Simple plan
Go ahead and ask
While on assignment a few years ago I met with a man who
asked me if I used the term Christian or follower of Christ when I wrote for
publications. I quickly responded, “Christian.” He shook his head then launched
into a case for using follower of Christ rather than Christian.
“What’s a Christian these days?” he asked. “A lot of people
call themselves Christian, but they don’t live any differently than the rest of
the world. Don’t you think follower of Christ is a better description for those
who try to live as Christ would have them live?”
For nearly an hour he persuasively built his case. He jabbed
me with insights then drove home his points with interrogative sentences meant
to get me thinking and to consider his point of view.
When it comes to faith, people have questions. Perhaps you
have your own. As we developed this issue, our editors identified some tough
questions people often grapple with. For instance — What is the
unpardonable sin? What is heaven like? Why do bad things happen to good people?
Is it all right to get even? Are there errors in the Bible?
For the answer to such questions we turned to leaders who
have thought long and hard about such things. In the following pages you’ll
find answers to all of these questions. You’ll also find the answer to life’s
most important question: How do I get into heaven?
The answer is straightforward and simple. It’s also the
shortest and simplest answer we offer. It’s found on page 20. Once you know and
accept the Answer, you’ll never be the same.
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to
him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8, NIV).
Kirk Noonan
E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.
