Wacky Theater Piece Examines Rapture

National Public Radio features many thought-provoking pieces on its Science Friday show, but I was surprised to hear an interview last week with a playwright about her play called End Days.

The play, which closed in New York on Saturday, had a single actor playing physicist Stephen Hawking as a savior to the daughter and as Jesus to Jewish mother who is a converted evangelical Christian. The mother character is also convinced that the Rapture is imminent. To add to the zaniness of the conversation, an Elvis impersonator who lives next door is attracted to the daughter.

Any time the topic of religion is discussed in art, I prick up my ears, though I suspect the writer was more interested in mocking evangelicals than actually considering their perspectives. However, if the play ever comes to Arizona, I would definitely check it out. You can download the podcast by going here.

What Sheep, Moses, Joe Eszterhas Have in Common

This week I learned a lot of things -- all to do with the interpretation and misinterpretation of the Bible and of grace.

First, I learned about sheep. Chuck, the visiting minister, explained how working for a time as a shepherd taught him what the references to sheep actually meant in the Bible. For instance, the passage in Psalm 23 about how "He makes me lie to down in green pastures." What it meant is that the sheep, who graze all day, have to be led to lie down and regurgitate and rechew their cud, or they will continue grazing and the grass won't digest well and nourish them as much otherwise. Leading to still waters has

something of the same meaning (drink water, you fool sheep!), though I think with humans it's more about the tranquility of the stillness.

The passage on sparing the rod and spoiling the child, well, that has to do with sheep, too. The rod is a stick or curved cane, as we picture it, that the shepherd uses to guide the sheep. It is NOT used to beat the sheep. Therefore, the passage is about gently guiding children, instead of leaving them to roam around and get into trouble. Funny how that one got misinterpreted.

Moses, too, was not exactly portrayed properly in the Hollywood version of things in The Ten Commandments. I watched a History Channel program, Battles, BC, that explained how things probably happened in reality when the Pharoah went up against the Jews who were intent on going back to Canaan, the Promised Land of their ancestor Abraham.

First of all, the account explained that Jews were in Egypt initially as a tribe of well-paid mercenaries hired to keep the other savage tribes from attacking or otherwise wreaking havoc on Egypt. Once Egypt had gained enough power not to need the tribe, the Pharoah decided to hire them on as construction contractors for his pyramid projects, to keep them from otherwise causing problems. When the Jews began to outnumber the Egyptians, and when he was informed by a soothsayer that a Jewish child would rise to power, he became worried and decided that something had to be done. After he ordered the massacre of the male babies, things fell apart and the Jews had to be "enslaved" under a militia to keep them from going to battle.

After Moses made his move and got permission to leave with his people, they plundered the homes of the wealthy, taking animals and gold to enable them to resettle elsewhere, and that's when the Pharoah decided to send his army after them. The pilar of fire was a giant bonfire lit by the Jews to be able to watch for the army at night.

The historians describe the parting of the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds) as the tide going out, the wiping out of Pharoah's army was the tide coming in. It all makes sense, even if you ascribe supernatural occurrences to it. How would Moses know when to go? Of course, none of that is as dramatic as the film version.

Now on to Joe Eszterhas, the writer/director of such sex- and violence-filled flicks as Basic Instinct, Flashdance and Showgirls. He wrote in a Washington Post piece about how when he asked God to save him from larynx cancer, he was completely healed in seven years. He wrote a book about his conversion called Crossbearer. What I learned from that is that Eszterhas felt he was saved because God loves him. But more specifically, he was saved because of grace, delivered through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Now Eszterhas, who was able to quit drinking, smoking and drugging with the help of God, and whose throat cancer has completely healed, is an ardent Christian who literally carries a cross in his church in Ohio during services.

The irony is that Eszterhas's conversion is a dramatic story, and it has no sex or violence in it. It's a story of survival and redemption, an age-old story with a modern twist. His fame and fortune can now be used for good, and perhaps his talents will make a difference to other lost souls in the end.

Meaning in Life and Death

This has been a strange day of waiting and praying. My Dad is not expected to live beyond next week, something we've been expecting for a long time. The finality of death never quite hits, though, until it occurs. Then we remember the life and believe that there is more, better, life eternal.

The strange part, aside from the sadness settled in the pit of my stomach, is that my Dad's best friend from childhood, Vernie, is in the hospital with failing lungs and may even precede him in death. My Dad's oldest brother, Roy, is also in the hospital, dying of colon cancer. And so these three men are soon to meet their maker, within days, if not hours of each other.

They've all had the gift of gab and a knack for storytelling, and that is something I will miss. Keep them in your prayers.

Easter's Grace in Ceremony, Fellowship

Easter Sunday was a glorious day, from the beautiful sunrise to the Hallelujah chorus during communion to the late evening witnessing. I experienced the full spectrum of spiritual celebration at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Prescott, at home in the beauty of the mountains and at the chapel for Christ Unlimited.

Coming home from the overflowing church service, I had to stop the car for the crowds of people leaving the Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, where an even larger service had been held specially for Easter. As I watched a girl skip by in her yellow dress, I heard on the radio that the American captain who'd been held hostage in the Gulf of Aden by pirates had been rescued. It was a moment of joy, and I believed that the prayers that had been poured out had been answered.

Later in the day, after walking in the woods and on the country road, we rested and prepared for an evening of worship.

Bud, Betty and their guests Monte and Chuck, also ministers, worshiped with us and sang songs of praise to the strains of Chuck's guitar. After more than three hours of discussions, prayer and blessings, we went home feeling an energy like nothing I've felt before -- awakened. The experience of having four ardent ministers pouring out their faith on one of the holiest celebrations of the year is something I highly recommend.

From the acclamations of a large crowd of people at the formal church to the intimate sharing of the chapel up the hill from our current home, the day began and ended with faith in the Resurrection and a readiness to rededicate ourselves in the days to come.

Passion Play Via Twitter For Good Friday

Trinity Church on Wall Street, the same church that survived 9/11 and served as a sanctuary for many -- also the site of the original film National Treasure -- earned another bit of fame today for being the first church to Tweet a passion play for Good Friday. (Image from Trinity website)

At noon Eastern time today. the church began broadcasting on the Twitter service, which is best viewed in real time, tweet by tweet. For those living under a rock, Twitter is a social networking site that allows people to communicate 140 characters at a time. While it seems they had technical difficulties getting it started, it eventually went over. More than 1,700 people followed it, though some got confused and thought it was over before it was. Here it is as it unfolded thus far:

via @romanguard1: I've got dibs on his robe, but if you guys want to cast lots for the rest of his clothes I'm cool with that.
15 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @Mary_Mother_Of: I saw the water and the blood. I want to scream with him: Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?
15 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @JosephArimathea: is sleepwalking through this. I cut the tomb, bought the linen, hold his body—and he’s gone.
15 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @Pontius_Pilate: They want this done by nightfall. I sent my soldiers to break the dead men’s legs. Are my hands clean of this?
22 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @ServingGirl: Darkness and earthquake. I heard the curtain in the temple was torn in two. I wonder…
22 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @Martu2009: Dios mio yo te amo, con toda mi alma, con todo mi corazon y con toda mi fuerza. Gracias.

via @mrst72443: I am sure I am missing out on something here. I guess I do not understand this TWS thing.....
29 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @Pontius_Pilate: They want this done by nightfall. I sent my soldiers to break the dead men’s legs. Are my hands clean of this?
29 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @ServingGirl: Darkness and earthquake. I heard the curtain in the temple was torn in two. I wonder…
29 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @rphtweet: Thank you! God bless you! That was wonderful!
29 minutes ago from GroupTweet

via @ServingGirl: Darkness and earthquake. I heard the curtain in the temple was torn in two. I wonder…29 minutes ago from GroupTweet

@marymagdalene: DTMFA
about 1 hour ago from web

via @_JesusChrist: Father into thy hands I commit my spirit.
about 1 hour ago from GroupTweet

via @comjudiamurcia: hi from the jewish community in murcia spain
about 1 hour ago from GroupTweet

via @dennis526455: Thieve said: Remember me when you are in Paradise. Jesus said: From this day you will be with me in Paradise. That is ...
about 1 hour ago from GroupTweet

via @Mary_Mother_Of: The light is going from the sky. I am alone here. Give me strength, God of the Universe.
about 1 hour ago from GroupTweet

via @jgderuvo: Guys, stay within the 140 character limit ... it's truncating, ruining the effect!
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @tc226: This man befriends prostitutes, washes the feet of the poor - surely he is not a King but a blasphemer.
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @_JesusChrist: It is as the prophets have written: I tell my tale of misery while they look on and gloat.
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @ServingGirl: This crowd is rough. Talk of his blood on our hands…but if he is really the Messiah God will rescue him.
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @LeAnnThomas: Thank you 4 the follow & 4 this beautiful version of the passion scriptures. Really brings it to life...evokes reflect ...
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @_JesusChrist: Father forgive them, they know not what they do.
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @MattReeve: This is a fantastic way of sharing Christ in a updated way. Love it
about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @Pontius_Pilate: What harm has this man done? Why does the crowd cheer on his murder? I wash my hands of this. They can do what th ...about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @Mary_Mother_Of: I have no peace, though I have talked with angels, and in my bones I know he is Emmanuel. It rips me to hear the cr ...about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @Pontius_Pilate: Bad feeling about this. The prisoner won’t talk. The priests accuse him of blasphemy and sedition, and he just sta ...about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @_Peter_of_: is heartsick. I abandoned him. I denied him. I couldn’t believe it, even as the words came out of my mouth. about 2 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @_JesusChrist: Let the scriptures be fulfilled. It is as the prophets wrote. I am who you say I am. about 3 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @_Peter_of_: is waiting in the courtyard of the High Priest Caiaphas. I ran scared when the officers came but I need to see how thi ...
about 3 hours ago from GroupTweet

via @ServingGirl: is so tired. Caiaphas and the priests have been up all night questioning a man who claims to be the Messiah. And I w ...
about 3 hours ago from GroupTweet

@shonali Twitter's taking a few minutes to post to the group--just waiting on the technology.
about 3 hours ago from web in reply to shonali

via @jazzygator88: Hi there! thanks for the follow..Michelle
about 19 hours ago from GroupTweet

Note: direct messages sent to twspassionplay group will be sent to all group members. Direct questions to lreddy@trinitywallstreet.org
8:58 AM Apr 9th from web

via @LindaHanick: Looking forward to noon on Friday
8:00 PM Apr 8th from GroupTweet

@lucy12187 you can check the stations online at www.trinitywallstreet.org
1:02 PM Apr 7th from web in reply to lucy12187

TV Ministries Morph Into On-Demand Services

As we work on building a multimedia site for Christ Unlimited, I've been delving into what's out there online, and it's been fascinating.

Televangelism may still be around, but the future of media-driven spiritual influence will be video-on-demand (VOD) on the web. It's a way to sample the messages and find something or someone that's appealing. Southern, Northern or British accents -- as well as Spanish -- are finding their way online to reach new audiences and to strengthen old ones.

While some of my friends consider televangelism a turn-off, primarily because of the preponderance of hard-sell/fire and brimstone ministers they've seen in the past -- and the fraudulent track record of hucksters like Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker -- this will be an entirely different way of experiencing the message for people who aren't part of a church, but who are seeking spiritual connection.

I've mentioned God.TV before, but recently I checked out Joel Osteen's site, which is something of a full-service experience with VOD, daily devotional emails and podcasts. In addition, HisChannel.com, which aggregates live church TV shows on the West Coast, has VOD offerings which include everything from bestselling author/minister Joyce Meyer to a college of theology's lessons to the not-so-late, and definitely not-so-great Hal Lindsey prophecy report.

You can even watch the Jesus Film, which has been around since I was in college to convert students. I watched a few minutes, and I think they updated the graphics since I first experienced it. It's still powerful, after all these years. Check it out.

Palm Sunday: All Wrong, But It's All Right

The Palm Sunday church service yesterday proceeded like a play that's gone all wrong, with characters missing their cues, lines being flubbed and awkward silences.

The service began well enough with a blessing and procession into the church as people received strips of palm to commemorate the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem and how the people hailed him. Like a well-written screenplay, it's the second act where Jesus is the hero, but then disaster strikes as he shakes up the establishment. (At the beginning of the third act, his apostle, Judas, betrays him and he is crucified. As is any good script, when it looks like all hope is lost and Jesus dies, he is resurrected in the next scene three days later.)

Anyway, once the procession ended, the youth were to read the lines of how the apostles turned away as Jesus was being tried. They mispronounced a slew of words. It was embarrassing. Adults turned and looked at each other. It was like having your own children make a mistake in the school play. During the rest of the service, there were parts in which adults also stumbled.

After the sermon, given by a retired priest affiliated with the church, the guest priest told the congregation that the Rector was away because his mother had died. He also spoke of two other parishioners who'd died that week and reminded the congregation about their funerals. When he asked if there were visitors or newcomers in the crowd, nearly half a dozen people and couples took turns saying who they were, where they were from, and who they were visiting. The last to speak was the daughter of one of the parishioners who'd died. She said she had been there to take care of her dad at the end of his life.

After the service, people rushed to her side to comfort her and to make her feel welcome. It was then that the service felt right. It reminded me of how in fellowship we are one big family, sometimes disfunctional, but there for each other just the same. I also thought of my grandmother, who died in the spring, and my aunt who had died at age 32 on Good Friday, and my grandfather who had died shortly after.

Thanks to Jesus' death and resurrection, the sting was taken out of those events, eventually replaced with peace and understanding that they do live on.

Pagan Holiday Not Linked to Easter's Origins

An article in Christianhistory.net debunks the notion that Easter was started in place of a pagan holiday, showing that an early Christian scholar's language error led to the mistaken notion.

The latest issue of the magazine online traces the mistake made by St. Bede in the first English book on Christian history. The story, written by a British historian, explains that the origin of the word Easter was derived from Anglo-Saxon for "opening month" (Estor monath) rather than a Germanic/Nordic goddess that is yet to have been found in writings or by other means. The "opening" refers to the opening of the buds of flowers.

In addition, another theory posits that English speaking Christians may have referred to it as the time in albis or "in white," the color traditionally seen in flowers at that time. Translated into German, it would have been "eostarum," which means "dawn."

The history of Christmas is another matter, but the celebration's timing does confirm the importance and the symbolism inherent in the commemoration of Christ's death and Resurrection at Easter.

'Knowing' Updates Biblical Armageddon

With shades of Signs, the Bible Code and Nostradamus's predictions woven through the story, Knowing is the kind of science fiction film I enjoy because there's a trace of plausibility to it.

Sensational effects, Nicholas Cage's acting and an Armageddon-themed script combine to make this one of the best action/mystery films in a long time. Add the theme of chaos versus destiny -- nothingness versus God -- and the film has a spiritual depth.

Effects-wise, the disasters rival those in Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow and Deep Impact, the giant earth-ending meteor movie.

Actual Biblical references are minimal, but the lead character does soul-searching in dealing with his wife's death and his lack of belief as the son of a minister. Despite a few slow areas and some head-scratching behavior on the part of MIT professor John Koestler, played by Cage, the film delivers, and the disaster scenes are unforgettable.

Abraham's Gate Open For Viewing

Photo from the blog israelnotes.wordpress.com

Archeologists, historians and the merely curious have sought proof of Biblical events in artifacts and locales. Every now and then something is turned up -- like a supposed burial box for Jesus's brother -- and then is dismissed as wishful thinking when there's no real evidence of a connection.

A stone gate to an ancient city uncovered in 1979 recently had its restoration completed and now has opened to the public. Biblical experts call it Abraham's Gate because they think it may be the entrance to the city of Dan, where Abraham's nephew Lot was kidnapped and held. Whether it is or not, it is a 4,000-year-old city that's representative of that sort of city, the oldest evidence of civilization in Israel.

The location of many miracles in Israel have been noted and preserved, especially those from the time of Jesus. However archeologists never expected to find an example of anything from Abraham's era.

Amazingly, archeologists continue to find new signs of the holy past, including the depiction of the Lion of Judah and a menorah in a mosaic on a synagogue floor in Western Negev dated 1,500 years ago, or in the 5th and 6th centuries. The Byzantine-era design is described as one of the most spectacular of its kind.