Truth Matters, Life Matters More: The Unexpected Beauty of an Authentic Christian Life

Description

America's Bible Answer Man contributes a treatise on the importance of absolute truth in a time of turmoil, doubt, and ambiguity. But after his own life-altering bout with cancer, longtime popular theologian and radio personality Hank Hanegraaff also affirms that theological truth is not the goal but rather a roadmap on the path to the ultimate truth of union with God. Is there more to the Christian life than what you're currently experiencing Leading Christian apologist Hank Hanegraaff has dedicated his life to defending truth, because truth matters. However, his life and ministry were radically transformed by this three-word phrase: life matters more. In essence, Truth Matters, Life Matters More is two books in one. Because truth matters, part 1 explicates the essentials of the Christian faith in a memorable way to equip readers to communicate Christian truth. In part 2, Hank explains why life matters more and how we can experience the height of human existence-union with God. Simply put, the map is not the territory. The menu is not the meal. We cheat ourselves of unadulterated union with Christ when we elevate the message above the Messenger. Truth Matters, Life Matters More is a modern classic and the magnum opus of one of the great theological minds of our time. Prepare to discover the unexpected beauty of an authentic Christian life.

Hank Hanegraaff serves as president and chairman of the board of the North Carolina-based Christian Research Institute. He is also host of a nationally syndicated radio broadcast, which is heard daily across the United States and Canada-and around the world via the Internet at equip.org. Hank is the author of more than twenty books. Widely regarded as one of the world's leading Christian authors and apologists, Hank is deeply committed to equipping Christians to be so familiar with truth that when counterfeits loom on the horizon, they recognize them instantaneously. Through his live call-in broadcast, Hank answers questions on the basis of careful research and sound reasoning, and interviews today's most significant leaders and thinkers. Hank and his wife, Kathy, live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and are parents to twelve children.

'Hank Hanegraaff's Truth Matters, Life Matters More is a remarkable tapestry of vast historical and scriptural knowledge, woven from personal experience, chronicles of faith journeys, and marvelous spiritual insights that mesh to create more than a compendium of theology. Indeed, he pulls the strands together with deftness and devotion, such that they form a map, a sacred topography of the life in Christ. And as a good cartographer would do, Hanegraaff makes sure that the reader has all the keys and legends to read his map. He knows how to point the reader in all the right directions, but he also knows that it is grace that 'will lead us home.'' Fr. Alex Karloutsos, Vicar General of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 'Quoting from a wide range of sources, Hank Hanegraaff makes an impassioned case for calling the church back to her earliest roots in this book that is sure to stir and provoke any reader. Participation, union, and even the controversial word deification have been making a quiet comeback in the wake of more and more calls to broaden our collective understanding of what salvation entails. In this book, Hanegraaff wages a battle on two fronts. On the one hand, he wants to maintain that biblical truth matters. On the other hand, he insists that this truth is neither abstract nor impersonal, but a living truth because it is anchored in the living Christ. As someone passionately interested in recovering the reality of our union with Christ, I hope readers will thoughtfully engage with Hanegraaff's challenging conclusions.' Rankin Wilbourne, Pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church Los Angeles and author of Union with Christ and The Cross Before Me 'As Hank has masterfully pointed out, 'there can be no life without truth, but above all, no truth without life, deification is God's greatest gift. It is the high peak truth of redemptive revelation.' Hank elucidates this life-changing lesson revealing that 'while truth is necessary, it is hardly sufficient. That the map is not the territory. That the menu is not the meal. That we must never mistake the cradle for its occupant. And that we are destined even now to experience life that is life to the full.' This book will further allow us to take His life as source of our living, in our church life, for His satisfaction, to bring to light the Kingdom of God on earth.' Samuel Nee, a fellow lover and partaker of Christ, nephew of Watchman Nee 'Truth Matters, Life Matters More is a cornucopia of good, nourishing things, the fruit of Hank's many decades of reading, reflection, and prayer. His gift for taking in complex ideas, digesting them, and then presenting them to readers clearly and briefly make his latest book a wise companion and enjoyable friend.' Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of Welcome to the Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity 'In this moving and compelling book, Hank Hanegraaff recapitulates the apologetic themes that he has spent decades honing and defending--from human origins, to the reality of the resurrection, to the reliability of Scripture. But, more than that, he shows how this vital defense of truth must be part of the larger cause of uniting our life with the life of God. This is a theme that for too long has been missed by millions of believing Christians. Hank shows, with characteristic precision, how the traditional Christian idea of 'deification' is not some doubtful sidelight, but represents the culmination of the Christian life, and the source of Christian unity. Whether you've read all of Hank's books, or none of them, I urge you to read this one.' Jay Richards, Ph.D., O.P., assistant research professor at the Catholic University of America, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, executive editor of The Stream, and a New York Times bestselling author--his many books include the forthcoming Eat, Fast, Feast 'This book portrays what the flower of a beautiful life looks like when it blossoms from the rich soil of Christian truth. The author is widely read and theologically astute in his articulation of selected doctrines of classical Christian faith. The book instructs, inspires, and bears witness to a godly life that blooms from our union with the Incarnate God.' Bradley Nassif, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, North Park University, and co-editor of The Philokalia: A Classical Text of Orthodox Spirituality 'The truth here is that salvation is so much greater than most people allow themselves to believe. We have been saved not only FROM sin, but FOR divine life. God has shared his inner life with us and made us partakers of his divine nature. This book tells how the Bible Answer Man arrived at the Bible's most important answer.' Scott Hahn, Ph.D., Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville 'Hank Hanegraaff's Truth Matters, Life Matters More is a wonderfully written reminder that we are made for more than merely knowing the truth about God--we are made to be Christ's brothers and sisters, and the Father's sons and daughters, through deification. This is a forgotten, deeply biblical truth that the early Christians well understood, and one that all Christians must recover.' Benjamin Wiker, Ph.D., author of many books including A Meaningful World and Professor of Political Science and Director of Human Life Studies at Franciscan University 'Hanegraaff's masterpiece guides us toward ultimate Truth in the context of Christ's promise that He has come to give us life--deified life that is life to the full.' Norris J. Chumley, Ph.D., author and Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director, Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer 'Truth Matters, Life Matters More details Hank Hanegraaff's life journey from his childhood to the present day, a voyage guided by Providence. Hanegraaff rightly recognizes salvation as a step towards a higher state--deification--which is not a reality to be expressed conceptually but lived out through the transformation of our life in Christ, through the Holy Spirit, by means of the grace communicated in the Church by the sacraments and the personal practice of spiritual disciplines. 'What makes Hanegraaff's approach interesting is that it is not a theoretical presentation but a testimony of his personal journey. Though Hank's reflections are rooted in personal experience, there is a clear desire for others to experience similar spiritual growth, exhibiting a youthful enthusiasm for evangelism. In traversing the stages of the long way that led him to True Life, he does not forget to pay homage to those who, often without knowing it, illumined his path.' Jean-Claude Larchet, Ph.D., Ph.D., professor of philosophy in a French lycand eacute;e in Strasbourg and author of many books including The Theology of Illness 'My wife, Marsha, and I have known Hank and his family for over twenty-five years. We have traveled together, played golf, and experienced much time sharing our lives and the love of Christ. Years ago, Hank shared with me the revelation he received from Elijah Widjaja that 'truth matters, but life matters more' and the impact that statement has had on his life. Truth Matters, Life Matters More is a testament to the transformation of Hank's life since that revelation. I learned from this book that my relationship with Jesus Christ means everything to me and the more I allow Him to fill my life with His presence, the more I become complete in Him. May you be blessed by the reading of this profound book.' Jack Countryman, Vice President and Publisher Emeritus, Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing 'Truth Matters, Life Matters More is an extraordinarily wise and thoughtful book, magnificent in its scope and inspiring in its presentation. From the way to detect counterfeit religions (and the importance of doing so) to the true meaning of the all-important but poorly understood Orthodox Christian concept of deification, Hank Hanegraaff brilliantly elucidates the pure joy of living a life in fidelity to truth, and to Truth Himself, the Author of all life. I thank God for my fellow Orthodox believer and for his unparalleled guide to the wonderful happiness of living as a Christian.' Robert Spencer, bestselling author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The History of Jihad 'Having appreciated Hank Hanegraaff's writings for decades, I find Truth Matters, Life Matters More to be his most personal and engaging work to date. It features the disciplined attention to detail we expect from Hank, but also gives us reflections from a man who's assessing the state of the modern church with a prophetic voice and a scholarly eye. Well worth reading.' Joe Dallas, author of Speaking of Homosexuality 'Long convinced that we are truly human becomings more than human beings, I welcome the arrival of Truth Matters, Life Matters More. Having known Hank for nearly forty years and having worked closely with him for a good number of those years, I can testify to the journey of deep personal transformation that this book chronicles--a journey that beckons all those who wish to truly follow Christ. Unwilling to surrender to the pscyhosclerosis ('hardening of the categories') that characterizes far too many Christians, Hank's openness to the Spirit and his unquenchable thirst for truth have thankfully made him 'paradigm pliable.' Perhaps suggesting that truth is more a vital verb than a noetic noun, more a rushing river than a placid pond, this book provides fascinating insights into the enlarged and consequently enriched theological and existential perspectives possible when West meets East. This book will thrill many. It is also guaranteed to annoy and disturb others too settled and accustomed to seeing truth through the narrow chinks of their culturally conditioned intellectual and perspectival caverns. As with much of life, our reactions will reveal more about us, the readers, than the author. For those who have applauded and supported the work of this relentless defender and champion of biblical truth for decades, Truth Matters, Life Matters More is more than a spiritual milestone. It's a cairn marking the path toward higher ground.' Larry F. Johnston, Ph.D., President, McConkey/Johnston International