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Christianity Today, December (Web-only), 2008 |

Speaking Out

Philip Yancey: Escaping the Bullets

A speaking tour in India led to a few close calls.

Philip Yancey | posted 12/08/2008 01:57PM

As my wife and I were leaving India last week, gunfire broke out in the New Delhi airport. Luckily, by that time, we were 40,000 feet in the air.

Janet and I were on a speaking tour in India when the terrorist ...

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David Hermawan

Posted: December 15, 2008 11:00 AM

I come from Indonesia. As India, Indonesia has always been biased represented by the westerner medias. We are not that poor. Give us a break. Westerners often feel pity for us after they read such not-balanced put report. I am a Christian. Yes we face some difficulties. Yes we are persecuted. But please don't look on us as the unlucky one. We are struggling. We are developing. Please keep the open-minded perspective in viewing us as a nation. I belief we are created equal. Therefore, we have the same dignity as Americans have. Have a balanced perspective on us. After all, I respect Philip Yancey. However in this article, I have to disagree with him on his "hope India will have same life "quality" as westerners" paradigm.

SSW	Posted: December 14, 2008 1:19 AM

I am very sad to read the way the article concluded about India. The problem with western missionaries is the way they present India. Whenever I return to India, on the way from airport to home I am relieved to see that there are no porno shops and gay bars. I am grateful that there is still a strong family system here. The western life may be clean and orderly but far from morality and values. It is also a materilistic society. To be a Christian and an Indian is a great blessing. I would not trade it for a life in the west. Dirty and noisy, yes but simple, relationships and values is what makes India the country of choice. This attitude injures the Church in India more than any other.

L_Canby

Posted: December 11, 2008 1:10 AM

Namasté Philip and Janet, Very glad to learn that you were not physically hurt during the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights into the changes taking place in the urban areas of India as contrasted with India's larger, ancient culture. Since you are experienced globe-trotters, I am curious about what parallels and differences you see in terms of social, economic and evangelistic progress in India and the continent of Africa? LC

Michelle Bickers

Posted: December 10, 2008 10:13 PM

Philip Yancey is one of my all time favorites! He continues on this journey with a unique perspective that opens the eyes of the body of believers. Hopefully this article causes us to stop and consider the things we may take for granted -if nothing else. If you have never read his work with Dr. Paul Brand it is amazing definitely worth the time and effort. Dr. Brand served for many years in India working with lepers - he seems to have greatly influenced Philip's work. Sorry the earlier commenter did not appreciate this article but I hope they will look into some of his other writings - they are too important to dismiss. MB

t.	Posted: December 10, 2008 3:03 PM


Sorry to be rude but did Yancey get paid for this article in a Christian magazine and if so, why?

PG	Posted: December 10, 2008 1:53 PM


The last meal he and his wife had before they left for the US was at my home back in India. I wasn't in India at the time, but my parents and sisters there were amazed by how humble he and his wife were. Would have loved to chat with him. PG

indian christian

Posted: December 09, 2008 11:57 AM

I'm do agree with whatever Yancey said. However I would say that the caste system is the curse of the Indian church. It has split the church into many factions and there is no unity. Not high caste vs low caste, its sub-caste against sub-caste. Also the places were dalits hold high posts now look down upon the members of previously"high caste" who are not as highly placed as them. There is also a lot of reservation in the government institutions for the lower castes, so Christians who don't want to lose the government benefits of being from lower castes remain Hindus according to the records(Christians in India aren't categorized in the lowest bracket). This has caused a lot of bitterness among the Hindus of lower classes who see these people as being the ones who are stealing their jobs and privileges. I'm not denying the atrocities committed for 4000 yrs, only believe the only way we can go forward is by forgiving the past, giving up our caste "heritage" and be one in Christ.

lv2write

Posted: December 09, 2008 7:28 AM


Seeing India through Yancey's eyes is better than a video! Thanks to him for his brave reporting of a country that often seems so far removed from the U.S. So thankful, too, for another safe return for him and his wife.

Paul Wilkinson

Posted: December 08, 2008 5:15 PM


Philip Yancey's life might be described by different words, but 'boring' is not one of them. Between this and the road accident, he's escaped a couple of situations that could have had far worse endings. Another case of answers to prayers that were never prayed? Can't wait for the 'revised' edition of Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference, after these two experiences.

Leanne Ford (Registered User)

Posted: December 08, 2008 12:00 AM

Fascinating article. I was recently talking to an Indian and said something about the caste system and he looked at me like I was crazy. I was wondering how badly we were educating ourselves if we are teaching something that no longer exists! But this article basically said what I thought might be the case - the urban areas are much different than the rural areas. Question - on the first page there is a quote that a gentleman said it had been 250 years since slavery. I don't know if that's an issue with his knoweldge or if its a typo here (or a misquote) but its only been 140 years since slavery was ended. Ok this is freaky! I am NOT Leane Ford and have no idea who she is. How am I logged in as her!?!?

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