I really liked Yancey’s ‘The Jesus I Never Knew’…I thought it was interesting to see a different picture of Jesus than the Sunday School version that is taught to kids and continued on.

Chambers. I used to read him every day. I often like him. He has a poor u.nderstanding of the Gospel, tends towards many of the problems with Pentecostalism, and has too much of a mystical side for me. I do appreciate his emphasis on union with Christ and his personalism. I can read him without harm, but not with much profit either

I wonder…not to be mean but where do they get a lot of their doctrines from? It seems to me as though many have completely ignored much of the Gospels in favor of the Law of Paul and the OT…but that could just be the people I met. I don’t mean to paint everyone with a broad brush but I don’t really understand how someone can claim that they are a better Christian than everyone else, while they do not show much at all of Christ’s love toward others in their actions. I just don’t understand it.

And I also do not understand the fixation on Revelation and the End-times…have you ever written an essay on that? Can you enlighten me, possibly, on why some people are so excited about (what they see as) the impending doom of much of the world…I understand being happy at the concept of being with God in the future, but what about living in *this* life and trying to make things as good as you can in *this* life? Again, maybe it is just the people I met.

And I do wonder what happens to people who live very Christ-like lives but simply never heard of Jesus in any meaningful way…

If you all want to email me, feel free…

I would recommend this essay,which deals with how changes in Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians have effected my relationships with them.

If you are looking for some contemporary voices, may I suggest Gary Thomas, John Fischer, and Gerald Sittser? I think they offer the right combination of salt and grace.
Of course, no one can replace the Holy Spirit, who is the One who leads us into all truth.

I’m eager to hear your take on Yancey. He’s one of my current favorites, especially with his latest, Rumours.

There are “scenes” in Piper’s book the Pleasures of God that changed me forever. I totally agree. Lewis, of course. Your tribute was lovely. I will check out those other guys. Thank you for the tips!!! How nice to throw out some lifelines!