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Derek's conversation with Pastor Ted.
From: Derek Christner
Date: Dec 23, 2005 6:24 AM
Subject: Ted - I need your help. I've lost faith in faith
You don't know me and I've only met you one time and that was during the early
nineties when I attended New Life Church. I was in my early twenties at that
time, went to college, and now live in Cincinnati Ohio. Before I say anything
else, I'd like it if you could confirm with me that you have received this email
and that is not spam. I have prayed to God that you would receive my email. Its
very important that I talk to you. I know your a very busy man but you are the
person responsible for bringing me to Christ. And I really want to share my
story with you. But I don't want to type allot of words and for this to just end
up in your spam box because you don't know me. So please acknowledge and I'll
write more later.
Thanks,
Derek
From: Pastor Ted Haggard
Date: Dec 28, 2005 9:17 PM
Subject: It's me
Derek,
I received your e-mail. This is my personal e-mail address. Write on! (not too
long, I need to do 100 e-mails a day. But great to hear from you.)
Pastor Ted Haggard
Colorado Springs, CO
From: Derek Christner
Date: Dec 29, 2005 12:38 PM
Subject: Re: It's me
Pastor Ted,
In a nutshell:
Prior to hearing you preach in 1992, I was a mediocre Christian. After hearing
you preach I took my Christianity very serious and I almost went to school to
become a pastor. You inspired me that much. With in the past several years I
have lost faith in faith and I now consider myself to be a non-christian. (a
long and painful process) I have talked to countless pastors and other
christians but no hope. I decided you were my last hope since you are the man
responsible for my Christianity.
Have you ever read Dan Barker's book "loosing faith in faith?" http://www.ffrf.org/books/lfif/
After reading this book I have confirmed in my mind that Christianity is a not
truth. How do we know that Jesus was really a man that walked on this earth and
is not just a fictional character? I need some kind of document or truth that
would help confim this. Where outside the Bible can I find this out? Why do you
believe Christianity is truth? Can you give me an answer outside of the bible
that confirms the stories in the bible are truth? I want to believe in
Christianity because that is how I was raised. But I don't want to believe in
something that is a hoax. For more info my website has info posted regarding my
testimony: http://www.cayla.us/DCweb/religion.htm
If you have sermons that would help or anything I'm interested in listing. Or I
would love to talk to you if you could find time in your busy life for a lost
lamb.
Thanks,
Derek
From: Pastor Ted Haggard
Date: Dec 29, 2005 2:04 PM
Subject: Re: It's me
Derek,
The Bible is my source of faith and practice. If you chose to go another route,
I have no suggestions. I'm sorry.
Pastor Ted Haggard
Colorado Springs, CO
From: Derek Christner
Date: Dec 29, 2005 2:14 PM
Subject: Re: It's me
So in other words you cannot answer my questions. Or this is a very quick email
because you are too busy for me. I assume the later. I hope and pray that you
will think about my questions and offer some insights. As I indicated you are my
last hope. Weather or not you choose to reply I'd like to thank for for at least
reading my emails and getting back to me. It was more than I had expected
because I know you must be very busy a man of your position.
From: From: Pastor Ted Haggard
Date: Dec 29, 2005 2:21 PM
Subject: Re: It's me
Derek,
I don't mean to be short, but it's true: the Bible is the book with the answers.
I settled it years ago that I would read my Bible every day and trust it. No
doubt, various portions can be interpreted differently, but the overall message
is clear and helpful. I suggest that during your searching you read the Bible as
a primary source. If you want to work outside the Bible, there are endless
possibilities but you don't need my direction on that. You're e-mail was clear.
I don't have what you need, the Bible does. You have to use sources that are
more trustworthy, and the Bible is that source.
Pastor Ted Haggard
Colorado Springs, CO
From: Derek Christner
Date: Dec 29, 2005 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: It's me
I too trusted the Bible just as you do out of blind faith. But then I started
thinking about all people in the world that have not received Christianity. Or
people that were raised differently and they believe what their parents taught
them just as strong as you do in christianity. Yet they won't turn the other way
because of their beliefs in how they were raised. It doesn't seem fair to me
that we as a human race tend to believe what our parents have taught us to
believe. If anyone in the U.S. had been born in India chances are they'd be
Hindu or some other religion like that. We are all products of the culture we
are raised in. Which is why I believe we must examine what we believe and why do
we believe it. I would be quite surprised if you do not know why you trust the
bible as truth. Sure, I think the bible is a wonderful book with many good
stories and examples of how we are to live our lives. But why should I bow down
to a character named Jesus without any proof that he really is a character of
non-fiction vrs fiction?
From: Pastor Ted Haggard
Date: Dec 29, 2005 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: It's me
So be it my brother. I've told you what I know. I have to bow out of this
conversation now.
God bless,
Pastor Ted Haggard
Colorado Springs, CO
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