Saturday, November 15, 1997

Outfront

CARMICHAEL-WALLING LECTURES

A professor from the University of Edinburgh will be guest speaker Thursday for Abilene Christian University's Carmichael-Walling Lectures.

Dr. Larry Hurtado will speak at 4 and 7:30 p.m. in Room 130 of the Biblical Studies Building. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Hurtado is considered one of the world's leading authorities on the early Jewish response to Christ. His two talks will focus on that topic. The 4 p.m. lecture is titled "What Do We Mean by First-Century Jewish Monotheism?" The evening lecture is titled "Pre-70 A.D. Jewish Opposition to Christ-Devotion."

Hurtado is the author of several books and wrote the section on <I>Mark<I> in the International Bible Commentary.

"He is internationally known for his work in biblical studies, early Christology and text-critical issues," said Dr. Carroll D. Osburn, professor of Bible at ACU and director of the lectures.

Hurtado is the latest in a series of leading scholars who have come to ACU over the past decade for the lectureship.

BUDDHISM MOVIES

Religion News Service

Two new movies this year, one to be released around Christmas, explore Buddhism, but it has been the subject of previous movies too.

A renewed interest in the ancient philosophy is proving to be beneficial at the box office.

If "Seven Years in Tibet" whets your appetite for films about Tibetan Buddhism, check out the following movies available on video:

- "The Razor's Edge." Like "Seven Years," an adaptation of a book, this time W. Somerset Maugham's story of a rich young man's search for truth in Tibet. Tyrone Power, who stars in the 1946 version, is much more believable than Bill Murray in the 1984 remake.

- "Little Buddha." This 1993 film starring Keanu Reeves as the enlightened one juxtaposes scenes from Buddha's life with the story of a Seattle couple whose young son turns out to be a reincarnated Tibetan monk.

TOP 10 BOOKS

HARDCOVER

1. Conversations with God, Book 1, by Neale Donald Walsch.

2. Butterfly Kisses, by Bob Carlisle.

3. Nicolae, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

4. The Healing of America, by Marianne Williamson.

5. The Bible Code, by Michael Drosnin.

6. The Great House of God, by Max Lucado.

7. Just As I Am, by Billy Graham.

8. Nearer, My God, by William F. Buckley Jr.

9. Jesus in Blue Jeans, by Laurie Beth Jones.

10. The Weigh Down Diet, by Gwen Shamblin.

PAPERBACK

1. Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul, edited by J. Canfield, M.V. Hansen, P. Aubrey and N. Mitchell.

2. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, edited by J. Canfield, M.V. Hansen and K. Kirberger.

3. Living Buddha, Living Christ, by Thich Nhat Hanh.

4. Left Behind, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

5. Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, edited by J. Canfield, M.V. Hansen, J. Hawthorne and M. Shirnoff.

6. Living Somewhere Between Estrogen and Death, by Barbara Johnson.

7. Tribulation Force, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins.

8. Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul, edited by J. Canfield, M.V. Hansen, J.R. Hawthorne and M. Shirnoff.

9. Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis.

10. Small Miracles: Extraordinary Coincidences from Everyday Life, by Yitta Halbertstam and Judith Leventhal.

GRAHAM ON THE NET

Billy Graham already is used to preaching to masses assembled in athletic arenas worldwide. He is credited with preaching the gospel to more people than anyone in history.

Now he literally is at the fingertips of the world with his website Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

As he does in personal appearances, Graham uses the latest technology to explain the gospel message and offers an invitation to accept it.

The site also answers questions about Christianity, gives a schedule of crusades and television broadcasts and offers a free subscription to "Decision" magazine.

Graham's book, Just As I Am, is Number 7 on the bestseller list this week. http://www.graham-assn.org