Time for Hope

It looked like a scene from Beirut or Kabul: a long line of refugees, dusty, frightened, in shock, semi-lifeless. But it was not the Middle East-it was 57th Street in New York City, as the "refugees" escaped north, a few miles from Ground Zero. Some were members of our own congregation, who had escaped the Twin Towers from as high up as the 87th floor. And we, along with hundreds of churches, had the privilege of offering spiritual, emotional and physical help-the love of God. 9/11 changed the world. We now live with the daily threat of more terrorist attacks. Is there any hope in the midst of a seemingly endless war against terrorism? A Time for Hope will shock, anger and challenge you. It will also inform and strengthen you. Its theme is that God hates terrorism but loves terrorists and offers them forgiveness-just like the Apostle Paul! God's power and grace can transform a man full of hate and murder into a man filled with love and compassion. Dave Epstein is the senior pastor of the historic Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and a former professor of Biblical Studies and History. He and his congregation experienced 9/11 firsthand and saw the healing power of God in action in the midst of the devastation. They learned that God is a God of love, hope, justice and peace-and that He really does identify with our pain and redeem our suffering. And God will do the same for you.