The United Methodist Church is apologizing for prejudice against Catholics and a new CBS miniseries, titled "Jesus" is confusing people on the work of Christ.

The Saturday May 6th Detroit News reports that the 8 million member United Methodist Church, meeting in Cleveland this week, has offered apologies, to blacks and Catholics.

Friday of this week the delegates begged the forgiveness of African Americans and Catholics.

Following the example of Pope John Paul II, United Methodist leaders apologized to three black denominations that split the Methodist Church and to the Vatican for years of anti-catholic prejudice.

Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida said, the apology to Catholics came during a good time-a year when Pope John Paul II is striving to find peace among churches.

On Friday, the Methodists asked South Carolina to remove the Confederate Flag from the State Capitol.

Homosexuals in the United Methodist Church were encouraged when a proposal to investigate gay marriage conducted by Methodist ministers only passed by 1% out of 1100 votes cast.

Unlike the Methodists, earlier this year, Missouri Synod President Barry published a statement explaining why the Missouri Synod and the Roman Catholics remained divided because they have no agreement on justification by faith alone in Christ.

Barry also published a statement on the shortcomings of "Jesus" the new CBS-TV miniseries to be aired on May 14th and 17th.

Barry said the series, "...renders an important service in presenting the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to what will surely be a vast viewing audience." However, Barry points out that, "...two of the liberties taken in 'Jesus' need of correction."

First, the miniseries gives the impression that Jesus, following the death of his earthly father Joseph, was at a complete loss as to what to do with Himself and confesses His confusion to His mother. Barry states that, "the God-Man Jesus Christ was never for a moment unsure of His work." Christ understood that He would go to the cross as the willing, obedient Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.

Second, the problem with "Jesus" is even a more glaring misrepresentation. In the miniseries, Satan tells Jesus "You will die in vain, Jesus." To which Jesus replies, "No. I am in the hearts of men. I will die for the everlasting kindness of the human heart, created by the Father, so that men will make His image shine once again, and those who will want to will find in me the strength to love until the end."

Barry says, "This is exactly the opposite reason why Jesus died on the cross." God sacrificed His only Son because the human heart, since the fall of Adam and Eve, has been darkened with evil and plagued by sin. Those who believe in Christ will rise from the dead and ascend into heaven.

After the agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Pope John Paul II on the doctrine of justification the Pope is free to seek forgiveness on non-theological issues with all other Protestants. Many Protestants, such as the United Methodists, are no longer sure what they are protesting.

At the same time, the media is working hard to confuse the general population on the life and work of Jesus Christ.

We thank God that there are a few churchmen like Dr. A. L. Barry who will not reduce the Gospel to social and political issues but remains steadfast to a public confession of the Word of God.