Date: 28-Mar-1995 10:56am EST
Subject: Notebooks and Peter Jennings
Thanks for your note of March 23. You might be able to get a used notebook from the Drew University computer services--I'm not sure. Try sending an e-mail message directly to Bill Beyer at bbeyer@drew.edu, or to Scott Wood at swood1@drew.edu
I saw a videotape of the Peter Jennings Special, and I did not feel that Mr. Jennings realy understood what was going on with repsect to Rodney Howard-Browne or with respect to the Toronto Blessing. At the end of the program he talks about how the various groups he interviewed are trying different approaches in order to attract people, but in the case of Rodney, and of the Vineyard Churches, the concern is not how to attract people, but how to please to God. Who would be attracted to things which the natural mind often finds repulsive?
There is also an extensive clip of Hank Hanegraaff criticizing the revival, but Hank's criticism, also, I feel, is without foundation. He says, basically, that the revival is off-base theologically, since it is self-centered; people are seeking a blessing rather than seeking to bless, and that this is completely contrary to true Christianity. I think he's wrong about this. I think that the only way that we can really be a blessing to others is if we have been blessed ourselves. Otherwise, whatever "blessing" we try to impart to others is empty, or void.
Hank makes his comments while they are showing people falling to the floor, receiving a blessing. What I said to my father as he and I were watching this and listening to Hank's comments, is that those people, when they get up off the floor, are completely changed people, and any self-centeredness tends to be eradicated as a result of the work that God does upon them while they are on the floor.
How about you? What are our thoughts on the program?
Take care, and God BLESS you.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Riss
RRISS@DREW.EDU