The congregation of the Solid Rock megachurch in Monroe, Ohio, will have difficulty explaining it: a lightning bolt from heaven — favorite weapon of a wrathful god — has destroyed the church’s “Touchdown Jesus.” (Though if it is a “sign” of some sort… sorry atheists!)
The giant Jesus was built in 2004, appearing to erupt from the ground at the end of the church’s baptismal pond, facing traffic on I-75. Officially titled “King of Kings,” the statue quickly acquired its “Touchdown” nickname, as well as “Drowning Jesus” and “Big Butter Jesus,” the title of a novelty song.
A lightning bolt is believed to have struck the 62-foot-tall statue around 11 PM on June 14, 2010. The plastic-resin-and-styrofoam-Savior burst into flames, a fate similar to the one suffered by the former World’s Largest Turkey. By dawn, all that remained was Christ’s scorched steel framework.
Along with the nicknames, Touchdown Jesus became a favorite subject for roadsideamerica.com novelty photos, which perhaps fueled heavenly wrath and hastened its demise.
Update:
– Police are ticketing Jesus shutterbugs who are stopping on the interstate to photograph the ruins.
– Video of the statue burning. [Thanks to the dozens of travelers and tipsters who reported this last night!]
Maybe God did this on purpose because we are not supposed to build Idols but to help man kind. Put the money to better use and help our your brothers here in the USA! I’m reminded of the Eagles song every time I see it….they paved paradise and put up a parking lot!
Is really apparent this is God’s wrath because He foretold of graven image!!
“You shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,……..
EXODUS 20:4-5 (KJV).
Anyone that doesn’t have a problem with a statue of Jesus being stuck by lightning, needs to WAKE UP and look around! People are materialistic, rude, obnoxious, self centered and arrogant. The government isn’t suppose to have this much power, there’s so much power and ego there. The economy is getting worse, we are ruining the earth, we’re getting to the end of our ropes!
If you THINK God won’t do something…..think….NOAH!!!
Yes, I have lived for nearly 2 years just two exits away from this eyesore in Jesus’ name. Amem. A devoted Christian and faithful. Jerry Falwell, Jim & Tammy Fay Baker (RIP) and bless her heart, Jim Jones and a few more…so called preachers…who lose sight of what the bible teaches and to whom. It is a funny story, God is laughing and so should we. This event gives me hope of better things to come.
And yet, Alabama’s satanic storyteller stands strong. I think I have to declare this one a victory for Lucifer, making the total score in the Diety Bowl 3:16 to 666.
Web wags have exhibited universal forbearance by refraining from
attributing loss of the statue to natural causes, reflecting near
unanimity in society at large that it was fated for ruination. My
brother quotes a retired Ohio fireman saying firefighters of Monroe
will have to live with their decision to try to extinguish the fire
not only for the rest of their natural lives but also throughout
eternity. However, hope springs eternal. Church elders interpret
this sign as a mandate to do better:
“[Co-pastor Rev. Darlene] Bishop said church leaders would rebuild the
statue, possibly bigger, and definitely fireproof. The amphitheater,
statue and surrounding area had lightning resisters and grounding rods
to dispense lightning into the ground, but for some reason they did
not work, said Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu.”
– Wilson, Denise, and Lauren Pack. “Rebuilt Jesus Statue Will Be
Fireproof, Pastor Says.” _Dayton Daily News_ 16 June 2010. 28 June
2010
He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; (30) And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live;
Maryam 19
One person said he wondered if Jesus was so great why did he let lightning hit the statue. Well the way I see it he let it hit the statue to save the Church and residents that live in that area.
Wow…what a story. A Christian myself, I personally have a problem with a larger than life Jesus like that. I think it is excessive and I see it as an idol or graven image, even if it is supposed to be “Jesus.” Could the lightening be a sign that God was displeased? Could be. Or…it could have just been random. Only God himself knows. Let him be the judge.
I attend Solid Rock Church and am very glad that it is there. The message preached there is always good to hear and it is straight from the Bible. No one there worships any statues or idols. It is full of praise and worship to God. The statue is just a reminder of Jesus. I have heard more than one person tell how seeing the statue there had inspired them or reminded them of Jesus during a tough time. Many people saw that statue. It will be replaced by another statue (fireproof of course). I can hardly believe all the bad things that have been said because of one statue being hit by lightning. Even by some people who profess to be Christians. Solid Rock is full of many loving, caring, and happy people. The church supports an orphanage and other missions. It also has Home For Life which helps women in need. It’s A great place to gather together for praise,worship,and Bible study. If you don’t believe me, come and see for yourself. All are welcome. Come as you are.
On a trip to see relatives in Indiana, I remember seeing parts of the statue on flatbed trucks ready for assembly. I thought “WOW” is that going to be beautiful! It took me 2 yrs. to make the trip again, and I never forgot about it, and was excited to see it for the first time assembled. I thought it was fantastic! Needless to say I was drawn to get closer to it, and get a picture for remembrance. I now have several with me standing next to it! And I will never regret it, for my theory on the fire is … it was destroyed by heaven above. WHY?..His likeness was ridiculed, hated, and made fun and jokes about. Just like the day he died on the cross for you and me. So seeing pictures of just the frame left is just as sad and hurtful as seeing Jesus on the cross.I t’s as simple as that!…WAKE UP PEOPLE! All this is showing is, that after all these years some of us have not changed one bit. I guess history does repeat itself.
The congregation of the Solid Rock megachurch in Monroe, Ohio, will have difficulty explaining it: a lightning bolt from heaven — favorite weapon of a wrathful god — has destroyed the church’s “Touchdown Jesus.” (Though if it is a “sign” of some sort… sorry atheists!)
Touchdown Jesus becomes the second giant American religious icon to vanish this year. Its rival in size, Christ of the Ozarks, is built of millions pounds of lightning-resistant mortar, and remains unscathed.
June 15th, 2010 at 10:58 am
Christians will have no trouble explaining this at all.
Implausible rationalizations are their specialty.
June 16th, 2010 at 5:58 am
Maybe God did this on purpose because we are not supposed to build Idols but to help man kind. Put the money to better use and help our your brothers here in the USA! I’m reminded of the Eagles song every time I see it….they paved paradise and put up a parking lot!
June 16th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Is really apparent this is God’s wrath because He foretold of graven image!!
“You shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God,……..
EXODUS 20:4-5 (KJV).
Take care and God bless you!
June 16th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Alleen, yours is the only sensible post.
Seriously, anything can be rationalized to fit into “God’s will” if you try hard enough. It was just lightning, people. Nothing more, nothing less.
June 16th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Anyone that doesn’t have a problem with a statue of Jesus being stuck by lightning, needs to WAKE UP and look around! People are materialistic, rude, obnoxious, self centered and arrogant. The government isn’t suppose to have this much power, there’s so much power and ego there. The economy is getting worse, we are ruining the earth, we’re getting to the end of our ropes!
If you THINK God won’t do something…..think….NOAH!!!
*
June 17th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
first of all it wasn’t an eagles song… second of all, doesn’t anyone else find this simply hilarious! i mean come on!
June 17th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I found this absolutely hilarious, and I am a church going PK!
June 18th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
the statue of (underwhatever…)Jesus is a graven image? when did that happen?
June 19th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
What idols? If idols were an issue the American Idol would be gone and the Catholic Church would be too!
June 20th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Yes, I have lived for nearly 2 years just two exits away from this eyesore in Jesus’ name. Amem. A devoted Christian and faithful. Jerry Falwell, Jim & Tammy Fay Baker (RIP) and bless her heart, Jim Jones and a few more…so called preachers…who lose sight of what the bible teaches and to whom. It is a funny story, God is laughing and so should we. This event gives me hope of better things to come.
June 21st, 2010 at 12:11 am
And yet, Alabama’s satanic storyteller stands strong. I think I have to declare this one a victory for Lucifer, making the total score in the Diety Bowl 3:16 to 666.
June 28th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Lightning strike was on JUNE 14th, FLAG DAY. It’s obviously a STOP the WAR message, isn’t it?
June 29th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Web wags have exhibited universal forbearance by refraining from
attributing loss of the statue to natural causes, reflecting near
unanimity in society at large that it was fated for ruination. My
brother quotes a retired Ohio fireman saying firefighters of Monroe
will have to live with their decision to try to extinguish the fire
not only for the rest of their natural lives but also throughout
eternity. However, hope springs eternal. Church elders interpret
this sign as a mandate to do better:
“[Co-pastor Rev. Darlene] Bishop said church leaders would rebuild the
statue, possibly bigger, and definitely fireproof. The amphitheater,
statue and surrounding area had lightning resisters and grounding rods
to dispense lightning into the ground, but for some reason they did
not work, said Monroe Fire Chief Mark Neu.”
– Wilson, Denise, and Lauren Pack. “Rebuilt Jesus Statue Will Be
Fireproof, Pastor Says.” _Dayton Daily News_ 16 June 2010. 28 June
2010
June 29th, 2010 at 11:13 am
what kind of god is that can’t devend it self?
He said: Surely I am a servant of Allah; He has given me the Book and made me a prophet; (30) And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live;
Maryam 19
June 30th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
One person said he wondered if Jesus was so great why did he let lightning hit the statue. Well the way I see it he let it hit the statue to save the Church and residents that live in that area.
July 4th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
plb that ridiculous who was in the church @ 11.00 pm?
he could save the whole area by sending it away
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:55 am
Wow…what a story. A Christian myself, I personally have a problem with a larger than life Jesus like that. I think it is excessive and I see it as an idol or graven image, even if it is supposed to be “Jesus.” Could the lightening be a sign that God was displeased? Could be. Or…it could have just been random. Only God himself knows. Let him be the judge.
August 13th, 2010 at 9:11 am
I attend Solid Rock Church and am very glad that it is there. The message preached there is always good to hear and it is straight from the Bible. No one there worships any statues or idols. It is full of praise and worship to God. The statue is just a reminder of Jesus. I have heard more than one person tell how seeing the statue there had inspired them or reminded them of Jesus during a tough time. Many people saw that statue. It will be replaced by another statue (fireproof of course). I can hardly believe all the bad things that have been said because of one statue being hit by lightning. Even by some people who profess to be Christians. Solid Rock is full of many loving, caring, and happy people. The church supports an orphanage and other missions. It also has Home For Life which helps women in need. It’s A great place to gather together for praise,worship,and Bible study. If you don’t believe me, come and see for yourself. All are welcome. Come as you are.
November 23rd, 2010 at 4:16 am
On a trip to see relatives in Indiana, I remember seeing parts of the statue on flatbed trucks ready for assembly. I thought “WOW” is that going to be beautiful! It took me 2 yrs. to make the trip again, and I never forgot about it, and was excited to see it for the first time assembled. I thought it was fantastic! Needless to say I was drawn to get closer to it, and get a picture for remembrance. I now have several with me standing next to it! And I will never regret it, for my theory on the fire is … it was destroyed by heaven above. WHY?..His likeness was ridiculed, hated, and made fun and jokes about. Just like the day he died on the cross for you and me. So seeing pictures of just the frame left is just as sad and hurtful as seeing Jesus on the cross.I t’s as simple as that!…WAKE UP PEOPLE! All this is showing is, that after all these years some of us have not changed one bit. I guess history does repeat itself.
December 7th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
How are plans to rebuild King of Kings proceeding?