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VISION VIDEO Offers Perfect Gifts for Christmas, Home and Church

VISION VIDEO Offers Perfect Gifts for Christmas, Home and Church

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
12/18/2007

This past week, I had an opportunity to sit down and watch some wonderful videos produced by a Christian video company called Vision Video. They are some of the very best Christian videos I have ever seen. I know they would make excellent gifts for friends, family and viewing by church groups and much more. They are not expensive and provide something for the mind as well as the heart. It is a wonderful way to learn church history. Commentators include Anglican Bishop N. T. Wright, theologian Alistair McGrath and the Rev. Richard Bewes formerly rector of All Souls Langham Place, the parish church of the Rev. Dr. John R.W. Stott for many years.

THE APOSTLES' CREED video is a living link that takes us over centuries to the Early Church. It's a bond that unites today's believers with diverse cultures and traditions. It's a concise summary of Biblical faith taught to new believers in the Early Church prior to being baptized. Here you will find a two-hour abridged version of an upcoming twelve hour curriculum series by award-winning producer-director T.N. Mohan and a special release part of Christian History Institute's 25th anniversary celebration. The programs demonstrate the timeless power and importance of the Creed and feature an international and interdenominational cast of notable theologians:

Dr. N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham Dr. Robert Mulholland, Professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary Dr. Alistair McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology, Wycliffe College, Oxford Dr. Derek Tidball, Principal, London School of Theology Dr. Kallistos Ware, Bishop of Diokleia, Oxford Dr. Martin Marty, Professor of Theological Seminary, London School of Theology Dr. William Johnson, former Professor of New Testament Theology, Andrew University Dr. Peter Contrell, former Principal, London School of Theology Mark Galli, Managing Editor, Christianity Today Rev. Richard Bewes, former Rector, All Souls Church, London Dr. Timothy Dudley-Smith, Bishop of Salisbury

The series traces the origin of the Apostles' Creed, placing it in its historical context. Theologians discuss each phrase of the Creed, emphasizing its relevance and application to our lives today.

*****

TALES FROM THE MADHOUSE. Set inside the crumbling walls of a dilapidated Victorian sanatorium, eight mysterious characters reveal their secret stories to the visiting camera. The eight are linked by one unifying and crucial event in their lives: each of them has had an encounter with Jesus of Nazareth in some way - an experience that has left an indelible mark.

Each character brushed with Jesus, but most missed the moment. They touched the light, then lingered in the shadows. They were offered freedom, but made friends with their chains. Now they are haunted by the memory of what was and what might have been. Here is an acclaimed series that opens up the Scriptures, the story of Jesus, and Easter week in a fascinating way.

Some of the actors are well known to earnest film goers. They include: Pilate's Wife starring Clair Bloom, The Rich Man starring Peter France, The Best Friend starring Tony Robinson, The Mourner starring Eileen Atkins, The Servant Girl starring Helen Baxendale, Barabbas starring Joss Ackland, (he played C.S. Lewis) The Centurion starring James Cosmo, and The Thief starring Jonathan Pryce.

There are eight 14-minute episodes. Each chapter includes, along with the story itself, an INTRODUCTION, REFLECTION QUESTIONS, and ACTOR'S BIOGRAPHY (all can be accessed through the DVD player). A comprehensive study guide in PDF format is included on the DVD-ROM.

*****

REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 23 for People with Cancer.

The Vital Prescription: Courage + Comfort = Hope

Ken Curtis Ph.D., founder and president of Gateway Films/Vision Video and Christian History Institute, explores coping with advanced cancer from personal experience based on the inspiration of the 23rd Psalm.

Psalm 23 is one of the best-known and loved passages in the Bible. Its words of comfort and encouragement have been a support to many in difficult times. The clear and powerful sense of God's protective love comes forth so beautifully in this psalm. It is for this reason that so many people relate to it immediately when facing major personal challenges. At times of great fear and uncertainty, and cancer is one of the greatest, the simple yet powerful words of Psalm 23 sustain us like few others can. God's grace is greater than any possible obstacle or concern.

Ken Curtis was diagnosed with advanced cancer with little prospect for survival. He pursued a combination of traditional and alternative medicine, under girded by a strong spiritual dimension and prayer support team.

Psalm 23 was a vital part of his spiritual component. For this video, Curtis went to Israel, home of David and the Psalm, to be with the shepherds, travel "through the valley of the shadow of death," and explore and enjoy the healing powers of the green pastures and still waters. The resulting meditations provide a combination of candid personal experience of what it means to battle cancer and some of the spiritual resources available through this time-honored Psalm.

This DVD Features thirteen 8-minute programs with chapter selections and bonus material that includes - David and the Psalms - What Are the Psalms?, Who Wrote the Psalms?, What's So Special About Psalm 23?, Who Was David and What Did He Do? - Translations of Psalm 23 - New International Version, King James Version, Catholic New American Bible, Jewish Version - The Tanakh - A Prayer Based on Psalm 23 - Psalm 23 in Song - Welsh tenor soloist Huw Priday, British soprano soloist Lynette Langmead

*****

Jesus the New Way

Wright's acclaimed scholarship is delivered in a winsome and understandable way, showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's ancient hopes and humanity's deepest dreams. You will see Jesus as you have never seen him before in the context of his Jewish and Roman world. You will find explosive new meaning in his familiar words and deeds as Wright unfolds his incomparable life and shows how it remains an unavoidable summons to our world and way of thinking.

"Jesus the New Way is a magnificent account of the life and message of Jesus of Nazareth. N.T. Wright is truly one of the most outstanding contemporary Jesus scholars, which is evident throughout this entire production. I highly recommend this series for youth and adults alike." - Josh McDowell

Program 1, Getting the Kingdom Started: Into what kind of world was Jesus born? What do we learn from the Dead Sea Scrolls, John the Baptist, and the kingdom announcement of Jesus?

Program 2, Startling Surprises: How did the kingdom announced by Jesus parallel the expectations of the Jewish people that they derived from their study of Scripture? Why was Jesus' news shocking and offensive? What was he really saying?

Program 3, Longing for a King: In a Jewish world wired for the welcome and recognition of a Messiah, how did Jesus redefine what that should mean? What were the implications for the main symbols of Israel's life such as the Holy Temple?

Program 4, Why did Jesus die? What were the charges? What was the real and great battle being fought? How was history racing toward its climatic moment, and how did Jesus understand and undertake his role therein?

Program 5, Who was Jesus? How do we begin to understand the meaning of Jesus by reexamining what we really mean by God? How did Jesus understand himself? How did the early church view Jesus? Was Jesus divine?

Program 6, The New Claim: Was Jesus really raised from the dead? What about all the skeptics' explanations as to why that is impossible? What did resurrection mean to first-century Jews? How does the resurrection of Jesus address our individual lives?

To order call Vision Video at 1 800 523-0226 to place your order or you can click the links below and order online:

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