Astronomers pinpoint Crucifixion time_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

Astronomers pinpoint Crucifixion time

LONDON (RNS)–Two Romanian astronomers claim to have pinpointed the exact time and date of the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Internet news service Ananova has reported.

According to Liviu Mircea and Tiberiu Oproiu of the Astronomic Observatory Institute in Cluj, Romania, Jesus died at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 33 A.D.

According to their reading of the New Testament data, Jesus was crucified on the day after the first night with a full moon after the vernal equinox. If the Crucifixion took place some time between the years 26 and 35, this could mean either Friday, April 7, 30, or Friday, April 3, 33. But it was only in the latter year that records show a solar eclipse as having occurred in Jerusalem, matching what it recorded in Mark 15:33–“And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

Is ‘The Da Vinci Code’ as accurate as it claims?_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

Is 'The Da Vinci Code' as accurate as it claims?

By Nancy Haught

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)–What's the secret to “The Da Vinci Code,” the novel by Dan Brown that's been smiling down from fiction best-seller lists since it debuted in April?

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

Dead Sea Scroll exhibit coming to Dallas next month_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

Dead Sea Scroll exhibit
coming to Dallas next month

By Samuel Smith

Southwestern Seminary

FORT WORTH (BP)–Place the solid black fragment of lamb's skin under an infrared light, and the words revealed in 2,200-year-old Hebrew script are astounding.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

DOWN HOME: To recycle or not, that’s a question_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

DOWN HOME:
To recycle or not, that's a question

Here's a question–straight from the home of teenagers–I've never seen Miss Manners tackle:

Is it OK to “recycle” toilet paper thrown into the trees on your front lawn?

This subject came up at our house recently, when some friends of Molly, our 16-year-old, TP'd our yard.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

Government and clergy promote drug education_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

Government and clergy promote drug education

WASHINGTON (RNS)–Bush administration officials and clergy from a variety of faiths have announced a new partnership to encourage houses of worship to be more involved in preventing substance abuse among youth.

“The best thing in the world is to have more of them not start” using drugs, said John Walters, the White House drug czar. “This is a very important step because of the influence of faith in many young people's lives.”

Walters' Office of National Drug Control Policy has produced several new resources, including a prevention guide for youth leaders in faith communities called “Pathways to Prevention: Guiding Youth to Wise Decisions,” and a smaller brochure offering suggestions for how faith leaders can prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

Bluegrass colors a world of musical joy for Bowie family_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

Bluegrass colors a world
of musical joy for Bowie family

By Jo Gray

Special to the Standard

BOWIE–Bluegrass weaves a thread of love through the Duffin family of Bowie.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Speak biblically, clearly, lovingly about homosexuality_81103

Posted: 8/8/03

EDITORIAL:
Speak biblically, clearly, lovingly about homosexuality

Homosexuality has leaped out of the closet and landed in America's living rooms.

This summer, significant issues revolving around homosexuality have grabbed headlines in national media. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Texas' sodomy law unconstitutional, President Bush affirmed legal restriction against homosexual marriage and the Episcopal Church confirmed the election of its first openly gay bishop.

Many Americans–especially traditional Christians–find discussion of homosexuality embarrassing. It's like when parents talk about sex and their children want to put their fingers in their ears and chant, “Too much information; too much information …” until somebody changes the subject. But nobody's going to change this subject; not this time. Homosexuality is a fact of life in America, whether it's the orientation of the newest Episcopal bishop, the subject of constitutional amendments or a theme of seemingly every-other TV program.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

CYBERCOLUMN: The Gospel According to Seabiscuit_younger_81103

Posted 8/8/03

CYBERCOLUMN:
The Gospel According to Seabiscuit

By Brett Younger

The Gospel According to Seabiscuit is playing to enthusiastic crowds. Laura Hillenbrand’s bestseller, "Seabiscuit: An American Legend," has my parents’ seal of approval—a seldom-awarded honor for a book given to them by their son.

The story features an unlikely cast of damaged and forgotten Depression-era castoffs. When he was born, Seabiscuit was described as a "runty little thing." The horse’s forelegs wouldn't straighten all the way. He spent two years floundering in the lowest ranks of horseracing. Seabiscuit lost 16 races in a row. The most respected trainer of the day beat Seabiscuit hard to cure him of "laziness." Dismissed as worthless, the horse was sold for a pittance.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

ANOTHER VIEW: Some talk of God’s glory can make God too small _olsen_82503

Posted: 8/22/03

ANOTHER VIEW:
Some talk of God's glory can make God too small

By Roger Olson

In the 1970s, a popular Christian book asked, “Is Your God Too Small?” Author Paul Little gently ridiculed the all-too-tiny gods of many American Christians, including the bell-hop god who jumps to answer every whim of praying people.

The main thrust of Little's book was that too many North American Christians have forgotten the sovereignty and majesty of the God of the Bible. That was a needed corrective to popular folk religion in an age when many people were calling God our “good buddy in the sky” (borrowing on citizens' band radio lingo) and falling for all kinds of theologies that trivialized God.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

Conroe church looks to Bible to plan how its garden grows_82503

Posted: 8/22/03

Conroe church looks to Bible
to plan how its garden grows

By George Henson

Staff Writer

CONROE–Sunday School classes at First Baptist Church in Conroe now can learn sitting at the feet of Jesus.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

DOWN HOME: Off to school … for the 2nd time _82503

Posted: 8/22/03

DOWN HOME:
Off to school … for the 2nd time

Some chores are easier the second time you have to do them.

Like taking your kiddo back to school: Joanna and I recently redeposited our oldest daughter, Lindsay, on the welcoming campus of our alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

Last year, when we loaded her Papa's truck and moved her into the freshman girls' dorm, we cried a river of tears. This year, it was more like a bathtub of tears. OK, maybe a small swimming pool.

10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge

EDITORIAL: Budgets reflect low priority of cooperative missions_82503

Posted: 8/22/03

EDITORIAL:
Budgets reflect low priority of cooperative missions

Budgets make the best barometers of priorities. Unfortunately, a study of Baptist budgets from the past 15 years reveals a decline that has produced a missions-and-ministry drought.