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Christianity Today, May, 2011

Quotation Marks

Eugene Peterson's endorsement, Christopher Hitchens on hope, and Alan Chambers on being offensive.

Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 4/29/2011 10:36AM

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"How I practice my religion is something not for the American people …."
Gary Locke, U.S. Commerce Secretary and appointed ambassador to China, as U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf demanded he worship at a Chinese house church "to stand with the dissidents who are being persecuted."
Source: AFP

"There's very little Christ, very little Jesus, in these people who are fighting Rob Bell."
Eugene Peterson, explaining why he endorsed Bell's new book, Love Wins.
Source: Patheos

"[I'm] alarmed to be a repository of other people's hope… . It's something I shall have to resist if I survive."
Christopher Hitchens, on becoming an atheist hero amid his cancer treatments.
Source: The Telegraph

"Offering someone support as they choose to live their life through the filter of their faith rather than their sexuality is now considered not only offensive, but also dangerous."
Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, on Apple removing the group's iPhone app for "being offensive to large groups of people."
Source: The Manhattan Declaration

"What happens after the two cheeks have been turned? I do not know what else. Let nobody think that the silence of Christians is weakness."
Solomon Adebara, founder and General Overseer of Nigeria's Fountain of Grace Ministries, on Muslim attacks on Christians in the country's north.
Source: Sunday Tribune

Related Elsewhere:

Earlier Quotation Marks columns are available from April 2011, March 2011, February 2011, January 2011, December 2010, November 2010, October 2010, September 2010, August 2010, July 2010, June 2010, May 2010, April 2010, March 2010, February 2010, January 2010, December 2009, November 2009, October 2009, September 2009, August 2009, July 2009, June 2009, May 2009, April 2009, and earlier issues of Christianity Today.

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May 2011, Vol. 55, No. 5, Page 19

Comments (5)

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2-for-1 Gifts!

Ann Arbor

May 03, 2011 4:32pm

This whole athiest vs christian thing is just a front embrace eternal truth http://www.exposingchristinaity.com

Gary Blevins

May 01, 2011 1:33pm

I am deeply saddened by Eugene Peterson's comment on there being very little Jesus in people who disagree with Rob Bell's unbiblical theology. When I consider his endorsement of Bell's book and the horrendous picture of God found in another book he endorsed (The Shack), I have to question what Jesus he is referring to. It certainly isn't the Jesus we find in the Bible. We don't get to choose any kind of "Jesus" we might want to follow. And neither one of these books accurately represents the Jesus who is revealed to us in the infallible and authoritative Word of God. I thank God for those who are so committed to the one true Jesus that they would endure the criticism of those who are distorting Him and the gospel.

jerry bricker

April 30, 2011 2:10pm

I love Peterson's books, but disagree that to criticize Rob Bell's theology is to show "little Christ and little Jesus". Bad theology and heresy have always been dangerous and always open to crtitque and evaluation.

Gilbert Gerbrandt

April 29, 2011 10:40pm

Whether it is E. Peterson's 'message' or any other version it is impossible to "put on the whole armour of God..." when very important parts (about 5000) of His Word are denied, such as: Matt. 17:21; 18:11; 23:14; Mark 7:16; 9:44; & 46 & 49; 11:26; 15:28; Luke 17:36; 23:17; Acts 8:37; 15:34; 24:7; 28:29 etc., etc. God says "All Scripture is given by Inspiration...". I am determined to accept and declare the whole '...counsel of GOD' Acts 20:27

Michael Constantine

April 29, 2011 5:01pm

For the record, I have read several critiques of Rob Bell's book and theology (if you can call it that) that were written with clarity and charity. As much as I respect Eugene Peterson, his comment is perhaps too broad a condemnation of some sincere brothers who labored carefully in their reviews and responses. "Fighting Rob Bell?" Pleading with him is more accurate for the materials I have read.

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