May 6, 2026
Dear Friends,
This week one man prayed with me according to the pattern of Luke 18:13 & Romans 10:9.
The young man is 20 years old and he wrote:
Subject: The resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Good evening Dr. Tour, My name is ________________. I am writing to you as a sophomore halfway across the country at _______________ University wondering if you have any time soon to talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am not a scientist, I am not a philosophy or religion major, and I am not married to either side of the resurrection debate. I am a 20-year-old desperately trying to uncover what is most likely true about history and philosophy. Funny enough, I heard your name in a YouTube video made by Alex O’Connor. He was talking to Dr. John Lennox and said that you have been known to meet students and talk with them about the resurrection if they simply reach out and ask. So, I’m sitting here wondering if this email will even reach you and if it does, how will it stand out enough to get a response out of such a high profile intellectual. I understand this is quite out of the blue and you must be an ungodly busy man (pun intended) so I appreciate any amount of thought you give this email.
Sincerely,__________
We met, and he was amazingly open. He obviously enjoys apologetics and has listened to the arguments. The benefits of Christian apologetics are that apologetics can open people to hearing the gospel. The presentation of the gospel then thrusts the matter of sin, salvation, and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead before them with the call to confess and embrace. Acceptance of the gospel message seals the deal and paves the way for new life as they walk in its truth. This young man assured me that he would follow through with the daily scripture reading and the Bible study set up by Chuck Lloyd.
It brings me such joy to see these young college students committing their lives to Jesus. I was 18 when I came to the Lord. Seeing these young men brings back precious memories.
The Lord calls young men:
“As Jesus went on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.”— Matthew 4:21
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth…”— Ecclesiastes 12:1
“I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.”— 1 John 2:13
“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you…”— 1 John 2:14
Interestingly, the first job listed for young men in the church was to carry and bury the dead, putting those young, strong arms and backs to use.
Acts 5:5–6 “And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.”
Acts 5:9–10 “…Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.’ And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”
God bless,
Dr. James Tour
