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http://www.thecharlottepost.com Charlotte ^osit THURSDAY MAY 13, 2004 8B RELIGION Ascent of praise (v.lO) 10. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” When Christians see what their relationship with God and the Lamb really means, the natural reaction is praise and wor ship. The Lamb has pro vided our salvation, which includes forgiveness, righteousness and assur ance with the presence of the Holy Spirit. He pro vides all we need. What do we have to worry about? Identity and Service (Revelation 7:13-17) Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?’ I answered, “Sir, you know.” Now John finds himself personally involved in the vision. As one of the elders ask him to identify those dressed in white robes, John has not forgotten the previous scenes, In those scenes he saw Christ dressed in white, the over comers promised robes of white and the 24 elders on 24 thrones with their robes of white and their crowns of gold. As John now ponders the great multitude dressed in white robes, he imdoubt- edly also remembers the slain saints under the alter, satisfied with their white robes and their rest for a httle time. The question that the elder asks of John means that John is being chal lenged to draw the bottom line and comprehended the meaning when John replies to the elder “sir you know,” the imphcation is something like you know that I understand. The elder replies (w. 14b-17) 14b. And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation: they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The reply of the elder, who serves as spokesman in the scene, then rein forces the meaning for the reader. The ones clothed in white robes are over com ers. The great tribulation is a trial they have experi enced or are experiencing as their faith is tested. They are clothed in right eousness in God’s presence because of their faith in the salvation provided by Christ. In casting their allegiance with him, they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. What availing faith! Daniel 12:1 speaks of a great “time of distress,” and Mathew 24:21 also warns of “great distress.” These passages may refer to specific periods in histo ry. But before we get car ried away with too much speculation of “when” and “where,” let us remember that all Christians are tested. Each of us goes though some kind of great tribulation. Each of us has personal struggles in a sin- sick world, as John had great tribulation. But those struggles will come to an end. Evidence of Jesus outside the Bible THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Did Jesus even exist? The question may seem absurd, but years ago some radicals treated him as an imaginary figure. Today’s experts don’t take the canard seriously. But surprisingly, the issue is revived in Skepti cal Inquirer magazine, which claims to examine evidence rationally as it seeks to debunk religions and hoaxes, ancient and modem. It’s pubhshed by the secularist Committee for the Scientific Inves tigation of Claims of the Paranormal. Reviewing Mel Gibson’s “Passion” film, commit tee senior researcher Joe NickeU asserts: “Histor ically, apart from later Christian sources, there is virtually no evidence for Jesus’ cmcifixion-or even his very existence.” Perhaps Skeptical Inquirer needs to be more skeptical about its skepticism. Consider: Could a non-person whose cmcifixion was a non-event be seen as real, not in “later” somces but within 20 years (see Paid’s early let ters)? The four Gospels appeared in succeeding decades, the equivalent of 2004 books looking back at the Depression, World War II, school desegregation or the Kennedy assassination. But Nickell indicates we must reject all New Tfestament evidence. He doesn’t explain why, but such writers typically complain that the Gospels were written by partisans and insiders. Tme enough, but under that standard, scholars must erase much of secular history as well. But even if all New Tbstament records are thrown out, nonbehevers also provided early evi dence of Jesus’ existence. Such references are scarce, but that doesn’t sur prise E.P. Sanders of Duke University, author of “The Historical Figure of Jesus” and no funda mentalist. He says “it is sometimes hard to beheve how unimportant Jesus was during his lifetime, especially outside Palestine.” The most important non-Christian source is “Jewish Antiquities,” completed in AD. 93 by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. One passage cites the execution in A.D. 62 of “the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, James hy name.” A longer reference to Jesus poses a famous prob lem. Christian and non-Christian scholars agree that it was retouched by later believers, who added pious phrases that no Jew employed by pagans would have written. But scholars say the additions are obvious. If they are deleted, Josephus provided at least these bare facts: Jesus was thought to be a “wise man” and “doer of wonderful works,” attracted follow ers, was crucified by Pilate and started a move ment that remained in existence decades later. Any records the Roman occupiers kept about Please see EVIDENCE/SB 7 Sons of Soul 7 Sons of Soul Davey Boy, Supe, Cliff Jones, and Big Bob, producers Verity Records ■tx ix The 7 Sons of Soul are a bit confusing. There’s only six of them on the album cover. 'They also look like of school gangsters on the cover. Their sound is a bit confusing as well. One moment they sound like WiUie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes, the next, more like R. Kelly. Go figure. It’s not a bad combination because these guys are fairly young, so it comes across as pay ing tribute to the past and doing what comes naturally, rather than trying to sound young when you are not. The first two songs are certainly of school. “Amazing Grace” is as tradition al as you can get. “He’s Coming Back” is straight quartet ' The rest of the recording finds^ the group straddling the R&B/gospel fence. “He’s So Real” is C^et Storm R&B with Christian lyrics. “Need You” is neo soul while “One More Chance” would sound good in a Jeep cruising. None of these songs is offensive. They aU fit the group’s tight harmonies and growling gospel delivery. Traditional buyers will like ‘Prayer Changes 'Things.” Its got the traditional quartet sound. They lyrics are basically the story of Paul in prison with a lot of shouting and hofiering going on. “Show Me The Way” is dedicated to Johnson and the Keynotes. Johnson would be proud. The harmony is wonder ful and the lead Cliff Jones has captured Johnson’s essence. A surprising highhght is “What Is 'This,” featuring Fred Hammond and Pamkenyon Donald. It’s one of my favorite songs but its surprisingly good because it’s been a while since Hammond’s voice has soimded this musical. “Run On” sounds like a sam ple from some song I can’t remember the name, but no matter. It’s the best example of how to combine new school and of school. Not bad. Ratings Classic; Excellent; Good Fair Why? No stars-A Funerals at the home make a eomebaek as simpler ritual WE ASSOCIATED PRESS HONOLULU, HAWAII - Some want to be remembered with lavish services, others want their remains launched into space. Bob Prater envisioned his passing in simpler terms: A funeral at home. Few people opt for funerals in their homes-there’s no firm number of how many, exactly- but interest is growing as consumers yearn for a more personal way to bid their loved ones adieu, and are frustrated by sometimes high-priced, cookie-cut ter services. “The primary focus is bringing the family into the whole thing,” said Jerri Lyons, who is considered one of the pioneers of the home funeral movement. “It’s making death intimate again.” Lyons’ business, Home and Fami ly Funerals, helps families coordi nate services for their deceased. Her nonprofit organization, Final Passages, uses workshops and other methods-including a recent workshop in Honolulu-to spread the word about what she calls “one of the best-kept secrets in our country.” On a near-perfect Saturday when people crowd Waikiki’s beaches, a handful of middle-age women cluster in a small room on a suburban block to talk about death and quiet home services. Reasons for choosing to have a ser vice at home are varied: from envi ronmentalists who oppose embalm ing to Muslims whose faith dictates a simple service. Whatever the motiva tion, Lyons said there are benefits. “It’s a time when people should be allowed to let the whole process imfold in a natural way,” she said. “It’s a very healing experience.” Some families may just want a few extra hours at home with their deceased. Others may do everything from getting dry ice to preserve the Please see HOME/6E Church News White Dove Chapel pro vides a free lunch to anyone in need every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 993 Summers Road between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. for cof fee and fellowship. May 13 Kenny Curry & Nu Spirit . have released their sophoj^ more album, titled “I Can’t' Let Go.” They will be featured for the young adult missionaries of the sounds of praise, Pen tecostal fellowship ministries worldwide as they celebrate the Women in Praise Spring Conference at New Hope Baptist Church on Hawthorne Lane. • The Division of Music at Friendship Baptist Church will present the Florida A&M University Concert Choir in concert with Charlie Tumor and Johnny Williams. 'The concert will be held at Friendship Missionary Bap tist Church on 3301 Beatties Ford Road beginning at 7 p.m. May 15 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will host a public forum on federal labor laws at 10 a.m. The forum will be held at Friendship’s Enrichment Center, 3239 Beatties Ford Road, directly- across fi-om the church. 'The forum is free and open to the pubhc. For more infor mation, call (704) 392-0392. • Grier Heights Presbyter ian Church, located at 325 Skyland Ave, will host a Health and Wellness Screen ing Day from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The screening will offer tests for diabetes, cho lesterol, blood pressure checks, cancer education and nutrition and fitness tips. May 21 Faith Community Church will celebrate it 32nd Anniversary Friday and Sat urday at 7:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at 701 Howie Mine Road in Waxhaw. May 22 District III ushers will hold their quarterly meeting on Sat. May 22 at 10 a.m. in the Macedonia Baptist Church at 1300 Hateras Ave., all youth ushers and youth supervisors are asked to attend. May 23 Tfemple of'Ibtal Dehverance Ministries at 5521 Cannon Drive in Monroe is hosting a pre pastor’s anniversary cele bration at 6 p.m. The guest minister will be Carl 'Turner of Faith Soldiers Please see TREASURE/7B o c:
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