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http:/Afvww.thechartottepost.com 8B Cliarlotte RELIGION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2005 Ufe 1B Everlasting Gospel Revelations 14; 6-8 A. Message to everyone (w.6,7) Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth- to every nation, tribe, lan guage and people. The scene focuses on a series of angels and their mes sages. We need not try to identify these angels concern ing whether or not they already have had a ministry in connection with die Reve lation of Jesus Christ. After all, god has a great host of angels to assist in his purpos es. Remember that Jesus, on the n^ht he was betrayed, said that he could call on “twelve legions” of ai^els. (Matthew 26:53) The series of angelic mes sages has to do with the eter nal gospel. In Revelation 14:3, 4, just before our text begins we can see what this gospel means for those who have been redeemed “fi*om the earth” and “from among men.” These Eire the ones who sing the “new song,” knowing the quality of life with the Lamb. Their faithfulness is one Sxde of the gospel. The flip side is the judgment of the unfaithful. This is something of a repeat of the opening of the fifth seal in Revelation 6:9-11. There we see the pro tected position of the slain servantb under the altar, call ing out for the judgment of the wickedCSee also Matthew 12:41,42 and 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10) The gospel message of the ^orified Christ is a two-edge sword (Revelation 1:16; 2:12), even for Christians; the gospel corresponds with the messEiges of “the little scroll” that John was both sweet and sour (10:9-11). Throughout the book of Revelation we have occasion to see both sides of the gospel in the lives of the faithful: it means both protection and suffering for CJod’s people. The suffering is bpought by sin, which comes fium various directions. But the gospel requires also that this suffering not go unavenged. This message before us shows the just rec ompense in the eternal gospel. This is a message to all who live on earth. He said in a loud voice, ‘Tear God and give him ^ory, because the hour of his judg ment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Those hearing the message must worship God. They must fear God and give him ^ory He is Almighty god, the powerfiil Creator (Exodus Rease see THE GOSPEL/7B PHOTOn’RINITY LINE ROCK.ORG Images of Mary Magdalene vary through out the world as well as the legend of her life. Bible scholars struggle to find facts about Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene has quite a run in fiction, but what are the facts? Legends abound about her life, but facts are hard to come by By Richard N. Oslling THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The huge-selling novel “The Da Vind Code” has given Mary Magdalene more fame lately than any biblical personality except Jesus. There’s even a “Complete Idiot’s Guide” to Msiry and a forthcoming film version of the “Magda lene” comic books’ woman warrior. “Da Vmci” said Mary was Jesus’ wife and their offspring formed a royal French bloodline. So much for fiction; what are the facts? Legends about Mary in France appeared eight centuries after Jesus’ time and aren’t serious history The Jesus-was-married theory says Jews expected mai to wed. That’s gener ally true, but modem rediscovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed that some Jewish holy men in ancient times remained celibate. There’s also this, raised ‘ by Bruce CTdlton of Bard Cbllege in ‘Mary Magda lene: A Biography” (Dou bleday): Judaism’s Talmud said a husband cannot move his wife fium place to place. Couples usually resided with the wife’s par ents. Jesus’ "constant travd, irregular birth, and unstable economic status made him nobody’s ideal husband or son-in-law,” (Jhilton comments. “If Jesus were to have had a sexual partner, Mary remains the best candidate,” he thinks. But there’s no historical evi- den.ee Jesus did. CTiilton chides feminists and New Agers who cite depictions of Mary to claim ancient Gnosticism exalt ed women and is thereforp preferable to orthodox Clmstianity The earliest Gnostic text, the second-century (^Dspel of Thomas, says women must make themselves males to enter the king dom of heaven. That gen- Please see MARY /7B Oyster*shells add touch of history to church THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHARLESTON, S.C. - James Island’s newest church looks likp it has been in the Lowcoimtry for cen turies. Retirement community Bishop Gadsden wanted its new chapel to look like something fium the 1700s. So the community gathered oyster shells fium a nearby restaurant and built the church in a stjde called tabby Tabby is a hi^y textured cement that the Spanish first used in North America in the early 16th century more than a century before the Eng lish found a place then called CTiarles Tbwne. The stjde uses the lime fix)m burned seashells to mix with sand and more shells. The mixture is channeled it into wexxien molds to form walls and pillars. The new church isn’t true tabby The material is unreinforced and too vul nerable to eartiiquakes. Instead, architect Dan Beaman used Right msissive concrete slabs to create the shell of the church. Before the slabs were poured, work ers washed thousands of shells then placed them in the sand. A timer went off every 10 minutes to teU the crew to move to a new spot so the shells would be spread randomly “The big challenge was to convince these workers that we wanted it to be imperfect,” Beaman said. Once the walls were poured, it took less than two da}^ to build the church’s frame, Beaman said. Beaman’s design was based on two Beaufort (?k)unty ruins. The material makes the chapel look like the ruins on St. Helena Island, but its propor tions are similar to the Prince ^^511iam’s parish chinch. ‘Modem architects they’d roll their eyes at something like this, but I think it’s interesting,” Beaman said. Bishop Gadsden’s executive director Bill TVawick also Liked the work. “Our goal was to have the chapel look like it had been here first and that the Bishop Gadsden community was built up around the chapel,” TVawick said. Vatican says homosexuals are unwelcome THE ASSOCIATED PRESS VATICAN aTY -The Vatican says homosexuals who are sexu^y active or support “gay culture” are unwelcome in the priest hood unless they have got- t«i over their homosexual tendencies for at least three years, according to a church document posted on the Internet by an Italian Catholic news ag^cy. The long-awaited docu ment is scheduled to be released by the Vatican on Nov. 29. A church official who has read the document confirmed the authenticity of the Internet posting by the Adista news agency The docu ment said that “the church, while deeply respecting the people in question, cannot admit to the seminary and the sacred orders those who prac tice homosecuali- ty present deeply rooted homosex ual tendencies or support so-called gay culture.” Huff’s ‘Miracles’ a so-so debut George Huff Miracles Otto Price, Executive producer Word/CurbAVamer Bros. If you spent 16 seconds on “AmericEin Idol,” apparently you can get a record deal, (jeoige Huff did spend more time than that, but goodness, will the litter of forgettable CDs by that show’s contestants' ever end? Huff is the latest, but certEiin- ly not the worst, to throw his voice into professional music. His voice is pleasant, even interesting at times. But there’s nothing to distinguish him fi*om any of his “Idol” cohorts or just about any other male singer for that matter. Huff skips pop and goes for gospel, or so his label said. Not ^quite gospel or Con- Itemporary Chiist- I ian. Huff is more of la message music j person. He men- Jtions (]k)d specifi- f cally every now and ^then, but you get the ^impression that’s who he’s singing about even if He’s not mentioned. Whomever Huff is singing about, he’s not doing it with much emotion. None of the songs have peaks or valleys - each is simply flat. That’s not an easy feat for a gospel singer, but more and more of them are achieving that outcome. There’s nothing tiiat sticks to memory Each song was forgotten before the track advanced. It’s not much Huff’s fault. He isn’t given much to sing. “A Brighter Day” has a rhythm that struts, giving Huff a chance to stretch his voice. “Miracles” is sappy but not so much to completely ruin the song. “Hold (Dn Ib Love” sounds as if it were written for Hurri cane Katrina victims. It’s the mc^t powerful song on the CD. Tbo bad there’s not more sor^ like “Hold On Ib Love.” Huff may get the chance to make another CD. If so, he needs more songs with meat. This is sizzle with precious lit tle steak. Ratings Qassic; Excellent Good Fair Why? No stars - A mess Church News Ihe deadline for announcem^ts is 5 p.m on Fridays. Fax your annoimcem^its to (704) 342-2160 or e-mail your announcement to cheris.hodges^ thechariottepo8t.com. Ongoing New Outreach/Hoskins (Community is seek ing donations of turiceys for Christmas Din ners. Donations are being accepted at 3900 Gossett Ave. For mcae information call Pastia* Brenda Stevenson at (704) 398-1777. December 3 Pineville Church of the Nazarene Students ^finistries presents the seventh annual “Beth lehem Revisited” fiom 6-9 p.m through Sun day. The outdoor experience recreates an ancient Bethlehem marketplace. Ihe diurdi is located at 8614 Pineville-Matthews Road. Fca* more information calK704) 542-3618. Ihe congregation of Peace M(H*avian Church will hold its annual Candle Ifea and Christmas Bazaar c*i its campus at the comer of Rea Road and Colcaiy Road fiom 9 a m to 2 p.m The event will include demonstrations of Moravian Christmas traditions including can dle tea served by church memb^ in colonial ^foravian costume, a display of nativity sets and the po'esentaticai of the Christinas Story For more information, call Peace Moravian Church at (704) 759-9939. December 5 University Park Baptist Church, 6029 Beat- ties Ford Road, will host its annual Msion & Metory Ckmference throu^ Wednesday Ser vices begin nightly at 6:30 p.m Ihe guest speakers are: Monday - Pastor John Jenkins, of First Baptist Church Glenar- den, Landover, MD; Iliesday - Dr. Carolyn Showell, God First Ministries, Baltimore; and Wednesday - Bishop Oscar Brown, First Mt Olive Freewill Baptist (hmrii, Baltimore. Pastor Jenkins will also serve as the guest lec turer on IViesday and Wednesday evenings. He will lecture on “Stewardship and Investing in the Vision.” The conference is fi:ee and open to the public, December 6 Liberty Baptist Church, 3000 Sam Wilson Road, will host Jon Jenkins through lUesday ni^t. Jenkins is fixan Grace Baptist in Gay lord, Mich Services b^in at 7 p.m. December 8 Divine Praise and Deliverance Ministries will host its first Youth in Action Prophetic Conf«ence throu^ Friday Ihe services will be held nightly at 7:30 p.m at Remnant Out reach Ministries, 3819 S. IVyon St. Ihere will be pn-aise dancers, choirs and sp)eakers. For more information, call (704) 492-2566 or (704) 492-1337. December 9 Hickory Grove North Worship Department presents “An Angel’s Story” a cosmic (hrist- mas. The production cCTiters around best-sell ing author Max Lucado, who imagines the spiiritual conflict surrounding the coming of Christ. lickets are $15 and include dinner. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. on Sunday For information, call (704) 531-5333. December 11 Our Children’s Memorial Walkway will hold its annual memorial service at Frazier Park, 1201 West Fourth St., to remember children who have dep)arted fixim this life. Ihis service is spjedfically aimed at giving grieving people of all faiths and races the chance to come Please see UNITED/BB o#o
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