Eternal Perspectives (Randy Alcorn's blog)

November Giveaway of the Month: Wait Until Then

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Anderson) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:54:00 +0000

This month, three randomly drawn winners will receive the children’s book Wait Until Then, written by Randy Alcorn and beautifully illustrated by Doron Ben-Ami. (If you're reading this post on Facebook or Amazon or elsewhere, visit http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-giveaway-of-month-wait-until.html to leave your comment and enter.)

Nathan loved baseball. He watched it on TV...went to games...read books about it...collected baseball cards. And he talked and dreamed with his grandfather about running the bases. Gramps always told him, "I'm pretty sure our best baseball is still ahead of us." Nathan loved that idea.

Let Randy Alcorn help your child understand what the Bible says about Heaven and the New Earth yet to come—and why they're worth the wait.

(By the way, 100% of the royalties from Wait Until Then are donated to Joni and Friends.)

Here’s Randy sharing more about the book:

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

How to enter the giveaway:

Leave a comment on this post by Sunday, November 29. (If you're reading this post on Amazon or elsewhere, visit http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-giveaway-of-month-wait-until.html to leave your comment.)

In order to qualify for the giveaway, you must include your contact information (a blog, e-mail address, or website), otherwise we cannot contact you if your name is drawn. (If you do leave an e-mail address, to avoid having it picked up by spammers, I recommend encoding it, such as: youraddress AT yahoo DOT com)

Need help posting a comment? Click here for step-by-step instructions.

For further assistance, contact me at stephanie@epm.org

The three randomly drawn winners will be announced in a blog post on Monday, November 30, so be sure to check back and see if you won.

If you're a previous winner, rather than entering, we'd encourage you to share this giveaway with friends who are not familiar with Randy's books and Eternal Perspective Ministries.

You can learn more about Wait Until Then and view more illustrations from the book at the EPM website. You might also like to check out Randy’s other children’s books, Tell Me About Heaven and Heaven for Kids.

Stephanie Anderson
Promotions Director
Eternal Perspective Ministries
www.epm.org

Did You Know: the Changing World of Technology

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:13:00 +0000

The video in this blog is an incredible look at how far technology has advanced and is changing, even just within the past year. As you watch it, remember that technology is a part of society or culture, which is the creative accomplishment of God’s image-bearers. Human creations are an extension of God’s own creative works because he created us to reflect him by being creators.

Mankind glorifies God by taking what God made from nothing and shaping it into what is for mankind’s good and God’s glory. The entire universe—including angels and living creatures in Heaven—should look at our creative ingenuity, our artistic accomplishments, and see God in us, his image-bearers.

It’s true that with engines have come pollution and fatalities. With printing and publishing have come godless books and magazines. With television has come the glorification of immorality and materialism. Computers have led to Internet pornography. With the splitting of the atom came a destructive bomb and loss of human life. With medical advances have come abortion and euthanasia. Yet none of these negative byproducts is intrinsic to the cultural advances themselves. Imagine those advances used purely for righteous purposes, without sin to taint them.

What you are imagining is the New Earth.

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

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Question and Answer of the Week: Do you believe in guardian angels?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Scripture suggests there are guardian angels for children. Jesus says of children, "their angels behold the face of my Father," Matt. 18:10. Also, it appears there was one specific angel assigned to the apostle Peter ("his angel," Acts 12:15).

Luke 16:22 has "angels" carrying Lazarus to Paradise, but we don't know if one angel was his guardian on earth, or more than one, or if the angels are those who greet him on the other side of death.

Wayne Grudem, in his excellent Systematic Theology, suggests that angels may, so to speak, play "zone defense" rather than "man on man." That's possible, but I think the burden of proof falls on the "no such thing as guardian angels assigned to individuals" position. There's no reason to believe there aren't enough angels to go around and logic suggests the best guardian is the One who knows his subject best, not one who moves around from person to person. Unless there's a compelling reason to the contrary (and I'm not sure I can think of one), why WOULDN'T an assigned angel stick with one person?

I spent some time with a well known person who has a full-time bodyguard. This man has been with him for a long time, maybe twenty years. He knows his routines, his habits, his preferences, etc. So he can do his job far better than a new guy could. Can you imagine a bodyguard agency that assigns new bodyguards to people every day or month or year, switching them around?

True, there is more than one Secret Service guy protecting the president, and we could have more than one angel assigned to us, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that one is "the main guardian" who calls the shots, and he doesn't get reassigned to go guard other people. I portray a sort of tag-team temptation by groups of demons in a couple of my novels, and the same could apply to guardians, but again the idea of one main guardian seems most sensible.

Because references to "guardian angels" are now part of the modern angel preoccupation, it's possible to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The trendy New Age slant on angels is evident in books such as Ask Your Angel, and others that speak of discovering your angel's name, praying to your angel, etc. These are way off base. The "Metaphysics" section of our local Borders bookstore is absolutely huge—OK, I live in Oregon, I know—and contains dozens and dozens of books on angels, most of them with little or no biblical basis. It's interesting that people can be intrigued by "spirituality," and angels strike them as "safer" than God. Yet in Scripture angels begin by saying, "Do not be afraid." Why? Because of their awesomeness and holiness, the natural response is fear.

While I personally favor man (i.e. angel) on man defense, there are all sorts of times in sports that call for switches and double teams. So a man on man and a zone are not mutually exclusive, but the one that's used may depend on the circumstances and the available resources.

In a few of my novels I imagine interactions between people and angels in Heaven. In Deadline, a Christian, in Heaven after death, thanks his Angel Guardian for all his years of tireless and thankless (by humans) service. Read the excerpt.

Later, this man and his guardian from earth, who's now his guide in heaven, discuss Christ's incarnation and redemption. This is an example of how an angel's perspective might differ from ours, and how we might be able to learn from each other in heaven. Read the excerpt.

The following is an outline of the subject of angels and demons: www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=388. It's a pretty good summary, I think.

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Children in Crisis Worldwide

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:22:00 +0000

Earlier this year, my friend Doug Nichols, founder and director of ACTION International Ministries, a great missions organization, sent these humbling statistics about needy children worldwide. As you and I pray and consider what to do with our lives and resources, I hope God will use these facts to touch our hearts. (By the way, this Sunday, November 8, is Orphan Sunday, an opportunity to rouse your church, community and friends to God’s call to care for the orphan. Learn more at www.orphansunday.org)

HIV/AIDS and Disease

Over 38 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide, with over 2.3 million children under 15 living with the disease. Every day, more than 1,000 children are newly infected.

At least 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS, most in sub-Saharan, Africa. It is estimated that a child loses a parent to AIDS-related causes every 14 seconds. By 2010, the number of children orphaned by AIDS globally is expected to exceed 25 million.

War and Effects of War

It is estimated that at least 250,000 young people under 18 are exploited as child soldiers around the world.

Child Labor

Over 218 million children, aged 5-17, are engaged in child labor throughout the world.

At least 126 million find themselves in the worst forms of child labor: slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, and other forced labor. Girls from northern India have been sold to families from the Middle East as home slaves. Many children are unseen, laboring behind the walls of workshops, hidden from view in plantations. Many are involved in trafficking of these young children to work as bonded slaves.

Sexual Exploitation

Over 1.8 million children are trapped in sex trades: prostitution, pornography, and other illicit activities.

The sexual exploitation of women and children is the third largest illicit industry on the planet (just behind the sale of illegal arms and drugs). Even though it is lucrative for many, it is life-shattering for others!

Poverty

More than one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. In total, 2.7 billion struggle to survive on less than two dollars a day. In these poverty-challenged areas, the population of children is often close to 50%.

Street Children

Some estimate that 100 million kids live on the street, but they’re nearly impossible to count. ACTION and others estimate that there may be up to 160 million who try to exist on the streets with no parents, no love, no care, no food, and no compassion.

That bread which you keep belongs to the hungry; that coat which you preserve in your wardrobe, to the naked; those shoes which are rotting in your possession, to the shoeless; that gold which you have hidden in the ground, to the needy. Wherefore, as often as you are able to help others, and refuse, so often did you do them wrong. — Augustine

Obedience to the Great Commission has more consistently been poisoned by affluence than by anything else. — Ralph Winter

Caring for the poor and needy is a sobering responsibility for which we will all be held accountable: "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered" (Prov. 21:13). Helping them is not a peripheral issue. May God one day say of us what he said of King Josiah: "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" (Jer. 22:16).

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Choosing a God-Honoring Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:34:00 +0000

Regarding choosing a financial lifestyle that is honoring to God, I received a blog comment from a reader, asking:

Do you believe that everyone should live modestly? (Would that be $30,000 per year, or $50,000, or $100,000, or...?)

How do you measure this? Should everyone have the same amount, or are some called to wealth and others not?

When it comes to our attitude toward wealth, Jesus gave commands. When it comes to our specific possessions and lifestyle, he gave us principles. Jesus did not hand us a precise checklist of what we can and cannot own, and how we can or cannot spend money. Jesus did not say just one thing about money and possessions. He said many things. They were not random clashing noises, but carefully composed melody and harmony to which we must listen as we develop our lifestyles.

On the one hand Christ said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth" (Matt. 6:19). On the other hand Paul gave these instructions to a pastor: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

Paul did not say, "Command those who are rich to stop being rich." The implication is that there is a legitimate diversity in the amount of money and possessions owned by Christians. Of course, there is no room for opulence and waste. There is no room for making wealth a source of security, nor for a lack of generosity or hospitality.

Paul left a door open for a Christian to be "rich in this present world"—but only if he carefully follows the accompanying guidelines related to his attitude toward and his use of that wealth. The rich are not told they must take a vow of poverty. But they are told, essentially, to take a vow of generosity. They are to be rich in good deeds, quick to share, quick to part with their assets for kingdom causes—and in doing so they will lay up treasures in heaven.

But who are these "rich," and how rich are they? The answer is that almost everyone who reads this will be rich, both by first-century standards and by global standards today. Statistically, if you have sufficient food, decent clothes, live in a house that keeps the weather out, and own a reasonably reliable means of transportation, you are among the top 15% of the world's wealthy.

If you have any money saved, a hobby that requires some equipment or supplies (fishing, hunting, skiing, astronomy, coin collecting, painting), a variety of clothes in your closet, two cars (in any condition), and live in your own home, you are in the top 5% of the world's wealthy.

Hence, when we speak of the rich we are not talking about "them" but "us." Those we think of as rich today are really the super-rich, the mega-wealthy. But it is we, the rich, to whom Paul is speaking. The allowance of "rich Christians" by 1 Timothy 6:17 immediately follows a sobering warning of what awaits those who desire to get rich (1 Timothy 6:11). If we are rich, and we are, we need not conclude we are necessarily living in sin. But we must carefully adhere to Paul's instructions of what our attitudes and actions are to be.

Nevertheless, the door remains open to legitimate differences in the amount of wealth we own. When Peter pressed Jesus concerning the Lord's plans for John, Christ responded, "What is that to you? You follow me" (John 21:22).

His emphasis was on the word "you." Each of us has a call of God. We should not be preoccupied with God's dealing with others, nor should we make unhealthy comparisons with our own situation. There are some things that no Christian should do, such as hoard, live in opulence, or fail to give generously. But there are other things some Christians can rightly do that others cannot or choose not to, such as own land, a home, a car, a business, or go on a certain vacation.

Just because they have different lifestyles, one kind of disciple is no more spiritual than the other. Mary of Bethany, arguably the most devoted of all Christ’s disciples, lived in a large house with considerable possessions, which she and her family regularly made available to the twelve. Judas Iscariot, on the other hand, “left all” to follow Christ.

How much money and possessions can we safely keep? Enough to care for our basic needs and some basic wants, but not so much that we are distracted from our basic purpose, or that large amounts of money are kept from higher kingdom causes. Not so much that we become proud and independent of the Lord (Deut. 8:13-14), or are distracted from our purpose, or insulated from our sense of need to depend on God to provide (Matt. 6:26-29).

Those who want to get rich set themselves up for spiritual disaster. Those who happen to be rich, simply as a result of circumstances, hard work, or wisdom, have done nothing wrong. They need not feel guilty unless they do not make their riches generously available to the work of God, or their lifestyles are self-centered and excessive.

The complete article "Choosing a God-Honoring Lifestyle" is available on EPM's website.

You can read more on "Handling Our Money and Possessions" in Money, Possessions and Eternity.

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Where do you stand on the Calvinism and Arminianism debate, and what resources do you recommend?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:28:00 +0000

I've often been asked, Where do you stand on the Calvinism and Arminianism debate, and what resources do you recommend?

I came to Christ in a church that was Arminian, so that was naturally my early leaning. I went to a Bible college and seminary that were both middle of the road where neither hard core Calvinism nor Arminianism often surfaced in class, though on a continuum, some faculty would lean more toward one than the other.

As the years went by, struck by the power of God's sovereignty and grace, I became increasingly closer to what is called a Calvinist rather than an Arminian (though I dislike both labels). As I say in other articles on the EPM website, I believe that Christ died for all, not just the elect, which is the one and only major tenet where I depart from Calvinism (not for logical reasons, but simply because after studying the passages they still seem to me to be saying Christ died for everyone.) So I am what might be called a four point Calvinist, though many 5-point Calvinists hate that term, believing it all stands or fall together. Logically, I see what they mean, it's just my understanding of biblical passages that gives me pause. (It's not because I haven't read extensively and discussed the matter with many people I respectfully disagree with.)

Interesting to reflect back on how my perspective changed over the years. I will never forget the horror I felt when I read Romans 9-10 as a young Christian, and the confusion I felt when reading passages speaking of election and predestination. Ironically, many of the same passages that once plagued me are now my greatest source of comfort. God's sovereign grace is precious to me...as I know it is also to many who see things a bit differently when it comes to election and God's work in our lives.

Though he was an outspoken Calvinist, Charles Spurgeon--a man whose theology I love--was opposed by both Arminians and hyper-Calvinists. He said some things that I think are important in this whole debate, including this: "My love of consistency with my own doctrinal views is not great enough to allow me knowingly to alter a single text of Scripture. I have great respect for orthodoxy, but my reverence for inspiration is far greater. I would sooner a hundred times over appear to be inconsistent with myself than be inconsistent with the word of God." I assembled some of Spurgeon's thoughts that pertain to this at Spurgeon's Theology: Embracing Biblical Paradox.

The one systematic theology I love most and use most is Wayne Grudem's. Wayne is a Calvinist, but I like the fact that be seems always to seek first to be a biblicist. I get the feeling he doesn't take a position because that's what Calvinists are supposed to do, but because he thinks Scripture teaches it. If you are looking on a book that capably explains and defends the five points of Calvinism, here's one option.

Other resources regarding Calvinism and Arminianism, and I am deliberately trying to give you a wide variety here, not just those that reflect my own position:

An interesting book is Norm Geisler's Chosen But Free: A Balanced View of Divine Election. Then, The Potter's Freedom, by James R. White, is mainly a response to Geisler's book, which White views not as balanced but mostly a restatement of the Arminian position and a rejection of the major tenets of Calvinism. The most recent versions of Geisler's book include an appendix with his response to White's critique.

Another interesting book is Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism: An Inductive, Mediate Theology of Salvation, by C. Gordon Olson. Olson also thinks he is taking a balanced view, reconciling the two theologies. Once again, most Calvinists will conclude that he is simply a moderate Arminian, and that there isn't much of a real middle ground between camps. But he raises some interesting points.

An unapologetic and fur-raising rebuke of Calvinism is Dave Hunt's What Love Is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God. I usually disagree with the author, though if points were given for feeling deeply about issues, he'd score high. The publisher of that book invited a Calvinist to take on Dave Hunt in debate form in a subsequent book. The Calvinist is James R. White (who wrote The Potter's Freedom). Dave Hunt and James White's debate is laid out in what I think is a fascinating book entitled Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views.

This is an interesting book in that it is a true written debate, full of sparks and fire. In each chapter one man presents his own position, his opponent responds, the original writer defends, the opponent gives his final remarks, then the original presenter gets the last word. In the first half of the book the Calvinist, James White, is the presenter. Then, in the second half of the book Dave Hunt is the presenter in each chapter of some aspect of the Arminian position, with the same format of response, defense, and final remarks.

The book is insightful and sometimes lively and entertaining, especially when these men start getting under each other's skin (and boy, do they; even though they and their editor kept it in check, you have the feeling that they would like to slap each other sometimes). Though I found myself agreeing with White way more than Hunt, sometimes I disagreed with White and agreed with Hunt. (Okay, not all that often.)

In all fairness to the Arminian position, Dave Hunt is not its finest advocate. He seems often not to answer his opponent and just keeps repeating statements such as "God is love," as if that proves Arminianism. (Of course, some people imagine it also proves universalism, that there is no Hell, etc.) But because of the energy involved in the two men going at each other, the book is as entertaining as any theology book I've read. And though no hard-boiled Calvinist or Arminian will likely change his mind as a result of the book, many Scripture-searchers who are undecided may find it helpful.

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Announcing the Winners of the Game Plan for Life Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Anderson) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Here are the winners from October’s Game Plan for Life giveaway. Each of the three winners will receive a copy of Joe Gibbs’s Game Plan for Life book.

The randomly drawn winners are:

1) r3mb (at) cox
2) Matt (matth1977)
3) Jeff Pinkleton

All winners, please e-mail me at sephanie(at)epm.org with your mailing address.

Check back on November 9 for the next blog giveaway—we’ll be giving away three copies of the children’s book on Heaven, Wait Until Then.

Stephanie Anderson
Promotions Director
Eternal Perspective Ministries
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Question and Answer of the Week: How do you enjoy your family and the ministry?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:56:00 +0000

I’m a full-time youth pastor with four beautiful kids and an incredibly supportive wife. It is so hard to juggle ministry and family and do it well. As someone who has reached the other side, and now with grandkids, does it get easier? How did you find the energy and time to really enjoy the kids AND the ministry?

I received this letter and this was my response, in case it might be helpful for others:

It did get easier as the kids got older, and more when they launched out into the world on their own, and most of all, of course, when they got married. Yet even when they were young I found that I had to take radical steps to have time alone with God. Instead of watching a TV show, even a good one, after they were in bed I would need to spend quiet time reading and reflecting OR go to bed early in order to get up before the kids to withdraw the next morning. It is a battle, and I truly sympathize.

I would encourage you to look for more ways at your church to delegate responsibilities to others, including other leaders—as Moses did—so that you are less the go-to guy for so many things. I commend you for putting your family first.

I recommend an article on pastoring I wrote many years ago, Pastor-Teacher or Super Counselor?, part of which is included below.

For me, when I was a pastor, the key to physical, emotional, and spiritual healing was getting some extended time off. My church granted me a two-month sabbatical for my six years of service. It was a good investment.

I spent a week alone, meditating and writing. Then I spent nine days at the Oregon coast with my family. It was the time of our lives. We played, bicycled, ate out, picnicked, and ate a lot of ice cream. It was the first time in years when I was not constantly aware of my ministry responsibilities. I ran on the beach, and walked out on a 500-foot jetty and sang to the Lord as I was drenched by the mist of waves beating against the rocks. I had no idea how much I needed those times, both alone and with my family.

After I was away for four of those nine days (and let me give credit to my wife Nanci for freeing me to leave in light of the need), and knowing I still had plenty of time left, my head began to clear. I was able to see myself and my ministry in perspective, something that had time and time again proven impossible when I was in the thick of things. Often I had identified the problems, but despite my most sincere and diligent efforts, the obstacles to a fulfilling ministry had persisted. At last they seemed to, if not disappear, shrink to a manageable size. I did three further things that began to revitalize my ministry.

1. I recognized I was a sheep first, a shepherd second. My biggest mistake was forgetting that my primary calling is to be a sheep in need of guidance, affection, protection, provision, and peaceful rest in the presence of my Creator. I relearned the lesson through prayer and study.

During the time away I read two helpful books, Tim Hansel's When I Relax I Feel Guilty, and Don Baker and Emery Nester's Depression, in which Pastor Baker recounts his personal struggles and trauma in the midst of a highly successful ministry.

I also studied Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, and mulled over the implications of their different approach to life and ministry. Martha was first a worker, only secondly a worshiper. This is what I had become—a worker, pure and simple.

As a counselor I had learned a forbidden art—how to keep giving out when my reservoir was dry. Like Martha of Bethany, I excelled at doing rather than being, at labor instead of love. I was a servant but not a saint, a do-er not a pray-er, a giver who had forgotten how to receive. And, ironically, since I had stopped receiving, I had little of quality left to give.

2. I attempted to delegate more. You've probably wondered why I didn't delegate to get the job done without killing myself. I did some. In fact, I taught a nine-month counseling course to sixty committed and capable laymen in our church. I delegated many counseling situations to these people, and it was a terrific investment in every way. But there was one problem I hadn't bargained for. Still seeing myself as super-counselor, I delegated to laymen those that were less serious and less complex. This reserved for myself, of course, the really hard cases.

The problem was that these really hard cases (extreme depression, deep sexual problems, major marital crises, etc.) were abundant. And many of them just couldn't afford to see a Christian psychologist. I was really in a mess. I had managed by delegating to avoid all the mild problems, and now I was filing every hour with the severe ones! I had become a specialist. I was a pastor in psychologist's clothing, who sometimes wasn't doing a good job as either. Not only that, but I couldn't find time to follow up on the lay counselors I had sent people to. I seemed further behind than ever.

I began to miss all those "easy" cases—you know, those dear people who really want to grow in Christ and just need some good biblical input, a time of prayer, a practical assignment and an encouraging pat on the back now and then. These are the people who praise you for working wonders in their lives, when all you've done is listened and shared a little Scripture! They were the kind of folks who convinced me I was gifted in counseling in the first place. Now I saw them only on Sundays. I was surprised to find how much I missed their spiritual contribution to my life.

Delegation didn't really pay off until I got hold of my schedule. I had often tried to change my schedule before, but never with lasting success. Perhaps what made the difference this time was my degree of desperation. I forced myself to start saying no not just sometimes, but most of the time. I realized that just because something would be good to do, it doesn't mean it's the best thing to do. In fact, if I wasn't careful, I could spend the rest of my life doing good things without ever doing the best.

I no longer felt I was saying no, but yes, when I delegated counseling to qualified lay people and professional Christian counselors. And as the fog cleared, I realized I had no right to resent people for their "demands" on my time. After all, my schedule was my responsibility, not theirs.

3. I diversified my ministry. I undertook new ministries that brought me closer to thriving, growing people who not only received from me, but gave to me. I counseled less, and by my request the church provided financial aid to those who needed professional help. (Back when I was super-counselor, I never put funds for this in the counseling budget—after all, wasn't I paid for this?)

Moving into some other areas of ministry did wonders. My relationship with the other staff members was better than ever. I felt a part of the team once more. And I loved to meet new people again. The phone could still be a problem, but I was getting more calls for spiritual guidance—many were asking advice in working with a friend instead of sending the friend to me. Not every call was a crisis, and that made the real crises much easier to deal with. For the first time in years, I felt like I was a pastor first, a counselor second.

Nothing magically fell together. I still experienced pressure, and occasionally it got the best of me. Still, the change was significant and noticeable. I was studying and teaching more, and finding time for some of the people with the "little problems." I was also learning to approach life less like Martha and more like Mary. My family saw a tremendous difference; and life at home was more than leftovers. It was a feast again, and I thanked God for it. I felt I could look forward to many more rewarding years of ministry.

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Facebook and Twitter: Are They Worth It?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:47:00 +0000

As many of you know, I am on both Facebook and Twitter, where I frequently post short updates and devotional thoughts. Some people may ask if as a Christian, being on Facebook and Twitter and other social networking sites is really worth it, or just a waste of time.

John Piper addressed this in an article called Why and How I Am Tweeting:

I see two kinds of responses to social Internet media like blogging, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and others.

One says: These media tend to shorten attention spans, weaken discursive reasoning, lure people away from Scripture and prayer, disembody relationships, feed the fires of narcissism, cater to the craving for attention, fill the world with drivel, shrink the soul’s capacity for greatness, and make us second-handers who comment on life when we ought to be living it. So boycott them and write books (not blogs) about the problem.

The other response says: Yes, there is truth in all of that, but instead of boycotting, try to fill these media with as much provocative, reasonable, Bible-saturated, prayerful, relational, Christ-exalting, truth-driven, serious, creative pointers to true greatness as you can.

Together with the team at Desiring God, I lean toward response #2. “Lean” is different from “leap.” We are aware that the medium tends to shape the message. This has been true, more or less, with every new medium that has come along—speech, drawing, handwriting, print, books, magazines, newspapers, tracts, 16mm home movies, flannel-graph, Cinerama, movies, Gospel Blimps, TV, radio, cassette tapes, 8-Tracks, blackboards, whiteboards, overhead projection, PowerPoint, skits, drama, banners, CDs, MP3s, sky-writing, video, texting, blogging, tweeting, Mina-Bird-training, etc.

Dangers, dangers everywhere. Yes. But it seems to us that aggressive efforts to saturate a media with the supremacy of God, the truth of Scripture, the glory of Christ, the joy of the gospel, the insanity of sin, and the radical nature of Christian living is a good choice for some Christians.

You can read the rest at the Desiring God website.

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If God Is Good Q&A Video

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:54:00 +0000

If you missed today's Livestream video—which was a Q&A on my book If God Is Good—check out the embedded video in this blog. I enjoyed sharing a little about the book as well as answering the great, thought-provoking questions that viewers had.

(Click here to go to the Livestream video channel if you're unable to see the embedded video.)

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A Perspective on Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:44:00 +0000

The following letter, written from the perspective of the demon Ishbane, is from my novel The Ishbane Conspiracy, which I wrote with my daughters, Karina and Angela. In the book's context, one of the characters, Ian, is dabbling in the occult.

Yes, I am well aware this is a controversial issue. In my opinion, it is often either overstated or understated. And yes, on Halloween we do give out candy generously, and we enjoy the kids' costumes. For some Halloween is harmless. But there is another side to be aware of, which sucks in others. If you participate, I suggest choosing costumes carefully, and having appropriate conversations with your kids when they see the "dark side" depicted. I hope the following will be thought provoking, especially for parents of young children.

Dear Foulgrin,

I’m pleased our favorite holiday’s coming up in a few weeks. Halloween! It’s official, Foulgrin—these vermin now spend more money on this holiday than any other except Christmas. For Ian and Daniel it served as a doorway to the occult. Dressing up as little devils. Bloodsucking vampires. The walking dead. Looking and acting as evil as possible. It may be cute to their parents, but in some cases, it’s just the foothold we need. Whether we’re celebrated or mythologized makes no difference...either way furthers our purposes. And since Halloween’s all about children and their impressionable minds, it couldn’t be more strategic.

I was a key figure in the early celebration of Samhain, from which their modern Halloween developed. Pagans believed the spirits couldn’t rest peacefully until given food and drink. This was a payment to the god who ruled the spirit world. Spirits were thought to roam the vicinities of their earthly lives seeking such treasures. On Samhain, the veil between the living and the dead was drawn back. On that night these wandering souls, in search of needed treasures, could visit and harass the living. Spirits would go to houses seeking the goods (“treats”) needed to find final rest. If a spirit wasn’t given a treat, it would “trick” or haunt the residents who refused to appease it. Pagans believed these harassing spirits could be deterred by carving fearful faces into pumpkins or squashes.

Of course, most of the vermin don’t understand this occult origin. And just enough innocence and fun have been infused to make it seem harmless. (And unfortunately to many it doesn't do the harm we wish it did.) But for many Halloween either glorifies death or makes light of it. The Enemy neither glorifies death nor makes light of it. Halloween eclipses His portrayal of death and the afterlife.

We’ve mutated this holiday into an effective introduction to the dark side. Razor blades hidden in apples or poison hidden in candy pale in comparison to what we’ve hidden, for many, inside the holiday itself.

Happy Halloween,

Prince Ishbane

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Meet Minnie Broas, from If God is Good

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:20:00 +0000

Before I get to today's blog, I wanted to mention that next Thursday I'll be participating in a Livestream video Q&A session about If God is Good. I'm looking forward to hearing from you and answering your questions live. Please join me on October 15, 11 a.m. PST at www.livestream.com/WaterBrookMultnomah. It should be a fun time, and it would be great to have you participate, or let your friends know about it.

Minnie Broas, whose story was included in my book If God Is Good, would tell you today with absolute clarity that God is indeed good. She knows. She’s with Him.

Jesus calls his followers citizens of Heaven. When we think more about dinner out tomorrow than the banquet on the New Earth with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we lose sight of Heaven and surrender the present joy that comes in anticipating it. Scripture tells us we should see our present sufferings in light of future glory. We must fix our eyes on things that, for the present, remain invisible (see 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Minnie lay dying of cancer; within weeks her decimated body would stop working and she would have to leave behind her husband and son. They gave much thought to eternity, speaking openly of God’s sovereign purposes. Minnie, who had come to know Christ only a couple of years before her diagnosis, wrote online, “We can’t forget this is about His glory and we will see and have seen His glory. He is faithful! We are never without hope. We have a very big God. His plans and purposes are still perfect and will forever be perfect no matter the number of our days. To Him be all glory, honor and praise!”

Minnie’s husband, Danilo, signed off his wife’s blog update with Psalm 30:11–12: “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

It’s precisely because they knew they will give thanks to God forever that they could give thanks to God during their suffering.

Six weeks after Minnie posted her letter, she departed to a better world.

This 5-minute video of Minnie was taped by her pastor a few weeks before her death. Her friend Penny Hunter wrote, "Minnie had shared with us last summer that she felt she had the opportunity to fellowship with Jesus in a very intimate way because she had the privilege of fellowshipping in his suffering."

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

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The Story of One Man's Faithful Service to Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:32:00 +0000

The nine minute video included in this blog is the powerful story of a man who faithfully served Jesus and shared the gospel, despite never seeing any of the fruit from his efforts for many years.

While we may never seem to see any results from serving the Lord here on Earth, Malachi 3:16-18 is a remarkable passage that tells us God is watching and is documenting the faithful deeds of his children on Earth: “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. ‘They will be mine,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.’ ”

The king often had scribes record the deeds of his subjects so that he could remember and properly reward his subjects’ good deeds (Esther 6:1-11). There’s no hint that God will destroy any or all of the books and scrolls presently in Heaven. It’s likely that these records of the faithful works of God’s people on Earth will be periodically read throughout the ages.

The books contain detailed historical records of all of our lives on this Earth. Each of us is part of these records. Obscure events, words heard by only a handful of people will be known. Your acts of faithfulness and kindness that no one else knows are well-known by God. He is documenting them in his books. He will reward you for them in Heaven.

How many times have we done small acts of kindness on Earth without realizing the effects? How many times have we shared Christ with people we thought didn’t take it to heart but who years later came to Jesus partly because of the seeds we planted? How many times have we spoken up for unborn children and seen no result, but as a result someone chose not to have an abortion and saved a child’s life? How many dishes have been washed and diapers changed and crying children sung to in the middle of the night, when we couldn’t see the impact of the love we showed? And how many times have we seen no response, but God was still pleased by our efforts?

God is watching. He is keeping track. In Heaven he’ll reward us for our acts of faithfulness to him, right down to every cup of cold water we’ve given to the needy in his name (Mark 9:41). And he’s making a permanent record in Heaven’s books.

May this story of how God used one man's faithful witness encourage you to continue humbly serving and sharing Christ.

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

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October Giveaway of the Month: Game Plan for Life

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Anderson) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:03:00 +0000

This month on Randy’s blog we’re giving away three copies of Game Plan for Life with Joe Gibbs. (If you're reading this post on Facebook or Amazon or elsewhere, don't leave your comment here; visit http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2009/10/october-giveaway-of-month-game-plan-for.html to leave your comment and enter.)

Randy writes:

I was honored when Coach Joe Gibbs asked if I would write about Heaven for Game Plan for Life. Joe said my Heaven book had meant a lot to him, and I told him I would be glad to contribute a chapter.

Joe is a remarkably faithful guy with a desire for people to know Jesus and to grow in their walk with God, which is very refreshing. You’ll see his heart in Game Plan for Life, and you’ll also hear from the eleven men he asked to write the chapters. I believe God’s hand is on Joe and on this book.

May Game Plan for Life encourage you to follow Jesus with all your heart.

Here’s how to enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday, October 25.

In order to qualify for the giveaway, you must include your contact information (a blog, e-mail address, or website), otherwise we cannot contact you if your name is drawn. (If you do leave an e-mail address, to avoid having it picked up by spammers, I recommend encoding it, such as: youraddress AT yahoo DOT com) Need help posting a comment? Click here for step-by-step instructions. For further assistance, contact me at stephanie(at)epm.org

The three randomly drawn winners will be announced in a blog post on Monday, October 26, so be sure to check back and see if you won.

If you're a previous winner, rather than entering, we'd encourage you to share this giveaway with friends who are not familiar with Randy's books and Eternal Perspective Ministries.

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Question and Answer of the Week: the Old Testament Model of Tithing and Christians Today

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:35:00 +0000

Does the Old Testament model of tithing still apply to Christians today, since it was part of the old covenant?

I have mixed feelings on tithing. I detest legalism. I certainly don’t want to pour new wine into old wineskins, imposing superseded first covenant restrictions on Christians. However, the fact is that every New Testament example of giving goes beyond the tithe. This means that none falls short of it. The strongest arguments made against tithing today are “law versus grace.” But does being under grace mean we should stop doing all that was done under the law?

I’m a strong believer in the new covenant’s superiority over the old (Romans 7; 2 Corinthians 3; Hebrews 8). On the other hand, I believe there’s ongoing value to certain aspects of the old covenant. The model of paying back to God the firstfruits (tithing) and giving freewill offerings beyond that is among those. Because we are never told that tithing has been superseded, and because Jesus directly affirmed it (Matthew 23:23) and prominent church fathers taught it as a requirement for Christian living, it seems to me the burden of proof falls on those who say tithing is no longer a minimum standard for God’s people. The question is not whether tithing is the whole of Christian giving or even at the center of it. Clearly it is not. Many people associate the command to tithe with the command to keep the Sabbath. New Testament Christians are not obligated to keep the Sabbath with all its legislated rules under the Mosaic covenant (Colossians 2:16). However, a weekly day of rest based on God’s pattern of creation was instituted before the Law (Genesis 2:2-3). It’s a principle never revoked in the New Testament. The special day of observance changed to Sunday, “the Lord’s day,” yet the principle of one special day set aside for worship remained intact.

Christ fulfilled the entire Old Testament, but he didn’t render it irrelevant. Old Testament legislation demonstrated how to love my neighbor. Although the specific regulations don’t all apply, the principles certainly do, and many of the guidelines are still as helpful as ever. Consider the command to build a roof with a parapet to protect people from falling off (Deuteronomy 22:8). When it comes to the Old Testament, we must be careful not to throw out the baby (ongoing principles intended for everyone) with the bathwater (detailed regulations intended only for ancient Israel).

We don’t offer sacrifices anymore, so why should we tithe? Because sacrifices are specifically rescinded in the New Testament. As the book of Hebrews demonstrates, Christ has rendered inoperative the whole sacrificial system. But where in the New Testament does it indicate that tithing is no longer valid? There is no such passage. With a single statement, God could have easily singled out tithing like he did sacrifices and the Sabbath. But he didn’t.

Some argue against tithing by saying, “The New Testament advocates voluntary offerings.” Yes, but as we’ve seen, so does the Old Testament. Voluntary giving is not a new concept. Having a minimum standard of giving has never been incompatible with giving above and beyond that standard. If both mandatory and voluntary giving coexisted under the old covenant, why not the new? It’s not a matter of either tithing or voluntary offering. The two have always been fully compatible.

The disciples gave all that they had because “much grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). It was obvious from the beginning that being under grace didn’t mean that New Testament Christians would give less than their Old Testament brethren. On the contrary, it meant they would give more.

Being under grace does not mean living by lower standards than the law. Christ systematically addressed such issues as murder, adultery, and the taking of oaths and made it clear that his standards were much higher than those of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:17-48). He never lowered the bar. He always raised it. But he also empowers us by his grace to jump higher than the law demanded.

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Announcing the Winners of the If God Is Good Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Anderson) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Here are the three winners from September’s giveaway, who will each receive a copy of Randy’s newest book, If God Is Good. The randomly drawn winners are:

1) SwitchingGranny (HeisMyJoy)
2) Adam (adamgraunke)
3) Fran (sonflower74)

All winners, please e-mail me at Stephanie (at) epm.org with your mailing address.

Thanks for entering! Be sure to check back at Randy’s blog on October 5 for the next giveaway—we’ll be giving away three copies of The Game Plan for Life with Coach Joe Gibbs. Randy is one of the contributors to the book, which includes a chapter on the subject of Heaven.

Stephanie Anderson
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The Church as a Body

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:42:00 +0000

I recently read an interesting book by Philip D. Kenneson: Life On The Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999).
Here is an excerpt:

This [the church as a body] is only one important lesson that reflecting on the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ might teach us. Given the rampant individualism that pervades much congregational life, the contemporary church in this country would do well to reflect seriously on this metaphor. For example:

Bodies are wrongly understood if their parts are considered to be in some way more fundamental than the body itself. The parts exist to serve the well-being of the entire body, a well-being in which each part participates and facilitates to the extent that it looks beyond its own immediate welfare.
Bodies are wrongly understood if they are regarded as conglomerates of parts that have their own integrity apart from the body. No one would mistake a severed finger on the sidewalk for a body. Such a condition is not only a problem for the part but a problem for the entire body.
Bodies are wrongly understood if their parts are considered to have unmediated access to the head. Each body part facilitates and participates in vital connections to the head, yet none can sustain this connection to the head alone.

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Four Things You Cannot Recover...

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:43:00 +0000

A few months ago I happened to see this on The Heart of a Pastor Wife's blog, and thought these pictures were profound.

Four things you cannot recover....

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What do you want your readers to take away from If God Is Good?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:11:00 +0000

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

Unbelievers and believers have the same heart-cry in response to evil and suffering: “Something's terribly wrong.” We know we were made for something far better. But our heart-cry itself is revealing—why do we expect more or hope for more? Why are we outraged by evil and suffering when if the atheists are right it’s no more than we should expect in a world of random chance and survival of the fittest? Where do we get the standard of goodness by which we judge evil to be evil?

In If God Is Good, I appeal to unbelievers and believers alike to consider these questions: Why is there so much good in the world? Why do the great majority of suffering people want to go on living nonetheless? Is evil and suffering just bad luck, or is there a rational explanation for it? Is there a redemptive purpose for it? Can we as hurting people, and as those trying to help hurting people, find perspectives that recognize the full force of evil and suffering, yet offer hope? I suggest the answer is yes.

Being a comprehensive book, this is no short and sweet gospel presentation. But its forty-five chapters are relatively short. For the thoughtful unbeliever motivated to hear a biblically based treatment of the problem of evil, the book will serve that purpose. The gospel is woven into it. I pray and expect that some will come to a genuine faith in Christ through reading the book and the Scriptures it cites, and perhaps discussing it with a Christian friend.

The book may first serve to help readers jettison a false faith they may have. If we have a faith that isn’t grounded in reality, we must, by the empowerment of God’s Spirit, lose our false faith in order to find the true one, in Christ.

Some professing Christians will read the book who actually have faiths very similar to that which Bart Ehrman, author of God’s Problem, abandoned. They are being set up to jettison their weak faiths by college professors utilizing Ehrman’s kinds of arguments. I wrote If God Is Good in the hopes that it will serve pastors and serious lay people in assisting Christian young people in coming to terms with a biblical theology of suffering. My prayer is that they will see the spiritual power and reason of Scripture, learn sound theology, and develop a truly Christian worldview to replace their superficial one that will never survive either the arguments or the tests that await them.

Finally, I think serious and growing Christians will benefit most, because they will see a comprehensive (not exhaustive) treatment of a problem that touches nearly every area of theology and Christian living. The believer who cannot address this issue biblically and personally is ill-prepared to represent Christ to a world that so desperately needs Him. The Bible is a sustained historical drama concerning the problem of evil and suffering. Every Christian should know that, and I pray some will come to know it through this book.

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Note from EPM: Randy's new book If God Is Good is now available for purchase online, in local bookstores, and from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website. (Check out the If God Is Good Chapter Summaries for a preview of the book's content.)

God’s Redemptive Purposes for Evil and Suffering

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:49:00 +0000

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

The stronger our concept of God and Heaven, the more we understand how Heaven resolves the problem of evil and suffering. The weaker our concept of God and Heaven, the stronger our doubt that Heaven will more than compensate for our present sufferings.

If Heaven did not exist, we could never solve the problem of evil and suffering, for we would never receive any lasting compensation for it.

Nanci read me letters written in 1920 by her grandmother, Ana Swanson, to her family in Sweden. Because Ana suffered severe health problems, she moved to Montana to be cared for by relatives. Her husband, Edwin, remained in Oregon, day and night working and caring for their seven children. Ana’s letters tell how Edwin wore himself out, became sick, and died. Ana lacked the strength to raise her younger children, so they, including Nanci’s mother, Adele, were placed for adoption. Ana’s letters reflect her broken heart, her nagging guilt…and her faith in God.

Nanci and I wept as we read those letters. What inconsolable disappointment and pain! Ana and Edwin loved Jesus. Perhaps they asked a good God why he would allow such tragedy. That day, Nanci and I considered what God might give this broken family on the New Earth. Certainly they will be healthy—Ana won’t live with illness, fatigue, grief, anxiety, and guilt. Edwin won’t work himself to death, pining away for his dearest companion. Based on what I know of God, and the promises of Jesus about our earthly fortunes being reversed in Heaven, I believe that in the resurrection God may give this family wonderful times together that the old Earth denied them. Perhaps they’ll travel together and God will grant them indescribably rich times with one another, parents and children.

How like God that would be!

God originally planned that human beings live unswervingly happy, fulfilled, righteous, and God-centered lives on Earth. If our current lives present the only opportunities for that, then God’s plan has failed. But if we know the God revealed in Scripture, we realize his plans do not fail. His promises to resurrect both us and the earth itself guarantee his plan will forever succeed.

We want every chapter of our lives to feel good. It doesn’t work that way. The current chapter may be terribly hard, but the story hasn’t ended. God promises a final chapter in which he ties together all the story’s loose ends and launches us into an eternal sequel of incredibly grand proportions.

Make no mistake—the promise of God is that all his children, including Ana and Edwin Swanson and each of us who know Jesus, will live happily ever after.

In order to share Christ’s glory forever on the New Earth, we must share his sufferings temporarily on the fallen Earth.

When the New Testament discusses suffering, it repeatedly puts Heaven before the eyes of believers. Sadly, many churches fail to follow this example. When we say nothing, or put our hope in a health and wealth gospel, or hope only in medical advances, we rob God’s people of an eternal perspective.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). Paul says we will become Christ’s heirs and share in his glory if we share in his sufferings. No suffering, no glory.

F. F. Bruce writes, “It is not merely that the glory is a compensation for the suffering; it actually grows out of the suffering. There is an organic relation between the two for the believer as surely as there was for his Lord.”

As Romans 8:18 emphasizes, our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the future glory that God and we and others will see in us.

Paul offers a one-word answer to the question, “Why suffering?” He replies, “Glory.” Glory is a state of high honor, involving a brilliant, radiant beauty. Our glory is secondary, not primary. We are not its source, God is. He is the sun who shines upon us, bestowing an eternal glory rooted in himself, purchased for us by his suffering on the cross. God will be glorified by imparting his honor to us and sharing it with us.

God’s promise of glory doesn’t minimize our suffering, of course; Paul affirms we will experience great sufferings (see Romans 8). Only an immeasurably greater glory can eclipse our present suffering—and that is exactly what will happen. Romans 8:18 says God will not create that glory, but will reveal it. It’s already there—just not yet manifested.

The treasures we’ll enjoy won’t lie only outside us, but, Paul says, “in us.” God uses suffering to achieve the glorious transformation of our characters to prepare us for service and joy in the next life (see 2 Corinthians 4:17–18).

God will not simply wait for our deaths, then snap his fingers to make us what he wants us to be. He begins that process here and now, using our suffering to help us grow in Christlikeness. Phillips renders Romans 8:19, “The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.” As a master artist’s magnum opus awaits unveiling at an exhibit, so our Christlikeness, forged in suffering, awaits revealing at the Master’s perfect time.

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Note from EPM: Randy's new book If God Is Good is now available for purchase online, in local bookstores, and from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website. (Check out the If God Is Good Chapter Summaries for a preview of the book's content.)

What is the problem of goodness?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:43:00 +0000

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

While atheists routinely speak of the problem of evil, they usually don’t raise the problem of goodness. But if evil provides evidence against God, then shouldn’t goodness count as evidence for him? And wouldn’t that be evidence against atheism?

From a non-theistic viewpoint, what is evil? Isn’t it just nature at work? In a strictly natural, physical world, shouldn’t everything be neither good nor evil? Good and evil imply an “ought” and an “ought not” that nature is incapable of producing.

Augustine summarized the argument in two great questions: “If there is no God, why is there so much good? If there is a God, why is there so much evil?” To many, only the second question occurs. But the first is just as important. If a good God doesn’t exist, what is goodness’s source?

We have no logical reason to take good for granted; its existence demands an explanation. Much of the good of this world, such as the beauty of a flower or the grandeur of a waterfall or the joy of an otter at play, serves no more practical purpose than great art. It does, however, serve a high purpose of filling us with delight, wonder, and gratitude.

Why does anyone feel gratitude? And why do people, even irreligious survivors of a plane crash, so often thank God? Do people thank time, chance, and natural selection for the good they experience? No, because innately we see life as a gift from God.

People speak of gratuitous evil. But what about gratuitous good—purely impractical, over-the-top good that seems to have no explanation?

That we don’t question good’s existence affirms we consider good the norm and evil the exception.

Don’t evil and suffering grab our attention precisely because they are not the norm in our lives? We “get the flu” because we normally don’t have it. We break an arm that normally remains unbroken. Our shock at evil testifies to the predominance of good. Headlines we consider terrible wouldn’t be headlines if they described usual events. At any given time, fewer people are at war than at peace. Even in the bloody twentieth century, a person had less than a 2 percent chance of dying from war or violent civil strife.

The atheist who points out the horrors of evil unwittingly testifies to good as the norm. When we speak of children dying, we acknowledge they usually don’t. When a natural disaster hits, 99 percent of the world remains untouched. Most people in the world go through a lifetime without personally experiencing a devastating natural disaster. Fatal car accidents and murder are rare, relatively speaking. Though fallen, nature still contains more beauty than ugliness.

Without God, the world would be amoral, with no objective goodness or evil.

I heard Christopher Hitchens say in a debate, “The world looks as it would if there were no God.” But if there were no God, would you really expect this world to look just as it does? I don’t think so.

Where does goodness come from? How could it come from nothing? Why would people have such a strong sense of right and wrong? Why would the powerful sometimes sacrifice their lives to save the weak, handicapped, and dying?

Evolution can explain greed, selfishness, insensitivity, survival-preoccupation, and even a certain amount of ruthlessness; but does anything in the blind evolutionary process explain demonstrating kindness, putting other people first, and even risking your life to help a stranger? If so, what? How much good should we expect to see in an impersonal, self-generated world of mere molecules, chemicals, and natural forces?

A system that operates on brute strength, genetic superiority, and the survival of the fittest can explain and justify racism, sexism, and oppression. But it cannot explain goodness, humility, kindness, compassion, and mercy, especially when exercised on behalf of the weak and dying. What should surprise atheists is not that powerful people crush those weaker than themselves—that would be entirely natural. The surprise is that powerful people would sacrifice their welfare to aid the weak. And yet, that very thing often happens. Why?

Despite its current flaws, the world’s beauty and goodness testify to a Creator who designed it with order and purpose.

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Note from EPM: Randy's new book If God Is Good is now available for purchase online, in local bookstores, and from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website. (Check out the If God Is Good Chapter Summaries for a preview of the book's content.)

If God Is Good Releases Today, September 15

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Today, September 15, is the release date of my new book If God Is Good. I hope you’ve had the chance to read some of the excerpts from the book that have been posted over the last few weeks. I've enjoyed reading your comments and seeing your responses.

I never feel really GREAT about a book when it’s finished, but I do feel good about this one. It's God’s Word that redeems it—so much powerful Scripture that it will more than compensate for my inadequacies. (He promises in Isaiah 55 that His Word will not return empty without accomplishing the purposes for which He sent it; He never promises that about my words or anyone else's.)

It's a far better book than it would have been as a result of all the time spent listening to critiques and input, and invested in rewriting, revising, and editing. If you don’t want to make a writing project much harder on yourself, don’t ask for serious critique! If you want a far better end product, recruit some smart people who are willing to look at a manuscript at its worst to help you bring it to its best. And then prepare yourself for many long hours of revision. Along with a journalist, a thirty-year-old cancer survivor, a missions director, and some pastors, my readers included a philosopher and several theologians.

I don't know what God will do with If God is Good. He may reach tens of thousands or, like the Heaven books, may touch millions (sales over 600,000 for the big Heaven book alone), but that's up to Him. Any number of people would be worth it. It's a stretch to say "If only one person is touched by this book, it was worth it," because I hope I'd have been able to touch more than one person if I had done something else with the thousands of hours I poured into it! But I do believe the book belongs to Him, and I am happy for Him to use it as He chooses to, no more and no less.

I've always been surprised because the books reach further than I think they will. The only time I really thought one of my books would have a big impact, it didn't. Lesson learned. I love how God surprises us! And it’s all the more fun to see how God will use the book, because, as always, we plan on giving away one hundred percent of the royalties. In fact, those royalties will go to promote good, oppose evil, and relieve suffering around the world.

Some have already asked what my next writing project after If God Is Good will be. It’s been five years since I finished Heaven, my last comprehensive work. I had a three-year break between that project and this one, during which I worked on smaller books and one novel. I need another break now, so I’ll focus on some shorter works (which is what some readers prefer anyway, and they are certainly easier to write). After I have contracts, I’ll talk about them publicly, but one involves some writings of Charles Spurgeon (have to be a little vague for now, but I’m having fun with it; few people I’d rather spend a day with than Spurgeon).

Eventually I’ll return to a major work of fiction. I am considering a historical novel centered on one central biblical story. Eventually I want to do a spin-off from my spiritual mysteries Deadline, Dominion, and Deception. (All I know for sure is that it will start with a D, but that it will have to wait until I regain some energy after finishing If God Is Good.)

In the meantime, I look forward to hearing your responses to If God Is Good. Regardless of the difficulties we face, God offers us profound, moving, and surprising insights that can feed our minds, warm our hearts, and give us the strength to face a world that is not what it once was, or what it one day will be. The comfort centers on Christ, God with wounded hands. Jesus is the only Answer bigger than the questions.

Soli Deo Gloria.

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Note from EPM: If God Is Good is available for purchase online, in local bookstores, and from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website. (Check out the If God Is Good Chapter Summaries for a preview of the book's content.)

Don’t miss tonight’s Facebook party for If God Is Good

noreply@blogger.com (Wendy Jeffries) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Be sure you don’t miss tonight’s (September 14) Facebook party to celebrate the September 15 release of Randy’s new book, If God Is Good. The party, which will take place in the notes section of Randy’s Facebook page from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST, will feature sneak peeks at the book, giveaways, trivia quizzes, videos of Randy, and some surprises. Bring your friends!

So if you’re not already following Randy on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/randyalcorn to become a fan so you’ll be able to join in.

We’re looking forward to celebrating the book’s release with you. See you on Facebook!

Wendy Jeffries and Stephanie Anderson
Eternal Perspective Ministries
www.epm.org

I Wish I Could Be a Brother Like That

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

This story was sent by my friend Doug Nichols, founder and director of Action International. It is a powerful reminder that the first and second greatest commands are inseparable: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart...love your neighbor as yourself."

Years ago in the Philippines, I heard a story of a man who parked his car in his office complex in downtown Manila. There was a street boy nearby and to pick up some money, the boy asked if he could watch (guard) the man’s car while he was in the office.

Several hours later, when the man came back to get his nice Mercedes, he paid the boy some loose change and, as he was getting in his car, the little street boy said, “Mister, you sure have a nice car.” The man was quite surprised that this boy had even spoken to him and said, “Well, thank you.” Then the little boy said, “Where did you get your car? Did somebody give it to you?” The man replied, “Well yes, somebody did give it to me. My brother gave it to me.”

As he continued to get in the car, he expected the boy to say something like, “Oh, I wish I had a brother who would give me a nice car.” Instead, he heard the little boy say, “Your brother gave it to you? I wish I could be a brother like that.”

The man was so amazed at the statement of the little boy, he asked, “Have you ever been in a nice car like this?” The little boy said, “No.” The man replied, “Well, get in. Let me give you a ride.” The boy jumped up in the front seat and as they drove down the road, the man had to roll down the windows because the little boy was so smelly.

The boy was so joyful and in awe that he said, “Sir, could we go get my little brother and give him a ride too?” The man said, “Tell me about your brother. Where is he?” The boy pointed at a poor slum area of Manila called Tondo. They drove there and parked and the man said, “Go get your brother and we will give him a ride.”

The little boy ran down a filthy alleyway and a few minutes later came back with his little brother on his back, as he was crippled! The man said, “So this is your little brother; what’s wrong with him?” as they put him up in the front seat. The little boy said, “He had an accident. He’s crippled and can’t walk.”

As they drove and talked, the man found out that the brother had a crippling accident and because his family was so poor, they could not get him the medical care he needed.

The businessman said, “Well, my brother is a doctor. Why don’t we go see him and find out what he can do for your little brother.” After the examination they found that after a simple operation, the boy would be able to walk again. The operation was performed and the little boy who could not walk, but had a brother who loved him, was able to walk again.

Why did all this happen? Simply because of the unselfishness of someone caring for someone else, rather than for himself. So, might we have the words on our lips, “I wish I could be a brother (or mother, father, sister, fellow worker) like that.”

In the words of the missionary, the Apostle Paul, “…regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4, nasb).

Yes, “I wish I could be a brother like that.”

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Why does God allow evil and suffering?

noreply@blogger.com (Randy Alcorn) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Before we get to this question I want to mention John Piper's blog post about President Obama's speech to school children. I think Piper's review of the speech, which includes his selection of excerpts, is a fair and positive assessment. You can read it here.

(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)

In my life, I’d already seen enough evil and suffering to feel deeply troubled by it. What I needed was to find perspective on what troubled me. In this process of writing If God Is Good, I’ve taken most pleasure in focusing closely on God, exploring his attributes of goodness, love, holiness, justice, patience, grace and mercy. While my journey has offered no easy answers, I’ve felt bowled over by how much insight Scripture gives us.

I’ve looked at a God who says, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering” (Exodus 3:7). I found great comfort in hearing God speak of a time when he could bear his people’s misery no longer (Judges 1:16). I revel in God’s emphatic promise that he will make a New Earth where he will come to live with us, and on which “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

Often God has wiped away my own tears as I’ve contemplated potentially faith-jarring matters that have left me, not in despair, but with great hope that defies description and a peace that transcends understanding (Philippians 4:7). In short, I’ve seen Jesus.

This journey has stretched my trust in God and his purposes, yet I have emerged stronger and more refined because of it. I feel more at peace and, I hope, more prepared for my own suffering and for helping others in theirs. Also, I believe I have much more to offer believers who may be questioning their faith, as well as to unbelievers who consider the problem of evil and suffering their single greatest obstacle to faith.

Ultimately, the answer to the problem of evil and suffering is not a philosophy, but a Person; not words, but the Word.

A grieving father asked, “Where was God when my son died?”

A friend answered, “The same place he was when his Son died.”

Despite the statement’s power, it’s not entirely accurate. For God turned away from his Son when he died. Why? So he would not have to turn away when the grieving man’s son died. The man and his son can enjoy eternity together in a world without suffering and death because God’s Son died for them.

I agree with John Stott:

I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross.… In the real
world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered
many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before
the statue of Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a
smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the
agonies of the world. But each time after a while I have to turn away. And in
imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on
the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow
bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in
God-forsaken darkness. That is the God for me! He laid aside his immunity to
pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for
us. Our sufferings become more manageable in light of his

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Note from EPM: If God Is Good will be released Tuesday, September 15, and will be available for purchase online, in local bookstores, and from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, where it can be pre-ordered now. (Check out the If God Is Good Chapter Summaries for a preview of the book's content.)

Also, on Monday, September 14 there will be a party on Facebook to celebrate the book's release. The party, which will take place in the notes section of Randy’s Facebook page from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST, will feature sneak peeks at the book, giveaways, trivia quizzes, videos, and some surprises. If you're not already following Randy on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/randyalcorn to become a fan so you'll be able to join in. See you on Facebook!