After 60 successful books, author Max Lucado still has stories to tell. His newest includes encounters with family, friends and strangers in an effort to help people live more fulfilling lives by seeing a bigger picture beside ourselves.
Lucado, a pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, is a Christian writer with a positive ability to reach the masses by challenging skeptics to consider God's existence, and believers to recapture the energy of their faith. He's sold more than 80 million copies, with books appearing on national best-seller lists.
In a Sept. 27 interview, Lucado discussed the new book, God's Story, your story: When His becomes yours and answered questions about how Christians and churches can overcome the negative image Christianity currently bears in America.
Lucado says it's not too late to turn America around from the idea that Christians want to share Jesus because they "hate" other people.
"There's this idea that 'The Church' hates people because we talk about sin. I've even been criticized for taking a stand against adultery. I can't refrain from expressing my convictions. But I can express them with a heart of kindness. ... One of our culture's philosophies is that there's no absolute truth. Christians are beholden to love people to the point that they may want to believe there is a truth; to the point they want to change their lives."
Q: Why shouldn't church be just about feel-good stuff?
A: Churches that don't talk about sin are using a bandage instead of cutting out things that can harm a person. I had skin cancer. The doctor didn't put a bandage on it. If I didn't get the cancer out, it could have killed me.
Q: If Christians keep talking about sin, how can non-believers be encouraged to want God?
A: It's essential for everyone to understand we're all part of God's story, whether some of us like it or not! We're part of a greater vision. If I think all of life happens between birth and death and all I can do is try my best, I'm limited. The smaller your view of life, the larger your problems seem. We can have a better viewpoint and life.
Q: People who don't believe in God (and even some who do) may not believe there's really a devil. Do you think the devil is real?
A: Nothing excites Satan more than having us think he doesn't exist. We consider ourselves smart and sophisticated today, so discussions about God and the devil seem primitive. But how else do we explain bad things that happen, and bad thoughts people have?
God has allowed Satan to be in a certain position, to allow us to react. Even though we're educated, we still have about 26,000 children dying of hunger every day. This past century saw more mass murders than ever before. We must know that evil is real.
Q: Oak Hills Church has experienced over 20 percent growth recently. How might you explain that, and what can other churches aim for?
A: People are looking for authenticity. We had an opportunity to expand, but felt God wanted us to put our resources toward doing things for people instead. Churches can have glitzy programs, but folks can get entertainment elsewhere. You'll never please everyone. Be honest, organized and authentic.
Lucado's book is connected with a website, HisisMine.com, where Christians can enter their spiritual stories to encourage others toward God. In a culture where people might rather believe tarot card readings and psychics, Lucado challenges us to look heavenward and become part of God's story.
Sheryl Young has been freelance writing for newspapers, magazines, organizations and websites since 1997. Her specialty is American politics, education and society as they intersect with religion. Credits include Community Columnist for the Tampa Tribune Newspaper, Interview Columnist with Light & Life Magazine, and a National First Place "Roaring Lambs" Writing Award from the Amy Foundation.
14 comments