An Interview and Further Thoughts on Anne Rice

Further Thoughts on Anne Rice

Recently, I have been corresponding with Anne regarding her recent decision to break from many Christian systems. If you are curious how I responded to yesterday's email from Anne, here it is:

Thank you for your prompt and kind response. Speaking for myself (and not necessarily CBN), I support you personally in your ongoing journey with our Lord.

If you allow me, I would like to draw a parallel to your decision and how I would relate it to Scripture, which I know you personally honor.

There is a wonderful dialogue by the Lord Jesus with His disciple Peter at the end of the book of the Gospel of John (21) in which the Lord speaks about individual choices and how we respond to our Lord’s commands.

Every individual must decide for himself whether or not to heed Jesus command to “follow me!” Incidentally, that is a command not a suggestion.

Specifics in following Jesus vary in each individual’s life journey from one person to another, but the ultimate choice to obey or not obey that call to discipleship is ours.

After His resurrection Jesus makes that distinction quite clear in a discussion with Simon Peter. After Jesus told Peter three times to “feed His sheep,” Peter wanted to know what would happen to the other disciple John.  Jesus said prophetically to Peter:

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” 

Peter then asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” (Referring to John following nearby)

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” (John 21.18-22)

Peter did follow; and the subsequent outcome of his obedience to that call, according to ancient church tradition, says that Peter was crucified head down.

John too followed, and as a result he was banished to the island of Patmos where the Lord Jesus appeared to him, which John recorded. The final book in the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, is attributed to his authorship.

“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 1.9)

Two lives, diverse paths, one Lord, same ultimate destination: “I (Jesus) go to prepare a place for you.”

As individuals we are each commanded to “follow on to know the Lord.”

For me and my life, I don’t know where He is going, but I know who I am following.

Anne, our prayers are with you as you do that. And if I don’t see you again here, I believe we will there.

Thanks, with affection,

Scott Ross

The Interview

As promised, here is the interview I did with Ms. Rice from earlier this year.   You will hear not only Anne’s story, but also her heart. She shares her own spiritual trek from her faith as a young girl to her years of being a devout atheist and then her return to her Christian roots, which she details in the book of her personal pilgrimage, Out of Darkness.

I personally believe this struggle she is experiencing currently is bigger than Anne Rice.