Church Life

Quotation Marks

Recent comments about the belief in hell and naming yourself God

“Punishment from hell is vivid and clear-cut and apparently has more effect on behavior than the idea of heaven.”

Robert Barro, Harvard University economist, who found that countries where belief in hell is strong have a gross domestic product growth 0.5 percent higher than average.

“We’ll be standing on the promises of God.”

Bill Twaddell, pastor of Fairway Christian Church in Lady Lake, Florida, where congregants covered their new sanctuary floor with Bible verses before laying carpet.

“My first name, of course, would be I Am.”

Charles Haffey, who legally changed his name to “I Am Who I Am” after a judge rejected his efforts to change his name to God.

“It is quite inappropriate to refer to me, a mere man, as God. It is also disrespectful and dishonoring to God.”

Gary Ablett, former Australian football star and evangelical, nicknamed “God,” known for his troubled history with drugs and religious conversion. His football-playing relatives are called “son of God” and “nephew of God.”

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

Articles referenced above include:

Probing religion’s role in economic successThe Christian Science Monitor (Oct. 21, 2002)

God becomes Who I Am—BBC (Oct. 10, 2002)

See Christianity Today‘s Quotation Marks from January,February,March,April,May,June,July,August,September, October, and November.

Also in this issue

A. Teach English. Q. How do you take the good news to even the most unlikely places?

Cover Story

The Ultimate Language Lesson

When Pastors Plagiarize

'Confessing' Christians Stick It Out

Word Made Flesh

Evangelicals Grow as Political Force

Swindle Taints Nigerian Church

The 419 Fraud

Just War in Iraq

A Wry Debut Novel

New Christian Allegory

Shockingly Beautiful Prose

Homespun Stories

A Wounded Shepherd

How to Survive Grief

The Real Gospel

Heightened Hostilities in Egypt

Blinded by Pop Praise

News

Go Figure

Muslim Phobic No More

Good Samaritan tangled in red tape.

“India: Despised Dalits quit Hinduism, find new dignity in Christ.”

Homosexuality: Reformed church in Toronto welcomes active gay leaders.

Fraud: Financial Warfare scam targets black churches.

"Human Rights: Activists celebrate as President signs Sudan Peace Act,"

New Sect: Weigh Down guru Gwen Shamblin's Remnant Fellowship grows.

"Ears to Hear, Eyes to See"

Three Temptations of Spiritual Formation

"Violent Night, Holy Night"

Review

Celtic Music in a Christian Key

Wire Story

Prochoice activists take aim at Christian FDA candidate.

View issue

Our Latest

News

Malaysian Court Vindicates Family of Abducted Pastor

A judge finds authorities complicit in Raymond Koh’s disappearance, granting millions in damages and ordering a new investigation.

News

When God Closes a Church, He Opens Another?

US evangelicals are buying up shuttered Catholic properties.

Why CT Was Skeptical of Cold War Calls for Peace

In 1959, evangelicals looked to political leaders to hold up America’s great spiritual heritage as responses to the Soviet Union divided Christians.

The Bulletin

Dick Cheney Dies, Democrats Win Elections, and Merz Says ‘Go Home’

The life and legacy of Dick Cheney, Tuesday’s elections, and Germany signals future deportations.

News

After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican Baptists Look to Rebuild from the Ruins

Churches step in as shelters, aid sites, and sources of hope after the island’s strongest storm.

News

Zohran Mamdani’s Coalition Captured Some Christians, Alarmed Others

The democratic socialist’s energetic campaign paid off in Tuesday’s election.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Justin Giboney: Stop Outsourcing Your Witness

Faith that holds conviction and compassion in the same breath.

When Songs Undermine Orthodoxy

Church songs need to be true, not necessarily catchy.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube