4 – THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011
Have a story idea?
Is there a group of people or a special ministry that makes your church unique? Is your church planning a concert, Bible school or revival meetings? Send us the details:
E-mail:
[email protected] Telephone: 677-8357 or (800) 352-1002, Ext. 8357 Mail: Venango Newspapers, ATTN: RELIGION, P.O. Box 928, Oil City The deadline for the weekly Religion page is 5 p.m. Monday.
Religion
“If there is no knowledge, there is no understanding; if there is no understanding, there is no knowledge.” The Talmud
An Upward View
Sometimes we need a new perspective
It has been said that “absence makes the heart grown fonder.” The idea is that the lack of something makes it even more desirable. It has also been said that “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” This suggests that things just beyond our grasp are much more attractive than what is already available to us. In some relationships I find this to be the case. However for some the distance causes resentfulness, especially if one’s present circumstances are troubling. Psalm 10 begins, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” I wonder if you today can relate to that verse. Have you ever experienced the distance of God? Have you ever felt God is just out of grasp? Did you feel abandoned or closer to God? Sometimes I think when the worries press in and the Enemy looms over us we lose sight of the ever present Lord. Our vision is blocked by the problems we face. We feel abandoned by God, as if He has stepped back at the moment when our worries have stepped up. But I wonder if distance is His way to help us gain perspective. God is truly indescribably bigger than any problem we face. However, sometimes He moves back so we can see it in perspective. Think of the Statue of Liberty. In photographs we most often see her from a distance in the harbor, not from her feet upon the island. When I was at the very feet of the statue, I may have been very close to the sculpture but I did not have a very good view of her. It is only when I saw her at a distance that I see her the most clearly. When, therefore we are faced with a problem God
Scott Woodlee
may take a step back. Then, when we look for Him, we see Him in all His glory, watching and listening. It is then that we can be encouraged for we see the whole picture of the Lord. That is why the Psalmist doesn’t stay with the question, “why do you stand far off?” but ends by saying, “You hear, O Lord... you encourage them and you listen to their cry.” At the foot of the Statue of Liberty I cannot see her ears nor be encouraged by the expression of her face. So it is with the Lord. Maybe when I see Him past my worries and problems, I will glimpse His face, see that His ear is trained on my cry and be encouraged as I look into His eyes. The next time worries stand in your way, look past them and see though God may seem to be far off, He has stepped back so you can see His face in the midst of your fears. May your heart grow fonder by the perspective of distance and see that He is watching over you, listening intently to you, and lighting your way. (Scott Woodlee is the pastor of the Franklin Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.)
Keeping Up Parish marks arks Eucharistic Day
CROWN — The St. Mary/St. Ann Parish will celebrate a Eucharistic Day on Sunday. Adoration will begin immediately following the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Church. The closing of the celebration will begin at 7 p.m. with solemn vespers and benediction. Matt Clark of the Office of Worship of the Diocese of Erie will be the speaker at the later service.
Family leads six days of services
STRATTANVILLE — The Rev. Stephen Cassidy family will lead a series of services at the Strattanville Pilgrim Holiness Church, located at the corner of Walnut and Washington streets. The services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Sept. 24, and at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.
Class combines religion, fitness
CLARION — Joining the desire to live a healthy life with the need to grow closer to God — that is the goal of the Made to Crave series starting Thursday, Sept 22, at Joe’s Gym outside of Clarion. The ladies-only class meets at 6:30 p.m. for seven Thursdays and includes a time for exercise and a study period when attendees discuss the book, “Made to Crave.” The book is not meant to be a diet manual but rather a complement to a healthy eating approach. The author, Lysa TerKeurst, wrote the book to help women link between their desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The cost is $15, which includes study materials. Those interested may call 229-9213 or 221-1120 for additional information.
Allegheny Boys to perform Sunday
RENO — The Allegheny Boys will sing old time gospel music during the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Reno United Methodist Church. A love offering will be taken for the group.
Photo by Jill Harry
Bob Martin serves as the bishop at the Franklin ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. He believes there are many misunderstandings about being a Mormon.
Are Mormons Christians? Church leader says they are By JILL HARRY Staff writer
Bob Martin is Franklin resident and an attorney. He is a husband and a father. He is also a leader in his congregation. Most importantly to him, he is a Mormon and — a Christian. Martin is among those who worship at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints ward outside of Franklin. The religion has come to the forefront of politics and television this year with the presidential candidacy of Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, the hit Broadway musical, “The Book of Mormon,” and the television shows, “Big Love” and “Sister Wives.” Martin said the publicity has been good for the church, whether it comes from critics or supporters of Mormonism. (It) is good in tthe sense that it caused “(It) people to wonder what’s going on,” he said. “The more people p that investigate mor people that will join the church, the more the church.” Martin’s own jo journey into the church b h hhe was 9 years old and his began when family converted. Throughout the years, he became more dedicated to following the church’s teachings and rose through the congregation’s leadership. He is well-versed in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and comfortable sharing his faith. It is during those times of sharing that Martin explained people are interested to find that being a Mormon is not a mysterious way of life. “They (are) surprised to see we are normal people,” he said. “They (are) surprised to learn that we are Christians.” Doctrinal differences Martin points to three areas of doctrinal differences that lead some to argue that Mormons are not Christians. The LDS church preaches that believers are not saved by grace alone but must go a step further and live according to the Scriptures. “We really believe in responsibilities,” Martin said of salvation. “We are in a pit. Christ put down a ladder. We have to climb the ladder.” A second area of difference is the Nicene Creed, a profession of faith written in 625 A.D. and used by Catholics and many Protestant denominations to declare belief in a triune God. The creed states that God the father, Jesus Christ his son and the Holy Ghost are a threein-one Trinity. Mormons, however, dismiss the creed and believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are one in purpose but separate in being.
The third is the belief in continuing revelation that the LDS church holds. “We don’t believe God stopped speaking at Peter, Paul and John,” Martin said. “We believe he speaks to prophets today.” Among those modern-day prophets is Joseph Smith, who founded the church in 1830. Ten years prior to starting the LDS church, Smith said he had received a vision of God and Jesus and was told that the churches of the period had strayed from their true intentions. He believed he was to re-establish the church and was led by God to discover ancient records he translated into the Book of Mormon. Through continued revelations, Smith went on to pen the “Doctrine and Covenants” and expand the church. Smith and the Book of Mormon remain areas of intrigue and misunderstanding for those outside the LDS church, Martin said. “We don’t worship Joseph Smith. We worship Christ,” Martin said. “We accept (Smith) as a prophet (the same) as Moses or Isaiah.” This is a belief backed by the church’s website. “Some people mistakenly believe Mormons worship Joseph Smith. This is false; we worship God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Joseph was not a perfect person, nor a deity. He was a man of virtue who fulfilled an extraordinary calling,” the website says. Along with Smith’s role, the Book of Mormon is a source of confusion for those outside the church. The website explains, “The Book of Mormon is not a replacement for the Bible. In fact, because the Book of Mormon and the Bible both contain the gospel of Jesus Christ as it was revealed to different civilizations, studying them together can clarify some concepts that are difficult to understand.” Mormons also accept the “Doctrine and Covenants” and the “Pearl of Great Price” as holy works. The divergencies have caused the church struggles to gain acceptance from the Christian community as a whole, despite its place as the fourth largest religion in the country and one of the fastest-growing in the world. Yet Martin believes that the Franklin ward and its modest-sized congregation will continue to be a light to its surrounding community. “We are a place where people can come for the truth,” he said. First-time visitors “feel like they’ve come home. I believe that’s a feeling of coming nearer to the light.” Moral code Outside of the theological arguments, there are lifestyle decisions that often
separate Mormons from other faith groups. The booklet “For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God” is an outward display of the high standards the LDS holds for its youths. Among the issues addressed in the publication are gratitude, dress, music, dating, sexual purity, honesty and physical health. “Youth are actually spiritually hungry,” Martin said. The church helps them keep on a godly path. Along that path is the church’s expectation that males between ages 19 and 21 should dedicate 18 months to two years serving as missionaries. Often seen donning white shirts and ties, the missionaries have helped the church grow throughout the world, including in Venango County. Martin says many of the Franklin ward’s visitors and new members come from the work done by locally based missionaries. The mission work is one area geared toward the youths in the LDS Church. There is a strict no-dating-until-your16 policy, but Martin says the church wants the youths to meet. “We are big believers in males and females falling in love with each other.” The church encourages group dating for singles but when it comes to polygamy, the marriage of one man to multiple women, is out of the question regardless of its portrayal in “Big Love” and “Sister Wives,” Martin said. During the 1800s, some members of the church practiced plural marriage, saying it was revealed to them by God. Run-ins with the government led to the ban of the practice in 1890. The church president at the time, Wilford Woodruff, said he received a revelation from God that the practice of polygamy should no longer be taught. Martin said the decision supported the church’s primary need to preach the Scriptures. “Spreading the gospel was more important” than the principle of plural marriage, he said. Regardless of its official cessation, the practice has been associated with the LDS church to this day. Past church president Gordon B. Hinckley issued a statement on the topic in 1998 saying, “this church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy... Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this church.” Polygamy is not the only topic that draws raised eyebrows from those outside the Mormon community. The use of holy garments, sometimes described by outsiders as “magic underwear,” remains an area of confusion. See LDS CHURCH, Page 5
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011
Robertson believes divorce in Alzheimer’s cases is OK
LOS ANGELES (MCT) Pat Robertson has made many controversial statements over the years, such as suggesting that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were God’s punishment for the U.S. tolerating abortion and homosexuality. His critics are usually those on the politically opposite spectrum of the conservative Christian leader, or outside the Christian faith. But the television evangelist’s most recent statements — condoning divorce when a spouse has Alzheimer’s — appears to have offended many Christians who feel it violates the sanctity of marriage and that most cherished of marriage vows: Till death do us part. The controversy stems from comments Robertson made recently on the “700 Club” program on Christian Broadcast Network. His comments came in response to a caller who said that a friend had begun dating other women while his wife lies seriously ill with Alzheimer’s, and justifies it by saying that “his wife, as he knows her, is gone.” Robertson said he agrees with the man: “What he says basically is correct. I know it
Pat Robertson sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her.” His co-host pressed Robertson about whether that violates the marriage vows. Robertson responded that Alzheimer’s “is a kind of death” and added, “I certainly wouldn’t put a guilt trip on you” for choosing divorce in such a scenario. The comments on Christianity Today’s news blog were nearly universal in their criticism and disappointment:
“I am horrified by Robertson’s response!” said one. Many of the commenters said they were outraged, and described how they —or a mother or father — lovingly cared for a spouse with Alzheimer’s. “Such irresponsible, callous comments made by Robertson. My father cared for my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 55...until the day he placed her ravaged body in the grave. He kept his vows. Be ashamed of yourself, Pat Robertson.” On Twitter, Walter Price, who identifies himself as a pastor, said: “Pat Robertson is WRONG on his alzheimers statement. Un-Christlike; unbiblical; dead wrong! So sad!” And Russell D. Moore, dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., wrote in an article at Baptist Press News, “This is more than an embarrassment. This is more than cruelty. This is a repudiation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Robertson did not respond to an interview request from The Times submitted to Christian Broadcast Network.
Noah’s Ark theme park aims to prove truth of Bible ters in Hebron, a small team of artists and designers are working on the visuals at the new park, but once the project begins early next year, there will be hundreds at the creation, including a team of Amish builders from Indiana who will erect the giant ark. Many of the same people who helped design the museum are on board for the ark project, including Patrick Marsh, who helped build some of the attractions at Universal Studios in Florida. Zovath said the ark will have old-world details, like wooden pegs instead of nails, straight-sawed timbers and plenty of animals — some alive, some robotic like The Creation Museum’s dinosaurs. He said it has not yet been determined how many live animals will be in the boat during visiting hours, but the majority will be stuffed or animatronic. At their count, Noah had anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 on board. There are a handful of replica arks around the world, but Zovath said this one will be authentic inside and out. “When you get to walk through the boat and see how big this thing really was, and how many cages were there, and how much room there was for food and water ... our hope is people start seeing that this is plausible, that the account could be believed,” Zovath said. A longtime critic of the Answers in Genesis ministry argues the attraction will bring in converts to creationism by challenging scientific findings about the world’s history. “Many think that since creationism is so irrational and so unscientific that nobody really could believe it, but that’s not so,” said Edwin Kagin, a lawyer in northern Kentucky who is president of a nationwide atheist group.
The new park will be “so slick and so well done, you can get people to believe in anything. Creationism, when you’re ready to believe anything.” The Ark Encounter won’t be the nation’s first theme park inspired by the Bible, or the first with Noah’s big boat. A park in tourism-rich Orlando, Fla., features a portrayal of the crucifixion by actors six days a week, along with Jesus’ resurrection and gospel concerts. The Holy Land Experience opened in 2001, but the nonprofit park struggled with debt before it was taken over by Trinity Broadcasting Network in 2007. Other replicas of Noah’s famous ship have been built around the world. A huge fiberglass ark sits at the center of a Hong Kong Noah’s Ark attraction, and another floating ark in the Netherlands is being built by a Dutch man, who wants to sail it to London for the 2012 Olympic games. Closer to home, a church in Frostburg, Md., is building a to-scale ark supported by a steel frame. But attractions with religious themes can be a risky venture, according to an amusement park expert. “In some ways it’s a twoedged sword: If you go for the religious market, you already have something that is somewhat unique in the market, and that particular market is known to be willing to make a special effort, to drive an extra distance, to get the church groups to go out and make a special outing,” said John Gerner, managing director of Leisure Business Advisors of Richmond, Va. “The problem with that approach is you always risk bordering on being disrespectful if not sacrilegious,” Gerner said. “There is a line as far as what you can do in this approach.”
LDS Church
Martin, who wears the underclothes, says there is nothing magical about the simple undergarment but instead describes it as “a protection from sins and temptation.” “They are a reminder of the covenants we’ve made with God,” Martin said. “They are personal. They are not magic.” Among those covenants is
the promise to refrain from drugs, alcohol, coffee and tea. The LDS church teaches the importance to taking care of the physical body as much as the spiritual needs. “We are spirits in bodies,” Martin said. “Our spiritual sensitivities can be dulled by what we put into our bodies.” It is the Mormon belief that bodies are not just for earth but for all eternity and, et therefore, should be treated with respect. In fact, the entire entir Mormon way of life is a preparation p for eternal life, which the church its h h believes b li it members can spend with their spouses and families. And the church and its wards and branches are a place where people can go to heal and prepare for eternity. “It’s a hospital for sinners,” Martin said for the church. “Everyone here is getting better.”
W
HEBRON, Ky. (AP) — Tucked away in a nondescript office park in northern Kentucky, Noah’s followers are rebuilding his ark. The biblical wooden ship built to weather a worldwide flood was 500 feet long and about 80 feet high, according to Answers in Genesis, a Christian ministry devoted to a literal telling of the Old Testament. This modern ark, to be nestled on a plot of 800 acres of rolling Kentucky farmland, isn’t designed to rescue the world’s creatures from a coming deluge. It’s to tell the world that the Bible’s legendary flood story was not a fable, but a part of human history. “The message here is, God’s word is true,” said Mike Zovath, project manager of the ark. “There’s a lot of doubt: ‘Could Noah have built a boat this big, could he have put all the animals on the boat?’ Those are questions people all over the country ask.” The ark will be the centerpiece of a proposed $155 million religious theme park, called the Ark Encounter, and will include other biblical icons like the Tower of Babel and an old world-style village. It’s an expansion of the ministry’s first major public attraction, the controversial Creation Museum. It opened in 2007 and attracted worldwide attention for presenting stories from the Bible as historical fact, challenging evolution and asserting that the earth was created about 6,000 years ago. “The ark is really a different approach” than the museum, Zovath said. “It’s really not about creation-evolution, it’s about the authority of the Bible starting with the ark account in Genesis.” Inside the ark’s headquar-
Continued from Page 4
Given to Mormons who have made a strong commitment to the church and have been accepted into the inner temple of the church, holy garments are worn daily under a member’s everyday clothes.
Keeping Up Youth program ogram restarts Sunday
The Awana program att Oil City Cit Community C it Alliance Alli Church will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The club will meet each Sunday at the church’s 411 Seneca St. location. It is designed for ages 3 through Grade 6 and is open to the community.
Dan Schall to give concert
TURKEY CITY — Dan Schall, gospel singing favorite, will give a concert at 7 p.m. today at Turkey City Church of God.
THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald – 5
