Featured on this episode is 21-time bestselling author Jerry B. Jenkins who has written over 200 books, including his latest entitled, "The Chosen: And I Will Give You Rest." It's the third book in a series based on the record-breaking television series created by his son Dallas Jenkins. Jerry opens up about his son's success with The Chosen and why he thinks the series is so popular. Jerry also discusses the last time "lightning struck" the family with the wild success of the Left Behind series, which he co-authored with Tim LaHaye between 1995 and 2007. He and the bishop reflect on the power of biblical fiction to draw people to Jesus. They also talk baseball because Jerry was a former newspaper sportswriter who began covering sports at the age of 14. He went on to write sports biographies (Hank Aaron, Walter Payton, Nolan Ryan, and Orel Hershiser).
Bishop Kevin also reflects on the tragic suicide death of Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik, his funeral, and Church teaching regarding Catholic burials in such situations.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like this episode, subscribe, and tune in next time! Email questions for Bishop Sweeney to beyond@patersondiocese.org.
SHOW NOTES
Learn more about Jerry B. Jenkins at jerryjenkins.com.
Learn more about The Chosen TV series at thechosen.tv/en-us.
Watch the archived livestream of Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik's funeral here.
Are you experiencing mental health challenges such as loneliness, anxiety, or depression? Call The Upper Room Hotline (a faith-based hotline in the Catholic tradition) at 1-888-808-8724. Visit catholichotline.org to learn more.
You can also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 anytime.
Produced by Jai Agnish and Bishop Kevin Sweeney for the Diocese of Paterson.
Engineered and edited by Jai Agnish.
Illustrations by Dennis Dalelio.
Music by Jai Agnish.
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