Contents
May/June2005
FEATURES
The life and faith of Jackie Robinson George Mitrovich chronicles the courageous faith of a pioneer.
The tranformative power of forgivenessJohn Gordon tells the story of a father who forgave the killer of his son.
Frogs, lizards, and the mission of ChristStephen Seamands encourages the church to evangelize.
Speaking truth to the modern worldPaul Stallsworth remembers the towering strength of Pope John Paul II.
Pope embodied courage and love Linda Bloom reports on United Methodist reactions to Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II and Evangelicals Michael Cromartie interviews George Weigel, the pope's official biographer.
African churches model evangelism and growth Lesley Crosson reports on the vibrancy of African Christianity.
COLUMNS
EditorialThe cure for what ails us
Renew Women’s NetworkResponding to Jan Love's letter to RENEW
The Great CommissionWhen "Christian" does not translate
From the HeartQuestions
DEPARTMENTS
News UM theologians stress need for doctrine
“Joan of Arcadia” helps families discuss touchy topics
Bishop Earl G. Hunt Jr., church "giant," dies at age 86
Film Focus: Kingdom of Heaven
Hotel Rwanda
A new six-week study guide from United Methodist Communications explores the biblical themes running through J.R.R. Tolkien's epic, The Lord of the Rings, and Peter Jackson's award-winning films of the books.
The study guide was developed by UMC.org, the denomination's official web site.
From Frodo's lush beloved Shire to the terrifying land of Mordor, The Lord of the Rings takes the viewer on a spiritual adventure of good versus evil. The study guide examines the themes and characters of the complex trilogy and relates them to the Christian tradition.
"One of the challenges Christians face is how to talk about faith in a language that makes it understandable to persons who don't know the words of faith today," says the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive with UM Communications. "When it is possible to use popular culture to point to values that complement the teachings of faith, we should do so. When popular culture conveys values contrary to the values of faith, we should, likewise, point out our different perspective."
The Lord of the Rings: Exploring a Holy Trilogy study includes a printable leader's guide, student guide, and participant handouts. The CD is $29.95. In addition, the study can be purchased in a package bundle with public performance licensing for $169.95; the license alone is $150. The license permits groups to view The Lord of the Rings DVDs and use them in public presentations, as long as admission is not charged.
"The Lord of the Rings trilogy is so much more than just another blockbuster movie," says Lynne DeMichele, writer of the guide and a former communicator with the denomination's Indiana Area. "I think it is a masterpiece, and it has so much to teach us.It is such a powerful way to reach people who haven't heard or listened to the message of Christ."
DeMichele notes that Tolkien was a "very public Christian" who made no secret that he purposely infused his stories with spiritual content.
The six-week series explores each of the three movies-The Fellowship of
the Rings, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King-in two lessons.
"In every character, in every being, if there is a spark of humanity, there is always a possibility for redemption, and we see that time and again in The Lord of the Rings trilogy."
DeMichele adds, "I hope that people will use the study to provide a new way of getting at timeless Christian truths expressed through a myth in the same way they are expressed through the great stories of the Bible."
The guide can be ordered
online at www.umc.org or through EcuFilm (888) 346-3862.
Kathy L. Gilbert is a UM News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Editor's note: If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, we also highly recommend the twin volumes Walking with Frodo and Walking with Bilbo (Thirsty Books)-devotionals written by Sarah Arthur.
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Florida United Methodist Bishop Timothy Whitaker spoke more forthrightly in defense of traditional Christian teachings regarding human life. "A fundamental moral principle consistent with faith in God revealed in Jesus Christ is to always care rather than to kill."
Whitaker observed that "there are many disabled persons who live by means of a feeding tube," and that Mrs. Schiavo was more accurately described as "severely disabled" rather than terminally ill. Placing too much value on mental consciousness to define life's value would imply a "spiritualistic view" of humans and would threaten the lives of the mentally incompetent, Whitaker warned, and would go against Christian and Jewish beliefs about the importance of the body.
Likewise, Whitaker urged not viewing life as making moral claims by itself, when it is rather God's "purposes for human beings that make the ultimate moral claims upon us." He said opposition to abortion should not be based upon a "right to life" but upon God's call to "care for the most vulnerable."
A person who is in a "persistent vegetative state" is not a vegetable to her loved ones, Whitaker observed. The love that Mrs. Schiavo's parents and siblings showed her was of "immense value" and no expert could judge the effect of that love upon even the severely disabled woman, he said. For Christians, this kind of love is a witness to God's love in Jesus Christ.
"Moral reflection should include consideration of the value of the love of caregivers as well as the condition of the one receiving care," Whitaker wrote. "I believe it would be better to let her live because she is the beneficiary of abundant love." He questioned the wisdom of a law that would allow a spouse, especially one "compromised by conflict of interest" like Mr. Schiavo, to be the sole witness to her intentions, without considering the moral claims of other family members.
Whitaker criticized the "individualistic perspective" that believes a person may decide for himself whether or not to live or die, without considering the ability of others to love and care. Such "absolute individual autonomy" could lead to physician-assisted suicide and active euthanasia," he worried. Christians should introduce "communitarian values" into society that guard against extreme self-determination.
"The church's mission is not to be the chaplain to a culture of death," Whitaker concluded, "But to be a witness to the love of God in the world."
By Mark Tooley, executive director of UMAction.
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Ed Robb III, chairman of A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE), and Paul Ervin, executive director of The Foundation for Evangelism (FFE) of Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, have issued a joint statement announcing the creation of the Harry Denman Fellowship program. The Denman Fellowship will be a four-year scholarship to support students who are interested in preaching in evangelism.
This collaborative effort between AFTE and FFE grew out of the organizations' similar objectives and the success of AFTE's John Wesley Fellowship program. For 27 years AFTE has been providing fellowship grants to gifted United Methodist scholars who are pursuing doctoral degrees at the finest universities. There are currently 102 John Wesley Fellows, many of whom teach in distinguished colleges and seminaries.
The funding for the Denman Fellowships will come from The Foundation for Evangelism, a United Methodist affiliated organization that already funds endowed chairs in evangelism at United Methodist seminaries. "We are excited about this partnership that enables us to help raise up leaders who will serve the Church in the decades ahead," said Paul Ervin. "The proven success of the John Wesley Fellows and the ongoing network of collaboration of the Fellows make this a natural partnership."
The Denman Fellowship is named in honor of the late Harry Denman, a United Methodist layman who headed the former Board of Evangelism.
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