Thou shalt not make unto thee any
graven image, or any likeness of any thing that
is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth. (Exodus 20:4)
The new "Lux Mundi" Jesus
statue outside of Solid Rock Church
in Monroe, Ohio, was dedicated on Sunday, September 30,
2012.
First Read:
Shameless Christians :'Touchdown Jesus' Statue in Ohio Struck by Lightning to Be Rebuilt in July
http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/07/shameless-christians-touchdown-jesus.html
Striving Tooth And Nail to Defend False Doctrine:
Msgr J.W. Katende Joins Archbishop Of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga In The
Ridiculous Defence Of Mary Worship
Ohio Megachurch Dedicates New 52-Foot Jesus Statue
By Anugrah Kumar ,
Christian Post Contributor
October 1, 2012|7:45 am
A megachurch in southwest Ohio dedicated a new statue of Jesus on Sunday that replaces the iconic sculpture known as "Touchdown Jesus" that burned down after being struck by lightning in 2010.
"It's a big, big event for us.... it's been over 2 years, it's been a long process. But, we're very pleased with the final product. Peoples' reaction has been very positive for us. So it's a great day," wpco.com quoted church administrator Ron Carter as saying.
The new statue is designed by Japanese-American sculptor Tom Tsuchiya, who is with Design Dynamics, Inc. "Ultimately, I hope Lux Mundi will be a constant reminder for all of us to get along with each other," Tsuchiya was quoted as saying.
The Lux Mundi statue depicts a full body Jesus with arms outstretched walking on the lake in front of Solid Rock's sanctuary. Because it has its arms reaching forward, bearing a resemblance to the football referee's signal, and not towards the sky, some referred to it also as "Touchdown Jesus."
In 2010, a storm ripped through the area and a bolt of lightning struck the previous statue built in 2004. All that remained of "Touchdown Jesus" was a heavily damaged iron frame.
This statue, referred to as the "King of Kings" and "Touchdown Jesus,"
is seen at the Solid Rock Church, near Monroe, Ohio, in this file photo.
It was designed by Brad Coriell, sculpted by James Lynch, and assembled
by Mark Mitten. It was struck by lightening in 2010.
"When it got burnt down, people looked at it in different ways," church member Nick Isbel was quoted as saying. "Some people left the church, they thought it was a bad sign. That this was a bad place to be. Other people saw it as a good sign. It's the most that Jesus has been in the news for a while, so. It being rebuilt just puts it on people's minds and in people's hearts."
"The materials used for the [new] statue are all fire rated and we have installed a lightning suppression system as an integral part of the statue," Carter said last month. "If the statue is struck by lightning, I'm told there will be damage at the point of the strike, but the statue should not burn."
At Sunday's service, the church also honored Pastor Lawrence Bishop, who spearheaded construction of the original Jesus statue and who died last year.
Church members were excited about the new statue. "We're happy to see the statue going up tonight. All of this is just allowing us to remind people of Jesus and that's all it is," said Al Slaughter from Fairfield.
However, there was a church protest before the dedication service. About half a dozen of protesters carrying a bullhorn and signs demonstrated in front of the church gate, saying they are Christians who are against idol worship.
Solid Rock Church has about 4,000 members and two campuses for worship. It is led by Pastor Darlene Bishop.
