Power for Living

"Power for Living" is a Christian apologetic book distributed free of charge by the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation in various countries around the world.

Overview

"Power for Living" is a book promoting Christianity, written by non-denominational pastor and writer Jamie Buckingham. Buckingham was also author of other well known books like "Run, Baby, Run" (with Nickey Cruz), "Shout it From the Housetops" (with Pat Robertson) and 35 other books. Buckingham was editor for "Charisma Magazine" until his death in 1992. "Power for Living contains" testimonials from celebrities who became Christians and other content aimed at proselytizing the reader.

The Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation is affiliated with the Evangelical movement of American Christianity. "Power for Living" is credited for having introduced thousands of seekers to Christ, with the aim to have them then begin attending a local Christian church of their choice to further their relationship with Jesus.

Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation

Although the Foundation aims to make Christianity better known, it is not a religious body with distinctive doctrine, and so strictly speaking there is no such thing as a "follower" or "member" of "Power for Living", though various Christian communities do support the Foundation's activities. The book is mainly promoted by Protestant Christians of Fundamentalist coloring. The Foundation has used its abundant financial resources to promote "Power for Living" in the United States, Germany 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.

Jamie Buckingham

Jamie Buckingham was also the founder of the Tabernacle Church in Melbourne, Florida. His family, including his widow, Jackie, and their eldest son, Bruce Buckingham, still live in the area.

Controversy in Japan

Advertisements for a free copy of the book have appeared in Japan on TV Asahi, 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 specifically declare them to the public.

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. This has generated suspicion among the Japanese, who tend to be suspicious of new religious movements after the Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway by religious fanatics. This is especially so, as the Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation is not registered with The Japanese Ministry of Education and conform to its guidelines as a religious organization.

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 Arther 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 Germany.
* 2007 - Distribution begins in Japan.

Celebrity Endorsements

; Japanese
* Saki Kubota, singer
* VERBAL, member of the pop group m-flo; American
* Janet Lynn, former figure skater
* Reggie White (former NFL player and pastor)
* Jennifer O'Neill (actress)
* Bernhard Langer (professional golfer)
* Michelle Akers (women's soccer player)
* Andy Pettitte (pitcher for the New York Yankees)
* Heather Whitestone (1994 Miss America winner)
* Trey Hillman, manager of the Kansas City Royals

All are known Evangelical Christians.

ee also

* Status of religious freedom in Germany

External links

* [http://www.powerforliving.jp/index.html Power for Living official site (Japan)]
* [http://www.powerforliving.com/index1.htm Power for Living official site (United States)]