My Turn

In the midst of the Ted Haggard scandal, I have yet to hear one Christian leader say that this has caused him to deal with his own deepest struggles. It is as if Christian leaders are riding around on their own bicycles without helmets. When one falls and cracks his skull open, they all rush alongside him, get him to the hospital, comfort his family and take over his ministry responsibilities. But none of them goes out and buys helmets.

If any Christian man says to himself, “This could never happen to me,” may he live happily ever after. Haggard’s sin may not be your own, but every one of us is a small step away from destruction without the grace of God and the presence of honest and caring brothers.

The sad truth is that the only men who are accountable are the ones who want to be. Now, at least, Ted Haggard wants to be. Do you?
Gordon Dalbey
Santa Barbara, California

The Changing Face of Christian TV

I have always wanted to know how the founders of Daystar Television got their start in Christian media (“Wired to Reach the World” by Marcia Davis-Seale, November). It’s amazing to see God work in the lives of two people who had a heart to do something for God.

It’s good to know not all television programming is bad. The story of Marcus and Joni Lamb has inspired me, since I hope to one day own a small radio or television station. Thanks for sharing their story. I’m a media television host, and now I want to develop a business plan.
L. Robinson
Albany, New York

I’m an older person who has been so blessed by some of the Christian programming on television. I can remember the early days when there were no Christian stations and very little Christ-centered programming.

Back in those days spirituality was so dry. Thank God for pioneers such as Paul and Jan Crouch, who have given their blood, sweat and tears to get the gospel message out.
Dorothy Jordan
Ashland, Alabama

J. Lee Grady’s editorial criticizing Christian television was condescending (Fire in My Bones, November). Many people would agree with his observations, but most of these people are part of the boomer generation. They are younger and from the United States—and they are a small group if you consider the worldwide impact of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).

Even though I would like to see changes, I acknowledge that you get what you pay for. If older people are the ones paying for TBN, then their church culture will be reflected on that network.

I’ve been watching TBN for the last several years since the Lord helped me deal with some of my perceptions. I can see how Paul Crouch Jr. and Matt Crouch are fighting huge giants in order to initiate change.

Have you ever watched newer TBN programs such as Travel the Road or those on JCTV? Have you ever seen some of the Praise the Lord programs featuring Matt and Laurie Crouch having a roundtable discussion with known, contemporary prophets and pastors? It is excellent programming.
Cynthia Landry
Houston, Texas

I have been reading Charisma for years, and I was shocked by J. Lee Grady’s criticism of Christian television. He has used his position to divide the body of Christ. He made some insulting comments about Christian TV.

Many believers—including many who are under 75—not only watch but also are strengthened and edified by these programs. We are grateful you made favorable comments about Marcus and Joni Lamb of Daystar, but you owe the rest of the ministers on TV an apology.
Ron Beltz
Delta, Ohio

Lee Grady said what many of us have been thinking for a long time. Christian television in many ways has become a historical relic. It’s out of touch with believers and unbelievers who desperately need an effective witness of Christ. This is extremely tragic because television is still perfectly positioned to reach into homes to bring the dose of hope that everyone yearns for.
Peter Schulze
Van, Texas

I share your indignation about the current state of Christian television. The huckstering of “Jesus junk” and constant appeals for money by those who propose abundant prosperity has lowered the integrity of broadcasters who are called to spread the gospel.
Vernon B. Mayhall
San Andreas, California

I too am appalled by the weirdness, greediness and worldliness of much of so-called Christian TV programming. The applause is phony and the sets look as if they are out of Las Vegas. And the preachers work audiences into a lather of emotion. Those are just a few of my least favorite things about Christian TV. Where did we go wrong in our theology?
Tim Schultz
Leetonia, Ohio

We are truly “lost in La-La Land,” as Grady suggests, when it comes to Christian TV. I just saw Donald Trump on one Christian talk show. He and the host were talking about the thing they seem to love the most: money and how to get it.
I praise God that the people in my church have stopped giving to the schlockmeisters and instead have started giving to ministries through the church. We are seeing growth and changed lives.
Rev. Dan Jarvis
Lovell, Wyoming

As manager of one of the few remaining independent Christian television stations in the United States, I concur with much of what Lee Grady and Phil Cooke said about Christian TV (“The Future of Christian Television” by Phil Cooke, Ph.D.; November). However, I do tire of criticism that is absent of concrete ideas. Here’s one: We should broadcast a nightly, half-hour sportscast.

Our staff reporters cover 50 local high schools and colleges. This platform allows us to periodically insert testimonies of athletes or stories that show what God is doing through young people. It’s great community involvement, and it’s unique not only to Christian TV but to secular TV as well.
Kevin Bowers, President
WTLW-TV
Lima, Ohio

I feel embarrassed when Christians are portrayed on TV as greedy, flamboyant and shallow. I have no desire to watch these programs. There’s too much self-promotion and self-exaltation on the airwaves.

I hope the programmers and producers will get it. If they understood this, then we would see a difference in the future.
Sandy Bonzelaar
Holland, Michigan

I detest prosperity preaching whether it comes from the pulpit, on television, in a five-day seminar or from a neighborhood pastor. The preacher always says that the more you give to his or her ministry, the more your prayers will be answered.
I also hate it when the minister tells the people in the congregation how much to give. Prosperity preachers often spend their entire sermon on taking the offering.
Bill Valentine
Lakeland, Florida

The House-Church Debate Continues

Regarding your recent articles about house churches (“God Is Out of the Box” by Ken Walker, June), I’m a firm believer in what the Bible says. It warns us not to forsake the gathering together of the believers (see Heb. 10:25).

But I also realize that Jesus directed most of His ministry to a group of one to 120 people, and therefore we must also follow His example. And when King David was fighting his battles, God told him to do three different things, and all of them were successful.
Richard Boll
Atlanta, Georgia

I agree strongly that those who advocate only home churches are misinterpreting Acts 2:46, which says that early Christians met “house to house.” It says they also met in the temple to hear Peter, John and the rest of the apostles, and they also went house to house to break bread and to be held accountable.

In many ways, the church followed the so-called “Jethro model,” which had a strong leader such as Moses at the top with various levels of leadership beneath. They ended up with leaders of 10, just like in a house meeting. So everyone was accountable.
Bob Chang
Chula Vista, California

Who is this “spiritual authority” that home-churched people are trying to avoid? I’ve spent 15 years in foreign missions, including outreach in Muslim villages. I’ve seen evangelistic outreach sharply curtailed by cutting funds to support extravagant buildings. My tithes will no longer go to support huge salaries.
Donald Johnson
Holden, Massachusetts

I am a strong advocate of the church going outside the four walls to both be the church and do ministry, but not at the expense of gathering corporately for fellowship and worship. A major problem with China’s house churches is that some leaders are untrained, and they teach unbiblical practices as a result. In many instances, they have hurt the cause of Christ more than they have helped it in China.
Allan Isaac
St. Christopher, Nevis

The Lost Apostle…Searching for the Truth About Junia
By Rena Pederson, Jossey-Bass
Publishers, hardcover, 288 pages, $24.95.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul closes with greetings to several people, two of whom he hails as outstanding apostles. In spite of the church’s position on women in leadership today, one of the names of these two persons, in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, is the feminine name “Junia.” Award-winning journalist Rena Pederson was astounded to find a woman referred to as an apostle in Scripture and decided to investigate Junia thoroughly. Pederson tracks down this obscure woman by sifting through written commentaries of the early church and traveling to the places Junia ministered. She also takes a look at Junia’s contemporaries, Phoebe, Priscilla and other women of note. This book makes for enlightening and thought-provoking reading. One of the top women in the news business, Pederson served as an editor for the Dallas Morning News for 16 years and is currently a speech writer in Washington, D.C.
Deborah L. Delk

It’s ironic that David Foster dedicates his book A Renegade’s Guide to God: Finding Life Outside Conventional Christianity to pastors, since they are likely to be the group most upset by his pointed critique of the church in America. Still, the Nashville, Tenn., emergent church leader writes passionately about the need to reject lifeless legalism and religious tradition to embrace an inspiring walk with Christ. Foster is at his best when he talks about the need for living in the freedom God gives, rejecting mind-numbing conformity and adherence to man-made rules. One burning example concerns a sermon he preached at his alma mater’s chapel service. He later learned his lukewarm seminary reception stemmed from not preaching from a leather-bound Bible and failing to wear a suit. Yet, Foster is guilty of oversimplification. For example, he never fully explains why he rejected an overture to join an anti-lottery campaign in Tennessee or the identity of the “morality police.” Still, his call for a more vibrant, invigorating form of faith is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about Christianity in the 21st century.
Ken Walker

The Way of the Wild Heart
By John Eldredge, Nelson Books,
hardcover, 256 pages, $22.99.

It would be easy to assume that John Eldredge’s The Way of the Wild Heart: A Map for the Masculine Journey is a book for men. Actually, it is a book about men. Eldredge leads his reader through the six stages of becoming a man (Boyhood, Cowboy, Warrior, Lover, King and Sage), and describes the consequences when the path is not followed or stages are not fully developed. As a good guide should, Eldredge points out the markers along the way and provides valuable information so the travelers can gain useful insights as they follow. Eldredge offers plenty of encouragement and suggestions to help men raise their sons through each stage, even if they didn’t get that guidance from their own fathers and have missed a stage or two themselves. Mothers and wives would also benefit from Eldredge’s teachings. A companion workbook is available.
Jeff Friend

Praying the Book of Job
By Elmer L. Towns, Destiny Image,
softcover, 190 pages, $14.99.

Vice President of Liberty University and author Elmer L. Towns presents his latest book, Praying the Book of Job. Chapter by chapter, Towns provides an easy-to-understand explanation of each stage of the trials Job endured. He gives further insight and background about the attitudes of Job’s three advisers and the condition of their own hearts, allowing readers to gain perspective into how they themselves respond to trials, or how they respond to others around them when suffering befalls them. Ending each chapter with a prayer, Towns encourages the reader to take the prayer as their own to God in order to prepare their hearts for a time when they are in need of comfort and encouragement, and when they are in a season of being a comforter and encourager for someone else. This book is ideal for anyone who wants to move beyond seeing things on the surface and who has a desire to see everything around him with fresh eyes and a humble spirit.

Heidi Ippolito

Journey to the Mountain of God
By David D. Ireland, Ph.D.; FaithWords;
hardcover; 320 pages; $18.99.

Author of Perfecting Your Purpose David Ireland writes Journey to the Mountain of God: Pursuing Intimacy with Your Creator to teach on the blessing of intimacy with the Lord. With Moses and the Israelites on their journey to Mount Sinai as an example, Ireland breaks down this journey into three steps and takes the reader through a 40-day journey to greater spiritual intimacy. Ireland teaches on the preparation of our hearts, learning to trust, refocusing our minds and determining where our treasures lie. He also touches on how Christians should respond to the conviction of the Lord, throwing off everything that weighs us down and teaching us a healthy fear of the Lord. This book is great for anyone who is seeking to be challenged in his walk with God and ready for deeper, fuller intimacy with Christ.
Heidi Ippolito

MUSIC

Hiding Place
By Don Moen, Integrity Music.

Don Moen has been an influential leader in worship music for the last 20 years. His latest project, Hiding Place, produced by David Hamilton (Michael W. Smith, Twila Paris), is a new collection of tracks for use in personal or corporate worship events. Highlights include the piano praise of “He Never Sleeps,” the upbeat pop of “Fresh Fire,” the mellow prayer of “Break Through” and of “Revelation Song,” which blends in world music along with spoken Scriptures and spontaneous sounds of worship. On the tender title track, Moen sings about a place of dependence and comfort. With an atmosphere that is often low-key and fitting for personal reflection, Hiding Place is a worthwhile worship release from a gifted singer-songwriter.

Dewayne Hamby

Life Changing
By Smokie Norful, EMI Gospel.

Grammy Award-winner Smokie Norful is regarded as a distinctive voice in gospel music. Since he released his last CD, Nothing Without You, he has become pastor of Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Chicago. Shortly after the church’s first anniversary, Norful released his third album, Life Changing. This 45-minute, 10-track CD is a bit brief in length, but it is not short on quality, and even offers a few surprises. Life Changing features Norful’s signature vocals on such soulful ballads as “Um Good” and “Run Til I Finish.” Norful also gets his dance groove on with such tracks as “Put Your Hands Together” and “Great and Mighty.” He includes a nice surprise with the soulful remake of Whitney Houston’s “Run to You” to refer to God always being there to run to. This release is a sign of his consistency in the music industry as well as in ministry.
Twanna Powell

You alone
By Echoing Angels, INO Records.

Echoing Angels, a five-piece band from Atlanta, makes its national debut on INO Records with You Alone. The band delivers inspirational messages through a collection of pop-rock tracks. Highlights include the power ballad “Coming Back to Life,” the catchy rock of “Let Go,” the celebration of “Free” and the acoustic-led praise of “You Alone.” The tunes are generally praise-oriented, which isn’t surprising considering the band’s years of leading worship for churches around the country. You Alone does a valiant job of showcasing the formerly independent band and its rock influences (Lifehouse, Matchbox 20) while also introducing it to a broader audience.

Dewayne Hamby

A Fresh Wind
By Micah Stampley, Levitical Records.

In 2005 Micah Stampley emerged as one of gospel’s breakout artists. His last album, Songbook of Micah, was the second highest debut on Billboard’s Gospel Chart for a male gospel artist in history. His sophomore release, A Fresh Wind: The Second Sound, features 14 tracks filled with exuberance and passion about God’s love. A Fresh Wind is the first project released on Levitical Records, an entrepreneurial venture Stampley has launched with his wife and songwriting partner, Heidi. It features such high-spirited tracks as “We Lift You Up,” “No Compromise” and “Holy Visitation.” Stampley also ministers soulfully on such tracks as “You Are Lord” and “Unfailing Love.” A Fresh Wind is a unique offering of music for the heart and soul.
Twanna Powell

Where to begin
By Jared Anderson, Integrity Music.

Lead singer for Desperation Band, Jared Anderson releases his solo debut, Where to Begin, which seamlessly integrates his passion for worship with a modern pop-rock edge. Using electronic elements and soaring guitars, the large, corporate worship leanings of the songs seem to disappear as they become personal and intimate. As a vocalist, Anderson ably captures the mood of each moment. Highlights include the reworking of Anderson’s tunes “Rescue” and “Hear Us From Heaven.” Other features include the acoustic light country sound of “Every Time,” the melodic piano-pop of “Lost in Heaven” and the tender piano ballad “Amazed.” Although it’s not always an impressive task to re-record songs, Anderson and producer Pete Kipley take the popular tunes on Where to Begin to a whole new realm, creating a fresh, captivating sound.

Dewayne Hamby

Fiction

Thriller

Head Game
By Tim Downs, WestBow Press,
hardcover, 368 pages, $22.

Cale, Kirby and Pug were all part of a psychological operations team during Desert Storm. Their job was to create propaganda material to convince Iraqi troops to surrender. They accomplished their mission. But one enemy commander has never forgotten what they did and he is determined to pay them back with mind games of his own.

Contemporary

Ever After
By Karen Kingsbury, Zondervan,
softcover, 370 pages, $14.99.

In the sequel to Even Now, Emily Anderson is at college and getting to know Army reservist Justin Baker. Their relationship inspires those around them, including Emily’s reunited birth parents, Shane and Lauren. But can they overcome their differences and welcome this second chance?

Suspense

Grave Risk
By Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill,
softcover, 368 pages, $13.95.

For nurse Jill Cooper, the death of beloved high school principal Edith Potts was a shock. When two former sweethearts return to town, Jill has more emotions to handle. Then there’s another death in town. Was it an accident or murder?

New On DVD

Lost: A Sheep Story
Integrity Publishers
$12.98

Sam the Ram is at the beach—all alone. Farmer Bob realizes Sam is lost, and he will not stop searching until he finds the ram. Children will understand God loves His children very much. He’ll do what He needs to do to make sure they are safe. This DVD runs for 60 minutes with bonus features, including a read-along storybook and a letter-song music video.

Thank You God for … Adventures in Imagination
Exclaim Entertainment
$14.99

Boz, Drew and Gracie are back for more lessons and fun. This 45-minute DVD will show children that the world of imagination is a gift from God. Kids will also learn how to think of creative ways to help others. This DVD includes 11 songs and bonus features such as a video scrapbook, a Boz dress-up game and a read-along book.

Love’s Abiding Joy
Fox Home Entertainment
$19.98

The Love Comes Softly series by author Janette Oke continues to come alive on screen. Love’s Abiding Joy was first released in theaters in October and is now available on DVD. Willie and Missie LaHaye have made the arduous journey West and are now settled and raising a family. With the railroad now connecting East and West, Missie’s father, Clark, can come for a visit. But the reunion is overshadowed by sorrow as the family faces tragedy. Love’s Abiding Joy is rated PG for mild thematic content.

He’s Got A Testimony

Thanks for sharing pastor Zachery Tims’ testimony with the readers of Charisma. (“Grace So Amazing” by Valerie G. Lowe, October). His story gave me hope and a reason to share my past life of drug abuse with people who struggle with the same addiction I once had. We can never read too many stories in your magazine about believers who get the victory over sin and the devil.
L.W. James
Syracuse, New York

Stop the Television Hype

Thank you for the column about Christian television (Fire in My Bones by J. Lee Grady, November). As a student of the Scriptures, I have yet to find God’s Word backing up these televangelists who preach during a telethon that God will make you debt-free and wealthy if you send them a $1,000 donation.
Edward Johnson
Charlotte, North Carolina

I have never seen so much junk on a so-called Christian TV station. I do have some favorite TV preachers, such as Perry Stone, David Jeremiah, Jesse Duplantis (he is always good for a laugh and very uplifting) and some others, but in general I am sick of TV preachers. Get real for goodness’ sake!
Louise Swedo
Bel Air, Maryland

I believe current Christian TV programming is designed to attract those who have fallen prey to satisfying their flesh. If spiritual leaders would listen more to their hearts instead of media marketers, Christian programming for all of us would improve. For now, PBS and the news are my options for TV viewing.
Name withheld
Locust, North Carolina

I’ve been praying about the issue of Christian television for some time and I feel as if God is answering those prayers! I’m thankful for most of the programming on Daystar and for the launching of God TV in the United States. But the majority of Christian programming needs a fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit.

I’m not over 75 years old but I’m very close—yet I don’t appreciate that old stuff. I love the new things God is doing among all generations.
Lois McDonald
Post Falls, Idaho

No More Politics?

I was disappointed with your decision to tell Charisma readers to vote for Republican senatorial candidate Katherine Harris in the primary election (Final Word by Stephen Strang, October). The most powerful thing we can do as Christians is pray, not vote for a particular person or party.

The ability to cast an informed, independent vote is one of the great benefits of our democracy. People should not be told who to vote for.
LaVonne T. Harmon
via e-mail

This letter is in reference to Stephen Strang’s column about politics. On one hand you say the First Amendment protects freedom of religion, but then you urge your readers to get involved in partisan politics to elect Republican candidates to office.
I would say that churches that become agents for the White House and engage in partisan politics might be influenced more by nonspiritual motives. As James Robison wrote in your October issue, “We have made such an idol of economic gain and material possessions, I am not certain brokenness will come, apart from the collapse of our economy and the loss of treasured possessions.”
Name withheld
Sunnyvale, California

It’s Time to Pray

Thank you for the article by James Robison (“Humility … or Humiliation?”; October). It was great to hear someone tell it like it is concerning our nation and the church. I would like to know if there is some way to get a National Day of Prayer for all churches to participate in.

We need to have major prayer gatherings for our troops in Iraq. I believe events can be turned around, like James Robison said, if we humble ourselves.
Angela Jones
The Villages, Florida

Editor’s note: Thousands of churches participate each year in the National Day of Prayer. The next one will be observed on May 3. Also, the Global Day of Prayer is scheduled for May 27. Charisma also urges all readers to participate in revival “prayercasts” organized by Lou Engle’s ministry, The Cause. For more information log on at www.thecauseusa.com.

Shame in the Sanctuary

The fact that a pastor was taking drugs and raping women in his congregation in Texas (News, November) is a sad commentary on the state of the church in America. It speaks of the lack of accountability in the church today. We must hold church leaders accountable as outlined in 1 Timothy.

So what can we do? Here is a solution for Charisma magazine: Please begin by calling pastors and teachers to be accountable for what they teach, just as the apostle Paul did. Second, name those who are acting like grievous wolves.
Phil Fletcher
Fort Irwin, California

Correction: In Stephen Strang’s Final Word column in November, we should have stated that Christian Life Missions is raising funds for The Joseph Storehouse ministry in Israel, not the Joseph Project. Charisma regrets the error.

My Turn

If Christian publications such as Charisma are going to openly endorse candidates and or platforms, then all aspects of the platforms should be considered. I fear that Christian organizations have blinders on and tend to see only “moral” issues such as abortion or having the Ten Commandments posted in public buildings.

I submit that every issue is moral, including poverty, access to health care, consumer protection (eliminating fraud perpetuated by large corporations on the public) and many other issues. You should openly question the Republican candidates and elected officials who espouse Christian values and back up their statements with their legislative record on all issues, not just the politically sensitive “hot buttons.” Sometimes their rhetoric is nothing more than manipulation.

Though I do not propose any particular course of action in this regard, I bring this to your attention to point out that our Republican-led Congress can also be unfriendly to religion when it clashes with their economic agendas. It is ironic that Congress has taken a shot at the very people who put a large number of them in office.
Adrian M. Lapas
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Bethlehem, House of Bread
By Annie Moses Band,
Man Alive Records.

Bethlehem, House of Bread, a Christmas album by the Annie Moses Band, contains intricate musicianship and vibrant vocals that are second to none. Lead singer Annie Wolaver’s angelic soprano is a reminder that the shepherds heard God’s celestial messengers singing when the Son of God came to Earth. The group gives its all on each song to sound the trumpet that a Savior was born. Many common Christmas carols such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” have been recomposed into ornate, rushing words of praise and adoration. The Annie Moses Band also make the season come alive with original songs such as “Bethlehem, House of Bread,” “Christmas on Cripple Creek” and “When the Christmas Baby Cries.” This CD will definitely help make your Christmas “the most wonderful time of the year!”
Jevon Bolden

MUSIC

A Timeless Christmas
By Israel & New Breed, Integrity Music.

Israel Houghton and New Breed’s A Timeless Christmas offers a vibrant collection perfect for the holiday season. The album features classic hymns with Israel & New Breed flavor such as “O Come,” “Tidings,” “Hark” and “Silent Nocturne (Silent Night),” featuring jazz greats Lalah Hathaway and Gerald Albright. The CD also includes “Christmas Worship Medley” (which has a throwback to “Alpha and Omega”) and “Everybody Knows”—both likely to become classics. They also spice up “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “We Wish You a Timeless Christmas,” featuring CeCe Winans and Marvin Winans. A Timeless Christmas has the makings of a Christmas classic to be treasured for years to come.
Twanna Powell

Celebrating Christmas
By Hillsong, Integrity Music.

Hillsong has decked the halls with their brand-new Christmas CD. Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong team have filled Celebrating Christmas with a beautiful collection of songs and styles perfect for all listeners. Maintaining the traditional beauty found in Christmas carols, Hillsong also offers a contemporary “Angels We Have Heard on High,” a soulful “O Rejoice,” and a fun, big-band style “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” Helping to balance these songs and others are the acoustic “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and the worshipful “What Child Is This.” Once again, Hillsong helps listeners enter God’s presence, with fun tunes, traditional hymns and worshipful anthems, all successfully reminding us that our Savior Christ the King is the reason for the season.
Kristi Shores

You Are Good
By Matt Papa, Spin 360 Records.

Matt Papa’s latest release, You Are Good, offers an infectious electric sound. Papa gives full praise to God with Davidic-style lyrics and unmatched instrumentation. This 22-year-old keeps listeners eager for more of God with songs such as “Dancing Generation” and a beautiful reprise of the hymn “I Surrender All.” Though he is young, Papa’s praise is mature, and he has poured his heart into this CD with reckless abandon, delivering an energetic yet reflective offering of pure worship.
Jevon Bolden

The Shadow of Your Wings
By Fernando Ortega, Curb Records.

Feeling that our world offers little time for reflection, meditation and quiet, Fernando Ortega offers listeners a peaceful, sacred composition with The Shadow of Your Wings. He revisits the popular hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” engulfing listeners in the security of almighty God as he sings, “All I have needed Thy hand has provided.” Listeners will find solace in the quiet reflection each song allows—songs such as “Grace and Peace” and “There Is Power in the Blood.” This CD will provide rest to busy minds and spirits, and open your ears to the sweet, small voice of the Holy Spirit.
Jevon Bolden

BOOKS

Everybody Wants to Change the World
By Tony Campolo and Gordon Aeschilman,
Regal, softcover, 220 pages, $14.99.

Instead of reading through this book, many will find it more helpful to use it as a reference manual. Everybody Wants to Change the World contains dozens of ideas for employing grass-roots action to make a difference in your community—and beyond. Each chapter includes a list of ministries and nonprofit organizations that tackle problems stemming from poverty, prison reform, being disabled and being elderly. The book includes a study guide for small-group discussion, although fully exploring the issues will take longer than the six-week session suggested. The inclusion of such groups as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Amnesty International may rankle some conservative readers, but don’t let a political bias get in the way. As the authors point out, much of the world is starving or barely surviving. A church worth its salt will be striving to carry out Christ’s command to care for the hurting. This book offers practical suggestions for getting started.
Ken Walker

Downpour
By James MacDonald, Broadman & Holman,
Hardcover, 210 pages, $19.99.

James MacDonald’s book Downpour: An Encounter With God That Will Soak You With Joy is not for wimps. It contains no fluffy prose or cutesy stories. What it does have is a passionate and challenging plea from MacDonald for Christians to “return to the Lord” through personal revival. He clearly outlines his five-point plan for anyone wanting to restore a close relationship with God—God on the Throne, Sin in the Mirror, Self in the Dirt, Christ on the Cross and Spirit in Control—and walks the reader through immediate, interactive steps that can be taken to apply his points. One-page profiles of people who have experienced personal revival are scattered through the book as encouragement. MacDonald asks his readers to invest the time to truly absorb the concepts of each chapter. If they do, he believes they will soon feel the refreshing raindrops of God’s love and grace beginning to fall.
Jeff Friend

Lucifer Exposed
By Derek Prince, Whitaker House,
Softcover, 240 pages, $12.99.

The premise of Lucifer Exposed: The Devil’s Plan to Destroy Your Life by the late Derek Prince is very simple: Lucifer is real, he is out to destroy every soul, and Christians need to be aware of his plans and tactics. Prince begins by giving background information on Lucifer’s rebellion in heaven and then explains the structure of his current kingdom. In detailing Lucifer’s attack plans, Prince examines the multiple facets of witchcraft, many of which Lucifer tries to stir up within the church, such as pride, legalism, and illegitimate authority and theology. But Prince does not leave his readers feeling gloomy or hopeless. He devotes the second half of the book to outlining how we can overcome Lucifer and his many schemes and emphasizes that God already has secured our victory through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Jeff Friend

Dream Language
By James W. and Michal Ann Goll,
Destiny Image, softcover, 244 pages, $14.99.

James and Michal Ann Goll bring to light the gift of dreams given by the Holy Spirit in Dream Language: The Prophetic Power of Dreams, Revelations, and the Spirit of Wisdom. The Golls provide accounts from the entire Bible that show how God used dreams to speak to His people as well as to those who did not follow Him. They cover in depth the types of dreams God uses, such as dreams of correction or direction, and dreams to intercede for a situation, an individual or a nation. The Golls provide lists of symbols and meanings, though they emphasize repeatedly the need to seek God first about a dream before interpreting it or acting on it. They explain the importance of journaling and provide techniques for doing so. They also emphasize discernment and relying on the Word of God for wisdom and divine direction. This book is ideal for anyone wanting to learn more about how God manifests His love and direction to us through dreams.
Heidi Ippolito

More
By Marilyn N. Anderes, Chosen,
Softcover, 208 pages, $12.99.

Marilyn Anderes invites readers to a deeper level of intimacy with the Savior in More: The Four Dimensions of Intimacy With God. She explains the invitation of Christ to taste and see His goodness, telling readers that He will meet them as they throw off their hindrances to being with Him. Anderes assures readers that through Christ they can come to a point of sacrifice, from which they can dive deep into the living waters and become immersed in the limitless love of God. Whether they are held back by pride, fear, an issue of control, or hurts from past or current relationships, readers can lay all these things aside, accept Christ’s invitation for greater intimacy and bask in a life rich with His blessing.
Heidi Ippolito

New On DVD

Read ‘n’ See DVD Bible
Integrity Publishers
$19.99

The Read ‘n’ See DVD Bible brings Bible stories to life on screen and in the illustrated storybook. Children will learn about Noah, Adam and Eve, Jesus, and many others. Well-known musicians and authors, including Max Lucado, Rebecca St. James, Roy Clark and Twila Paris, provide the narration. Kids will also learn Bible verses with each story and enjoy the 40 sing-along songs.

Gideon: Tuba Warrior
Big Idea Inc.
$14.99

Larry the Cucumber is back as Gideon. God chooses him to fight 30,000 hairy pickles. But this tuba player is more familiar with a marching band than with marching orders. This is a story of learning to trust what God says. The DVD includes several behind-the-scenes bonus features, video trivia, an interactive storybook, games and much more.

To Share or Nut to Share
Tommy Nelson
$14.99

The Garden Talent Show and Tell leaves the bugs scrambling for the only nut left to show. Will the former friends learn how important it is to share? Bonus features include a tribute to the late Don Knotts (this is his last voice appearance as Wormie for the Hermie & Friends series) and the cartoon short Win, Lose or Honey.

When Bill Wiese says he’s been to hell, he isn’t using a metaphor. He says he saw and felt its horrors for 23 minutes. 

At exactly 3:23 a.m. on November 22, 1998, Annette Wiese awoke to her husband’s screams. Rushing down the hall of their Santa Ana, California, home to the living room, she found him lying on the floor in a fetal position, his hands grasping at the sides of his head, begging her to pray for him. After he drank several glasses of water, Bill Wiese explained in gasps to his wife that God had taken him into hell.

Wiese had spent 23 minutes in a fiery pit that many people, including some Christians, don’t believe exists.

“It was terrible,” he says. “I was thinking: This has to end—I can’t endure this, I have to get out.

“Only, in hell, you understand you’re never going to get out. You’re going to spend eternity here.”

The visit, chronicled in Wiese’s recent book, 23 Minutes in Hell, started an evangelistic journey for the couple that is growing each day. It began with Wiese’s speaking about hell first in home Bible studies, then in churches, and now includes radio and TV appearances by the author.

After Charisma House released his book in February, speaking offers poured in from around the world. Wiese says readers are distributing the book “like tracts” to unsaved loved ones. Each day several people e-mail him to say it has brought them or a friend to Christ.

Today the Wieses are getting their newly founded Soul Choice Ministries under way and say they are “transitioning” out of their comfortable jobs in Southern California’s cushy Orange County to deliver the eye-opening message full time. “It’s not an easy transition to make,” Bill Wiese says. “It’s a little bit scary, but we know this is the year we are called to make it.”

An ‘Unlikely’ Choice

Sitting in a hotel restaurant a few blocks from Disneyland in Anaheim, California, the polished, poised and dressed-to-preach couple explain their new direction.

“Our heart is that we want to be in ministry full time,” Annette Wiese says. “We know we’ve reached the point where we have to put together a formal ministry and move forward with that.”

That the Wieses see themselves as chosen by God to deliver a message about hell—a hotly debated topic among Christians—is paradoxical. It’s not the kind of calling you might expect for this couple.

Both are longtime Christians from highly functional middle-class families. Both have an uncommon normalcy about them. Neither had a prophetic inkling of the event Bill would go through or their subsequent call to evangelism.

Annette grew up in Seattle and Southern California, and Bill, son of an insurance salesman, grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Each is the second oldest of five siblings and was previously married with no children.

They met nine years ago in the Irvine, California, church they still attend. They’ve been married eight years. Both work in real estate—Bill as owner of a real estate brokerage firm that resells homes and Annette with a company that builds new homes.

Annette is polite, perky and quick to laugh. Bill is soft-spoken, methodical, studious and nicknamed “Mr. Starch” by the youth drawn to his message. Before that frightful night in 1998, he taught a Bible class and led worship at his church but says he “never liked the microphone and being in the front.”

“I’ve always been one to gravitate toward the scholastic and conservative end,” Bill says. “Then, what happened grouped me into another class and maybe made me into something that was not so conservative, even a little bit wild.”

He has become something of a spiritual Superman. He’s changed from a mild-mannered, retiring, faithful-but-not-on-fire Christian version of Clark Kent into a fearless champion of the truth he believes in. He’s willing to take on the villains of skepticism, false doctrine and modern Christianity’s distaste for the subject of hell.

It’s not like him.

“That’s opposite of my nature,” he notes. “It’s a bit contrary to who I am to talk about a vision [of hell]. If I were given my choices, I would have chosen heaven and not hell.”

Why God selected him remains a mystery to him. He offers the thought that God often chooses the most unlikely person for the job—from Moses to Gideon to the apostle Paul.

“I asked, and He never gave me an answer,” Wiese says of why he received the experience. “I’m no Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. I hate disorder and filth, and hell is filthy, disorderly and chaotic. It’s loud from the screams, and I hate noise.

“The only possible reason I can think of is that God knew I would draw attention to His Word and point people to what the Word has to say and not just me.”

Wiese says God made the reality more horrible by not letting him realize he was a Christian while he was in hell, though he’s been a believer for many years. Afterward he was reluctant to even mention his experience to friends.

He was much more eager to research the Bible and other books on the subject by Christian authors to make sure the hell he experienced wasn’t contrary to Scripture or widely accepted doctrine.

“To tell someone you’ve been to hell is pretty amazing,” he says. “I thought people were either going to think I’m crazy or had a bad dream. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in visions. I just never thought one could happen to me.”

Hell to Pay

Wiese allowed time for God to open the door for him to write a book about his experience. He used the time to conduct extensive research about his topic. A portion of his book is a study on the theology of hell.

Hell, he discovered, is under fire.

“The doctrine of hell has disappeared this century,” he says. “A lot of people seem to think, Well, I confessed the Lord and I can live my life anyway I want and I’m still saved.

“The fear of the Lord has left the church, and I think God wants to bring that back. He wants me to draw attention to His Word that says hell is real—not allegorical, but [a] literal burning hell—and people will go there if they don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior.”

When Christ arrived and removed Wiese from hell, He commanded him to tell the world about the place. God, Wiese believes, wants the message delivered to the unsaved for salvation and to the church to invoke witnessing.

The description of Wiese’s 23-minute visit to hell is sobering enough to do both. “Here on earth, it’s impossible to know the hopelessness of hell,” he says. “Here on earth, even if things are terrible, you think you can die and get out.

“But there you can’t die. You have a body, but somehow it holds up under all the torment, and somehow you keep going. And you know you’re never, never going to get out.

“That’s the part that’s most tormenting. Hell is more horrific than anyone could ever imagine.”

His message stirs an adverse reaction in many people because it stems from his claim that hell is not a biblical metaphor but an actual place. The backlash is strong enough to make the Wieses prefer not to give the name of the church they attend or even talk in detail about what they say are some of the “over the top” e-mails they receive.

Bill was surprised when, during radio shows, some Christians called and said that although they are born again they don’t believe there is a hell.

Other Christian callers quoted Matthew 25:41, saying hell is reserved for the devil and his demons and not for people. Many, he says, consider his message “highly offensive.”

“Hell is reserved for the devil and his demons, but people go there if they don’t accept Christ,” he explains. “There are false doctrines out there.”

‘Believe the Word’

When Jesus arrived in hell and ascended with Wiese in tow from the center of the Earth into space, He gave him a vision—one in which people were dropping one by one into the pit he had just escaped. Wiese says he was allowed to feel Jesus’ pain.

“I couldn’t believe how sad it was for Him,” he says. “I finally had to ask Him to stop allowing me to feel it. It was overwhelming.

“He loves us so much that when one person falls into hell, it saddens Him beyond belief,” he explains. “It was terrible to feel what He felt but also wonderful to know that He loves us that much.”

To those who say a loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell, Wiese says that God sent His only Son, His Word and even a person such as him to keep people out.

He points out that the hellfire and brimstone message delivered by New England preacher Jonathan Edwards in his famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” marked America’s First Great Awakening in the 18th century. Such preaching continued with Charles Finney and others in the Second Great Awakening a century later, he notes.

Wiese believes his message for the postmodern world is to be the same. He speaks it with passion, emphasizing each point with a biblical quote, complete with chapter and verse.

More than anything, he is motivated by his experience to continue telling people about the reality of hell.

“It’s not important they believe me,” he says of those who hear him preach. “It’s important they believe what the Word says.

“Just like [the apostle] Paul saw heaven, I saw hell,” he adds. “Hell is real, and I don’t want anyone to go there. I’ve got to do whatever my part is to help.”

Ed Donnally, a former Dallas Morning News writer, is a Foursquare minister and chaplain. He serves as an associate pastor and works as the development director for an international chaplaincy ministry. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Sandi.

They Died For the Truth

Your cover story on the martyrs who died for the Bible was absolutely exceptional (“Martyred for the Message” by Joe Maxwell, September). Few believers are aware of the supreme sacrifices men and women have made for the Word of God over the last 2,000 years. Most are aware of the brutality in Rome’s coliseum, but there is much more throughout history. I was enlightened and inspired by their deeds.
Phil Hannah
Temecula, California

The bloodshed of the martyrs and their hunger to be like Christ is so humbling. I contrast this with the advertisements in your magazine for “kingdom millionaires.” Where in the Bible do we find this prosperity doctrine that is promoted by the charismatic movement?

I believe the example of many charismatic leaders and their constant pleas for money and asking people to “plant seeds” have done nothing more than prostitute the perfect message of God into some sort of multilevel marketing scheme. If you really want revival, sell the jet planes, yachts and fancy cars, and get real and love the people.
Hal Farthing
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina

Where is the self-denial and brokenness of such people as Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, and those who gave everything to make God’s Word accessible to us? When I read of the faithfulness and power of the persecuted church in Uganda, Korea and Sudan, I am almost embarrassed to call myself a believer.
Janie Newsome
League City, Texas

Don’t Stop Praying for Israel

After reading William Arensman’s letter to the editor in September, I had to respond. He wrote: “I am tired of hearing the mantra, ‘pray for the peace of Jerusalem.'”

When God gave us this instruction, no conditions were applied. We mustn’t forget that Israel is the “apple of God’s eye” and His plan for Israel has not changed one iota over time.
Kenneth Cowman
Sykesville, Maryland

One of your readers wrote a letter to the editor in which he said: “I am tired of hearing the mantra ‘pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” … Israel needs to be shaken until they admit they’re still stiffed-necked like Jesus said of them.”

I can’t fathom how we Christians can take the very words of our Lord and say we are tired of hearing them.
John Hopper
Murphy, North Carolina

Does the strategic alliance between Israel and the United States require us to ignore the Christians of the Middle East—namely the Chaldo-Assyrian natives of Iraq? For 2,000 years they have lived in dire circumstances and been threatened with extinction. They have endured hostility from Turks, Kurds, Arabs and Persians, but their case is never publicized.

I am one of them. Israel has received billions of dollars in aid, but the Chaldo-Assyrians receive nothing. They are losing their faith. Thousands of them have become Muslims through intermarriage. The extermination of the Chaldo-Assyrian race is more horrible than the Holocaust.
Ann Jirjis
San Diego, California

When Your Pastor Lets You Down

Thank you for the article about church leaders who fail (“When a Shepherd Sins” by Francis Frangipane, September). Our small church is going through exactly what is described in your article.

Most of the members have quit coming to church. We are dealing with confusion, anger, and lack of trust and respect for our leader. This article has helped me so much in releasing all my negative feelings to God and letting Him give me the strength to forgive.
Judy Schock
Vida, Montana

Forgotten Voices

Thanks for Lee Grady’s exceptional column nudging us to remember the forgotten Christian voices of the past (Fire in My Bones, September). I shudder to think where I might be on the spiritual landscape had it not been for the powerful impact of such writers as Andrew Murry and A.W. Tozer. They and others pressed upon me the need to know Jesus intimately during my spiritual adolescence.
Everett Stenhouse
Palm Desert, California

Where I live, a “seeker-friendly” church sprouted up where, as Grady describes, “worship is a canned performance.” I went to see what was going on there, since this church has practically emptied all the other churches in town.

I never heard any teaching on the cross, repentance or hell. I asked one of the pastors about this. He just smiled and said, “Well, we don’t want to offend any of the new folks.”
Jim Hall
Shelbyville, Indiana

House Church vs.Traditional Church?

Regarding your recent article on house churches (“God Is Out of the Box” by Ken Walker, June), I too am a bit bored with church and religious activities. It’s probably because I do not see the church in action, as it was in the book of Acts. 

I am not referring to people having church in their homes but the demonstration of spiritual gifts in operation, giving possessions to poorer brothers and sisters in Christ and the fruit of the Spirit.

 The people I talk to who are involved in house churches seem to have the same reasons for not belonging to a more traditional church body. They are hurt, do not want to be under a spiritual authority, are rebellious or are bored with church traditions. To be home churched is also a way of getting out of paying tithes and offerings.

 I understand how some of them feel and have felt the same way. But the Word of God hasn’t changed. We still need to be under spiritual authority, and we are to assemble ourselves with the body even more now than we used to.
name withheld
 

I believe that if the motivation to start a house church is based on being hurt in a denomination, boredom, or inability to honor spiritual authority, then its all wrong. House churches still must practice proper accountability and submission to authority as Christ demands.

You do not get away from that by staying home. When we begin to look at Christ’s agenda rather than our own, we will find that we will be comfortable serving Him anywhere—no matter what others are doing or may try to do to hurt us.
Nerissa Golden
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

I am in agreement with Charisma’s warnings about the “lone rangers” who start house churches. I believe this will be a very divisive issue for years to come. It seems that many of these “church dropouts” are unsubmissive and unaccountable.
However, we still must return to the New Testament model of the church. Maybe the underlying reason there are so many dropouts today is that churches are too structured and controlling. I have been around many denominations and have spent years on the mission field. Although evangelism is encouraged, it seems most leaders assume that everything else must happen within the four walls of the church.

When will we wake up and realize that Jesus sent his disciples out two by two into people’s homes to preach the kingdom?
Louis C. Roy Sr., Apostle
Oasis Christian Fellowship
Toledo, Ohio

More on Brownsville

J. Lee Grady’s article on the Pensacola revival was balanced and fair (Fire in My Bones, July). We have been members at Brownsville Assembly of God since 1988.
The revival was great. It appears many mistakes were made; some of our former leaders have been accused of being more concerned with their own ministries and finances than the church. Only God knows.

My conclusion: If Brownsville Assembly does not survive (and I think it will), what happened here was worth the cost of one church. Thank you for remembering us.
Douglas Broxson
Pensacola, Florida

I am very heartbroken to read the article about Brownsville Assembly of God. I think the reporter tried to cast a negative light on Pastor Kilpatrick and the leaders of the church.

As a pastor I was changed at Brownsville. God rekindled a fire in me that I thought was lost. I saw my denomination having church like we did in the days of my youth. Praise God, revival had come!
Chuck Clark, Pastor
Union, Missouri

I feel very fortunate to have attended the Brownsville Revival. Just as J. Lee Grady’s life was changed there, my life was changed too. The hunger of the people attending the services was unbelievable.

The revival team poured out their hearts night after night. Only our Lord knows how many lives were changed worldwide. I am glad I can tell my grandchildren, “I was there!”
Howard Jackson
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Many of us who were active in the charismatic renewal in the 1970s experienced the same disappointments that our friends at Brownsville are experiencing today. In hindsight, I have learned that it is usually division that causes a revival to end.
A divided church gives a foothold to the enemy. Discord grieves the Holy Spirit. Is there a remedy? Let’s start with Philippians 2:2-3.
Darrell L. Shawver
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

In Support of Katherine Harris

Thank you for endorsing Katherine Harris, a godly woman from Florida, for U.S. Senate (Stephen Strang, August). To all Christian voters I say: This may be the first time you put your heart in action to change the community where you live, but please don’t let this be the last. The church must become relevant to our communities or it will succumb to relativism.
Steven Breathitt
North Richland Hills, Texas

Sabbath on Saturday?

John Chasteen touched on a very important aspect of the Ten Commandments when he wrote about the holy Sabbath (Digging Deeper in God’s Word, September). I would like to know if we Christians ought to observe Saturday as the Sabbath.

I have heard many popular evangelists talk about the Ten Commandments. They elaborate on all of them except the fourth commandment. There are some churches that do preach and observe the seventh day as the holy Sabbath. I would like to know more about this from a biblical perspective.
Lazarus Solomon
Starkville, Mississippi

BOOKS

The Upside of Adversity
By Os Hillman, Regal, hardcover,
256 pages, $19.99.

Reading about the apostle Paul’s multiple hardships makes one wonder how the prosperity doctrine ever sprouted such strong roots within various segments of the Christian church. Businessman Os Hillman takes a corrective approach to the disputed doctrinal viewpoint with an illuminating account of the collapse of his marriage, business and finances—and how God used the calamity to strengthen him. A leader in prosperity’s counterweight doctrine, the “faith and work movement,” Hillman pulls no punches in revealing how God shaped and molded him into a new person. The author deserves high marks for his candor in discussing the fear, pride and personal idols that used to drive him, even as he was teaching a men’s Bible study. One of the book’s most profound statements appears in the first chapter: “We must get beyond the immature notion that God is only interested in making us healthy, wealthy and happy. God wants so much more for us than that.” Hillman’s teaching will help you discover divine purposes for adversity in your life.
Ken Walker

10 Curses That Block the Blessing
By Larry Huch, Whitaker House,
Softcover, 224 pages, $12.99.

In 10 Curses That Block the Blessing, Larry Huch teaches on what he proposes is the full benefit of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He believes that Christians are entitled not only to eternal life in heaven but also to an abundant, prosperous life on earth. Describing how he has been freed from anger, drug addiction, crime and violence, Huch uses his own life as an example of the success behind the “10 steps to removing the curse and releasing the blessing” that he teaches in his book. Huch stresses the importance of knowing and receiving all that God intended when He sent His only Son into the world. This book can be used as a teaching tool for anyone who desires to move “from poverty to prosperity, from sickness to health, from battlefield to the victory.”
Jevon Bolden

The Unusual Suspect
By Stephen Baldwin with Mark Tabb,
FaithWords, hardcover,
304 pages, $23.99.

The Unusual Suspect: My Calling to the New Hardcore Movement of Faith chronicles actor Stephen Baldwin’s journey from party animal to apostle for the faith. He offers his story as a passionate demonstration of God’s power at work in one man’s life and as a testament to the responsibility every believer has to live out their faith fully and radically. Baldwin does not fit the conservative Christian mold, and he makes that evident. He believes God is sending into society today a new breed of apostolic messengers who will preach His message in a radical, more relevant way and that they are turning contemporary Christian culture on its ear. The book’s title is a takeoff from one of the movies Baldwin is best known for, The Usual Suspects. Although The Unusual Suspect is entertaining, it is also a personal and inspirational look at a changed life and not just another celebrity biography. Expect to be challenged, perhaps affronted at times, but to come away with a new view on effective evangelism.
Sandra Carroll

Out of Your Comfort Zone
By R.T. Kendall, FaithWords
Softcover, 224 pages, $12.99.

R.T. Kendall’s Out of Your Comfort Zone is not for the spiritually squeamish but for the Christian who dares to pursue the great God of the Bible. Kendall writes from a level of experience that testifies to his many years of going after God—from serving 25 years as senior minister of Westminster Chapel, London, to staying active in public ministry today from his home in Key Largo, Florida, where he bases his teaching and writing ministry. If you desire to go deeper with God, this book should ignite a driving passion in you to pursue Him more and more. It expresses the joy, fulfillment and freedom Kendall has experienced from accepting God for who He is. You may laugh, feel conviction or even cry. But in the end you will have the tools to evaluate how your image of God measures up to the almighty God, and you will discover ways to close the gap and draw closer to your Savior.
Jevon Bolden

The Missing Gospels
By Darrell L. Bock, Ph.D.; Nelson Books;
Hardcover; 256 pages; $21.99.

Author Darrell L. Bock, Ph.D., gives believers ammunition in the battle for truth with his book The Missing Gospels: Unearthing the Truth Behind Alternative Christianities. He explains why certain texts were selected and others rejected as the Bible was assembled. He reviews the Gnostic gospels and explains why they are not reliable. Bock reassures readers that the Bible can be trusted as Holy Scripture. What he does not do, unfortunately, is word his arguments very readably for the layperson. The Missing Gospels is without a doubt an academic book—the writing style will be OK for some readers but difficult for others. It is a pity that many who pick up The DaVinci Code for a suspenseful read will not likely plow through books that can point out its faults. Yet for those who are able to break it down for other people, The Missing Gospels will prove to be a good resource.
Deborah L. Delk

MUSIC

Don’t Get Comfortable
By Brandon Heath, Reunion Records.

A thought-provoking song from newcomer Brandon Heath, “I’m Not Who I Was,” looks to offer hope in the midst of feeling wronged: “I used to be mad at you / A little on the hurt side, too / but I’m not who I was.” The forgiveness-centered song is a highlight of Heath’s debut project, Don’t Get Comfortable, a collection of memorable pop tunes. On the grand “Our God Reigns,” Heath delivers a probable new worship classic, ready to be included in corporate settings. The title track is an empowering call for listeners to wake up and seize the day. Heath may elicit comparisons to Bebo Norman—a natural connection because the two have collaborated before—but he has a decidedly more radio-friendly, pop sound.
Dewayne Hamby

Broken Things
By Kim Hill, 33rd Street Records.

Kim Hill, who in recent years has morphed from performer to worship artist, returns with a vengeance to her rock roots on her newest release, Broken Things. With the help of producer Paul Ebersold (Third Day, Sister Hazel, Three Doors Down), she explores a bluesy American-rock atmosphere, all the while projecting a message of unapologetic faith and worship. The folk-rock of “Here Inside of Me” is done in a spirit of thanksgiving, asking God to make Himself at home in her heart. The solemn “Wide” is a heartfelt message of forgiveness, and the rock-praise of “Lover of My Soul” soars with electric guitars. The acoustic “You Don’t Belong Here” is a biting commentary on judgmentalism. Hill bears similarities to Ashley Cleveland, Bonnie Raitt or even Tori Amos. Younger listeners will wonder why they haven’t heard of her before, while longtime fans will enjoy the homecoming of one of the industry’s most notable voices.
Dewayne Hamby

Woman to Woman
By Vickie Winans, Verity Records.

A wife, daughter, mother, sister and friend, the Grammy-nominated Vickie Winans is familiar with the roles of being a woman. Her desire to express the different facets of her life led to her recording the double CD Woman to Woman: Songs of Life. A part live, part studio recording, the project contains 33 songs that include the uplifting hand-clapper “Everyday Is a Good Day,” the spirited African-tinged “Alive Alive” and the churchy “Stretch Out.” She pulls out a gospel favorite, the Walter Hawkins’ classic “I Love You Lord” and gives it her special twist. The bouncy urban sound of “It’s Alright” and the smooth jazz styling of “Never Separate” make for definite standouts as well. “Falling in Love” is a relaxed prelude to “Madly in Love,” an infectious, urban-groove track that focuses on the ultimate spiritual love affair. Hitting the listener with great music and relatable topics, Winans has delivered a project that many women will love.
Andrea R. Williams

NEW ON DVD

Thou Shalt Laugh
Warner Home Video
$19.97
This is stand-up comedy you can actually watch. The stars, director and producers all are Christians. Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond) hosts a concert that features seven comedians: Taylor Mason, Thor Ramsey, Michael Wright Jr., Teresa Roberts Logan, Gilbert Esquivel, Joby Saad and Jeff Allen. Get ready for 98 minutes of humor and laughter.

Akeelah and the Bee
Lionsgate $28.98
Akeelah Anderson is an 11-year-old girl from south Los Angeles. In her quest to enter the Scripps National Spelling Bee, she overcomes her own insecurities and unites her community. The DVD’s special features include “Making of Akeelah and the Bee,” “All My Girlz” music video by Keke Palmer, bloopers and much more. This film is rated PG for some language.

As It Was
ZRG
Productions Inc.
$14.95
As It Was is a DVD series of reality-TV-style stories of biblical personalities such as Elijah, Ruth and Samson. Each 30-minute episode is offered in English and Hebrew with subtitles and includes a downloadable study guide. This is a collaboration by American Christians and Jews and was filmed on location in Israel. Four episodes are now available individually or in a set.

Ukraine-based pastor Sunday Adelaja says the church should help change cultures, politics and economics
Two years after encouraging its members to join in the “Orange Revolution” that overturned the results of Ukraine’s presidential election, Europe’s largest church has taken a higher political profile.

Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of All Nations now has more than 30 church members who serve in parliament and other branches of government—including Kiev Mayor Leonid Chernovetsky—according to its pastor, Sunday Adelaja. The Nigerian-born charismatic believes churches worldwide mistakenly focus so much attention on getting people to heaven that they overlook the need to change cultures, politics and economics.

“The church has isolated itself from the world it was supposed to affect and the world it came to save. If we don’t do anything as a church that is big enough to make a difference, posterity will not forgive us,” said Adelaja, whose church has a weekly attendance of up to 10,000 at its main campus and an initiative that has started 550 other churches.

“I feel it is the direct responsibility of the church to campaign for a good government and good governors. [We should] raise up godly leaders from within the church.”

Also known as God’s Embassy, the church has attracted considerable media attention because of its high-profile pastor, whose television program reaches a potential audience of 8 million. In recent months Adelaja has been profiled in such newspapers as The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

God’s Embassy also has made a name for itself with its social programs. Among its outreaches are feeding 1,000 people a week and helping more than 3,000 kick drug addiction at its rehabilitation center.

However, it was the congregation’s participation in widespread protests during 2004—which toppled Viktor Yanukovych from the presidency—that generated nationwide attention. The Orange Revolution took its name from the color of the protestors’ clothing, flags and banner.

Although they succeeded in forcing a second election that installed Viktor Yushchenko as president, international media reports have noted that reforms promised in the former Soviet state have come slowly. Ironically, Yanukovych’s party captured the largest bloc of votes in parliamentary elections held last March, leading to his nomination in July as prime minister.

Adelaja isn’t discouraged by either situation, saying reforms always take time. Despite widespread complaints about conditions, Ukraine has seen a 9 percent to 12 percent growth in its economy in the last three years, the pastor said. And Adelaja called Yanukovych’s political rebirth the best compromise in a complex political situation and one he believes will keep the nation from splintering into factions.

“Nothing is lost in the sense that this prime minister is going to be submitted to the president,” Adelaja said. “We’re not going back on Western values of freedom of speech. It’s a blessing in disguise.”

He acknowledges that many Protestant pastors don’t share his views, such as leaders of the Baptist Union, who are “very angry” with him. Yet when various church leaders encounter bureaucratic problems, they often quietly ask God’s Embassy for help, Adelaja said.

Still, the situation remains delicate, according to other observers in Kiev. Gary Kellner, a missionary in Ukraine since 1999, said the debate among religious leaders over political engagement is far from over. “It’s potentially the most divisive issue for the church in the next decade,” said Kellner, president of the U.S. board of the International Center for Christian Leadership.

“The danger in the Ukraine is if the church claims too great a role for itself, it could inspire a counter-reaction from the Orthodox Church. The church has more to worry about from the Orthodox than the communists.”

However, charismatic pastor Henry Madava of Victory Church said he is more concerned about backlash from politicians than from the leading mainline church, which he sees as fractured by infighting. He said some politicians are angry with churches because of the way they conducted themselves in recent elections.

“Every time you go against one side you make yourself an enemy of the other side,” said Madava, a Zimbabwe native whose church attracts 7,000 to Sunday services. “We as pastors may be leaders, but if you become neutral and just preach the gospel, when [politicians] want to hear the gospel they’ll come to you.”

Though he doesn’t criticize Adelaja, Madava won’t tie politics too closely to Victory’s identity. His church counts a number of political leaders among its membership, but Madava said he never permits them to use the church to advance their agendas.

He sees another danger in emphasizing politics, which he said many Ukranian churches consider to be a promising growth method. Madava thinks it could foster a generation that is dependent on help from the government instead of God.

“We end up with people who do not believe God as such but expect someone politically to come in and help,” Madava said. “We want the faith of believers to be in the Bible and in the power of God.”

In September Adelaja was to travel to New York to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative. The invitation-only event convenes diverse leaders to discuss solutions to global problems such as poverty, climate change, public health and religious conflict.
Ken Walker

A Time to Shout

Phillips, Craig and Dean say it’s time for Christians to make themselves heard.

The contemporary Christian trio Phillips, Craig and Dean—comprised of Pentecostal pastors Randy Phillips, Shawn Craig and Dan Dean—have a message for the church: It’s time to shout. “The world does not need any more silent-majority Christians,” Phillips says. “We need people to stand up—at school, in universities, in politics, in pulpits. Wherever God has called you to be, stand up and proclaim the gospel at the top of your lungs.” That theme inspired the title cut of their latest release, Top of My Lungs. “It’s the perfect time … for the people of God to stand up and be the light,” Phillips says. “And that light is … a hopeful message, that in the middle of crisis and uncertainty, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it.’ “
Adrienne S. Gaines

Prayer Point

As voters across the United States head to the polls this month for the midterm elections, we are reminded of the call to intercede for those in authority (see 1 Tim. 2:1-3). This month we encourage you to: