Paul Wylie: A Champion for Christ
By Editorial Staff
Published December 2007
BOSTON, MA (FR) – A figure skater competing in the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, said besides the opportunity to skate in a world-class event, he is looking forward to sharing the Gospel with athletes from Eastern-bloc countries.
Paul Wylie, a 23-year-old sophomore in International Relations at Harvard University, says his greatest desire is to glorify God in his skating. “He was the one that got me out of the 5th place rating,” Wylie said. “I think I placed 5th more than anybody I know.”
“I kept making mistakes in strange places even though I trained really hard,” he went on to explain. Prayer and lots of support from friends helped him rise from that ranking. Now, he said, he feels a peace that was never there during previous competitions. “You go out there knowing that you’ve done everything you can do, and that it’s in God’s hands.”
This year, Wylie placed first in the New England Regional Competition. According to the U.S. Figure Skating Association, he is one of the only men to gain the U.S. National title in the men’s singles division and pairs. He was an alternate to the 1987 World Team, and he was the Men’s World Junior Champion in 1981.
Although he gives credit to his relationship with God for his successful skating, he trains five to six hours a day, six days a week. “Everybody knows I’m a Christian,” he said, “but I don’t shove it down their throats.” Wylie joined the Maranatha Christian Church in Boston last summer.
Skating is not a key for more trophies, fame or glory, he said, but a platform to share the Gospel with athletes from countries with political and legal barriers to Christianity. “God has given me a burden for Eastern Europeans,” he said.
“I believe I’m going to have a lot of opportunities to share with athletes from behind the Iron Curtain during the games.”
After the realization of one of his dreams – to compete in the Olympics – Wylie plans to stay at Harvard to finish his degree. After graduation, he has no definite plans.
His advice to aspiring Olympic athletes is to be diligent and to keep their lives focused on Jesus. “He is the author and perfecter of your sport,” he said, “and you need to have faith and be patient.”
Forerunner - Home » The Forerunner Newspaper » Sports
Discuss this article
The Real Jesus: A Defense of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ (DVD)
Who is the Real Jesus?
Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the “historical Jesus” — a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin.
Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regrettably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
This presentation explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views.
Presented in ten parts — perfect for individual, family and classroom study — viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history — “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus.
Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg.
Ten parts, over two hours of instruction!
Running Time: 130 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism (DVD)
Over four hours of instruction!
Just what is “Calvinism?” Does this teaching make man a deterministic robot and God the author of sin? What about free will? If the church accepts Calvinism, won’t evangelism be stifled, perhaps even extinguished? How can we balance God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? What are the differences between historic Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism? Why did men like Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Edwards and a host of renowned Protestant evangelists embrace the teaching of predestination and election and deny free will theology?
This is the first video documentary that answers these and other related questions. Hosted by Eric Holmberg, this fascinating three-part, four-hour presentation is detailed enough so as to not gloss over the controversy. At the same time, it is broken up into ten “Sunday-school-sized” sections to make the rich content manageable and accessible for the average viewer.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Beast of Revelation: Identified (DVD)
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation? Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry’s insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation — and even more importantly — amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview!
Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue — but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.
Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study — for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John’s famous letter “… to the seven churches which are in Asia.” (Revelation 1:4)
$17.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
God's Law and Society (DVD)
Download the Free on-line Study Guide.
God’s Law and Society powerfully presents a comprehensive worldview based upon the ethical system found in the Law of God.
Speakers include: R.J. Rushdoony, George Grant, Howard Phillips, R.C. Sproul Jr., Ken Gentry, Gary DeMar, Jay Grimstead, Steven Schlissel, Andrew Sandlin, Eric Holmberg, and more!
Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misconceptions related to this volatile issue:
1. Are we under Law or under Grace?
2. Does the Old Testament Law apply today?
3. Can we legislate morality?
4. What are the biblical foundations of government?
5. Was America founded as a Christian nation?
6. What about the separation of Church and State?
7. Is neutrality a myth?
8. What about non-Christians and the Law of God?
9. Would there be “freedom” in a Christian republic?
10. What would a “Christian America” look like?
Perfect for group instruction as well as personal Bible study.
Ten parts, over four hours of instruction!
Running Time: 240 minutes
Watch over 60 streaming videos from God’s Law and Society at:
The Second American Revolution.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
