FINALLY A COOL SUPERHERO!!
Article published Saturday, January 1, 2005
FAITH NOTES
Bibleman update given smooth, honest transition
By DAVID YONKE
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR
When new actors play the part of a famous super hero, everyone in the audience notices that there's a new face on the screen. But the screenwriters rarely, if ever, acknowledge the switch.
Take Batman, for example. Michael Keaton, George Clooney, and Val Kilmer have all played the Caped Crusader, but never has the plot included an explanation of why there's a new guy wearing Batman's cowl.
Not so with Bibleman.
The Christian video series began in 1995 with Bibleman portrayed by Willie Aames, the actor best known for his roles in the TV series Charles in Charge and Eight Is Enough.
But after 10 years of defeating such villains as The Fibbler, Dr. Fear, the Gossip Queen, and El Furioso by quoting the Word of God, Mr. Aames decided to hang up his mask and cape.
In the newest Bibleman video from Pamplin Entertainment, A Fight for Faith, the writers make a clean break with Mr. Aames by saying that Miles Peterson retired as Bibleman.
The program started out with Bibleman's sidekicks Cypher and Biblegirl being told to expect an important message, in which they are advised that Josh Carpenter (played by the 29-year-old ordained minister Robert T. Schlipp) will succeed Miles Peterson as Bibleman.
It makes for a smooth and honest transition for the super hero's young fans, who most likely would wonder about whatever happened to Mr. Aames.
A Fight for Faith is a fast-paced, entertaining, and professionally produced video, built upon a strong Bible-based foundation.
A test-run with a sixth-grade Sunday School class kept the preteens interested as Bibleman tackled a wildly outrageous villain called the Wacky Protestor (played with humor and zeal by Jef Scott).
The Bibleman videos are available at most Christian bookstores and online at www.bibleman.com.
•
Toby McKeehan (aka Toby Mac and tobyMac) and Michael Tait are well known for their multi-million selling hip-hop hits in the Christian band dc Talk.
But the two musicians have chosen a different medium for Under God (Bethany House, $16.99), a book that turns a spiritual eye on American history.
Each of the 60 chapters focuses on a person and an incident as a way to illustrate the United States' rich religious legacy.
From familiar names we've all studied in history class - including George Washington, Harriet Tubman, William Penn, Patrick Henry, and Woodrow Wilson - to relatively obscure patriots, those who are profiled stand out as examples of genuine Christianity.
At a time when separation of church and state is under scrutiny and debate, Mr. Tait and Mr. Mc-
eehan make it clear where they stand on the issue and urge readers to "take a stand for America's future" by understanding its past.
e
For a newcomer to the Gospel music scene, Jonathan Butler sure sounds like an old pro.
That won't surprise jazz fans, who have been listening to Butler's deft guitar and soothing voice for more than two decades.
The youngest of 12 children raised in a South African township, Butler worked his way to the top of the smooth-jazz world by blending elements of African folk, blues, pop, soul, and jazz into a unique and majestic musical style.
Now Butler is using his musical talents to express his spirituality directly with a new release, The Worship Project, on Maranatha Records.
The 12 tunes include such popular praise songs as "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "That's Why We Praise Him," along with eight well-crafted Butler originals.
The music, the messenger, and the message all come together with a purpose and a passion. As Butler has said, "Music is the purpose and tool which God has used for my life."
Article published Saturday, January 1, 2005
FAITH NOTES
Bibleman update given smooth, honest transition
By DAVID YONKE
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR
When new actors play the part of a famous super hero, everyone in the audience notices that there's a new face on the screen. But the screenwriters rarely, if ever, acknowledge the switch.
Take Batman, for example. Michael Keaton, George Clooney, and Val Kilmer have all played the Caped Crusader, but never has the plot included an explanation of why there's a new guy wearing Batman's cowl.
Not so with Bibleman.
The Christian video series began in 1995 with Bibleman portrayed by Willie Aames, the actor best known for his roles in the TV series Charles in Charge and Eight Is Enough.
But after 10 years of defeating such villains as The Fibbler, Dr. Fear, the Gossip Queen, and El Furioso by quoting the Word of God, Mr. Aames decided to hang up his mask and cape.
In the newest Bibleman video from Pamplin Entertainment, A Fight for Faith, the writers make a clean break with Mr. Aames by saying that Miles Peterson retired as Bibleman.
The program started out with Bibleman's sidekicks Cypher and Biblegirl being told to expect an important message, in which they are advised that Josh Carpenter (played by the 29-year-old ordained minister Robert T. Schlipp) will succeed Miles Peterson as Bibleman.
It makes for a smooth and honest transition for the super hero's young fans, who most likely would wonder about whatever happened to Mr. Aames.
A Fight for Faith is a fast-paced, entertaining, and professionally produced video, built upon a strong Bible-based foundation.
A test-run with a sixth-grade Sunday School class kept the preteens interested as Bibleman tackled a wildly outrageous villain called the Wacky Protestor (played with humor and zeal by Jef Scott).
The Bibleman videos are available at most Christian bookstores and online at www.bibleman.com.
•
Toby McKeehan (aka Toby Mac and tobyMac) and Michael Tait are well known for their multi-million selling hip-hop hits in the Christian band dc Talk.
But the two musicians have chosen a different medium for Under God (Bethany House, $16.99), a book that turns a spiritual eye on American history.
Each of the 60 chapters focuses on a person and an incident as a way to illustrate the United States' rich religious legacy.
From familiar names we've all studied in history class - including George Washington, Harriet Tubman, William Penn, Patrick Henry, and Woodrow Wilson - to relatively obscure patriots, those who are profiled stand out as examples of genuine Christianity.
At a time when separation of church and state is under scrutiny and debate, Mr. Tait and Mr. Mc-
eehan make it clear where they stand on the issue and urge readers to "take a stand for America's future" by understanding its past.
e
For a newcomer to the Gospel music scene, Jonathan Butler sure sounds like an old pro.
That won't surprise jazz fans, who have been listening to Butler's deft guitar and soothing voice for more than two decades.
The youngest of 12 children raised in a South African township, Butler worked his way to the top of the smooth-jazz world by blending elements of African folk, blues, pop, soul, and jazz into a unique and majestic musical style.
Now Butler is using his musical talents to express his spirituality directly with a new release, The Worship Project, on Maranatha Records.
The 12 tunes include such popular praise songs as "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "That's Why We Praise Him," along with eight well-crafted Butler originals.
The music, the messenger, and the message all come together with a purpose and a passion. As Butler has said, "Music is the purpose and tool which God has used for my life."
