Needle and thread become tools for ministry at First Baptist Church, Plano_22304

Posted: 2/25/04

Needle and thread become tools
for ministry at First Baptist Church, Plano

By George Henson

Staff Writer

PLANO—Needle and thread can be prime tools for ministry, Margaret Shafer believes. And she is teaching women both inside and outside her church to use them.

02/25/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by Randy Bissell: A passionate appeal_22304

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
A passionate appeal

By Randy Bissell

I would like to explain to fellow Christians why I am hesitant about seeing the long-anticipated Mel Gibson-produced movie about Christ’s death, “The Passion of the Christ.”

Please understand that it is not my intention to persuade any other Christian to see or not to see the film. I have no agenda for encouraging a boycott the movie. I am simply asking myself if it is a film that I ought to see. To that end, I have begun questioning what my fellow Christians may be seeking or anticipating from this cinematic experience.

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by Erich Bridges: Envying Mel Gibson_22304

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
Envying Mel Gibson

By Erich Bridges

Evangelical Christians are so excited about “The Passion of the Christ” they’re almost selling popcorn in the vestibule.

They’re definitely screening church-tailored clips of the movie in the sanctuary. My church has shown two promotional trailers. Like many other church groups, our youth and their parents plan to attend the movie and invite non-Christian friends.

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by David Gushee: Passions and ‘The Passion’_22304

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
Passions and "The Passion'

By David Gushee

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” is finally set to hit the theaters.

Passions about “The Passion” are running high. Some Christians consider this the most important movie ever and are planning to bring everyone they know. Others, especially Jewish leaders, consider it a dangerous incitement to anti-Semitism. I want to sift through the passions and provide some guidance to those considering seeing the film.

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by Keith D. Herron: An unethical evangelism_22304

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
An unethical evangelism: one pastor's perspective

By Keith Herron

This is the week “The Passion of the Christ” will be unleashed on the world, and the opening of Mel Gibson’s film on the brutal crucifixion of Christ does not bode well for the church.

Evangelical churches have been buying mind-boggling numbers of tickets and booking whole theaters for weeks now in a feeding frenzy that staggers the mind.

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by Mariane Holbrook: We don’t weep

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
We don't weep enough

By Mariane Holbrook

I’ve never owned, nor would I wear a gold cross. Or one with diamonds or rubies or other precious stones. I submit that all costume jewelry crosses should be made of rough, unfinished wood, with splinters that pierce the flesh and disturb the soul.

I have seen obscenely large gold crosses hanging from the necks of ungodly rock stars and Hollywood celebrities who have no right to wear this precious symbol. I have seen crosses dangling from the ears of brazen, scantily clad dancers and singers who bring shame on the very One who hung on that cross for their sins.

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by Jon Walker: A master storyteller presents a crucified

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
A master storyteller presents a crucified Christ

By Jon Walker

Hollywood is notorious for typecasting, but the truth is we all typecast in some form or another, consciously or unconsciously putting people into little boxes and then insisting they stay there.

And perhaps that is why, when I heard Mel Gibson was making a film about the crucifixion, I immediately formed an image of Mad Max on the Via Dolorosa. My standard joke became, “Danny Glover and Mel Gibson arrive at the end of the movie to rescue Jesus from the Cross.”

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

COMMENTARIES ON ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’ by Dennis R. Wiles: Who killed Jesus?_22304

Posted: 2/24/04

COMMENTARIES ON
'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST':
Who killed Jesus?

By Dennis R. Wiles

Jesus made the cover of Newsweek again. The February 16 edition has a picture of James Caviezel portraying Jesus in the upcoming movie The Passion of the Christ donning its cover. The cover story bears the headline, “Who Really Killed Jesus?”

I read this article by award-winning author Jon Meacham. It is such a biased article that plays loose with the facts that I have to respond to it. This article (and several others) is representative of the anti-Christian perspective that often characterizes the mainstream media. I like Newsweek and have subscribed to it for years—but Meacham’s words have to be countered in this instance.

02/24/2004 - By John Rutledge

It’s a full house at the Walls’_22304

Posted: 2/19/04 Full House Life at the Walls household near Quinlan is a family affair as Larry and Meg (left and center in right photo) have opened their home. The…

02/22/2004 - By John Rutledge

Peace in Israel requires ‘transforming initiative,’ pastor tells Jewish group_22304

Posted: 2/11/04

Peace in Israel requires 'transforming
initiative,' pastor tells Jewish group

By Craig Bird

Special to the Baptist Standard

SAN ANTONIO—Unequivocal support for Israel as "the last, best hope for democracy, justice, righteousness, liberty, dignity, and peace in a war-weary land" doesn't translate into automatic opposition to the legitimate needs and dreams of Palestinians, a Baptist pastor recently told a Jewish congregation.

02/20/2004 - By John Rutledge

Memorial Church marks memorable day with time capsule_22304

Posted: 2/19/04

Memorial Church marks memorable day with time capsule

By George Henson

Staff Writer

BAYTOWN–February fifth Sundays only come around three times a century, and at least one member of Memorial Baptist Church in Baytown believes they should be memorable.

02/20/2004 - By John Rutledge

Students stick to prayer at start of each school day_22304

Posted: 2/11/04

Students stick to prayer at start of each school day

By George Henson

Staff Writer

DALLAS—Some schoolchildren may use daily classroom moments of silence to pray for all "A's." Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas created a cheat sheet to help them do it.

02/20/2004 - By John Rutledge