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Neil Saavedra opens heart in the Jesus Christ Show.
"Hello, Holy Host, how are you today?" Sean, a caller to the Jesus Christ Show asks.
"I have a lot of bitterness today...," Sean continues.
Sean and the talk show's host discuss the biblical response to being angry and bitter. After a commercial break on Los Angeles radio station KFI AM 640, another caller launches into talk of a dissappointing marriage.
"Hello, Jesus. I made a covenant with God...but our marriage has been just miserable," John said.
And so it goes, every Sunday morning, from 6 to 9 a.m. The Jesus Christ Show "Holy Host," Neil Saavedra, compassionately listens to callers as they are looking for answers to their life struggles or theological questions. Saavedra also thoughtfully engages in conversation, using the Bible and his background to give his answers and thoughts.
Billed as "interactive radio theater," Saavedra recently twittered that he learned a long time ago that in order to get a message across there has to be some risk taking involved. He handles being called "Jesus" with ease and comfort. The show never seems to get combative.
This Sunday, a caller declares himself as atheist, but wants to ask "Jesus" what he thinks of himself as as atheist. "Where do you stand on that?" the atheist asks.
"If you do not believe in me, the question is irrelevant," Saavedra says.
"Jesus" showed up for the first time on KFI AM 640 in 1998, according to Saavedra. However, as a show, it's been on for about 9 years, he said.
Saavedra twitters that the most satisfying part of dong the show is "the opportunity to give listeners (and myself) a different perspective on Jesus and present the Gospel in entertaining way."
I find the Jesus Christ Show to be not only entertaining, but very engaging. The calls are usually fascinating and within the few hours of the show, a good representation of society today.
More articles by Alex Murashko can be found at LA Church & State Examiner.
Comments
I've studied religion & myth all my life, but remain an unbeliever. Yet I'm a huge fan of the Jesus Christ Show, because the "Holy Host" is about as far as you can get from the sort of televangelists who've arisen in the past 30 years. There's a huge difference between being "witnessed to" by someone who has clearly studied theology and religious history, and someone who profits handsomely peddling biblical literalism, indoctrination and mass-marketed salvation.
Another atheist for (this particular) Jesus! :)
love the show
Rox1SMF: That's interesting. What would be interesting about hearing problems discussed uses unsupportable premises? Why would the Bible be relevant?
Blasphemous.
When I first heard this show I was appalled. However, it's on the station I listen to every day so I listened. Then I did some research on the host. He does not believe himself to be Jesus and even though he refers to himself that way, most people know different. I believe the hosts heart is in the right place and if it opens just one heart to the Lord then thank you God. For the most part he gives good advice. Better than a lot of the other hosts on radio and TV. Just today the message is on peace. What better time to hear that than just before the holidays when families have so much stress.
I love this quiet time - Sunday mornings . It is enlightening and uplifting.
Unfortunately the host misses the mark by a long shot. The Gospel doesn't entertain. It humbles us with the reminder that we are sinners, wretched and deserving of eternal punishment for breaking God's law. This guy has does not represent Christianity and anyone who thinks he does should actually read their bible.
People where wedding rings to show the world that they made a decision a about marriage. It is a testimony. The Cross is a symbol if the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you tell people to take down their Cross in the name of love. Then once the 1st cross comes down. That creates a path to taking all Crosses down. This is why dumb asses link your self should not pretend to be Jesus.
Very well done show, Neil does take a risk by calling HIMSELF JC because a lot of radical Christians will resent that. People who have a cooler head will realise that this aspect is just a form of showmanship and can be forgiven. If you think you have a "cool head" about relegion, tune in and try it... Neil is well educated and a smart talker. One of the best shows on KFI IMHO.
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