Latest news with #Strobel
Fox News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
LAUREN GREEN: 3 questions about Easter every Christian should and can answer
Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is the cornerstone of Christianity. The faith stands or falls on this foundation. Theologians say there are three questions about Easter that Christians should be prepared to answer: Was Jesus God? Was He crucified? Did He Rise from the dead? Every other detail about Jesus's life, ministry, arrest, trial and death sentence, are secondary in comparison to those three questions. Theologian and author Dr. Lee Strobel said he once talked to Hugh Hefner, the owner of Playboy magazine and an agnostic, about Jesus. He asked him, "What if the resurrection were true, that Jesus actually rose from the dead? Hefner said, "Well, yeah, that would change everything?" Then Strobel asked, "Have you ever investigated the Resurrection?" Hefner answered, "No." That parallels the culture at large's beliefs about organized religion. Researcher George Barna said the greatest spiritual threat today is "syncretism." In other words, designer religion, where people create a fusion of different religions, without bowing down to anyone of them. While a study at Cornell University found that young people today are creating their own personal faith; a 'spiritual not religious' form of self-worship. It's the kind of spiritual individualism that doesn't ask questions about the core tenets of any faith. But are those three questions about Easter answerable? Yes, says Strobel. "As an atheist trained in law and journalism... I spent two years of my life investigating this stuff," says Strobel... "and coming to the conclusion that in light of the avalanche of historical data for the Resurrection of Jesus, it would have taken more faith for me to maintain my atheism than to become a Christian." Strobel has written a series of books based on investigating the claims of Christianity. The best-seller, "The Case For Christ," was the first of many. His latest book, "Seeing the Supernatural," explores the plethora of the mysteries of the unseen spiritual realm, like angels and demons, mystical dreams, near-death experiences... and of course, the Resurrection. On an episode of my "Lighthouse Faith" podcast, Strobel says the Resurrection as a supernatural and divine event, hinges on Jesus being the Son of God, equal to God, the Word of God made flesh, and God incarnate. Why? Because Jesus said. "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." So... In the New Testament Gospel accounts of Jesus' life, it's pretty clear Jesus claimed to be God. Theologian and author Rick Renner, in his book, "Easter: The Rest of the Story," highlights some key events of Holy Week that help answer that question. On Thursday after the Last Supper, Jesus and the Apostles go to the Garden of Gethsemane. There, hundreds of Roman soldiers descend on the Garden to arrest Jesus. The Gospel of John recounts that Jesus said to them, "Whom do you seek? 'They answered , "Jesus of Nazareth. "In most English translations, Jesus responds, "I am he." But Renner says, "The (actual) Greek says, 'ego eimi,' which is, I AM. It's the same words that God identified himself with to Moses in Exodus chapter three." On a recent episode of my "Lighthouse Faith" podcast, Renner talked about some of the unknown facts about that scene in the Garden, like how many Roman soldiers did it take to arrest one man? And who was that mysterious youth wrapped in only a towel that ran away naked after being chased? Renner says there are other places in the Bible where it's clear that Jesus acts and says things with the kind of authority that only someone believing he was God would say and do. Jesus tells His followers, "Very truly I tell you... before Abraham was born, I am! "Again, the words God uses to identify Himself in the Old Testament and his claims to have been in existence long before the patriarch Abraham was born. And this famous verse, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus's declaration of divinity is what sealed His fate. It angered the prevailing religious leaders, who then pressured the civil authorities to do away with him. They had him arrested. He was beaten and then crucified on a cross. Strobel says despite Dan Brown's widely popular fiction "The Da Vinci Code," and other conspiracy theorists who postulate that Jesus didn't die on the cross and somehow he survived... the evidence proves otherwise. Says Strobel, "We have not only accounts in the New Testament, we've also got five ancient sources outside the Bible that talk about His execution. In fact, no less of a source than the Journal of the American Medical Association, which is a secular, scientific, peer-reviewed medical journal, carried an investigation into the death of Jesus and said, quote, 'clearly the weight of the historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead even before the wound to his side was inflicted'. So, Jesus clearly was dead." Strobel says one of the key issues about the Resurrection is that the accounts are quite early in the historical timeline. Skeptics say that the resurrection was a legend concocted by Jesus' followers. But legends take about100 to 200 years to develop. Says Strobel, "We have a report of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, including named eyewitnesses and groups of eyewitnesses including 500 at once who saw him alive, that has been dated back by scholars to within months of the death of Jesus. That is a news flash in ancient history." In comparison, the first two biographies of Alexander the Great were written 400 years after his life... and they are generally considered reliable, says Strobel. "So here we've got something that goes right back virtually to the scene." And that pesky empty tomb is a head scratcher. Did his disciples steal the body and perpetuate a lie about his raising from the dead? The fact, says Strobel, that everyone admits the tomb was empty, corroborates eyewitness accounts. Says Strobel, "We have no fewer than nine ancient sources inside and outside the New Testament confirming and corroborating the conviction of the disciples that they encountered the risen Jesus. That is an avalanche of historical data." So what? What difference does it make if the Resurrection is true? Former cold case murder detective J. Warner Wallace says it makes all the difference in the world. Wallace, a former atheist, used his forensic skills to try to debunk Christianity and came away a staunch believer. He saw in the four Gospel accounts of the Resurrection not a series of discrepancies, but four different eyewitness accounts of the same event. If the four writers had said the exact same thing, just like in any murder investigation, Wallace says he would have known there was a cover-up. Says Warner, "The evidence broke through my philosophical naturalism, and the Gospels passed all the tests we use to evaluate eyewitness accounts." But there is one more mountain to climb. To believe Jesus is God, that he died on a cross and was supernaturally resurrected... can all be intellectual facts. But to bow down and worship Jesus as your Lord and Savior because on that cross he defeated death and bridged the eternal chasm between God and humanity... that takes a lot more.... that takes leap of faith. HAPPY EASTER!
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill filed to designate March 13 as ‘Father Charles Strobel Day' in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A resolution filed by Nashville area lawmakers would designate one day in March to honor the legacy of a priest who dedicated his life to helping the unhoused. HB 325/SB 634, by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) and Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville), seeks to honor and recognize the work of the late Father Charles Strobel by making March 13 'Father Charles Strobel Day' in the Volunteer State. Strobel, who died of complications due to Parkinson's Disease in August 2023, was a staple in the Nashville community and church. Notably, he founded Room In The Inn, a nonprofit organization that offers emergency services, transitional programs and long-term solutions to help people rebuild their lives. Strobel founded the organization in 1985 when he first opened his parish to people seeking sanctuary in the church parking lot. The next year, four congregations committed to doing the same; as of publication, nearly 200 congregations take part in the mission. The resolution 'seeks to honor Father Strobel and how he combatted homelessness to enact positive change, and created programs for the homeless that have become a successful model for the entire nation.' Additionally, the resolution recognizes Strobel's belief in 'living his faith on a daily basis, pulling inspiration from the Sermon on the Mount, among other holy texts and divine inspirations,' as well as honors Strobel's 'mission and the valiant and noble strides [he] took to combat homelessness in Tennessee and the positive impact his efforts have had nationwide.' Campbell told News 2 Strobel was a 'beloved and revered member of the community,' and only heard positive things about him, so when Bulso asked her to support the resolution in the Senate, she agreed to do it. 'I think it's important for us to honor people who have done great work in our community, especially around helping the homeless and helping marginalized people in our community,' Campbell said. 'I am very supportive of the idea of having a day to honor somebody who was a really good servant to the state of Tennessee and to Nashville, specifically.' Strobel's death in 2023 sparked numerous community tributes, including those from other faith leaders, city officials and other nonprofit organizations. Kuss memorial scholarship honors fallen pilot Then-mayor John Cooper lauded Strobel's work with Room In The Inn and the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, which he opened in 1983 at Holy Name Catholic Church, where Room In The Inn began. Multiple figureheads in the Catholic Church also offered their condolences to his family and the community upon his death. 'Today we received the sad news of the passing of Father Charles Strobel, a friend to so many in our community,' Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Catholic Diocese of Nashville said in 2023. 'He was a man who was always mindful of those who lived on the margins, making it his life's mission to put into action Christ's words in the Gospel of Matthew to feed the hungry and to welcome the stranger. We pray for the repose of Father Strobel's soul and the comfort and consolation of his family.' The designation of 'Father Charles Strobel Day' would be a Day of Special Observance in Tennessee if the resolution passes. Days of special observance are not official state holidays; rather, on these days Tennesseans are 'invited to observe the days in schools, churches, and other suitable places with appropriate ceremonies expressive of the public sentiment befitting the anniversary of such dates.' There are more than 50 officially designated days of special observance in Tennessee, including John Sevier Day (June 23), Women's Suffrage Day (Aug. 18), Historically Black Colleges and Universities Day (Nov. 8) and Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day (Dec. 1). ⏩ According to Campbell, Strobel's birthday was March 12, making the officially designated day of special observance just near it. Campbell herself has volunteered with Room In The Inn, she told News 2. She has also worked with other organizations that partnered with Room In The Inn. 'He touched so many people's lives, and I am one of many who benefitted from knowing him,' Campbell said of Strobel. 'I'm glad that we're getting the word out, and I look forward to celebrating Father Charles Strobel Day with people.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Daniel Penny has meet-cute at NYC bodega while picking out flowers: ‘This is the perfect couple'
He's a hero – and a heartthrob. Daniel Penny had his own meet-cute at a Manhattan bodega last week, according to a photo of him grinning alongside brunette bombshell Aubrey Strobel, a Big Apple-based filmmaker and podcast host. Strobel, 32, ran into Penny, 26, while he was picking out flowers outside the shop on Jan. 29, she told The Post. 'I was leaving the gym and was walking on the street, and I saw a guy that looked like Daniel Penny – you know, he has that very unique look,' she said. 'I said, 'I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for everything you had to go through, and I also wanted to thank you for being brave and standing up for other New Yorkers when you didn't have to do that,'' the 'Aubservation' podcast host recalled. Penny was acquitted on charges of criminally negligent homicide on Dec. 9 in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely. 'He was like, 'Thank you so much,' in a really humble way, almost self-deprecating – he was just really kind, really warm,' Strobel said. They spent a few minutes talking about their neighborhood, she said. Strobel snapped a selfie with Penny, then posted it on her X profile alongside the caption, 'new york just feels safe nowadays.' As of Friday, the post had amassed a whopping 7.2 million views and over 2,000 comments. 'A lot of people on X think we're getting married now, because the picture does look a little romantic with him holding the flowers,' Strobel said with a laugh. 'People have been like, 'Gosh, this is the perfect couple, blah blah blah' — but I don't know if he has a girlfriend, or who he was even buying the flowers for. 'I'm just happy to be friends with him,' Strobel said. Penny's lawyers didn't respond to a request for comment. Earlier this week, the Marine vet landed a job at powerhouse Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He will work in Manhattan on its American Dynamism arm, bolstering the firm's relationships with the Department of Defense and public safety sector, according to a memo from partner David Ulevitch. 'I believe, as I know many of you do, that Daniel acted with courage in a tough situation. He was acquitted of all charges. Beyond that, it has always been our policy to evaluate the entire person and not judge them for the worst moment in their entire life, he wrote in the internal statement obtained by the Free Press.
