU PRIEST HEALED
Pa Maku, himself a renowned Hindu priest, encountered a paralysing disease two years earlier. He had to be carried on a bed to get anywhere, and that’s how he arrived at the Gospel Festival. He heard about Jesus, faith came in his heart, and before tens of thousands he testified and demonstrated that he now could walk unhindered. The rejoicing seemed to not want to end, as people were amazed that God would heal a Hindu priest.

NO HEART TRANSPLANT NEEDED
4 year old Keiko was given less than 30 days to live, with the only hope being, if she could get to Singapore for a heart transplant. Her family was poor, so even the trip itself would be too costly, never mind the cost for the operation. They read the local newspaper about a “Friendship Festival”, and thought free medicine was offered, and wondered if that could help to even prolong Keiko’s life for a few days. Her mother tells, “It was raining as I headed to the National Stadium. I felt bad, thinking that maybe I was jeopardizing my daughter’s life even more by taking her out in the rain, but something kept me going. After the prayer, I was sure that something had happened, but the medical doctors that were beside the stage to verify the healings before people were allowed on the platform wouldn’t let us go up there”. Keiko looked emaciated and weak, so naturally these doctors wondered if a genuine healing had really happened. It wasn’t until eleven months later when Peter Youngren came back to Bali for another Gospel event that Keiko and her mother got a chance to tell their story in front of a packed stadium. Jesus had indeed healed Keiko, no heart transplant was needed. Now with all the medical documents in hand to confirm the miracle , Keiko’s story became an even greater testimony to the reality of Jesus.

TUMOR GONE
Ibu Nyomen had a large tumor in her breast. When she heard of the Gospel Festival, she also initially thought there was free medicine offered. It was only when Peter began to speak that the message of Jesus made sense to her. During the prayer, she noticed the tumor was gone. Still not convinced she left the stadium to see her doctor. Could it be that the tumor had just disappeared? The doctor tested her immediately and all traces of a tumor had disappeared. The next night Ibu Nyomen came with medical records in hand to give public thanks to Jesus.

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Confined to a wheelchair for life because of a debilitating disease, 17 year old Hariaprya, had tasted her share of disappointment. Born in a poor family, her life seemed destined for a similar fate, with a monthly government pension of $7, due to her handicap. She sought help in Hinduism and her father took her to a Muslim preacher, renowned for his magic powers. “I really felt sure I would be healed when he applied witchcraft to me, and I was so disappointed when there was no change”, Hariaprya tells.

Her home state of Orissa, India is known for violence against Christians, including the killing of Australian missionaries a few years ago. Because of the waning influence of Christianity, Bhubaneshwer, the capital of Orissa, known for its 800 beautifully designed and decorated Hindu temples, was chosen as a strategic place for a Gospel Festival.

Hariaprya’s home is 300 miles from the capital. Her dad saw newspaper articles about healings at the Gospel Festival, and immediately, at a cost equivalent to several months of pay, he arranged for a car to take the whole family.

The next day Hariaprya recalls, “I listened to the message about God’s love and about faith. Then Peter prayed and I told my dad that I wanted to stand up. I was still weak, but my family was amazed that I could get up at all. A couple of minutes later I was on the platform, still weak, when suddenly something happened, I took off running. There I was running and crying. Jesus really healed me. I want to honor Jesus now.”

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What makes these shows popular is that all of us have failures, flaws, maybe even scandals. As we watch others confess, find grace, and a new beginning, we live vicariously through them. 

At the time of writing, it’s not yet clear if Lance Armstrong will tell it all, tell some, or tell almost nothing. The only certainty is that OWN, Oprah Winfrey Network, will have a peek in viewership.

Talking about redemption, shouldn’t church be the place to find it?

Jesus was known as the friend of sinners. While the religious elite shunned him and eventually killed him, the Biblical record is clear that common people gladly heard him. The Amplified version of the Bible really drives the message home; “Now the tax collectors and notorious and especially wicked sinners were all coming near to Jesus to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering and indignantly complaining, saying; ‘this man accepts and receives and welcomes pre-eminently wicked sinners.’”

With that kind of a crowd –pre-eminently wicked sinners – there would have been much need for new beginnings. It seems the crowd that used to run to Jesus gets on Oprah today.

Why?

Jesus frequently denounced the self-righteous attitudes of religious people, while his arms remained wide open to sinners, prostitutes, tax-collectors, even to the thief on the cross.

Last year Miss Winfrey stated “I have a dream of OJ Simpson confessing to me, and I’m going to make that happen”. If this confession was to occur, it would have to be because Mr. Simpson feels he needs to get something off his chest.

And getting things off our chest, has everything to do with two powerful human emotions - guilt and shame. Those two conditions attached themself to the first human, Adam, as described in the book of Genesis. When he, by his own choice, disconnected from God who loved him unconditionally, guilt and shame ensued. God never turned his back on Adam, in fact God kept reaching. Still Adam, overwhelmed by his own shame, tried to re-invent new ways to deal with his guilt ridden conscience. That has been the self-induced plight of humans ever since. The Genesis record tells us that Adam and Eve dealt with their shame of nakedness by using fig leaves for cover. Religion, good works, or even the approval of Oprah can give the penitent sinner at least a fig leaf of temporary relief.

Church was supposed to be the place where anyone could find hope for tomorrow and God’s grace to take you there. After all the church was established by him who is referred to as having a throne of grace where we can boldly come to obtain mercy and help in time of need. From Alex Rodrigues, Bill Clinton, to Hugh Grant and Tiger Woods, and every one of the rest of us – we need redemption. You can get it, by going straight to God through Jesus.  If everyone`s arms are closed to you – God`s are wide open.

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One of the largest daily newspapers, Ummat, with 5 million circulation, has suggested fraud, that underneath the ‘friendship’ approach and mention of ‘healings’ in the advertisement, there is a hidden agenda to convert people to Christianity. In his response to the newspaper, Peter Youngren wrote of his commitment to not compare religions or lift up one religion above the other. “My purpose is to focus on God’s love for all, as revealed through what Jesus Christ has done for the world.” 

The venue for the campaign is a huge field, never before granted to a Christian group, across from the huge mausoleum in Karachi (12.5 million population). Tension is high and security is tight, where Pakistan’s founder is buried.

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Pakistan is the world’s 6th largest country, established in 1947 as the eastern and northwestern regions of British India broke away both from Britain and the newly formed nation of India. 97.5% of the population is Muslim, most of them Sunni, divided into several large languages and tribal groups. Pakistan has the world’s 7th largest army. It is the only Muslim nation declared a nuclear weapons state.  President Obama has referred to Pakistan as the world’s ‘most dangerous country’.

The founder of modern Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah is buried in a large mausoleum in the center of Karachi, and it is across the highway from this mausoleum where World Impact Ministries is conducting its 2012 Gospel Festival. That’s why we say that this is a Gospel proclamation in the very heart of Pakistan. Never before has such a well-known venue been made available for a Gospel meeting.

It is unheard of and it is God’s favor.

This open venue can easily accommodate 300,000 people, again opening the door for an unprecedented impact for the Gospel. The World Impact Ministries’ team has worked tirelessly together with our dedicated Pakistani co-workers for over a year, suffering several setbacks on the way to make this Gospel Festival a reality.

Security has been an issue in Pakistan since it became a nation. Kidnappings and even murder of foreigners are not uncommon, and it was only a few years ago that Pakistan’s first female prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated. During World Impact Ministries’ Gospel Festival coming up this fall, there are 700 police officers and security personnel assigned to the Gospel Festival. My comment when I first heard this was that at least I am assured I will be preaching the Gospel to 700 police officers, and I believe their hearts will also melt when they hear of God’s love revealed in Jesus.

The tension in Pakistan increased after the killing of Osama Bin Laden, as Pakistan’s political leadership showed displeasure that their territorial sovereignty had been violated. The relationship between Pakistan and the United States has calmed somewhat in the last year, though tensions remain.

Pakistan covers a vast area of land the size of France and the United Kingdom combined. Different languages are spoken in different provinces, though Urdu is the official language. During World Impact Ministries’ campaign in Pakistan in 2008, Muslim people travelled as far as 1,800 km by train to attend the meetings, as national tv gave prominence to the campaign. One of the notable miracles was a young lady, Themina, totally blind for over 10 years. She travelled, accompanied by her mother, for three days by train. After Jesus healed Themina, her mother wanted to pay money and it provided me a wonderful opportunity to explain that God’s gift is free. Everything from Jesus is free. I still remember how the people gave praise to God. Advertising really works in Pakistan, and once again we expect the Gospel will reverberate throughout the nation.

World Impact Ministries’’ history in Pakistan goes back for 25 years. Historical Gospel outreaches with huge success have been conducted in cities like Lahore, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Faisalabad and also previously in Karachi. Two of the most outstanding Gospel festivals in the history of the ministry were in Peshawar, the capital of the Northwest Frontier Province, and in Baluchistan’s capital, Quetta. In spite of incredible odds, with many saying it couldn’t be done,  we saw a huge attendance in areas where the Gospel is almost nonexistent.

This coming outreach has a three-pronged approach; the huge Gospel Festival, a friendship outreach to religious and political leaders, and a seminar for 3,000 pastors and leaders.

This is a historical Gospel advancement, but also the costliest outreach we have ever been involved with. We have God’s favor and unique favor from governmental leaders. Now we ask for favor from you. I need every partner to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. If not now, we may never again have an opportunity like this in our generation.

Thank you for your gifts and your prayers. Thank you for your love for Pakistani people, who desperately long to know God’s love in Jesus.

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He was sentenced to death, under Shariah law in Iran, unless he denied his faith in Christ, to which he replied, “I cannot.”

His execution order was issued and believers around the world prayed and protested. Last Saturday Pastor Youcef was set free.

I have featured Pastor Youcef several times in my blogs, asking for your prayers and also that we take action and contact our government to ask that pressure be put on Iran to release our brother in faith.

While we rejoice in this recent event, let’s continue to be aware and do what we can to help so many, who live in countries where they are persecuted for their faith.

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For an increasing number of people these two words have emotional connotations. Numerous recent surveys have indicated that many consider spirituality to be a positive term while religion is often viewed as negative. While religion is associated with structure, organizations, rules, order, authority and dogma, spirituality is judged to be more authentic on a personal level. Words frequently connected with spirituality are experience, openness, searching, prayer, meditation, energy and inner life.

Polls in the United States indicate that 30% of adults consider themselves them “spiritual but not religious”. In Canada, the estimate is that 40% of adults refer to themselves by this phrase. A couple of decades ago the “spiritual but not religious” category would have rated in single digits. Of course, many don’t desire to be put in either category. Newsweek reported on a Princeton survey which found that 48% claimed to be both religious and spiritual.  Either way, this indicates a big shift, as ‘spirituality’ is the word an increasing number of people feel comfortable to use to describe themselves.

Religion has taken a beating since the turn of the millennium. Issues like the Roman Catholic sex abuse scandal, endless debate about same sex marriage and the religious right taking center stage in the Unites States have all served to draw people away from religious institutions. Ironically the only glimmer of hope was after the September 11 attack in 2001. For a few weeks there were glowing reports of church pews being filled and a new interest in religion, but it was short-lived, and within a few months everything was back to normal.

Those of us who have been associated with church for most of our lives feel a certain sentimentality or sadness when we hear about our culture’s declining respect for the church, and we are easily discouraged when we hear reports and statistics like the ones I have noted.

Maybe, things are not as bad as they seem. Whatever the cultural trends, ultimately people were created to be loved by God, and the human craving for this unique divine love will eventually take over. Maybe our society is on the right track looking for ‘inner life’ spirituality instead of putting the focus on adherence to an institution. This could be the time for a new awakening where people discover their spirituality.

Jesus said that the God who loves people wants to relate to us on the basis of “spirit” and “truth”. Deep calls to deep; spirit to spirit. What is spirituality all about if not exploring and experiencing truth? When I say truth, I don’t mean merely the facts and circumstances of life. Facts are certainly real as experienced by our five senses, but truth is different. While a miracle can erase a negative fact, most facts are with us for a lifetime. Whatever happened, be it abuse, divorce, bankruptcy, failure, a dysfunctional home situation or painful relationships, these are facts that are not erased.

Truth however is not the same as facts. It is an ultimate reality that prevails over any fact. Truth puts us in touch with thoughts and ways that are higher than ours – God’s. This ultimate transcendent reality is what the Bible calls “truth”. Truth is never a denial of facts; it is not mind over matter. Truth is personified in Jesus, who said “I am the truth”.

So what’s the connection between discovering our spirituality and discovering Jesus? The idea behind what the Bible calls ‘Gospel’ is that we identify ourselves with Christ. His peace, righteousness and faith become ours. We see ourselves in Him. If spirituality is about experience, openness and development of our inner life, then consider the opportunity to discover your spirituality by discovering Jesus. You could end up discovering more good about yourself than you ever imagined.

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On March 21st, Justice S.F. Clements of the Ontario Court of Justice told pro-life activist Mary Wagner, “Your God is wrong”. The court hearing, which resulted in Ms. Wagner’s conviction of mischief and breach of probation, included the following statement by the judge, “Ms. Wagner is smiling. You don’t get it, do you Ms. Wagner?” Then he continued, “If you think that you have some higher moral authority that allows you to break the rule of law, that allows you to go to that clinic to allow you to disregard the rights of other people to use that clinic to disrespect those people, then you are wrong and your God is wrong, because no God would tolerate that.”

Justice Clements proposes to speak for God, and even more he claims to have knowledge of all religions and deities, as evidenced in the phrase, “no God would tolerate that”. As far as his comment about “the rights of other people”, some of those people are living in their mother’s womb.

Other than an article in the National Post on June 7th, 2012, the national media virtually ignored the story. There has been no hearing into the judge’s conduct, sending the message that flagrant prejudice against pro-life Christians is allowed.

Judge Clements added the following in response to a request from Ms. Wagner’s defense lawyer that she receive no additional prison sentence, considering the time she had already served. “You know, get a grip. She sure wouldn’t like it if somebody was standing on her doorstep every day pushing her around. If I had the power to do that, that is what I would do. I would have somebody in her face every day, go and rattle her door. How would she like that?” Again there was virtually no reaction from the national media about this highly prejudicial statement.

While Ms. Wagner broke the law by conducting a protest within the 500 meter limit imposed by the court for an abortion clinic, this hardly compares with harassing someone in their place of residence. The abortion clinic is publicly funded, and should expect a higher degree of scrutiny than a private home.

Now on to the second scenario:

Picture on the one hand rioters, whether in Quebec, at the Toronto G7 summit, or after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup in 2011. While there are some arrests, most are never prosecuted, and some of the vandals are never held accountable. Contrast this with the 63 year old grandmother Linda Gibbons, another Canadian pro-life activist who has been arrested more than 20 times, and spent a total of ten years in jail over the past two decades. Her crime has been that she violates an 18 year old injunction against waving signs or conducting even a silent protest outside an abortion clinic.

Ms. Gibbons stands unobtrusively on the street corner and prays, while holding a few pamphlets and a palm sized model of a fetus with a sign of a crying baby that reads, “Why mom, when I have so much love to give?” Within 45 minutes, the same police, which at times seem willing to allow protestors a free hand to go on a rampage, are not hesitant to swoop down in large numbers and handcuff the diminutive Ms. Gibbons. Is this because pro-life activism is ‘politically incorrect’, and the police know that Ms. Gibbons will not get the support of civil liberties groups or the media?

Canada stands alongside nations like North Korea, Cuba and Russia, making abortion available, without examination, without explanation and without legal restriction.  In our country, the topic is seemingly not allowed in the public agenda, and when prejudices occur, the media turns a blind eye.

This Wagner case is up for appeal probably in the fall, and earlier this month Canada’s Supreme Court sided against Ms. Gibbons with an 8 – 1 vote, when asked to rule on a technical matter, whether it’s right for Ms. Gibbons to be charged criminally for a civil violation. Ms. Gibbons is currently in jail. Apart from citing a higher power supporting her actions, Ms. Gibbons always maintains that she, according to the Canadian Charter of Rights, has the right to peaceful protest, and that she has been unfairly punished because of her unpopular views.

Is the God of Ms. Gibbons and Ms. Wagner wrong? In my opinion, that’s too heady stuff for an Ontario judge.

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Obviously the secular world realizes how important this topic is. They acknowledge that guilt and shame could impede a person’s prosperity, success, and ability to interact with others. Yet the real answer to guilt and shame is not in human self-help, but in the Gospel of God’s grace.

What is guilt and shame?

Guilt is a negative feeling because of something we have done, or that we think we have done. Shame is more profound. It is about who we think we are at the core. Shame is a question of our very nature. When people are dominated by guilt and shame there are all kinds of negative effects and behaviors that result:

1. Tearing others down in order to subliminally lift ourselves up.

2. Becoming a perfectionist in order to avoid doing anything that will create more negative feelings about ourself.

3. Seeking positions and lofty titles and experiencing approval when people acknowledge our outer accomplishments.

4. Blaming others to avoid adding to our own list of inadequacies.

5. Becoming a ‘doormat’, allowing abuse from others, in order to make ourself more valuable to others

6. The ultimate behavior caused by shame is that we simply withdraw, pull away from others, hide, unable to cope.

These mechanisms are at best temporary, and in the end they all perpetuate only more guilt and shame.

Jesus told a story about two men, each one profoundly laden down with guilt and shame: “ Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other” [Luke 18:9-14]

It is as ancient as the Garden of Eden; two humans going to a holy place to get right with God. This goes on in the Christian world, the Hindu world, and in the Muslim world; people have an innate feeling of not being right with God, and so they go somewhere to ‘make things right with God’. Evangelical Christians know all about ‘getting right with God”, and yet after all the attempts insecurity still persists.

Both of the men were believers, or they wouldn’t have gone to the temple, they were sincere in their own way, but they were also both insufficient; unable to make themselves righteous and justified.

The Pharisee approaches God on the basis of three criteria; what he does and does not do, and what others do. He assesses himself in terms his spiritual activities and by comparing himself to the sins of others. This is the way many people think, including many Christians. Of course when you discover God’s grace this whole concept is turned on its head. That’s what happened to the apostle Paul, who wrote that which was a ‘gain’ became a ‘loss’, that which was precious he now counted as ‘dung’ (Phil 3:8).

Many have the idea that as long as they are sincere, that’s enough, but Paul tells us that in spite of his sincerity and zeal, all of that counted against him. His perceived pluses didn’t just go to zero; they brought him into a minus. The sincere religion he was involved with actually deceived him, because it made him think he was something, which he in reality was not. The most dangerous enemy to the gospel is sincere religious practices that suggest to people that God accepts them on the basis of their spiritual activities.  The Pharisee in Jesus’ story fails completely in his attempt to ‘get right with God’. He returns home just as ashamed and guilty as he was before. Look for a moment at this man’s recital of his own accomplishments.

Can we fault a man that is not an extortioner?
Not unjust?
Does not commit adultery?
How can a man who fasts, prays, tithes and goes to the synagogue be a warning and an example of failure? Shouldn’t such a man be an example of godliness that we all should emulate? Not according to Jesus.

There was one hint of something desperately wrong. The Pharisee started by saying “I am not like other people”. The Scriptures lists seven abominations, and number one is “a proud look” or “an arrogant look” (Prov 6:17). Condescension—thinking you are better than other people – shows that something is desperately wrong.

The moment the Pharisee said “I am not like other people” he’s in essence guilty of breaking all Ten Commandments, because ultimately the Ten Commandments were an expression of God’s love, describing a loving relationship between people – no condescension. If we love others we don’t covet their possessions and we don’t speak evil against them. The law was holy and just, but the mistake of the Pharisees was that they made the commandments into the way of salvation. That was never the intention, because true salvation comes only by the grace and mercy of the Lord, Jesus Christ. While the Hebrew people were justified before by making sacrifices that looked forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we receive the gift of righteousness by looking back at the cross.

The dilemma of the Pharisee in Jesus’ story, and the dilemma of all religion is ‘when is it enough? ‘When am I good enough? Have I fasted enough? Have I prayed enough? Have I read the holy book enough?

When is enough, enough?

If we rely on outward observances, there is always ‘one thing you lack’, and as with the Pharisee, we continue laden down with guilt and shame. Here is the contrast. While the Pharisee’s method of ‘getting right with God’ was looking at himself and at the tax collector, the tax-collector looked only to God and His mercy.

Who was the tax collector? He was a professional swindler, a Mafioso type who lived in the biggest house in the city, and made his money by being an extortioner.

Can you see the contrast?  On one side, in Jesus’ story, you have a Pharisee, who seems very religious, and on the other side you have the worst crook in town. The truth of this story is that, in as much as this Pharisee was boasting, the one who actually could have boasted was the tax collector. Because at least he knew his only hope is God. He knew he was nothing and that he was in trouble, and in that sense he was much better off than the Pharisee.

The Pharisee said, “Oh me”, while the tax collector said, “Oh God”. The Pharisee said, “God, act towards me according to what I have done”, while the tax collector said, “God, act towards me according to who You are.” The Pharisee stands in the temple with a list of accomplishments, while the tax collectors stands there naked before God. It is as if he said, “ Oh God, you know everything, I can’t possibly list all my faults, I appeal to your mercy”.

After Adam separated from God in the garden, he felt shame when he discovered he was naked. Just as people don’t feel ashamed naked in the shower, it wasn’t actually being naked that brought shame to Adam, it was that somebody – God - could see him. So he put on the fig leaf to cover who he really was, to hide his guilt for what he’d done and shame about who he was. Just as what happened to the Pharisee, the cover didn’t work, and Adam’s guilt and shame continued.

Many today try to cover shame with a list of his accomplishments and self-righteousness, and the results are just as dismal. People go to church to get a temporary feeling of relief from condemnation, but like the Pharisee, they go home still just as guilty and uncertain as they arrived. In contrast the tax collector represents those who don’t have anything to cover themselves with - no means to justify themselves. He asks that God would act towards him on the basis of a loving sacrifice. He knew he needed God’s mercy. And he went home justified.

How could God justify the wicked and still be righteous?

Because there is a law that precedes and supersedes the Law of Moses and every other law found within religion. This law from before time began says that God can be righteous and loving at the same time. How? If God chooses to come and take the punishment, shame and guilt of the entire human race upon Himself, then sin will have been paid and love will have been demonstrated. That’s the gospel, that Jesus is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world for the sins of the world.

This law of love is now enacted in Jesus Christ. As the last Adam he has created a new race in which every sin has been remitted, every guilt atoned, and every debt settled forever.

This truth is depicted in the story of David and Goliath. Goliath said he would stand for all the Philistines, and the Israelites could pick their man to stand for them.  David became that man. What they’re really saying is all the Philistines are in Goliath, and all the Israelites are in David. And whatever happens to Goliath is going to happen to the Philistines. If Goliath wins the Philistines win. If he gets his head cut off, it is as if all the Philistines have their heads cut off. And if David wins, all of Israel wins. So this idea that one man could stand for all the people is there. The Gospel is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself [2 Cor 5:19]. Jesus took the whole world with him to the cross, so that his victory can be every person’s victory. No religion in the world ever would have invented that.

Especially evangelical fundamentalists have problems with this. ‘I wonder if I’m right with God?” Get over it. It is settled. There is nothing more harmful to the gospel than whining whimpering Pharisees who walk around wondering where they stand with God. That has been settled in Jesus Christ - you are righteous.

The bible says we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). What is the glory of God? According the book of Exodus, three words describe God’s glory; His goodness, His kindness, and His compassion. Love, that’s God’s glory! So all have sinned and fallen short of God’s goodness, kindness, and love. Salvation is to be restored into a place of assurance of God’s unfailing love.

Take the fig leaf off. There is no shame before God. The real issue is not what you do or do not do. It is Love.

Have you fallen short of the goodness, kindness, love, and compassion of God?  Have you fallen short of the fact that God loves you?

The matter of your righteous standing before God is settled. Jesus took all guilt, shame, and all those inward feelings of unworthiness. Remove the fig leaf of religion! If you stand before God with your fig leaf of everything you have done, you will never be free from the guilt and shame of your inadequacies.

Two people go to pray to relieve guilt and shame. One goes home still guilty and ashamed. One, who relies simply on God’s mercy, goes home justified.  Which one are you? 

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The exception is God. By anyone’s criteria, except the atheist, God represents the highest, the noblest and the best, so we view God from a different perspective. While we wouldn’t tolerate statements like “serve me”, “worship me”, or “obey me” from even our closest loved ones, when attributed to God they seem appropriate. After all, God is God.

When we look at Jesus it gets a little trickier. On the one hand he is the ultimate example of humility, kindness and love. He embraced those who society rejected as misfits, he noticed the smallest gift as in the story of the widow’s mite, took time for little children, and he ate and drank with those who religion described as ‘sinners’. Jesus’ teaching contained stories that made heroes of those who were considered the last, the least and the lost.  He washed the feet of his disciples, self-depreciating, humble, a ‘servant of all’. While Jesus attracts and compels many, others claim to be confused.

“How can the one who said, ‘do unto others as you wish them to do to you’, be so seemingly egotistical and self-centered?” Jesus notably claimed that no one knew God but himself, that he is “the way, the truth and the life”. He refers to himself as the ‘Bread of Life’ and the ‘Light of the world’, while claiming ‘if you have seen me you have seen God’. On at least two occasions he claimed that the totality of the Hebrew writings, the Prophets, Moses and the Psalms, were about Him. How can such self-importance be justified? A close review of Jesus’ teaching indicates that the most outstanding feature is that he constantly referred to himself, starting many sentences with “I am”, and claiming that eternal life was found in him. Under normal circumstances, we consider a person making such claims better suited for the psychiatric ward.

We might exclaim, “Jesus, who in the world do you think you are – God?”

He was human in every sense of the word—trimming his fingernails, combing his hair and brushing his teeth—and we wonder, “Could someone who became tired, hungry and thirsty, be God?” Untold numbers of modern religious scholars have tried to answer this question by researching the historical Jesus. Often the conclusion of their ‘studies’ is to discredit the statements by Jesus which defy logic, and replacing them with a sanitized, more acceptable version of Jesus. The premise seems to be that a person whose message was love and acceptance could not have made these intellectually indefensible statements. How could someone like Jesus also make ‘outlandish’ claims of being God?

Could Jesus really be God? Maybe we have looked at the question from the wrong end of the equation. Instead of wondering if a human could be God, we should ask, “Could God be Jesus?”  Is it plausible that the unlimited God, who is a Spirit, and consequently without bodily form, could have come within the limitations of human form? If God is God it must be possible. In fact, it makes sense that God would limit himself to a human body for a 33 year period, in order to bring freedom to all humans. Of course God could do that, or God isn’t God.

One thing is sure, if Jesus was wrong on his identity, if indeed he wasn’t the Bread of Life who came down from heaven, why should we trust his teaching or example in any other area? What good is washing the disciples’ feet if Jesus is a mere egotistical religious teacher making outrageous claims?

Jesus leaves us little choice. Either we honour and embrace him, or we despise and reject him. I suggest the miracle for all of us is that God came in Jesus in order to free humanity, not from up above, but from within humanity. The Creator became totally identified with the creation, and by so doing he relegated all religions who claim to have a ‘path to God’ to the junk-heap of history. God made a path toward humans. Religion is redundant. Jesus is available to all.

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While pondering the question in the headline, a story from a few years ago came to mind. The Niagara Freethinkers Association had invited me to debate Dan Barker from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, on the topic, “Is there a God?” During the question and answer segment a woman, rather upset, turned to me, “Why do you keep saying that God will send me to hell?” I reminded the lady that in our three-hour debate, I had not made a single reference to hell. I assured her that such matters belonged to God alone. She responded, “I’ve lived in this region for most of my life, and the born-again Christians I meet tell me that I am going to hell, and I assumed that’s what you were thinking”.

Has someone ever told you, “God told me to tell you”, or “I am speaking for God”? I googled the phrase, “God told me” and the top options were “to kill”, “to skin you alive”, “to marry you”, “to invade Iraq”, to run for president” and “to retire”.

Why do some people have a seeming need to preface statements with “God told me”? I suggest the root may be a deeply held insecurity compensated by implying a direct connection to God. Sometimes ‘God told me’ is a euphemism for ‘I want to’, or ‘I want you to’.

What about when Christian ministers make statements on behalf of God?

Former U.S. presidential candidate and television preacher Pat Robertson is known for making claims that natural disasters are warnings from God. Last month he suggested that if only more people had been praying God would have stopped the killer-tornadoes from sweeping across the Midwest. This is more guilt on Christians who already feel guilty for not praying enough. Coupled with Robertson’s earlier assertions that 9/11 and hurricane Katrina could be blamed on the godlessness in America, the message seems clear; Robertson believes that he is speaking for God.

Hopefully many Christians do not agree with Robertson’s assertions, but the sad effect is that the public at large may assume that evangelical Christians are drawn to the idea of a severe vengeance-orientated God. A couple of years ago Robertson stated that the Haiti earthquake was connected to the people of Haiti making a pact with the devil. Undoubtedly there are fringe groups that think they have a pact with the devil, but if you believe in the message of Easter, you have discovered that life and goodness has triumphed over death and evil. Jesus saw to it that the devil has no power to make a pact for any nation.

Prominent Calvinist theologian John Piper ‘spoke for God”, when he weighed in on last month’s tornadoes. He wrote, “Why would God reach down His hand and drag His fierce fingers across rural America, killing at least 38 people with 90 tornadoes in 12 states?”

He continued, “If God has a quarrel with America, wouldn’t Washington, DC or Las Vegas or Minneapolis or Hollywood be a more likely place to show His displeasure? If a tornado twists at 175 miles an hour… God gave the command.”

If God sent tornadoes, what about the account in the Bible when Jesus rebuked the storm. Did God send that one too? If so, Jesus overruled His Father. Surely, God is not schizophrenic, full of love one day and sending tornadoes the next.

Does God have “fierce fingers”? Does God “command” tornadoes to kill people? Does God think that Hollywood and Las Vegas are more ‘sinful’ than the ‘Bible-belt’? John Piper thinks so. I disagree. So who speaks for God? Pat Robertson? The pope? John Piper? You? Me?

The answer is none of the above. Jesus disqualified all of us when He said that no one could show us who God is except Jesus himself [John 1:18]. Whenever his disciples or onlookers invited Jesus to kill, destroy or judge people because of some sin, he refused, saying that he had not come to condemn people.

Jesus’ claim that he speaks for God is extra-ordinary. Did he suffer from illusion of grandeur, or is he really who he says he is. The cross? The resurrection? What’s it all about? Easter is a good time to check out Jesus for your self and when you do you may hear a word from God to you.

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The 34 year old pastor, Yousef Nadarkhani, father of two, sits waiting in an Iranian prison. His execution could be at any moment. His crime? Apostasy against Islam.

Last Thursday, in what some are calling a miracle, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a resolution calling for Pastor Nadarkhani’s release. Both the White House and the State Department made statements earlier in the week. The World Evangelical Alliance and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada have called on the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take action. Whatever is going to be done must be done now.

The pastor was first arrested in October 2009 for protesting. His charge was later changed to apostasy, or preaching the Christian message to Muslims. At first he was found guilty in a lower court, and then his case was referred to the Supreme Court where officials gave Nadarkhani the ultimatum: “Renounce your faith or die”. After Nadarkhani, on three separate occasions, refused to renege on his faith in Jesus Christ, the Supreme Court passed the case back to the lower court requesting more information about Nadarkhani practicing Islam after the age of 15, which would strengthen the government’s case of apostasy.

According to Iran’s official law, the falling away from Islam is not a crime, and certainly not punishable by death, so in addition to the charge of being an evangelizer, Nadarkhani was also indicted for being a Zionist, an extortioner, and a rapist.

I wrote about Pastor Nadarkhani last October. At that time it looked like international pressure had resulted in a reversal in the Iranian courts. The execution was suspended, and a legal review by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was expected. Unfortunately, that was a too optimistic assessment.

So far, the Supreme Leader has refused to look at the appeal. He and Mr Sadegh Larijani, the Head of the Iranian Judiciary, are the only people with the authority to stop the execution, but without their intervention the authorities are obliged to carry out the Supreme Court ruling.

That’s why the reality is that the execution could happen at any time.

Pastor Nadarkhani spoke to his wife late last week, and a renewed call has gone out for international support. Meanwhile his lawyers and the Church of Iran leadership are seeking clarification and written confirmation of a report that the order for execution has been issued.

According to Iranian law, once the execution order is officially confirmed, Pastor Nadarkhani’s lawyers would have a final opportunity to stop the execution if notified in time. However, it is not uncommon for the Iranian authorities to execute a prisoner without notification. In 1990, Pastor Hossein Soodmand was executed without notification.

One thing is certain. Pastor Nadarkhani is willing to die for his faith. According to reports he has been offered four additional opportunities to recant his faith since October 2011, but he has refused and remains unwavering in his faith that Jesus Christ is Lord.

We can take action in several ways:

• 1. Contact The Honorable John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Ask for the Canadian government to intervene on behalf of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.
• 2. Join thousands of others who are using the Social Media to call for the release of Nadarkhani.

Edmund Burke’s famous statement, “All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing”, is highly applicable. It is now or never for Nadarkhani.

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Chances are you’ve already heard about the four minute video “Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus”, produced by 22 year old Jefferson Bethke from Tacoma, Washington. It has gone viral, approaching 18 million views on Youtube in just over three weeks. Last month I wrote about Justin Bieber’s tattoo depicting Jesus, Tim Tebow’s prayers on the football field, and Hollywood actor Gary Busey beating an Indian drum, invoking the name of Jesus during a guest appearance on ‘Celebrity Wife Swap’. My point was that Jesus keeps showing up in unlikely places, and now here we go again.

Of course, the ‘know-it-all’ religious experts are up in arms. Aren’t they always? Christian magazines and internet bloggers are issuing words of caution. Some find Bethke’s theology insulting, because of its’ simplicity, while others think they have found something contradictory in his presentation. How much systematic theology can be crammed into a 4 minute video in the first place? Give the young man a break, some pastors can barely get through their opening joke in four minutes on Sunday morning, never mind addressing any real issues. Here are a couple of Bethke’s lines:

“Religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free / Religion makes you blind, while Jesus makes you see.” And how about this, “Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor? / Tells single moms God doesn’t love them, if they’ve ever had a divorce?”

The message is clear, “Because He took the crown of thorns, and the blood dripped down His face / He took what we all deserved; I guess that’s why you call it grace.”

Since so many pastors criticize Bethke, let me reiterate some of the reasons why I believe he is right on and why 18 million have tuned in.

First, the ‘million dollar’ question: What is religion?  Simply put, it is any system of belief, ceremony or ritual that claims to bring a person to God, in contrast to Jesus, who is God from God come to show us who God really is. Jesus didn’t come to give the world an institutionalized religious system, but to give hope to all. This is not an argument against “organized religion”. Whether religious rituals are found in historical church liturgies or a modern day charismatic church where people have their arms raised in prayer, one tradition is not better or worse than the other. Either one can be a forum for life-less repetitions, or a place where people encounter the reality of Jesus.

Frankly, Jesus works in organized or disorganized settings; He gives grace wherever the humble is found, inside or outside religion. Of course we can have relationship with God outside of organized religion. How else would a believer under solitary confinement in a North Korean prison be able to worship God?

Some suggest that to separate Jesus from religion is symptomatic of our narcissistic, egocentric culture, where worship has turned into a self-centered quest, “God I want You, I love You, I’m desperate for You, I need You”, or, “Save me, love me, let me touch You”. In fact loving Jesus is the anti-dote to this pretense that God has withdrawn into an ivory tower and has to be pleaded with to get involved in the human scenario. To focus on Jesus is the opposite of narcissism; in Jesus, we truly see God’s love and majesty.

A cursory reading of the Gospels tells us that Jesus did come to demolish religious systems that exclude people. His message was for all. Bottom line, Jesus attracted the kind of people religion find repulsive, while he repulsed those who religion found attractive.  It is about time we’d figure that out.

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Jesus seems to be popping up in the most unusual news stories. I was scrolling the television listings the other day and came by ‘Celebrity Wife Swap’, a show I’ve never watched, but the names Ted and Gayle Haggard caught my attention. Ted and Gayle are acquaintances of mine. After their ‘scandal’ broke (if you haven’t heard about it, I won’ bore you with the sordid details), when most of the church would have nothing to do with them, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours encouraging them, that God is gracious and He gives people a second chance.

Pastor Ted Haggard was ‘wife-swapping’ with actor Gary Busey (nothing sexual). I soon caught the idea of the show, where for the first half of the week, the man runs the house by his rules and the second half the visiting ‘wife’ takes over. Early in the show Busey’s Lakota Indian Guru, “Indian Bob”, called Gayle “lost”, while banging on a drum to induce the cleansing of her soul. Busey took his turn and was repeatedly invoking the name of Jesus Christ as he feverishly pounded the drum, while the astounded Gayle sat there with a look of pained amazement. Later Gayle had her turn and Busey got his share of a more evangelical approach to ‘soul-cleansing’ and salvation.

Then hot off another newswire I saw the headline, “Justin Bieber gets Jesus tattoo”. Reportedly, in addition to two previous tattoos, one of a dove (a symbol of the Holy Spirit) and another a star (symbol of Jesus Christ), now the Stratford, Ontario born singer has added a depiction of Jesus. It’s amazing that the most famous Canadian (sorry Wayne Gretzky and Prime Minister Harper), claims to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Last time I was in Jakarta, Indonesia I met with our office manager’s family, and heard his two teenage daughters, squealing with enthusiasm, as they told the story how they brought their mother along to hear the singing sensation when he visited Indonesia’s capital. Bieber is #1 in the world’s largest Muslim country, and they know he believes in Jesus. Go figure.

Then there is Tebow and the Denver Broncos upsetting the stunned Pittsburg Steelers last week. On the first play of the overtime with a quick flick of the wrist and a throw that resulted in an out 80-yard run, the Steelers’ fate was sealed. Moments later there was Tebow in the end zone, one knee bent, his head resting in his one hand with the other fist pumped in the air in praise to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s his trademark; he does praise Jesus at the most ‘inappropriate’ times. I am a hockey fan, with very limited knowledge of American football. What caught my attention was when one of my closest co-workers at Grace Tv called the Tebow phenomena a ‘monstrous miracle’ (don’t ask me to explain that phrase). Apparently, Tebow passed for 316 yards, breaking the Denver Broncos all time rookie playoff passing record of 123 yards in one game, previously held by football great, John Elway. Not bad for a guy, who the pundits say isn’t that good.

I know modern day religious ‘know-it-alls’ will argue about the correctness of this. Are the Haggards really giving a good testimony to Jesus by appearing on ‘Celebrity Wife Swap’? Are tattoos scriptural? Is Tebow really giving a proper witness for his faith?

I find it interesting, inspiring and very scripturally correct that Jesus shows up in all kinds of settings. After all, His first miracle was at a wedding where He turned water into wine. One of His most inspiring sermons was to a five-time divorced, living common-law, Samaritan woman. Jesus notably visited the home of the Jericho mobster, Zacchaeus. And to the indignation of the religious leaders, he ate and drank with “publicans and sinners”. The Holy Book does say that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He’s holding true to form, showing up where you least expect Him. Maybe you have a family member who is too sophisticated, too intellectual, or even too sinful to pay attention to Jesus. Don’t be so sure. The Savior will keep showing up. No church, mosque, religious temple, tavern, home or street corner is off limits to Him. The Bible proclaims Him to be the savior of the world, so He’s about his business to bring the Good News of salvation to everyone.

Watch out - you could be next!

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It’s time for the annual Christmas discussions. Is Christmas too commercialized? The obvious answer is “yes”, but does it matter? Aren’t we all free to decide to make this season all about shopping, or to take a more balanced approach?

Another typical question: How do we know Jesus was really born on December 25th? We don’t, and in fact there is good reason to think He wasn’t, but does that change anything?

Then the big one: What’s the proper greeting, ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Happy Holidays’, or the all-encompassing ‘Season’s Greetings’? This debate is primarily between committed conservative Christians, who want to ‘put Christ back in Christmas’, versus politically correct adherents of the Christian religion. I spend a lot of time with Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists and I’ve never heard a concern from them. In fact they are often the first ones to wish me “Merry Christmas”.

The argument for replacing ‘Christmas’ with ‘Holiday’, or ‘Season’s’, goes something like this:

Today we live in a multi-cultural society, and there are Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, atheists etc. Unless you are from the Christian background, Christmas has little or no meaning, so it is discriminatory or even offensive that December 25th is celebrated as a special day. Consequently, there is no room for public displays of the nativity scene or any greetings that includes the word ‘Christ’. Politicians and corporate executives should be careful not to push a single religious message. Why would retailers or politicians want to offend those who they rely upon to be consumers or voters? Some go as far as to suggest that Christmas cards are a form of aggressive evangelism. 

A few years ago I was traveling in Great Britain just before Christmas and the debate was raging about new ‘holiday’ stamps issued by the Royal Mail service. The stamps lacked any religious theme and this was viewed by “the faithful” as a betrayal of the Christian roots of the U.K.

On the other extreme you have ultra conservative Christians, who claim that back in Roman times the Christian institutionalized church simply took over the dates and celebrations of the pagan mid-winter festival, and according to this logic, Christmas is a pagan holiday. Pagans in ancient times put up trees in their houses, so the story goes, and out goes the Christmas tree.

My response is; get a life. Instead of asking, “Is Christmas too commercialized”, how about,  “Are religious people in general just too easily offended?” My faith in Jesus Christ is not shaken or offended when Muslim friends tell me about their observance of Ramadan. I am happy to receive greeting cards from Jewish friends celebrating Hanukkah, Hindus enjoying Diwali or Muslims celebrating Eid. A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I stayed in a hotel where the call to prayer from a nearby minaret echoed through our room five times per day. That’s not offensive to us, and neither should Christmas be to anyone. This time of the year is not a generic vacation, but a celebration that a Savior for the whole world was born 2000 years ago.

In an ideal world, as I see it, every card and sign would say ‘Christmas’, but none of this is my real concern. Gospel-believing Christians face a lot more important issues than nativity scenes and religious themes on stamps. The oldest book in the New Testament, Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, addresses the Christmas theme, “when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman”. A few verses later, the apostle corrects the new Christians in Galatia, “You observe days and months and seasons and years. I’m afraid for you”. The point is not to discontinue special days, as Paul himself participated in festivals and celebrations, but to stop majoring on the minors. 

The real issue is not nativity scenes outside city hall or Christmas carols in public schools. The apostle explains that what matters is if you have experienced what it means to become “a new creation” in Christ. Christmas is about how the unlimited God caused His Son to be begotten inside the womb of Mary. The story continues today, as the same unlimited God wants to put the Spirit of Christ inside of people, making us new creations. Bottom line, I am not nearly as concerned about Christ put back in Christmas, as I am about Christ coming in to every heart and home. Now that is real Christmas: Immanuel, God with us.

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Recently, I was told by a critic that I am a “Chrislamist”. Not sure exactly what the term meant, I did a little research. First I discovered that I am not the only one so accused. Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, California, recently responded to similar accusations. He pointed to Proverbs 14:15, which states, “Only a fool believes all that he hears.” Amen, to that.

What is “Chrislam”? The essential idea is that Christianity and Islam are compatible, that one can be a Christian and a Muslim at the same time. Chrislamists don’t claim to have a new and separate religion; they just blur the distinctions between Christianity and Islam. Advocates view Chrislam as a solution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as well as the political tension between the Western world and Islam. Some suggest that the two largest monotheistic religions have similar teachings on morals, and the need for the two to stand united against the onslaught of modern atheism.

While there are undeniable similarities, there is an all important question that divides Christianity and Islam, “Who is Jesus and what did Jesus do?” To Gospel believers the identity and work of Jesus Christ is crucial.  Christ’s deity is non-negotiable, for without it, His death on the cross is insufficient to put away the sins of the entire world. Here is the Christian Gospel in a nutshell. Jesus is God from God, entering the human race to show humankind who God really is, and to erase human shame and sin by His death and resurrection. The different view on Jesus is what separates.

As I see it, the real problem and the real danger among Christians is Islamophobia, and recently, “Chrislamophobia”. Any Christian, who seeks friendship or dialogue with Muslims, is branded. This is very different from what we see in the early Christian history. The apostle Paul is on record of having such faith in Jesus Christ that he did not need to speak against other religions; speaking for Jesus Christ was enough to get the job done.

In an effort to keep Christianity pure, some preachers quickly go on the attack, criticizing anyone who befriends Muslims. It is not hard to see why I am a suspect. In my book, My Muslim Friends, I make a clear case for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, while advocating dialogue and mutual respect towards Muslims. The book explains why I conduct “Friendship Dinners” with clerics of other religions. Yet, to some Christians such activity is suspect. One person approached me recently, saying, “Peter, I like every other book you have written, but I refuse to read the one about friendship with Muslims”. I countered by explaining how the book focuses on Jesus Christ, offering it for free, but to no avail. The man didn’t want to even consider another viewpoint.

Preachers who warn against Chrislam often state that anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is an Anti-Christ. Others go much further. Remember the Florida pastor and his thirty or so parishioners, who had their fifteen minutes of fame for “burning the Quran”. It should be noted that the media co-operated by providing the zealous pastor all the publicity he could ever have wanted. Ultimately this incident led to the death of several American soldiers, as militant Muslims responded in violence.

I am not a Chrislamist, but neither am I supporter of a bunker mentality type of Christianity, that hides itself in a theological fortress, firing Bible bullets at anyone who disagrees. When Christians and Muslims meet in friendship, it doesn’t mean that either side is compromising. Being interested in others and listening to others doesn’t constitute a reneging on your own faith. On the contrary, an unwillingness to listen could be an indication of insecurity in one’s own beliefs.

The Quran contains more than 90 references to Jesus, calling him the Messiah, the Word, sinless, a healer and Judge. That’s more than faith in Jesus Christ than many ministers of the United Church of Canada or Anglican bishops exhibit. Just this week I spent three days speaking in a large Anglican compound in the Middle East. Recently I showed a short clip from a Hollywood movie to illustrate a point in a sermon. Neither of these activities were to show my support for everything The Anglican Church or Hollywood stands for. Similarly, when I meet with Muslims, it is not an indication of anything, except that I believe in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in all worlds. Let’s stop the phobias. I believe the Gospel is the most fantastic message in the world: Come on Christians, we have nothing to be afraid of.

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Until just a few days ago, Iranian Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was languishing in jail, expecting his imminent execution, having been found guilty of apostasy and numerous other crimes. This week’s stunning reversal in Iran’s Supreme Court is fresh evidence of the power of activism. For several months thousands of Christians and non-Christians have made their voices heard to their political representatives and Iranian embassies around the world, until Iran’s supreme religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini became involved, and now the Supreme Court has granted a new trial for Nadarkhani.

The pastor was first arrested in October 2009 for protesting. His charge was later changed to apostasy, or preaching the Christian message to Muslims. At first he was found guilty in a lower court, and then his case was referred to the Supreme Court where officials gave Nadarkhani the ultimatum: “Renounce your faith or die”. After Nadarkhani, on three separate occasions, refused to renege on his faith in Jesus Christ, the Supreme Court passed the case back to the lower court requesting more information about Nadarkhani practicing Islam after the age of 15, which would strengthen the government’s case of apostasy.

According to Iran’s official law, the falling away from Islam is not a crime, and certainly not punishable by death, so in addition to the charge of being an evangelizer, Nadarkhani was also indicted for being a Zionist, an extortioner, and a rapist. During the months of ‘kangaroo court’, individuals around the world intensified the pressure making their voices heard in a protest against the unjust treatment of the pastor. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote a letter, co-signed by 39 members of Congress, asking for the release of the pastor. From Brazil to Denmark to Australia, Christians contacted Iranian embassies, sometimes meeting rude rejection, but nevertheless making their outrage known.

The pressure became so great the Iranian lower court appealed to Ayatollah Khomeini, and with his connection to the case, which would most likely never have happened without the massive involvement from individuals around the world, the entire matter became more significant inside Iran.

In spite of this weeks’s turn of events, Nadarkhani’s fate is by no means decided, as no one knows the outcome of the new trial. There is still a need for all, who love freedom, to contact the Iranian embassies as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in whatever country you live. Express your concern and ask the authorities to work for Pastor Nadarkhani’s release.

Whether the Tea Party in the United States, or the Occupy Wall Street movement that is now touching many countries, activists get their point across. We may agree or disagree, but it is not the arm-chair quarterback that gets attention, but the one, who gets off the couch and onto the street.

Christian activism is what Jesus called for when He told his followers to go” into all the world” and give the Good News to “every creature”. British Columbia pastor Don Gossett coined the phrase “If no one reaches, no one gets touched”. In short, it’s not enough to have a passive belief that something needs to be done or needs to be said, because nothing happens until somebody takes action or speaks up. Make your life count. Take a stand for those who are hurting, for justice, and for getting the good news of what God has done for the world through Jesus Christ to everyone.

When we come to the end of our life journey, we will never regret having done too much, but we may wish we had done more. Whether standing up for someone in need, by protests or letter-writing, like so many have done and are still doing for Nadarkhani, or by reaching across the street or to someone in need in your community; your voice and your action make a difference!

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For decades the “prosperity gospel” has been a hot topic of debate within the evangelical movement. Lately it has caught the attention of the secular media, including the Guardian in the UK and ABC News. As far back as 2006 Time magazine featured the, so called, Prosperity Movement in a piece entitled “Does God want you to be rich?” Lately it is the indictment on fraud charges by Brazilian prosecutors against prosperity preacher Bishop Edir Macedor has caught the attention of the news media.

In United States some writers, including Republican Andrew Sullivan, have tried to put it within a bigger picture, suggesting that the prosperity gospel, which he calls “idiotic”, has influenced the Tea Party. In a Time poll, 17% of American Christians claimed that they consider themselves to be a part of prosperity gospel movement, while 61% acknowledged they believe that God wants people to prosper. 31% agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money. Like it or not, this movement has spread way beyond America, and it is influencing millions in South-America, Africa, Asia, and also in Canada.

The often quoted evangelical theologian John Piper claims, “This is another gospel, not the Christian one”. He goes as far as stating that having riches is a curse, though in the same breath he acknowledges that in heaven we will have super-abundant riches. This triggers the question: Isn’t heaven a place, where evil is absent? How could a “curse” in this life become a “blessing” in the hereafter?

It is hard to find a balanced approach when the prosperity gospel is discussed. As much as Piper’s statement, glorifying poverty in this life, causes my stomach to cringe, prosperity preachers who propagate wealth with a selfish motive of hoarding luxury goods and luxury properties, while followers remain in poverty, is equally distasteful.

I am frequently asked if I am a prosperity preacher, and what my opinion is. Here are some thoughts:

The idea that poverty is a “blessing” is not from the Bible, but is rooted in religious traditions from the Middle Ages. When monks and priests take a vow of poverty, it indicates that poverty is a sign of extra devotion towards the Lord. This is in stark contrast to the narrative about the patriarchs and even the apostles. The Biblical heroes, whether Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, David or Paul, were all rich, or had at least access to substantial amounts of money.

The Christian view is stewardship, not ownership. We are stewards, handlers, of the resources God has put on earth, and specifically the ones in our hand.

Christian prosperity is for a purpose. We can’t give money to help the poor, as the Bible mandates, if we are poor ourselves.  To allow the excessive, self-centered lifestyle of a few, to poison it for everyone else, isn’t helpful, least of all those, who really need our help. For those who view Christ’s Gospel as a “get rich quick” scheme, riches are indeed a “curse”, but for those, who use money for God’s purposes on earth, including helping the poor, money is a blessing.

Jesus exemplifies both poverty and wealth; He received gold, frankincense and myrrh already when He was a baby. Not a bad start. Later on He received money from wealthy donors as recorded in the gospel of Luke. Then we see Jesus in abject poverty, “naked and in want of all things”, on the cross. The Apostle Paul fits it all together, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9).

What’s my take on the prosperity gospel? I say “yes” to a good life and prosperity for the many people I know, who sincerely care about the needs of others, but “no” to an opulent, self-centered lifestyle.

Poverty is not a blessing, as Mr. Piper insists. The only person who could honestly make such a statement, is one, who has never been poor him or herself. Money is a good thing when used properly; it is the “love of money” that is “a root of all kinds of evil”.

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By Aug 28th we had received $102,000 on top of regular giving, so we really needed a miracle, going in to the final week. Hundreds of you gave, and one person particularly gave a very large gift. We thank God that He is working through willing people. The total received is $345,267.62.

Here is the full story: When I announced in the beginning of June that we are going to need $325,000 above regular income, I didn’t realize that the next day there would be an announcement of a postal strike in Canada. This had a negative effect, as we lost a significant part of income over the next three weeks. Suddenly we needed more than $325,000, and I must tell you there were moments of discouragement.

Today I thank Lord, who has blessed in a super-abundant way through you. God bless you! We stand together under Jesus who is the Lord of the harvest. Thank you!

Peter Youngren

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I do not know who the people are that attack our ministry. Some deceptively pretend to be current or past staff members. Other engage in conversations with themselves, making an entry under one name, only to comment on their own entry under a different name, making it seem there is a big interest in their ideas. Blatant lies by anonymous writers can go unchallenged for years.

I am writing this because people ask me why I don’t respond. To me, it is just so unscriptural to respond to anonymous accusers. When the sons of Korah accused Moses, or when Shimei taunted and mocked David we know the names of those accusers. Moses and David were willing to meet their accusers; that’s my attitude, and the attitude of any man of God.

The only exception to the above anonymity is a pastor of a small church in Europe. I know who he is, and he writes under many different headlines and names. This man has dedicated himself to spread lies. I have tried to speak with him, but to no avail. It is so sad to see a man once on fire for Jesus become obsessed, trying to vindicate himself, by attacking others.

I have many faults and failures, just like everyone else, including the great heroes of the Bible and of Church history. God’s grace has enabled me to be transparent about those flaws before my church and before spiritual friends, like our partners. But you won’t see me share my heart in cesspool of mudslinging on Christian blog sites. Jesus said something about where you share your pearls.

This lying spirit is not new; it has always been at work against the Gospel, through evil rumors, distortions and false accusations. Jesus was accused of being a deceiver (John 7:12), and possessed by Beelzebub, the devil. Paul didn’t fare any better. He was called a “plague”, a “creator of dissension”, and “a ringleader” (Acts 24:5).

Earlier this year veteran broadcaster, David Mainse, spoke on television about bloggers that lie, “You get on the blogs and the blogs are always lies. Half truths are lies. One of the reasons that gossip, backbiting, is in the same list in the Scripture as murder and adultery … because if you don’t have all the facts—this is why you have editorial controls where there are checks and balances. That’s why an editorial board is in a newspaper. Checks and balances. But on the blogs—I treat a blog just like I treat the rags that are at the checkout counter at the grocery store. I don’t read them. I refuse to read them. They are half-truths. They have not been well researched. The have no editorial control. There are no checks or balances on these, so they are not reliable.” Amen to that.

In one way I am encouraged when I see liars so active in and around our ministry. I know the one, who is really interested that our ministry would suffer setback and loss, the devil. 

Meanwhile Grace Television is reaching people, and in the next 9 weeks we have 3 mega Gospel Campaigns that will reach hundreds of thousands with the Gospel.

- Peter Youngren

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Earlier this month, on a Thursday morning, Linda Gibbons arrived at a Toronto Morgentaler abortion clinic that is “protected” by law from pro-life activity within 500 feet. Linda, who believes women have the right to receive pro-life counsel before having an abortion, began walking back and forth on the sidewalk, quietly and without interfering with anyone, while carrying a sign depicting a baby and the words, “Why mom? When I have so much love to give?” It didn’t take long for two sheriffs and six police officers to surround Linda, and off she went in handcuffs.

Linda has a history of being arrested and has spent eight of the past sixteen years in jail for breaking city by-laws that prohibit pro-life information outside abortion facilities. In Ms. Gibbons’ mind, abortion is murder and when carried out on a massive scale, as is the case in Canada or the US, she equates it to genocide. According to her, our age is deeply morally confused and blind for not seeing what she considers obvious.

There was something pathetic watching the YouTube clip depicting the arrest. I remember the diminutive Ms. Gibbons from her visit to the Niagara Celebration Church about 15 years ago. It appears she has not changed much, retaining her quiet moral strength, without defending herself. The demeanor of the arresting officers was rather subdued, it seemed they’d rather be chasing real criminals than the grandma-like Ms. Gibbons.

Linda believes that God and the Canadian charter, in that order, give her the right to counsel against abortion and to stand in front of abortion clinics offering kind and loving advice to those willing to listen.

While some in the media consider her crazy for being willing to spend so much time in jail, Ms. Gibbons disagrees. Last year she was quoted in the National Post, “Wherever I am, I’m free to do God’s work. I can be on the outside or on the inside it doesn’t matter. I don’t feel burdened by what I’m doing.”

Her lawyer, Daniel Santoro, considers Ms. Gibbons a prisoner of conscience: “She’s not a fanatic, she doesn’t rant or rave. I’m a strong believer in free speech. Whether I agree with her or not about abortion is not relevant. People are always asking me whether I think she’s crazy because they assume that anyone who goes to jail for that long must be totally crazy. I don’t think she’s crazy at all.”

Celia Posyniak, an abortion clinic director in Calgary, stated, “What people like her do is creepy. They don’t even have to say anything; it’s intimidating just to have somebody standing there. Why is it acceptable to intimidate women making a personal and legal decision?” After the recent arrest some news-sources called Linda “a damn creep”, who causes “harassment of women”.

The last time abortion was discussed in our federal parliament was under the Mulroney government, and at that time evangelical Christians unfortunately took the stance of all or nothing, and the Canadian people ended up with nothing—no protection for the unborn. Since then Canada has been on a list of nations, including Cuba and North Korea, where in the face of scientific realities, aborting the unborn is considered no different than the removal of any unwanted tissue. 

What is so threatening about this woman suggesting an alternative to abortion? Is the abortion industry afraid of losing customers? Why are bylaws prohibiting free speech within 500 feet of an abortion clinic allowed? How can we Canadians stand for such restriction of free speech? Don’t we want women to be well informed of all sides of the argument, including scientific evidences of when a fetus is a fully viable human, before making the final decision regarding an abortion? Or is it only pro-abortion counsel that should be permitted?

In short, why are those, who claim to be “pro-choice”, not willing for women to have a well informed choice? Those who are comfortable with Canada’s unregulated abortion industry should not be intimidated by Ms. Gibbon’s presence outside the abortion clinic. Meanwhile those of us who feel ill at ease about Canada’s refusal to protect unborn girls and boys owe gratitude to Ms Gibbons. She is a Canadian hero.

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Evil incarnate is the term used by the head of Norwegian security police to describe the 32 year old confessed mass-murderer, Anders Breivik. Norway has rightfully been able to describe itself as a peace-loving nation. It has been a point of national pride that most of the police is unarmed, and even those who carry a gun, keep it locked and unloaded unless specially authorized.

July 22^nd changed Norway. First a bomb exploded in the heart of the government buildings in Oslo, killing eight and injuring many. While the police was busy securing the center of the city the perpetrator, disguised as a police officer, traveled to a nearby island, and went on a systematic killing spree with at least seventy-six fatalities among mostly young people, all members of the youth wing of the Norwegian governing Labor Party.

I was in Stockholm, a few hours away, when the news hit that the unthinkable had happened. The consensus among all the people I spoke with was that this was another Islamic fundamentalist act of terror, only to give way to the realization that the killer was a young blond Norwegian, who saw himself as a “crusader” against his own government and the governments of Europe, who he perceived to have sold out to Muslim immigration.

What triggers such evil? How could anyone commit more than one murder a minute for over an hour and seemingly feel nothing, but a twisted sense of pride? What is the human capacity for evil? Given the “right” circumstances are we all capable of evil? Are some more prone to excessive evil than others?

Breivik has been demonized in the media, and rightly so, referred to as a devil, an ice-cold, soul-less psychopathic killer, and a monster. In Norway hundreds of thousands have flooded the streets, echoing their prime minister’s call for more openness and more democracy, to meet hatred with love. The message is clear and beautiful, but it also carries with it a self-protective assurance; we are not him, he is an evil racist killer, we are good and tolerant. British poet John Donnes coined the phrase, No man is an island, and if that’s true it would include also Breivik, as well as Canadian double murderers and rapists like Russell Williams, Karla Homolka or Paul Bernado. Reportedly Breivik was at one time a shy and polite young boy, and he has become who he is today within an enlightened democratic society. Something made him spend the past nine years planning the cruel atrocities that have shocked the world. I am not suggesting that anyone but Breivik is guilty just like Williams, Bernardo and a host of other perpetrators of evil are responsible for their actions.

I am suggesting we take a look at the face of evil. While the average person would never imagine doing what these mass murders have done, the potential for evil lurks within every soul and within the most enlightened society. Whether we talk about Nazism, the Rwandan and Bosnian genocide, the killing fields of Cambodia, or a thousand personal acts of taking revenge, slander, or tearing others down to make myself look good, evil lurks under the surface within every person. Yes, there are hugely larger and infinitely lesser evils, but they are evils nonetheless.

“I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells nothing good”, is how the New Testament of the Bible addresses the issue of evil. The same New Testament also tells us to acknowledge every good thing that is in us in Christ Jesus. So which way is it: nothing good or every good thing?

The genius of Christ’s Gospel is in the blunt recognition of the face of evil. While other philosophies attempt to deal with evil by a list of self-help remedies from religious legalistic rules and disciplines to meditation techniques, the Gospel declares the human state hopeless without a conscious receiving of the life of God inside. Christ lives in me was the message of the apostle Paul, who wrote half the New Testament. I am still fully me, but Christ’s spirit of love, forgiveness and faith has come into me. Do people who receive Christ live perfect lives? Absolutely not, we fail and we have the option to maintain self-centered lives. What is the advantage then? Much in every way, Christ empowers us to break evil habits, and gives us the choice to yield to the new life that is in us.

Some in the media were quick to jump on the fact that Breivik is a self-proclaimed ‘Christian fundamentalist’. His ‘manifesto’ makes it clear what he means, “If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or God, you are a religious Christian. I, and many with me, do not necessarily have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or God. We instead believe in Christianity as a cultural and social identity and a platform for morality.”

That’s a huge distinction. It is not the cultural Christ, but the indwelling Christ, that makes a person a Christian.

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Mayor Rob Ford is breaking with a 13-year tradition of Toronto mayors marching in the Gay Pride parade. He announced he was going to the cottage for the weekend, and neither Ford, nor his staff, have explained why he doesn’t plan to attend any of the Gay Week activities.

In contrast, Premier Dalton McGuinty, a frequent Gay Pride Day marcher, writes in his letter of welcome to Pride Week: “On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to everyone celebrating Pride Week 2011, hosted by Pride Toronto. As Ontarians, we take every opportunity to celebrate our differences and to embrace our tremendous diversity… Pride Week is a dynamic reflection of the rich, vibrant and inclusive society that we have built together.”

I am not a gay-basher. In fact I have taken some heat from fellow Christians, for being very accepting of gay people who attend the church I pastor. Yet, there is something hypocritical in all the attacks on Toronto’s mayor.

Gay rights are an established fact in society. Gratefully we live in a country where you can not be disqualified from your place of living or work because of sexual preference. But, let’s stop pretending that Gay Pride day is a solemn and politically necessary event. And while we stop the pretending, let’s also stop talking about the huge financial impact with estimates based on phantom numbers.

Politicians should have better things to do than to attend events that feature total nudity on the downtown streets of Toronto. Now, don’t think I am a prude. Some readers will know I grew up in Sweden in the late 60’s, where nudity was in vogue long before it gained any acceptance in Canada. I am not shocked. There are places in the world where nudity is culturally acceptable and I have held Gospel Campaigns in such places. No big deal.

However, in Canada, total nudity in public places is against the law, and one of the hypocrisies I am referring to is that the police just let it happen. Gay Pride Day is a big racy party, and I suppose no one is suggesting that wild parties should be outlawed. I just fail to see the need for elected officials to attend. They will better serve their constituents by taking the weekend off in order to be well rested and ready to tackle the real issues on Monday morning.

There is the argument of the financial impact from a supposed attendance by 1.2 million people, the number given by the organizers, while newspapers often use the 1 million figure. Expect it in Monday’s newspaper. No one is counting, but any non-intoxicated person realizes the actual number is only a fraction of what newspapers blindly report, unless of course we count every single person living downtown Toronto.

Imagine, if other groups in society would demand attention based on similar arguments. Think of the financial impact of church life in Toronto or any community; buildings are constructed, a myriad of community events that lift people out of drug addiction, criminality, poverty and gives them hope. Should it be mandatory that MPPs and city councilors attend church Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving to show society’s gratitude?

One prominent activist wrote regarding Ford’s non-attendance: “I say force him. Force him to do his job and represent for the city.” I say let Ford enjoy his Muskoka retreat and hopefully McGuinty and other politicians will learn from Ford, and find something more important to do today.

Finally, a word about Christianity.

Am I suggesting that Mayor Ford is a better Christian than Premier McGuinty? Not at all. The Christian message is that everyone is invited to come to God through Jesus Christ without pre-conditions. God loves gays and straights the same. Jesus “put away the sins of the world” and is “the Savior of the world”, and that obviously includes everyone. As far as being the “better” Christian, the only good one is Jesus Christ Himself. Therein lies the genius of the Gospel; Jesus Christ comes to live with His spirit inside of people, and that’s the only hope for Ford, McGuinty and the rest of us.

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In 1000A.D. panic was high in Rome and many gave all their worldly goods to the church because the end of the world was expected as the new millennium dawned.

In 1843, American preacher William Miller predicted the end of the world twice, March 21^st and October 22^nd. The unfulfilled prophecy became known as the Great Disappointment, as one of the followers reported on the day after, “We wept, and wept, till the day dawned”.

1919, 1982, 1988, 1989 and 2000, were years rife with predictions of the end by respected evangelical preachers. The only ones ahead of us in the foolish prediction business are the Jehovah’s Witness, who predicted doomsday in 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975 and 1994.

What’s the source for these calculations? Mostly complicated mathematical equations and interpretations of alignments of the stars, and preachers with illusions of grandeur.

Wouldn’t that be the ultimate claim to fame; “I figured out the day of the rapture”.

Meanwhile Jesus said; “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” [Mt 24:14]. 1-2 billion still haven’t heard the Gospel. That should be our focus. That’s why I leave for India late Sunday night. I’m looking for a MEGA-HARVEST of people coming to Christ.

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“Eternal life is found in a relationship with the Roman Catholic church”. That was talk show host Michael Coren’s message on a recent Oakley show on 6:40 AM. A shocking statement, not only for evangelical Christians, who have given Coren a platform, but also to many Roman Catholics, who believe salvation is in Jesus Christ, not in an institution. I kept listening as Coren promoted his book, Why Catholics are right? After reading it from cover to cover, it is crystal clear; Coren propagates salvation through Roman Catholicism, and Roman Catholicism alone.

Because I know many Catholics, who sincerely trust in Jesus Christ, and who wouldn’t agree with Coren’s assertions, I hesitate to say anything that could be misconstrued as bashing Catholics, but frankly Coren has crossed a line that demands a response.

Coren’s book covers everything from sexual abuse of young boys, to the pope’s infallibility, the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary declared as church dogma in 1854 by Pope Pius IX, and the Assumption of Mary to heaven, decreed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. Coren uses a mix of well-packaged explanations, punctuated by catchy illustrations, with frequent bouts of blustering demagoguery, while often disregarding historical and Biblical facts. Suggestions that a number of Roman Catholic dogmas lack basis in Scripture is dismissed as “weak thinking and flabby scholarship”.

On the issue of pedophilia, according to Coren, the church is no better or worse than any other institution, be it of bankers, lawyers, educators, politicians or Protestant ministers; Roman Catholic priest are about as guilty as the general public. Of course, none of these other institutions or churches claim to be God’s sole instrument of salvation. Nor does any other organization show any indication of a systematic cover up.

Coren’s idea is that Jesus gave us the Roman Catholic church, the first pope, Simon Peter, and then the church and subsequent popes gave us the Bible, which shouldn’t be read by common folks without supervision from a Vatican approved teacher. Since the church and the pope supposedly came first, the Bible is to be “guided and guarded through the ages”, by the pope, who while not impeccable, is infallible in matters of “faith and morals”.

Here is an interesting observation. The “first pope”, Simon Peter, was publicly rebuked, because he was “not straight forward about the truth of the Gospel”, as recorded in the book of Galatians. So much for infallibility in matters of faith.

While claiming that the church encourages prayer with the saints, not to the saints, even Coren acknowledges that, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death”, sounds an often lot like prayer to Mary, Coren explains this contradiction by stating that prayer to Mary is completely in line with the beliefs from the church’s “ealiest days”. Then in typical fashion he substantiates this outrageous claim by quoting an 11th century prayer, Salve Regina. 11th century prayer and the earliest days of the Gospel, I don’t see the connection, but such is Coren’s logic.

An article is insufficient to rebuff a book point by point. Let me focus on just two areas, pedophilia in the church and the way to eternal life.

To know more about pedophilia in Roman Catholicism, I recommend Sex, Priests and Secret Codes; The Catholic Church’s 2000 Year Paper Trail of Sexual Abuse. No, the authors, Thomas P Doyle, A.W.R. Snipe and Patrick J Wall are hardly catholic-bashing Protestants. Father Doyle received an official commendation from the Dominican Fathers for his “prophetic work in drawing attention to clergy sexual abuse and for advocating the rights of victims and abusers’. Sipe spent 18 years as a Benedictine monk and has served for years as a lecturer at major Catholic seminaries. Wall has a Masters’s degree from St. John’s University and served as a catholic priest for 10 years.

To study eternal life in Jesus Christ, not in an institution, I recommend a thorough reading of the New Testament. Jesus told the religious elite of the first century, “you search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life, but you will not come to Me”. Coren and I agree on one thing, eternal life is not in a book, but I submit, neither is it in a church. Jesus didn’t give the world a Baptist, a Presbyterian, an Anglican, a Pentecostal or a Roman Catholic church – he gave Himself. Jesus is too big for one church or one religion; He is for the world. I think a lot of Roman Catholics agree.

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Religion is a lot about who is “in” and who is “out”, who “belongs” and who doesn’t. We have “catholic” and “protestant”, “saved” and “unsaved”. Some talk about people who have accepted or rejected Jesus, which causes me to wonder; which Jesus has been “accepted” and which one has been “rejected”?
There are a lot of Jesuses, his story has been told in so many ways. What does the real Jesus look like? Can we know?

While in Finland last week, I discovered the story of a Roman Catholic saint, Holy Henry, Bishop of Finland, allegedly murdered with an axe in 1156 AD. That’s long ago, and I imagine the reader asking “what does this have to do with today?” Hang on; we will get there in a moment.

Though not officially canonized, Henry is venerated as a saint by numerous dioceses and has been referred to as a saint by Catholic writers since the 13th century. Henry’s list of miracles includes a claim that his finger was found intact months after his death, the murderer [more about him in a moment] losing his scalp when he put the Bishop’s hat on his head in jest, while a clergyman who mocked the bishop got a severe stomach ache. 

I think we get the idea, don’t mess with bishop, dead or alive.

Allegedly the English-born Henry was Bishop of Sweden, when he and the Swedish King Erik, another saint, set out to Christianize the “blind and evil heathen people of Finland”. After they had conquered Finland, baptized the people and built churches, Henry remained and continued his mission to expel paganism.

Different churches have fought over Henry’s relics with conflicting claims, ranging from his remains being lost in the ocean on a 16th century journey from Finland to St. Petersburg, Russia to the relics remaining in safe hands at a modern-day Finnish cathedral. 

It is Lalli, Henry’s axe-wielding murderer, who intrigues me. The story goes that the bishop, following the customs of the day, came to Lalli’s house in the middle of winter and took food for himself and hay for his horse, without permission or recompense. When the hot-tempered Lalli found out from his wife what had happened, he became enraged, grabbed his skis and pursued the thief until he chased him down on the ice of a nearby lake and killed him on the spot. Not surprisingly, Lalli rejected the Christ of Henry and became an outlaw.

It is hard to separate fact from fiction in 12th century stories. However, one fact in undisputed; clergy and nobility at the time were free to go to farms and take what they wanted without pay, a practice that was outlawed some fifty years later. Maybe pagan Lalli had a reason to be upset.

Supposing the legend is true, I’m not suggesting that the bishop’s thievery justified murder, but it did make me think about this issue of “rejecting’ Christ. Which Jesus Christ did Lalli reject?

Now fast forward to today. When Christians talk about people rejecting Jesus, we should ask, which Jesus did they reject; the taker, or the giver?

There are plenty of people, who grew up in church, were committed Christians, but later on they rejected the church and the Christ it presented. Others at one point “accepted Christ”, maybe by saying a “sinner’s prayer”, but have since walked away because they no longer believe in the God they hear about in church. Still others have been exposed to outright hypocrisy, abuse and beatings in the name of Christ. When they walked away, did they reject Christ?

If so, which Christ?

Could it be that some have rejected a “Christ”, which Jesus Christ would have rejected?

Whether we talk about Lalli or ill-advised Henry from long ago, or a friend across the street, the questions begs for an answer; who is the real Jesus?

If the question intrigues you, here is a possible starting point. Get a Bible and read Jesus’ sermon to the religious elite, as recorded in the gospel of Luke chapter 15. You may be amazed at what you discover.

View Finland Tour Photos on Flickr

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The brutal killing last week of Pakistan’s only Christian government minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, for which the Pakistan Taliban has claimed responsibility, hit close to home. Bhatti, the Federal Minister for Minorities, was a friend and on several occasions he helped World Impact Ministries, the organization I lead, to obtain permission for Gospel Campaigns in a country where 97% are Muslims. A co-worker emailed, “This is the darkest day for freedom of religion in the history of Pakistan”.

Bhatti, 42, was ambushed in broad daylight by Muslim extremists as he traveled through a residential district, having just left his mother’s home. Before escaping the scene of the crime—and after firing as many as 30 bullets into Bhatti’s vehicle—the assassins made sure, through leaflets left behind, that the world knew why the killing occurred; Bhatti was paying the price for opposing Pakistan’s blasphemy law. The leaflets also warned anyone opposing this law, which makes criticizing Mohammed or Islam a crime punishable by death, that they would suffer the same fate.

Bhatti ominously told a British newspaper in January that extremists had threatened him, but he was ready to die, “I follow the cross, and I am ready to die for a cause, I am living for my community and suffering people, and I will die to defend their rights,” he said. In an interview with the Pakistan Christian Post, Bhatti stated, “I received a call from the Taliban commander, and he said, ‘If you will bring any changes in the blasphemy law and speak on this issue, then you will be killed.’”

Controversy over the blasphemy law has been stirred since Asia Bibi, 45, an illiterate farm worker, and the only Christian woman in her village, was sentenced to hang. She was accused of the blasphemy crime after defending her religious beliefs when several women in her majority-Muslim village questioned her faith. In a brief interview from jail Bibi stated, ”In the village they tried to put a noose around my neck, so that they could kill me”. She now also has a price on her head, as a radical cleric has promised 500,000 Pakistani rupees ($5,800) to anyone prepared to “finish her”.

Bhatti didn’t shy away from taking a public stand in support of Bibi and against this draconian law, and for this he has now paid the ultimate price, but he is not alone. Earlier this year Salman Taseer, the Muslim governor of the state of Punjab, was assassinated by Islamic militants, who openly stated that they were acting to avenge the governor’s opposition to the blasphemy law. Taseer and Bhatti stand in contrast to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, the former president, who was assassinated in 2007. Zardari has refused to reform the blasphemy law or to pardon Bibi.

Can we do anything? Contact the Pakistani embassies in the United States and Canada and mention your concern about Asia Bibi’s death sentence, blog and write letters to newspapers and engage Muslim friends to do likewise. Remember most Muslims find extremism as abhorrent as Christians do.

Meanwhile World Impact Ministries postponed our Gospel Campaign, which was scheduled for later this month. Why plan a Gospel program in Pakistan in the first place? For one, I don’t think Jesus belongs to any one religion, He is for the world. Though our views on Christ differ, Islam and Christianity are the only major world religions that hold Jesus in a supreme position. According to Islam’s holy book, the Quaran, Jesus was born of a virgin, and is coming back to judge the world; he is a healer, the Messiah and the only sinless prophet. That’s still a long way from the Christian faith that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, but it’s a start. Muslims and Christians should be able to dialogue. Why not start with your Muslim neighbor.

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“Who is a Christian?”, or “What is a Christian?”, or maybe more accurately, “Who decides?”

At the recent National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., President Obama said, “Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior”, a statement that would normally be received with great joy in the evangelical community, but not necessarily so this time. While 18% of the U.S. population believes that Obama is a Muslim, that figure goes to 40% among Tea-party focus groups, top heavy with “born-again” Christians.

So, who really is a Christian?

Is the alcoholic, who feels unworthy to attend church, while maintaining personal faith in Christ, a Christian? What about the Christ-trusting church member, who slanders and condemns the alcoholic? Consider the pedophile priest, who now in his dying years is calling on God for mercy, and what about his victims, some of them, filled with anger and hatred towards the religious system that failed them and stole their innocence, and yet those victims still trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Look at the woman, now in her late forties, harboring resentment against organized religion, because as a pregnant teenager the church rejected her and her boyfriend. She prays every night, but says, “Church is not for me”. Then what about the church deacon, who behind the scenes, orchestrated the rejection of the pregnant teenager, because that was the “right” and “Christian” thing to do, those young people should be held “accountable”. Consider serial killer Ted Bundy, who before his execution gave a glowing testimony of Christ’s transforming power in his life. In all of these scenarios; who is or isn’t a Christian?

Many of the same people that think Obama is a Muslim, seem sure that President Bush was a Christian, but what about President Carter, who professed, “I am born-again”; does he qualify? Most Christians would say “yes”, while other think Carter just wasn’t conservative enough. At least in the United States, you are allowed to talk about faith and politics, while in Canada we sweep the matter under the rug, burying our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich. For a leader of a national political party to admit to be “born-again” might result in a loss in the next election. Is our “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach the Christian way?

A few years ago after this newspaper reported that I had spoken to the Friday congregation of a local St Catharines mosque; I received numerous letters from Christians, who thought I had done something very “unchristian”. After a public debate with a renowned atheist from Wisconsin, a man describing himself as an agnostic, and with one of his children being a homosexual, thanked me for the way I had answered questions regarding homosexuality by emphasizing that we are all sinners, who need Christ’s transforming love. Our conversation was suddenly interrupted by a “devout” Christian; “Peter, you really handled this debate in a great way, but your response about homosexuals was wrong”. I will spare the reader from a direct quote of the words the man thought I should have used. Later on I discovered that this devout anti-gay, anti-abortion Christian, had coerced his teenage daughter to have an abortion. The obvious question is; can a hypocrite be a Christian? 

Maybe we first need to look at another question; “What is sin?” Jesus worst critics, the Pharisees and many today, describe sin as breaking the rules, a list of dos and don’ts, while Jesus defined it as a broken relationship. If the Pharisees had the right idea, a good Christian is someone, who is able to keep the rules prescribed by his or her religion. If Jesus is correct, a Christian is someone, whose relationship with God is restored.

In the famous story of the prodigal son, the only one interested in the list of broken rules was the “older brother”; the father didn’t want to hear about it, his sole interest was a restored relationship with his son. Therein lies the answer. The only way anyone of us can do what is right and live a Christian life is in the safety of a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father.

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One of the great success stories in publishing in recent years is the novel, The Shack, by Canadian author, William P. Young. Originally Young wrote the manuscript as a gift for his six children. Several friends read it and encouraged Young to get his book published, but no religious or secular publisher showed any interest. Young and an associate launched Wind Blown Media to publish this one book, and the marketing plan was simple; a $300 website and high hopes for word-of-mouth recommendations. The hopes were realized beyond expectation, as The Shack achieved number one Best Seller success in less than a year, with one million copies sold. It remained the number one paperback in spiritual fiction on the New York Times Best Seller list from June 2008 to early 2010, with 10 million copies in print, and translations either completed or slated for 15 languages.

What was intended for a small circle of family members has become a spiritual message of hope and forgiveness to millions, and not surprisingly a bone of contention among theologians. “The shack is the house you build out of your own pain… a metaphor of the places you got stuck and got hurt”, the place “where shame or hurt is centered” explains Young. The central figure of the story is Mack, who takes his three children camping and after a tragic accident he notices his youngest daughter Missy is missing. Soon it is discovered she has been abducted and murdered by a serial killer. Her body is never found. The pain is unbearable. A great sadness ensues, and one day Mack receives a note, signed “Papa”, inviting him to a weekend at the shack.

Papa turns out to be Father God, depicted as an African American woman, while Jesus is shown as a Middle Eastern carpenter, and Sarayu, an Asian woman, is the physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit. A series of conversation ensue as Mack seeks to come to terms with the unthinkable tragedy. While millions found solace in the story, including in countries like Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, where The Shack became an instant phenomenon, it didn’t take long for controversy to ensue. The Shack was criticized for not being sufficiently doctrinally pure, by such evangelical luminaries as Chuck Colson and Southern Baptist Albert Mohler Jr.

Father God presented as an African American woman was simply too much for some.

So can God be described as a woman? According to the Bible, God is a Spirit being, beyond the distinction of male or female. The apostle Paul described God as a father, but also as a mother “that cherishes her young”. Long before Young, Jesus described our heavenly Father as a woman, when He said: “What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’” (Luke 15:8-9). 
The coin, probably the type that made up the strand of coins a Middle eastern woman carried as a necklace, depicts people, while the woman, who made such a fuss about the lost coin, is our heavenly Father, as Jesus indicates in the verse following. 

Can you see her? Lamp in one hand, broom in the other, bent over, searching, not giving up, until she finds that one lost coin. It is through the woman’s actions that we realize the immense value of the coin. That reminds me of God, who made a lot of fuss about each one of us by sending Jesus to show us victory over every human tragedy. Finally the coin is restored back in its intended place in the necklace. That’s the Gospel; God sees infinite value in each person, He seeks and restores us to the place of divine love we were intended to enjoy. 

Male? Female? Father? Mother? God is infinitely more than any of these words, and this God lovingly reaches for every person. No wonder the story of Mack, the shack and Papa has met such a response. Never mind the theologians.

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Last week Prince Edward Island’s Transportation Minister suggested that God had struck down the Leader of the Opposition, Olive Crane, after she introduced a bill to allow year around Sunday shopping. As a pastor I’m obviously against Sunday shopping. After all, if people didn’t have the option to go to the mall there might be a higher attendance in church. The alternative, of course, is to have such a meaningful Sunday service that people prefer church to the shopping center.

I’m not writing about Sunday shopping per se, but about the media’s inclination to report on events and statements where judgmental Christians present the Almighty as a petty, faultfinding, slap-people-in-face god. Olive Crane appeared on CBC’s Compass, where she argued for the passing of the Sunday shopping law. When she exited the show, she slipped on the set, injuring her ankle and wrist.

Transportation minister, Ron MacKinley, lost no time to bring God into the legislative debate. The minister sounded ever so religious, in that special “humble” way, “I’m not what you call a saint, but I believe in God, and I believe in doing the best I can. You were at CBC pushing Sunday shopping, were you not?” he asked Crane.

“Right after the interview, what happened?”

Crane’s acknowledgement of the injury she has sustained led to MacKinley’s remark that the accident could be that “the Lord works in mysterious ways, maybe you should start worrying what’s going on here? We are going all the time further and further away, whether it is prayers in the school, or whatever it is”. Ms. Crane told a Charlottetown newspaper, “When Mr. MacKinley made his comment, he was serious”, while Premier Robert Ghiz was hoping the whole thing was a “joke”.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I find it embarrassing that the God, who is love, is misrepresented as a micro-manager, operating from His heavenly grandstand, ready to punish anyone, who is not in line.

I wish Premier Ghiz would be right, that this is “a joke”. Sad to say, there are all too many, who have been brainwashed with the idea that God has a few favorite sins that He likes to really judge. Comments like that of the late Jerry Farwell, that September 11th , 2001 was God’s judgment over America, or Pat Robertson’s more recent remark that God punished Haiti with the earthquake that killed more than 200,000, are hardly helpful.

“Holy days” have been a topic a dissension and a cause for religious wars for centuries. Muslims worship on Friday, Jews on Saturday, and Christians, with a few exceptions, on Sunday. So which day is the holy day? If we bothered to read the New Testament we would discover that all days are holy. The whole Sabbath discussion is a mote point. The Sabbath day, celebrated by the Jewish people, was pointing forward to Christ’s coming, when the Sabbath rest would no longer be a particular day, but a person. Genesis tells us that God rested on the seventh day, because His work was done. Similarly we have peace and rest in Jesus Christ, because the work of making ourselves righteous, holy, and acceptable to God, has already been done. Jesus did it. He is our Sabbath.

The news reports from the PEI legislature generated discussion on major news sites, with comments like, “Bible thumpers should not be in positions of power”, or “Wow, God is worried about Sunday shopping in PEI – how quaint.”

The Good News of the Gospel seems to go unnoticed. Whatever our faults, pains, disappointments or regrets, we are invited into the embrace of the Heavenly Father, who receives even the worst offender with hugs and kisses. That warm embrace caused the prodigal son to recognize that he was accepted in spite of his utter failure. That divine embrace is equally available to Mr. MacKinley and Ms. Crane.

Which view of God will carry the day in the PEI legislature? Is it the grotesque, distorted view of God as someone who sprains ankles, breaks wrists and sends earthquakes, or the God, who loves, because He is love.     

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To find the answer, we first look at the question, “who is God”. Is the Almighty a cosmic police officer, focused on human failures, ever ready to catch us in wrongdoing, and nail us for our transgressions? Is God petty, scrutinizing, condescending and small-minded? 

The New Testament of the Bible amazingly tells us that God, not only has love; God is love. Love can never be confined to self, which makes the revelation of God as Trinity both necessary and remarkable; Father, Son and Holy Spirit in an eternal mutual love relationship. Love can only be love when it is expressed, and for eternity the Father has loved the Son, and the Son has loved the Father, while the Holy Spirit reflected that love. It is called the divine dance.

God made people to be included in this dance of love. That’s the purpose of life. Sin is not a list of “dos” and “don’ts”; it is missing life’s purpose, not being in the dance. Satan introduced our original parents to the twisted, grotesque idea of a God, who wanted to keep them down, so they wouldn’t become like God. The first humans fell for the temptation to divorce from the God, who is love. Instead of self-realization they experienced self-depreciation. They took matters in their own hands, shaped their own destiny, while separating from their life-source. Our detachment from the God, who loves us unconditionally, is the original sin.

There is nothing we can do in order for God to love us more, or to love us less, because divine love is not based on our performance. His love remains unchanged. The human struggle is rooted in our quest for self-realization and purpose outside of that love.  The things we call sins, from murder to gossip, are mere by-products of the real issue, our estrangement from the God of love. 

At a recent wedding I sat beside a self-professed atheist, the head of a psychiatric hospital. It didn’t take long for our conversation to turn to God, or at least the idea of God. She made a startling comment; “twenty-five years ago when I started my practice, patients had more religion-related psychiatric problems; people talked a lot more about sins, the Ten Commandments and God. As the influence of organized religion has waned, people have less sin-problems”.

I questioned, if it is not true that whatever we call it, we are dealing with the same underlying issues; shame, guilt, regret. “You are absolutely right”, she responded. We may say, “I have sinned”, or we may put in another way, “I’m haunted by the wrong I have done”. Regardless of how we package our failures, and what we call them, the underlying problem is universal. This is where Jesus comes in. What God did through Jesus is universally applicable. By the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus absorbed the totality of human failure, and on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice, God now invites all into the divine dance of love.

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Tomorrow is Sunday, and many congregants will hear the words stated in the headline. Some pastors use this greeting as they welcome people on the front steps of the church building, and some use it as an opener for the Sunday worship.

Christianity can trace its history to a Savior born in a stable, crucified on a hill just outside the city, and ascending to heaven from a mountain. For the first two hundred years apostles and preachers conducted their services in market places, on the streets, in caves, on ships, and in the homes of their converts. There was no building called “church”, or “the house of God”, such a thought was anathema to their understanding of the Good News they had received from Jesus.

What happened? How did these two words, church and building, become so intertwined that we automatically equate the two? For many being a Christian in good standing means a weekly visit to the building referred to as the church.

Now grant it, Canada’s climate doesn’t lend itself to year around worship in the outdoors. I’m filing this article from Singapore, and frankly the humidity and heat here makes me grateful for air-conditioned buildings. My point is not about buildings, but about the annoying habit of Christians, to call a building “the house of God”.

It is deeply engrained indeed! Many think they go to church to meet God, as if He hung around the building waiting for our weekly appearance. Some even dress up; you certainly want to look your best for the Almighty.

When Christianity started it was the only religion in the world that had no “sacred areas,” no “holy” buildings. Jesus and the apostles were surrounded by religions, Jewish and Greco-Roman, that all had their sacred territories; synagogues, temples, shrines and offering places. Yet, they saw no need for these. Theirs was a message for all, preached by untrained common people, in everyday places.

By the third century Christians had began conducting worship services in cemeteries, where a martyr or an especially committed believer was buried. Soon these burial places were considered sacred. Add another hundred years and now Christianity wanted the same respectability as other religions, and to have that, you needed buildings – “holy buildings” – the kind of places you approach with reverence, and once inside you speak only in a hushed tone. Once Helen, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine, returned from the “holy land”, the concept of church buildings took off. Splinters of the cross of Jesus, and bones of dead “holy people” were spread all over Europe, and each bone fragment and splinter needed a building, and it was holy in the minds of the people. Add another seventeen hundred years and today we find ourselves with many more layers of tradition.

Jesus and the apostles taught that God lives in people, not buildings; we are temples where God’s Spirit dwells. We don’t go anywhere to meet God. Why would we, since God lives in us? The meetings Christians have on Sundays are not people going to church; it is the church (the people) going to the building. The meeting place isn’t a sanctuary; it is an auditorium. We are the sanctuary. That puts a different spin to the expression “no coffee in the sanctuary”. I put at least one large cup in my sanctuary every morning. 

What’s the big deal? If we think a church is synonymous with a building we stifle our understanding. Whether Jesus talked to the devoutly religious Pharisees or to a five times divorced, now living common-law woman, his message was the same; something has to happen in you. God’s life is expressed in people, not in buildings. God is in people, not in real estate.

We call that Gospel, the Good News that God, through Jesus, has come to live in people. Imagine you can be the house of God.

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Florida pastor causes fury and embarrassment

By Peter Youngren

I knew Terry Jones 15 years ago. At the time, he was pastor of a large church in Germany; and for a couple of years, he invited me as the guest speaker for their summer convention. He was a pretty radical man back then.  I didn’t feel entirely comfortable, and when he invited me for a third time, I didn’t go. Still, I never expected Terry Jones to cause so much fury. This week, just about every news site in the world has reported on his “Burn the Koran” day, scheduled for September 11th. Jones claims to want to honor those who died nine years ago, and send a warning to radical Islam at the same time. 

According to an ABC report, Jones’ church in Gainesville, Florida, had about thirty worshippers last Sunday, but size is no deterrent, as even the president is paying attention.  White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said that the anti-Islamic protest could endanger the lives of American soldiers. His words were echoed by General David Petraeus, who stated that images of a burning Koran would incite violence around the world. Similar condemnations were issued by the US embassy in Kabul, the NATO Secretary General, and the US State Department, who went a step further, “This is inconsistent with American values. In fact, these actions themselves are un-American.” 

Hopefully, by the time you read this article Jones will have stepped back from his reckless behavior. General Petraeus stated that the Koran burning could potentially damage relations between the West and the Islamic world, much like the photographs showing the abuse of Muslim inmates at Abu Graib prison did four years ago.  My guess is that if anything could sway Jones, it would be a word from the military.
Jones appeals to his constitutional rights and certainly any citizen of a free country is able to buy a book and burn it, if he so desires. Constitutional rights aside, Jones currently carries a holster with a .40 caliber pistol—just in case.  His bank has demanded an immediate repayment of the $140,000 balance on the church’s mortgage; and the church’s property insurance has been cancelled. Jones certainly has painted himself in a corner by stating that he believes Jesus would have joined in the Koran-burning project. 

My concern is not Terry Jones. He is an extremist, and most people would not want to be associated with his inflammatory rhetoric. To me he is an embarrassment. Still, I suspect that he has more silent supporters than one might expect. Why are many of those who follow the Prince of Peace so quick to attack and condemn? It’s not just Christians fighting Muslims, but Christians fight other Christians, shoot their wounded, all the while, beating their breasts in self-righteousness.
 
Last night Grace TV aired “Confessions of a former Muslim-hater.” My guest described how he got caught up in a militant type of Christianity where one feels free to condemn and hate. There is no reason to belittle the grave differences between Islam and Christianity, but maybe we should also look at what we have in common. The Koran has much to say about Jesus; he was born of a virgin, he is the Word of God, the Messiah, and he will be held in honor in this world and the world hereafter. Astonishingly, the Koran also depicts Jesus as the only sinless prophet. Islam’s holy book refers to Jesus ninety-seven times, even more than the prophet Mohammed is mentioned. 
 
King Solomon wrote, “Any fool can start a quarrel.” Terry Jones is a good example. Just speak evil of others, and soon you’ll have a fight on your hand. Solomon continues, “A wise person makes friends.” Whether Jones goes ahead with his Koran burning day or not, make no mistake, his proposed action doesn’t represent Jesus. Two thousand years ago, Jesus exemplified the principle Solomon had articulated. Jesus befriended Jews, Samaritans and Romans equally.  Maybe it’s time for Muslims, Christians and Terry Jones to take another look at Jesus. 

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Best known for her gothic novels, most notably, “Interview with a Vampire”, Anne Rice renewed her childhood allegiance to Christianity ten years ago.  Her memoir, “Called out of Darkness; A Spiritual Confession”, released in 2008, was touted as a testimony of her return to the faith.  A couple of weeks ago Ms. Rice wrote on Facebook, “In the name of Christ I refuse to be anti-gay.  I refuse to be anti-feminist.  I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control…In the name of Christ I quit Christianity and being a Christian, Amen.”

News reports by journalists, who contacted Ms. Rice, claim she was troubled by child abuse scandals and the lack of serious reaction in the church.  Rice had also been at odds with evangelical Christians, who initially rejoiced at her conversion back to the faith. Ms. Rice is a Democrat, who supported the recent U.S. health care legislation, and this didn’t sit well with American born-again Christians, who often are staunchly Republican and anti-Obama. 
You may have noticed the question mark in my headline. What right do I have to question anyone quitting the faith?  One must assume by the logic in Ms. Rice’s statement that to qualify as a full-fledged member of the religion of Christianity one must be anti-feminist, anti-gay, and anti-artificial birth control. Still she appeals to Christ in her quitting of Christianity, leaving the subtle notion that maybe even Christ is at odds with the religion that bears His name.

I have no idea if Ms. Rice had an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, or if her conversion a few years ago was a nostalgic return to a set of traditions. I do know that Jesus said, “whoever will, let him come to me and drink of the waters of life freely”.  Jesus never suggested a required set of social convictions as a pre-requisite to be received by God.  I hear the counter argument, “Yes God accepts us as we are, but he doesn’t leave us as we are”.  Not so fast, we are talking about, “What is a Christian?” not the convictions that may result from a life in relationship with Christ.  Anne Rice suggests that to qualify as “Christians” we must first be against certain people. I don’t recall Jesus or the apostle Paul ever hinting at such a notion. The Holy Book does say that anyone, who merely calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Where did Ms Rice get the idea that to be a Christian is to be the morality police, catching the offender, and then acting as both judge and jury, condemning those we disagree with? I assume “Christians” tried to disciple Ms Rice into this mistaken assumption.

My ethnicity is Swedish. When did I become a Swede? Once I knew the Swedish language? Swedish traditions?  Of course not, I was a Swedish citizen the moment I was born. What makes someone a Christian?  Simply put, being born of God, having God’s life inside of us.  That’s it; that’s all.

Anne Rice continues: “It’s simply impossible for me to belong to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.  I’ve failed. I’m an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.” She has a point.
If you feel like Ms Rice, I suggest you leave the word ‘Christianity’ behind.  There is no record of Jesus or His apostles ever using that expression. I spend considerable time with Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and yes even Christians, and the less focus we have on the “religion” the better. When Jesus is presented as the savior of the world that He is, the attraction is universal.

I’m not Anne Rice’s judge.  I don’t know whether her conversion to Christianity ten years ago was a return to childhood roots, or if she did connect with Jesus himself.  If the latter happened, he promised to never leave or forsake her.  If not, I have high hopes that Ms. Rice will discover him, who never talked about Christianity. Maybe she already has.

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They had questions about our Gospel Festivals, and the motive behind what we do. Lots of opportunity to talk about Jesus. Then the police surprised me. They laid aside their notebook, where they had recorded my answers, which they said will be reported to both the President and parliament. For the next 10 minutes, they gave eight suggestions for cities that would be great for a Gospel Festival, saying, “Indonesians really welcome your work”. Now it was Marius Nikolajsen’s (our Campaign manager) turn to take notes.

This was like a Macedonian call, “come over and help us”. It is a reminder that people are hungry for Jesus. 

I’m committed; with the help of our partners we will continue to take the Gospel to everyone in the world’s largest Muslim nation. Thank You! Let me hear from you! -Peter

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It was like a heavy weight had rolled off of the shoulders of Buddhists, Christians and Muslims alike; our sins are forgiven, and it happened 2000 years ago at the cross. The people danced, sang, smiled, interrupted by a steady stream of testimonies of healing. They just didn’t want to stop.

Of course the lead up had been a preaching clearly outlining the opportunity for every person to receive the new life provided by Jesus’ resurrection. The people got it, and Jesus came to live in them by His spirit. Like in Samaria long ago, there was joy in Sinkawang, Indonesia. Thousands were waving their newly acquired “Salvation books” paid for by our partners. Faces were beaming. No more uncertainty whether we are accepted by God or not. Jesus’ death and resurrection are enough. Our debt obligation to God has been paid. All is well.

I will blog with a few testimonies tomorrow, but here is just one. Yesterday our tv team visited one lady severely crippled by arthritis. Two days ago she was on the platform testifying of healing, and now our Grace TV team wanted to follow up and see how the lady was doing. Well, they got more of the story. Being a conscientious housewife she had not been able to do any housework, except that she would sit in her chair by the sink, washing the dishes, then toss the dried dishes to a couch across the room. Then with much effort, she’d wheel herself across the room and put the dishes away in low cupboards. When our team visited she had been up all morning cleaning house for the first time in years. “Thanks to Jesus I can do housework again”, she said beaming from ear to ear. Every story is unique, but the joy is the same. It is a sure sign that Jesus is involved. Let me hear from you.

-Peter

> View Photo Diary

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Tonight our theme was “The blind can see again”. I love this service. I openly tell the people that I ask God for three things: that blind will see, that many other sickness will be healed, and most of all that spiritual blindness will fall from people’s inward eyes and they will see Jesus.

This last part is so crucial. You see here in Sinkawang there are only a few believers, most are muslims, buddhist and confucianist. The buddhist are unusually strong because of the large Chinese population.

You can see why I say that the removal of spiritual blindness is of utmost importance. The Holy Spirit has to reveal Jesus to the people. My words are not enough. Each person must have an individual meeting the Living Savior.

Well, it happened again tonite, just as we asked God. Many blind were healed. Lots of joy and assurance of salvation. See the enclosed photos.

Thanks for your participation. We do this together. More tomorrow.  -Peter

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What is God’s love? Many think of it as a big strong rope, a lifeline that God dropped down from heaven, and now we have the privilege of trying to climb it. In other words, God sent Jesus because of His love, and now that He has done His part, the rest is up to us. God has thrown us a rope and now we need to climb ever closer to Him.  There are many Christian books that tell you how to climb faster, higher, and with greater success.  Many study such books, underline them and then get on with the task of holding on to the rope and clawing ourselves upward to God.

That’s when the trouble starts. By the time you’ve climbed about a tenth of the way up, you realize, “I’m exhausted, I’ll never get to the top”, so you start going down. As you descend you notice there are others passing you on the same rope; they’re on their way up, you’re on your way down. As you descend they ask, “Can we pray for you?”, or they may offer, “Have you read the latest book, ‘Seven Keys to Reach God’?” Finally you get to the bottom and after a time of rest, you try another religious climb. This time, some of the folks you met on your way down, you now meet again, only this time they are descending. This is how many live; up and down, down and up, in a never-ending effort to get to God.

People deal with themselves and their problems trying to shape themselves into persons more acceptable to God. The problem is that if we successfully remake ourselves, then the remade version isn’t any better than the old, at least not from God’s point of view. The new you that you have created may know a little bit more about how to win friends, how to be a leader and how to think positively, but inwardly you remain the same.
Yes, many think that the message of grace from God is a rope you have to pull yourself up by, that Jesus is a rope of hope for lost humanity, and now you have to do your best to climb.

If you have been caught in this dilemma, I have good news for you. The christian life is grace from start to finish. It is 100% God’s unmerited favor to you. God initiated it, God made is possible, and God is at work in you to complete it. Only God in us is able to live the life we are supposed to live. God has not met 50% of our need by grace, and then it’s up to us to make up the other 50% by efforts, discipline and good works. One popular song says “I take one step and God takes two”. That puts the ratio of God’s effort at about double ours, but still we are good for about one third of the requirements. This is an awful trap. It takes the joy out of life. To think that “God saved me and forgave me, but now the rest is up to me”, makes for a very disappointing life. Have you tried to be perfect and holy? Good luck! Those virtues are only obtained by someone else living through you; Jesus, the holy one.

What role do we play? Only one; to be willing. God doesn’t cause anything to happen in us that we don’t want to happen. God never overrules or violates your will. Instead, He loves you, embraces your will and draws it to Himself. He never overrides it. For some that is a terrible blow to their ego. To think that the only part we play in God’s plan is willingness. There is no rope to climb, no effort that we can take credit for. Instead there is a new life that can be received by anyone who is willing. Paul, who had been full of murder, hatred and religious bigotry, received that life and wrote, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
-Peter

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Can 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.

Here is an amazing fact. The theory I just stated has virtually no supporting evidence. It is fiction.

Paul’s letters authored fifteen to twenty-five years after Jesus’ death, reference his miracles, crucifixion and resurrection. The four Gospels could have been written right after the death of Jesus, and virtually all scholars agree that they were recorded within 40 years after Jesus’ death. Simply put, the biblical accounts of Jesus were circulating within the lifetime of many of those who had been present in his ministry.

Luke claims that he got his account of Jesus from eyewitnesses who were still alive. Mark recounts that the man who helped Jesus carry his cross was “the father of Alexander and Rufus”. The only reason for such references is that the early readers of the Gospels would have known eyewitness, or who Alexander and Rufus were.

Paul recommends his readers to check with living eyewitnesses about the events of Jesus’ life, particularly his resurrection. He references 500 eyewitnesses. It would be counterproductive to make such statements unless there were eyewitnesses alive who could confirm the author’s words.

When Luke wrote the Book of Acts, he references the public awareness of the events he’s describing, stating, “these things were not done in a corner”. Contrast this with the Gospels of Thomas or Judas, who all scholars agree, were written much later. In 160 AD, church father Irenaeus references the four Gospels, the same four we have today.

Some claim that early church leaders added to the Gospels to promote their own policies, and consolidate their power in order to build a religious movement.  This is simply without evidence. One of the great controversies of the early church was whether Christians should be circumcised or not. If the Gospels were modified, why didn’t somebody add a few verses where Jesus made comments about circumcision? The evidence is that the early church did not dare fabricate or put words into Jesus’ mouth.

If the Gospels were self-serving documents for power-hungry religious leaders, why would anyone make up an account of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, asking to be released from his mission? Why suggest that Jesus, on the cross, was so desperate that he felt like God had abandoned him? Wouldn’t that weaken the case for the divinity of Jesus? Why invent a story that the first witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection were women, especially since under Roman law a woman’s testimony was not admissible in court? Wouldn’t it have made better sense to invent a story that authoritative political and religious figures were witnesses to Christ’s resurrection? Why would the Scriptures include the terrible failure of the most prominent leaders, like Simon Peter who denied Jesus?

The witness of Jesus’ contemporaries is clear. Jesus was God in human flesh, removed the world’s sin by the sacrifice of himself, and he is alive today. Check him out!

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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 . Sure enough, now invitations are coming from different cities in the country. Of course, this puts pressure on our financial situation; will we be able to handle this new season of harvest in India?

Whenever I feel pressure, I turn it over to HIM, who is capable of handling pressure, Jesus Christ himself. Let me enumerate some of the best memories from the campaign we just concluded.

Already at the press conference, the eagerness and the openness was evident, with 30 journalists questioning me about the gospel and about how Jesus applies to all people. Our approach of friendship and respect towards all people, regardless of religion, was well received. Again, at our Friendship Dinner with representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jain and Bahai religions, I presented the Gospel in an attitude of friendship and respect, and our approach met with a great response. There is no need to hit people hard or condemn them. If we just lift up Jesus Christ and what he has done for the world, the results will speak for themselves.

The pastors’ seminars met with a great openness and yet I was struck with how religious legalism has barricaded Christians behind a wall of tradition, causing an inability to reach out to society at large. I guess the same could be said for just about any country in the world. This is why the Pastors seminars are so important; to tear that wall of tradition down.

God’s faithfulness really stands out to me; in spite of weariness from long travel and little time to recuperate, God faithfully confirmed His gospel. Night after night the platform was full of people testifying of healings. Sickness can really make people lose hope, or even the sense of not wanting to live. It was beautiful to see how people with those kind of sentiments due to paralysis or blindness not only received physical healing, but their whole being was re-energized because of what Jesus did.

The announcement that our sins have been put away by Jesus’ sacrifice meets the same response everywhere on the earth. People instinctively know that they are sinners. I have deep respect for the millions of hindus that immerse themselves in the River Ganges for the forgiveness of sins. They are certainly doing their level best to find cleansing from sin. What a privilege to announce that Jesus has once for all dealt with our sins.
Partner, thank you for your support. We need your help more than ever. Send me your thoughts. –Peter Youngren.

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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.

“Dr Youngren preached his reliance on Jesus. Not reliance on self or religion.” The Orissa newspaper accurately caught the essence of Peter’s message - it is all about Jesus. Religion is not the answer. Peter is not a healing guru. No, Jesus is Lord!

“Jesus is with you and is alive among you”, the paper quotes Peter. This same sentiment was later echoed by those testifying of healing.

Each day myself and Lionel Daniel went with an interpreter and visited some of the homes of those healed the night before. One staunch Hindu man, whose daughter had been deaf and dumb since birth, but now healed, told me that he and his daughter had received New Life through Jesus last night. He went on to explain that Hindu teachers had told him his daughter was deaf due to sins in previous reincarnated lives. He refused to accept that reality, and sought a better life for his 24 year old daughter. He traveled 400 plus km to come to the Festival. (He heard of the Festival through newspaper advertisements partners around the globe helped pay to print - thank you.) As he shared what Jesus had done, healing his daughters ears, he broke down in tears of joy.

Sukesini, an elderly lady whose eyes had been blind for the last 3 years, told me she just wanted to die because of her hopeless situation. Her husband had died years before and she now lives with her daughter and children. Her daughter, sobbing tears of joy, told me it had been such a burden on the family taking care of their blind mother. Once when they left Sukesini alone she ate bugs by accident. Last night her grand daughter led her by the hand to the Festival. After the healing prayer she took her hand off her eyes and the first thing she saw was Pastor Peter’s striped shirt he was wearing.

This morning we visited Mr. Raghunath, a former government official, and a born Hindu. Mr. Raghunath explained how he had spent half his monthly pension on medical bills since 2003. He had damaged both his legs 7 years ago, and never recovered. He recounted how Jesus had healed his legs last night. He invited us into the back room of his house. There a floor to ceiling shrine housed more statues and pictures of gods than I could count. He showed me a small bed where they put the gods to sleep. His wife showed me an entire fridge full of summer and winter cloths she had made for the gods to wear. She would bath and change their cloths every morning. Such devotion and dedication. True to John 3:15-17, Jesus came to save all humanity, body, soul and spirit, including Mr Raghunath. As I exited Mr Raghunath’s home, I spotted a World Impact Ministries follow up salvation booklet on their table. This is exactly what partner’s donations do. They print follow up material and the Gospel is taken directly into the homes of the unreached - thank you.

Each night a thunderous roar emits from the tightly packed crowd on the open field in Bhubaneshwar as Pastor Peter leads the crowd in the salvation prayer. A sea of hands are raised to heaven in a majestic response to God’s love revealed through Jesus for all people, regardless of cast or religion.

Tonight we enter the final night of the 5 day Gospel Festival. Government officials will be in attendance, and the field will be packed. Anticipation and excitement in the air as Pastor Peter presents Jesus to the people.

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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.

Well the result has been wonderful. Yesterday representatives from Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Bahai and Buddhism officially welcomed me to the city. This is very important, so that people of all religions will feel free to attend or Gospel Festival.

Hinduism is the largest religion, and this shows in the nightly meetings, as most of the healing testimonies come from Hindus. Today the very first testimony was from a 10 year old boy, born blind. He and his mother gave praise to Jesus. The people reacted with great joy, as the boy now could see very clearly.

Newspapers are writing very favorably. The best moment each night is when many thousands pray to receive Jesus Christ. This is truly Orissa’s time for harvest.

Hanapari Sing is an other heart-gripping story. She has been paralyzed and has received 5 dollars per month disability support from the government. Her family is very poor with an annual salary of $200. Living 400 km from the capital, they managed to borrow the $80 needed to get a car to drive Hanapari to the Gospel Festival. Last night she was healed, and today our TV team visited her. Everyone was in tears, seeing the wonder of God that had healed this hopeless girl. Please, keep on praying, and thank you for your giving.

- Peter

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Most of the meetings were held in auditoriums, in conference centers and theatres; the only exceptions being Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary and the final rally in Toronto, which were in churches. It was a special joy to close out this campaign in the church where I’m the founding senior pastor, Toronto International Celebration Church.

Thank you for every one of you who have become partners in Grace TV and have given and prayed for this ministry. I’ll blog more about that later. For now, I’m happy to report that in every city we saw record attendances and many received Christ. This tour has reinforced a deeply held conviction; you cannot look for results, just reveal Jesus. When people see Jesus in His brilliance, the results are automatic. Let me know your thoughts.

- Peter

Take a look at some photos from the tour here.

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The Easter season has reminded us again that religion deals with ridding the soul of sin, guilt, remorse and shame. There are hundreds, if not thousands of recommended ways to get the job done. In the early fourth century, empress Helena, later St. Helena, believed she had discovered the staircase that led to the guardroom in Jerusalem where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate. Helena was the mother of emperor Constantine the 1st, who adopted Christianity as the religion of Rome, though, to this day, no one knows for sure whether his conversion was a political convenience or a heart-felt conviction. Helena saw to it that the Sancta Scala, the Holy Stairs, were transported to Rome.

Those Holy Stairs were given their present location in Rome by Pope Sixtus the 5th in 1589. To this day millions of worshipers believe that the twenty-eight white marble steps are sacred, as Jesus’ blood would have fallen on them as he walked to his trial. By climbing the stairs on their knees in an attitude of repentance, devotees believe they can gain forgiveness of sins, even as they glean inspiration from decorations and frescoes painted by eminent renaissance artists along the walls and ceiling that enclose the sacred steps. Reportedly, after Martin Luther, the 16th century German reformer, had climbed the stairs, he complained of having no sense of relief from the burden of sins that plagued his conscience.  I’ve found no records as to the testimony of modern day climbers and the measure of relief they may or may not feel.

A sense of guilt towards God seems universal. Pilgrimages, climbing holy stairs, confessions, bowing, meditation and prayer recitals all hold the promise of relief. Somehow this debt has to be paid and the sense of indebtedness to a deity is by no means limited to Christianity. Annually millions of Hindu devotees immerse themselves into the river Ganges, hoping that its holy waters will cleanse their sin. Protestants and evangelicals have their own ways of dealing with sin; repeat prayers, join a church, occasional fasting or other spiritual disciplines. Regardless of religion, the hope is that our sacred actions will convince a holy God to forgive our sins. As a child I regularly traveled through southern Europe on holidays with my parents. My young impressionable mind was affected by a shrine located on a hill, and pilgrimers climbing the stone steps on their bare knees in quest of atonement.

The gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, stands in stark contrast to religious activities. Jesus has “once for all” dealt with sin. He took away the world’s sins—remitted them. The Amplified Bible puts it this way, “It was God, personally present, in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against people their trespasses, but canceling them, and committing to us the message of reconciliation, of the restoration to favor”, (2 Cor. 5:19).

The Easter season is just behind us, and again the symbols of sin and death dominated; the reenactment of the Via Dolorosa, crucifixes and depictions of a suffering Savior appeal to human empathy and need. Why is it that the symbols of death vastly outnumbered those of resurrection and life? The gospel doesn’t end with a suffering Savior on the cross, but with the one who absorbed human sin and guilt, rising to endless life. Maybe the best symbol for the gospel is not a crucifix, but an empty tomb, or an empty cross. Easter, with its Holy Week, fasting and special acts of devotion is over, but the one who dealt with sin once for all is alive. What neither the Sancta Scala nor any other acts of penance can do, Jesus already did; He put away sins and conquered death. Now that will take you to next Easter and beyond.

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During a time of prayer last fall, the Lord impressed on me to fly to the Shaw Corporate Headquarters in Calgary and talk to some of the corporate leaders within the Shaw organization. Well, to make a long story short as of March 15th, we are available in virtually every household across the west. In total, we reach more than 50% of Canadian households, and people from more than 170 nations have tuned in to the streaming of Grace TV.

We have seven more rallies to go. Pray with me that we’ll continue to see a great response for salvation, as we travel from St. John’s Newfoundland to Toronto. Pray for strength for Jessy Dixon!

One of the great memories from the tour is the testimonies of people whose lives have been changed. Each night before the service, Steve McLaughlin would ask people who have been healed, saved or received a particular answer to prayer through our previous visits or through Grace TV to record their testimony. From salvation to healing of cancer, it’s really rewarding to read the testimonies of lasting change and lasting miracles of healing in people’s lives. I’d love to hear from you how the Lord has touched your life. I conclude with best of all; 638 people responded to salvation during the first eight rallies. Yes, Canadians want Jesus.

-Peter

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I disagree. While almost all religions have a version of the so called “golden rule”, Jesus is uniquely different. The golden rule is sometimes called “the ethics of reciprocity”, and you’ll find it in the Bahai faith, Confucianism, ancient Egyptian religion, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, native American spirituality even ancient Roman religion. From Zoroastrianism to Taoism, from Sikhism to Shintoism, yes, my friend had a point; all religion contains some version of the golden rule, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that’s a whole other matter. 

The Gospel proposes it is humanly impossible to live up to the golden rule – no one can consistently and from the heart do unto others as they would want to be done to themselves. Jesus spoke the golden rule, but He did it in the context of a sermon for self-righteous religious leaders, who thought they were able to live up to God’s holy and righteous standard. Anyone scrutinizing the golden rule will recognize that we fall short, it is humanly impossible to attain. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about a doomed human effort to live up to the golden rule. Rather it is the Good News that one person has been able to keep the golden rule and live up to its demand, Jesus Himself. He fulfilled the requirements of his own admonition and having done so, He absorbed the failures and sins of those (the rest of us), who are not able to live up to the golden rule.

Every religion can be boiled down to the golden rule except the Gospel. Religion is man’s attempt to bridge the chasm between God and man. While man is the highest of God’s creation, God, who is eternal, is in a separate category from His creation. Many make attempts to bridge that gap from the created to the Creator, but the only way that bridge can be built is in the opposite direction. That’s the Gospel message – the bridge from the Creator to His creation has been built, God did it without human help for our benefit.

What about the golden rule? It is certainly an ideal statement. If we could live up to its requirements it would be wonderful. Have you tried? Do you like to be slandered, lied about, or be the object of gossip? Of course not. Let’s turn that around. Have we ever gossiped, slandered or lied about another person? Have we ever attempted to make ourselves look better at someone else’s expense? Of course we have. The problem with the golden rule is the mere statement of the rule, or the noble intention to follow the rule, does not have within itself the power to make one actually do it. The Gospel promises an inward miracle; when we believe in Christ, His life comes into us. It is only by drawing on that inner spiritual life that we will have any success in living righteous. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live I live by the faith of the Son of God.” Living by a rule is difficult; living by who you are on the inside, now that’s possible.

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That criticism has also been pointed closer to home, within the ranks of our “Christian” community. How about the fact that we kill our own? No, maybe not physically, but in every other way. When a believer sins, or God forbid a minister, they are publicly humiliated in the name of Christianity. Often the hands of those who do this sacred spiritual exercise are more soiled than the hands of those they are “purifying” to ease their self righteous piety.

Giving any amount of thought to these troublesome, yet true realities, causes ones mind to trend towards unbelief. The facts are real. This goes on every day. So what is the point of religion? Is God a fairy tale as those looking in would have us believe? How does one explain these two very disturbing realities? Is this the kind of God one would want to serve, let alone give their life to?

While pondering this very query, it suddenly dawned on me. Satan has been defeated. I think we can all agree on that, at least in principle from what we read in the Bible. Ok, and the only weapon he has left is deception. Are we together so far? Also, we can all agree that Satan is not more powerful or creative than God, right?

We see that Satan is merely a shadow of what God is. He does not create, he imitates. What God does for good, the devil does for evil. Jesus brings life, the devil death. Jesus heals, Satan destroys. The list could go on.

May I ask what the greatest gift to mankind from God is? Isn’t it forgiveness of sin, new life, and subsequent personal fellowship with Him through the Holy Spirit? I know that is the one thread that makes it next to impossible to ever reject my faith in Jesus. There is no greater fellowship and love than that of the Father through the Holy Spirit. It is so sweet, so kind, so accepting, so loving, so motivating; should I go on?

Doesn’t it make sense that the greatest gift, forgiveness of sin, new life and fellowship with the Father, would be perverted by the devil into perhaps the greatest evil known to mankind, RELIGION… THE GREATEST PERVERSION.

David described one day in right standing and fellowship with the Father as a far better experience than 1,000 days in the courts of a king. What God intended to be sweeter than life itself, Satan has perverted through deception into perhaps the most destructive force on earth.

Sadly, many non-believers site religion as the very reason why they want nothing to do with God. So much hurt, death and rejection has been caused in the name of religion. I have experienced this both personally and seen it in so many others. I know a wonderfully kind lady who made a bad decision as a young girl. She was so belittled and derided by the church for her wrong choice. She has since hardened her heart to God. As an adult, she fortifies her claims of God’s uselessness by citing further examples of friends and ministers she knows who were also mercilessly thrown to the curb as useless garbage.

I cannot believe religion or it’s adherents represent God. Not from my own personal experience with God, and not from reading the pages of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus was nothing like religion. He was a friend of sinners, and told the least likely, a prostitute, “I do not condemn you, go and sin no more.” Those are not the words of a murderer; not in word or in action.

Perhaps you have given this subject some thought?

-Nathan Thurber

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Experience is based on our five senses; we see, hear, smell, taste and feel. Empiricism, however, is insufficient, because it is limited, and in fact little of what we know comes by personal experience. You know that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, but likely not by experience. You may have seen a picture of Mt. Everest or watched documentaries about mountain climbing expeditions, but that doesn’t qualify as a personal experience. I flew over it once and the pilot asked us to look out the window, claiming we could see Mount Everest. I took his word for it. Sometimes our senses deceive us. When a straight stick extends under water it looks bent at the surface, but it isn’t. Empiricism without other sources is not enough.

Descartes used reason when he stated, “I think, therefore I am”. Our capacity to think proves our existence. Reason certainly gives us truth about many things, such as 5 + 5 = 10. Yet reason is also limited because some things seem logical, but turn out to not to be true.

What about authority? Is there a credible authority that deserves our trust? Life wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t trust authority. Think of our banking or postal systems, all run on our trust in an authoritative system. Yet, our experience must also confirm the claims of those systems. All knowledge is a combination of experience, reason and authority.

Take riding an elevator for example. The authority, which is the company who services the elevator, claims that the elevator is safe. Your experiences may have also taught you that riding in the elevator is safe, yet reason tells you that something could go wrong because there’s a button that says “alarm”. Nevertheless, you go ahead, though you’re not 100 per cent sure that you will arrive safely. Now change the scenario. What if that elevator was shaking, or looked otherwise unsafe, suddenly you wouldn’t trust the affixed paper that states it was serviced properly, and you wouldn’t rely on the fact that you had been on an elevator a thousand times before and it worked every time. We all reach conclusions based on a combination of experience, reason and authority, and if either one of these is not in sync with the other, we reassess what we thought we knew.

Now back to our original questions. What about Jesus? Let’s use the same criteria. I claim to have good reason to believe that God was in Christ, absorbing the world’s sins, bringing about a cure for the human condition through His death and resurrection. It makes sense that a loving Creator would have foreknowledge that His creatures would mess up, and that the divine would need to enter into His creation with a corrective love plan. Add to this the authority of those who were eyewitnesses of Christ’s work and resurrection. They were so convinced of the reality, not only of the Galilean Jesus, but also of the cosmic Christ who is alive forever, that they were willing to give their lives for the proclamation of this message. On top of that, I have experience, not only my own, but also the testimonies of millions of people, who would rather give their lives than deny the reality of Jesus Christ.

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Our campaign is in full swing, and every day has been filled from morning until evening. First we held a press conference to get word out through the media. I particularly stressed that we have peaceful intentions towards the large muslim population. My mission is to reveal Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and now the Living Savior. Beyond this I don’t discuss religions - Jesus is our message.

Later on the first day we held a dinner meeting with many of the pastors, politicians and sheiks (muslim priests) present. The chief of sheiks was also present. Tanzania is about half and half, muslim and Christian. It is a country at a crossroad of religious influences. Here in the capital, Dar es Salaam, the muslims are in majority. I preached to the guests about Jesus as the Lamb of God who has taken the world’s sins. Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation reported extensively on this event, as well as newspapers.

In my last blog, Nathan Thurber shared one of the many heart-gripping testimonies of God’s grace that we have seen, and in my next blog I will share some more. But let me highlight one other aspect, the Pastors’ seminar.

All across Africa, the Christian religion is full of legalism, especially among pentecostals. The preaching commonly heard is about our efforts, prayers, fasting, and consecrations to defeat the devil, bring revival, and save the nation. Christians are engaged in an endless battle with the devil. Mary Felde, who is the Director of WIM’s Bible college in Nairobi, and Pastor Mike Walker from Idaho shared with me in teaching the 1400 pastors who had registered. We all spoke as one united voice about the finished work of Jesus Christ, and how to walk in the truths of the New Covenant. Well, session by session, you could literally see how the heavy chains of self-effort religion were falling off. Joy, peace and rest in Jesus was restored. Pastors discovered that they are not called to enumerate the sins of Tanzania, but like Paul, Peter and Philip in the book of Acts they are to preach HIM, who has remitted the world’s sins.

The long-range effects of these seminars are amazing. On the last day, we enroll the pastors in the Global Grace News monthly teaching forum for ongoing training. Check it out at globalgracenews.org.

Thank you partners. You make it possible. More from Tanzania in a couple of days. -Peter

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Nathan: From 2002 to 2009, I was involved in Gospel Festival set up and preparation for World Impact Ministries (WIM). For the past year my role has changed with WIM’s purchase of Grace TV. However, I had the opportunity to return to a Gospel Festival in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, this week in the role of a journalist interviewing those whom are healed each day at the Festival. Along with Kyle Sweitzer, another member of our media team at Grace TV, we visit the homes of those who were healed the previous day.

Today we were privileged to visit the “home” of Franky, a young boy healed of paralysis yesterday at the Festival. Franky is an energetic 11 year old, who hadn’t walked for the past 2 years. For no apparent reason he developed a debilitating sickness that did not permit him to place his feet flat on the ground. Attempting to do so brought tremendous pain.

The paralysis was progressive, and as he lost control of his legs he became quite clumsy and would fall often, attracting mockery from school mates. Franky was forced to drop out of school and pass his time from day to day in his mom’s one room apartment where he would play with about 50 cola bottle caps. Why 50 caps? When you don’t have any money, bottle caps can be an imagination’s best friend. 

Franky, his mom and two other siblings live in one small room, about 20 feet by 10 feet. They share a common washroom somewhere in the complex they live. I never saw it. They have one couch, one chair and a small bed all jammed into this room. They store their toothbrushes hanging in the wire mess of the only window in their small room. When you have only one room for 4 people, you have to be creative. We conducted the interview just outside of the room as space did not allow everyone and our camera in the room. I didn’t mind. It was very hot in that small room.

I asked Franky’s mom what the medical reason for Franky’s paralysis was. She didn’t know. They didn’t have money for a proper medical diagnosis or treatment. Her husband left her and her children years before. She now makes some money making small cakes in a pan over coals at the side of the road. Trust me those small cakes do not bring in much money, but she was able to make/sell them just outside the complex they live, keeping her close to Franky. 

Yesterday, Franky was carried on his mother’s back from this small apartment to the Festival grounds. She had seen posters on the street advertising the Festival and healings.

That was where I first met Franky, walking hand in hand with his mother across the Festival platform to testify of his healing. Not even a limp was evident in his stride.

Today, that confident stride was on full display at their home. I asked Franky what he missed most the past two years being confined to the couch in their room. He replied, “swinging in the trees with his friends”. Makes sense for a young boy. His mom was enthused he would now be able to return to school, and have a future.

I asked Franky who had healed him, and with a boyish grin he replied, “Jesus”. His mom cut in to thank Pastor Peter for coming to Dar es Salaam. She said, “Please tell him to keep sharing the message of Jesus and His healing power everywhere”.
 
Of course, without prayers and support from partners, YOU, that is not possible. So from Franky and his mom in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania… THANK YOU!

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If you tuned in to the news this week you probably know that yesterday Elvis would have been 75 years old had he lived. I was never a devoted Elvis fan, though like most people I enjoyed his music from time to time. Whether a fan or not, no one can deny the impact Elvis continues to have on the American psyche.

A few years ago, while pastoring at Niagara Celebration Church, we did an illustrated sermon, “Crying in the Chapel”, telling some of Elvis’ story. To prepare myself, I read Elvis’ life story, “Down at the End of Lonely Street”, by Peter Harry Brown and Pat H. Broeske. Here are some facts about Elvis that may have been missed in this week’s commemorations.

He came from a Pentecostal background with several preachers in the family. Elvis’ mother Gladys, would sometimes take her son “church-hopping” to sample some of the different styles of music, “especially those of the holy-rolling Assembly of God”. One of the relatives recalls, “they had services in the morning as well as the evening, if you got home by midnight you did good.”

The American church environment has produced a lot of great musicians and singers. Many of today’s top stars have a similar story, also being raised in an environment where gospel music was a part of daily life.
Elvis definitely had a spiritual side. Actress Natalie Wood claimed that she never met anybody so serious about God and the Bible. Later, about the time Elvis joined the U.S. Army, when success had crowded out almost every other interest, Elvis reportedly said “I can have anything I want, but I’m not as near God as I used to be.”

Becky Martin, a childhood friend, who stayed in touch with Elvis throughout the 1970s, said he used to reiterate “Becky, just think what I could have done if I’d become a preacher, think of the good I could have done if I’d lived my life spreading the Word of the Lord.”

One of the reasons for Elvis’ fascination with the Bible, Jesus, as well as religions other than Christianity, was fears about his own mortality. He thought he wouldn’t live past forty-two, especially in view of the fact that his mother had died at an early age.
Well, most people know how the story ended. Elvis realized his life was out of control and became so depressed that he kept taking ever larger doses of pills to make himself feel better. By the time he died he had become grossly obese, and one of his close friends reports Elvis saying “I know I look fat now, but I’ll tell you this, I’m gonna look good in my casket.”

At the funeral, noted evangelist Rex Humbard claimed to have prayed with Elvis to receive Jesus and that Elvis was in heaven. A lot of Christians didn’t like Rex Humbard’s proclamation, and thought it awful that someone should think a man who died of a drug overdose would be in the presence of Jesus. I don’t make it my business to decide who goes to heaven and who doesn’t. God is the final judge. However, if Elvis Presley trusted in Jesus’ death and resurrection, I have no trouble believing that I will meet Elvis in heaven. Better a “druggie” trusting in Jesus, than a self-righteous, “holier than thou” church goer trusting in his own good deeds.

Elvis called his home “Graceland”. Grace means unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor of God through Jesus Christ. If the thief on the cross went to paradise with Jesus 2000 years ago, why not Elvis? More importantly, why not you? Jesus is available to all, who feel their own righteousness is insufficient. Maybe Elvis will be right there singing in the celestial choir.

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Our start was dismally small after the government had rumored the Gospel Festival was cancelled, and the muslim leaders had warned their people not to attend. Then night after night the crowd multiplied and thousands of muslims heard and received the Gospel. Pastor Oddleif Wahl from Norway shared in the Pastors Seminar. He has the same passion as our team - the Gospel.

Our goal is clear; further north to the most muslim areas in Nigeria. I met the the Emir (king) of Kaduna state earlier today to secure his support as we aim for the huge muslim city of Kano. From the Emir’s 600 year old palace we continued to a meeting with Governor Mohammed Nabadi Sambo, and again we were warmly received. I will be airing a special telecast on these visits in the new year. My purpose was to secure his support for our goal of reaching Kano. Governor Mohammed promised to brief the Governor of Kano on our ministry.

Let me give you a brief background on the city of Kano, one of Africa’s largest. 15 years ago Reinhard Bonnke tried to hold a crusade in Kano, but had to flee the city. Several hundred, muslims and Christians died in the riots that ensued. This effectively put an end to Gospel advancement in northern Nigeria. Nigeria is well known for awesome revivals with huge crowds, but almost all of these are in the southern half. No one has been more used by God than Brother Bonnke, and I admire him a lot. Yet the northern frontier remains to be taken for the Gospel. The campaign we just concluded was only one hour from Kano. Once we are
successful there, there are still further northern states that also must hear the Gospel.

Well so much for the big picture. Otherwise, we lived quite simple. I had no running water for three days, but there is nothing wrong with carrying buckets of waters, most of the world does. We had the same meal every day, spicy spaghetti with a scrawny piece of chicken.

Our Campaign team led by Marius Nikolaijsen, Ivan Schultz from Calgary and Kyle Sweitzer from Ohio narrowly escaped a robbery, as the road was blocked and men with faces masked with a grey-white clay attacked their
car. Somehow our driver was able to get away with the perpetrators only feet away.  God has given us wonderful Nigerian co-workers, whose hearts are on fire, none more valuable than Rev. Samuel Kuijiyat and Rev. Hayab. We are all committed to the same task - Jesus to everyone.

-Peter

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When I blogged two days ago I left you at the conclusion of the second evening service. As you recall we started with a very small attendance, 2-3000 only. The muslim authorities had spread the word that our Campaign was cancelled, and the leaders of the mosque had warned their people not to attend. By the second service the attendance had tripled. In each service, virtually 100% wanted to receive the new birth, provided by Jesus’ death and resurrection. The turning point that saved our Gospel Festival occurred one hour before the first service when I met with 31 imams, Islamic scholars and politicians. The agreed to the Festival, and we agreed to not have service on Friday, the muslim day or worship. It was felt our Gospel Campaign would disrupt and distract the meetings in the mosque.

By now we are in the fifth day, and the area is being shaken. Islam has been here for 1000 years, and no Gospel outreach like this has ever been held in the Ikara region. The attendance has multiplied several times again, and many outstanding healings are happening. No one, not the politicians, or the few Christians, expected a response like this. When I lead in the prayer of repentance and faith in Christ it sounds like a mighty thunder of many thousands of voices. I can’t wait for our meeting tonight.

Two days ago I visited some local villages. The people live in mud huts with grass roof. Even in the town most houses are built with mud, but they have metal roofs. The villagers received us warmly, and I think you will enjoy the documentary I produced there(to be shown in January). The people, especially in the villages, practice a form of Islam mixed with spirit and ancestral worship.

Africa has large cities, but the majority still live in small villages. That’s why our Pastors Seminars are so important, as we mobilize believers to reach everyone. Thanks for your participation in prayer and giving.

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With six hours to go until the first meeting would start, we were in trouble. Muslim leaders had been complaining for several days that our Gospel Campaign was held on a field less than 200 meters from the cities largest mosque. The city offered us another stadium, however, that in effect cancelled our Gospel Festival, and everyone knew it. It was a tactical move to shut us down.

You see, to change venue with just a few hours to go is easier said than done. A big crane would have to be brought in from another city to hoist our generators. Dismantling the platform and loudspeakers, moving lights, and digging up cables that had been laid underground would take at least two days.

Some muslim leaders suggested violence will break out if we didn’t concede. This was not a vain threat. Fifteen years ago a Gospel Crusade one hour away was cancelled and the ensuing violence killed five hundred. The evangelist at that time had made an unwise statement that “God is going to tear down Islam”, and the local muslims did not respond well. Since that time there have been no large Gospel events in this area.

As recent as last year in another region two hours away, three hundred were killed in clashes between Christians and Muslims. Well, welcome to campaigning on the front-line. We are in northern Nigeria, this is area has been muslim for a thousand years.

With just one hour to go, God had given us favor with the Regional Chairman of Ikara, and he arranged a meeting between myself and 31 imams, muslim scholars and some politicians. Again God gave us favor, and the meeting ended with an official welcome to myself and our team. Once they understood my approach of an uncompromising Gospel, but with friendship and respect their attitude change.

Then it was off to the first meeting. Only a few thousand were present, as word had spread that our Gospel Campaign was cancelled. But at the time of the salvation call, virtually everyone responded.. By the second night the attendance had at least tripled. When I prayed for the blind it was almost chaotic, as the platform filled with people who had been healed, and most had been blind from between one to twenty years. It was quite spectacular. Jesus is awesome! Well, that’s all for now. More in my next blog, Let me hear from you.

-Peter

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One of the unique aspects of the Christian Gospel story is the humility of God. Religion normally allows for a distant deity, not a god who stoops, who comes down, entering human history to be a part of the human situation.  No, deities are described as remote, somewhat out of touch for mere humans. In the Gospel story, the divine incarnation happens in the most unpretentious place, in a stable. Christmas is a story of the creator God, who wants to be united with His creation. Yet, it is more than a desire. God is willing to humble Himself, and to endure enormous suffering to accomplish this union with humanity.                                                                

A common picture of God or gods is, that of a towering omnipotent, unapproachable presence, indifferent towards human suffering, and in constant need of appeasement. Such gods usually exist in a different sphere, separated from us, preoccupied with themselves and with limited interest in human affairs, unless there is something to be gained for the deity itself. The Christmas story stands in stark contrast to the gods that the human mind has imagined. This God is not a taker, but a giver; there is no self-centeredness. In fact, the concept of an untouchable deity is anathema to the Gospel. Instead, we see God, preoccupied with love for us, moved by concern for our welfare, determined to bless us with abundant life, wanting no separation between the mortal and the divine. 

The human mind does not seem to create deities of such compassion and selflessness. Christmas shows that God is relational, enjoying fellowship with His creation, and totally giving of Himself for our well-being.

When I grew up my family used to read the Christmas story from Luke chapter two. That is the classic account with the shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and the innkeeper. I still enjoy that story, but John’s gospel has grown on me over the years. He simply writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), and “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This casts a vision that is far greater in scope, showing that Christ is the everlasting God, incarnated in the person of Jesus, as God’s eternal plan for His creation.

Jesus’ coming in Bethlehem was not an afterthought, but something purposed from the beginning. Nothing, not even the universe, our solar system, or the human race itself is eternal. There was a time, when all of these were “not”. What was then? There was God, “the word” that “in the fullness of time” became flesh in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. Now this unlimited, eternal God, who has always loved us, came to be with us – the unlimited revealed in limited human flesh. The shepherds received the message of joy to the world; we hear the song played in malls and on the radio.  It is a fantastic story, and somewhere in the Holy Book, we read; “the humble will hear of it and be glad”. May the joy be yours this Christmas!

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“Look at the mess the world is in. If there is a God of love he sure didn’t do a very good job”, is a frequent comment. Believers may respond, “Well God gave us a free will, we make our own choices”, and from there the discussion goes back and forth. Consider for a moment, what the world and we, the humans, who inhabit this planet, might be like if we were created without the ability to cause harm, evil and destruction. Who would we be? Would such a world even be possible? Are there limits to the power of an Omnipotent God?

Even God can only do that which is logically possible. The Almighty could not create rectangular circles, make two parallel lines meet, cause one plus one to equal three, or make a person whole-heartedly receive Christ’s salvation against his own will.  What if God had created a world where the human family would not have regressed into a fallen state?

Imagine a world without human potential to cause harm, hurt, to feel hatred, or to cause war or devastation. This would by necessity also be a world without courage or love, and no one would ever need to overcome personal obstacles. There would be no comeback stories, no accounts of people, who conquered in spite of incredible odds, since no one would have ever experienced any setbacks or hurts. This state of “bliss” would remove the need for humility and forgiveness, either received or given, because we would not have the ability to make any mistakes in our relationship with fellow humans. Or at least our mistakes would not hurt others.

There would be no Terry Fox, because there would be no cancer, no Mother Theresa, because the slums of Calcutta would not exist, no Nelson Mandela, because the very idea of separation of the races would never have entered into the human mind. No one would need to lend a helping hand to his neighbor, because no needy neighbor would exist. If God had created a world the evil was not an option, who would we be? It’s hard to answer these and a thousand other follow up questions that could be asked, because we can only think in terms of who we are in the flawed world in which we now live. It hurts our brain to try to think of a world where only bliss and perfection is possible. It would be a world without love, since no one would need to love or be loved – it would all have been pre-arranged.

God could have easily eliminated all pain and suffering, by simply removing our five senses. But what would we be like without those? What about a universe where we would never meet anyone else? That would do it. If the potential for human relationship was removed, we could never harm or be harmed by anyone. Who would we be in such a world?

Could it be that God actually created the most awesome world logically possible, full of His glory, full of positive hope and redemption? Though we start with a fallen imperfect condition where humans have an inherited propensity towards sin, our loving God, who always looks out for the best for His creation, has provided a remedy. God’s plan of redemption puts away the sins of fallen mankind and creates the possibility for everyone to receive new life through the redeemer Jesus Christ.

It makes sense that the potential for both good and evil must exist, especially as none of us would be willing to give up even five percent of our freedom to choose. Since our inherited propensity is to make wrong choices, God’s plan of redemption becomes a sign of a truly loving God.

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One of the most inspiring I’ve come across is the Tiberias Church, which conducts 178 services per Sunday across various locations in Jakarta. Total membership across Indonesia is 500,000, with most of these in Jakarta. According to church growth experts, it’s the 9th largest church in the world.

The pastor, Yesaya Pariadji was a muslim to whom Jesus revealed himself in 1986. He became acquainted with the Full-Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and visited a number of conventions across America with its founder Demos Shakarian. Jesus appeared to Pastor Pariadji after healing his wife out of a debilitating disease, commissioning Pastor Pariadji to bring a deeper understanding of the Holy Communion and anointing with oil in the name of Jesus Christ. Last Sunday, after our Gospel Festival in Kupang, I flew to Jakarta, to speak in a couple of the services at the Tiberias church. I had met Pastor Pariadji a year ago and was deeply impressed with how Jesus is shining through his life. This time I gained a greater understanding of the church. The message of God’s grace permeated the praise and worship. Every song, many of them written by Pastor Pariadji’s son, Argo Pariadji, really lifted up Jesus and the Father’s love. The people received my teaching with great joy. I hope to be able to show it on one of our telecasts. You could tell the message of grace had already penetrated the congregation and they were ready to receive. Though we were on a tight schedule, I was anxious to stay to the end of the service when Pastor Pariadji would give out the Holy Communion and anointing oil. I have never witnessed people so eager to receive the bread and the wine; such energy of faith. The church bulletin featured testimonies of people who have been healed simply by trusting in Jesus and receiving the Holy Communion and the anointing with oil.

Pastor Pariadji’s teaching on the anointing oil from the olive tree as symbolic of the redemptive work of Jesus is profound. I felt that what I saw and heard would have been just like when disciples in the first century received the bread and the wine. I went home with a determination to not only take the Holy Communion in Sunday services, but at our Grace TV headquarters.

Well my last two days in Indonesia were intense. First the closing service in the Kupang Gospel Festival with a huge crowd [see photo report], then the flight to Jakarta and the services there, and after the final meeting in Jakarta I took the last flight to Medan, the largest city in Sumatra (the area of recent earthquakes), in order to spend almost a day with the Gospel Revolution Bible College headed by Susan Hoover. The students were ready and receptive. It was exciting to see growth in the school, and I also met many of the missionaries that have come out of our Bible College; Sarah DeRidder, Kyle Laviolette, Gola Tiruneh, and John & Lasmian Kingma. Do you have a testimony of Jesus revealing Himself to you through the Holy Communion? Let me know. -Peter

Hyderabad, Pakistan Festival (above)

Kupang, Indonesia Festival (above)

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In any business, you need a customer, and a product that meets the actual or imagined need of that customer. The business of religion is not all that different. The need of the adherent to a religion is fueled by two vital ingredients; a guilty conscience and a displeased deity. Skilled practitioners of religion, any religion, know how to nourish both concepts, on a weekly, or at times even daily basis.

The idea of a guilty conscience is perpetuated by a continual focus on how we must do better; pray more, study harder and be more active in our religion. God may be described as loving, merciful, almighty, and all-knowing, but he (or she) must always be at least slightly displeased. There must be the sense that we are not quite measuring up to the standards set by the Divine.

These concepts feed off of one another. If God is displeased, who would have caused His displeasure, but us? We’re obviously not living, praying, believing or thinking as we should, and this lack perpetually condemns us to inadequacy. The Apostle Paul called our inability to do everything our religion requires a “curse”. Honest people will agree to their shortcomings, because no religion has the power to cause its adherents to perfectly live up to the laws, rituals, liturgies and ceremonies required. This puts us in a position of debt to God, but one that we are incapable of paying. Do you see how guilt works? We try as hard as we can, but always find ourselves coming up short. When the right dosage of a guilty conscience and a displeased deity is present, people will go to great lengths to deal with their perceived problem. Prayers will be offered, pilgrimages undertaken, and some will sign over all earthly possessions to their religion in an effort to successfully cross into the afterlife. Since a guilty conscience seems inherent to the human psyche, no wonder religion has thrived and continues to thrive in every culture.

Jesus blew the business of religion to bits. With one fell swoop, He put an end to it, forever freeing humans from the burden of guilt and a displeased deity. Christ put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, and He did it “once for all”. His death was on behalf of every person, forever eliminating God’s displeasure and the need for a guilty conscience. No exceptions! No exclusions! What Jesus did is not a mere idea, but an objective reality, that can be known subjectively by those who choose to believe it.

This message, called the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ, is dangerous, because when it is believed, religion and its practitioners lose their grip over people. No more intimidation or coercion.

The Gospel swept the world 2000 years ago, as masses were liberated from the yoke of their own inadequacies. Those tired and wearied by their own efforts and shortcomings found rest for their soul. Religious practitioners lost control once the common people could no longer be subjugated by intimidation and condemnation. People were free to live through the inner compass called the new life in Christ.

Naturally, religion has to fight back, and for centuries, it has done a pretty good job of it. Religion implicitly mistrusts the power of this new life in Christ. Instead it continually returns to edicts and rules, no matter how inefficient they are to make people righteous. Layer upon layer of guilt-inducing rituals and requirements have been added. In fact, when looking at the religion of Christianity, it is sometimes hard to detect the Gospel at all. The add-ons of tradition are subtle but, oh, so deceptive, and they choke the very life out of the Gospel message.

Think about it! God is not displeased, and you need not feel guilty. Who made this arrangement? Jesus. If you believe it, you will want to turn from all your efforts to rid yourself of guilt, and turn to Him, who has already accomplished what was impossible for us to do.

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So many people had received Jesus as their Savior during the preceding nights that the follow-up began even before the service started. We didn’t have an adequate number of counselors, and so to make sure that everybody had received their copy of my book “Salvation – God’s Gift to You”, we were checking with people as they entered the field. Tens of thousands were rejoicing in their new life with Christ.

Our television crew led by Kyle Sweitzer has been working and investigating some of the miracle stories. Early in the morning they went to the harbor to say goodbye to a boy, who had been healed from 5 years of blindness. His older brother had brought him on a ferry form an island 2.5 hours away, and now they headed home to tell the story about what Christ has done. When I say “out of control”, I really mean that in God’s control. It happens when faith becomes tangible, almost as if you could touch it. It’s not the preacher’s prayers or words that are directing how the service is going. The people have caught a glimpse of the greatness of Jesus, faith has risen in their hearts, and now they take from God that which Christ has already provided.

It’s the same for you and I. Maybe you are sitting by your computer reading this blog, or receiving it on your phone. Everything God is and has, has already been provided through Jesus. All the promises of God are in Him. That’s it! Everything is in Jesus, and our job is simply to look to Him. That’s the key to our success. We are just helping people to discover Jesus! I will send you another blog from Indonesia, because though the Gospel Festival is over, there are two more very exciting days to come. - Peter

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Of course some of the team had already been here for a while preparing. Later that evening the Governor of the province came to our hotel and spoke words of welcome.

Our Festival Director, Marius Nikolajsen and Kyle Sweitzer, who is doing TV work, came here directly from the dramatic campaign in Pakistan. Look at some of the enclosed photos. Gods love has once again been revealed to the people. Due to security reasons our TV crew could not visit in homes to interview people, who had been healed in Pakistan. Here in Indonesia, there is an added sense of peace after the recent national elections. Our TV crew led by Kyle Sweitzer has recorded many beautiful wonders of God. You will enjoy seeing these in the months to come on Grace TV. One of the typical heart-touching stories is from blind people, who was offered a surgery, but could not afford it. When Jesus heals them, it is such a beautiful testimony, as they rejoice in how Jesus did “the surgery for free”.

Nothing however beats the nightly sound of thousands of voices responding to the salvation call. Joy in heaven and joy here on earth. Thank you partners! Let me hear from you! -Peter
 
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Here are the four facts:

We had bomb threats earlier in the week but were able to get the police to guarantee the continuation of the Gospel Festival.
Saturday night there were further credible threats and intelligence information of a planned suicide bombing against our meeting.
Our campaign committee, together with several leading moderate Muslim clerics and politicians, lobbied the police chief’s office on our behalf late yesterday but to no avail. The Chief of Police claims to have received a directive from the Secretary of Homeland Security to cancel us due to suicide bomb threats.
This weekend has been a bloody one in Pakistan, with suicide bombers attacking in three other locations. Currently the injury list is at 139 with 23 dead.

Personally, I feel we could have continued the Gospel Festival without an incident, but of course one never knows. I would rather err on the side of boldness than on the side of caution. These are difficult times because I want to take every opportunity to preach the Gospel. Ultimately, our life is in the hand of Jesus and He knows what is best. 80% of our mission to Hyderabad has been completed. Our seminars made a tremendous impact and the Gospel and the reality of Jesus have echoed throughout the entire province. Many thousands who have never heard the Gospel or had any exposure to Jesus Christ have been saved, healed and touched. It would be easy to hold crusades and events in areas where safety is always guaranteed. How we would do that? By staying in the “Christian” areas, which includes South and North America, Europe and Sub-Sahara Africa. Our mission is the un-reached, and so we do step onto dangerous territory from time to time.

Our local co-ordinators are awesome people, dedicated to Jesus, and they have asked me to come back. Next time in Pakistan we will go to the province of Punjab, possibly to the capital of Islamabad itself. For the last 24 hours muslims have been waiting almost non-stop in the lobby to receive ministry and prayer. There is a huge disappointment and backlash against the police as the people feel deprived because the final meeting didn’t go on as scheduled. That backlash in itself is a good thing. It means Jesus is very desirable to the people; they want to hear more about Jesus, not less.
Partner, I appreciate and love you. Thank you for standing with us in these historical outreaches. What we have seen this week in Hyderabad, Pakistan has never been witnessed before. This was the first ever Gospel Campaign in an area where the Gospel light has been desperately needed for a long time.

Seven days from now we start our campaign in Kupang, Indonesia. I still need help. When I headed to Pakistan all the necessary money had been received. Now we believe Jesus will speak to people this week so that the same may happen for the Indonesia outreach. Thank you. Keep blogging. -Peter

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After showing the fruitlessness of a performance based religious message, I went on to ask “How are you treating your Muslim neighbours?” and “Do you consider Muslims enemies and sinners?”  Remember, God loved us when we were “enemies”, and Jesus was a special friend of sinners.  In the end, I think it was clear to the pastors that we were here to change history.  I taught the revelation of the New Covenant, but I also spoke prophetically into the local situation.  Pastors from 26 cities across Pakistan were represented.

One of the revealing moments of the seminar was when I asked for the ethnicity of the pastors.  Since the seminar was held in the Sindh province, I first asked how many delegates were Sindhi by nationality.  One hand was raised.  Then I asked how many were Pashtun, Baluch, or Farsi, other major people groups of Pakistan.  Not one hand was raised.  Finally, “how many are from Punjabi ethnicity?” and every hand went up.  I was illustrating that whatever little gospel there is in Pakistan has been confined to one people group.  Many wept as God touched their hearts and as the Holy Spirit imparted vision to take the Gospel beyond its current confinement.
Daily we hear reports of car bombings and suicide bombings.  It was really a miracle that our meeting could proceed on Thursday night, the second day of our Festival.  I still have not completely figured out how it happened, except that the Lord did it.  One 85year old lady called the advisor to Pakistan’s President and pleaded with him, maybe this made a difference.  I don’t know, just that the Lord overturned our cancellation.

Right now, I am on my way to a ‘friendship dinner’.  The room will be full of Muslim Leaders, scholars, politicians and professors.  Several of them will speak for 5 minutes, and then I present Jesus Christ- we don’t want to leave one stone unturned but get the seed of Jesus into as many hearts as possible.  More tomorrow.

-Peter

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The first testimony was a Muslim boy born blind, closely followed by a Hindu girl also born blind. Many Muslims followed, some born blind, some blind ranging from 2-20 years. There were so many I lost count. One blind lady had traveled for ten hours and she too was healed. The security detail [remember yesterday’s blog; the men surrounding me with their pistols drawn while I preached] looked nervous when a Muslim man in devout dress tried to get up on the platform. They scanned him again and again for bombs; even though every person had already been scanned before coming onto the field. No problem, it was a young Muslim man who had brought his blind brother, now also healed.

Oh yes, there was a bomb threat received by the police just before tonight’s service started. I still haven’t quite figured out how God saved us from being cancelled last night; I will get back to you about that. I thank God for our team. Marius Nicolaisen is relatively new as Gospel Campaign Director. He took over just a year and a half ago after Nathan Thurber, who had been with me on more than 40 campaigns (Nathan is now the COO for Grace Television Network). Marius stood with me last night, thinking of every excuse not to cancel this Gospel Festival. We were under great pressure because of the orders from high officials in the President’s office, due to security risks. In fact, we were minutes away from having to announce a cancellation when the Lord turned it around. Marius stood with great strength, as did our whole team: Don Sparman, Markus Kotisaari, Kyle Sweitzer, David Sterling and Mike Wallace. A special thanks to our local coordinator Nazir, who withstood personal threats. He and his assistant William are hard-core believers, ready to stand for Jesus. My interpreter is also a wonderful man, who was disowned by his family and threatened with death when he came to Christ in 1984. A big thank you to all our partners, but the biggest thanks to Jesus Christ. More tomorrow. All our expenses are paid here in Pakistan, but within a week I’m on to Indonesia. Please do what you can to help.
-Peter

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Received news that the Festival is shut down.

6:15 PM. Marius, Nazir (our local co-coordinator), and two other key workers come to my room. The mood is grim. These brothers have worked with me tirelessly for seven months to impact Hyderabad with the Gospel. I am thinking of my partners, who have sacrificed for this historical outreach in the Sindh province of Pakistan where the Gospel is virtually unknown. We all want the impact of a full 5-day event. The Gospel advancement, we all believe in, is at stake. After half an hour of more phone calls, we feel the situation is hopeless. Meanwhile we are receiving messages from the Gospel festival ground. The service has not started, and while people are pouring in through the metal detectors there is a sense of chaos. Fear is spreading; some are leaving while thousands of Muslims are waiting, hoping that there will be a meeting.

6:55 PM. Once again, I'm alone in my room. I've asked the team to head to the field to love the people and let them know that I'm ready to come and minister. The people, especially the thousands of Muslims, need to know that we will only give up if we are forced; we will never quit voluntarily. This is not my work. It is Jesus' Gospel and Jesus' ministry, so I'm practicing resting in Jesus. I have been in many of these battles through the years. Sometimes there is a seeming chance, but I don't see one this time.

7-8 PM. Marius and I are text messaging back and forth. He is on the grounds while I'm sitting with my Bible open, just softly praying. No hope it seems. Some officials have taken Mr. Nazir from the grounds in a car, and I'm a little concerned. Other officials are checking all our permits from the police, mayor's office, Homeland Security, etc

Marius and William at the Festival ground to watch developments.

8:05 PM. I go down to the hotel lobby with my Bible [just in case]. I want to be with our team when they return from the field to encourage everyone. I'm reminded that the apostle Paul suffered setbacks; just read the book of Acts. Once he had to escape from a city in a basket.

8:10 PM. Suddenly I receive word that an inexplicable reversal has occurred. Singing has started. Within minutes I'm in the car sending text-messages so the translator will have my scripture verses in hand. We don't have a minute's time to waste.

Crowd gathered at Festival

8:30 PM. I'm on the platform and the people are excited. Time to get right to the task at hand, giving the people the Gospel. Guards with drawn pistols are all around me. I try not to notice. My text is Acts 14:7-9, about the lame man who heard the Gospel in Lystra. Well, the people are about to hear it tonight. I know my preaching time is limited. The police have told us we must be done by 9:30 PM so I give four simple Gospel points: God made a perfect world, Sin destroyed it, Jesus fixed it, You can receive it. At 8:55 PM. thousands join in a prayer of salvation, receiving the free gift of the forgiveness of sin. Then 35 minutes of healing testimonies for a wrap up at 9:35 PM, five minutes after the police told us. I can't explain the reversal that happened tonight. More tomorrow. I will try to find out how God turned this around for us.

-Peter

People packed out Seminar Venue on the First Day

High level of security as people made their way through metal detectors when entering the Festival Grounds

Blind woman received sight!

Empty wheel chairs lined the stage.

Deaf man completely healed.

Crowd goes crazy when people started receiving healing.

Hindu woman was paralized in her hands and now has full mobility.

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It was clear from the first service that God loves without discrimination. Immediately the platform filled with people eager to testify. A Muslim lady, her face covered by a black chadar, radiantly described how Jesus had healed her daughter who had been deaf for the past 10 years. Another dozen cases of deafness were healed. The night finished with a boy blind since early childhood, demonstrating how he could see everything. The crowd roared and praised God. More importantly thousands, mostly Muslims, eagerly responded to the salvation call.

I told the people I had come to be a witness in four areas. First, I want give my witness to the reality of Jesus Christ. Secondly to God’s love remitting our sins. Thirdly to the power in the name of Jesus, and fourthly to that fact that Jesus does today what He did 2000 years ago.

Yes Hyderabad, Pakistan’s sixth largest city is buzzing. Muslims are calling our Campaign office non-stop giving thanks for what is happening. The only ones nervous are the police, who erected sniper towers near our grounds to give careful surveillance in case of any troublemakers. So far, there has been no sign of anyone wanting to cause trouble. Tomorrow morning, we begin the Pastors’ seminar, with just over 1100 registered delegates from 26 cities across Pakistan. Thank you partners. The Gospel is the power of God!

See Photos in Photo Diary

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Another one of the “joys” of air travel is layovers, and I’m having a seven hour layover in Bahrain right now.  This is a fascinating tiny country, know for liberal Islamic laws, unlike its neighbor Saudi Arabia. Traveling in this part of the world makes you realize how big Islam really is, and how little is done to present the Gospel. I really appreciate our partners, who see the value in what our ministry is doing. Jesus is for everyone, and everyone has the right to hear the Gospel. You wonder what the church has been doing for the past 2000 years.

Jesus promised he’d never forsake us. He said this in connection with the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. Gospel Advancement is how I describe everything we are involved with; Gospel campaign, Bible schools, Grace Tv and sending out missionaries. Some “go”, but all of us are “senders”. We send the Gospel through prayers and giving. Then each day we all have opportunity to share what Jesus did at the cross for the whole world. Let’s all be Gospel Advancers.

My flight leaves at 1.20 AM, so I’m heading for another night without sleep. Not good for those bags under the eyes. Marius, our Crusade Director, just emailed me that all is well. We have fought hard to get the permits for this upcoming campaign. It is really GOD’S FAVOR!!! 24 hours to go and the Hyderabad, Pakistan Gospel Festival is in full.
swing. Thanks for your support!-Peter

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On my way to Pakistan I took a detour, to visit Oulu in Finland, close to the Arctic circle. This is a thriving university city with a growing population. The Evangelical Free Church was celebrating its 125th anniversary, and had asked me to speak in four outreach services. The people were not focused on reminiscing about long ago “when God moved”, but keen on presenting Jesus to new people. The Saturday services were held in a concert hall to accommodate more people. I was amazed when I gave the invitation to receive Christ in the first service, it looked like about 25% of the people responded, and it continued like that meeting after meeting. When I gave the people opportunity to come to the microphone and honor Jesus for healings that had happened, many gave praise to God. It was quite a display of joy in conservative Finland, The second day he services were held in the church, and I’m happy the fire department didn’t check on us, because we were filled to way beyond the allowable capacity, including the church foyer.

I hope you have a chance to watch Grace TV by cable or satellite in Canada, and streaming in the rest of the world, http://www.gracetelevision.net. While I’m away we have special guest hosts, Mike Zanker, Randy Srochenski and Megen Thurber. Well, I’m on to Pakistan. Let me hear from you. -Peter

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The other day I stepped out of Coffee Culture on St. Paul Street. The rain was coming down heavily, so I lingered on the steps hoping for a quick improvement. Suddenly, a lady appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, shouting, “You people – why do you support the Jews over the Palestinians? That land belongs to the Palestinians, you know!” I have no idea who the person was, but she must have recognized me as an “evangelical Christian”, thus the “you people”. I hurried to explain that our organization works in Israel; six of our projects are with Jews and six with Palestinians. My response seemed to bring some calm.

The encounter on St. Paul Street reminded me of last month’s news that Israel played a big part in the discussions at the United Church of Canada (UCC) General Council in Kelowna. The UCC has a history of making political statements, and this convention was not to be an exception. In the final statement the UCC delegates backed away from calling for a national boycott of Israel, although groups within the church were encouraged to consider boycotting Israeli products. Some delegates referred to Israel as an “apartheid state”, and in general the accusations against the small, thriving nation in the Middle-East were fast and furious.

Why does Israel get so much attention? It is a fairly regular occurrence that churches, unions and various academic groups release anti-Israel statements. Of course, any nation has its faults, flaws and botched policies. I have sat in Bethlehem with Palestinians, who lost a relative due to a stray Israeli bullet, and in the same day spent time with a Jewish family, who lost a child due to a suicide bomber. There is deep pain on both sides, and unlike some, I’m not declaring sainthood and infallibility on Israel, but let’s get real. Why is the UCC picking on Israel of all nations?

Why not issuing a statement about Myanmar’s oppressive military junta, that has once again sentenced Aung Sun Ky to further imprisonment? When I visited this nation a few years ago the largest newspaper in the country consisted of four pages of meaningless propaganda and photos of the dictator meeting school classes. No discussion, no real news, a country forced into blind obedience. What about eastern Congo where tens of thousands have been raped and millions have been killed? Or Iran, where the government has suppressed peaceful demonstrators? Why were these countries not on the radar of the United Church? No, it’s all about Israel.

Unlike what many commentators claim, the Israeli-Arab conflict is not based in racism or “apartheid”. The Bible reports that Jews and Arabs journeyed together out of Egypt into the Promised Land, some 3,400 years ago. Any tourist to Israel has seen Jews and Arabs work side by side in a hotel in Jerusalem. Co-existence has a long history in the Middle-East. The Middle-East battle is for land – a battle that has gone on and goes on today in many nations. No, I’m not an apologist for every Israeli policy, but when current Israel is labeled racist and compared to apartheid in South Africa, or even worse to Nazi-Germany, I think enough is enough. Canada has its own history of racism; native residential schools, and sending Jews to death by refusing the ship St. Louis in 1938, just to mention two dark blots in our past.

Modern day Israel is a democracy, made up to 20 % of Arabs, and surrounded by dictatorships, which often thrive on hateful anti-Israel propaganda. The UCC didn’t seem to notice that Israel is the only country in the Middle-East that gives civil rights to homosexuals, an issue that has been of interest to the UCC. Gratefully, the call for a boycott of Israeli products wasn’t approved. Where would seniors get generic drugs from without Israel?

As for me I’m ready to take another tour to the tiny, but amazing country in the Middle-East. Israel is a modern day miracle. When it comes to the current conflict, I learn from Jesus, who set the ultimate example for how to deal with the Middle-East situation. He served Jews, Samaritans and Romans equally and without discrimination. Jews, Samaritans and Romans all jockeyed for a superior position, but Jesus always provided an equal playing field. That’s what I told the lady on St. Paul Street. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt the UCC to spend less time on political declaration, and a bit more on who Jesus is and what He has done for the world.

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Believers in Christ accept that something utterly amazing happened at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Once and for all, God put the punishment for the world’s sins on Jesus. The phrase “the world’s sins” is all inclusive from Hitler’s murders to a gossiping church member; all was put on Christ. To millions this carries a profound meaning for their daily life, and they believe that what happened at the cross has power to transform people from the inside out. The message of what Christ did is commonly called “Gospel”, which means “Good News”.

Here is where it gets fuzzy. What is the good news all about? Is it good news that if you do your best, God will do the rest? Or is the good news that God gave Jesus as an example of good living, and those who follow Him will be saved? Surprisingly the answer is no on both counts! The most famous verse in the entire Bible simply says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”, (John 3:16). There is only one condition, “believe”, nothing about us doing our best, or our attempts to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

“Believe” is a verb and “faith” is a noun, two sides of the same coin, and two words that to some seem weak and to others even frightening. Why? Because believing puts the focus away from our performance; faith has nothing to do with our effort, our good attitude, diligent studies, or our attempt at impressing God with our humility. Faith is not about what we need to do, but it is simply to put our trust in what God has done for us. We are relying on someone else for the payment of our debt and that can be nerve-wracking. I’m relaxed when I drive my car, but let someone else take the wheels and suddenly my anxiety level rises. Faith frightens some, because it means to rely on another.

Faith is to trust in God’s grace. Grace can have no strings attached to it, it must be free; it has nothing to do with bargains, or the idea of “you do your part and God will do His”. Grace is not a contract, or a negotiated settlement between God and man. If it was, it would depend on each of the contractually bound parties to fulfill their respective obligations. A contract is not rooted in love, but in the performance of those who are party to it. God’s idea is not to transform the world or an individual through a contractual obligation, but through unconditional love. There is no tit for tat, grace is a free gift, and yet it empowers. The unconditional grace and love of God gives us the capacity for genuine moral improvement; without it, all we can muster is polishing the outside. Grace makes us honest, vulnerable, transparent and open to change because of the good God has done for us through Jesus. No need for cover-ups or pretense. After all, we are not trying to prove our own ability; we are trusting in God’s unconditional love. This removes the idea of us earning credits with God. We simply surrender to another, and the good another has done is credited to us. Frightening? Maybe, but also totally liberating. Best of all, faith itself is a gift, not the result of our effort, that way we can’t even take credit for believing. Since it’s all free, why not ask for it? You can, if you want to.

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Ouch!

Evidently Mr. Buechner has a problem with television preachers, and since I am one of them, I better pay attention. Is Christian television really that bad? I believe in listening to critics, including those who never attend church. You don’t have to agree with your critics, but you can learn something of value from almost anyone. When it comes to the quote from Buechner, I tend to agree—at least in part. Many Christian programs portray God as narrow minded, petulant, condemning and angry. A few weeks ago the organization I founded, World Impact Ministries, purchased The Christian Channel [Cogeco 186], so now I have the opportunity to do something about Christian television. Well, don’t expect wonders overnight, but I am keeping several common criticisms in mind, among them that Christian television is judgmental, boring and phony.

Christians in general and Christian television in particular are often accused of being “judgmental.” It baffles the imagination how Christians could become such champions of condemnation when their Savior is a non-condemner. It seems many lack understanding that God’s justified wrath over human sin fell on Jesus. Therein lies the “Good News”: God is not angry with people, but His love is available to all. Why then do preachers attribute misfortunes—whether strokes, heart attacks, tsunamis, cyclones or hurricanes— to God’s supposed anger with the particular sins of an individual or a whole nation? We live under a covenant of the grace of Jesus Christ who said, “For the Son of Man did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”

What about “boring”? Conflict and competition make television and movies exciting. There is a hero and a villain. If the outcome of the story is uncertain, so much more reason for the audience to stay riveted. Even political talkshows have representatives of different sides of the issues duking it out. Meanwhile, Christian television usually consists of a few people sitting around a table agreeing with one another—not much conflict there. On Encounter, our nightly show, you often hear opinions from Atheists, Wiccans, Hindus, Moslems, or just plain non-religious Canadians, especially on the Street Talk and Viewer Comments segments. I like to mix it up, because it keeps us from merely “preaching to the choir.”

The “phony” accusation usually has to do with money. The appeal goes something like this: “God showed me that if you will give a certain amount of money, God will do “X” for you.” The “X”, of course, stands for any divine blessing that is promised on a particular program.  Make no mistake about it, most Christian television is viewer supported. I boldly ask for people’s support because without that we can’t operate. I think it’s the “put your coins in the divine slot-machine and you will win” approach that draws criticism. It certainly turns me off.  The Jesus approach is a little different. We love and give because we have received God’s love as a gift. Our giving is not to manipulate the Almighty, but to express our love for His kindness to us.

Do I think that Buechner’s sentiments have some validity? Certainly! Do I believe in Christian television? I sure do! We have the greatest message of hope and love in the world. There is nothing judgmental, boring or phony about that.

-Peter

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The Canadian debate unfortunately became all too infected by theology. The pro-life proponents argued from the Bible that life begins at conception, precisely my conviction, one that I would put forth in teaching and personal counseling. What we evangelicals didn’t recognize was that Canada is a secular society, not a Christian country. Maybe we never were. I’m deeply committed to the Bible as the word of God, but in a multi-cultural society, which gratefully ours is, theology is not the means of persuasion in the political arena. The pro-choice forces were equally entrenched, unwilling to listen to reason, writing off any pro-life argument as conservative Christians trying to ram their morality down the throat of everyone; atheist, agnostic or believer. What was the result? The mother’s womb has remained the most dangerous place in Canada.

I visited Scandinavia last month and noticed that laws are being enacted that could charge a woman, who smokes excessively during the last trimester because of the damaging effects smoking can have on an unborn. The proponents of such legislation are not born-again believers motivated by theology, but legislators driven by science, which is aware of the potential viability of human life outside the womb after the 20th week of gestation.

Maybe it is time to look at abortion again. It has been in the news lately. When abortion doctor Henry Morgentaler received the Order of Canada, there was the expectation of a flood of previous recipients that would resign from what they might now consider a tainted award. The flood didn’t happen, but five prominent Canadians recently resigned or mailed back their medallions. One of those, Roman Catholic Cardinal Jean Claude Turcotte, argued that Dr. Morgentaler is a “questionable” person, who cheapens the order.

The killing of a renowned Kansas abortion doctor, George Tiller, while he was ushering during a Sunday morning service in his Reformation Lutheran Church has also received considerable Canadian press coverage. Dr. Tiller had drawn ire from pro-life groups because of his work in one of only three abortion clinics in the United States that perform late term abortions. Dr. Tiller’s murder is deplored by followers of Christ, no matter how staunchly pro-life we are. It also serves as a reminder that for all the reasonable born-again Christians with strong convictions, there is the occasional loner, who will act in a deceptive religious fervor. Our activism must always be tempered by emphasizing God’s love for all people, even those whose actions we deplore.

Do Canadians on both sides of the issue dare to take another look? Politics is the art of compromise. Conservative Christians will not get everything we want, while those who favor the status quo are being over-run by scientific knowledge. Let’s not wait for a “born again” or committed Roman Catholic member of parliament to raise the issue. How about a politician from one of the traditionally pro-choice political parties tabling a motion that recognizes both the scientific realities of human life in the womb and the need for assistance to women with unwanted pregnancies?

- Peter

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It really did my heart good to meet so many people sharing these and similar sentiments, and seeing that the work we do in the name of the Lord brings lasting results. It reminded me of the admonition to not become weary in doing good. Two of the cities we visited were Moncton, New Brunswick and Truro, Nova Scotia. Both of these were breakthrough places for me. A pastor had booked me for five days of meetings in Moncton, New Brunswick. It was a rather large church at that time and here I was barely out of teens, so I don’t think anyone expected too much. From the first night people were being saved and the building was filled and I ended up preaching for five weeks straight. I went on to Truro, Nova Scotia and the same thing was repeated there. As a young preacher, I only had a few sermons and now suddenly the Lord was moving in such a way that I really had to rely on Him for fresh material every night. I learned so much by looking to Jesus and trusting in Him. These lessons have served me well in the years that followed. It is good to know where we have come from, where we have been and that the power that sustained us in the past is with us now for the challenges that lay just ahead. Your thoughts? - Peter  

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Often a preacher does not explain or declare what Jesus did on the cross, putting away our sins, but simply finishes his sermon with this line – “if you need peace in your heart, and you want a better life just repeat these words after me”. and then he goes right into the sinner’s prayer. Surveys by the Barna Group, another reputable organizations indicate that a significant percentage of the population in the United States and also in Canada have at some point accepted Jesus by “saying a prayer” and a significant part of those, who did so feel it didn’t work for them. Now the idea of receiving Jesus no longer excites them, “been there, done that.”

How were people born again before the concept of the sinner’s prayer. By believing in Jesus, followed by water baptism, often immediately upon declaring their faith. No prayer saves, although a sinner certainly can pray because “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”,. Believing what Jesus did and confessing Him as Lord is the way of salvation. If you believe in your heart that God put your sins on Jesus and that Jesus rose again from the dead and is Lord than you are saved whether you repeated a prayer or not. Let’s de-mystify this sinner’s prayer. If we preach sermons that reveal next to nothing about Jesus Christ and Him crucified and then finish off with a sinner’s prayer, we may cause collateral damage. People mistake the whole idea of receiving Jesus for a formula of prayer of accurate words when it has all to do with the heart’s believing.
All that to say; don’t hurry people into a prayer. Instead spend much time revealing what Jesus did on the cross.
-Peter

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With the beauty pageant controversy as a backdrop, CNN’s host let Mr. Reagan and Ms. Miller go at it. My sympathies were with Mr. Reagan, who articulated that marriage is one man-one woman. If that was all, I probably wouldn’t have written this blog. However, as the discussion was winding down Ms. Miller commented that a recent law had been passed in New Hampshire that allows homosexual marriages. Mr. Reagan was given the opportunity for a closing remark, and he finished with; “you stay with New Hampshire and I’ll stay with God”. That’s where Mr. Reagan lost me. I’m not saying that God is for homosexual marriages, but I’m saying God is for people, whether homosexual or heterosexual.

People have flaws and failures, some are exposed to the world, while some hidden until after person’s death, and some are never revealed. The Bible makes it clear that all have sinned, and if we are guilty in one area, we are guilty in it all. Sin is a level playing field. As far as God is concerned, no one has a right to judge others, because judgment belongs to God. Wasn’t that the point of Jesus death on the cross, that the judgment for our sins would fall on him? Paul, the apostle, states that God punished sin in the flesh, not the flesh of the guilty and deserving, but the flesh of the innocent and undeserving Son of God. If Christians don’t believe that, we really don’t have a message to the world. There are sins of commission and sins of omission, and no one has a reason to brag or put others down, we are all guilty. If God is for us on the basis of our perfection, then God wouldn’t be for any of us. If Jesus died on the cross so that we would never have a struggle with sin or failure, then Jesus’ death was a failure. However, if Jesus died so that our sins would not be imputed to us, but that Christ’s righteousness by faith would be ours, then His death and resurrection was a success.

Yes, I agree with many Christians around the world that marriage is between one man and one woman, but God is not against those who differ with this view. If God is against homosexuals, He is against all of us, for all have sinned. Mr. Reagan compared the state of California voting to uphold the traditional view of marriage, while New Hampshire did not. Is God for California and against New Hampshire [or Ontario]? I think not. Your thoughts? - Peter    

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There is only one problem with all of this. Can you think of a single time in scripture when Jesus was offended by the sins of unbelievers? The only time you could find something akin to offense in Jesus was when he spoke forthrightly to the self-righteous, hypocritical religious leaders. In fact, Jesus forewarned us that if we are persecuted for our beliefs we should not be surprised or offended. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”, (John 16:33).

Here is the catch. If we are easily offended or shocked, we become either isolationists or attackers of the very society, which we are supposed to reach. Isolationists live in a cloistered environment with little or no influence on those on the outside. Attackers are resisted, much like we would react on a lovely summer night when hornets start buzzing around our picnic table. We find no example in scripture that Philip was offended at the witchcraft in Samaria. What about Paul’s reaction in godless, sinful, Corinth or idolatrous Athens? In neither instance do we find offense or rebuke of pagan behavior, but rather a focused pointing towards Jesus Christ as the only hope.

Everyone of the individuals who carry out what you and I may deem as offensive acts, are included in the reconciliation that Jesus provided by His death on the cross. Easter reminds us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The message of the Cross is the only power able to transform human behavior. Let’s not be shocked by the world around us, but let’s look for opportunities to get to know people, to share their lives and to tell them what Jesus has done for us. Happy Easter!

Peter

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Earlier I had noticed that there was one area where the stage was weak. We had tried to keep the line of people wanting to testify away from this spot and I had avoided it as I preached. I didn’t realize that the Mayor and I were now standing on this very soft spot. We were looking into the camera when one of the bishops stepped into the same weak spot. Well, in one instant we all disappeared below the stage as it gave way (see video—I laugh now, but it was painful).

Almost six feet below were boards and steel pipes, all part of the stage structure, and my foot got caught as I found myself with a mother and child across my legs, the Mayor resting on my right shoulder, and other bodies on top of me. I rolled my ankle pretty good, and when they lifted me out of the hole I was a bit shaken. The people, of course, were looking at this in wonderment as the service was winding down.

Well, it’s not the end of the world that the Mayor of Kisumu and I are both limping a bit. If that’s all there was to it I wouldn’t even bother telling the story except, of course, that you may find it peculiar to see me vanish and my shocked expression afterwards.

What resulted was predictable: Christians started to say that the devil had done it. You know this strange idea in Charismatic religion that when we are anointed by God and seeing signs, wonders and miracles, then the devil has power to get back at us. Of course, this is a ridiculous idea, but it is not one unique to Africa. I hear it in America, Canada and Europe all the time. If the sound system is shrieking it’s the devil, if someone backs their car into a telephone pole it’s the devil, etc. etc. I get tired of even repeating these weird notions.

Here is how I started my sermon the next night: “You all saw the mayor of the city and myself disappear under the stage last night. I’ve heard the statements that the devil made this happen. But I can assure you he didn’t. The devil doesn’t have the power to make a stage collapse. If he worked on it for 1000 years he couldn’t do it. That kind of power is completely out of his reach. No, the devil didn’t do it. What did it was poor construction.” Well, the people erupted in applause and laughter. It’s amazing how merely stating the obvious brings such joy. The spell cast by the idea that the devil somehow mystically could orchestrate the collapse of our platform had been dispelled, and the people were free just to enjoy and laugh. The contractor who had built the stage was nowhere to be seen. I think he was afraid of the Mayor. We still love him, so he need not to worry about us.

That night leaving the Gospel Festival grounds, there was a real traffic jam. Bicycles, cars and, most of all, thousands of people tried to exit at the same time. I turned to my friend Bishop Jefferson who was riding with me in our car, “let’s talk to some people.” Coincidently, the moment I rolled down my window I saw a smiling man with his family. “I’m so happy,” he said. I asked him what happened. He said, “My daughter has been a deaf mute and last night Jesus healed her.” I called the girl over and, sure enough, she could hear everything and articulate words so well. He said, “We came back tonight just to praise God for what happened.” Here was a family and the daughter had never made her way to the platform to testify; one of many who I would never have heard of unless the traffic jam had slowed us down. You’ve heard the phrase, “only eternity will reveal all that happened.” I don’t know how many other families are just like this one—people to whom God’s love has been revealed, but we may never know about it until eternity. Thanks for your partnership! Let me hear your thoughts.

Peter

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Jesus really showed His love for the city of Kisumu. The third night there were so many miracles I don’t know where to start: blind, deaf and mute were healed, tumors vanished and paralysis was healed. There was one story after the other, and there was no end of the celebration. Each evening as I gave the salvation call the entire crowd responded. The counselors were working overtime to get the follow-up material to each one. One night I asked the people, “what is your worth?” In answering my own question I shared, “you are only worth what someone is willing to pay for you.” Then I spoke about the great price God paid for every soul. As I looked across the vast audience, I saw people convulsing in tears as God’s love was revealed to them; this is the work of the Holy Spirit. On the biggest night people were packed for a 100 meters in each direction. As soon as I get home, I will send you a nice photo so you can rejoice in what happened.

Our TV team has been working hard to capture some of the individual stories. Led by our producer, Megen Thurber, they visit in the homes of some of the people touched by God. In the weeks to come those documentaries will be ready.

Wherever we go there is a clash between the message of God’s grace (the unmerited, unearned, undeserved favor of God through Christ), and a host of legalistic mindsets. There are so many prayer techniques and revival and breakthrough paths that I get tired just thinking about them all. One preacher is worse than the other in cooking up complicated systems of blessing. When the people hear the simple but incredibly profound proclamation of JESUS as the one who has done it all and our job is simply to receive from HIM, they can at first hardly believe it. Then the truth sinks in and joy takes over. We are not trying to get God to do anything: we are receiving what He has done. God is not angry with the world because He already punished the world’s sins in the flesh of Jesus. Now it’s time to repent (turn around) from self-reliance and self-righteousness to HIM, who has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. Let me hear from you! -Peter
 

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The days go by quickly, and much happens in a short time. Here is a 20 hour segment that I just got to enjoy.
11 AM: After a five hour journey by car we arrive at the outskirts of Kisumu. About 20 bishops and pastors are waiting to greet us; Pentecostals, Anglicans, Baptists and others. There is palpable joy and expectancy. Our Festival Director, Marius Nikolaisen, and several of our missionaries are also present. Mark Enos, one of our recent Bible College graduates, is running by, so busy in keeping everything running smoothly that he doesn’t see my wave. I love our missionaries.
11.15 AM: Now we are entering the city itself in a parade arranged to notify the city that the Gospel Festival is about to begin; singers, cars, and excited believers are in our parade route. People along the roadside are waving and greeting us. We go by the beautiful Hindu temple and large mosque in the center of the city, while announcements of the Gospel Festival are being read from loudspeakers. There is no hostility, just friendly faces everywhere.
12.10 PM: Finally, we get to the guest-house where we are staying for the week and I have a few minutes to unpack and freshen up.
12.35 PM: It’s off to the press-conference. The room is packed with journalists, including a secular film production team doing a documentary. I also see some of our missionaries in the room, including Serge and Beth Leger. I make a 20 minute statement about our purpose in Kenya, emphasizing two areas. One is our friendship approach to Muslims and Hindus; they are warmly invited to receive Jesus without discrimination! Then I spend considerable time talking about the post-election killings that swept Kenya last year, with Christians killing Christians along tribal lines, emphasizing that the cross of Jesus Christ is the answer; His death has torn down the walls that divide people. Of course, if we who are the carriers of this message don’t preach it, how will the broad masses know and believe?  I really enjoy press-conferences and the give and take of the journalists’ questions. Again, they have lots of questions and try to trip me up by getting me to take sides among the political parties, but Jesus always lets His wisdom come through. I stick to my theme. I think they are all a bit shocked at my insistence that the killings prove that Kenya has not heard the Gospel, even with all the churches around. Many use the word Gospel as a “code-word” for whatever they want to say, instead of presenting the taking away of sins by Jesus at the cross.
2 PM: We head back to the guest-house. The afternoon hours before the Gospel Festival starts are precious to me. I spend that time meditating and thanking God for the meeting tonight, and the team knows not to disturb me.
5.30 PM: I leave for the Gospel Festival held on the enormous Hospital Grounds. The meeting has been in full swing for over an hour and a great crowd has gathered.
6 PM: My preaching starts exactly at 6, because we want to use the day-light hours as much as possible. The sun is still shining as I tell the people that we have come to give witness that the unlimited God has come in limited human flesh in the person of Jesus. By His death He “once for all” put away our sins, giving us the opportunity to repent of our self-reliance and self-righteousness and receive the free gift of Jesus’ righteousness. I ask the people, “how much are you worth?” and state: “Your value is whatever someone is willing to pay for you, and God paid the ultimate price for you by the sacrifice of Jesus.” People are openly weeping; God’s love is melting hearts.
6.40 PM: The entire audience responds to the salvation call, followed by a parade of healing testimonies. Already the first night, blind, deaf and many others are healed.
7.40 PM: Our testimony service is over and counselors are distributing follow-up material as I head back to the guest-house for a quick shower; our next meeting is in 20 minutes.
8 PM: Time for our “Friendship Dinner,” where I get to teach the Gospel to politicians and Hindu and Muslim leaders in the city. A number of pastors are present and are surprised; they have never seen anything like this. I use traditions within the various cultures, and when I get to the point that Jesus took away the world’s sins and that all can receive Him, the head of the Hindu temple leads in applause. The message is hitting home loud and clear.
11 PM: Finally, the dinner is over and I get to go to my room. I’m exhausted but rejoicing at all that happened. We’ve got an early morning appointment.
5.30 AM: Time to get up. I have a 7AM breakfast at the private home of the Prime Minister of Kenya, Mr. Raila Odinga, who is the man believed to have been cheated out of the Presidency, and Nathan Thurber is accompanying me. The election fraud triggered the wave of killing and looting last year, leaving 1300 dead. The prime minister’s home is very nice but humble; the calendar on the wall features a photo of Mr. Odinga and British PM, Gordon Brown. We hit it off very well. I’m told he is very selective about who he meets, but the message of the cross of Jesus also touches the heart of the PM. I liked him instantly, and I’m impressed that he forfeited the Presidency of Kenya to stop the violence. We decide to try to meet again so I can interview him for our television program.
Every step of the way the focus is on Jesus, His cross, His resurrection and what it means in the current situation; politically, personally and for society at large. I don’t have several messages, but one: “we preach Christ crucified”. Those who think that we need to look beyond this message have not understood the depth and width of what happened at the “once for all” sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Once understood, the message of the cross affects every area; spiritual, financial, relational, and even the way we conduct business affairs of a nation. Let me hear from you. -Peter  

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The two issues that presently consume Kenya are corruption and tribalism. A pastor from one tribe will not darken the door of a church where the pastor is of another tribe, even if the pastors are from the same denomination. This attitude was a major contributing factor in the killings last year. Those who are supposed to carry the message of God’s love have obviously drifted far from Him, who came “not to condemn”. What’s the answer?

Not only in Kenya but everywhere, we see Christians calling for transformation, churches are praying for “a move of God” and pastors are teaching secrets of revival. Yet this “revival” remains oh so elusive. Prophetic declarations of “a greater anointing” or ” a new day of victory” seem ineffective. Here in Kenya Christians have been killing Christians. You can imagine the reaction among Hindus and Muslims; the credibility of Christianity has really taken a beating.  These are the real issues we have addressed in our seminar and the answers from God’s Word have brought joy to the pastors.

Does prayer change a nation? What about prophecy? Worship? Fasting? Cell groups? The agent for change in the Book of Acts was always the proclamation of the Gospel. As the masses grasped the Good News that God in Christ has paid for their sins “once for all”, joy swept cities, many were born again and the quality of life was drastically affected. Prayer, prophecy and worship are all crucially important, but none of those things will in themselves change a nation; only the Gospel can do that.

What changed the cities such as Samaria, Antioch, Lystra, Corinth, Thessalonica or Ephesus in the book of Acts? In each case, it was the Gospel. We don’t create good morals by preaching good morals, but once the Gospel of God’s love is believed it transforms the worst sinner. Good morals are the result of believing the Gospel. Heart transformation comes first, and it leads to good morals.

This weekend we start the Festival in Kisumu, a city torn by last year’s violence. I’d love to hear from you so post your thoughts! -Peter

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On the opening day of any seminar the focus is on helping the pastors discover the New Covenant of God’s grace and who Jesus is in them. So many have tried every revival and breakthrough technique, and are discouraged. When we reveal Jesus in His fullness they experience great freedom. I don’t even talk about reaching their nation for Christ until I see the pastors really enjoying Jesus on a personal level. I’m sure it works the same way for you. We have to first taste and see how good Jesus is.

Every Gospel outreach is full of surprises and today has been no exception. When we landed, the local newspapers were filled with reports of a disastrous famine in the northeastern part of the country. I took the initiative of purchasing several tons of flour in 2 kilo bags, filling a whole truck and sending it to those worst hit. This was completely outside our budget, but I felt we were to do this. Well the media heard of it and met me at the conference center before I started to teach. Then, while I was teaching, a delegation arrived from the members of parliament representing the famine area. They wanted to thank World Impact Ministries for our help, so here we had another press-conference with a lot of media present. I’m sure our loaded-down truck with food will be in every newspaper tomorrow, together with the message about the cross of Jesus, which I gave to the media. I take every opportunity to share God’s love through Jesus (Thanks partners!).

One of the journalists asked me if I could help the country with the problem of tribalism, which has led to Christians killing other Christians of a different tribe. I explained how the cross of Jesus tore down every wall of separation between people groups. Of course for the cross to take its effect we have to preach it, and that is what we are stirring the pastors to do.

Megen Thurber, our tv producer, just sent me a message, while I have been writing this blog. A muslim priest was in the seminar this morning and got saved. He is now telling the pastors, “I want to preach Jesus like I heard so beautiful today”. Megen said she interviewed him and it’s really fantastic. Well, I will find out more. It’s just mid-afternoon in Nairobi, and a lot can happen yet today. Thanks for your prayers and support.  -Peter

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What keeps me going is our purpose. At last check (late last week) 7000 pastors were pre-registered for the Gospel Revolution seminar in Nairobi. Well, our goal is nothing short of turning a whole country away from performance, merit-based religion to the Gospel of the Grace of God, the only message that can produce righteousness and true holiness. These will be intense days. Thanks for your prayers.

While here in London, I picked up a newspaper with reports of increased political tension in Pakistan: our next Gospel Festival destination. It seems we get to preach in the “hot spots”. The Gospel is the hope of the world, and from all my previous campaigns in Pakistan, I think the majority of Muslims there are wide open to the Good News of Jesus. We got terrific co-workers in Pakistan; they really give of themselves.

I have been thinking how the real answer to a troubled world lies in the knowledge of Jesus. Our mission is to turn on the light and increase the light of the knowledge of Jesus. That principle holds true no matter where you are. Sadly, the Church seems to be swimming in an ocean of strange ideas, legalistic influences and lots-–lots—of human wisdom ideas, while so little attention is given to the power of the cross of Christ. The Bible is pretty clear that one thing that will make the cross of Jesus of no effect is to preach it with words of human wisdom. What’s the situation where you live? What do you think is the focus of the Church?

Well, my flight leaves soon. I get in to Nairobi at 6:30 am tomorrow, then it’s off to our hotel, and at 10 am I will hold a press-conference for Kenya’s media. I want Jesus to shine brightly.
-Peter

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If Christianity is about traditions and a heritage built on certain biblical principles, then there is a cause for concern. Will we survive? This line of reasoning leaves little room for the power of the Gospel. If Christianity is all about us, and our efforts to fight evil, what kind of Christianity are we actually defending? The very question itself about Christianity’s survival shows what we trust in, because for the one who believes the Gospel, this question doesn’t even exist; we know that the Gospel is God’s power and that it will be preached to all people (Matthew 24:14).

Christianity without the Gospel is not Christianity at all. It is certainly not worth fighting for. The Greek word “evaggelio” means “good news” or “glad tidings”. What is this glad message? That God was in Christ, and put the world’s sins on Christ that the world was reconciled to God through what Jesus did at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus solved the world’s sin problem once for all, died and rose again. This Jesus is now alive, and all who receive Him receive power to become the children of God. We repent of self-reliance and believe the good news, and at that point we become born-again; God’s own nature of righteousness and love takes residence in us. The gospel has power in itself to transform both the individual and society. The great question then becomes if we are born-again or not.

World Impact Ministries’ work around the world is about inviting people to be born-again. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Shintoists, Atheists and especially “Christians” need to be born-again. We are not fighting to defend a heritage or tradition but we are concerned that the Gospel will remain. I hope many will rise up around the world and take up the battle against religion built on tradition and merits and for the Good News Gospel.

The word “Gospel” is important. As far as we know, Jesus never used the word “Christian” or “Christiandom”. But He spoke much of the Gospel. Paul and Peter continued in the same style. Today we hear little about the Gospel, but much about Christianity. Getting back to the Gospel is the key, not only for the survival of Christianity, but also for the victory of the believer and the salvation of the world. Your thoughts?

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Urban promised, “All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested.” We do well to remember that the exhibition of religious fervor does not necessarily mean that God is involved, or that we are involved in a holy cause. Just because people are willing to lay down their lives does not mean they are responding to a holy stirring by Jesus Christ.

Today the “Christian” right battles the “Christian” left and vice versa. Everywhere we look there is conflict: Muslims and Christians, Russians and Chechnyans, India and Pakistan, Jews and Palestinians, Christians against the world, and Christians against one another. And everyone believes God is on their side. In fact, almost every warring faction invokes the name of God.

Do you have religious fervor? Does God agree with you? Is He against those who differ with you? I don’t care to comment on the inner workings of various religions, but as far as the Christian faith is concerned, it seems we have forgotten that the one thing we are to be zealous about, and even fight for is the Gospel. Paul battled to the point of openly rebuking his fellow apostle, Simon Peter, when the truth of the gospel was threatened (Gal. 2). Legalism was making inroads in Galatia and taking away the freedom that people had experienced through the grace of Jesus. To Paul this was cause for a battle.

I’ve noticed a lot of misdirected religious fervor. Christians are urged to take political stands. In fact, according to some, it seems political change has become the savior. If we could only make our country “Christian” and adopt a “Christian” morality then everything would be alright. Whenever a new moral low is reached, we are told that this, if anything is going to rally Christians.  My friend Dr. T.L. Osborn visited our church a few years ago and said, “moral teaching can at best make you a Pharisee, and Pharisee is a self-righteous hypocrite.” I agree. Morality doesn’t save; Jesus saves. Paul had religious fervor to the point of being willing to give up his own salvation if only his countrymen could understand that righteousness comes not by self-effort but by the grace of Jesus. His passion was the word of reconciliation. It should be ours.

Urban II rallied people to murder and slaughter in the name of Christ, saying, “God wills it.” If the cause that stirs you is not to give the word of reconciliation of what Christ has done, ask yourself if it’s worth your fervor. Save your passion for the only cause that is worth being passionate about.
Your thoughts? -Peter

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“Do you remember the Scripture in which Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered and died the next day? (Mark 11:13 – 21). Ever wonder why He did that? Could it be (and this is just conjecture) that when Jesus saw the fig leaves on the tree, He was reminded of what took place in the Garden of Eden? In Genesis 3:7, the Bible says that Adam and Eve used fig leaves in an attempt to cover their nakedness (wrongdoing). Their self effort (legalism) to make themselves presentable to God could be signified by the fig leaf, and I believe that it (self effort) is what truly separated them from their Father. God went looking for them in the Garden after they screwed up, but Adam and Eve hid from Him for fear of being exposed. When God asked them what they had done, neither one of them asked for forgiveness; instead, they either blamed God or made excuses—more cover up. Had they only responded appropriately to the Father’s call, then who knows what would have happened? Adam and Eve simply chose to trust in themselves and their silly fig leaves and excuses, rather than in the love of the Father.”

“Jesus cursing the fig leaf could very well be a picture of the end of the dispensation of the Law (self effort) and the ushering in of the dispensation of God’s grace. Mark 11:13 says; “And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again’.” Do you see that? The season of the fig had passed! Likewise, the season of self effort—of trying to make yourself presentable to God by your own works—has ended: It ended at the hands of Jesus and He has the nail scars to prove it.”

“What about you and me? Are we still relying on fig leaves to make ourselves presentable to God? Are we hiding behind excuses or good works to conceal our shortcomings? Or are we relying on what Jesus has provided and on the kindness of our Father? The fruit of leaning on our own understanding and our own efforts is separation from God—the occurrences in Eden proved this beyond any shadow of doubt. Leaning on Jesus and what He has done for us and relying on the kindness of God brings righteousness, peace and joy to our lives. It’s our choice to make and when you really think about it, it’s a no-brainer.”

“As far as God is concerned, there is nothing between us and Him—let’s make sure that the same can be said as far as we are concerned. Just say “no” to figs J.”

Let me know your thoughts. Have you ever used a “fig leaf”? Or, have you experienced the freedom of knowing that you are OK because of Jesus? -Peter

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The offensive part of the gospel is when we suggest that God put the world’s sins – past, present and future – “once for all” on Jesus at the cross. In one swoop Jesus became the solution to the world’s sin problem, and the only option we have is whether to believe in what Jesus did or reject it. This substitutionary death of Jesus is offensive because it seems so simple, so all-encompassing. Jesus definitely is a point of contention.

I listened attentively as California pastor, Rick Warren led in the Invocation prayer at President Obama’s recent inaugural. Pastor Warren’s inclusion in the program had caused no small debate as many in the media derided him as “Jerry Falwell in a Hawaiian shirt.”  Of special concern were his statements on homosexuality and abortion. As Senator Feinstein introduced Pastor Warren his approach to the microphone was met with a muted enthusiasm. I listened as Pastor Warren prayed, invoking God, “The Almighty” and the “Lord.” Then he came to a point in the prayer saying, “I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray…”

Thank you Pastor Warren. I’m glad you didn’t give in to the pressure that many preachers in the public eye have succumbed to, to exclude Jesus Christ. We can learn from Pastor Warren’s prayer. The phrase, “In the name of the one who changed my life” is powerful because it puts the focus on our personal testimony. Whenever we represent Jesus we don’t primarily represent a theology, a denomination or a religion – we’re speaking about someone who has transformed our own lives. Tell people what Jesus has done for you.

The inclusion of Jesus, with His name is spoken in different languages, including the Arabic – Isa – was brilliant. There is too much narrow-minded bigotry within our ranks, excluding the Arab world in particular. In our Gospel Festivals I often explain to our audience of mixed religion that Jesus’ name is pronounced various ways in various religions, but that regardless of pronunciation, we are speaking of the same One. God revealed in the flesh, the One who became our substitute, the unlimited God revealed in a limited human body.

Pastor Warren’s prayer was inclusive. Sometimes because universalists have used the phrase, “the gospel of inclusion” we have become exclusive towards the world to a degree that Jesus or Paul never exemplified. Yes, the universalist says that all are saved, which is an inclusion that the bible does not allow for.

However, never forget that what Jesus did includes everyone. His death and resurrection in no way is limited to only those who received Him, no, “God so loved the world.” Words and phrases like “everyone”, “to all people” and “light of the world” allows for no exclusivity. No one has monopoly on Jesus – He is the Saviour of all.

It’s easy to talk and sing about God the Almighty, the Lord, the Eternal One, the Creator. But I’m a little cautious when Jesus seems to be excluded. Whether you’re called to pray at a family gathering, a meeting of your local club, or at an office function, put Jesus out there front and center.
There is power in His Name!

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The election of Barack Obama in no way signals the end of racism, but it shows unique greatness in America. The majority of the population rose above racism to elect the best person, regardless of race or gender. Being raised in Europe I often heard condescending criticism of the United States of America, particularly because of racism. Europeans would often speak in tones that hinted at moral superiority. Yet until now, it has been inconceivable that any European powers would elect a non-white to the highest office. In France, which arguably has as many or more immigrants than any other country, you hardly have anyone from an immigrant background in public office, whether municipal, provincial or federal.

When I see the joys and hear the stories of people visiting today’s inaugural, I rejoice with them. Sadly over the last month the only dissenting voices I have heard are from born-again Christians, which somehow had their mind set that senator McCain was “God’s choice”. I have been criticized for de-emphasizing the importance of politicians in the spiritual development of country. The role of politicians is enormous in military, economical and social issues. However I have never put my hope and spiritual revival on one political party or another. Nor do I find any supporting Scripture that God would be more inclined to bless a country because of one government rather than another. Instead all the blessings of God are available only in and through Jesus Christ, and Him alone, across all cultural, political and party lines. My branch of Christendom, the evangelical charismatic church is often associated with the Christian right. Looking over the past years we have no right to wag our finger in the face of anyone, as though our particular branch of politics was holier or more moral. Abortion is a terrible sin, but this will not be dealt with through a political decision, but through a groundswell of people who experience God’s love for themselves.

Every human leader, whether spiritual or political will disappoint, so will America’s current president. Yet I pray that these next few years will be a time of grace, openness and acceptance, that people will be willing to listen to views and ideas different than their own. When such a dialog occurs I have no doubt that the message of Jesus will shine the brightest. This could be the best of times for the Gospel to flourish across America and the world.

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My concern is for the eternal souls of people. Every human being on earth has the potential of being stirred with the humanitarian needs of others. Who among us does not feel a mixture of anger and love raise up, as we see starving children? But here is my point: The only ones with a potential to care for the salvation of souls are those, who have already experienced the salvation of Jesus Christ. If, as is the case now, born again Christians devote more than 95 % of their resources to only meet physical and humanitarian needs, then very little resources are left to care for the souls of people. That was my point in last week’s blog, “Who cares for my soul?” I’m not speaking to the population at large. I know that they will not understand this concern to get the Gospel to everyone. I’m speaking to those who have already benefitted from the salvation that Jesus Christ provided at the cross of Calvary 2000 years ago.

Has Jesus been a benefit to you? Do you have assurance that your sins are forgiven? Has this improved your life? Have you had a taste of what it means that Christ lives in you? Do you feel that your salvation is valuable? Is it worth giving to others? The apostles 2000 years ago felt that what they had received from Jesus was so valuable, that they were willing to give their lives for its propagation.

Those who work for the humanitarian needs of people have access to billions of dollars, and over a decade trillions of dollars, while those who deal with souls for people deal with tens, hundreds or maybe a thousand dollar gift, now and then. I’m calling for the passion for souls to return to the church. Jesus said: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul”. Do you agree with Jesus? Is a soul worth as much as the wealth of the whole world?

If a person is starving, giving him a bowl of rice is certainly of value, though that bowl will be gone tomorrow. Even better, give someone an education, whereby they can get a job and support themselves. Great! But what’s the point of giving someone a bowl of rice or education, roof over their head and a good family life without their souls being saved?

The soul is eternal. Our money reaches far. With 10 000 monthly partner sharing $ 30 or more each month I can promise you that 2 – 3 million souls would receive Jesus each year. Our track record for decades has been that for not much more than a dollar we can reach someone who doesn’t know Jesus. And not only reach them but also give them follow up material. World Impact Ministries still has a long way to go to 10 000 monthly committed partners. Will you be one of them? How do you see the value of a soul? Do you think it matters whether the people hear the Good News of Jesus or not? Let me know.

Peter

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Believers are irresistibly drawn to pictures of starving children, wounded bodies and victims of natural disasters. Meanwhile the Psalmist’s cry “who cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:4) remains unnoticed and unanswered. Easily 95 % of today’s missions work is exclusively humanitarian and social. If Jesus’ perspective, that a soul is worth more than the whole world means anything, we have put the cart before the horse. Our programs call for distribution of bread first, and only then, maybe the Bread of Life. Jesus and the Apostles pursued a different pattern; giving the Bread of Life first, and then address the concern for material needs.

Merely meeting people’s physical needs do not solve the problem. Look at Africa! Not only billions, but possibly trillions of dollars have been given in the last few decades to solve the AIDS –problem, starvation etc. Has it brought a solution? No, in fact, in many areas the problems seem to be increasing. Outward solutions without inward change bring little or no result.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus fed the hungry on two occasions. Meanwhile He continually told people in every town and village to “believe the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). Just before the feeding the 5000 Jesus sent His disciples to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. Notice, He gave the Gospel first and then He fed the hungry. Paul followed the same pattern. He first preached the Gospel and then later, in a situation of special need, Paul collected finances for the social needs of the churches that were living in famine. Once local churches were established those churches exhibited a concern for people’s physical needs. As the Word of God was taught, people learned to look to God as their source and special needs were met. The inevitable result of the proclaimed Gospel was that the social standard was raised.

United Nations, the governments of United States, Canada and European nations spend billions annually on meeting social needs but they do nothing to share the Gospel. Huge secular NGOs (non-governmental organization) such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation spend additional billions of dollars. On top of these there are numerous NGOs that operate under the banner of Christianity, but their focus is also on the social and material needs of people. There is a flurry of multi-billion dollar activities to relieve poverty and feed the hungry, while 7000 people groups remain without any witness of the Gospel, and their cry “who cares for my soul” goes unnoticed. The term “outreach” has become associated with feedings, car-washes, and events where the Gospel presentation is minimal at best. Who cares for the soul? Who cares that some are born, live and die without a single opportunity to hear the Gospel? Untouched! Unreached! Forgotten!

I feel this is a personal failure of myself and others who have a similar conviction. Yes, we have many wonderful, caring, loving partners. Thank God for each one! Yes, we have obviously failed to convince millions of fellow believers of the importance of a soul. In the 1920’s the average evangelical church in the western world committed 20 % of its income to world missions. That was at a time when missions were about winning people to Christ. The value of the soul was in focus. Today the average church allows just over 1 % to missions, and most of that money has little to do with winning people to Christ. It seems when the concern for souls is reduced, the entire focus of mission also goes downhill. There is much more to be said. I’ll make additional comments over the next few weeks. How do you see it?

Peter. 

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Why does the media report the activities of these extremists? Is it an effort to make born-again evangelicals look bad? I hope not. As the Topeka group operates under the guise of being born-again Christians, the public is maybe led to believe that this is a true representation of born-again Christianity. It’s time we get our message across to people. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17). We can’t let media get by with charactering what we are all about. So is it the media’s fault, or do we have ourselves to blame? The truth is probably somewhere in between. All too many born-again Christians equate the Phelps family’s activities with standing up for truth and righteousness. The only righteousness worth standing up for is Jesus’ righteousness, and He gives it freely to everyone who believes. Possibly there are journalists who like to portray evangelicals in a negative light. Uxbridge has a population of some 19,000 people. Hopefully there are Jesus followers who might reach out to the Phelps family, preach the Gospel to them and they, too, can receive the Good News that makes us love, not hate other people. Sadly I can visualize the news clips, showing Fred Phelps and his family up to their antics. It is sad that the media can’t get away with a negative characterization, because the real Gospel is the greatest message of hope and love the world has ever heard. If we were maybe a little bit more focused on the Good News of Jesus, we wouldn’t be such an inviting target for the media. Your thoughts? - Peter Youngren  

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While economists emphasize different aspects of the crisis, I don’t think anyone would dispute that greed run amuck is an underlying cause. Basically everyone willing and qualified to buy a house (based on financial abilities) already had one. In fact, some bought more than one. Yet, in a drive to show ever increasing quarterly profits, CEOs came up with new and inventive ways to offer irresponsible mortgages to unsuspecting and ill-advised customers.

Remember the advertisement; “no job, no credit, no money, no problem”. In fact, if someone does not have a job, or money or credit, there is a problem. Where does greed come in to it? Well, the annual bonuses of CEO’s depend on the ever increasing sale of mortgages. So ultimately it was, like so many human issues, all about selfishness, looking out for number one. Well, the bubble burst and now we are in the damage control throwing money at the problem; close to three trillion dollars by one recent report. The ripple effects are everywhere, and now the North American automobile industry is on the verge of collapse

Here is the good news. With God, the worst of times can become the best. When believers discover the limitation of human wisdom, we become more willing to tap into Christ’s wisdom. He, who was rich, became very poor that we through His poverty might be rich [2 Corinthians 8:9]. Jesus Christ is the foundation of our prosperity. We prosper by grace. Once we understand that all things are ours because of Christ are ready to enter God’s prosperity zone.

I know that there has been much teaching on prosperity and Biblical economics. Frankly, some are excited about it, while others are turned off. I wouldn’t be promoting any teaching package, let alone on the topic of prosperity, if I didn’t know that I’m saying something unique and genuinely helpful. I don’t normally blog and promote a teaching album at the same time. “Prosperity in Tough Times” is simply a package that will help people practically to see the worst of times become the best of time.

The following is included:  Click Here To Order

“God, You and Money” (4 CDs)- This teaching gives unusual insights, especially for people who have been sowing gifts into the kingdom of God, but have not been reaping to the extent that they should have.

“Practical Prosperity” (4 CDs) – This teaching series gives real practical and well proven instruction. I recorded this before the current financial crisis, and I now see the tremendous significance of these principals.

“God’s Mind in Tough Times” - This is a single teaching showing how Joseph enjoyed the mind of Christ during seven years of financial hardship in Egypt.

You will find these nine CDs an invaluable resource in these difficult times. The regular value including shipping and handling is $72, but through our website you can order the entire package for only $49, S/H included. 

History proves again and again that times of financial adversity have often been the greatest times for God’s people to prosper! Has the financial crisis affected you?  ~Peter.

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First of all, let me state that I do not deny there are battles facing every born again believer.  From grizzled veterans of the 5-fold ministry to the average guy putting in 40hrs a week at the local factory – we all wage these battles.  However, for born again believers this battle is not waged in the “spiritual” realm – this battle is waged between our ears.  It is against principalities and powers that exalt themselves above the ‘knowledge’ of Christ.  I am sure the devil wants every Christian to believe he (satan) still has something he can use against us in the heavenlies when in reality our true selves are already perfect and seated in the heavenlies with Christ.  Satan cannot touch born again believers as we are “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).  This being said; if the devil can get us thinking, praying and battling against spiritual enemies we feel ‘we’ need to defeat or generation curses we think ‘we’ need to break, then he has won that battle no matter how much we pray or fight because even addressing the issue on those terms exalts them above the knowledge of Christ.  The fact is this: Jesus utterly defeated and disarmed satan and his cohorts at Calvary.  Believing anything less is to deny the Gospel it’s true power.
One thing I do refute is the existence of spiritual generational curses over those who have been saved.  The only way a “generational curse” can possibly have any effect on a born again person is if this person is taught that a curse is on them and they end up believing it.  How can a generational curse apply to someone who has never existed before?  When we are born again we become “new creations” - that word “new” means “out of nothing”.  God doesn’t just change us - He recreates us!  Also, how can something that God has blessed be cursed?  To say that a born again believer needs to break generational curses over them is to say that the work of the cross wasn’t enough and that we have to put the finishing touches on what Christ wasn’t able to complete.  What people really struggle with here is ways of thinking and behaving that get passed down from generation to generation.  In some religious circles this event gets misdiagnosed as a “generational curse” and people get all weird about it. 
I also don’t for one second believe that there can be some demon with ‘legal’ access to you because of what great, great, great grandmother Matilda did with a Ouija board or what Uncle Henry performed in a ritual ceremony 100 years ago.  ‘Legally’ speaking we have an advocate that stands before God 24/7 on our behalf - His name is Jesus - so it’s not up to us to defend ourselves even if we do screw up or if something bad happened in our past.  “What about sin?  Doesn’t that give satan the legal right to accuse us?”  No.  Committing actions that don’t line up with who we are merely gives the devil the ability to whisper thoughts of condemnation in our ears in an effort to make us feel unworthy of God’s love.  This can be a powerful weapon; however, even if it is only in our minds and that is why we must keep in the forefront of our thoughts who Christ is in us, who we are in Him and what that truly means.  Satan cannot accuse us before our Father anymore because In Christ the issue of sin has been dealt with and the devil has no argument.
The primary struggle we have, as Paul states, is to enter into the rest God has provided for us in Christ.  I guess that will always be a struggle until That day comes.  Nobody will achieve perfection of thought or action until we see Him (Jesus) as He is but in the meantime we can rest safely in the fact that, as far as God is concerned and according to Christ in us, we are perfect in His eyes. 

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Where does greed come in? Well, it all had to do with showing an ever increasing profit on paper, driving stock prices and managers’ bonuses ever higher. Finally the system broke. Unlike the familiar sign in the knick-knack shop, “You Break It – You Own It”, our current motto is: They Break It - We (the tax payers) Own It. It has already happened in the U.S., Europe is next and Canada may not be far behind.

So will a new president make a difference? What about a new Prime Minister in Canada?
One of the lessons from the recent crisis is that when push comes to shove it is the unelected leaders who make the difference. In the financial crisis it is the Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke and the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson. The trillion dollar bailout (700 billion plus the previous bailouts last month) that effects, not only the US economy, but the whole world is their brainchild. Meanwhile President Bush, Congress and the presidential nominees were virtual by-standers as the bailout was introduced. It appeared the politicians were as much at a loss to what was coming next as the rest of us. Whatever the recommendations from the financial experts (the ones who got us into this mess) left the lawmakers with little to add. After all, this was a crisis. Immediate action was needed. Politicians pretended to have the answer, but they were basically left waiting for Paulson and Bernanke to call for the next move.

All this leads me to another thought. How much power does a President or prime minister really yield? For a number of elections now we evangelicals have been told that if we just voted for the right party our votes would have an influence on the moral issues of the day, most notably the reduction in abortions and gay “marriages”.

I was a great admirer of pro-life President Ronald Reagan. But sad to say, neither Reagan nor the current pro-life occupant of the White House, have had any measurable influence on these issues. Arguably there hasn’t been one less abortion, regardless of who occupies the White House. Currently we hear the same posturing, talk of the critical need to appoint Supreme Court Justices to overturn Roe v. Wade in the United States. In Canada similar thoughts are expressed, though the Canadian family values agenda is less in the news. The Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, is pro-life, but will that make any difference? How much power do politician really have? When it comes to issues of war, the power is obvious as we have seen in the United States and in Canada. But on the moral and social issues the influence of elected politicians is rather small.

The Scripture declares, some trust in horses and chariots but we trust in the name of the Lord. We could paraphrase, some trust in politicians and economists but we trust in the Jesus as our source, provider and guide for morality. Yes, a new president and a new prime minister will make some difference, but don’t look to politicians for moral and social guidance. Arguably the church´s best days were under Roman authority in the 1st century. No help from politicians back then, just believers “turning the world upside down” by preaching “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”.

Love to hear your thoughts whether you agree or disagree. Keep blogging.

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Now let me get this straight. A large number of born-again people are to let God know that He is supposed to send rain at a specific time in Denver, CO. And not just rain, but a storm of such devastating proportions that all would know, “this was God.”

Was the person behind this prayer call an extremist? Yes, but regrettably he represents an all to common extremism. Sending torrential rains on a political candidate? What about tsunamis, earthquakes, or assassinations? Are these divine activities?

A few months ago a video was on the news where Pastor John Hagee suggested that God was behind Hitler and the holocaust in order to accomplish His prophetic purposes. These are flimsy, twisted, grotesque and embarrassing interpretations of Scripture (more about this another time).

It is time for the evangelical community to draw a line in the sand and totally reject this kind of reasoning. This is an awful and derogatory representation of Christianity and the Gospel. Is this what we are about? Requesting that God cause misfortune to those who we may not agree with?

One pentecostal Christian in Florida told me God was allowing McCain to win the U.S. Election and that the Baptist preacher, Mike Huckabee, would be the Vice President. God would then orchestrate the quick death of McCain in order that the born-again Huckabee might ascend to the presidency. Where does this line of thinking come from? Who comes up with such ideas? What are people hearing from the pulpits, week after week?

Sadly, the evangelical church has lost awareness of what the Gospel is all about. God is not in the business of punishing whatever person or idea he might be displeased with. God sent His judgment for human sin on Jesus Christ, releasing us to preach “Good News” to the world. Unfortunately, bad news religion seems to be everywhere. Now and then you see a ray of light as someone presents what God has really done for world.

By the way, the sun shone brightly on Obama’s rally.

What if it had rained on Obama? Would that have been indication that the prayer call would have been answered by God? Certainly not! With that logic we would have to assume that the churches that were damaged as a result of hurricane Katrina were also punished by God. The fact is that believers as well as nonbelievers died on 9/11, in Hurricane Katrina and in the tsunami that wreaked devastation in South East Asia. We live in an imperfect world. Bad news is everywhere but our job is to preach the Good News. When we drift from the Gospel we look ridiculous. One more thought. I’m not advocating McCain or Obama; I’m bringing correction to a church that forgot the Gospel. Your thoughts? -Peter      

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Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was sentenced to eight years in prison and internal exile for life for merely describing Stalin as a tyrant using the metaphor “the whiskered one.” It seems laughable from a western perspective but it was deadly in the totalitarian Soviet Union. Solzhenitsyn’s most famous work, the Gulag Archipelago, reads like an encyclopedia of the monstrosity of Communism under Stalin. Solzhenitsyn made a choice to express himself and take a stand no matter what the cost. He wrote in order to give a voice to those who suffered and expose the lies of a cruel regime. When he first came to America he was applauded and became a media darling. That all changed when his voice became critical of western decadence. Eventually he moved back to his motherland Russia.
Solzhenitsyn’s passing causes me to reflect: what things am I willing to stand up for no matter the consequences? What are the causes for which I am able to risk my life? Do I take a stand when I see deception? You’ve heard the saying, “if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” What do I stand for? How about you?
It’s hard to judge ourselves, others may judge us better, and certainly God knows us perfectly. From where I sit it seems that the revelation of the Gospel of the grace of Jesus has made me less tolerant of mystical religion and foolish legalism. It has made me more adamant that the whole world has a right to hear the Gospel. Now that is something worth standing for, worth my interest, my finances and my commitment. Your thoughts?

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