Pamela Christian's Blog, page 20
September 12, 2013
New Book Launch Contest
Pam's first in a three-book series, Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in a World of Lies is being released Sunday September 15, 2013. To celebrate we're running an online contest....
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September 1, 2013
Interview with Frank Viola
The content you see here is just part of the recent post. Please visit my official blog site to read more...http://bit.ly/11OsDCl
August 21, 2013
Are All Religions Equal
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Once I intentionally sought to learn the truth about God and humanity,
I found myself on a journey that was accelerated with every new discovery.
I learned that modern religious pluralism (the idea that all roads lead to heaven, in an effort to combine all religions) seeks to have all religions considered equal and to attain religious unity. This appeals to our American sense of fairness. But as I continued learning, it became glaringly apparent that it is impossible to combine different religious beliefs without requiring serious compromise from each respective belief.
America’s founding fathers knew that religious unity is not possible. In response, they sought to create a government that allowed for religious diversity. This was in keeping with their view that each human being is created equal and endowed by his/her Creator with certain inalienable rights. Moreover, America’s founders worked hard to escape specific religious “unity demands” of the British government. Religious freedom that allows individuals to worship as they choose is an inalienable right (a right based on natural law that cannot be taken away, denied, or transferred). This right is protected in America’s Bill of Rights and codified in the Constitution of the United States of America.
America’s founding fathers sought unity through unique and distinctive moral and governmental ideas, which inspired the fabric of American government—ideas such as inalienable rights, individualism, limited government, full republicanism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and an educated and virtuous citizenry. Those ideas produced a national unity that encompassed America’s great diversity of race, ethnicity, and religion.5 In the founding of America, Judeo-Christian values were the bedrock for governmental and national ideals with the right for people to maintain other religious faith completely protected.
Erwin W. Lutzer, in his book Christ Among Other gods: A Defense of Christ in an Age of Tolerance, offers an explanation of how the movement for America to become pluralistic has grown. In 1993, he attended the Parliament of the World’s Religions that met in Chicago. Lutzer writes, “With lofty ideals and utopian plans to unify the religions of the world for the common good, this parliament met to break down the barriers that exist in the accelerated march toward religious unity. Six thousand delegates came to learn from one another, explore areas of agreement, and grasp a better understanding of one another’s religious heritages.” The premise in the minds of virtually all in attendance was that “it doesn’t matter what god you pray to, because every deity is ultimately the same deity shrouded in a different name."6
The efforts of this parliament echoed a religious viewpoint that has existed for thousands of years under different names such as ecumenism, traditionalism, or perennialism. The parliament described what was then representative of a minority of people, but that today seems to be increasing by leaps and bounds. This perspective was confirmed with the 1993–1994 Barna research report, which indicated that nearly two out of three adults contend that the choice of one religious faith over another is irrelevant, because all religions teach the same basic lessons about life.7
J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, wrote about an unnamed student’s response to the discussion of the specific claims of Jesus. The student’s response was, “I think Jesus is great for you, but I know Buddhists and Muslims, and they’re just as sincere as you are. And they think their views are true just like you do. There’s no way a person can know his religion is the ‘right’ one, so the best thing to do is to just believe everyone’s religion is true for them and not judge anyone.”8 Aware of it or not, this student echoed the view of religious pluralism.
Especially important to the secular point of view is the acceptance of all religions as equal. It’s not enough to tolerate the existence of different religions—we must accept them all as equally valid. And if one can’t quite accept that all religions are equally valid, then at the least, in today’s cultural climate, one must adhere to inclusivism (open to other religions). Inclusivism is a movement that began with the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. This Enlightenment movement declares that ignorance and narrow-mindedness would limit “God’s” revelation to only one particular faith group. Inclusivism has brought Americans to selectivism, which, according to Lutzer, teaches that we “must not follow any one religion, but compile our own personal list of cherished beliefs.”9
Increasingly, today’s generation wants to take religion out of the realm of rational discourse and relegate it to the area of personal preferences and opinions. If there are thirty-one different flavors of ice cream, why not have variety in religions? The gods of the New Age movement are always tolerant of sexual preferences, feminism, and hedonistic pleasures at almost any cost. Why shouldn’t people choose a religion that is compatible with their private values? Americans have become caught up in the belief that in order to have meaningful faith, it must agree with their deeply held personal preferences.
The bitter pill of deception has been sugar-coated with what appeals to us carnally—that is, what appeals to us physically and especially sexually. We have become a society that makes decisions on the basis of what we subjectively or emotionally feel rather than what we have objectively reasoned.
In today’s politically correct climate, it is assumed that no one is in any position to judge another. But in doing this, we permit ourselves, and those we love, to be deceived. In reality, without objective principles to guide our chosen beliefs, any choice is either purely arbitrary or totally based on emotion or upbringing.
Pam's newest book is available now for a special pre-lauch price. Find out more. Also, consider having Pam come speak to your group this fall. Your group would be among the first to book her to speak on this new book topic of faith!
August 16, 2013
Faith in Crisis
Especially important to the secular point of view is the acceptance of all religions as equal. It’s not enough to tolerate the existence of different religions—we must accept them all as equally valid. And if one can’t quite accept that all religions are equally valid, then at the least, in today’s cultural climate, one must adhere to inclusivism (open to other religions).
Inclusivism is a movement that began with the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. This Enlightenment movement declares that ignorance and narrow-mindedness would limit “God’s” revelation to only one particular faith group. Inclusivism has brought Americans to selectivism, which, according to Lutzer, teaches that we “must not follow any one religion, but compile our own personal list of cherished beliefs.”9
Increasingly, today’s generation wants to take religion out of the realm of rational discourse and relegate it to the area of personal preferences and opinions. If there are thirty-one different flavors of ice cream, why not have variety in religions? The gods of the New Age movement are always tolerant of sexual preferences, feminism, and hedonistic pleasures at almost any cost. Why shouldn’t people choose a religion that is compatible with their private values? Americans have become caught up in the belief that in order to have meaningful faith, it must agree with their deeply held personal preferences.
The bitter pill of deception has been sugar-coated with what appeals to us carnally—that is, what appeals to us physically and especially sexually. We have become a society that makes decisions on the basis of what we subjectively or emotionally feel rather than what we have objectively reasoned.
In today’s politically correct climate, it is assumed that no one is in any position to judge another. But in doing this, we permit ourselves, and those we love, to be deceived. In reality, without objective principles to guide our chosen beliefs, any choice is either purely arbitrary or totally based on emotion or upbringing.
The above is taken from chapter two in my book Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in a World of Lies, expected to be released September 15th. We have exceptional pre-launch promotions, including a major prize give away, depending on sales. Learn more about how you can be eligible to win. No purchase necessary.
I welcome any comments to this post. How did this excerpt strike you?
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August 6, 2013
Josh McDowell Endorses "Examine Your Faith"
Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in a World of Lies provides answers to unanswered questions most people have that are preventing them from embracing and living life with confidence. If you are not confident about what you believe, or what makes sense to believe, this book will help you examine the popular faith claims of our day and discover life-giving truth. Josh D. McDowell, Author and Speaker
Imagine how thrilled we were to receive Josh McDowell's endorsement! He is among the leading apologists of our day, uniquely able to help people connect their intellect to their soul and spirit.
Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in a World of Lies, is scheduled for release September 15, 2013. Now, during this pre-launch phase, you can reserve or purchase a copy of Pam's book at the special promotion prices. But more, you can become eligible to win fabulous gifts during the Launch Parties simply by subscribing to this blog. Just use the subsribe box at the top right of this page. Take time to look at previous posts to read excerpts from the book, learn of the special promotions, and about the gifts to be awarded to several lucky winners!
Pam is already receiving invitations to speak at various events from groups and organizations that want to be first in line. We're offering unique speaking packages during this book launch phase so contact us now!
This blog is protected by copyright. Permission is required to reprint or redistribute in any fashion. Subscribers to this Blog manage their own subscription. Feedburner is the subcribing service for this Blog. Our strict policy is that your contact information will not be shared with anyone.
August 2, 2013
Subscribers Eligible to Win Free Gifts!
It's August 1st and that means we have one month for book pre-sales that will determine the gifts and giveaways to be awarded during the launch week of my new book! You don't have to buy anything to be eligible, but you must be a subscriber to this blog to be eligible to win the various gifts we'll be offering during the launch party. We'll annouce details about the launch party here on this blog too!
Our goal is to have as many of my new book pre-sold as possible. Learn about the book here and the special pre-launch pricing available only through August 31st. Books that are reserved at special pricing can not count toward books pre-sold.
The more books pre-sold, the better prizes we can award during launch week!
With a total sales of 500 books by September 15th, we'll offer various eBook giveaways.
With a total sales of 1000 books by September 15th, we'll offer various eBooks and print book giveaways.
With a total sales of 3000 books sold by September 15th, we'll offer various eBooks and print books and retail gift cards.*
With a total sales of 5000 books sold by September 15th, we'll offer various eBooks and print books and retail gift cards* and a weekend get-away anywhere that our club has availability at a resort of the grand prize winner's choice! Details to follow...
Note: for every ten books sold through our site, one book is given to evangelistic outreach. If you represent an evangelistic group that would benefit from receiving books, apply to be a recipient of these books.
Make sure you subscribe to be eligible to win and help ramp up the prize possibilities by encouranging people to pre-purchase my book! It's endorsed by Josh McDowell, Dr. Craig Hazen and Dan Story, among others! Volume discounts are available so if your organization could use a quantity of this book be sure to inquire!
The clock starts NOW!
* Gift-cards excusive to American retailers.
This blog is protected by copyright. Permission is required to reprint or redistribute in any fashion. Subscribers to this Blog manage their own subscription. Feedburner is the subcribing service for this Blog. Our strict policy is that your contact information will not be shared with anyone.
July 27, 2013
Understanding Truth is Essential
[image error]Everywhere I go speak, I start off asking one question: "Who in this room wants to live your life on the basis of a lie?" No one ever raises their hand to that question. The response is exceptionally revealing. It indicates that each one of us understands that a lie is "bad" and that truth is "good." And this reveals that each of us operate from a basic universal moral code. Since no one wants to live their life on the basis of a lie, understanding truth then, is essential.
How would you define truth?
Click on the headline title to open the comment box.
Pamela Christian's new book is scheduled for release September 15, 2013. Learn more.
July 24, 2013
The Dechristianization of America
Religion, more than any time in history, is proving to be a dividing issue among Americans. At a time when tolerance is supposedly the aim for all, one would think that all religious beliefs would have an equal ability to thrive. This doesn't seem to be the case according to Gary Laderman, Chair of the Department of Religion, Emory University and author of an article in the Huffington Post.
Laderman wrote, "Religion in general is not diminishing its social impact, but Christianity specifically is losing its authoritative power across society. What we are witnessing today, and what has been especially visible in the past for some time now, is a process of dechristianization (not secularization)."
Christianity as a faith, not a religion, has always offered meaning, fulfillment and hope for our natural life and life in the hereafter. What has challenged and even begun to displace all that Christianity offers? Laderman cites, "the growing power of popular and entertainment cultures to provide what Christianity no longer can -- meaning and fulfillment, pathways for transcendence and ideals to live up to, satisfactory explanations for death and a true, revelatory sense of personal identity." If this is true then our society is purely self-focused, satisfied with false claims and doomed to implode. Were it not for the promises of God in Scripture, I would be very fearful. Instead, as a Christian, I am doing all I can to rally others to examine what they believe and why so they can be certain that they are basing their life - their eternal life - on truth.
I welcome your thoughtful comments here and with each post. Click on the headline title to open the comment box.
July 23, 2013
The Revelation of Religion
A new poll made headlines today in an article written by Lauren Marroe/Religion News Service as printed online in The Baptist Standard. It revealed that nearly six out of 10 Americans (59 percent) say being a religious person "is primarily about living a good life and doing the right thing," as opposed to more than one-third (36 percent) who hold being religious "is primarily about having faith and the right beliefs."
This may seem to be a new and progressive mindset. But, Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, referencing a report by his organization and the Brookings Institution reveals otherwise. Jones said, Americans' two views of what makes a person religious harken back to the Proteestant Reformation and to the Bible itself. Martin Luther who sparked the Protestant Reformation in 1517, taught faith alone--not 'good works'--brings salvation. "The Pauline literature, especially in the Book of Romans, makes a case for religoius justification by faith alone, while the Book of James seems to state the very opposite, 'faith without works is dead.'" The difference between religion and faith is enormous and it's an age-old issue.
Religion is man's efforts to connect with God through works. Faith is a gift from God that allows man access to God.
As you consider this, which of the two has the best potential for success: an effort of man or a gift from God? What are your thoughts about this?
Click on the headline above to open the comment section.
Pamela Christian is available to speak to your group/organization. Just contact us!
Atheism On The Decline? Could This Be Bad?
One news story that caught my eye was written by Anugrah Kumar, in The Christian Post. The Headlines read, "Study: World Is Turning More Religious; Atheism Declining." Considering my focus on matters of faith, you know I read the article.
It revealed that people world-wide are more religious today than they were four decades previous. The trend is expected to continue to 2020 and likely beyond, with expectations that the number of those who are nonreligious will decline. This is according to the study titled, "Christianity In Its Global Context, 1970-2010," conducted by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts.
The study revealed that in 1970 nearly 80 percent of the world's population was religious and that the number had grown to nearly 88 percent by 2010. The projected increase by 2020 is 90 percent. According to the report, mostly because China is witnessing a resurgence of Buddhism, Christianity, and other religions, projections to 2020 indicate a sustained decrease of the global share of non-religious.
Kumar, quoting from the study, revealed that the number of atheists and agnostics continues to rise in the Western world, except Europe where Christianity is on the rise. The current growth of various religions in China, where most of the world's non-religious reside, is expected to reduce the numbers of the non-religious.
What does this mean for the people of the world? Religion has never contributed much good to society. It could be said that religion is far more divisive than unifying. Religions are traditions, rites and rituals created by man intending to find connection with God. Not all religions are equal or credible. This is the subject of my book and a topic that I believe the world needs to study today, more than ever. We don't need more religiosity. We need more people to discover and operate their life in truth.
What do you say? Click on the headline above to open the comment section and share your thoughts.
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Pamela Christian is preparing for the launch of her soon-to-be-released book Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in a World of Lies published by West Bow. She's available for interview on the topic of finding faith in a post-modern world. Inquire here.
