March 26, 2007

The Privilege of Serving God's People!

I thought you might be interested in some of the mail we receive here at The Banner of Truth. This one was from a few months back. If you are in ministry, be assured that there are people out there whom you may never hear from, yet who have been touched by God through you, as well.
Grace & peace,
Steve
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Dear Banner of Truth,
I am sending this email to tell you how much God has used you in my life. You probably don't remember me (especially since you have lots of customers), but when I became a Christian in prison you sent me a few challenging books that contributed to my solid theological foundation. You helped shape almost every area that theology touches on. I took every opportunity to study, even though I was relatively illiterate. I did 5 years, from the age of 19 through the age of 23. Just to let you know, I am now a student at _______ University. It is a liberal institution, but I am going there by a really huge scholarship that some anonymous person is investing in me. I guess he or she heard alot about my love for Christ and my skill in theology. First and foremost, it was by God's grace; second, I also owe it to you, because you didn't give me baby food, but you actually started me off with John Owen's Mortification of Sin and worked me up to Geerhardus Vos' Biblical Theology. I spent the last semester challenging the teachers and being challenged by them. They are very liberal (but not all the faculty) in their theology and hermeneutics (they see Paul as improperly taking old testament passages out of context; they are very strict on grammatico-historical method). I feel like a lone ranger because the students don't really know what's going on and they only nodd their heads to the teacher's rebuttles. The teacher's know what is going on; sometimes they take me out to eat to talk about some of these challenges. They have asked me if I went to any other Christian school, but I tell them that I have just read alot, especially from Banner of Truth. I haven't told them that I was in prison. Anyway, just thought I'd leave a message and let you know that you are always in my heart. You sort of discipled me when Christ found me and you knew it not. When I have time and money, I will buy some books. May God bless your business.
[name withheld]

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