David Pawson Personal Newsletter 2009
January 29, 2009
I just received a personal newsletter from David Pawson. He has given me permission to share it with you:
January 2009
Dear Friends,
A few more weeks and I shall have begun my 80th year on earth. I notice it when I’m walking and others notice it when I’m talking (I’ve reached my anecdotage!).
General health is reasonably good, with occasional trips to the hospital. The waterworks have been operated on twice, by a Muslim surgeon. On the first occasion I didn’t give him my book on Islam until I’d come around from the anesthetic. On the second he told me the book was increasingly relevant before he put me under. I’ve had cataracts removed from both eyes and can hardly believe the improvement.
So when I was asked back to speak to the “over 50’s” at Millmead, I took as my subject: “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” I can’t wait to be 33 again! Incidentally, the effigies of the Crusader knights in the Temple Strand, London, are all 33 years old. They too believed our new bodies will by like the Lord’s glorious one.
It’s over two years since my last newsletter (for which I apologize) and a lot has happened in the meantime.
There has been an explosion on the book front, mainly due to the acquisition of a new publisher: “Terra Nova (New Earth). Its proprietor … offered to do three things:
1. Reprint any books that go out of print: e.g.
a. The Road to Hell
b. Truth to Tell (now Christianity Explained)
c. Fourth Wave (now Word and Spirit Together)
d. Jesus Baptizes in One Holy Spirit
2. Transcribe my recorded teaching into print. so far:
a. Practicing the Principles of Prayer
b. Come With Me Through Revelation
c. (next) Come With Me Through Isaiah
d. Is John 3:16 the Gospel?
e. Why Des God Allow Natural Disasters?
f. The God and the Gospel of Righteousness
3. Publish New Works:
a. Defending Christian Zionism
b. Israel in the New Testament (soon)
He has also made possible the distribution of thousands of copies of these in the Third World (should be called Two-Thirds World).
My big book ‘Unlocking the Bible’ (by Harper Collins) is breaking al (my) records. Sales have reached 50,000 and still increasing year on year. Many call it my ‘legacy,’ though that strikes me as a little premature! All that’s about the English translation. It’s now in Dutch, Finnish, soon in Italian (I went to Milan for the launch but they didn’t tell me it wasn’t ready – but it will go into Catholic bookshops), Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi (as well as English in India) and this month it is published in America. The great joy is that everywhere it gets Christians reading their Bibles again. I have even heard of it exciting drug addicts and prisoners. PTL!
I am still traveling although I have come to loath airports. The Lord has unexpectedly laid Scandinavia on my heart. I have now been to Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. However, in each case I have run into the State Lutheran Church. Over 90% of the population have been ‘baptized’ as babies; 3% worship on Sunday; clergy are paid and pensioned through the tax system (I was in one church with a congregation of 150 and 30 full-time staff for weddings, funerals, confirmations, etc.). I spoke on “Completing Luther’s Reformation for the 21st Century. Sweden and Finland banned distribution of the recordings (you can get it from Anchor http:// anchor-recordings.com). In Finland I was challenged to return for a public debate on baptism with Lutheran professor of theology and told that I “would be up against educated men!” I believe the Lord won the debate. I’m now regularly on TV there and my books are pouring out in Finnish. Apart from Lutheran officials I could not wish for a better response from the people.
One delightful trip was a return, for the first time since I was a pastor there in the 50’s, to the Shetland Islands, preaching in the Methodist chapels I had ministered in. The island folk have astonishing memories and told me many things about myself I had forgotten. Boys I had taken with me by boat on preaching weekends were now grey-haired.
I go to Israel at least once a year, to speak at the Feast of Tabernacles, which draws over 5,000 Christians for 120 countries. I have also spoken on Israel in Southend (Jews invited me), Oxford, Bawtry, Marlow, Belfast, Dublin, Sunbury, Tonbridge and on Premier Radio. In 2008 I was there for three weeks (Israel) – the first with the trustees and distributors of my teaching material, in Christchurch Guest House in the Old City; the second in Galilee at the Kibbutz Ma’agen on the south shore, quite the best place to stay; the third back in Jerusalem for the Feast. I shall be back again this October (D.V.), when I’ve been told I am to receive a special award.
In between overseas visits I am around the country meeting fascinating opportunities. A couple of exciting visits to Gatwick Airport Detention Centre for illegal immigrants, many of whom are Pentecostal Christians for Africa; students and staff of South Wales Bible College in Swansea; opening of Coton Green Christian Centre in Tamworth, which I designed – these and other engagements, ensure that I wear out rather than rust out.
I love preaching on the fundamentals of our faith – the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, especially at Easter. Last year I was in the Crosby Methodist Circuit, near Liverpool, at the invitation of them ministerial staff, both of whom are evangelical, one form India and the other an ex-army chaplain, together with a nearby lively Pentecostal fellowship. But the Methodist authorities, including a District Chairman and a College Principal, were furious that I had been given a Methodist pulpit and months later, are still reprimanding those who invited me. It was because of my published views on male leadership, though I never mentioned them (it is only a matter of time until they have a majority of female ministers).
So I’m still alive and kicking, especially the latter! Enid still puts up with it all, while urging me to tidy my study and get rid of my books. She reached 80 last year and remains fit and cheerful I spite of severe pain from backbone pressure on the spinal cord, for which we are seeking professional help. She is devoted to our five grandchildren. The eldest, our late Deborah’s daughter, is now a film producer and is just completing her first major production, hopefully for general release. The next is head boy of Bluecoat School in Sonning and winning international trophies for public speaking (where could he have got that from?). Our son is still working in Dublin helping the Irish government with their computerized records. Our daughter and her husband are still expanding their geology training business here and overseas and recently acquired a 5-story Georgian house in the heart of Bath. It’s a job keeping track of them all.
A boisterous Epiphany to you!
Shalom,
David Pawson
