Posts Categorized: Apologetics

Recently I spent some time studying the life of the Reverend Jim Jones, leader of the People’s Temple which received worldwide news coverage after the 1978 mass suicide of 913 individuals in Jonestown, Guyana. What I read fascinated, angered, saddened and terrified me. The more I read, the more I saw definite parallels with Ted Robinson, pastor of Faith Community Church which my wife and I attended from 1980 to 1988. My wife and I rose in the ranks over time to become elders and part of the inner-circle of committed members at Faith Community. As I have studied the life of Jim Jones, I have been shocked and alarmed to observe so many parallels between the two men, but also relieved to find some important contrasts as well; these observations have helped me to formulate some important principles for anyone thinking about joining a church.

One of the characteristics of children that I have always valued is their readiness to take another person’s word at face value. In this respect, there is a wonderful innocence that is beautiful to behold in small children. It is only as we grow to adulthood that we lose that quality. Sooner or later we all must learn that it is not safe to take everyone’s word at face value. There are many people in this world who prey upon the gullible and unsuspecting.

If someone is able to successfully dislodge the foundation stone of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the whole edifice of Christianity will come tumbling down. The apostle Paul said as much over 1,900 years ago when he penned these words: “…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins… If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1Cor.15:17,19)