Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/437111
"IfJesusneverexisted, religion may be fic- tion," writes Nigel Bar- ber, a purported Bio- psychologist. Speaking like some uninformed student, dismayed by a terrible discovery, he laments, "As someone raised in a Christian country, I learned that there was a histori- cal Jesus. Now histori- cal analysis finds no clear evi- dence that Jesus existed. If not, Christianity was fabricated, just like Mormonism and other religions. Why do people choose to believe religious fictions? Given the depth of religious tradition in Christian coun- tries, where the "Christian era" calendar is based upon the pre- sumed life of Jesus, it would be astonishing if there was no ev- idence of a historical Jesus. Af- ter all, in an era when there were scores of messianic proph- ets, why go to the trouble of making one up?" Goodpoint,Nigel! Thanks for the obvious fact that if Jesus didn't ex- ist, there would be no rea- son for Christianity. The Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that the tomb of Jesus Christ was empty because, after hav- ing been crucified, Jesus bodily rose from the tomb. Jesus' resurrection and tangible presence amongst His followers moved them to confess, in the face of ridicule, loss, and death in detestable ways, that Jesus is Lord rather than deny Him. Such was their con- viction. Barber brings forward the age-old discussion as to whether or not Jesus ac- tually lived by using as his source for doubt, a "his- torical scholar" named Mi- chael Paulkovich. Paulkov- ich asserts that the Jewish historian Josephus, and the Roman historian Tac- itus, knew nothing of Je- sus. He suggests Bible ac- counts are thus unreliable. Other more qualified his- torical scholars disagree. With Paulkovich's ap- proach it could be argued that Julius Caesar did not exist. Actually, Josephus and Tacitus do acknowl- edge Jesus' histori- cal existence, as do Pliny The Younger, Julius Africanus, Tallus, Seutonius and others. Josephus, a 1st- century Romano- Jewish historian nonbeliever wrote in The Antiquities of the Jews, book 18, chapter 3, paragraph 3, "Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles.. . . " And Tacitus, a Roman Historian at the time, wrote in book 15, chapter 44 of The Annals after a six-day fire burned much of Rome: "Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and in- flicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its or- igin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus." What do we do with the Apostle Paul, a one-time persecutor of Jesus' follow- ers who became one of the most powerful witnesses for Jesus to be found in history, paying the ulti- mate price for his convic- tions in Rome? It is time for the Chris- tian Church to wake up from Her indifference and become more assertive in Her witness to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord. Martin Luther risked life and limb to proclaim to the church of his day who claimed to believe in the historical Jesus that the work of Jesus on the cross was sufficient once and for all for the forgiveness of our sins. He declared that by God's Grace, through faith in Jesus, one can be certain of eternal life even- tually and a new life now. Christianity is not a re- ligion of philosophy based on the teachings of a man called Christ Jesus, but rather on a personal rela- tionship with the histori- cal and eternally relevant Christ Jesus. Unlike the religion of Islam with its five pil- lars of submission to Al- lah, the person of Jesus Christ submitted Him- self and His obedience to God on our behalf. No, unlike the religious writ- ings of some, you will not find within the sa- cred writings of Chris- tianity of Holy Scrip- ture a Jihad against those who do not acknowledge her Lord. No true fol- lower of Jesus will force their faith on another but, that is not to say she will not share the message of Christ Crucified and Risen with a neighbor in hope that they too will come to know and love Him as their Savior and Lord. Yes, doing so even if it means to lay down their life rather than deny Je- sus' existence as is evident in the lives of both young and old in Syria and Iraq. For further reading re- garding the reasonable- ness of the Christian faith I would suggest the follow- ing: "Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel, "Mere Chris- tianity" by C. S. Lewis, "Who Moved the Stone?" by Frank Morison, "Rea- son to Believe" by R. C. Sproul and "Luther's Small Catechism" by Martin Lu- ther. In July 1982 the Rev. Dal- las Dubke became Pas- tor of St. Paul Lutheran Church Red Bluff and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Corning where he has served for the past 30 years. A Michigan native, his interests include wres- tling, Judo, chess, moun- tain climbing, and biking. He is married with four children. GODTALK The historical Jesus is really historical Rev.Dallas Dubke Pastor John Bohrer of the Antelope Home Fel- lowship invites the commu- nity to the annual Christ- mas candlelight service at 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 at Ber- rendos Middle School, 401 Chestnut Ave. There will be scripture readings, carol singing and special music led by the mu- sic worship team. Following the service will be a time of refreshments and fellowship. ANTELOPE HOME FELLOWSHIP Candlelight service set for Christmas By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press VATICAN CITY A little- known book about Cuba by Jorge Mario Bergoglio — now Pope Francis — pro- vides new insight into his views on Cuban society, Marxism and the U.S. trade embargo that helped inform his behind-the-scenes role in helping bring about the historic thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations. Bergoglio compiled "Dia- logues between John Paul II and Fidel Castro" in 1998, soon after the Polish pope's landmark visit to the com- munist island. Bergoglio attended the event as the soon-to-be-named arch- bishop of Buenos Aires, but he clearly was versed in the issues well before given the impact of the Cold War standoff throughout Latin America. In the booklet, Bergo- glio harshly criticized so- cialism — and by extension Castro's atheist revolution — for denying individuals their "transcendent dig- nity" and putting them solely at the service of the state. At the same time, he denounced the U.S. em- bargo and economic isola- tion of Cuba that impover- ished the island. "The Cuban people must overcome this isolation," he wrote. Significantly, the first chapter of the book is ti- tled "The value of dialogue," and it is clear that Bergo- glio fervently believes — as did John Paul — that dia- logue was the only way to end Cuba's isolation and its hostility to the Catholic Church while promoting de- mocracy. In quoting from both John Paul and Castro's speeches during the trip, Bergoglio noted that the two sometimes talked past one another as John Paul insisted on a space for the church to operate in Cuba and Castro insisted on the similarities between Marx- ism and Christianity. "But they both had to lis- ten to each other," he wrote. Francis has frequently emphasized the need for di- alogue to forge peace, as ev- idenced by his invitation to the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to come together to pray at the Vatican last June. His invitation to U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban counterpart Raul Castro to hash out their differences over the Caribbean island, with the Vatican as a mediator, was done in that same vein. WORLD Li tt le -k no wn b oo k by p op e outlines views, hopes for Cuba APPHOTO/L'OSSERVATOREROMANO Pope Francis talks to Franciscan Capuchin preacher father Raniero Cantalamessa at the Vatican on Friday. Tehama County Church Directory RedBluff.... ABUNDANTLIFEFELLOWSHIP 21080LutherRd.•528-2499 Pastor J.E. Heitman • WORSHIP Sunday 11AM & 6PM ANTELOPE HOME FELLOWSHIP(SBC) Berrendos School 401 Chestnut St • 200-4112 • Pastor John Bohrer • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30AM APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 1321 Nelson Dr. • 527-8541 Pastor Rudy Cepeda • WORSHIP • Sunday 1:00PM & Friday 7PM BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD 625 Luther Rd. • 527-0445 Pastor David Blythe • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CALVARY CHAPEL 12375 Paskenta Rd. • 527-8219 Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am CHURCH OF CHRIST 1605 Park Ave • 529-3063 • Evangelist Gary Den WORSHIP • Sun. 11AM & 6:30 PM • Bible Study • Sunday 10AM & Wed 7PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Antelope 545 Berrendos • 529-2506 • Bishop Phillip Smith • Sunday 11AM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Red Bluff 545 Berrendos • 527-7012 • Bishop Jim Wilhite • Sunday 9:00AM CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 857 Washington St., Open Daily 9-11am Pastors Brad & Susan Harms•WORSHIP•Sunday 2PM•Bible Study Thur 2-4pm COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203 Pastor Dr. Paul Wright • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM • PRAYER • 6PM CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD Hwy. 36, Jorgenson 527-9210 • Pastor Roy Duggins • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM & 5PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 501 Pine St. • 527-4361 Pastor Bruce Cloutier • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Hickory & Madison • 527-4688 Pastor Dan Woolery • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Jackson & Luther • 527-5717 Pastor Rod Thompson • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Johnson & Hickory • 527-3361 Pastor Jesse Morris • WORSHIP • 10:30 AM FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH 585 Kimball Rd. • 527-5083 Don St. John • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 525 David Ave. • 527-5754 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM FREEDOM CHURCH 601 Monroe St. • 355-2284 • Pastors Pete & Bev Williams • WORSHIP Sunday 10:30AM • YOUTH Thurs. 7PM GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. 12830 Glasgow Dr. 527-2964 • Pastor Jeff Eldred • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 22630 Antelope Blvd. 530-727-7344 • Pastor Carl Miller • WORSHIP • Sun. 11:00AM • Antelope School LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH Lake Club • 347 6970 Jim Bredow, Pastor • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30-10:15AM NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH 1625 Johnson St. • 527-8134 SERVICE • 10:00AM NEW HOPE FOURSQUARE CHURCH 645 Antelope Blvd, Suite 13 528-0642 • Pastor Christopher Church • WORSHIP • Sun.10AM • Youth, Thurs. 6 PM NORTH VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH (Ind.) 345 David Ave • 527-0543 Pastor Scott Camp • Sunday 11:00AM • northvalleyredbluff.com NUEVA VIDA 11841 Hyw 99W • Red Bluff • Spanish-speaking Pastor Freddie Villasenor • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM OPEN VISTAS AWARENESS CENTER 807 Lincoln St. • 529-9285 Rv. Tresha Wing • SERVICE • Sunday 10:00AM OUT OF THE BOX MINISTRIES-COWBOY CHURCH 585-3070 22812 Antelope Blvd. –– Wednesday 7:00PM –– Sunday 10:00AM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Jefferson & Hickory St. • 527-0372 Rev. Beth Hoyt • 11:00AM Worship • 9:30AM Sunday School PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 370 Kimball Rd. • 527-6346 Pastor Mike Cox • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM RED BLUFF COMMUNITY CHURCH 1920 Park St. Pastor Stan Kolbert • SERVICES • Sunday 9:30AM • 282-2248 SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 705 So. Jackson St. • 529-1890 Pastor Ron Largent • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:45AM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 515 Main St. • Father Sherwin Colaste MASS • Saturday 5:15, Spanish 7PM • Sun. 8:30AM, 10:30AM, Spanish 12PM THE SALVATION ARMY 944 Walnut St. • 527-8530 Major Kit Wetter, Pastor • SERVICES • Sunday 10AM & 11AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH 720 S. Jackson • 527-3733 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:30AM ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-3414 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30AM & 11AM ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-5205 Rev. Maryly Adair • Sunday 9:30AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP GARBC Corner of Cedar & Jackson 529-6884 • Pastor Chris Hurton • WORSHIP • 10:50AM • Bible Study 9:30AM TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 8529 Placer Rd., Redding 243-5726 • For service dates & times • 529-9246 TRINITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 20920 Hampton Rhodes Dr. 528-8668•Pastor Loren Browning • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:45AM - Wed. 7PM THE ROCK CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 285 Gilmore Road • 527-7234 Pastor Vik Hylen•WORSHIP • Sun. 10AM & 6:30PM - Wed. 7:30PM - Mens Prayer Sat. 9AM VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 738 Walnut St. • 527-2449 Pastor Steve Igarta • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER RHEMA Bible Church • 527-9065 435 Round Up Ave.• Pastor Michael Ragsdale • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:30AM ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 836 Washington St. 529-1836 • Pastor Joshua John McKim • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM Bowman... COMMUNITY CHURCH Bowman Rd. & Landes • 347-6130 Pastor Mark Lugg • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM Corning... BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD 783 Solano St. • 824-6502 Pastor Dan Steigmn • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1418 South St. • 824-3603 WORSHIP • Sunday • 10:30AM CHURCH OF CHRIST 1440 Yolo St. • 824-4333 David King, Minister • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Marguerite & Blackburn • Bishop Scott Davis • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CORNING FOURSQUARE 404 5 th St. • 824-5776 • Sr. Pastor John Gehrung WORSHIP • Sunday: adults 9:15, 10:30 AM • Tues.10AM prayer meeting FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH Marin & Pear Sts. • 824-0989 Pastor Joycel • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 506 Colusa St. • 824-3490 Pastor Chris Fissori • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:15AM • Sunday School 9AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1421 Marin St. • 824-5739 WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 824-5535 • 471 Marguerite Pastor Julie Horne • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM GOOD NEWS LIGHTHOUSE 1520 East St. • Pastor Ben Rorie WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM • Bible Study 10AM • 824-0175 , Cell 701-9292 HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD 1006 6th St. 824-2091 • Pastor Michael Sharp • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 824-5879 814 Solano St. • Father Juan Manuel Ponce • MASS • Sun. 10AM, Spanish 12PM MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH 341 Solano St. • 824-5530 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM NEIGHBORHOOD FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 901 South St. • 824-2323 Pastor Ken Killinger • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:50AM & 6PM NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH 824-3426 • Pastor J.R. Gonzales WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM - Sunday School 9AM OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP 565 1st St. • 824-3661 • SERVICE • Sunday 10:30 AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH West & Butte • 824-2153 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 11AM SONLIGHT WORSHIP CENTER 1520 East St. • 824-0175 Pastor Lenny Duval • WORHSHIP • Sunday 1:30 AM ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 820 Marin St. • 680-0353 Rev. Diana Lueckert • CHURCH • Sunday 10AM Capay... COMMUNITY FRIENDS CHURCH • 4th & Moller Ave. • 865-2806 Pastor Toni Brown • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM Cottonwood... FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2400 Rhonda Rd. Rev. Paul Shrum • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Dairyville... CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH 11220 Hwy. 99E • 527-2329 Coordinating Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • Clay M Pastor Chris Bauer • WORSHIP • Sun. 9AM El Camino... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Hwy. 99W • 385-2314 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 7211 Hwy. 99W 385-2155 • Pastor Andrew Dalson • WORSHIP • Saturday 7PM Gerber... BAHA'I FAITH OF TEHAMA COUNTY 385-1091 Prayer meetings Fridays 7:30PM Brickyard Creek Apartments FAITH HOPE LOVE MINISTRIES 21941 Chard Ave. 385-1431 • Pastor Ina Driggers • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM GERBER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 301 Samson @ Ventura 385-1718 • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM Los Molinos.... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sherwood & Josephine • 384-2656 Coordinating Pastor Nancy Pharis-Curie•CLayM Pastor Ray Watkins • WORSHIP 11AM MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH HWY 99E and Taft St., 384-1564 Pastor Carl DeBiase • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM SPIRIT OF LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 25235 Orange St., 310-4990 Rev. Kenneth & Pamela Auld • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Manton... MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Forward Rd. • 474-5156 Pastor Michael Stiener•WORSHIP•Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45 Paskenta... PASKENTA FLOURNOY BIBLE CHURCH 13140 Round Valley Rd. Sunday 10:30AM • 833-0557 Platina... ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA MONASTERY Begum Gorge Rd. Abbot Herman • LITURGY • Sunday 8:30AM Rancho Tehama... COMMUNITY CHURCH (Non-Den.) • 585-2526 WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRIES Stage Coach Rd. • 585-2961 Rev. Richard & Della Tucker • SERVICES • Sun. 10:30AM, Wed. 6PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD Third St. • 384-2603 Pastor Walter Bright • WO RSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH • 824-5879 Corner of 4th & D • MASS • Sunday 8:00AM - English Vina... VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH 5th & D Street • 839-2340 • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS 816WalnutSt.-RedBluff FD 652 Thisdirectorysponsoredby: TEHAMA ESTATES A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Ave. - Red Bluff - 527-9193 Your Ad Could Be Here Call Daleen at 527-2151 ext.101 Hospice Gift and Thrift Store Thank you for ongoing support – M.-F. 9-5 • Sat. 10-4 Riverside Plaza Main Street 530.528.9430 FAITH » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, December 20, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS C5