Jesus In The News

See also:
The DaVinci Code

European Union lowercases 'Christ'

Nov. 1, 2005 - A new grammar rule for the European Union treats "Christ" as a title, and stipulates that it should be spelled with a lowercase "c."

Canada Free Press noted the title of Javier Solana, secretary general of the EU, was still to be spelled with capital letters.

Source:WorldNetDaily

From Jesus to Christ

Mar. 28, 2005 - Newsweek looks at the historical development of Christianity, and reports that 78 percent of Americans believe Jesus rose from the dead.

Source:Newsweek (Story no longer online)

Israel finds Jesus miracle sites

Dec. 24, 2004 - Just a few days before Christmas Israeli archaeologists revealed great news from Kfar Kana where, after 50 years of searching, they have found the ruins of the Biblical town of Cana. Jesus performed his first miracle there - turning water into wine. The excavation has uncovered buildings, grinding stones, cooking ovens, stone vessels and several Jewish mikvahs, or ritual baths, one nearly 7 feet high with an arched roof. A large structure still needs to be excavated. It could be the remains of an ancient synagogue.

Yesterday another place was discovered near Jerusalem where Jesus also performed a miracle - the healing of a blind man. This dig uncovered the Pool of Siloam, just south of the Temple Mount in the ancient City of David.

Source:New York Daily News (Story no longer online)

Did boy Jesus look like this?

Dec. 23, 2004 - Forensic scientists have used images from the Shroud of Turin processed by "aging" software to guess what Jesus looked like at the age of 12. See the article and the picture.

Source:WorldNetDaily

'Emboldened' Christians Celebrate Christmas

Dec. 15, 2004 - Many American Christians are actively engaged in "putting Christ Back into Christmas." Some are campaigning to remind schools of their legal and historical right to mention the true meaning of the season. Others are boycotting stores that ban the use of "Merry Christmas," or denying the Salvation Army's presence during the season.

Source:News Max

The Christmas Miracle

Dec. 5, 2004 - A Newsweek poll shows that the majority of Americans believe the Biblical accounts of the birth of Christ.

79% believe Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, without a human father.

67% believe the entire story of Christmas—the Virgin Birth, the angelic proclamation to the shepherds, the Star of Bethlehem and the Wise Men from the East—is historically accurate.

The poll also gives valuable insight about how Americans view the church, Christianity in America, prophecy and creation.

Source:Newsweek (Story no longer online)

Liberals join conservatives' scholarly attacks on the best-selling `Da Vinci Code'

July 7, 2004 - Dan Brown's "The da Vinci Code" has enjoyed best seller status for more than a year, but scholars are just now realizing that people are actually believing this fiction. The book's basic contention is that fraud underlies the New Testament, and Christian history and doctrine. Christian conservative scholars have opposed the book from the beginning, but now liberal theologans are also complaining about the book's underlying scholarship. One example is an article in The Christian Century. the article is entitled "Gospel Secrets?: Dismantling 'The 'da Vinci Code'" by Mark S. Burrows, a United Church of Christ historian at Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts.

"Almost everything Brown asserts or implies as fact is misleading or mistaken. Mostly the latter," Burrows wrote. He feared most readers will lack the knowledge or patient reading required "to sort occasional fact from overwhelming fiction."

Another surprising negative critique comes from an article in The Fourth R, the magazine of the left-wing Jesus Seminar. This article is called "The Da Vinci Fraud."

Source:North County Times (San Diego)

Editor's Bookshelf: Da Vinci Dissenters

June 15, 2004 - Christianity Today staff recommends four books that "decode" the Da Vinci deception.

Source:Christianity Today

Breaking The Da Vinci Code

Nov. 11, 2003 - Dan Brown's fictional thriller, The Da Vinci Code was a best seller, claiming that the belief in the deity of Christ and in the infallibility of the Bible emerged out of a fourth-century power-play. It also assumes that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. Collin Hansen shows that it is not historically accurate.

Source:Christianity Today

Also: Thanks, Da Vinci Code - Chris Armstrong, Christianity Today

Latest 'Jesus' Special Denigrates Christianity, Groups Say

April 7, 2003 - The American Family Association (AFA) objects to ABC's obvious bias in its Monday night broadcast of Jesus and Paul -- The Word and the Witness, a three-hour special hosted by Peter Jennings.

ABC-TV was unwilling to present a scriptural concept of Jesus, choosing to give a distorted view with the impression that the New Testament cannot be trusted.

Tom Neven from Focus on The Family also objected to the special, saying that "Jennings repeatedly refers to 'the Jesus movement' as if it were just another political party or faction." He also said that the broadcast presented Paul's teachings in a way that contradicted Jesus, and gave the impression that Paul was the true founder of Christianity.

Source:Crosswalk

Jesus and Paul: Looking at a Journalistic Approach to Christianity's Beginnings - Christianity Today - A full review of ABC's Jesus and Paul

AFA

Focus on the Family

'The Gospel of John'

Apr. 6, 2004 - This excellent three-hour movie about Jesus' life is now being released for home viewing!

Source:CBN

Official Web Site

"Glorious Appearing" In Bookstores Today
Christ's novel return is a US bestseller

Mar. 30, 2004 - Glorious Appearing, the latest novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins will go on sale today. Pre-publication sales are greater than 2 million. The previous 11 novels in the "Left Behind" series sold more than 40m copies, making the authors the best selling novelists in the U.S.

Coming in the wake of the success of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, which details Jesus's last 12 hours before crucifixion, the Left Behind series is the latest example of the huge impact religious themes are having on popular culture.

Source:The Guardian (UK)

Religion as mainstream pop culture Bible-based books, films now commercial successes - MSNBC

The Muslim View of Jesus

Mar. 30, 2004 - The Koran says:

O followers of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah; but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.” - [4.171]

But in The Bible wise King Solomon said this 3000 years ago:

"Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fist? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or WHAT IS HIS SON'S NAME? Surely you know." (Proverbs 30:4)

Source:Hal Lindsey Oracle (Story no longer online)

Ministry Will Use New "JESUS" DVD To Reach Every Home In America

Mar. 9, 2004 - The Jesus Video has been transfered to DVD and it is the goal of the producers to mail a free copy to every home in America. Read the news release for details and contact information for getting involved.

Source: Jesus Video Project America

Flawed Geochemistry Used to Condemn James Inscription

Dec. 2003 - Israeli archaeologists have said that the inscription on the recently discovered James ossuary was a forgery. But this technical article from the respected journal (BAR) shows that their conclusions were based on faulty science.

Source:Biblical Archaeology Review (Story no longer onlline)

The Stone Box - CBS (Mar. 27, 2005)

Mel Gibson Is America's Favorite Star

Dec. 18, 2003 - Every year at this time the Harris Poll asks a nationwide cross-section of adults who is their favorite movie star. This year Mel Gibson, who was #2 a year ago and has been in the top four every year since 1994, recaptures the top place, which he also held in 1996.

Source:NewsMax

Pope Loves Mel Gibson's Film

Dec. 17, 2003 - Journalist Peggy Noonan writes that that Pope John Paul II told a close associate that he "found ["The Passion"] very powerful, and approved of it."

Source:NewsMax

Advance Tickets Available Now For "The Passion of The Christ"

Dec. 9, 2003 - News release from passion-movie.com:

IT'S OFFICIAL! You can now buy ADVANCE TICKETS to see Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ". Icon Productions has set up a toll-free ticket hotline for your ordering requests (see below for telephone number). The best way to show your support for the film now is to purchase advance tickets. This sends a clear message to theaters across the world that people really are interested in seeing this film. The more people that buy advance tickets, the more theaters will carry the movie. The more theaters that carry the movie, the more people will get a chance to see it.

Advance tickets are currently only available for the UNITED STATES and CANADA.

Many of you have already told us that advance tickets would make great Christmas gifts! Well now you can get them after all. There also may be discounts for qualifying large group sales.

Please be patient when calling as there will hopefully be an overwhelming response to purchase tickets! You may have to hold for a short time when calling before getting an operator. If you get a busy signal, please try again at a later time.

It's great news -- there are now distributors for the United States and Canada and many theaters have agreed to carry the film! The film will be launched on February 25, 2004 in both the United States and Canada. (Details for other countries hopefully coming soon). Icon Productions has now made available the toll-free telephone hotline open 24 hours/day for advance tickets. Although some theaters have agreed to carry the film, some still have not. If people buy advance tickets and show their support of this movie, it increases the likelihood that more theaters will get on board and carry the film.

Individual tickets and groups tickets can be purchased. In fact, large groups have already been known to order all tickets for an entire theater! If you have a group or congregation that wants to see this film, there may be discounts for qualifying groups. So, tell everyone about this great opportunity to get this important film into even more theaters!

If you live in the United States or Canada and would like to order advance tickets please call:
(888) 227 - 1152
or visit our website for more details:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/tickets.html

We can achieve an amazing impact on the acceptance of this film if we can reach our website goals. We believe that if each qualifying person that receives this email can get a group of at least 5 people to see this film and order advance tickets, it will have a tremendous impact. So, if you were planning to see this film and know others who were too, please consider the purchase of advance tickets. And please pass this email on to everyone you think might be interested. (The film still may not be available in all areas - please visit our website or call the toll-free number for more information).

The toll-free phone number is ONLY for pre-sale questions and advance ticket sales, so please use it responsibly.

Also, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for more information regarding the film:
http://www.passion-movie.com/english/faq.html

Sincerely,
The Team at Passion-Movie.com

Source:passion-movie.com

Also visit the Official movie website:http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com/

Billy Graham screens 'The Passion of Christ'

Nov. 26, 2003 - After watching Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ," Billy Graham endorsed it as faithful to the Bible's teaching. He said:

...we are all responsible for Jesus' death, because we have all sinned... It is our sins that caused His death, not any particular group. No one who views this film's compelling imagery will ever be the same.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Scholars say Jesus box may be genuine

Nov. 25, 2003 - The limestone burial box with the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus," has been called a fake by Israeli experts. However, a panel of authorities, meeting in Atlanta at the annual joint conference of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, said that more study should be done before passing judgment.

Source:CNN

Was Jesus married?

Nov. 6, 2003 - Hal Lindsey comments on the ABC network News special, "Jesus, Mary and DaVinci." This inaccurate presentation sought to build a case that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and even had a child by her. To believe such unfounded theories, one must reject the accuracy of the Gospels. Lindsey shows that even such a legal authority as Simon Greenleaf concludes that the Gospel account is trustworthy. Greenleaf was head of the Harvard Law School for nearly 30 years, and is recognized as the world's greatest authority on legal evidence. He wrote the book, The Testimony of the Four Evangelists.

He evaluated the New Testament and ancient extra-biblical history using his "Laws of Legal Evidence." He concluded that the veracity of the Four Gospels is supported by fuller and better evidence than any other documents from antiquity.

Greenleaf's volumes, called "The Laws of Legal Evidence," are still the standard work on how to evaluate evidence in the courtroom.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Breaking The Da Vinci Code - Christianity Today

Jesus actor struck by lightning

Oct. 24, 2003 - Actor Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ, was struck by lightning twice (!) while they were filming in a remote location a few hours from Rome. The the film's assistant director Jan Michelini was also struck. Neither man was hurt badly.

Source:BBC

Gibson signs distribution deal
'The Passion' set for Ash Wednesday release

Oct. 23, 2003 - Newmarket will handle U.S. distribution for Mel Gibson's movie about the death of Jesus. The official name of the film is "The Passion of Christ."

Gibson sources told WorldNetDaily Icon is planning a release timed with Ash Wednesday, which next year falls on Feb. 25. Earlier reports had Gibson considering a release tied to Easter, which falls on April 11.

Source:WorldNetDaily

WND coverage of the movie

News about the movie

The Gospel of John - Coming to a theater near you!

September, 2003

Top Ten New Testament Archaeological Finds of the Past 150 Years

Sept 23, 2003 - Ben Witherington III explains that shrouds, boats, inscriptions, and other artifacts better help us understand the Christ of the Ages.

Source:Christian

'I Saw the Passion'

June 26, 2003 - Barbara Nicolosi was present at a private screening of Mel Gibson's unfinished film "The Passion." She says the film is faithful to the Gospel and is not anti-Semetic.

The Passion is a stunning work of art. It is a devout, act of worship from Mel and his collaborators - in the way that Handel's Messiah and Notre Dame were artistic acts of worship in previous times.

In the film, Satan is super creepy, and is a woman.

Source:Lewrockwell.com

Is James' Ossuary The Real Thing?

April 18, 2003 - According to documentary filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici, the recently discovered limestone box with the inscription, "James-the son of Joseph the brother of Jesus," is most likely authentic, making it the first archeological proof of the existence of Jesus.

Source:CBN (Story no longer onlline)

Discovery Channel Documentary: James: Brother of Jesus (Story no longer onlline)

A very violent 'passion'

Feb. 1, 2003 - Mel Gibson, the third most powerful person in Hollywood, is working on such a realistic film about the death of Christ that it will only contain conversation in the actual language spoken by Christ, Aramaic. Critics laugh at the project, but Gibson is totally committed to the project. Hopefully it will be released by Easter of 2004.

Source:NY Daily News (Story no longer onlline)

Mel Gibson under attack for Jesus film?

Jan. 15, 2003 - Mel Gibson's latest film is about the suffering and death of Christ. He believes that is the reason a reputable reporter from an unnamed publication has been dispatched to "dig up dirt" on him. He says the investigation has obtained information from his friends, family, and business associates. He doesn't like it, but says he has already forgiven them, presumably like Jesus would do. He said:

"He died for all mankind. He (Jesus) suffered for all of us. It's time to get back to that basic message. The world has gone nuts. We could all use a little more love, faith, hope and forgiveness."

Source:WorldNetDaily

What would Jesus drive?

Nov. 22, 2002 - A new anti-Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) campaign tries to enlist Christian support by asking, "What would Jesus drive?"

Source:Reason.com

Pair of unlikely magazines have a friend in Jesus

Nov. 16, 2002 - "Religion sells," but isn't it surprising that Wired Magazine and Popular Mechanics have December covers featuring Jesus?

Source:Raiders News (Story no longer on line)

Scholar Touts Oldest Link to Jesus

Oct. 22, 2002 - A burial box, dated by archaeologists at A.D. 63, has recently been discovered in Israel. It may be the oldest archaeological link to Jesus Christ. It's inscription, in the Aramaic language, is "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus."

Andre Lemaire, a specialist in ancient inscriptions at France's Practical School of Higher Studies, has published his findings in the November/December issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.

Source:Washington Post (Story no longer on line)

Star of Wonder

Dec. 24, 2001 - Astronomer John Mosley and historian Ernest Martin have given a most-likely scenario of conjunctions leading up to the birth of Christ. These unusual events would alert Magi who were aware of the Hebrew prophecies about the coming of Messiah.

Source:CBN

See Griffith Park Observatory's program -MSNBC.

What if Christmas never came?

Dec. 21, 2001 - This article by Dr. D. James Kennedy, pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, explores the incredible difference the life of Jesus Christ has made in human history. Like the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life," we have a chance to see what the world would be like without Christ. A made-for-TV movie has been produced by Kennedy's ministry on the same theme. The drama, called "Scrooge and Marley," will be aired this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Faith: Historians say Resurrection a reality

Apr. 11, 2001 - Acording to UWE Seimon-Netto, UPI Religion correspondent, many modern historians, applying their approved methods to reconstructing history, are concluding that the evidence for the resurrection is very credible, and that if it were not true, the disciples would never have gone ahead with their evangelism.

In fact, The late Pinchas Lapide, a Jewish New Testament scholar, said:

"This band of disciples was beaten and weary. Yet almost overnight it transformed itself into a victorious faith movement," he wrote.

"If this had occurred simply on the basis of auto-suggestion and self-deceit, it would have been a much greater miracle than the Resurrection itself."

The Crucifixion is confirmed by at least one undeniable secular source, the Roman historian Tacitus (55-120 A.D.). He wrote that the "founder of this sect (the Christians) was executed during the reign of (emperor) Tiberius by the Governor Pontius Pilate" (Tacitus, annals XV).

Luke and Paul wrote their letters at a time that their claims could be easily tested, and there is no historical reason to believe that their evidence was disproved by their contemporaries.

The article ends with the conclusion of one historian, William Lane Craig, "The resurrection of Jesus is the best explanation for the origin of the Christian faith."

Source: Virtual New York - UPS (Story no longer on line)

Is He Risen?

Apr. 11, 2001 - Hal Lindsey's article explores the proof of Jesus' Resurrection using Simon Greenleaf's standard known as "The Laws Of Legal Evidence." Greenleaf was the head of the Harvard Law School for some 30 years.

After a thorough study, Greenleaf concluded that Jesus' resurrection was supported by better and fuller evidence than any other event of antiquity. He wrote a book on his investigation called "The Testimony of The Four Evangelists," which is still available in most University legal libraries.

Source: WorldNetDaily

Jerusalem As Jesus Saw It

Apr. 9, 2001 -

Source: Time

Christ was wrongly convicted, rules Spanish judge

Apr. 5, 2001 - In Spain, Judge Raul Calderon has published an essay to show that Jesus' trials were not properly conducted. He said:

"The procedure in the case against Jesus was replete with legal irregularities, and the death sentence of crucifixion ordered by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate was unjust. According to the law of the first years of the 1st century, Jesus Christ should have been absolved."

Source: Electronic Telegraph (Story no longer on line)

BBC unveils hi-tech Jesus

Mar. 28, 2001 - The BBC will offer a new documentary about the life of Christ, starting April 1. The highlight of the series will be a computer-generated image of Jesus.

Source:BBC

Warning: This series may be carefully crafted to make viewers think the producers have a open mind and desire to find the truth about Christ, but it will most likely be designed to cast doubt on the Biblical account of Our Savior. Media sources, including our country's Time/Life empire, consistently use the Easter season to promote the skeptical intellectuals' "search for the historical Jesus." This type of program usually provides excuses for people who don't really want to believe in the Jesus of the Bible.

Who Is The Real Jesus?
Sky Angel to carry live debate featuring a comparative analysis of the Jesus of the Koran and the Jesus of the Bible

Oct. 18, 2000 - Sky Angel's Angel One (Channel 9701) Thursday, October 19, 7 to 10 p.m. ET.

The debate, taking place at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is one of many religious-based discussions sponsored by the Faith & Science Lecture Forum (FSLF), a small group of Christian professors who believe that the gospel is a viable world-view and can compete in the marketplace of ideas on America's university campuses. Who Is The Real Jesus will be airing via satellite on the campuses of some 50 large secular and Christian colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Sky Angel is the only national television outlet airing this live intellectual meeting of the minds, the second FSLF-sponsored debate to air on Sky Angel. These discussions have historically been fed live to colleges and universities across the nation via C-Band satellite, but last year for the first time a FSLF forum entitled Is There Meaning in Evil and Suffering? featuring Dr. Ravi Zacharias was made available for home viewership via the Sky Angel satellite system.

The purpose for the upcoming debate is to illustrate that the Jesus of the Koran and the Jesus of the Bible are completely different individuals, said Dr. Jim Tumlin, founder and president of FSLF. Tumlin also hopes the debate will help to expand the knowledge of Christians and bolster the validity of their faith. "It's imperative that Christians regain the intellectual forefront in discussions within the cultural arena," said Tumlin. "Within the last 50 to 75 years, Christians have abandoned Christian intellectualism and refuse to engage in discussion of faith matters. When we abandon that position, we allow for the promulgation of world-views that are contrary to the gospel."

The debate will be moderated by Peggy Wehmeyer, ABC News Religion Correspondent. Representing the Christian viewpoint will be Jay Smith. Representing the Muslim viewpoint will be Shabbir Ally. Smith is a doctoral candidate in Islamic studies at London Bible College and Oxford University in England. An American whose parents were missionaries to India, Smith is considered the preeminent Christian debater in Islam. Ally is a former student of Jamal Badawi, professor of economics at St. Mary's University in Nova Scotia, Canada, who is considered the preeminent Muslim debater dealing in Christianity. Like Badawi, Ally is also an accomplished and experienced debater for Islam.

Source: Sky Angel (Story no longer online)

Jay Smith papers online

Scientists: Relic authenticates Shroud of Turin

Oct. 4, 2000 - While all other evidence points to the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin as the burial cloth of Christ, Carbon 14 dating has assigned it to the 13th Century. However, in Oviedo, Spain, recent extensive tests on another cloth, the Sudarium, or face cloth, gives further credibility to the Shroud of Turin. The location of The Sudarium has been known since at least the 6th Century. Recent scientific tests show that this cloth came from the same body as the Shroud of Turin. If this is true, the Carbon 14 dating is wrong.

Source:WorldNetDaily - By Mary Jo Anderson (Story no longer on line)

The Jesus Mysteries' opens a controversial can of worms

Sept. 22, 2000 - The latest offering in the so-called "Search for the historical Jesus," is the book, "The Jesus Mysteries." The authors, Timothy Freke, Peter Gandy suggests that Jesus the man did not exist at all. They imagine that he was a variation on the mythological Osiris/Dionysus god-man theme. They claim that their view of Christianity strengthens their faith in themselves and makes it possible for Christians to unite with other religions.

Source: Prophezine/ from CNN (Story no longer online)

Beware! Anti-Christian Jesus Seminar is Behind ABC's "Search for Jesus"

June 23, 2000 - A special report from Peter Jennings called the "Search For Jesus" won't be a Biblical approach. It will draw from the "scholarship" of the "Jesus Seminar" whose liberal membership doesn't believe the Bible is God's Word, and thinks that only 18% of Christ's words in the Bible were really said by Him.

Source: Dr. Ted Baehr Chairman, Christian Film and Television Commission - CBN (Story no longer online)

Fonda becomes born-again Christian

Jan. 6, 1999 - Joseph Farah reports that part of the reason for the separation of Jane Fonda and Ted Turner (they both say they are still committed to the long-term success of the marriage), is that she has become a born-again Christian. The faithful witness of her chauffeur gradually awakened an interest in Christ, and she went to church where she is now involved in Bible study.

The idea of radical political activist Jane Fonda embracing Christianity is sure to create a stir. Fonda has been a high-profile political target because of her open support in the 1970s of Communist North Vietnam. She has been an outspoken supporter of abortion on demand, and Turner once attacked Christianity as a "religion for losers."

At a recent environmental conference she refused to meditate, and suggested that the participants would be well-advised instead to "pray to Jesus Christ."

Source: WorldNetDaily (Story no longer on line)

Top Ten Religious Events of the Millennium

Jan, 2000 - A list from religion writers ranks them in this order:

1- Protestant Reformation

2- Gutenberg's press

3- Great Schism of 1054 between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christendom

4- The Nazi Holocaust and the founding of Israel

5- The Crusades to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims (begun in 1095)

6- Islam's expansion in the 12th to 15th centuries

7- Second Vatican Council's reforms (1962-1965)

8- America's religious liberty and Bill of Rights

9- Challenges to religion by Nineteenth century thinkers (Darwin, Freud, Marx, Nietzsche)

10- Pentecostalism becomes ``the fastest growing segment of Christianity'' in the 20th Century

Source: Beliefnet (Story no longer on line)

George W. Bush talks about accepting Christ

Dec. 14,1999 - Front-runner Adopts More Aggressive Tactics

During a televised national debate among Republican presidential candidates, Bush said that Christ was the most influential thinker in his life. Then he added:

“Because he changed my heart,” Bush said, deflecting a follow up question to elaborate for people who might want more detail on what he meant. “Well, if they don’t know, it’s going to be hard to explain … when you accept Christ as your savior, it changes your heart, it changes your life.”

Source:ABC News (Story no longer online)

The Followers of Jesus

After 2000 years, what good have they done?

Nov. 29, 1999 - By Martin E. Marty

From a handfull of followers to its present status, Christianity is the world's largest religion (with 2.2 billion - 33% of the Earth's population). Amid much good that has come from the Christian system, there are also dark chapters, such as the Crusades.

As they look at the portrait and the mirror, the ideal and the reality, one suspects that the honest realists among them will say that for all the enormous flaws in the record, the Christian venture has produced great human good and innumerable positive contributions to culture.

Source:MSNBC News (Story no longer on line)

Jesus at 2000

Nov. 28th, 1999 - TIME Cover Story: Jesus of Nazareth- An Untold Story

Reynolds Price Calls Jesus 'The Single Most Powerful Figure' in All of Human History ---

But Price concludes Jesus' followers have contributed 'heavily to the evils of national and religious warfare, institutional and individual hatred' ---

Source: TIME

Top 10 Religion Stories Of The Millennium

Oct. 1, 1999 - "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" has compiled a list of what they think are the top religion stories of the past 1000 years. They include The Great Schism (Catholic and Orthodox Branches), The Crusades, The Spread of Islam, The Guttenberg Bible, Church support of art, music and intellectual life, Luther's 95 Theses, Missionary movements, Religious Liberty (Puritans), Challenges to religious ideas in the 19th century (Darwin, Frued, Marx), and The Holocaust. Source: Maranatha Christian Journal (Story no longer on line)

Leading Artist Says His Art Grows From His Faith

Sept. 10, 1999 - Thomas Kinkade, "The Painter of Light," is America's most collected living artist. He credits his light-infused, inspiring art to his relationship with Christ.

Kinkade is a devout Christian who lives in rural Northern California, close to San Jose, and he credits the Lord for both the ability and the inspiration to create his paintings. In a recent interview with British journalist Dan Wooding, Kinkade said his goal is to touch all people, to bring peace and joy into their lives through the images he creates. He sees his art as a ministry tool to share Jesus Christ with the masses.

Source: Maranatha Christian Journal (Story no longer on line)

See: Thomas Kinkade Gallery

'Jesus' Film Translated Into 500th Language

May 14, 1999 - The 500th language version of the film is Karamojong (Uganda), and more than 200 additional translations are in progress. At least 2.06 billion people worldwide have viewed the feature-length film based on the Gospel of Luke, and more than 73 million people have made public declarations of faith in Christ after seeing the film. It is the most translated film in history.

More than 800 mission agencies have formed partnerships with the "Jesus" film project, which is an arm of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Source: Maranatha Journal (Story no longer on line)

Do you believe in God?

April 26, 1999 - Joseph Farah, Editor of WorldNetDaily comments on the faith of 17-year-old Cassie Bernall, who was willing to die for her faith in Christ. He wonders whether or not this will be a sufficient wake-up call for America, and reminds us that Jesus Christ is the only solution to our problems. He advises us to accept Christ and to be ready for His return!

Source: WorldNetDaily (Story no longer on line)

Logging On to the Gospel: A Look at Religion and the Web

Nov. 25, 1998 - CBN reports on the proliferation of Christian Web Sites, and evangelistic opportunities on the Internet. There are more than 10,000 Christian sites. One example:

Campus Crusade for Christ tells us that more than 17,000 people viewed all or part of the Jesus film on their internet site in the month of August alone. And as many as eight people a day say they've accepted Christ as their Savior after visiting the site entitled "Who is Jesus?"

Promise Keepers

Climaxing a summer of 19 stadium events all over the country, men came from every part of the nation to the "Stand In The Gap" event on October 4, 1997 at the Mall in Washington D.C. It was the largest gathering of Christian men in history!