..................
Hi Glenn!
I'm writing from Switzerland, I found your interesting
page some time ago and revisited today.
you have many useful articles. compliments!
Be blessed in the name of Jesus and may the Lord guide you with
His wisdom in writing for His glory.
........................
Hi,
I was happily flabbergasted to find your site and insights.
I have only, so far, read a few of your writings on this site and
found further amazement
.......................
Dear Glenn,
I wanted to personally thank you for all the work you have done on
the Christian Thinktank over the years. It is an invaluable
resource and has been very helpful to me in my Christian
walk. Particularly when I was in college at UC Berkeley,
I was struggling with my faith in Jesus. Through many people
and resources, the Tank being a major one, the Lord strengthened
me and allowed me to overcome those challenges and keep trusting
Him. I still have unanswered questions, but it's okay,
because I know that when I see Him, all the answers I need will be
there. Likewise, I know there are more challenges ahead, but
I am so grateful for people like you who willingly serve the Lord
as an encouraging example to me. Thank you for sacrificing
your time and energy to help believers and reach the unsaved, and
for doing it with humility, honesty, integrity, and intelligence
as unto the Lord.
I just want to encourage you to keep going, press toward the mark,
endure the discipline of the Lord, lay aside every hindrance and
the sin which so easily entangles us, and run with endurance the
race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and
perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right
hand of the throne of God. Glenn, you've already encouraged
so many and there is a great harvest ahead. Relax and
trust the Lord Jesus, and keep working for His glory.
......................
Thank you for your website. It's an inspiration to me on a daily
basis.
I hope all is well with you and your family.
...................
I want to say you do wonderful work. I love the topics.
Thank you for your site!
................
Hey, Glenn. I tried to email you once a couple years back but the
message got shot down somewhere along the line. It was previously
a very long-winded request for information on what you've read so
far as anthropology is concerned about Christianity. At this
juncture, I have different concerns and issues of faith on my
mind, but I wanted to thank you. Your work has gotten me
through a lot of hard spots and much of what I've read of
yours has given me a base to which I can fall back, if need be,
when towering concerns (issues of science/society and their attack
on faith) take the ground I'm currently standing on.
I hope things are going well for you, Glenn. Looking forward to
reading more of your stuff.
..............
Long story short. Childhood abuse from father with mental illness.
Big trust issues. Your non-explanation of the inquiry about God
allowing suicide was more helpful than all the 'non-non'
explanations I've read.
I wasn't told about the mental illness until he died a couple of
years ago. So much time in the dark (I'm 47). Just dealing.
Understanding... Oh yeah, that's why I'm screwed up. Ive been
saved since I was little. But been very angry and distrustful
recently of a God who allowed this to happen to me.
Your article on faith being simpler than it looks, though intended
to speak to an unbelieving skeptic, has given me an
objective foothold for trusting again.
You wrote: "Jesus wants us to evaluate His message primarily by
looking at His words, life, and death."
Lately I've only been evaluating Him based on my lousy
childhood and his seemingly cold disconnectedness from me when I
prayed. I must return to His words, life, and death.
Thank you, XYZ
................
Glenn, hello,
Hats off to your for your superb analysis and writing. Keep up the
great work.
............
Hi Glenn. I just happened across your site. I can't believe I
haven't stumbled across it before. I just wanted to drop you a
line to say thanks for being so dedicated to such a thing. I'm a
Christian, and have been since I was 9, but have always tried
to make certain I believe the things I do not only because they
are presented to me as true, but plausibly true upon my own
personal examination. Christianity, and more directly God,
has never disappointed me in that regard. I'm sure I'll spend
quite a bit of time reading your articles.
Thank you again!
..........................
Dear Mr Glenn Miller,
I have known about your website for a few years now (2-3
from memory) thanks to the wonderful search engine known as
Google. (Did you know that If you type in ‘Christian Thinktank’
yours is the first one to pop up?)
This is more a letter/email of encouragement than one with more
questions. As a 21 year old, I’m sure you can understand I would
have many questions regarding the Christian faith, luckily for you
most of them (that I know of) have already been addressed in the
tank. In addition God has blessed me with a father (also a
Christian) who has actively encouraged me to find out WHY the
Christian faith/world view is valid, and he has never shunned me
from questioning the Christian faith. Not only that but I am
continually reminded of 1 Corinthians 2. How the greatest proof of
all is the example of God working visibly in your life, and the
life of those around you. A faith based not only on words and
reasoning, but actions of God (of which I have witnessed MANY). In
my honest opinion, the only people who do not see God’s actions
are those who do not WANT to see them.
Unfortunately despite all this often I find myself doubting, in
those moments I look for answers. I know through experience that
the most reliable way to find these answers is by reading the
bible, but in our western culture a lot of the original
‘assumptions’ the authors made are lost, we also lose context and
we fail to grasp what the author intended to communicate. So I
also search various materials to find the answers, if that has
taught me anything it is that there are a lot of voices in the
world, showing you which way to go and what to believe. This
is where you stand out from many other Christian apologists. Not
only do you base what you believe on what the bible does say, but
you also show what scholars believe the culture was like at the
time, what the original text likely conveyed and what led you to
those decisions. In addition instead of assuming all the
conclusions as indisputable fact, you cite the references so
that we can search the matter for ourselves. What you give are
not only ‘answers’ but the ‘journey’ to the answers!
I want to encourage you keep up the good work. You may not see the
fruit, but it’s definitely there. While I’m sure you’re not
perfect, and have made mistakes in the past, God is obviously
still using you.
To encourage further I heard a preacher say something along the
lines of ‘God loved us first, when we were still sinners’. God,
who knows everything we would ever do, loved us before we loved
Him. What continually amazes me about that is God knew when and
how we would fail him before we did. Knowing all that he decided
he would still love us, so why do we let how we mess up stand in
the way?
Reading your articles, God has definitely given you a gift for
sorting through information. I can only shudder at how many
hours you must have put into researching your work.
I’m not at all surprised it often takes you years to sort through
the many emails you get. Especially as this is not your primary
occupation (though a calling none-the-less). I was only going to
write a quick paragraph thanking you for all the help you've given
me, but my typing hands got away from me.
God bless, and thank you for all the encouraging work.
..............................
Hello Glenn,
I just wanted to let you know that you are the best! Your
site has been such a godsend. Your apologetic stuff is
amazing and encouraging and faith-building and profoundly
satisfying, but your letters and personal stuff are even better.
They nourish my soul. They make me laugh and cry and
doubt and believe simultaneously. Your honesty is so
refreshing, and I hope that it becomes more contagious in the
church. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart
and I pray that God uses your site to raise up an army of
little glenns in the future.
God bless you Glenn
..............................
First I want to say that I thank God for your Christian Think-Tank
Website. It has truly been a blessing to me as well as my husband.
We have used it to help us teach on many issues (We are young and
youth ministers at our church.)
..................
Thank you so very much for your work and esp. your website. I am a
student in the ABCDEF. This is a second vocation for me as God
called me after my 50th birthday. I have used your site for
help in preparing SS classes, sermons and answering difficult
questions from others. It is exciting to have someone who
has researched many questions as I do not yet have a large
library or access to many books due to my isolated rural
location. Your fellow servant in Christ, XYZ
...................
My name is XYZ and I am currently a freshman in college. Thank you
so much for your website. I can’t tell you how much of a blessing
it has been in my life. I have been a Christian since I was around
six or seven, but my spiritual life (walking with God) hasn’t
always been consistent. I remember running across your site a
while ago after seeing it linked from the XYZ website. I was on
the XYZ website again recently (I check it fairly frequently) just
to browse through some of the articles, and I saw your article
about the Canaanites. I clicked on the link and started reading
the article. It took me a while to get through, but I was
impressed by how detailed you were. I started to browse
through the rest of the articles on your website and couldn’t read
them quickly enough!
It’s interesting, although I go through spiritual “dry phases” in
my life, God always draws me back to Him. I started college last
August and I knew how important it was to be involved in a
Christian based on both my own experience and the experience of
others. I kind of put off looking for one, since the one I was
going to go to ended up conflicting with a preexisting time
commitment, and I was too nervous to go to any of the Bible
studies. I had been attending anime club Wednesday nights (I saw
that you said you liked watching certain shows too-it’s cool to
hear that) but was growing more and more disillusioned with it,
mainly because I didn’t like most of the shows we were watching
and because of the behavior of many of the members. ...
Anyway, the point of all of that being, that led up to my renewed
interest in my walk with God, (although that never went away, I
was just distracted from it) which led me to your website. I’m
certainly no expert when it comes to apologetics, but it’s
something I like researching and reading about, and your site is
wonderful for that. Yes, some of your answers are very long,
but I appreciate how thorough you are, since I tend to be a
no-stones-left-unturned person myself. You addressed
many of the nagging questions I had wondered about with such depth
and insight. And when I was talking with my younger sister about
spiritual matters, she confided in me that, after reading some of
the passages in the Old Testament, it was hard for her to see God
as both a God of judgment and love (or something to that effect…)
I told her about your site, and about some of the other resources
I had used, and she has started reading them and told me that it
was helping her and that she wanted to share some of what she’d
been discovering with one of her friends. So you never know
just what affect you can have. I bet there are a lot of Tank
readers who appreciate what you do but haven’t ever e-mailed you
about it (the lurkers like me, until now) and you’ll only know how
much you’ve blessed others when we’re all together in heaven. I
have enjoyed reading your intellectual insights, but I have
discovered your spiritual insights to be just as powerful, if not
more so. Your writings inspired me to start walking again in
close fellowship with God, something I am very grateful for
(and words are inadequate to really express that…) ...
The last thing I wanted to mention that strongly impact me is
something you discuss throughout the Tank, (this really sounds
like a school paper or something, doesn’t it?) that being
God’s experience of the Cross, and I guess that ties in to what I
was talking about above. I’ve been interested in this topic for a
while now (almost morbidly so…) and you provided me with some new
insight. Thank you so much. I remember having a thought about
wondering if Jesus’s experience of the Cross stayed with Him in
His memories and such, and what emotional and psychological effect
that would have, but then dismissing the notion. Then I read your
article “if Jesus didn’t stay dead, how could His death have been
a REAL sacrifice?” As I said, I’ve thought about God’s experience
of the Cross for a while now, but that was the first time I
realized and appreciated (or should I say, came about as close as
possible to realizing) how much it really cost Him. I had
known about and thought about Jesus bearing all of our sins, but
when I realized that those memories of what happened will always
be with Him, as well as the physical reminders, (His
nail-scarred hands have always amazed me-to think, He could have
completely healed those, but He keeps that as a reminder of what
He did for us) I was shocked. And same with the experience of
God the Father. Having never been a parent, (and since I
likely won’t be one for a long time yet) your insights were
incredible, and I can only imagine the pain God felt while
watching Jesus die, and how His memories of that won’t ever
leave Him. I don’t know if I’ll be able to really understand
that until/unless I become a parent, but you helped me see better
what it must have been like for Him. God is truly amazing, being
willing to save anyone who accepted His offer at such a
unimaginable cost to Himself…
Now, after all that rambling and huge blocks of text, I want to
thank you again. I hope you are able to read this letter/novella
soon, and I know you may not be able to reply for a long time, if
at all, which is completely understandable. I just wanted to let
you know how God has blessed me through you in my renewal in my
walk with Him, and how you have inspired me to continue to “Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) Thank you so
very much! I will continue to be an avid reader of the Tank and
will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
....................
I am a thirty yr old man, from suburban India, and have
been saved for about 8 yrs. now, but have been constantly
struggling with sexual sin for more than half my life. I'd like to
believe I am not as bad as few of the others out there, but truth
be told, the chances of a jailed pedophile having a clearer
conscience than me is quite high.
I have been addicted to masturbation and porn for a while now.
Through the help of filters like covenant eyes i have had
solid rate of decline of what I watch but, my heart still yearns
for the 2-3 min thrills that porn fetches.Due to the nature of my
work, I have days at end where I'm just at home doing nothing!! I
have been in a 6 yr long relationship with an amazing woman of
god, but it's been long distance. Even though she's fully aware of
my struggles, I detest myself and have such a low self esteem,
that I am unable to focus on anything or anyone but on how filthy
I am. it's ALWAYS ABOUT ME.
So after my most recent wank-off...i just decided to type "i
cannot stop sinning"...and came upon a few articles that
people had written upon...and "magically" clicked on yr
article ( the retort on this mans letter who had written to you
about how he couldn't stop sinning"..... needless to say I was
super blessed, and i have never read something that threw
light on such a serious matter in such a wholesome fashion.
The "understanding" "acceptance"and adaptation hit home, like us
Indians have hit the IT sector!!! ( I still think your joke on the
ambidexterity is way better!! ) anyhow man, just basically wanted
to thank you sooo much for spreading the truth, and am blessed to
have come across this write up. I don't think iv become a better
guy whatsoever...but at least I know where to focus on in life.
God truly spoke to me through you.
.....................
Glenn-
I must share with you how God used your website to completely
transform my life!! I don’t say that lightly. I
have been born again for about 15 years but so much of my life of
faith was seeing so dimly…pieces of the puzzle had been missing
and I just couldn’t understand fully what the Holy Spirit was
doing and my role in fighting Him constantly…then one day I
“happened” upon your site by accident and started reading your
story on “How I made it Through So Far” or something to that
nature and for the first time in my Spiritual journey, I
understood how corrupt my fleshly nature really was and how it
had been deceiving me for so long. I knew the devil
was my enemy but I never knew the extent of the corruption of my
own flesh. God graciously showed me so many truths
through your story that were life changing for me. You shall
know the truth and the truth will make you free! God and I
would be going along just fine…I would be experiencing joy and
peace and loving my enemies with power and strength from His
Spirit alone…all would be well…then all of a sudden out of the
blue, this depression would come over me, my joy, peace, love,
faith…everything would be gone in the blink of an eye. I
thought I was crazy or losing my mind until your story helped me
see that was the old me, the fleshly nature lurking its ugly
head and trying to be resurrected once again. I
suddenly understood the downward spiral effect…sow to the
flesh and BOOM the flesh comes back to life quickly…sow to the
spirit and I enjoy the fruits of the spirit. The mind
set on the flesh is death, the mind set on the Spirit is life and
peace…seems really simple now…but I just had to write you a quick
note and thank you for your story. If the Lord used it so
radically in my own life, I know there has to be countless others
He’s using it for as well.
In His Love,
XYZ
.................
I just wanted to write you and give you my thanks. I had only
really come across low level apologetics previously and your
work is an inspiration. I truly appreciate the God given
intelligence at work here as well as the clarity explaining your
personal experience with God. I have never read before about what
someone's walk with God looked like except for boasters who
more often than not are no doubt false prophets. It has been
illuminating and provided insight into my own walk. I pray for you
to receive all of the Lord's spiritual blessings and continued
leading into all wisdom and knowledge. May God provide you peace
and healing in Jesus holy name I pray. .. As an example, your
writing on hell was tremendously helpful. Though the article
was filled with necessary ambiguity, of course, I have never
been able to square the traditional view of hellfire and
torment with our Father's revealed character and now have some
peace regarding that contradiction after reading that piece.
............
Dear Glenn,
I just wanted to tell you I found you website while preparing
for a sermon and was pleasantly surprised to see what a
great resource it is. Thank you for your faithfulness to
Yeshua and willingness to share the wealth of knowledge you have
accumulated over the years.
Because of God's amazing grace,
..............
Just want to say thank you for your valuable contribution to the
difficult question about God's directive to utterly wipe out the
Amalekites. I stumbled upon your discussion
...shouldn't the butchering of the Amalekite children be
considered war crimes?
I am co-teaching a class on 1 & 2nd Samuel with my pastor
and I've been apprehensive about this as we are approaching
1Sam. chapter 15. I really do think I get it (as
much as any mere mortal can) but I have been struggling for some
really accessible language to help me when the inevitable
questions "...how could a loving God..etc.." arise.
You've done a mighty fine job of laying out the issue and
providing some scenarios that will help frame up a discussion.
Next Sunday night we'll take it on.
I appreciate your thinking - and I appreciate your sharing your
thinking. Your Think Tank reflects an impressive amount of
work - I'll be coming back again. Thank you!
................
I recently discovered your excellent site when I was looking up
arguments to go against an atheist with, and I was and am
impressed with the high level of research and time that you put
into each of the hard questions you tackle.
.................
just wanted to drop you a quick email to express my
gratitude! fantastic job on the site! you are truly a
blessing my friend, and your work is clearly the work of God!
... you have done an unbelievable job of bringing much
perspective from many different perspectives to the search
for God. ... I pray that your work helps others to
open their minds and begin to demonstrate the very faith, hope,
and love with which we were created in his image...
...............
hi Glenn.
your website is awesome.
I am using/ have used the self-stultifying page with
Christians & unbelievers for years.
..................
Hi there, I happened upon your site today and just wanted to say
thank goodness for it. Keep up the great work,
..................
Hi Glenn,
Many thanks for your excellent article on 'No Staff' from Mark
6 v 8. It was really helpful for me and my class.
May God bless you and continue to use you for his kingdom!
Please don't reply, rather study, pray and write. We will
have lots of time to discuss in the new kingdom.
Grace and peace,
.....................
Dear Glenn
I have just read your piece on doubling in Matthew and I think
it is a really impressive piece that offers a convincing answer
to the question.
....................
Glenn,
As I know you are extremely busy and get a ton of emails, I will
do my best to keep this brief.
My name is XYZ, and I am a college student studying English and
Writing at ABCDEF university who just happened to be Google-ing
for further research after doing some reading and study on
Biblegateway and BlueLetterBible. And I stumbled across your
site for the first time tonight.
I don't think I've ever before felt the need to email the operator
of a website, writer, or anyone before. But your site is so
fantastic that it merited a response. It is truly a
blessing; you are a fantastic example to believers, scholars,
philosophers, and people in general through the work, dedication,
bravery, and thought that goes into what you do.
It is refreshing and inspiring to know that there is someone
out there being heard as he expresses open, researched,
non-ignorant ideas and answers. The Bible encourages
the pursuits of wisdom and truth, and you are helping us all
on our journeys toward these vast, complex ideas.
Really, there is no real way to express how much of a blessing you
and your site are. Now, I don't want to sound like I'm
making you out to be the only person in the world who pursues
truth in this way or is spreading positive, open information and
research. But I have never before seen anything that
compares to the caliber of the site, the sheer volume of what it
covers and explores, or the greatness of what it accomplishes.
God bless you, sir. I pray to someday have something
close to the voice and drive that you do. Be
encouraged, brother.
................
Hi Glenn, I discovered your website years ago and have always
found it fascinating and uniquely persuasive. Recently I’ve
been going through a crisis of faith, largely precipitated,
I believe, by my deployment to a difficult military project
overseas. I felt like something died in my soul during that time,
and that I was beyond God’s reach, if He was even still there at
all….
Anyway, I have earnestly re-embarked on my search for Truth, and
your page on penal substitution is really helping me sort out
some nagging doubts. I haven’t read the whole thing yet, but
have bookmarked the page and even saved it as a file on my hard
drive just in case for any reason I can’t get online or the page
vanishes from cyberspace.
..............
Thanks again, over and over and over and over for what you
do! I've shared your site with friends who are also
benefiting so much from it. Tell me, how do you stay
humble? (another smile!).
....................
I hope all is well with you! I can't even describe how awesome it
is to see Him using you to make a difference and it is very
inspiring it is to look at all that you have done. ..
I came across your website about a month ago and it has truly been
such a blessing, one such that I can't adequately express in
words. Now, I don't expect a response or anything in return,
knowing that you are extremely busy, but I feel compelled to share
with you a little bit about myself, why discovering your site has
been a blessing, and to offer a few words of encouragement. ...
When I stumbled across your website, searching for answers to
refute a close friend's concepts of things, I devoured not only
the "arguments" but other important attributes you teach. It is
more than just a matter of winning an argument.
You have been a mentor in my faith and I hope to take what
I've learned and apply it as I continue to learn and grow and
explore. The part that I am most impressed by is how you treat
everyone, even those who attack you, with dignity and
respect (these actions no doubt reveals His love). Your website
has given me hope in a "rational" faith, grounded with history,
science, philosophy, language... everything, and my own
experiences as well. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch faith
play out and I know that I can use the things you teach on
your sight. Thank you, for you have given me so much more
than I can even hope to explain,.
.....................
Hello Mr. Miller,
I am a freshman student, delving into my third year of "academic"
study of Christianity. I am still stumped on a couple of fairly
general questions, not because of a lack of resources, but in
contrast the immense amount of opinions on the subjects. I
absolutely appreciate the massive amount of (FREE!) info you put
into the tank and honestly think you are one of the most
informative sources on the web, even over many scholars and
"scholars." Feel free to post links or other sources or completely
ignore any questions.
I owe you a huge thanks for everything you do, and am convinced
God is definitely working through you. (So um, THANKS!) :P And
excuse any misused vocab or terms, I generally try to sound
smarter than I am.
...................
Yeah, God has a very good track record. I used to be an
atheist and it's taken me until a few weeks ago to ever be able
to trust God. By the way, I sent your website to someone who
was troubled about their faith. Your site is iron clad. A lot of
times when I ask XYZ a question he's like "Uhhh... just go check
Glenn's website." :)
...................
Dear Mr. Miller,
Today I was putting together some notes on the God and genocide
issue because of a question from a friend who knows I work for XYZ
Ministries. In my searching around the web for ideas on the
subject, I came across some articles of yours. I really do
appreciate the work you put into them (the one on the massacre of
the Canaanites and the follow-up on the killing of Amalekite
children). I sent the link to the former to my friend (she’ll find
the latter one).
.................
Dear Friend: Thank you so much for your extensive
information with regard to the topic: The Trinity.
.....I am sure that I will be able to "get off the fence" after
this... I read you testimony and it touched me because, once
again, I learn of someone who became a believer, even though
they didn't really know what to believe! Amen.
.................
Hello there, Glenn,
I came across your website during my research on women in the
NT. I have been seeking God and am now writing a
paper on this after having been severely confronted with the
silent-women, head covering and women-do-not-teach men doctrine,
encounters that were very destructive spiritually.
First I want to let you know what an awesome research you did on
this subject, and I truly hope many seekers will find it. I wish
some who hold onto these false teachings will find it too.
.................
Hello Glenn, I love your site by the way. I love the raw knowledge
and compassion that seem to flow from all of your articles. I
thank God for you and the tank!
..................
My name is XYZ, I am from Germany.
I am reading in the tank since I discovered it in about 2001,
and since then followed-up all the new answers especially to the
tough questions.... Finally I would like to thank you for this
brilliant web site, which I have already recommended to
many of my (thinking;) friends as well.
God bless you and your work...
.................
Dear Glenn
I enjoy your site very much and am amazed how one could handle so
much material and information at one time.
..................
Dear Mr. Miller,
I am preparing for one of my occasional preaching gigs
(I'm a retired lawyer with a Master of Thelogy with ethics
concentration from XYZ Presbyterian Theological Seminary and an
ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA) and found your most
article on Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite woman after
Googling the subject.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments backed up with your
reasons. I can't imagine the Jesus I know being deliberately
cruel to anyone. The only reason I can think of for why God
is calling me to preach on this scripture is because God has a
wacky and slightly warped sense of humor in my experience.
................
www.punjabi-ctt.com
oooooOOOOOOhhh…..very nice website. I am very pleased
to find your work on the internet. I think I had been wasting my
time in internet browsing. You are very blessed.
Do you have any book in Urdu too? I can pay for it. I
have many books in Urdu.
..................
First, I wanted to thank you for all your work. I've used your
site on and off for a decade, and I've always found it to
be very helpful.
...............
Glenn,
Greetings, my name is XYZ, and I just came across your Christianthinktank site; and I find it very edifying.
My background is that I was saved at 15, but unfortunately,
got sucked into a false religious system called the urantia Book.
I don't know if you've heard of it; it claims to be a
revelation that corrects alleged mistakes in Scripture.
Your site, though not a direct refutation of urantia, actually refutes many of its main arguments.
The book is essentially a bunch of rehashed early
20th-century liberal Biblical scholarship, blended with
imaginative speculation about heavenly realms, celestial beings,
and life on other planets.
But the book attacks key Christian doctrines like atonement, the
righteous anger of the Lord, etc.
I recently came back to the Lord after getting sucked back into the cult for the second time, because a lot of church people couldn't answer my questions.
But you're doing a marvelous job, and I've only read a little bit of the site.
i'm currently reading the articles on so-called genocide in the
Ot.
Again, it's a pleasure to find another deep thinker in the faith.
Blessings,
................
Dear Glenn,
Wanted to thank you for your wonderful website and the clarity
your inspired words have given to me in my renewed faith in Jesus
Christ. I was raised as a Catholic until my father lost his faith
when I was about 9 and then as an atheist for many years. I
even worked for a humanist group for a few years. Anyway, had been
working my way back to the Lord and had rededicated myself to Him
just recently. While I by no means would classify myself as an
intellectual, I was still seeking answers, quantifiable
evidence. Your kind rationales have given me much peace and have
empowered my belief.
...............
Dear Glenn,
I just wanted to let you know that your website is extremely
helpful and I very much appreciate your gentle and kind tone.
Thank you for doing this work for the church
....................
Dear Glenn,
My brother and have just started a fan page dedicated to the
Christian Think-Tank as well as some material by other great
Christian thinkers such as Francis Shaeffer, and we would like to
make sure you are okay with it before we start inviting
people. Your site has so much wonderful information about
Christianity and has really helped my brother and I as we
study the bible and try and answer questions for friends.
The site won't be for our own opinions just an avenue to try and
get the Christian think-tank and other great Christian thinkers a
little bit more notice. If you have any questions and/or
concerns please let us know. Thank you for sharing with us
your time and wisdom. God Bless, ABC and DEF
................
Glen,
I have become a big fan of your website. I was initially
drawn to the Christian Thinktank after having taken a
Christianity 101 class that turned out to be an "all
knowledgeable" teacher telling us how the Bible is flawed, and
how what many if us believe is in fact not
scripturally/historically accurate. The scope of this
class was to take a look at what is fact and what is opinion in
the Bible, a good premise; however, this soon turned into a
"what I say is fact, what you say is opinion" argument backlash.
...
Thank you for your time in reading this email, and I appreciate
all the hard work that is put into your website. Your
thoughts and knowledge are top notch, and your application of
these ideas in a way that we may all understand your points is
incredible. Thanks for all the hard work.
..................
Dear Mr. Miller,
I deeply appreciate the comprehensive study of this
long-standing ethical problem which your paper
presented. It is by far the best analysis and examination I
have seen. I’m grateful to have found it in my preparation
to teach 1 Samuel 15 Sunday.
............
Dear Glenn,
Tonight our family was having a rather involved conversation
after our family devotions on the subject of the Trinity (my
husband is reading us a book on the Heidelberg Catechism) about
where the Holy Spirit was in the accounts of the death of
Jesus. We began talking about the power of the resurrection,
and the rather obscure verse about the parallel resurrection
of the saints. I began googling to see if there were
commentary about that passage and I stumbled upon your
website. I just wanted to say thank you—my 22 year-old, a
21 year old visiting friend, our 20 year-old and our 17 year old
listened to me read the entire explanation aloud, and my husband
(a minister) and I were equally captivated. Our
family have been missionaries for over 20 years and I have never
heard a sermon/explanation of this text.
Thank you so much for your research and willingness to
share. May God bless you as you continue!
..................
Glenn,
Just wanted to thank you for your details, fully scriptural,
insight. I was googling the topic of the justice of God --
and was brought to your sight.
As someone who love the Lord more than anything, and has chosen to
follow His desires for my heart, soul, mind and strength, I have
struggled with a broken heart. My husband of over 20 years,
very suddenly left us. Even tho I have seen him with someone
else (an amazing plan of God's to have me see truth) I have waited
for 2 years. My life with Christ has completely changed
over these last 2 years. A once 'trying' devotional time
has now become the necessary 2 hours each morning at His feet in
a place in my basement called "Bethel".
Anyways, without droning on, thanks for the encouragement about
God's justice. It sounds simple but you gave me the
'approval' to be upset with the injustice and yet the
confirmation that God will deal justly with him.
I know God sees me, sees my love for Him and sees my eternal
perspective through this all.
Bless your efforts on His behalf,
.....................
Firstly, I praise God for the heart He's given you - the more I
read of your material, the more I see a heart focused on God
(insofar as I understand what you write). I particularly
wish to comment on the last section of the following link.
https://www.Christianthinktank.com/Letter_2008_10_03.html
My first comment is to say that I can clearly see a heart that
knows God's word and seeks God's kingdom and righteousness.
Secondly, I praise God for His sovereign work in your life!
Your testimony (past and continuing) is such an inspiration and
your ministry is of immeasurable value (based on the benefit that
so many readers have gained).
...................
My Good Brother in Christ--Glenn,
I have just recently stumbled onto this, your rather massive labor-of-love.
I know I am far from the first to thank you for it, and
congratulate you for having the courage and discipline it must
have taken to bring it to this level. I'm sure that if I
look long enough, I'll find something to quibble with, so I'm
sending this now before that happens!
I've been spending quite a bit of time lately on several YouTube
sites exchanging comments with atheists, evolutionists, satanists,
and some 'de-converted' Christians ... There seems to
be a rising chorus of very hostile believers-in-unbelief who are
determined to rip the credibility of holy Scripture to shreds, and
they are going to have an impact on the coming generation of
ill-prepared young Christian minds, especially those struggling
for acceptance from an unsympathetic church. I wonder
if you know the value of what you are providing to people like
me? I doubt it!
May God bless you and sustain you in this very worthy endeavor of
yours. It isn't just a nice little hobby.
Life to you, and Love,
In and for Jesus Christ,
..............
Hi Glenn,
I know that you may not get this or be able to reply, but I wanted
to let you know that through your website, I have gained an
understanding of God that I don't think I ever fully developed
while growing in the church. This understanding relates to
the
depth and the true personality of God. A theme I have
discerned while browsing through is the true goodness of God. I
always was able to articulate/understand this in the abstract, but
I have been able to understand it better through reading.
This has helped me a lot as a severe OCD sufferer who has
constantly struggled with fears of reprobation/inadequacy/etc. I
am learning to sit back, relax, and enjoy living in His grace.
Warm regards
................
Hey glenn just wanted to tell you thanks for all your work. you've
been a great help to me and are certainly responsible for the
depth of my faith. Keep going and God Bless
...............
Dear Glenn,
Firstly, thank you so much for your website as I am constantly
looking for good, modern stuff to read that takes the Bible (and
God, naturally) seriously. I love having to think
through what you write and greatly appreciate your candor and
thoroughness, even though there is much I don't understand (I'm
not as smart as I wish I was, or even as I like to think I am).
....................
I have been reading your documents for awhile and I find them to
be quite helpful. Very detailed and convincing without
becoming mean-spirited or condescending...well done!
I admit, however, I probably wouldn't have written you if I hadn't
seen your reference to the Remo Williams movie. I
wonder if you're a fan of the Destroyer books like I am?
I've only met one other person who read that series (which I
consider to be perhaps the best fiction series ever written), so I
was just curious. I find that whenever I'm feeling the need
for a little action with tons of laughter, I can always turn to
Remo and Chiun's latest adventure. I'm reading them in order
and am #23 so far. I've got all of them up through #100, so
it'll take awhile. But they're FANTASTIC!
Anyway, this is probably not the typical email you get through
your Christianthinktank.com website. I'm also an amateur
apologist, reading as much as I can on the subjects that you also
obviously care about.
............
Hi Glenn,
My name is XYZ and I am in seminary studying for pastoral
ministry. I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) your article this
evening on slavery (specifically your remarks on Ex.
29:7-11). You have absolutely no idea how much misery that
article saved me from...
Shalom,
............
Dear Glenn,
My name is XYZ. I am a college student and I am finishing up my
undergrad this semester. Due to deadlines I have many sleepless
nights and during motivational lulls, I take a stroll around the
internet and see what's happening. Lately in these sojourns, I
have been deeply disturbed by the trends I perceive to be growing
in "the Christian right." I am frightened by these angry,
prejudiced people who do not appear to understand the Gospel and
seem to be gaining power and influence. Much of their "logic"
is truly baffling and has made me feel somewhat disillusioned
with the Church in America. It has made me wonder if
"Christians" and reason can coexist. But tonight in my online
meanderings I have found your website and it has been a breath
of fresh air. I do not know your political beliefs but they
makes no difference to me, because you care about the truth.
Everything hinges on the truth. But most importantly, as far as I
can tell, Christ is in you and you are willing to address the
hard questions. I appreciate this and have been refreshed by
your honesty and your humility. I just wanted to thank you for
your dedication to rationality and to Christ.
peace in Christ,
....................
I really just wanted to thank you for your "good question" entry
re: Numbers 31. I'm sure I've read this before but not
really read it (Numbers is an easy book within which to get
into "skim over that"
mode). Last night I read it with open eyes and have been fairly
devastated and confused so far. I know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, but right now I find
myself having to repeat this verse a lot.
While I'm still not through the fog of this current lesson, it is
at least reassuring to see that you, being someone else who is
very much of my "type" of faith (start from God in scripture,
question everything
else) has tackled this.
I'm still working on it, but at least I know I'm not alone out
here.
Thank you !
.......................
I know you may never get to this, but if you do I just wanted to
tell you first that I really enjoyed what I have seen of your
website. Your story seems similar to the beginning of my
own. I work full time, have a family, but decided to start a
website called XYZ.... I do not do near as extensive answers
as you do. Funny enough, I feel bad if my answers go
over 1300 words. I just started the website (December)
and have only had a few questions (10 or so). I do not know
if God will ever see fit to expand the realm of my website, but I
am happy to do whatever I can. The reason I came across your
website is because I was researching a question I was asked on
slavery and I wanted to be prepared prior to writing it.
Your answer gave me a great degree of reference to draw
from. I just wanted to say thank you for what you are
doing. I know of the tiny struggles I deal with because
of this "extra-curricular" project and I can't imagine the scale
you deal with.
.................
For the Christian Think-Tank, Mr. Miller.
I have been consulting it for some time now, whenever an
attack, objection, or question by an atheist has been more than
I knew how to deal with. Today what really shook me
was a statement by an atheist that she had been raised to be
Christian, had been unable to believe, had "begged God for faith"
to believe in Christianity and had never received it. Since
I couldn't figure out the difference between that and the saving
faith I myself had experienced, I was shaken that God might
actually have refused someone's prayer to be led towards
salvation, from a sincere seeker!
I wasn't sure if your thinktank would address this at all, since
most of what I have read there have been specific rebuttals to
attacks on the Bible-- but I found a conversation you had with
someone whose situation was exactly on point.
https://www.Christianthinktank.com/hnoblood1.html
As I read this I was able to see exactly the difference between
my seeking to know the truth about Christianity and becoming
convinced by the evidence (a lot of which was my own experience of
the Presence of God the moment I began to approach the questions
with honesty and openness), and this atheist's fear of not
believing in Christianity, leading to a begging for her
un-convinced mind to be overridden in some magical fashion by
God.
For some reason (perhaps because it was leading me to question my
own experience rather than simply the Scriptural record), this
atheist's issue had my mind spinning, and you have once again been
like a companion on my path who grabs my elbow to steady me over
a shaky bit of ground, murmuring, "this bit of bog isn't so
dangerous if you just know where to step."
I thank God for you, Glenn, and pray that God will do as only He
can do in your family's current health difficulties, whatever they
are. Bless you, brother.
...................
Your website has been a real blessing to my son, answering
some tough answers and objections in a way that he understands.
You have helped him through a mental and spiritual "fog." Thank
you.
...........................
Hello Glenn,
Only recently came across your site and found it to be most
helpful particularly with regard to references to external
historical and archaeological data. I find this information very
useful and will probably refer to your site often. it's easier
than wading through all the technical resources myself.
I also appreciate your willingness to engage the skeptics
rather than be dismissive. I think more Christians should
learn the art.
Go well and keep up the good work.
Serving in South Africa, XYZ
..................
Hi Glen
This is XYZ and you I want to tell you how amazed I am at the
things you wrote in your website, it takes years like that to
put up things like you did.
..........
Hello,
I just wanted to thank you for the article posted in 1999 about
Polygamy, the New Testament, and the early church
fathers. Every year, I read through the Bible using the
Daily Walk Bible, and I always feel a little bit sad and
confused by the issue of polygamy.
Your thorough quotations of the early church fathers and brief but
powerful explication of Jesus' words were refreshing to read.
Thank you so much!
........
Heya Glenn, first I simply have to say that I love your site and
through reading your work I've come to develop a trust in you
as a person. I commend you for your intellectual and
emotional honesty. As cliche as it sounds I feel that you truly
understand the kind of mindset I and many others have. I feel
comfortable talking to you in a way that I don't with many
Christians that I've actually met in real life.
...............
Thanks for your website. The Lord has used it mightily in my
life.
............
I was referred to your site via XYZ who recently died in a tragic
accident. When I first examined it, I was overwhelmed at
the extent of your research and honestly, a bit put-off.
Why would someone put so much time and effort into a
self-delusional religion? But, at XYZ's urging I
continued reading, and over the last couple years have been
actively engaged in dialogue with Christians and atheists (and
everything in between!), mostly associated with the philosophy
department at my university.
In short, I decided a few weeks ago that Christianity is
true. And because your writings & thoughts influenced
this decision, I thought I'd let you know how helpful has
been/continues to be.
.......................
Dear Mr. Miller,
I wanted to write you a quick note expressing my deep appreciation
for the time and effort you put forth addressing questions in an
extremely thorough and thoughtful manner. I am a student of
the Bible who gets aggravated and frustrated with ponderings that
enter this mind of mine to the point of staying up ALL night
searching for answers. (I'm a bit of an odd duck...rather
than ask for jewelry or flowers, I'd prefer a sit-down with a
theologian as a gift!) While I rarely agree 100% with
everything I read (save the Bible...even then sometimes I just
don't "get it"....my fault, not the Bible's), your site is
definitely one of my favorites! At times, after
searching for a satisfactory answer that's eluded me more months
(perhaps years), tears well up in my eyes when I've found a
cohesive explanation that "makes sense" according to God's
character. Thank you. My prayers are with you as
you deal with the difficulties your family is currently
facing. May you experience true peace this Christmas season.
Still full of questions, but trusting God in my ignorance, XYZ
..............
Dear Glenn
Your website is often my companion on the long evenings after
I have left the college classroom, and a great comfort
to me when my heart is ravaged by the secular world. In
reading your letters, I find a great deal of comfort knowing
that I am not alone in my vulnerability, and I hope to one
day grow as strong in faith as you seem.
..............
Hi Glenn
I thank God for the effort you put in to create and maintain such
a massive apologetic site. I know it isn't easy; life is hard for
you (read about your bouts of depression - I myself suffer from
feelings of despair from time to time also).
To know that there is someone who never lose faith in God after
all these decades - with mental attacks and frequent
venturing into "dangerous" territory (aka opposing viewpoints) is
to have a small glimpse of God's awesome sustaining grace.
Hang in there ok? Will most certainly pray for you.
...................
Hi Glenn,
I had just used something of yours (I hope you don't mind!), for
the first time, for a Christian board where I am a
moderator. It involved Theudas/Gamaliel/Josephus. I
haven't looked over too much of your site yet, but wow, how do (or
did) you have the time??
...........
I know you get tons of emails and can't reply to all but I would
just like to encourage you in your work and to let you know that
you have inspired me greatly. I love your site, when I doubt
even in the slightest I turn to your site and immediately my
fears are quelled.
The doubt in my heart is quieted. I am only recently
getting into apologetics for I myself am a logical thinker so of
course I need to logically be able to think about my faith. So
yeah keep pressing man and keep going and know that you're helping
people like me everywhere.
...................
Sir,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is XYZ.
I am from India, presently working in Saudi Arabia
By chance I came across your website, while I was trying to figure
out the meaning of verse Matthew 26:24, where Jesus is supposedly
saying “It was better that Judas was not born”. I have read that
verse several times before, but yesterday it hit me like a brick
wall. As faith dictates that this redemption plan was planned out
by God in the garden of Eden, so definitely if not Judas someone
else had to play the part, and that being the case, how Jesus
could ever say such a thing about Judas,
I wouldn’t say my search was futile…because I happened to read
your article “A Presentation, explanation and mini-argument of
Faith”.
It made a lot of sense to me, especially the following sentence.
“Instead they use terms like 'redemption' and 'Savior' and
'heaven'
and 'Ask Jesus into your heart' and 'open the door of your life to
God'...and expect us to know what they mean (and then to believe
it).”
Yes at times I have found myself confounded and more confused
at the end of the sermon, than I was in the beginning. And
somehow a vague feeling crept over my mind why I am unable to
understand what millions of people have been easy to understand
and accept. I felt the truth was evading me and so forth…
But fortunately today your article made a lot of sense, and I
sincerely prayed the prayer you have included at the end of your
article. I prayed sincerely.
And here I am willing to take the next step...
Thank you,
A brother willing to start his journey,
...............
You rock. Keep on keeping on.
..........
Glenn,
I just want you to know that you have been a mighty instrument in
the hand of God. Do not be discouraged. Your efforts
are not in vain. And I know that you have been encouraged by
so many. I just wanted to chime in. The Tank has
been a staple for me in my class (XYZ College of Florida -
Apologetics)
for years. And Brit's video and story has affected
so many. Our prayers for you, your family, and concerns,
In Christ,
...................
... thank you for your Think Tank. It's such a relief to
find a Christian sincere in his faith who is also intellectually
honest, and willing to address intelligently the questions
that most Christians (in my experience) cannot or will not
seriously consider. Many doubts remain to me, but in
finding your site I can say for the first time in a long while
that the possibility of returning to the faith (I am a
long-lapsed Roman Catholic) holds some genuine appeal to me.
So, again, thank you.
...............
I just want to say again that EVERY single time I consult your
website I am challenged in my thinking and very
blessed. Thank you Glen for your sacrifice of time and
energy to do all this.
..................
Thanks for your terrific research and work, Glenn--I rely
heavily on your scholarship and insights when discussing
Christian issues with an atheist on a religious discussion
board.
.................
Dear Glenn,
I just started teaching Sunday School this last Sunday
and I wanted to give you some sort of acknowledgment as an
essential source and inspiration for the topic I am presenting.
The material is roughly modeled on your "Great Irruption"
series (though I don't think I can talk for 3-5 years like you did
- smile) I would share the audio with you, except I am too
embarrassed that I am recycling some of the same jokes you
used during your class!
I appreciate that you documented your source material so well
because I have had the opportunity to visit various libraries and
look through the original information for myself. I have
learned even more studying for this class than I did listening to
it from you the first time.
It has been discouraging at times in my life, looking for
someone in the body of Christ to be a mentor for myself.
Though I know we can't really exchange correspondence, I want
you to know that you have filled part of that role in my life -
at least the part that, in every question or struggle, points me
back repeatedly to the beautiful heart of God.
Your brother in Christ,
.............................
Hi Glenn,
This is probably the third time I've emailed you over the course
of probably 6-7 years now. I seem to drift in and out of
phases in regard to online apologetic writings.
I first discovered your site when I was in high school.
Someone on a message board exposed me to the Christ myth and my
faith was visibly shaken and hurt. I felt like I had woken
up to discover that the sky was green instead of blue. Thanks to
my good friend google, though, I found your website and your
detailed analysis and refutation of that silly old argument.
I remember I used to spend hours upon hours reading your website
when I was senior in high school. This trend continued through
my early years of college.
I graduated in 200X with a BA in Religion from XYZ University--I'm
still proud of this degree and the knowledge that I received
there. Currently, I'm a first year MDiv student at XYZ
Divinity School of XYZ University. I'm preparing myself for a
career of hopefully teaching in a seminary or university, as well
as the local church. Because of my past education at XYZ and my
current/ongoing education at XYZ, I do feel that I'm reasonably
educated in the matters of the Bible and Christian theology. So, a
few days ago I decided to take a look again at your website--it
had been a few years because of my studies. In fact, I just
finished reading your old article on whether or not the Amorites
were exterminated in Canaan.
Let me just say this--wow! What my education has taught me
most about your writings is how incredibly GOOD they are.
The level of critical scholarship that you employ, your synthesis
of evidence, the depth of the issues that you take on is
astounding. I am, simply put, amazed and humbled by the abilities
that God has blessed you with. After finishing that article, I
felt an immense sadness that you were never able to finish your
PhD--you are truly a scholar's scholar. But of course, I'm glad
that you still chose to write. Without it, I don't know where
my faith would be.
You are clearly being used by God to minister to countless people
as they struggle with the questions that shred their souls. I pray
blessings upon you and your work--may God continue to use you.
I know you probably will never respond to this--its ok, truly, so
don't feel bad if you read this. One day we'll be able to converse
in heaven. I just wanted you to again know how much good
you've done in someone's life, to encourage you, to thank
you. I hope that someday I can help someone as much as you
helped me all those years ago.
Sorry if this is long and rambling, but, I'm sure you get my
point. Thank you for all you've done and will continue to do.
Blessings in Christ our Lord,
Your brother,
.................
Mr. Miller,
My name is XYZ. I am 26, and I just stumbled across your Web
site today.
I am what I think I might term a recovering Christian (more
on that in a moment), and I have many questions floating in my
head. The latest question I have been pondering is the issue
of slavery in the Bible. I Googled the question,
and most of the answers I came across were very elementary, and
they did not really answer the question adequately. Your
answer, however, was very detailed, very researched, and very
well reasoned. I could tell that after reading only
about the first one-eighth of it (I have bookmarked it to finish
later as I get time). I learned more in the beginning of
your article than I did from about three study Bibles and several
more Web sites combined. So for that, thank you.
...............
Hi Glenn,
thanks very much for your extensive and thorough page on Slavery
in the Bible....I had a philosophy studying work mate question me
about the horrors in the bible, slavery being one, so this article
came really in handy.
The thing I love when people ask me about the hard questions about
God, and I'm "forced" to do a bit of defensive research - not hard
as you had done all the hard work for me - what initially feels
like an attack on my faith and leads to some doubts, ends with me
quashing them and having a much stronger foundation for them.
Once again many thanks & great work!!
Warmest regards
.............
Dear Brother Glenn [from India],
I have found your site sometime before and have been looking at it
once in a while.
I am very impressed by your meticulous research in answering many questions.
Many apologists do not take much time to answer questions and
give pat answers
by which they unconsciously or consciously (!) despise the
intellect of the questioner.
You are quite different in this matter. I thank God for you and a site like this.
You are also one apologist who takes 1 Pet 3:15 very seriously.
....................
I wanted to write and say thank you for writing about Paul and
Women. I am a 37 year old Christian woman. I was "born
again" at around 16. I have had a difficult journey with
God, but I cling as best as I can to Him. Recently, I
read 1 Timothy 2 and became very distressed. As I looked
on-line for answers to this difficult chapter, I became even
more distressed. I can't tell you how grateful I am
that I came across your website (found reference to it at
XYZ). Your introspection, high attention to detail, and
tenacity in inspecting those verses helped me to find a sense of
peace about the Lord.
Ultimately, I know He loves us and wants what is best for
us. Ultimately, I know He died and rose again for us all so
that we are redeemed. Still, I can't tell you how much
my heart shivered when I read the incredible responses from
folks about women and their roles based on their interpretation
of 1 Timothy 2. Basically, shut up, you suck because _you_
fell to deception, and pop out kids or you're gonna pay.
Even now those responses bring tears to my eyes. How
can people expect a woman to swallow this "doctrine" and smile and
say, "God loves me!"?! Anyways... thank you for writing what
you did. I know that even your interpretation (and now mine)
may not be completely correct... with verses like that it's really
hard to say sometimes, but at least this way I know I can sit, with
peace in my heart, at my Lord's feet again and know that I am
loved... not as woman or man, not as slave or free, not as
Jew or Gentile... just as me.
Your sister in Christ,
.....................
Firstly I would love to thank you for your website. I'm a 18 year
old man with a bitterness about most fellow Christians. I
think one thing that a lot of us lack is knowledge of our own
faith, and reading things on your website is refreshing.
.........................
Hi Glen,
Just a quick note to thank you for all hard work and effort you
have put into your website. I've spent most of the day reading
through your articles. I run a group at my local church here
in New Zealand and I asked them what they wanted to know
about and they almost unanimously wanted clarification on what
seem like "God is a butcher" passages of the OT.
I just wanted to encourage you in your selfless apologetic
pursuits.
....................
Just wanted to thank you for your brilliant work on the
non-intervention of God dated March 2003. Really helped
me in a tough moment.
What a wonderful mind you have. Mate you should be doing this full time. I'm a pastor on the Gold Coast of Australia & apologetics has been a major passion for me. I've taught it at seminars for years but your article was more insightful than anything I could ever think up. It released me from a three day long confusion & blockage from God that I could not get past. Your answers were so brilliant. You must feel called to your other work because I can't imagine what you could put out if you did this full time!!!
...........................
Hiya Glenn!
You know, 10 years ago I first visited your site! I'd
just started college and just happened to be a complete
emotional and spiritual wreck. Your site taught me so much
and your insight and the perspectives you present have helped
me get through some really dark and tough times over the years.
I'm so thankful you're still here for us and the information
found within your site STILL is helping me through the new (and
some old) challenges I'm facing today... There are certain
articles and your lectures/.mp3s I just re-read/re-listen to when
I need a pick me up or behaviors/thoughts I've struggled with my
entire life get to be too much... The knowledge and experiences
you share help.
Thank you Glenn :-) from this complete
stranger in TX..
....................................
Hi Glenn,
I'm an evangelical Christian in Sydney, Australia.
I just discovered your site the other night (while I was working
on my own answer to a tough question from a work-mates friend!)
and I wanted to say thank you.
Even though I've only read a few articles (and they are the
shorter ones!) it's been greatly encouraging and comforting.
God has blessed you with a great mind and it's awesome to see you
using it for Him.
It's encouraging to know that I'm not the only Christian who's
skeptical and critical of dodgy answers that many Christians
tend to use in response to tough questions, and that I'm not
the only Christian who, despite being saved, still has many tough
questions of my own!
Sometimes I find it frustrating how many tough questions (excuses)
people come up with! I work in the XYZ and go out street
evangelising at lunch times, and it seems every person has a
different objection. I'll research an objection (e.g. Jesus
in India, living to the grand old age of 120 and having many
children), but that objection will never come up again - it'll be
a different one! Honestly, it can be very disheartening and tiring
- so it's a great relief to find a site that deals with tough
questions / objections that I can point people to for answers.
So anyway, keep up the good work. I'll try to remember to keep you
in my prayers (the spirit is willing but the body is weak - or
rather the mind is forgetful! I'll try though). As per your recent
prayer requests, I'll especially pray for translation and for the
ability to use time wisely (something with which I struggle
myself). And I'll keep praying that God will use your site as a
stepping stone to the salvation of souls!
......................
This is just to say another big thank you!
Every time I read "Think Tank" articles I am so impressed by your
scholarly approach combined with humility and an honest, albeit
searching attitude toward the Word of God--in both its written and
personal forms.
I've just read through your long conversation with GK in the
article about testing of women accused of adultery (drinking the
bitter water). I admire your patience!!
Seriously. I hope GK will take your final words to
heart. Perhaps one day we will meet him or her in the
company of those before the throne of God, rejoicing in the
triumph of truth over evil.
Please know I do not expect an answer to this message. I
simply wanted to say your writings are a blessing to me. I
hope that is an encouragement when the days seem long and you
"feel" unappreciated--as do we all sometimes.
................
Glenn,
I hope all is well. Let me be brief. Years ago I emailed you
during an intellectual panic attack I was having regarding
some of my professors teachings regarding the biblical narratives
at XYZ (I think it involved something about Genesis being myth and
a host of other things I cannot currently remember). Well, as I
look back, and as I have grown, I regret the
defensive/negative/non-loving/non-respectful attitude I had toward
some of my professors. Well, to be brief, I have gone back and
apologized to them. This has been a beautiful thing. It’s simply
amazing when you can go back in humility, apologize, and admit
that these persons were right in some areas (and you now agree
with them) and even offer some insights gained through your own
personal studies of where they might have been wrong and where
they could go in the future regarding there thinking. It’s great
when everyone is actually listening to the other. I admit
ashamedly that I was a flaming fundamentalist with a very
negative/defensive attitude! Interestingly enough, I have come to
agree with a good bit of my professors teachings in my own
personal studying outside the educational system. Anyway, your
humble example eventually rubbed off on me and for that, I
sincerely thank you.
...................
Hi Glenn,
This is XYZ from the Philippines.
I've been a lurker in the Tank for the last 5 years and
your work has been a tremendous blessing to my search for the
truth. It has certainly helped in reinforcing my faith, casting
out doubts and correcting errors.
Just continue this great work and May God richly bless you and
your family with health and long life.
...............
Dear Glenn,
First, I'd like to thank you for the excellent work you have done
on the Think Tank. Without a doubt, your articles on your site are
among the most thoroughly researched and overall valuable
articles that I have come across. Thanks.
.................
Thank you for doing such thorough research and tackling hard
questions. I haven't looked at all your links but was mighty
impressed with what I have seen and felt urged to write.
Great website, I am glad to know that I can be a thinker and a
Christian at the same time. haha
............
Dear Glenn,
At the outset, let me just express sincere gratitude for your
devotion to defending the message of Christ with reason all
throughout these years; people like you are hard to come by
(unfortunately). I love the verse by Paul on your
central page, since I'm a passionate student of philosophy, and as
such, I was that type of Deistic person who desperately wanted
a personal relationship with God but found his intellect getting
in the way. But thanks to you and a few prominent
Christian writers/philosophers (C.S Lewis and Peter Kreeft), I am
well on my way to do so. It's truly refreshing when
compared with today pop-centric culture that's flooded with a
sea of half-baked, premature atheistic conclusions...and sadly
many theistic ones, as well.
..................
Hi Glenn,
Just wanted to say thank you for all you're doing on the Christian
Thinktank. I've referenced your material (and given due
credit!) on more than one occasion, and it has helped me in
understanding various concepts, doctrines, and 'contradictions'.
So, I don't have any questions for you, Glenn. I just wanted to
say thank you.
...................
Glenn - I just discovered your site tonight. I don't know if
you will get to read this or to respond. But I am fascinated by
your site and will return often to learn and explore. ... 'hang in
there'. God is doing a good work in you and through you to his
glory - and to the edification of fellow Christians. God
bless you and his peace abide in you always.
.................
I would like to begin by offering my deep gratitude to you for
entering the fight you did. Thanks for helping to
fill in the gaps that are in the modern thought life.
..............
Dear Glenn,
As it seems, if
you ever get around to reading this, it may be several years after
this was sent. Anyway (obviously assuming you do read this, of
course), I'd like to thank you for the excellent work that you've
done on the Think Tank. As I write this, I am only 15 years
old, so some of your articles are somewhat advanced for me,
but for those that are easier to understand...wow!
You see, in the past,
when I had doubts about Christianity, I tried to find answers,
but I'd be afraid. I'd sometimes think "Are these really
sufficient answers, or are they just copouts?" But after
discovering the Think Tank, I realized that my fears were
much on the contrary. Far from being a cop out, the Christian
answers were logical and strong. Of all the apologetics
websites that I've been to, by far yours and tektonics.org are the
most thoroughly, detailed and well researched.
Also, I found excellent wisdom
and sayings in the Tank. Like this one, that has given me much
joy and peace: "The God of truth is NOT afraid of our
questions." Basically, when I needed help or assurance,
yours was one of the most helpful sources apart from the Bible. So
many questions and fears of mine were answered and relieved. Wow!
You are definitely among the more intelligent, wise and courageous
men I have encountered/read both in real life and in cyberspace.
Really, the only gripe I have about the
Think Tank is that it doesn't seem to get updated that often, but
I suppose that's ok. Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you.
And please...do keep at it!
...............
... And so it was with the slavery query and, having found my way
to the Christian think tank site, I sat engrossed in your
comprehensive, intelligent and enlightening dissection of
the issue. It’s an article I’ll have to re-read numerous times to
fully absorb, but the fundamental contextualization and historic
redefining of the subject was a powerful reminder for me to always
consider the period(s) and geography in which the Bible was
written when trying to understand something.
Perhaps more importantly though your essay revealed a profound
trust in God and his word and consequentially has stirred a
belief that I too often quell with an overactive and slightly
self-destructive imagination: God is perfection.
I’d like to thank you sincerely for the effort, thought and spirit
you put into the site. It is the ultimate antidote to the
‘youtube’ generation style of debate and I will be making
regular visits to peruse further.
...........
Dear Glenn,
I am not sure if this address is still active for you but I wanted
to at least make an attempt to thank you for your posting
(originally written way back in 1994) to GK re: Jesus' use of the
word "hate". https://www.Christianthinktank.com/hhate.html
My wife and I live in Asia and are working with an exciting
group of sharp Christian and pre-Christian HS and college age
young people from the Mainland. I knew roughly how to
answer their question about the usage of the word "hate" in
Scripture, but your thorough and well documented response to GK
has provided much rich background material. I was
also impressed with your patient and kind responses! You
always took the high road and resisted the temptation to
respond in the same critical and unkind tone that characterized
his letter. I hope he appreciated your efforts but I suspect
he probably didn't. But I, for one, did. :)
....................
Just wanted to let you know I stumbled across your site doing
research for a presentation I have to give tomorrow (! - seems the
procrastinator in me never learns) for one of my classes.
I'm a student at XYZ University (Computer Science New Media major,
actually - nice to see that I have a future in apologetics if
that doesn't work out haha) and let me tell you, finding
your site was such a blessing. The Lord has been working in me
recently - really stretching and molding me - and I've been so
up-and-down about it...it's been a difficult and exciting and
scary and amazing process, and I've been dying for some more
structured study guides and whatnot that I can use to just dive
into His Word with and really help me get my wheels turning with
my walk (it's been a rocky road till this point) as opposed to
whatever my method(s) have been up to this point. So, thanks so
much for your efforts with this site. I can't take the time to
read everything right now (oh how I wish I had the time!)...but
consider yourself Bookmarked!!!!
Thanks again, and I'll be praying for you and your efforts.
.....................
Greetings from sunny Singapore!
I have had the great fortune of stumbling across your website a
year ago. I thank God that He has blessed you with the ability to
discern and to reason, to write and to express your thoughts on
the Faith, no matter how slow! Haha, it's a good thing
that you do not write with haste and lose yourself in the
midst of passion. Christianthinktank is still one of the best
apologetics resources I have seen till today (which is not very
long; I'm only 18 this year), especially the articles on
Women and some of the more "questionable" Old Testament passages.
As I read through your articles and essays every now and then, I
can see the workings of our wonderful Lord in your life and
I can better understand the very many issues that the Bride of
Christ faces today (of course, I am merely scratching the surface
of these issues, unlike you).
I have faced some spiritual problems in the past few years, and Christian
Thinktank has helped me a lot in my walk with God.
Personally, I think I'm a particularly odd Christian: I don't go
to church regularly, I haven't been baptized (physically in the
sense of water) and I tend to "interrogate" myself on my faith
sometimes, asking whether I really am sincere in wanting to serve
the Lord, whether I'm a good enough believer and all. I was
raised in a family of mixed faiths, you see; my father is a
practicing Taoist and my mother is a rather...laidback Christian.
At the age of twelve when I made the sinner's prayer and
confessed, I didn't feel any different. I didn't feel God that
greatly and He wasn't really that significant to me; I just said
my prayers and thanked Him, but I didn't really feel like His
child. Most importantly, I felt (and still do today, only less
often) that I wasn't able to be like the rest of the flock who
could put their faith in Christ and not worry. I'm your proverbial
"lost sheep" in a sense, because I tend to wander away, wanting to
know more about the shepherd sitting at the other end of the
field, annoying the rest of the sheep along the way (I even ask
myself why I want to find that shepherd in the first place and
whether I really wish to or not!)
Apologetics, in any case, can be said to be a way of responding to
my spiritual defects; most of the time, when I get started on an
apologetics essay, I find my writing is styled more to answering
my own questions instead of my friends' (and I tend not to finish
or take a long time, so I can empathize). At this point, I
wish to say that your site (alongside many others) has pushed me
far (but gently) along this path; my interest in defending the
Bride and the character of our Lord has grown immensely
over the past two years. I still continue to alternate between
unrepentant and fearful today, however; something I'm ashamed of.
I can proclaim my love for the Lord and thank Him for so much,
then go and sin in the next few minutes. Is it right to ask and
hope for the Lord to remember me as I am in my one moment of
enthusiasm for Him in the midst of my multitude of hosts of sins?
I struggle with this even today.
But enough of myself for now : )
I know you're a busy man, Glenn, but I thank you in advance for
reading this (even if you don't, I'm fine with it; I'm still very
grateful for you). Thank you for the encouragement you have
given me. I thank God that He has worked through you as well to
teach and mold me. I would like to meet you in person some
day (haha), but barring the chances of you traveling to Singapore
any time soon, that probability is fast approaching zero. But I'm
perfectly fine with that, because sooner or later, we'll meet, and
we'll have all of Eternity to speak to each other.
Thank you and God bless you,
.............................
Dear Glenn,
This email is basically just to say: Hang in there! So an
answer isn't necessary (I know how it is when you like things neat
and tidy but your mailbox just grows fuller and fuller!)
Your website has meant a lot to me over the years. Try
not to worry too much about the frequency of updates and the
unfinished series. You've already given us plenty
of good examples on how to do our own research and critical
thinking on the questions we are left with!
.......................
First off, I would like to say thank you
for everything you have done for me in my walk with God. When I
first started university I was very skeptical of Christianity, but
after taking a class on an introduction to New Testament studies I
began to ask a lot of questions. With the help of two websites
(yours and J.P. Holdings), by reading people like C.S. Lewis,
William Lane Craig, Bruce Metzger, N.T. Wright, and many other
Christian scholars I decided to put my faith in Jesus Christ.
..............
Glenn - Lambo sent this out to all of us last week. Great
stuff! "Emotional whiplash" and "Lavished" really stood out
for me. I've been over-flogging myself so much lately, so
thanks for helping to "stop the bloodloss" and the reminder of
how the Lord is "over the top" in giving and sharing of Himself.
Wow! Makes me want to head to Santa Monica beach and sit
with Him for a couple hours this evening.
..................
hello sir! my name is XYZ. im 23, and I just graduated
college. I have no clue what to do next.
I see a lot of men, whose hearts seem to be dead. They work all of
their lives, slave away, only to arrive at death safely, never
thinking twice about reality, eternity, Truth, who is jesus is and
what he's doing. You seem to have an uncanny ability to deal with
the nitty gritty molecules of apologetics and faith, and yet
somehow remain balanced and still focus on the more (or less)
practical sides of life and faith. You answer both questions with
an easy balance of wisdom and compassion and grace. Which is
why I'm wondering...
What do you wish you knew when you where my age?
...................
Hi Glenn,
I'm a long time reader -- one of the many, many
people who will surprise you in heaven with our deep, deep thanks
for your God-inspired work!! Just read your prayer requests,
and wanted you to know that I (and I'm sure many others) are
reading and praying for you. The translation projects are
wonderful news, and I know that regardless of any economic impact
in your community, you are touching many people for Christ.
(Even when you do not see the evidence at this time -- God, of
course, may be using you to plant a seed today that will not grow
to fruition until much later.)
I know your time is valuable, but my
favorite part of your site now (my faith is much stronger
than when I first read you ten years ago!) is the prayer
requests/letters to readers, so please give us quick updates now
and then.
God bless and shine on you today!!
.............
This is just a "thank you" - I just discovered your website and it
is fabulously helpful. Thank you. Don't even open this email.
There's no text.
..................
Greetings Mr. Miller,
I guess I've kind of waited way too long to say this. I'd
just like to say thank you so much for all you have done in
answering questions and doing your various Bible studies. They
have been immensely helpful in building my faith and making it
stronger. I don't think you can even comprehend how
important your work in service to Christ and His body is.
.................
Glenn,
You are such an encouragement and blessing to me; I always mean
to write and thank you for your site. I'm sure your inbox is full
of stuff like this, but I figure I might as well add to the pile.
You have some of the most trustworthy and intellectually
rigorous apologetics I've ever come across, and yet it's
all full of spiritual insight at the same time, and can be
almost devotional...I find myself re-reading some of your
pieces numerous times, for encouragement in my own walk. You've
given me such a great sense of God's wonderful character,
and it's awesome how much you obviously trust him and love him.
I've only been a Christian for a couple of years, and your
writing has been a major part of my journey. God bless you!
..............
Thanks to your website and its sound arguments, some wonderfully
powerful encounters with God (and a less wonderful but no less
powerful encounter with Evil, too!), some time spent studying the
New Testament's origins, some time spent reading sensible,
scholarly books on science by Christians, like "God's Undertaker:
Has Science Buried God?", and my study of other religions and New
Age philosophies, I have come to realize that Christianity is
far more likely to be true than it is to be untrue.
......................
I just ran into your web-site and wanted to say 'thanks' .......
you efforts and capacity to communicate your insights just flow
so natural and are like a breath of fresh air to me.
I heartily thank you.
..............
I tend to use the avenue/literary genre of fiction to advance my
xian apologetics, but I admire your stamina for detailed prose,
and your analytic style (I taught logic a bit and majored in
analytic philosophy in graduate school under William P. Alston,
Alvin Plantinga, Elanor Stump, Peter VanInwagen, and others of the
Society of Xian Philosophers, that was back in the 1980s long
long ago in a galaxy...you know the rest)
anyway, some excellent and fascinating work you've avocationally
assembled over the years
good job
quite a life you've had -- in heaven you'll have more time (so I
gather)
just wanted to send my greetings to a fellow freelance philosopher
keep faith, freedom, simplicity, shalom,
................
Hi Glen,
I am fascinated by all the effort you've put into the tank! I
mean, how do you find the time and energy to do it? I can't
imagine. I can only thank you for doing what you're doing as it
has been of great value to me and I am sure to many others too.
I hope you can come teach in Singapore (where I live)
someday, where there is a Buddhist majority.
.....................
Dear Glenn,
I recently discovered your site looking for answers for some of
the tough questions my 15 year old daughter is coming up with
right now. I want to tell you what a wonderful and
anointed ministry I believe you have here, and how precious it
must be to more people than you will ever know.
I have been a Christian since my mid-twenties, after a
college education, and deeply value your refreshingly 'normal'
approach to explaining the Gospel - like you I struggled
for years with the funny language and alien world-view of
mainstream Christianity before I could relate that to the
'Person' who was patiently knocking and waiting for my
acknowledgement.
Your site resounds with the lived experience of a deeply genuine
faith and is bathed in the love of Christ - it sings through every
page! I can say no better than that reading your work I
get then same feeling of being wrapped in the love of God as
when I read CS Lewis, who for me was my first spiritual director
and Christian friend, although he died shortly before I was born.
I have been reading this morning about some of the negative
feedback you have received about your style of writing, etc - and
I must say I totally disagree - Please, please
don't adapt your writing style or simplify anything - there is
plenty of writing out there at that level, but precious little
where you are - densely argued, well referenced, thoroughly
respectable intellectually, and as I say, tempered with true
gentleness and respect for the reader. It is no
accident that you excellently fill a 'niche' in apologetic
writing which very few have ever filled convincingly. As the
Dawkins-ites and Pullman-ites sharpen their knives, we so need
people like you in the breach! I particularly like your
inclusion of cutting edge science on the ramifications of Quantum
theory, cosmology and evolutionary biology and how the mechanistic
universe is unraveling before our eyes. "... and
the Christian quietly chuckles...." - or not so quietly in
my case - I think cheering from the rooftops would express it
better!
............
Glenn,
May it be a joy to your heart to know that I used some of
your well researched and user friendly materials to answer a
question today on one of my blogging sites to answer a
question that was preventing the growth in one of my friends.
I gave a detailed and deliberate attempt to explain why God was
capable of hardening the heart of Pharaoh when he was holding
hostage his covenant people--by trying crush them with work, by
trying to destroy the male children and continuing to build his
dynasty. I went through the Bible account with great
thoroughness. She simply was having much trouble with that.
I prayed and asked God to please keep her hungry. She
had been using the materials and just today with your work, she
has experienced a breakthrough.
............
Wow, Glenn,
I was not expecting you to create an entire article in response
to this issue. Your response is absolutely amazing and
very detailed. Thank you so much for your very helpful
insights into this apparent contradiction. I really
appreciate it.
In gratitude,
.........
Dear Glenn,
I can only imagine how busy you must be! May God miraculously expand time for you this year, either that or make it more viscous, slower. Anyway I don't want to take too much of it. I don't have an apologetics question for you. I have hundreds of questions, most of which I can already find answered when I trawl through the tank. This is actually just a thank you letter. I know you must get hundreds. So I hope this doesn't feel like spam, no matter how well intentioned. Thanks Glenn! I first happened upon your site when I was back in college and wrestling with the whole idea of religion and spirituality, mostly trying to answer the question Jesus posed to his disciples. The Big One. Who do you say that I am?
I wrote you a very poorly worded, ill-informed question about something or other. I'm not even sure what it was exactly, but you were kind enough to respond. I'm 28 now and I still regularly visit the site, especially during moments of wrenching sometimes anguished doubt. Well, I might not remember the question I asked, but I do remember that I deeply appreciated the response. I still do.
Thank you for so much throughout the years. Thank you for being so intensely thorough and sincere with all of our questions from out here in cyberspace.
Here's the thing. I can now say to Jesus without a doubt in
my heart..."You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." But I
still have so many moments where I struggle and falter with
basics. The Heavenly Father must think I'm as thick as a brick
sometimes. I struggle with understanding the nature of the
Godhead. Just when I think I can wrap my head around the Son of
God, I stumble over God the Son. Sometimes I think it's more than
the problem of my very finite mind trying to come to terms with
the Wonderful, the Incomprehensible Infinite Being that is our
Heavenly Father. Anyway this has gone on much too long for a
non-question.
I really just wanted to express my gratitude. Thank you my very
very dear brother. It gives me great joy that God has given me
a brother who is so compassionate, diligently thoughtful and
not to mention super intelligent (I love that you are able to
think through matters with such depth and clarity and edify the
rest of us!). I sincerely hope this doesn't embarrass you in
any way.
...................
Dear Mr. Miller,
Thank you for answering! I sent this over to the person I'm
talking to and he's still "chewing on it". I've noticed a
change in tone with him (as if he's trying to piece it all
together--hopefully coming to a certain realization) so at least
something is happening. Once again, thank you so much for your
response!!
God bless,
.................
Man, it's really really awesome for you to respond in the way that
you did. My best friend writes for XYZ so I visit that site often
and sometimes respond, but somehow I feel like nothing I could
have written them would have given me the help/info. that you were
able to give. I will study out what you have written and make note
of it in my Bible. You love God's Word and I love that! It's
always a pleasure for me to refer people to
Christianthinktank.com because not only will they find Biblical
answers, but I know that it is run by what seems to be a very
genuine believer in the faith, with a sense of humor!
Thanks again for your reply. Hope that you are being used greatly
this year
..............
Good day sir,
I happened across your website and found your writeup to "Does
God's judgment violate the free choice of His creatures?"
very informative.
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to offer your
Biblical insight to believers and non-believers.
I pray that your time and efforts make a difference to people
struggling with their own beliefs as well as those that
don't know or have turned away from God.
Take care and may The Lord Bless you abundantly,
.............
Hi: I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for
the piece you wrote on what happens to those who have never heard
the gospel.
I had a conversation on this subject with a woman who left the
church because the minister wouldn't marry divorced people.
I said basically what you said in this piece (though not as
clearly), but I kept worrying that I had in some way discounted
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your thoughts gave me so much
peace about what was said. Thank you, thank you.
...................
I am a Christian (Calvinist), and a deep, deep conservative
(classic Liberal) - currently stuck in a socialist/liberal crazy
town. Your site was a breath of fresh air and sanity
tonight, which was desperately needed.
..................
Hey Glenn,
Just found your site. I wanted to thank you for it and let you
know I'll pray for you as per requests. I'm a Christian struggling
with doubt, and I appreciate sites from stronger brothers such as
yourself.
Your prayers page sounded slightly despondent at the fact that you
weren't getting things done, or had too much to do. I do hope that
sometimes you take comfort in having been the instrument already
of so much good, and the knowledge that whatever God lets you
do each day will contribute more good.
...............
Dear Glenn,
The Lord has been calling me to answer the difficult questions that people have for over a year now. Your fantastic website and insight into Scripture has been nothing less than a complete blessing to me. Thank you so much for all of the hard work you have clearly put into the Tank...I love it and you :)
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
..............
It might have become boring to you already but I have to express
my admiration for the work and honesty you put into the Thinktank.
I do appreciate deeply your costly choice to reveal to your
readers the sensitive parts of your life - it does help
others, I know it does help me.
The webpage you're running is such a sweet and liberating
difference from all of those stupid, totally unconvincing
far-too-easy, fear-tactic-using and lacking-sane-explanation
answers to questions that can (and do) break human hearts.
so... "Thank You" and "WOW" : D
.......................
Mr Miller,
It was a pleasure happening upon your site and taking the time to
glean a little insight into you. I don't know you.
Never met you and probably never will, but I want you to know that
I like you. Of course, being a brother in Christ, there is
brotherly love, but I genuinely like you and just wanted you to
know. You are an appealing individual with well constructed
and communicated, worthy ideas, thoughts, and feelings; good
taste in literature and music; and a well constructed, well
rounded, meaningful existence.
...............
Dear Sir, just read an article from some 10 years ago....on
multiple-text types in pre-Christian Judea...and I am just
about the happiest amateur scholar around! I am a
Greek-speaking, reading, writing Brooklyn, NY born believer and
recently fell in love with Aramaic. This view which you shared
seems more like reality to me...where the diversity of texts was
perfectly accepted by Jewish Believers...thanks again, it opened
my heart to accept the rantings of my Greek counterparts who
insist that LXX is the oldest, and that NT was written in Greek.
.........
Mr. Miller,
I have read some of your work and it's very useful, although I
haven't gone indepth yet, but keep going with the great job! I
especially like the "women's section" because it helped me a lot
against a person who claimed that the Old Testament
discriminated against women, which would suggest the "all
equal in God's eyes" Pauline statement is false.
............
Glenn, I love you! What can I say more that would let you
know how much I appreciate what you are doing! In just a few
hours after discovering your web page last Sunday (Feb 11th) and
then listening to your audio while following along with the pdf
"The Story Behind The Christmas Story".
I thank God for putting it in your heart to share your
beautiful life with everyone! I am sticking with you
'til He comes! Can't wait to meet you here or in Heaven!
With love and will be praying for your prayer requests you posted!
God bless you Glenn!!!!!!
..............
Dear Glen,
I hope you remember me. I wrote you a desperate letter a few
weeks ago re. sins I feel I can never be forgiven.
When I was little, I used to ask my dad "is God bigger" questions.
"Is He bigger then you?" "Is He bigger then this earth?" "Is He
bigger then this galaxy?" "Is He bigger then a T-Rex?"
But when you grow up, you start to realize that the biggest,
scariest things are sometimes things that are inside you. As
I slowly come to realize more of what sin is and what it means to
God, I find myself asking, "Is God bigger then THIS?" Sure, maybe
He can take on Godzilla, but what about this hideousness I
have found in myself?
This was what I found myself thinking as I read your letter.
This God is a lot bigger then I gave him credit for.
I have been carrying the e-mail you wrote to me around in my
pocket for the past several weeks. I find that even though a
part of me can sort of accept that logically I
am forgivable, there are pieces of me that still want to get back
onto their hamster wheel and go right back to the old way of
thinking. So I carry your letter, and whenever I feel like
despairing, I thinking about the things you wrote :) I know I have
a long way to go. But when I received your e-mail, I felt so
overwhelmed. I thought, "If this man believes I can be saved, then
it MUST be true." And I felt an indescribable joy.
I feel there are some things I should tell you. Your website has
had a profound impact on my life. I have been reading it for about
a year and a half now, almost daily, and I still have not
touched on half of it, I think. I don't know where you find all
the time in your day to do all you do!!! What kind of vitamins do
you take!?!? Yours is the only resource I feel comfortable
referring non-Christian friends to. And the only place
where my deepest questions are addressed. I've noticed that
you begin many of your audio lecutres/Bible studies with
disclaimers about the time and tediousness in the series you are
working on. Often the first half of your study is a recap of the
last one. For goodness sake, never change!!! This is the only
place I can go where I feel my obsessive compulsive mind is
nearly satisfied! You leave no stone unturned and that is
just what I need!
I don't know how I can express what you have done in my life. You
have been a blessing to me, and I can see God working through you.
You must get many letters like this, but I still feel an
obligation to express my most sincere thanks.
There are so many other things I wish I could tell you. How I
often struggle with anxiety and have reclusive tendencies as well.
When I read your writings, I often get the sense that our brains
are wired the same way :). I feel I know you so well, that we are
old friends :), but you know nothing about me. Oh well. I think we
shall have an eternity to become acquainted. And personally, I
can't wait.
Peace,
..................
Dear Glenn,
First, I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful work on the
Think Tank. I am an avid reader of your material. I
have also particularly enjoyed your audio lectures (I have
three hour commutes I used to dread but now I look forward to
them!) You have been a huge blessing in my life.
......
I know you said that you couldn't respond to all the emails you
get and thats cool but I really wanted to let you know how much
your site has helped me. I grew up in a Christian home
but when I was around the age of 16 decided I hated God and
stopped going to church. Long story short a few months
ago I was really drunk or high don't really remember now and
stumbled onto your site. Don't really remember how I
got here but I booked marked it and found it in my bookmarks a
few(?) days later. Started reading it and kind of reasoned
(not really though it stayed in the back somewhere:-) everything
you said out of my head. About 2 months ago I was very
very messed up on some combination of beer and weed and started
thinking about some of the stuff I read on your site. Next
thing I know I'm on my knees in my room crying my eyes out with
the realization that if I died right then I was in big trouble.
I prayed and prayed and got a answer big time. I learned a
few things that night the 2 big ones are 1. God is there and
he cares and listens and sometimes talks even if we don't want
to listen 2. I don't care what anyone says God has a sense
of humor. Everything is not perfect in my life still but
than again if it was I wouldn't need God anyway. I have started
going back to church and trying to let God do what he wants to do
in my life. So thank you for all you have done on your web
page. I'm sure you hear this a lot but thank you again for
everything.
..........
Hi Glenn,
We don't know each other, and likely didn't know "of" each other
until earlier this week when a friend of mine (XYZ, who is a
reference librarian with the ABCDEF public library system), asked
me about you. I confessed that I didn't know who you were and was
not familiar with your work.
XYZ is one of the brightest brothers in Christ that I've ever run
into regarding the world of secular literature (not what passes
for such among moderns) historically and general areas of "mere"
Christian faith touching Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox
interests. He's a comprehensive generalist on these topics I
suppose you could say; all of which, is my effort to express to
you that I respect his input.
As I wrote above, he asked me about you earlier this week. After I
acknowledged my ignorance to him (the repetition of such being a
primary gauge of mine regarding the calibration of brilliance in
others), he proceeded to fill me in about the work you accomplish
with your web site.
He finds your running commentary on the also aforementioned
general areas of "mere" Christian faith to be superior to
everything else that he has discovered online -- and, as a
reference librarian, I'm telling you that he has plenty of time
invested.
While I've learned precious little, in terms of quantity,
supporting XYZ's high opinion, what I have understood from XYZ and
snooping around a bit myself has prompted me to write you; and by
way of this lengthy prologue, to simply want to encourage you in
your efforts. Glenn, I think your gift for creative biblical
thinking is unique and a blessing that I hope continues to
flower as it has for many more years. I am thankful for your
ministry and delighted by discovering the influence that you are
having -- of which only our Master, Jesus, has any significant
idea in regard to its magnitude.
Oh that we might be content only to leave the thought of what
mark we make with our lives at that.
Yours/His,
...........
Hello, My name is XYZ. I'm very glad to meet you.
I met a brilliant mind in an online depression support
group. No religion or preaching is allowed, but somehow my
faith was noticed and he sent me a personal message asking why God
allows suffering. That's how I found you. I felt so
unequal to the task of putting into words what I
believe. I did wind up giving him my own rather simple
answer and he said it made him feel better. Unfortunately
for his sort of mind it was not enough and he's asking more.
In the meantime I have been studying your article "How
Could God Let Christians Hurt To The Point Of Suicide". I
say studying because I think it was written from a few 100 IQ
points more than I possess. I believe I finally
grasped enough to feel confident that you were not just throwing
out a bunch of big words. (pardon, but you know there are those
who do.) So, I have explained this very thing to him
and simply copied and forwarded your article. Going on the
assumption that he is one of the "us" you refer to in another
topic as needing more detailed information, I'm praying the words
God gave you will be significant to him too.
I have begun to seriously stretch my little grey cells by copying
and printing some of the other topics in your Think
Tank. (Do they HAVE to be 12 pages???) so I can
study and learn.
I truly appreciate all your efforts and wonder how fast DO you
type?
...............
Hi,
I just want to take this moment to thank you for what you do. I
have been searching for someone with your style of outreach for
years and years. I like the way you communicate to your
readers. It is as if they were sitting right there in the same
room with you face to face.
I have been a Christian since 1985.In the beginning of my walk
with the Lord, I just did as I was told. Every time I tried to
question though, I would feel as though I was some kind of
heretic or something.My fellow believers would not have any
deep answers and made me feel as though I was less of a Christian
for desiring answers.Have faith.It is always "Have faith"
Yes, that is the correct answer, but my goodness, that is like
giving a two year old a huge piece of steak and saying "eat".
For years, I would feel like at church, we were all walking
around in the dark, bumping into each other.I would always leave a
service and wonder where my brain had vaporized to. It even got to
a point after many years of this, that I was about to leave the
faith for good.Not God, just the Christian faith. God intervened
and I am still here. But, when I determined to hang in there, I
also determined that I was not going to allow another Christian
to belittle me because I desire to know deep answers to deep
questions.
I found your website quite by accident. I was listening to
a preacher on the radio and he so impressed me with how smart he
was. I committed his website to memory and was determined to look
it up when I returned home. My memory failed me and I could not
find his site, but bumped into yours. I truly appreciate your
honesty and I can't thank you enough addressing the deep questions
we all have. I have settled in my mind that I truly believe,
especially in these times we live in, that it is our duty to have
intelligent answers.Islam is one of the fastest growing religions
in the world I am told and I can see why.They are organized and
they have answers.In this confusing world, that appears to be a
light to a confused world looking for a higher being and an
organized representative to him or it.
I have not read much of your material yet, but I don't have to
read very far to know instantly that I like your style and I
have been waiting a long time for what you have to offer. I am
so happy because it gives me a chance to grow in the way I need
to.
In your mini letter you reminded me so much of myself in the way
you wrote.I felt an instant understanding as to where you are
coming from.
I can't thank you enough for being real,honest and genuine and
for caring and having warmth in the way you reach out to the
world.
Sincerely,
...........
I was sitting outside early this morning, reflecting on your work
with the tank and I thought, how amazing is it that the work
you did 5 or even 10 years ago is still impacting people today.
Even if there is not as much new content as you would like, so
often new visitors to the site see it afresh and for them it is
new and for them it is just what they needed at that moment.
I hope that is of some consolation when you go through rough or
dry periods. For example, I know that what I was reading
this morning, "How I made it through it all, so far" which
I printed back in January after my dad died, was a handhold in
the rock during a dark, futile time, and I still don't think
I have absorbed all that I want to of it. If you throw a
rock in a pond...the ripples go out and out and out...
God bless you and bring you peace today, Glenn. :-)
...................
Hi Glenn,
I don't need a reply, I found your site and I have found
encouragement and treasures to take with me. I found
your site when I googled, "I am so tired of sin". What I
found was very encouraging. I hadn't realized that
heartfelt pain could be seen as a good thing. The pain is in
view of my relationship with God. Those without Christ would
never know that. I have seen a lot of sites and many just
spew out a list of solutions to peoples problems and struggles,
but you take the time to share of yourself and your own
experience. That is encouraging.
I have to laugh, your letter on "Tired of Sinning, Glenn"
threw me because my name is Glenn, so when I saw my name
in the letter, it caught my attention. It wasn't until
later that I realized that there wasn't any java script and that
your name was Glenn. Anyways, thanks.
.............
Hi, I just wanted to say thanks for all the information on some
very difficult subjects
as a new Christian with a lot of questions you help a lot
................
Hi Glen,
Just wanted to remind you of the amazing way that God is using you and your ministry to save/encourage Christians all over the world!!! There are many people with stories something like mine -- I have a skeptical turn of mind, and although I was brought up Christian, I drifted out of the faith by college -- it was so obviously untrue (a relic of primitive superstitions, etc.) I became a Christian again about 8 years ago, but would almost certainly not have been able to sustain any belief except that God brought me to your website, where I saw that an intelligent, questioning person could read the Bible and believe this stuff. My faith is strong enough now that I don't check-in that often, but I still come by sometimes to read your prayer requests (& I always hope there might be a letter to the readers (I miss those!!)) I can't wait to meet you in heaven & thank you in person -- you are going to be amazed by the huge crowd of people (all of whom God has used your work to save) who will gather around you!!!
About 6 years ago, I ended up joining something called XYZ Faith Community, where I volunteered for 1 1/2 years to work with homeless teenagers, then I did that as an employee for another 2 1/2 years, and now for the past two years, I have been a seminary student at ABCDEF. (I am almost 45 but you are never too old to go back to school!) I mention this, because every homeless person whose life I touched for Christ at XYZ House, and every life I touch for Christ now and in the future, really owes the presence of Christ in their life to your faithfulness (and of course, God's faithfulness!!!) And the ripples from your work and love will go out from those people too in ways we'll never be aware of this side of heaven.
I first encountered your work on a
atheist vs. Christian list of some kind, where I was
particularly discouraged by the fact that the Christians were
just as nasty as the atheists. If Christianity were
true, shouldn't the Christians be noticeably more loving and kind
than the atheists? Every nasty, proud posting from a
Christian seemed one more obvious confirmation that the claims of
Christianity were laughably false, until I found your
postings. Your humility and charity towards those you
disagree with breath out Christ and his "sweet smelling
fragrance," and it was that, even more than the specifics of your
arguments, that was convincing to me.
................
Just skimmed through
https://www.Christianthinktank.com/qnoslavent.html. It was
formatted well, obviously was built on rather thorough research, did
not provide mere half-baked answers to the issues at hand,
and at the end of the day it was nearly impeccable. Good
looking out. I'll probably be referring lots of people to
this particular treatise of yours in the future.
................
Dear Glen ----
I am a Catholic lawyer here in XYZ and I just
recently started working on trying to harmonize (as if I
were giving a closing argument in a jury trial) the Gospel
accounts of the resurrection. I did this after reading
through a very fine "Harmony of the Gospels" done by Robert L.
Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry (it puts the accounts in parallel
columns in an order the editors believe is chronological but
did not address most of the issues in the resurrection
testimony). I was moving very slowly and cautiously,
and being occasionally frustrated, when I decided to do a
search on ASK for "inconsistent Gospel accounts of the
resurrection." Your page came up right away -- I
noticed the account by fellow lawyer Casteel and
I felt immediately at home. Your page had a wealth of
information (when do you get time to do all of this?) and provided
some nice insights on both the problem I was looking at as well as
history in general. And I felt relieved.
Thanks,
..................
Hi,
I found your site about two years ago, and I have enjoyed
reading your writings. I just wanted to write you a brief
word of encouragement. I love your site and the articles you
have written. Thank you for all your hard work and the large
amount of time you have spent on the site. I have referred
it to a number of friends, and they have also profited from reading
what you have written (spiritually profited, that is, not
financially--don't worry, they aren't selling your articles or
doing anything illegal). :-)
Thanks for the great site. May the Lord multiply your work.
............
Dear Glenn:
Wow! Can't believe there are believers in cyber-land as
articulate and thorough as you are in the defense of the
faith. You are indeed a breathe of fresh air. I read
the entire response you posted to the question shown in the
subject heading above. Very nicely done! I cannot
believe the amount of literature you referenced.
..........
Hi Glenn
This is a drop-by and offer a word of encouragement-type
email--not expecting a reply.
Anyway,thanks for your work on 'How could a God of love order a
massacre.'....etc. I have referred back to this periodically and
found it very helpful.
Glenn, be encouraged brother, that that which is most important to
me comes across strongly on your site--namely--SINCERITY!
There's a warmth, and great communication from one who (though a
well educated gentleman), nevertheless knows his limitations --in
the light of the greatness of our God.
......
Hi, Glenn--
I'm a long time fan on your site and your ministry. I've been
reading the Christian Think Tank for the past seven years or
so, and it has helped me a lot, especially on the difficult
questions and doubts I faced in my Christian life. I thank the
Lord, and I thank you for the time you invested on it.
.........
My Thanks to you
I read your thoughts in your article, "The Relevance of the
Christian worldview in the 21st century", and what *you* wrote I
related to. I wasn't expecting or looking for your words
to be like a hug from God, which is really what I've been
wanting, but what you wrote was like a comforting hug. So I
am letting you know my thanks. :-)
I've gotten sick and tired from always reading Christian
Apologetics, but what you wrote gave me a hug during the sad
time that my faith is experiencing.
...............
Hey Glenn,
I just wanted to say hello and thank you for the work you're
doing with the tank. I'm a Christian proud of my brain and
have found the tank to be a very good place to turn to whether I'm
in a debate with people of different persuasions than me or the
debate is with myself. Last night I looked at you personal info
and came across the pages about Britt. I shed a couple of tears
when I browsed through the stuff. Death is beautiful in its
sadness and joy, despair and hope. Britt was beautiful too.
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you and keep up the good work.
........
Dear Glenn,
I've been reading your site now and then for several years now and
I can't tell you how much it has helped me. When I first
began reading in high school I was going through a serious
crisis of faith. While there's only so far reasoning and
arguments can take a person in that situation, many of the
explicit questions I had were answered and that helped a lot and
gave me hope. I continue to turn to your pages for answers
to questions and also for inspiration.
The way you speak about your relationship to God opened my eyes
to the inadequacies of much of what I was learning in church, and
showed me what a relationship to God could and should be
like. I just want to thank you, so much, for doing the work
that you do. It has meant a lot to me.
..........
I know you'll probably never read this, but, thank you for your
time and effort. I am still wrestling with Christianity after
12-14 years of study and deliberation, coming closer and
often walking away, swearing it off yet again.
I finally have found a source that can hopefully break down a lot
of the apparent contradictions in the Bible and in God's
personality. I have become tired of viewing Christians around
me as weak-minded and their God as more of an engine of
destructive selfishness and evil incarnate. Until your
website I have had little luck finding anything that defends
Christianity half as well as my own complex and halfway informed
attacks upon it.
Thank you very much indeed. I am sure by this time you fully
understand why non-believers attack Christianity. It is nearly
impossible to come to know Christ for me without further
understanding. The Bible has been to me, up to this point,
more of a warning to stay away from the Christian God than a
sort of affirmation of His grace. My Christian friends still
try to deal with my questions, but we have all arrived at the
realization that I need a Theologian to further grow. Hopefully
with your website I will learn further and not give up on
Christianity once again.
Thank you for the immense effort, I look forward to the challenge
of reading and understanding everything you have put down so far.
................
I really enjoyed what I read of your piece on hell. Your detailed
research and thoughtful consideration of actual biblical data is
enlightening. I'm a sixteen year old and I appreciate your
ministry through Christianthinktank. =D
..........
Hey, I feel like my car could use another bumper sticker, and
I would be delighted to have a Christian Thinktank one. I'm
sick of seeing smart-alec atheist stickers and Darwin fish on cars
at my college, and CT is one of the best apologetic databases I've
been to. I think a simple one with your web address and that 1
Thessalonians 5:21 quote would be great.
.........
Dear Glenn:
I wanted to send you an email and encourage
you in your awesome website. I had a philosophy class
with you at Dallas Bible College in 1983, I think. I
wanted to tell you that my introduction to philosophy and the
history of ideas at DBC was a pivotal turning point in my life.
I have developed a life long love of historical theology and have
enjoyed studying early church history for many years now. I
work with high school kids at church, and I am always teaching
them about the history of ideas and the Christian worldview.
I know you have done many things in your life, and have
experienced many shipwrecks. I am reminded of Paul's
shipwreck at Malta, and all of the bumbling about that he did on
his way to death row in Rome. And in hindsight, we can say,
everything that could go wrong did, but it all turned out
right. That is so often the way our lives look to us - that
everything is going wrong... I consult your website fairly
regularly and am always amazed, encouraged, instructed, and
blessed. God bless you and your web ministry. And
thankyou for the effort you put into teaching while at DBC.
..........
Glenn. I just wanted to thank you for your great scholarly work
which you laid out in your response to a seeming contradiction on
the 'Jehu' passages ( June 15, 2001). I was blown away
not only by your analysis but also by your easy to follow
style.
Honestly, I don't think I ever follow from beginning to end
most commentary writer's responses, as they 'lose' me in their
"exhaustiveness", however this was not the case with you and
hence my wanting to return with thanksgiving (as the Leper
did) to thank you! Like the leper, I appreciated what you
did for me!! hahaha.
I was having my quiet time this morning, which took me to Hosea
chapter 1 and came upon the aforementioned anomaly. When I
cross-referenced Hosea 1:4 with the actual account in 2
Kings 9 1-10, I was very troubled. The bottom line was I
knew (as God always proves ) that there was no contradiction and
that even if there "appeared" to be one, it was not so. The
problem we find always,is not in the sending party but always on
the receiving end (obviously I work for a telecommunications
company!). Once again we can always conclude, 'God is light and
in him there is no darkness at all'.
Have a great day.
............
Hi Glenn.
I just wanted to drop you a few lines, and commend you of your
work on the tank. I've been dropping in occasionally for some 18
months now, and have actually been helped a lot by your old
Hallway of Questions, when running into my usual philosophical
predicaments. :)
Not that you claim to give any absolute, final answers, but in
your honest and open hearted search for our God of truth, you have
been something of a beacon for me - and for that I suppose
we are both blessed.
............
Dear Glenn,
I happened onto the think-tank and was overwhelmed by the in-depth
studies there. I haven't had enough time to study them to see how
much I agree, but it took much time, love and dedication to make
that site and I wanted you to know we appreciate it. Christians
need to bolster one another and I wanted to compliment you on it.
I work with the kids on the XYZ and we Christians often refer
the others to your site for individual subjects.
...........
Hi Glenn,
First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and
appreciation to your work. It is marvelous.. your argument is
wonderfully written.. very organized and unbiased... with wit and
humour... they have helped me a lot in the past and from time to
time.
it has been one of my strong source of reference when I have
doubts.
Thank you very much. May God bless your work!
..........
Hi Glen,
First let me say, you are a great scholar and can answer many
questions even credible Christian scholars, pastors, theologians
and philosophers cannot answer very well. Glen it's because of
websites like yours and answering-islam.com and others related to
Christian apologetics that I might one day become Christian
again.
.................
One of my Christian friends directed me to your website during
an argument and I must say it is very well put together. Your
philosophical approach is a breath of fresh air among other
sites that offer purely superficial explanations of the faith.
............
Thank you for your answers in advance. Although I'm not
accustomed to using religious jargon that much, I can say I've
been really blessed by your work. I have a great deal of
respect for you, your work and the level of your dedication
towards our God. And I can only imagine how much He respects your
work too...
..............