Christians

Jenna Elfman: b. 1971, California State, USA. (aka: Jennifer Maria Butala Elfman). American television and film actress. She is married to the musician Bodhi Elfman. Raised in the Roman Catholic Church, she is now a member of the Church of Scientology.

Jeri Ryan: b. 1968, Munich, Germany. (aka: Jeri Lynn Zimmerman) American film and television actress. Roman Catholic Church.

Kate Mulgrew: b. 1955, Iowa State, USA. (aka: Katherine Kiernan Maria Mulgrew) American film and television actress. Roman Catholic Church.

Dakota Fanning: b. 1994, Georgia State, USA. (aka: Hannah Dakota Fanning) American film actress. Southern Baptist.

Elle Fanning: b. 1998, Georgia State, USA. (aka: Mary Elle Fanning) American film actress. Southern Baptist.

Junior, the French Bulldog Joins In

Junior, a French Bulldog, joins in as his owners sing along with the Josh Groban song, “You Raise Me Up.” The two men in the video are Emanuele Tiburzio and Walter Ledenmueller, who live in Köln, Germany.

Josh Groban, who has never publicly declared his current religious status , was raised as an Epicopalian.  His father converted from Judaism in order to marry Josh’s mother.  Groban has a large Christian following because of the inspirational nature of his songs and has sold over 20,000,000 albums in the last ten years.

Another Update on the Karen Shahan Murder Case

The Karen Shahan Murder investigation just continues to become more and more bizarre.  The case has not yet gone to trial so more information will probably follow.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2541359/Pastor-53-arrested-airport-stabbing-wife-death-heading-Europe-marry-boyfriend.html

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2014/01/richard_shahan_allegations_abo.html

Update on the Karen Shahan Murder

There has been a frustrating lack of updates about the investigation into the  23 July, 2013 murder of Karen Shahan, the wife of Richard Shahan, who is now the former Associate Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama (USA).  At first, the cause of death was not released to the public, but it appears to have been the result of multiple stab wounds.  Also, Pastor Shahan’s status with the church was not publicized; he was on “leave.”  It has now become known that he is the former Associate Pastor of the church.

Some facts which have been released to the public: 1. There were no indications of forced entry, 2. Pastor Shahan insisted that he was out of town at the time of the murder, 3. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds, 4. Mrs. Shahan was not known to have any enemies, 5. There was apparently no theft of property from the murder site, 6.  Richard Shahan voluntarily went to the police station to answer questions and was held there for two days for what the police called “investigative purposes.”  He was released with no charges being filed and without him being officially named as a suspect in the killing. 

On 1 January 2014, Pastor Richard Shahan was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee (USA) while attempting to board a flight bound for Germany.  From Germany, the trip was to have continued to Kazakhtan.  Shahan insisted that he was leaving on a mission trip.  Legal extradiction proceedings have begun for his return to Alabama.  He has been officially charged with murder.

When more information is available it will be posted on this blog.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Rene Joseph Letourneau: (b. 1929, Massachusetts, USA – d. 2013) Korean War veteran. Alabama Bowlers Hall of Fame. Roman Catholic.

John Brown: (b. 1763, Ireland – d. 1842) Presbyterian minister.  President of the University of Georgia (USA) from 18111-1816.

Johann Valentin Andreae: (b. 1586, Germany - d. 1654: aka: Johannes Valentinus Andeaea)  Author of Christianopolis (1619), a novel about a democratic utopian society governed by scholars and artisans.  He became interested in esoterics and the occult and was involved in the foundation of Rosicrucianism.

Zewditu I: (b. 1876, Ethiopia –d. 1930; aka: Askala Maryam; Queen of Kings) Daughter of Meneiik II of Ethiopia, Empress of Ethiopia 1916-1930.  She was known to be intensely devout. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo.

Angela Dorothea Kasner Merkel: (b. 1954, West Germany)  Chancellor of Germany 1994-1998.  Lutheran.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

David L. Ramsay III: (b. 1960, USA) Personal money management expert, motivational speaker, author.  Ramsay encourages people to live debt-free.

Bruce Manning Metzger: (b. 1914, Pennsylvania, USA – d. 2007) Biblical translator and textual critic, university professor.  Specialist in Greek, New Testament, and New Testament textual studies.

Karl Ludwig Harding: (b. 1765, Germany – d. 1834) Astronomer.  In 1804, Harding discovered three comets and an asteroid, 3 Juno.

Mark Tronson: (b. 1951, Australia)  Tronson is pionerrin sports ministry in Australia.  He retire in 2001 after seventeen years as the chaplain of the Australian cricket team.  Baptist.

Andrew Wingfield-Digby: (b. 1950, England) Cricketer, pastor.  Founder of the organization, UK Christians in Sport.  Anglican.

Film Comment: Ancient Relic

The general consensus of the internet discussion about Ancient Relic (original title: Das Jesus Video), a German language made for television movie, is that it is rather lackluster and mundane.  The film will nevr win any awards.  It is a competent but obviously low-budget production.

Basically, the plot of Ancient Relic is this: an archeological crew in Israel discovers a previously unknown 2000 year old burial chamber containing a skeleton.  Nothing unusual there.  Then they notice that some of the skeleton’s teeth have modern amalgam fillings.  Then they notice the titanium rod and screws in the leg.  Then they notice the camcorder instruction manual.  Things really heat up when they find the word “Jesus” handwritten on the manual.  This would indicate that a time traveler may have made a videotape of Jesus.

Nefarious types suddenly appear and everyone begins trying to capture the young graduate student who discovered the tomb.  Everyone is convinced that he knows more than he actually does. Bullets fly, chases ensue, people are murdered, and the movie becomes a violent political chase thriller.  The persons pursuing the student are revealed to be associated with the Roman Catholic Church.

In case you think you might actually want to view this film, be aware that this next section contains SPOILERS.

A company owned by the ruthless man who has financed all the mayhem just happens to have also financed time travel research.  When the camcorder itself is actually found, the recording reveals that the graduate student is the time traveler.  The recording also reveals the dessicated corpse of a bearded man, presumed to be Jesus.

The film portrays the Roman Catholic Church as a giant political organization willing to use any means, even murder, to get what it wants.  The film is also a direct denial of the truth of the Resurrection.

On a simple story level, there are numerous plot holes present in this film.  The most glaring question: would a person not be expected to recognize his own handwriting?

The Universality of Christianity

Many religions are closely tied into racial, ethnic, or national identity.  Not so with Christianity.  The message of jesus is just as relevant for a Zulu tribesman as it is for a little boy in Mississippi.  It is for a German and a Choctaw, a Basque and a Gujurati.

Jesus  saying The Lord’s prayer in Mandarin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m3u71ShEG0

Jesus saying the Sermon on the Mount in Mandarin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqJHRCMXBZc&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Elizabeth Cranach: Daughter of Augustin Cranach (d. 1595), a German painter.  Elizabeth married Polykarp Leyser the Elder.

Polykarp Leyser the Elder: (b. 1552, Germany – d. 1610) Lutheran theologian and university professor.

Polykarp Leyser II: (b. 1586, Germany – d. 1633) Lutheran theologian and university professor.  Son of Polykarp Leyser the Elder.

Polykarp Leyser III: (b. 1656, Germany – d. 1725) Lutheran theologian, orientalist, and university professor. Grandson of Polykarp Leyser the Elder and a nephew of Polykarp Leyser II.

Polykarp Leyser IV: (b. 1690, Germany – d. 1728) Lutheran theologian, physician, lawyer, historian, and university professor.  Son of Polykarp Leyser III.

Religious Place Names

Frascati, Italy: This resort town is named for the Church of St. Mary and Sebastian “in the bushes (frascati) ”

Omdurman, Sudan: Named for Um-Marium (1646-1730),  a Muslim saint.

Lima, Peru:  This city was founded in 1535 by Francisco Pixarro as Ciudad de los Reyes (City of the Kings).  The modern name is derived from the name of an ancient deity, Rimac, and means “he who speaks.”

Munich, Germany: Munich was built on the site of a Benedictine monastery and the name derives from the Old High Germany word “munih,”  meaning “monk.”

Concepcion, Chile:  With a Spanish name meaning “conception,” this city was founded in 1550 on the day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Amish Bishop Convicted of Hate Crime

In Bergholz, Ohio, sixty-six year old Amish Bishop Samuel Mullet Sr., four of his children, and eleven of his followers have been convicted of hate crimes against an Amish man and his wife whom Mullet accused of rebelliousness and straying from his religious teachings.  The man and his wife were awakened to several persons holding them down and cutting off their hair and the man’s beard.

Old Order Amish men all grow beards and the women do not cut their hair.  The hair-cutting attacks were taken to shame the couple.  Those convicted of the hate crimes face up to ten years or more in prison.  The hair cuttings were considered to be hate crimes because they were motivated strictly on the basis of differences in religious beliefs.

Mullet, the founder of the twenty-five family group about twenty years ago,  has been described as an authoritarian leader who has abused his authority to coerce sexual favors from female members and who has enforced many practices at variance with traditional Amish culture.  The attacked couple were among those resistant to Mullet’s leadership.

Some of the other members of the group shielded their faces as they left after the reading of the verdict.  Because of their tradition which favors separation from the outside culture and because of biblical instructions to settle church issues within the church, many were quite ashamed of the church leader being dragged into court.

The Amish are a subsect of the Mennonite faith.  Most are of German or Swiss-German ancestry.  They are Anabaptists (they practice adult believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism) and, while they aware of modern technology, they do not use it.  Most Amish live as farmers and they are known for their sturdy and beautiful furniture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish

http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/pennsylvania/a/amish.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/amish.htm

References to Jesus in the Talmud

The Latin language work, Jesus in Talmude (1699), by Rudolph Martin Meelfuhrer in Altdorf, Germany, was the first book devoted entirely to the subject of references to Jesus in the Talmud.
Most modern Jewish scholars view the references as reactions to Christian proselytism of Jews.

During the Middle Ages, Jews and Christians argued over the references, which the Christians interpreted as insulting to Jesus.  Some of the Jewish scholars said the references were to someone else other than Jesus.  Some of the references were removed from later editions of the Talmud.  Since the early 20th Century most Talmuds include the references.

The most commonly identified references to Jesus in the Torah:
He was a sorceror. Bablyonian Sanhedrin 43a-b
Healing was performed in his name. Hullin 2:22f; Abodah Zarah 2:22/12; Jerusalem Shabbath 124:4/13; Qohelet Rabbah 1:8; Bablyonian Abodah Zarah 27b
He was a Torah teacher.  Bablyonian Abodah Zarah 17a; Hullin 1:8; Qohelet Rabbah1:8
He was a son who turned out badly.  Sanhedrin 193a/b; Berakoth 17b
He was a magician and an idolator.  Sanhedrin 107b; Sotah 47a
He was punished in hell.  Bablyonian Gittin 56b, 57a
He was executed.  Bablyonian Sanhedrin 43a-b
He was the son of Mary.  Shabbath 104b; Sanhedrin 67a

Religious Place Names

Andaman Islands:  This name is believed to have been derived from the name of the monkey god, Handuman.

Amritsar, India: From the Sanskrit words “amrita saras,” meaning “lake of immortality.”

Munster, Germany:  From the Old High German word “munistri.”  This word was ultimately derived from the Latin word, “monasterium” (“monastery.”)

Montruex, Switzerland:  This name is also from from the Latin word, “monasterium” (“monastery.”)

Kilmanjaro, Tanzania:  The name of this volcano derives from the Swahili words “kilima” = “mountain” plus “njaro” = “god of cold.”

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Catherine of Vadstena: (b. ca. 1331, Sweden - d.1381, aka: Catherine of Sweden) Abbess of Vadstena. Daughter of Bridgit of Sweden.  Catherine and her husband lived an ascetic, celibate life.  Returned her mother’s body to Sweden from Rome.

Dismas: (aka: The Good Thief) While hanging on his own cross as punishment for robbery, he asked Jesus to remember him in heaven and Jesus said he would be in paradise that day. (Luke 23:42-43) 

Ludger of Munster: (b. ca. 742, Germany - d.809, aka: Liuger)  Bishop of Munster.  Evangelis in Westphalia and Eastphalia. He built churches and founded a Benedictine monastery on his family estate.  He is considered to be the patron saint of Munster.

Isidore the Farmer: (b. ca. 1080, Spain – d.1130) . Peasant farm laborer. He is considered to be the patron saint of Madrid. Canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 1622.

Mary Margaret d’Youville (b. 1701, Canada – d. 1771; aka: Marie-Marguerite d”Youville; Marguerite Dufroste de Lajemmerais) First native-born Canadian Roman Catholic saint. She was the widow of Francois d-Youville, a bootlegger.  Founded the Sisters of Charity of the General Hospital (the Grey Nuns).  The Grey Nuns care for poor, sick, aged women, prisoners, mentally ill, and prostitutes.  “Go to the Grey Nuns, they never refused anybody, or any honest work.”  She was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 1990.  Patron saint of widows and difficult marriages.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

John Wooden: (b. 1910, Indiana, USA – d. 2010) John Wooden was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1961 and as a coach in 1973.  His University of California at Los Angeles team won 10 National Collegiate Athletic Association championships.

Jonas Michaelius:  in 1628, Michaelius organized the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in New Amsterdam (the modern New York, New York, USA)

Beatrix of the Netherlands: (b. 1938, Netherlands, aka: Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgaard) Queen of the Netherlands.  Protestant.

Jacques Dupre (b. 1773, Louisiana –d. 1846) Louisiana State Representative and Senator, Governor of Louisiana (1830-1831).  Roman Catholic.

Julian Wellshausen: (b. 1844, Germany – d. 1918) Bible scholar, orientalist, university professor. Protestant.

Himmel oda Hall

I added the link to Himmel oda Hall to the post for German Christian Rap music.  It is also here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfiLYtNGKQ

The You Tube embed codes do not always work so I will now provide the links instead.

German Christian Rap Music

This is a Low German Christian Rap song entitled Himmel oda Hall (Heaven or Hell).  The singer is named Jamie, aka Discypo.


Update: Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfiLYtNGKQ 

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

John Croyle: (b. USA) Former University of Alabama football player who turned down a National Football League (NFL) contract to found (1974) The Big Oak Ranch, a home for boys from troubled and abusive families in Alabama.  In 1988, he and his wife, Tee added The Girl’s Ranch.  He needed $30,000 as a down payment on the original parcel of land for the ranch: Croyle’s teammate and fellow Christian, John Hannah, donated his $30,000 NFL signing bonus to make the payment.  Croyle is the father of NFL quarterback, Brodie Croyle.

http://www.bigoak.org 

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Bringing-Out-the-Winner-In-Your-Child/John-Croyle/e/9781581823516 

John Brodie Croyle: (b. 1983, Alabama, USA) Son of Big Oak Ranch founder, John Croyle.  University of Alabama college football player, professional football quarterback.

Hermann of Reichenau: (b. 1013, Swabia (Germany) – d. 1054: aka> Hermannus Contractus, Hermannus Augiensis, Herman the Cripple) Son of the Duke of Altshausen.  Benedictine monk, scholar, composer, music theorist, mathematician, astronomer, poet, beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 1863.  He is probably the first to make a numerical-chronological listing of the Popes of the Roman Catholic Church.  He was crippled from birth, born apparently with cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and possibly spina bifida; he went blind as an adult.

Giovanni Battista Cybo: (b. 1432, Republic of Genoa (Italy) – d. 1492; aka. Pope Innocent VIII) Roman Catholic Pope 1484-1492. An opponent of witchcraft and of the Waldensians.  He appointed (1487) Tomas de Torquemada as Grand Inquisitor of Spain.

Hubert Ira Davis: (b. 1970, North Carolina, USA) Professional basketball (NBA) player, ESPN college basketball analyst.  He is the nephew of former professional basketball (NBA) player, Walter Davis.

Just in Case

"I'm a non-believer, but I recently switched from atheist to agnostic ... just in case there is any truth to it.  I don't want to get on the Big Boss' bad side."  Daniel Stamm, German-born film director of The Last Exorcism (2010), his first horror film.

Film Comment: Kike Like Me

"Kike" is an ethnic slur word directed against Jews. Most dictionaries say it's origin is unknown but Leo Rosten (1908-1997) in The Joys of Yiddish (1968) says that it arose on Ellis Island among the Jewish immigrants who who were registered there. Since many of the immigrants were illiterate, when they were asked to "make their mark" during the registration process they chose to draw a circle (Yiddish "kikel") rather than an "X" because they thought the "X" looked like a cross. The term became an affectionate word among the Yiddish immigrants and only later became a slur. (Much like the evolution of "guapo" into "wop.")

The title of Kike Like Me (2007) is a play on the title of the 1964 film, Black Like Me. Director Jamie Kastner sets out to examine the question, "What does it mean to be perceived as Jewish?"

Kastner travels to a Lubavitcher seminary in Brooklyn, conducts a failed interview with Pat Buchanan, visits an ethnically "tolerant" mixed suburb of Paris, and goes to see Auschwitz. Along the way he talks to Jews and non-Jews about being Jewish.

The documentary is at the same time humorous and uncomfortable, itchy even. Kastner becomes progressively more shocked and sarcastic. He is unable to complete his tour of Auschwitz, stopping before he sees the ovens. He is sickened that it has become a tacky tourist destination. It even has a gift shop.

Kastner becomes prickly about being asked if he is Jewish. He insinuates that to ask "Are you Jewish?" is anti-Semitic. He thinks it influences how people react to and treat others. The events in the film seem to show that it does.

There have been times when being asked if you were a Christian has been a dangerous question to answer. We should all consider what our answer would be if those times were to return for us.