This book by author Philip Yancey is sort of a partner to a book he wrote several years ago called, “What’s So Amazing About Grace?”.
This book definitely stands alone, but if you want a much deeper understanding, you may want to consider reading Mr. Yancey’s first book about grace. Here’s the thing: if you’re a Christian, you have undoubtedly noticed that we have kind of a bad name these days. And you’ve probably wondered why. I know that I sure have. If you look back fifty years ago, it was a compliment, even from a non-Christian, for someone to say, “He’s a good Christian man.” or “She’s a good Christian lady.” Nowadays, we hear people almost spitting, “Those Christians.”
If I’m going to be totally honest and authentic, I have to say that it kind of makes me angry. I mean, Christians are responsible for the largest part of human aid in the world. So how did we get such a bad reputation?
This is the question that Philip Yancey answers. This book helps us to try to figure out what we have done to invite this attitude toward us from our culture and those who don’t believe as we do. Because we’re all asking, “What in the world happened?” “When did we become the bad guys?” Have you wondered if it’s because of something we, as Christians did? I believe that can partially be the case, but I also believe that Satan is alive and well and is doing everything in his power to make us seem delusional, heartless, judgmental, etc. And it’s evidently working. Has the church gone wrong? If so, where and how? Yancey tackles this tough question. And if the church has done something to invite this negative attitude, what do we do now? How can we change it?
The bottom line is that is just doesn’t matter where the fault lies. If people are not feeling loved by the church and its members, then we are charged to change that attitude. Yancey shows us how to show love and grace to those in our midst who need it the most.
I love that my church is one that is laser focused on ministry to those who need Jesus. We are a fairly new, fairly small church, but we have a huge ministry involvement in the community. We try to make everyone who walks through the doors feel welcome and loved. Our pastor is a young guy. He’s tatted. He’s a former drug dealer. He’s been in handcuffs in the back of a cop car. Dude is real. And he knows what it took to introduce him to Jesus. And that’s what we’re doing.
Yancey’s book really gives you food for thought. What can you (and your church) do to love people and show them that they matter?
‘Vanishing Grace‘ is available at Family Christian Stores.
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