- Philip Yancey - Christopher Yuan - Sarah Young - William Young - Steve Yount -
Phillip Yancey
Philip Yancey (born November 4, 1949 is an American author who writes primarily about spiritual issues. His books have sold more than 15 million copies in English and have been translated into 40 languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. Two of his books have won the ECPA's Christian Book of the Year Award: The Jesus I Never Knew in 1996, and What's So Amazing About Grace? in 1998. He is published by Hachette, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, InterVarsity Press, and Penguin Random House.
Sight-Seeing: The elegant music of grace in a tone-deaf world
Added to that is the fact that it’s often Christians who haven’t understood the message of grace that the Gospel proclaims. I’ve recently been listening to the audio version of the revised edition of Philip Yancey’s bestselling book, What’s So Amazing About Grace?. In it, Yancey tells the story of an article he wrote when he was writing for the esteemed evangelical magazine, Christianity Today. The article’s title was “The Atrocious Mathematics Of The Gospel”. The criticism Yancey received for his article was vicious. Readers didn’t appreciate the grace he was writing about and the fact that they thought he was calling the Gospel atrocious. The point Yancey was making in his article was that, in Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), grace was shown to be something that just isn’t fair. Yancey’s point didn’t go down well in a church culture that often seems more steeped in the principles of capitalism than those of the Sermon on the Mount.
(Nils Von Kalm/Sight Magazine 12/19/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Added to that is the fact that it’s often Christians who haven’t understood the message of grace that the Gospel proclaims. I’ve recently been listening to the audio version of the revised edition of Philip Yancey’s bestselling book, What’s So Amazing About Grace?. In it, Yancey tells the story of an article he wrote when he was writing for the esteemed evangelical magazine, Christianity Today. The article’s title was “The Atrocious Mathematics Of The Gospel”. The criticism Yancey received for his article was vicious. Readers didn’t appreciate the grace he was writing about and the fact that they thought he was calling the Gospel atrocious. The point Yancey was making in his article was that, in Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), grace was shown to be something that just isn’t fair. Yancey’s point didn’t go down well in a church culture that often seems more steeped in the principles of capitalism than those of the Sermon on the Mount.
(Nils Von Kalm/Sight Magazine 12/19/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
ECPA Celebrates Philip Yancey, Luci Shaw
Philip Yancey is no stranger to The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Awards Celebration held during their annual Leadership Summit. The author has been honored numerous times for sales in the millions and unflinching prose. On May 9, Yancey reached the top, the Pinnacle Award for an author's impact on the Church and society, and Luci Shaw — editor, poet, and co-founder of Harold Shaw Publishers — was presented with the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award. The ECPA cited her 'innovative, influential and enduring" contributions, raising the bar for "literary excellence in Christian publishing."
(Cathy Lynn Grossman/Publishers Weekly 5/10/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Philip Yancey is no stranger to The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Awards Celebration held during their annual Leadership Summit. The author has been honored numerous times for sales in the millions and unflinching prose. On May 9, Yancey reached the top, the Pinnacle Award for an author's impact on the Church and society, and Luci Shaw — editor, poet, and co-founder of Harold Shaw Publishers — was presented with the Kenneth N. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award. The ECPA cited her 'innovative, influential and enduring" contributions, raising the bar for "literary excellence in Christian publishing."
(Cathy Lynn Grossman/Publishers Weekly 5/10/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
April 5, 2023: Webb City Sentinel: Dose of Truth
In “The Jesus I Never Knew,” award-winning author Philip Yancey examines the story of Jesus’ resurrection. He says those who reject the resurrection usually see Jesus’ disciples, “either as gullible rubes with a weakness for ghost stories, or as shrewd conspirators who conceived a resurrection plot as a way to jump start a new religion.”
In “The Jesus I Never Knew,” award-winning author Philip Yancey examines the story of Jesus’ resurrection. He says those who reject the resurrection usually see Jesus’ disciples, “either as gullible rubes with a weakness for ghost stories, or as shrewd conspirators who conceived a resurrection plot as a way to jump start a new religion.”
Jan 14, 2022: Church Times: Philip Yancey: how I survived my brutal Christian childhood
His memoir Where the Light Fell took him three years to write, and a draft in 2015 was more than twice as long as the book that was finally published at the end of last year. It reads like the best of fiction, Angela’s Ashes, say, or Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. It is searing and sensory, brutally honest, and frequently humorous: the story of an impoverished childhood and youth in a fundamentalist church, dominated by fear of hellfire and a wildly unpredictable mother
His memoir Where the Light Fell took him three years to write, and a draft in 2015 was more than twice as long as the book that was finally published at the end of last year. It reads like the best of fiction, Angela’s Ashes, say, or Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. It is searing and sensory, brutally honest, and frequently humorous: the story of an impoverished childhood and youth in a fundamentalist church, dominated by fear of hellfire and a wildly unpredictable mother
==Christopher Yuan==================
Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for over ten years, and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He has co-authored, with his mother, their memoir (now in seven languages), Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope, and he is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless. Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College Graduate School, and received his doctorate of ministry from Bethel Seminary. His most recent book is Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story.
Abilene Christian University holds homophobic Holy Sexuality Week
In its letter, Wildcats for Inclusion wrote, “By our count, Christopher Yuan alone compared homosexuality to two mental illnesses, a horrific disease, and a majority of the so-called ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ from Proverbs. Even as he rightly and admirably condemned the bullying of queer people, he perpetuated the conditions that allow bullying to occur.” Well, obviously they’re not looking for LGBTQ students. If you are LGBTQ, find a school that welcomes you. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice 12/15/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
In its letter, Wildcats for Inclusion wrote, “By our count, Christopher Yuan alone compared homosexuality to two mental illnesses, a horrific disease, and a majority of the so-called ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ from Proverbs. Even as he rightly and admirably condemned the bullying of queer people, he perpetuated the conditions that allow bullying to occur.” Well, obviously they’re not looking for LGBTQ students. If you are LGBTQ, find a school that welcomes you. (David Taffet/Dallas Voice 12/15/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
A Prodigal Son Finally Comes Home
Several years ago I shared on my blog about Christopher Yuan’s story of God’s grace, and his deliverance from homosexual sin. I got to meet him, and his parents Leon and Angelia Yuan, when we were both speaking in 2017 at an apologetics conference, and greatly enjoyed having breakfast with Christopher and hearing his testimony. Here’s a brief synopsis of his story: Christopher once lived as an openly gay young man. But after being sentenced for drug dealing and finding he had HIV, he had a powerful conversion experience through reading the Bible in prison. He was not transformed into someone with heterosexual desires, but after growing as a Christian and searching God’s Word, he concluded that he could not follow Christ while submitting his thoughts and actions to same-sex desires. A serious and careful student of God’s Word, Christopher has been a professor at Moody Bible Institute.(Randy Alcorn/Eternal Perpsectives 4/27/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Several years ago I shared on my blog about Christopher Yuan’s story of God’s grace, and his deliverance from homosexual sin. I got to meet him, and his parents Leon and Angelia Yuan, when we were both speaking in 2017 at an apologetics conference, and greatly enjoyed having breakfast with Christopher and hearing his testimony. Here’s a brief synopsis of his story: Christopher once lived as an openly gay young man. But after being sentenced for drug dealing and finding he had HIV, he had a powerful conversion experience through reading the Bible in prison. He was not transformed into someone with heterosexual desires, but after growing as a Christian and searching God’s Word, he concluded that he could not follow Christ while submitting his thoughts and actions to same-sex desires. A serious and careful student of God’s Word, Christopher has been a professor at Moody Bible Institute.(Randy Alcorn/Eternal Perpsectives 4/27/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Christopher Yuan's Testimony from Radical on Vimeo. |
==sarah young====================
Sarah Young, author of the bestselling 365-day devotionals Jesus Calling(R) and Jesus Listens, was committed to helping people connect with Jesus and the Bible. Her books have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide. Jesus Calling(R) has appeared on all major bestseller lists. Sarah's writings include Jesus Calling(R), Jesus Listens, Jesus Always, Jesus Today(R), Jesus Lives(TM), Dear Jesus, Jesus Calling(R) for Little Ones, Jesus Calling(R) Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling(R): 365 Devotions for Kids, and more, each encouraging readers in their journeys toward intimacy with Christ. Sarah believed praying for her readers was a privilege and God-given responsibility and did so daily even amidst her own health challenges.
10 Serious Problems with Jesus Calling
Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling is a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down. According to publisher Thomas Nelson, it “continues to grow in units sold each year since it was released [and] has surpassed 15 million copies sold.” Nelson is involved in an expansive new marketing campaign that involves a new web site and daily radio devotionals. ECPA reports that “Thomas Nelson began its partnership with the Salem Media group to provide 60-second daily messages on Eric Metaxas’ show, which is carried on more than 100 stations nationwide and worldwide on SiriusXM Radio. The Jesus Calling radio devotional reaches more than 500,000 people each day through these segments.” With 15 million copies sold, it has marched its way into rare company. Yet it is a deeply troubling book. I am going to point out 10 serious problems with Jesus Calling in the hope that you will consider and heed these warnings. (True Discernment/ 11/19/15)
READ MORE>>>>>
Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling is a phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down. According to publisher Thomas Nelson, it “continues to grow in units sold each year since it was released [and] has surpassed 15 million copies sold.” Nelson is involved in an expansive new marketing campaign that involves a new web site and daily radio devotionals. ECPA reports that “Thomas Nelson began its partnership with the Salem Media group to provide 60-second daily messages on Eric Metaxas’ show, which is carried on more than 100 stations nationwide and worldwide on SiriusXM Radio. The Jesus Calling radio devotional reaches more than 500,000 people each day through these segments.” With 15 million copies sold, it has marched its way into rare company. Yet it is a deeply troubling book. I am going to point out 10 serious problems with Jesus Calling in the hope that you will consider and heed these warnings. (True Discernment/ 11/19/15)
READ MORE>>>>>
Oct 1, 2013: Christianity Today: Sarah Young Still Hears Jesus Calling
But even as the book continues to top bestseller lists (and prompts spinoffs, including a devotional Bible, a storybook, and women's, teen's, and children's editions), its author, Sarah Young, remains virtually unknown. Most people seem unaware of who Young is, even if they have read Jesus Calling.
But even as the book continues to top bestseller lists (and prompts spinoffs, including a devotional Bible, a storybook, and women's, teen's, and children's editions), its author, Sarah Young, remains virtually unknown. Most people seem unaware of who Young is, even if they have read Jesus Calling.
==william young=====================
William Paul Young (born May 11, 1955), referred to as Wm. Paul Young or simply Paul Young, is a Canadian author. He wrote the novels The Shack, Cross Roads, Eve, and the religious book Lies We Believe About God. Young originally wrote primarily as a way to create unique gifts for his friends, until his wife repeatedly urged him to write something for their six children in order to put down in one place his perspectives on God and on the inner healing Young had experienced as an adult. The resulting manuscript, which later became The Shack, was intended only for his six kids and for a handful of close friends.
Apr 9, 2015: Christianity Today: Don't Believe Everything Twitter Says About That Lifeway Blacklist
Joel Osteen, William P. Young, and Joyce Meyer are three of the biggest names in Christian publishing. None of their titles are sold through Lifeway Christian Resources.
Joel Osteen, William P. Young, and Joyce Meyer are three of the biggest names in Christian publishing. None of their titles are sold through Lifeway Christian Resources.
The Shack by William Young People loved The Shack because it replaced the God of the Bible (which deep down they possibly didn’t feel comfortable with, because His ways are beyond our understanding and bad things happen, and it upsets our sunshine version of Christianity) and gave them a God who made them feel good, who took the God of the Bible and said, “That’s not really God, this is what God is like…” and gave them a diluted, false version of Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and a dose of Sophia, Greek goddess of wisdom.
I was sure that anyone with even a modicum of discernment would throw the book in the trash. I had underestimated how wide the door of deception had opened. I lost friends who were pastors who were furious at me for questioning the book. One pastor railed at me, “I haven’t had a relationship with God for years, but now I have my ‘Papa’ back! You can’t take that from me!” Nothing jarred me more than seeing grown men of God just abandoning clear truth because something tugged their heart, justifying the scriptural butchering by saying, “It’s just fiction, it’s not the Bible!” I confronted someone on this the other night. “What about the satanic Necronomicon. Can I read it? It’s just fiction. Can I read pornography? It’s just fiction.” They thought that a bit extreme. Of course it was. - Gregory Reid |
While we are on the subject of theology, it is note worthy that the God portrayed in Young’s novel “does not need to punish people for sin” (120). Thus the traditional view of the Deity as Judge is dispensed with because “sin is its own punishment.” It appears that history’s wisest man, Solomon, must have been in error then, when he recorded in Ecclesiastes that he had seen “righteous men perishing in their righteousness and wicked men living long in their wickedness” (Ecclesiastes 7:15). He had also observed “righteous men getting what the wicked deserve, and wicked men getting what the righteous deserve” (Ecclesiastes 8:14). Most would agree, I think, that Solomon’s observations are far more in keeping with how the world actually works than Young’s attempts to “airbrush” the concepts of sin an devil. -William P Young; Christian Scholars Revue
|
==steve yount=======================
Steve Yount is a former newspaper editor and public-relations executive working with Christian ministries.
The importance of distinguishing between truth and lies becomes clear in the first few pages of the Bible. When Eve told the serpent that God had said she and Adam would die--become mortal—if they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the serpent responded: “You will not certainly die. . . . For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4–5 NIV).
Ever since then, the devil has used lies in spiritual warfare. Jesus said there is “no truth” in the devil: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NIV). And that, John Mark Comer asserted in Live No Lies, leads us to a fundamental truth: “Jesus sees our primary war against the devil as a fight to believe truth over lies.”
But there are practical things we can do to avoid being duped.
--Steve Yount; Denison Forum; Discernment 101: How to separate fact from fiction 10.31.23
Ever since then, the devil has used lies in spiritual warfare. Jesus said there is “no truth” in the devil: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NIV). And that, John Mark Comer asserted in Live No Lies, leads us to a fundamental truth: “Jesus sees our primary war against the devil as a fight to believe truth over lies.”
But there are practical things we can do to avoid being duped.
--Steve Yount; Denison Forum; Discernment 101: How to separate fact from fiction 10.31.23