Power for Living
Encyclopedia
Power for Living is a Christian
evangelistic
book distributed free of charge by the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation in various countries around the world. It was heavily advertised in the US in the mid-1990s as a seemingly secular self-help
book.
in October 1983 under copyright to the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation. The writers were the noted Christian authors David Chilton
, Gary DeMar
, Victoria T. deVries, Michael Gilstrap and Ray Sutton
. This version was revised in November 1983 by non-denominational pastor and writer Jamie Buckingham. Both versions of Power for Living contain testimonials from celebrities who became Christians and other content aimed at arguing for the Christian faith.
The revised edition was released because the DeMoss Foundation wanted the book to be less about practical issues of Christian living and to focus more on a Christian evangelistic message. As such, the original edition contained chapters on "God's Perspective" detailing the reformed "Biblical world and life view". The revised edition was decidedly more Arminian in its theology, omitting much of the text coming from a reformed Christian perspective.
The Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation is an American evangelical
foundation. Power for Living is credited for having introduced thousands of so-called "seekers" to Christ
, with the added aim of having them then begin attending a local Christian church of their choice to further their relationship with Jesus
.
and, most recently, Japan
.
In Japan, television advertisements related to religion are generally considered to be taboo, although Buddhist temples, Shintō
shrines, Souka Gakkai, etc., have all produced advertisements for television. The Foundation's advertisements were declared "religious propaganda" by Germany's Federal Broadcasting Council in January, 2002, and as such their broadcast is prohibited in Germany.
, Christian Reconstructionist, and author of several books on eschatology
and preterism
. He contributed three books on eschatology: Paradise Restored (1985), Days of Vengeance (1987), and The Great Tribulation (1987).
, an American
Christian
nonprofit organization. The think-tank has a vision of "an America that recognizes the sovereignty of God over all of life and where Christians are engaged in every facet of society."
. He was the author of Run, Baby, Run (with Nickey Cruz), Shout it From the Housetops (with Pat Robertson), Ben Israel (with Arthur Katz
) and 34 other books. Buckingham was editor for Charisma Magazine until his death in 1992.
, TV Tokyo
, Tokyo Broadcasting System
and Nippon Television
, but Fuji Television
refused to broadcast the ads because of the controversy surrounding them. The advertisements have generated suspicion about the Foundation's origins, activities and purposes, perhaps by the Foundation's failure to declare them to the public precisely.
Evangelical Christianity, although a relatively old and well-established Christian tradition around the world, has in recent decades developed new forms of worship and missionary activity and increased its presence in Japan.
American
All are known evangelical Christians.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
evangelistic
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
book distributed free of charge by the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation in various countries around the world. It was heavily advertised in the US in the mid-1990s as a seemingly secular self-help
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
book.
Overview
Power for Living was originally commissioned by the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation to celebrate "The Year of the Bible". The first printing was produced by American Vision, Atlanta, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
in October 1983 under copyright to the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation. The writers were the noted Christian authors David Chilton
David Chilton
David Harold Chilton was a Reformed pastor, Christian Reconstructionist, speaker, and author of several books on economics, eschatology and Christian Worldview from Placerville, California...
, Gary DeMar
Gary DeMar
Gary DeMar is an American writer, lecturer and the president of American Vision, an American Christian nonprofit organization. The think-tank has a vision of "an America that recognizes the sovereignty of God over all of life and where Christians are engaged in every facet of society".-Family life...
, Victoria T. deVries, Michael Gilstrap and Ray Sutton
Ray Sutton
The Rt. Rev. Ray R. Sutton is Bishop Coadjutor in the Diocese of Mid America of the Reformed Episcopal Church as well as Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion in Dallas, Texas, professor of scripture and theology at Cranmer Theological House in Houston, Texas and headmaster of Bent Tree...
. This version was revised in November 1983 by non-denominational pastor and writer Jamie Buckingham. Both versions of Power for Living contain testimonials from celebrities who became Christians and other content aimed at arguing for the Christian faith.
The revised edition was released because the DeMoss Foundation wanted the book to be less about practical issues of Christian living and to focus more on a Christian evangelistic message. As such, the original edition contained chapters on "God's Perspective" detailing the reformed "Biblical world and life view". The revised edition was decidedly more Arminian in its theology, omitting much of the text coming from a reformed Christian perspective.
The Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation is an American evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
foundation. Power for Living is credited for having introduced thousands of so-called "seekers" to Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, with the added aim of having them then begin attending a local Christian church of their choice to further their relationship with Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
.
Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation
The Foundation has used its abundant financial resources to promote Power for Living in the United States, GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and, most recently, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
In Japan, television advertisements related to religion are generally considered to be taboo, although Buddhist temples, Shintō
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
shrines, Souka Gakkai, etc., have all produced advertisements for television. The Foundation's advertisements were declared "religious propaganda" by Germany's Federal Broadcasting Council in January, 2002, and as such their broadcast is prohibited in Germany.
David Chilton
David Chilton (1951–1997) was a pastorPastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, Christian Reconstructionist, and author of several books on eschatology
Christian eschatology
Christian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last and study , is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world...
and preterism
Preterism
Preterism is a Christian eschatological view that interprets prophecies of the Bible, especially Daniel and Revelation, as events which have already happened in the first century A.D. Preterism holds that Ancient Israel finds its continuation or fulfillment in the Christian church at the...
. He contributed three books on eschatology: Paradise Restored (1985), Days of Vengeance (1987), and The Great Tribulation (1987).
Gary DeMar
Gary DeMar is an American writer, lecturer and the president of American VisionAmerican Vision
American Vision is a nonprofit organization in the United States, founded in 1978 by Steve Schiffman. A Christian ministry, it calls, according to its mission statement, for "equipping and empowering Christians to restore America’s biblical foundation." It is considered a hate group by the Southern...
, an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
nonprofit organization. The think-tank has a vision of "an America that recognizes the sovereignty of God over all of life and where Christians are engaged in every facet of society."
Jamie Buckingham
Jamie Buckingham (1932–1992) was the founder of the Tabernacle Church in Melbourne, FloridaMelbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
. He was the author of Run, Baby, Run (with Nickey Cruz), Shout it From the Housetops (with Pat Robertson), Ben Israel (with Arthur Katz
Arthur Katz
Arthur "Art" Katz was an author and Christian preacher who traveled the world teaching an alternative to what he described as today's "make nice" Christianity...
) and 34 other books. Buckingham was editor for Charisma Magazine until his death in 1992.
In Japan
Advertisements for a free copy of the book have appeared in Japan on TV AsahiTV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
, TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
, Tokyo Broadcasting System
Tokyo Broadcasting System
, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
and Nippon Television
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
, but Fuji Television
Fuji Television
is a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
refused to broadcast the ads because of the controversy surrounding them. The advertisements have generated suspicion about the Foundation's origins, activities and purposes, perhaps by the Foundation's failure to declare them to the public precisely.
Evangelical Christianity, although a relatively old and well-established Christian tradition around the world, has in recent decades developed new forms of worship and missionary activity and increased its presence in Japan.
In Germany
In Germany, TV advertisings for the book were banned because they were considered as "advertising a worldview or religion", which is forbidden by § 7 section 8 of the German state treaty on broadcasting (Rundfunkstaatsvertrag) and European laws on media. For its posters, newspaper adverts and leaflets, however, there was no such problem.History
- 1955 - The National Liberty Foundation is established by Arthur S. DeMoss.
- 1979 - DeMoss dies at age 53.
- His wife, Nancy S. DeMoss, inherits 200 million dollars and changes the Foundation's name to the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation.
- 1983 - Power for living first distributed in the United States.
- 1999 - Television advertisements for the book are aired in the United States.
- 2001 - Distribution begins in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. - 2007 - Distribution begins in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Celebrity endorsements
Japanese- Saki Kubota, singer
- VERBAL, member of the pop group M-FloM-flois a Japanese hip hop group consisting of producer and DJ Taku Takahashi and emcee Verbal.Former member Lisa left the group in 2002 to pursue a solo career, and the remaining members then started the M-Flo Loves... project working different vocalists for each song over three albums, including the...
American
- Michelle AkersMichelle AkersMichelle Akers is a former leading American association football player, who starred in the historic 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup victory by the U.S.. She won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1991 tournament...
(women's soccer player) - Trey HillmanTrey HillmanThomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
, manager of the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... - Bernhard LangerBernhard LangerBernhard Langer is a German professional golfer. He is a two-time Masters champion, and was one of the world's leading golfers throughout the 1980s and 90s, being the first official number one ranked player in 1986...
(professional golfer) - Janet LynnJanet LynnJanet Lynn Nowicki is an American figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist.-Amateur career:Lynn began to skate almost as soon as she could walk and took part in her first exhibition performance at the age of four in a group number at Chicago Stadium...
, former figure skater - Jennifer O'NeillJennifer O'Neill-Early life:O'Neill was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the daughter of a famous Spanish-Irish dental supply import/export businessman, Oscar D' O'Neill and his English wife. As a teenager, O'Neill worked as a fashion model and appeared in television commercials and on magazine covers before moving...
(actress) - Andy PettitteAndy PettitteAndrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
(pitcher for the New York Yankees) - Reggie WhiteReggie WhiteReginald Howard "Reggie" White was a professional American football player. He played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history...
(former NFL player and pastor) - Heather WhitestoneHeather WhitestoneHeather Leigh Whitestone McCallum is a former beauty queen who was the first deaf Miss America title holder, having lost most of her hearing at the age of 18 months.-Early life:...
(1994 Miss America winner)
All are known evangelical Christians.