Reader comments
Modeling brings Jesus back into Utahn's life

I enjoyed this article...Now, who is going to be the first to criticize it?

How is Jesus ever going to be actually recognized by man in the after life (or presently), if man keeps presenting models representing His appearance? Man�s proclivity has been to portray Jesus with features resembling the ethnic group in worship. We have the African Jesus, the Jewish Jesus, the White Anglo Saxon Jesus, etc. How are all of these diverse representations possible; or is His physical depiction meaningless in this regard?

It would be a sorry soul indeed who would chose to criticize something like this. Thank you for writing it and for publishing it. The second thing I read today and it made my day.

This was a great article about something very positive, and inspiring as well. I hope no one comes along to criticize it because it can have a good impact on other readers.

I am glad to see you recognize the talents of Liz Swindle. Her art work captures the emotions of the stories she is painting about.

Carole, the story made this "sorry soul" want to barf!

What a great reminder that Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world-red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. We are but His hands....and I am grateful for Liz' and Kathy's. Thank you both!!

Richard G., I hope your stomach starts feeling better. Merry Christmas.

Liz Swindle is obviously a very talented artist, but when I see the model in the photos in Africa, I wonder why we need a painting of the scene at all? Why don't we just have a photograph of "Jesus" holding a child wearing period clothing?

I'm with Richard G. on this one. If this is what inspires people, I'm scared. Mr. Miner is entitled to his own personal journey, and I won't comment on that. But I can't let go of the piece about Africa. Of all the things we can do to help orphans in Africa, why do we need to go abroad and amuse and confuse them with a Westernized white Jesus? I, for one, don't find it cute at all that the children believed Mr. Miner to be the real Jesus. In my mind, this is in very bad taste, if not cruel. If this article had included mention of bringing medicine or books to the children, I might have found it inspiring - but the "Jesus Show" doesn't do it for me.

I'm sure Mr. Miner feels awed and inspired by the real Jesus and is honored that his likeness can be used to uplift others. What did the real Jesus look like? It really doesn't matter, but he was definitely Jewish and probably looked like many Jews in their early 30s. And if you've every seen a crowd of Jews together, you would realize that many of them look just like many non-Jewish Americans you might have known. So to use an American to portray Jesus might not be far from reality. What does Jesus look like today? Well, if the Bible is to be believed, he has been resurrected and looks so different than he did as a mortal that many of his friends didn't even recognize the resurrected Christ.

I believe the article did refer to the work that is being done there through the Mothers w/o Borders program. And, come on, if the thought of him being Christ-like lifted the spirits of those children for a day, wasn't it worth it? By the way, what are you doing for the African children?

Don't worry......everybody will know when Jesus comes. Everybody on earth will recognize him as the Savior of the world and Son of God.

Just a comment, I think this is great work. If you personally choose not to invest in the painting so the money can go to a good cause, so be it. Comments to Sleuth, if you need to know if Jesus is African, Jewish, or white to be able to recognize him, maybe it's time to take inventory of your life. If I can't recognize Jesus by my own perspective, it's a sad commentary on my part. And to Darin who thinks it was cruel to pass Phillip off as Jesus to the kids, the article said he told them his name was Phillip and they had a hard time believing it. It didn't say he told them he was Jesus. It says alot about those kids that they were in awe of him, and he was white, not the African Jesus. Maybe says something about Phillips aura and how he behaves. Who of us could be mistaken for Jesus, not only by looks, but by our behavior? And so what if the kids thought he was. Those kids have absolutely nothing, so if this was a thrill for them, what does it hurt you? Something more to complain about.

Interesting work. I am glad that they brought medical and other relief to the children and the area. Hurrah for them!! One major problem, however, is that no one knows what Jesus looked like. Natta. Frankly, I prefer a Jesus that has warts, moles, stringy hair, and skin that is black. He can even walk with a limp. After all, no one knows. Hmmmmmm.

Actually, a description of Jesus was sent to an official in Rome. I can't remember who. It might have been the Emperor. Anyway, if you're really curious, I'm sure you could find information on this on the internet.

Interesting that this Minor gent is a contractor. My neighbors are building a house in Cedar Hills and their builder looks more like Jesus than you could ever imagine (and I know his name's not Minor). Don't know if Mrs. Swindle is in the market for another Jesus look alike but this guy would certainly be a perfect fit. I have to double take every time I see the guy...and he builds a beautiful home too.

Richard G.
I suggest you get outside yourself, and go to africa with Mothers Without Boarders. spend two weeks with the children they are helping there and see the work they are doing. If you still feel like barfing after you do that then I will know you are truly sick.

I was on the trip in Zambia w/ Mothers Without Borders when Philip, Liz, and others came to do the shoot. It was an incredible experience, and the painting turned out to be amazing!

This was an uplifting article. I doubt very much those children saw it as cruel. Especially since the proceeds go to help them, and he was totally forthright that he is not Jesus.