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Overview
“Making News: Jesus of Nazareth” brings the life and time of Jesus in the way many of us get our news today. News magazine shows, talk radio, nightly news, the daily paper, Sunday news programs with journalistic round tables, and the Internet, all influence how we see the world. Making News uses these media to report this breaking story. 30 Minutes News, Barry Sling Live, NY Times-Edition, Russ Lambau, News Weekender, Sunday ABS The Week, and 11:00 Nightly News, cover this amazing time in the format we digest our own time.
This book does not highlight the flaws in modern media. There are no shots at the troubles of the “Dan Rather Memos” or other shortcomings. At the same time, even a controversial entertainer like Russ Lambau brings a personality but not an ideological agenda to the table. No reporters are heroes, they are just entertaining professionals looking to sort out all the excitement. The media vehicles and figures bring a personality, humor, insight, and narrative style to the stories. It does not make fun of media, any more than it does not make fun of religion.
“Making News: Jesus of Nazareth” is covering the story, not influencing it. No direct interviews with historical persons are in play. There are no direct ties to Apostles, rulers, or for that matter, Jesus. It is carrying the big news of the day, but from the vantage point of commentator, reporter, writer, or anchor.
Making News plays out in the most engaging formats used by millions every day. The media presents as content one of the most interesting times both religiously and historically for mankind. It is a time of Jesus, but also Caesar, Augustus, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Pontius Pilate. The whole timeframe is put into context and this is also a hot political time. The great Jewish revolts are only thirty plus years away in the region, and this is the time when tensions are running high in the lead up to war. Religious fervor also sweeps the region; John the Baptist is being hailed as a prophet. It has been five hundred years since the last prophet was acknowledged. Along comes Jesus, and reports of record crowds and miracles are following at every turn.
Jesus is also making revolutionary statements. He is big news in a time looking for a big man. Judea is occupied, looking for leadership, and waiting for a sign. Rome is at the height of power. It is going through the change from a republic to an empire with civil war just over. Jesus comes onto the scene and takes everyone by storm. King Herod, Pilate, and the Sanhedrin all get swept up in the movements of this one man. From here, the movement of Christianity begins, but at the time, it was all dramatic, current events.
This is a time of fascinating history beyond Jesus. Many competing religions, holidays, vocabulary, inventions, architecture, sports, and everyday practices are all covered in real time. It is what you would expect getting the morning paper in Judea 31 AD. The narrative never attempts to answer the question, where is the Biblical era printing press and news studio? It never delves into why the locals have the ability to get the latest sound bites on afternoon radio or a Sunday round up program. It simply puts the tools we have today in the time frame to share the events of another day. Jesus and his message are a mystery the media neither validates nor claims to fully understand. They report on the man “Making News: Jesus of Nazareth.”
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Preface..............................................................................1
Chapter 1 – 30 Minutes....................................................5
Mike sits down with King Herod to discuss his youngest subjects: children, hurt by his edict that has the whole area buzzing. A startling interview in this 2 Hour Special, Mike asks, “Why?”
Chapter 2 – Russ Lambau..............................................17
A Census? What governmental bureaucracy ordered this one up – and what is Bethlehem to do?
Chapter 3 – NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News....................25
A Starry night in Bethlehem, or is it a Star?
Chapter 4 – News Weekender – George Willis..............31
Wise Men come calling, or were they imposters to the title?
Chapter 5 – NY Times-Edition......................................37
4 BC King Herod rules no longer. King Herod dies, 41 years of rule come to an end
Chapter 6 – Russ Lambau..............................................41
King Herod passes away, but a bigger funeral is avoided
Chapter 7 – NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News....................45
A Return to Bethlehem, life after Herod
Chapter 8 – NY Times-Edition......................................49
14 AD Caesar Augustus dies in Nola peacefully at age 76
Chapter 9 – Sunday ABS The Week...............................55
Who is this “John the Baptist,” and what is he saying?
Chapter 10 – Barry Sling Live.........................................61
Want to meet and talk with a Pharisee and a Sadducee? Tonight you can meet our guests, a discussion, and your calls…
Chapter 11 – Russ Lambau............................................69
John the Baptist insults King Herod II and Mrs. King Herod
Chapter 12 - NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News...................77
John the Baptist has been taken to the fortress Machaerus
Chapter 13 – Sunday ABS The Week.............................85
John the Baptist is gone, what is next for the Kingdom?
Chapter 14 – Barry Sling Live.........................................97
Meet some of the followers of John the Baptist, and that one man who made such an impression in the Jordan. One man startled John and made a big impact on the crowd with a fairly simple message. Our guests were there, we join them tonight.
Chapter 15 – Russ Lambau..........................................105
The story of John the Baptist is creating some odd “Conspiracy Theories,” and who is this Jesus that had even John the Baptist wondering?
Chapter 16 - NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News.................113
The Power to Heal? Crowds flock to the area to see for themselves. NBS 10 takes you there tonight.
Chapter 17 – News Weekender – George Willis..........121
“Me” a first in Judea
Chapter 18 – Barry Sling Live.......................................127
Tonight our guests assert that animal sacrifice is a concept that has outlived its purpose. Join us for a look at “animal rights” being discussed in the region from two people that think enough is enough, teach the symbolism, and care for the animals. It is a novel concept challenging the rituals we all grew up with; meet them now on Barry Sling Live.
Chapter 19 – NY Times-Edition..................................133
Pontius Pilate tries to “Set the Standard” in Judea
Chapter 20 – Russ Lambau..........................................139
Eat Kosher, follow the rituals, even listen to the Pharisees – it’s up to you. Jesus wants to have a heart to heart understanding with the people as he stirs up crowds all over the area.
Chapter 21 – NY Times-Edition..................................151
Record Crowds for a Sermon on the Mountain Top
Chapter 22 – Russ Lambau..........................................159
This takes time everybody, plus look at all the writing by the Dead Sea
Chapter 23 - NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News.................169
Jesus redefines “Family Values”
Chapter 24 – News Weekender – George Willis..........175
Other Religions are looking at Judea…
Chapter 25 – Sunday ABS The Week...........................183
What does Jesus think about wealth?
Chapter 26 – Barry Sling Live......................................191
Tonight we look at the Rule of the Caesar of Rome: Precepts Tiberius. Joining us from outside of Rome we welcome Anthony, Scholar and Writer as we discuss the current events and changing moods of this Emperor. For this region, he is Pontius Pilate’s direct boss. This and your calls, join us.
Chapter 27 – NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News................199
Jesus comes to the aid of Rome? What are his followers left to think and feel?
Chapter 28 – Russ Lambau..........................................205
All right folks, let’s get this all straight once and for all: Forgive what, pay whom taxes, what’s the deal? A lot of messages coming, a lot of questions remaining.
Chapter 29 – NY Times-Edition..................................221
Pilate turns water into mush, no one happy in Judea
Chapter 30 – NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News................227
Lazarus is raised from the dead?!? Many witnesses confirm
Chapter 31 – Russ Lambau..........................................233
Passover is here, a Who’s-Who in Jerusalem. Anything unusual about this year’s? You bet!
Chapter 32 – NY Times-Edition..................................247
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Chapter 33 – Sunday ABS The Week...........................253
The Temple, a house of prayer or confrontation?
Chapter 34 – NY Times-Edition..................................267
Jesus – Arrested
Chapter 35 – Sunday ABS The Week...........................273
The Trial of the Century
Chapter 36 – NBS 10 – 11:00 Evening News................289
Jesus is dead. An inside look at the crucifixion. Medically, politically, socially, historically, is it time to look at new options?
Chapter 37 – Barry Sling Live......................................295
Interviewing the crowds, what happened and why the surge of support and disdain all within a week
Chapter 38 – NY Times-Edition..................................305
Reports of a resurrection and a stolen body
Chapter 39 – News Weekender – George Willis..........313
A look at the case being made for Jesus now Jesus Christ
Chapter 40 – NY Times-Edition..................................331
Online Edition: Most Viewed Stories in the Archives
Chapter 41 – 30 Minutes...............................................335
The Sabbath is on Sunday
Acknowledgements............................................................339
About the Author............................................................341
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