About that guy who rose from the dead...
Posted July 13, 2006
Flipping television channels Tuesday night, I stumbled upon Rod Parsley, pastor of a Columbus, Ohio mega-congregation – World Harvest Church.
Rev. Parsley was sharing a resurrection story with his Trinity Broadcasting Network audience. No, not the Easter story. Not the empty tomb, the rolled away stone, the risen Lord.
Rev. Parsley’s supernatural feat apparently took place in the Holy Land of Ohio.
The televangelist told his audience about a modern-day miracle -- a member of his youth group who came back to life after being killed in an automobile accident.
According to Rev. Parsley, the youngster was thrown through the window of an automobile and mortally wounded. Medics loaded him, dead, into an ambulance.
Fortunately, another young believer drove by the scene, climbed into the ambulance, called upon the power of God, and the Almighty answered.
The once-dead youth is now a much-alive adult – and a preacher as well, Rev. Parsley said.
There’s apparently medical evidence to back up the claim. “I’ve seen the medic’s reports,” Rev. Parsley said, if my memory’s correct.
Understandably, the news was received by Rev. Parsley’s audience with great joy.
I greeted the announcement with six basic journalism questions:
Who? What? When? Where? How? and Why?
Actually, the preacher has told us What happened – someone reportedly rose from the dead. We also know How it happened. Someone asked for a miracle and, Rev. Parsley tells us, God answered the prayer. Why did it happen? God heard the prayer and answered, Rev. Parsley explained.
But that still leaves us with Who? When? Where?
I'd love to get a name, address, phone number and a copy of the medic's reports. I'd like to visit with the modern-day Lazarus. Hopefully, he isn't media-shy.
I am not, for a minute, suggesting that God does not answer prayer or that miracles do not occur. But reporters are professional doubting Thomases -- we want to see the evidence with our own eyes.
If anyone knows how to reach Rev. Parsley, please pass along these questions to him. I’ve been told he has Kentucky ties. Perhaps he’d be willing to help out a reporter from the Bluegrass State.
If this resurrection is verifiable, Bible Belt Blogger will be the first to let you know. Rev. Rod Parsley's website: http://www.breakthrough.net/