Happy Thanksgiving! As we take time to thank God for what He has done, I am reminded of Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
I am very thankful to God for the ministry you have made possible this year. As I look back at the last few months, The John Ankerberg Show has touched on many topics close to the hearts of those of you who love Jesus, both in our country and worldwide. Without you, we couldn’t do what we do. We have needed your prayers and help.
After my own surgery in December, I read that nearly 90 million Americans face some type of chronic pain or suffering. Whether cancer, heart disease, disability, or other health concerns, many of us endure tremendous challenges to our body.
When my friends Joni Eareckson Tada and Michael Easley had more radiation and surgeries this year, I thought I would review the question for all of us, “Does God really care about the struggles we all face?” The good news is that God does care when we experience life’s challenges.
Romans 8:28 promises, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” That verse led me to choose five favorite programs with Joni and Michael that remind us of God’s love and promises.
Then, I was surprised to read an article from David Gelernter, professor of computer science at Yale University, chief scientist at Mirror Worlds Technologies, and member of the National Council of the Arts. He is not a believer, but read Dr. Stephen Meyer’s latest book entitled Darwin’s Doubt.
Gelernter’s article made the bold statement, “Stephen Meyer’s thoughtful and meticulous Darwin’s Doubt (2013) convinced me that Darwin has failed…. Darwin’s Doubt is one of the most important books in a generation. Few open-minded people will finish it with their faith in Darwin intact.”
As I thought of our students struggling with evolution and creation, I decided to air our series with Dr. Stephen Meyer entitled “The Four Great Discoveries of Modern Science That Prove God Exists.” Dr. Stephen Meyer is co-founder of the Intelligent Design movement, and received his PhD in the Philosophy of Science from Cambridge University in England. He also serves as Senior Fellow of the Discovery Institute.
In our series with him, we revealed four great discoveries of modern science that prove the existence of God. You can still watch these at JAshow.org and our app:
- The discovery that the universe had a definite beginning and was brought into existence ex nihilo, out of nothing;
- The discovery that space and time also had a beginning;
- The discovery that the universe has been fine-tuned for life; and
- The discovery of complex information and design in the digital code of DNA in every human cell.
Then I wanted to share with you a revolution that is taking place among secular scholars. There is evidence that within 24 months of the resurrection, creedal statements in Paul’s letters show 12 historical facts Christians taught about Jesus.
For the past century, secular historians have often disputed the early beliefs of Christianity. Some have argued the resurrection and deity of Jesus were teachings developed long after the events. But early Christians reported facts they had witnessed.
The consensus among scholars today is that Paul received the creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 by the time he believed in Jesus two years after the resurrection, or possibly about five years after the resurrection when he met Peter and James in Jerusalem:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
This information was already known and passed around by Christians sometime after Jesus rose from the dead at 30 A.D. and before the time Jesus appeared to Paul and on the road to Damascus around 32 A.D. I invited Dr. Gary Habermas, the world’s foremost expert on the resurrection of Jesus, to share this evidence with us.
Our Salvation Series with Dr. Erwin Lutzer
I hope you’ve been enjoying our programs with Dr. Erwin Lutzer on “How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity with God.” We’ve heard from many people who have become confident of their faith in Christ through this series.
One viewer recently shared, “Your TV program is my favorite Christian show. You have great guests. Your insight and encouragement are such a help.” Have you requested your copy of this important series? If not, please see the enclosed card for information.
Coming Soon on The John Ankerberg Show
How are we going to close the year? We are going to talk about the rapture, and then turn our attention to bringing audio Bibles to new countries in desperate need of hearing the gospel for the first time in their own language. In addition, we will discuss the need to provide audio Bibles for those in our U.S. military.
Did you know that the U.S. has 800 bases overseas? Every month, it seems like we are sending more U.S. troops to different parts of the world. One report stated we had more than 1,395,000 U.S. personnel overseas and thousands more in reserves. Our troops need God’s Word to encourage them as they are deployed in harm’s way.
In addition, we will discuss the great need for audio Bibles in Indonesia. This nation is the world’s largest Muslim population, yet God is working in powerful ways to open the eyes of people to the message of Jesus throughout the nearly 17,000 islands that make up this nation.
Our next program will focus on Southeast Asia, one of the world’s largest unreached areas. We’ll also discuss God’s work in Cambodia, and especially Myanmar. These nations have long been restricted or hostile to the gospel. Yet the Word of God is not chained. As people hear Scripture in their own language, entire communities are choosing faith in Jesus, resulting in unprecedented spiritual awakening.
In December, we’ll center our attention on the countries of Sudan, China, and India. Then we will end our series with a program that touches on how God is using audio Bibles among our U.S. military personnel and veterans.
God has worked through you and our other ministry friends to reach 2,730,337 people in 40 countries speaking 120 different languages. These people meet in small groups of 10 to 30 each week and listen to the audio Bibles you have provided. Over half of these people who listen each week (about 1,300,000) become new believers in Christ.
The Bible says in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?”
In the enclosed Christmas catalog, we invite you to join us as we share God’s Word with those who have yet to hear. By sending audio Bibles to individuals in other countries in their heart language, you will help people hear the gospel who otherwise may never know about the love of God.
We present and defend the gospel because Christ has called us to this mission. Through your prayers and gifts, you are helping make disciples among people who have never heard the name of Jesus. Thank you for obeying the Lord.
As I close, I pray that God will speak to your heart regarding how you can help this month. My prayer is that with your partnership, we will immediately be able to reach even more people with the gospel.
For those still waiting to hear,
Dr. John Ankerberg