Features
Growing a Church with love Rose Sims shares her vision for a thriving congregation
The real Mary Magdelene?Jen Waters examines the trugh begind the myth of this famous biblical character
Dealing with the Da Vinci codeCollin Hansen critiques some of the fictional assumptions of this New York Times Bestseller
Good News at General ConferenceScott N. Field identifies the purpose of our legislative efforts
A time to prayJan Woodard explores the prayer plans for General Conference 2004
The power of the laityDiane Knippers challenges the men and women in the pews to take their proper place in church life
Lord of the Rings:
The Return of the KingSteve Beard reviews this magisterial epic movie
COLUMNS
Editorial
Are we serious about missions?
RENEW Women's Network Claims & counterclaims
The Next Generation Postmodernism: Is truth stranger than it used to be?
The Great Commission Great Commission believers
From the Heart The bride wore combat boots
DEPARTMENTS
Letters
NewsInstitute trains international Methodist leaders
Bible study transforms church
UM bishops visit leaders on Capitol HIll
Not your typical ministry, but The Cell is reaching GenX
Film FocusBig Fish, Holes, U2 Go Home,
The Gospel of John, X2
Those who have been working tirelessly to undermine the release of Mel Gibson's biblical epic, The Passion of Christ, were dealt a major blow when Billy Graham gave the film an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "I have often wondered what it must have been like to be a bystander during those last hours before Jesus' death," he said. "After watching The Passion of the Christ, I feel as if I have actually been there. I was moved to tears. I doubt if there has ever been a more graphic and moving presentation of Jesus' death and resurrection-which Christians believe are the most important events in human history."
We join Mr. Graham in endorsing this unbelievably moving portrait of the final hours before Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Good News was invited to a screening of The Passion of Christ at Mel Gibson's offices and were given the opportunity to dialogue with him regarding his reasons for making the movie. As he told us, "This is my mediation to God. I want him to know where I stand." The veteran movie star spent a reported $30 million to produce the film. The movie's dialogue is in Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic with English subtitles.
While we are well aware of the anti-Semitic charges leveled against the movie from Jewish and liberal Christian organizations, we find the charges unfair and baseless. As Martin Luther used to point out, "We all carry the nails around in our pockets"-pointing out the universality of guilt. The film makes it clear that there were righteous and unrighteous Jewish and Roman leaders who played a part in the drama unfolded around the crucifixion of Jesus.
To the Christian, the death and resurrection of Jesus is good news-not only that, it is great news. It is our avenue of grace and justification.
"The film is faithful to the Bible's teaching that we are all responsible for Jesus' death, because we all have sinned," said Graham, the 85-year-old evangelist. "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."
Make no mistake about it, it is not easy to watch. It is gruesome, bloody, violent, -and holy. It is a breathtaking performance that has left audiences speechless. The Passion of Christ is set to open in theaters on Ash Wednesday, February 25-which is the beginning of the Lent, a time when we soberly reflect on Christ's sacrifice, before celebrating his resurrection on Easter Sunday morning.
By Steve Beard, editor of Good News.
Surfer girl holds firm to faith
Bethany Hamilton, a 13-year-old surfer from Hawaii, captured our hearts when it was reported that a 14-foot tiger shark had bitten off her arm on October 31. According to friends and family, the first words she spoke after surgery was that she believed her tragedy would make her a more effective voice for Jesus Christ.
"I think she's always had a heart for God," said Kahu Stephen Thompson, her pastor at North Shore Christian Church. "I have the feeling that the experience she's gone through has brought this out even more. She had that faith and that hope all along, but it seems to have increased," he told The Honolulu Advertiser.
According to hospital officials, as soon as Hamilton was able to walk the halls of the hospital, she was offering support and hope to other patients.
In an interview with ABC News, Hamilton talked about going through the ordeal. "I think I figured out that, like if I panicked, then things wouldn't go as good as if I was calm," she said. "I was praying to God to rescue me and help me. And then, I had this one pretty funny thought, I think. I was thinking, I wonder if I'm going to lose my sponsor."
Why would a 13-year-old girl have to worry about a sponsor? "She was a shoo-in to become a pro," says Jack Shipley, head judge of the Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association. "There are only a few kids every year who you can say are guarantees. She's one of them."
Adjusting to her new body image will be a major hurdle for the young surfing prodigy. But her grace under pressure and steely resolve have been a potent witness to everyone around her. "If I was like a person that just quit surfing after this, I wouldn't be a real surfer," she told the Associated Press. "I'm definitely going to get back in the water."
Cash Unearthed
Since the September 12 death of country music legend Johnny Cash, there has been a host of books and repackaged albums of his greatest hits. Perhaps the most powerful testimony to his legacy, however, is the new five-disc collection entitled Unearthed (American Recordings/Lost Highway). The box set includes four albums of previously unreleased recordings under the titles "Who's Gonna Cry," "Trouble In Mind," "Redemption Songs," and "My Mother's Hymn Book." The fifth album is a greatest hits collection from his American Recordings days (1993-2003). The box set also includes a fascinating 100-page hardbound booklet with interviews, commentary, and photos.
The entire collection is loaded with spiritual and gospel songs-his heartfelt passion. On "My Mother's Hymn Book" he sings old standards such as "I Shall Not Be Moved," "Do Lord," "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder," "In the Garden," and "I'll Fly Away."
According to producer Rick Rubin, there are still 40-50 unreleased songs that he is working on to release as yet another album. That final album will most likely include Larry Gatlin's "Help Me."
Recorded by Cash just a few months before his death, he sings, "Lord help me walk another mile, just one more mile/ I'm tired of walkin' all alone/ Lord help me smile another smile, just one more smile/ I know I can't make it on my own/ I never thought I needed help before/ I thought that I could do things myself. Now I know I just can't take it any more/ With a humble heart, on bended knee/ I'm beggin' you, please, for help."
Click here to send your response plus the title of this article to us at Good News.
Click here to send your response plus the title of this article to us at Good News.