On May 18, 2008, at 7 p.m., REVO PUC, a student-organized fundraiser for social justice, will be held on the Pacific Union College campus. It will feature a fashion show, a poetry slam, a flea market, and a live concert.

Documentary filmmaker Martin Doblmeier made a film last year called The Power of Forgiveness that won critical acclaim - and got people talking. The film examines the role forgiveness can play in alleviating anger and grief, as well as the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. The Power of Forgiveness won Best Film award at the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival in 2007.

Doblmeier talked to Spectrum about the impact the film has had.

“My church's last evangelistic effort in 2006 baptized 79 people,” wrote Al on April 26 in response to Alex Carpenter’s blog on this Web site titled “Southern California Conference to Spend 1 Million to Televangelise LA.” “My pastor and bible worker received conference prizes as top soul winners that year. (They got cruise trips). BUT as things worked out, of the 79, less than 5 remain!! There's got to be a better, more effective way.” (Emphasis in original)

There is absolutely no doubt that Jesus was a constant source of puzzlement to his contemporaries. This seems very odd to modern readers of the Gospels, who wonder about the collective blindness of Israel. Indeed, Christian theology has accustomed us to see in Jesus the promised Messiah fulfilling the numerous Old Testament texts, and we marvel at the all-apparent incredulity of the Jews.

On April 16, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Commonwealth of Kentucky may continue using three drugs when executing criminals by lethal injection. Chief Justice John G. Roberts announced the judgment and offered the opinion that carried the day. Six of the associate justices concurred, sometimes also writing their own opinions. Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg dissented in a written opinion that Associate Justice David Hackett Souter joined.

Humans love challenges. Some prefer challenges related to ideas, others to practical things. Whether you prefer to work crosswords, plan Sabbath dinner menus, or enhance production efficiencies, satisfaction results from meeting challenges. This week’s lesson examines challenging sayings of Jesus, a topic to engage both bends of mind.

A new movie called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed advocates "intelligent design" and promotes itself as a film that uncovers the persecution of educators and scientists for challenging evolution. Starring Ben Stein as questioner - Michael Moore-style, except conservative - the movie banked $3.2 million on its opening weekend.

It has garnered plenty of criticism, and even a lawsuit from Yoko Ono who isn't happy about the movie's use of John Lennon's song "Imagine."

Ernest J. Bursey has written the best short essay on the Sermon on the Mount that you will ever read.

Okay, I’m out on a limb now. I dare you to saw it off.

The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. (John 5:36)

The striking work done by Jesus set him apart. The Gospels list a range of things done by Jesus, but all his individual deeds can be grouped under three main aspects of his work, which are summarized by the following headings: powerful works; forming God’s new people; transforming death into life.

If you have to choose between a savior and a teacher, the savior wins, hands down. At least that is the Christian view, where Jesus as Savior appears to overshadow Jesus as Teacher. The great religions of the world all provide teachers of profound ethical wisdom. Only Christianity announces a Savior who dies in the repentant sinner’s place.