Video: The holy highway
posted at 4:45 pm on December 5, 2007 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
I suspect the media’s trying to trump this up into some sort of supposedly quasi-mainstream belief but you would know better than me so we’ll figure it out in the comments. “A growing number of evangelical Christians around the world are convinced that Interstate 35 is a holy highway,” says WCCO, citing the end of a 35-day prayer vigil of churches along the highway as a news peg. NBC has something about it too, claiming that parishioners believe it’s the road referred to in Isaiah 35:8. Has anyone heard of this or is it a case of the press trying to tar Christians with the arcane beliefs of a fringe few? I’m guessing the latter, although if it’s the former than Mitt has a pretty good comeback the next time someone challenges him about the Garden of Eden being in Missouri.
The fact that Pat Robertson’s taking it seriously makes me wonder if it is, in fact, mainstream. Will someone ask Rudy about it?
Update (Bryan): As Hot Air’s resident evangelical, I probably ought to chime in here. I hadn’t heard of the “holy highway” until earlier in the week when a friend of mine sent me some links about it along with sarcastic references to the “highway of Jabez.” I was probably going to write about it at some point but Allah beat me to it. Of all the stupid things I’ve ever heard of in my days on this earth, the holy highway is surely among the stupidest. My fellow evangelicals are really jumping the proverbial (though non-holy) shark on this.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
I live in Dallas, Texas.
It’s nice but it’s not heaven.
Hoodlumman on December 5, 2007 at 4:52 PM
I-35?
Bingo!
Drew on December 5, 2007 at 4:52 PM
I live directly between 35E and 35W….it has a simple explanation……FT Worth-Dallas rivalry. Both wanted the highway…..they compromised…..
North of DFW the highway splits…35E goes to Dallas…35W goes to Ft Worth….south of DFW they rejoin.
No Virgin in the toast here folks.
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Prophetic words, prophets, prophesy’s, vision from the Lord…what do they think of these?
* U.S. Route 666, renumbered in 2003 to U.S. Route 491
* Florida State Road 666
* Ohio State Route 666
* Pennsylvania Route 666
right2bright on December 5, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Heh.
Allahpundit on December 5, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Same one’s who see Jesus’s image on a potato chip?
Holy Frito-Lay.
fogw on December 5, 2007 at 4:55 PM
never heard of it
offroadaz on December 5, 2007 at 4:57 PM
.
It’s all true!
.
I found some used brake pads and a large oil leak that looks like Mary, and there’s a big truckstop sign that says MB4 IS THE ANTICHRIST in spray paint. (emphasis not mine)
.
Now if I can just figure out how to kneel and pray without getting side-swiped.
.
Keith_Z on December 5, 2007 at 4:58 PM
I’m an evangelical Christian (Baptist) and my father has been a very scholarly-based (by which I mean well educated) pastor for nearly 40 years.
I think this whole “holy highway” thing is ridiculous. The bulk of biblical prophecies not relating to the coming of the Messiah (not Obama) were speaking to the people reading them at the time they were written, not thousands of years later (you here that, “Left Behind” fans?)
Frozen Tex on December 5, 2007 at 4:58 PM
I’ve driven on I-35. Come to think of it, I did hear the Lord’s name frequently:
“Jesus, where did these people learn to drive?”
“God da–it, signal before changing lanes!”
Etc.
rmgraha on December 5, 2007 at 4:59 PM
Isn’t this supposed to be the route of the NAFTA superhighway that the NAU theorists are raving about? Maybe that’s the prophesied Holy Highway!
Big S on December 5, 2007 at 5:01 PM
I-10 (Isiah 10) Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees….
I-30 (Isiah 30) Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me;
etc etc
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 5:01 PM
I, too, have spent many an hour on I-35. Your experience matches mine.
Bryan on December 5, 2007 at 5:02 PM
Or, if you are driving I-35 through downtown Austin, “Holy [shinola] this is one GD messed up piece of highway”.
thirteen28 on December 5, 2007 at 5:02 PM
I am now going to an evangelical church and have heard nada about this.
I’ve also spent, cumulatively, days or even weeks of my life driving on parts I-35. It’s just a big, poorly maintained road.
But they may be turning it into the NAU/NAFTA/Bilderberger Supercorridor pretty soon.
see-dubya on December 5, 2007 at 5:03 PM
A classic case of people who believe in blanket literalism of the bible versus those who allow for metaphor. Judge for yourself by reading Isaiah 35:1-10 here, but I’ll quote verse 8, which is to the point.
Nessuno on December 5, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Pure crap! I live off I-35E in the one of many of the most ungodly states of all, Minnesota. Even though I’m Catholic, with all the stigmata and relics that comes with my faith, this God’s highway thing is nuts!
MNDavenotPC on December 5, 2007 at 5:04 PM
The ‘high’ side or the ‘low’ side? I thought I was a goner.
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 5:04 PM
I’ll second both of you.
The verse in question:
Are these people sincerely trying to claim that only holy people travel on I35?
Have they ever even been here?
Esthier on December 5, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Maybe it’s just one huge divine snarky metaphor: “NAFTA/Holy superhighway divides nation in half.”
Big S on December 5, 2007 at 5:06 PM
All I know about I-35 is it is about a quarter mile from the unholy TTC-35.
Valiant on December 5, 2007 at 5:06 PM
I always thought that based on the number of accidents, the Mass Pike was The Highway to Heaven?
Hening on December 5, 2007 at 5:07 PM
Any Texan here will agree with me…..Texas highways are 3rd world experiences. Texas highway construction is on ludes.
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 5:08 PM
This morning I just caught myself right before I bit into this piece of toast, no kidding it’s burnt and looks just like the Virgin Mary or the zig zag man, I’m not really sure which one.
abinitioadinfinitum on December 5, 2007 at 5:08 PM
Does a passage of prophecy concerning the Millennium have anything to do with a highway in this Country, probably not.
And Tex, well, you and ex President Carter probably have some things in common, no?
NRA4Freedom on December 5, 2007 at 5:09 PM
9 now reported dead by Omaha Police. 14 are wounded.
amerpundit on December 5, 2007 at 5:11 PM
exit question. How many Ronulans believe this ?
William Amos on December 5, 2007 at 5:11 PM
abinitioadinfinitum on December 5, 2007 at 5:08 PM
Jesus shows up in the strangest places. Another metaphor?
Big S on December 5, 2007 at 5:11 PM
Smile when you say that, so I know we’re all still friends here…
Frozen Tex on December 5, 2007 at 5:11 PM
I live in the DFW area, and the stretch of I-35 between here and Austin is of the devil, and not any shape or form, holy.
I always lose my religion driving anywhere on it.
Stormy70 on December 5, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Limerick – agreed
And if it’s the holy highway, why all the adult book stores?
Matticus Finch on December 5, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Purity sieges
good gravy
Sammy316 on December 5, 2007 at 5:15 PM
35E is a little bit holy. 35W is evil though!
Kevin M on December 5, 2007 at 5:15 PM
That’s just the dumbest thing I’ve heard since the last Democrat debate.
Redhead Infidel on December 5, 2007 at 5:16 PM
Not to mention Willie’s Bio-Diesel station! LOL…yeah he is holy alright.
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 5:16 PM
They feel the NEED to BELIEVE.
In something. Anything.
peski on December 5, 2007 at 5:16 PM
The Holy Highway, that is. Not any of the comments.
Religious nuttery.
Redhead Infidel on December 5, 2007 at 5:17 PM
I-35 is surely the sign of the anti-christ. Anyone traveling between Lewisville and Dallas knows this.
Sue on December 5, 2007 at 5:17 PM
You mean DW’s?
Esthier on December 5, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Proof positive that this isn’t the Highway of Holiness. Every unclean body in the entire metroplex is traveling that highway at the exact same time I want to travel it. I know this because I’ve called them every unclean name I can think of.
Sue on December 5, 2007 at 5:20 PM
And I ask you….would the Lord, in all his wisdom, have different highways CROSS each other and not have an interchange? Obviously the Lord has nothing to do with Texas freeways(or tollways).
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 5:21 PM
This does not help the word of God at ALL. Ugh. Why do some Christians have to take the lord’s word out of context all the time.
msipes on December 5, 2007 at 5:21 PM
I’ve never heard of this before. Asking Rudy this question will probably get a blank stare, just as asking me would have gotten a blank stare.
Sue on December 5, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Has anyone heard of this or is it a case of the press trying to tar Christians with the arcane beliefs of a fringe few?
I’m not so sure you’d be so charitable if this story involved the atholicC urchC.
Sydney Carton on December 5, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Esthier,
I’m across the street from one right now in Dallas. Not a DW’s, though. It’s called Paris. Ugh.
Matticus Finch on December 5, 2007 at 5:23 PM
I lived a mile west of 35W in Minneapolis for most of the ’90s, and now I live a mile west of IH-35 in Austin (I’m using local names even though it’s the same road). Holy is not the word I would use to describe either stretch of highway – especially the one in Austin. Unless you want to meet your Maker, that is – it is seriously dangerous, and I avoid it whenever I can.
Missy on December 5, 2007 at 5:24 PM
OK, these people and this video make all Christains look foolish so how about one to show the wisdom of science?
abinitioadinfinitum on December 5, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Yes, everyone’s out to get the Church, Sydney, including/especially me, who’s actually said before in the comments to this site that between the Catholic and Protestant models of Christianity I very much favor the former. The poor, powerless, put upon Church.
Allahpundit on December 5, 2007 at 5:26 PM
In fairness I sent this story to Allah. He can include my comment if he wants.
I as a Christian hate this kind of painting of Christians. But I also saw the story as some sort of attempt to link it with the North American union story.
William Amos on December 5, 2007 at 5:31 PM
After watching the clip, I have a tough time believing that all of teh ghey is gone from “James.”
Not hatin’ – just sayin’
ScottMcC on December 5, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Heh. Well, I doubt it’s the “holy Highway”….. but yes, this does neuter any Mitt-Garden of Eden criticism from Evangelicals (or could).
So I’m glad for this story. :)
Vanceone on December 5, 2007 at 5:32 PM
And this is the guy who endorsed Rudy Giuliani? Bleh!
mram on December 5, 2007 at 5:32 PM
Never heard of it but I’m with Bryan on this one.
It’s just embarrassing if true.
John on December 5, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Also wil point out I noticed it on the WCCO site. That TV stations is a bit left wing. They had “Eco friendly Board games” and “How the surge isnt working”
Felt their story was an attempt to paint evangelicals as nuts.
William Amos on December 5, 2007 at 5:38 PM
I think we need form a mob of 1000 bloggers waving swords and threatening to kill the blasphemer who named this road after a sacred Bible verse.
pedestrian on December 5, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Who are all these commentors ridiculing those of faith and heartfelt good feelings? I’m sorry, but I don’t recognize half or more of these Christian bashers… lots of new names!
In any event, yeah, it’s a bit over the top, but they’re not hurting anyone. It’s not like they’re planting IED’s on the highway or anything. Don’t you people have someone or something better to make fun of, like yourselves? You know… the whole “mote” and “beam” in the eye thing.
Let them have their revival, who cares? Why take it as such a personal afront and ridicule it?
SilverStar830 on December 5, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Pat Robertson is NOT mainstream. I applaud any time people get together to worship and love Jesus Christ. They used the ‘miracle’ of converting a 19 year old away from homosexuality? That’s pretty lame considering all the different miracles you COULD do (make someone walk, et al.).
The I35 thing has nothing to do with the Bible. It sounds like a bunch of non-profits trying to make some money. . . but the only thing Biblical based from this story is Jesus Christ and the worship and praise of Christ.
ThackerAgency on December 5, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Actually many of the Biblical prophecies not related to Messiah have to do with the restoration of Israel as a nation from a pile of dry bones (Ezekial), from the corners of the world (Isaiah) and with the blossoming of the Holy Land from desolation into fertile and lovely land. So many believe these are directly related to the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 and its subsequent loveliness. Now that they’ve found oil by the Dead Sea and offshore of Caesarea, it’s about to get a lot more lovely…
mjk on December 5, 2007 at 5:47 PM
I don’t think very many people were thinking I-35E was in any way holy after that accident had the damned thing shut down going north into downtown Dallas this morning. Not that driving north on 35E into downtown is a picnic under the best of circumstances. I was going up to Plano for some classes a few weeks back and felt like I was taking my life into my hands every morning.
And I’ve also experienced driving it through Austin on my way to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio.
Also, the bridge collapse in Minnesota in August was on I-35.
I don’t know about people sometimes. Nothing as screwed up as that highway could come from God.
Alia on December 5, 2007 at 5:54 PM
Who said anything about it being poor or powerless? But despite whatever “model” you favor, I’m not the only one to notice that there’s been a lot of crap thrown at Catholics on this blog that is either not policed, or subtly approved. I’m not sure if I can tell the difference anymore.
Sydney Carton on December 5, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Because when church leaders go around saying the towns along I-35 are the cities mentioned in the Bible, they are making a lot of people think Christians are loony.
pedestrian on December 5, 2007 at 6:00 PM
I’m less than a mile from I-35W in Fort Worth and I’ve never heard of this nonsense.
I’m betting it’s another lame attempt to paint Christians as fruitloops.
Merry Christmas, ya’ll.
techno_barbarian on December 5, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Granted, some of my comment was a little off-topic, but even what you relate (restoration of Israel) has nothing to do with a highway in the central US. My point is, (on a broader scale) that interpreting prophecy is a tricky business. It’s one thing to interpret it metaphorically in your own life, it’s another try to apply it literally to a specific time, place, or event thousands of years after the fact. I have no problem with these groups going out and ministering to the people around them; it’s what they (and every other Christian) are supposed to be doing. They just sound ridiculous trying to tell the world they’re only out there because they think an Israelite prophet mentioned this particular (and frankly, insignificant) stretch of road 3000 years ago.
Frozen Tex on December 5, 2007 at 6:01 PM
Sydney, you are not alone, and it’s not just the subject of religion (all flavors) either.
SilverStar830 on December 5, 2007 at 6:01 PM
May I lay my hands on the dashboard and shout “Amen!”?
tree hugging sister on December 5, 2007 at 6:04 PM
The feeling of the power of God is like tripping on acid…
Nice imagery, and cures homosexuality too!!!
tommylotto on December 5, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Tolerance can’t be forced. Niether can hate or loathing. It just comes naturally to those who hold those things in their hearts. They’re not “making” any mature adult think anything they don’t want to, or don’t think already.
SilverStar830 on December 5, 2007 at 6:09 PM
But for those who already think Christians are ridiculous (Hitchens? I’m looking at you!) things like this are just wood for the fire.
Frozen Tex on December 5, 2007 at 6:11 PM
And hey, my Dad is the interim pastor at a church in Sardis, BC. Does anyone think it might be the same one mentioned here?
Probably not…
Frozen Tex on December 5, 2007 at 6:17 PM
that cindy jacobs lady scares me
tizzidale on December 5, 2007 at 6:18 PM
I’ll have you know it IS true! I drive I-35 everyday on the way to Seminary and I’m praying the whole darn way.
..cause it’s finals week.
GoodBoy on December 5, 2007 at 6:25 PM
I live in Dallas, Texas.
It’s nice but it’s not heaven.
No, but you have to admit it comes pretty close.
Rightwingsparkle on December 5, 2007 at 6:27 PM
I thought it was referring to that NAFTA superhighway. Oooops!
SouthernGent on December 5, 2007 at 6:28 PM
Isaiah 35
Personally I think this boarders on well I don’t know what it boarders on, but it’s looking for signs and reading the tea leaves, which is something we are to stay away from.
Anyway, if you wanna pray for people and witness on the street, there is nothing wrong with just saying, “This is where we are doing it, this is where we start, and there is where we end.”
- The Cat
MirCat on December 5, 2007 at 6:29 PM
With the amount of time I’ve sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on 35, I kind of have the opposite impression of it
brak on December 5, 2007 at 6:32 PM
I wonder how many of the people who think a functional but ugly stretch of highway is “holy” just because it’s got the number 35 attached to it won’t vote for Romney because he’s in a “cult”.
Buy Danish on December 5, 2007 at 6:33 PM
Hey, what school? My dad went to seminary in Ft. Worth; Southwestern, I think.
Frozen Tex on December 5, 2007 at 6:33 PM
I’m a Christian who lives in Texas and this is the first I’ve heard of this. What the…????
Joshua P. Allem on December 5, 2007 at 6:35 PM
If anyone wants to sign up for more of this stuff, here you go:
http://www.lightthehighway.org/en/index.php/Prophetic_Synergisms
pedestrian on December 5, 2007 at 6:37 PM
Any Texan here will agree with me…..Texas highways are 3rd world experiences. Texas highway construction is on ludes.
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 5:08 PM Our FM roads are better. Only time it’s safe to drive I35 is on Sunday during a Cowboy game.
docdave on December 5, 2007 at 6:37 PM
I haven’t even watched the video and I agree with you.
nailinmyeye on December 5, 2007 at 6:41 PM
I saw jesus in my pancake this morning…
libertytexan on December 5, 2007 at 6:52 PM
I thought I saw the same thing but on closer inspection I realized it was Aunt Jamima. She is the patron saint of pancakes ya know?
TheSitRep on December 5, 2007 at 6:55 PM
(sigh) Um…yeeeaah…as an evangelical, I’m all in favor of evangelism and miracles, but this is a bit of a stretch. Isaiah 35 is not talking about an asphalt road in the middle of the United States. I think it’s a bit more figurative than that and this just comes off gimmicky. I hate gimmicky. I mean, seriously, this is a ridiculous notion.
CP on December 5, 2007 at 6:56 PM
I’ve lived in this neighborhood for…let’s see…14 years..
Hwy 360, North……at 183 interchange…..183 EAST -EXIT ONLY sign…..stay in that lane and you will go West to Ft.Worth.
Limerick on December 5, 2007 at 6:56 PM
I can’t watch the video because Pat R. is so revolting he ruffles my sensibilities.
TheSitRep on December 5, 2007 at 6:57 PM
This is the stupidest thing I’ve heard all week.
CurtZHP on December 5, 2007 at 6:59 PM
I watched the video and heard the word FIRE! Now I believe. Where can I send some money, Quick!
TheSitRep on December 5, 2007 at 7:04 PM
Never heard of it.
Sounds lame, though.
Bob's Kid on December 5, 2007 at 7:24 PM
Hoodlumman, you must admit, while this may not be heaven, there sure are some angels here.
BirdEye on December 5, 2007 at 8:15 PM
Isn’t that the same highway that had the bridge collapse earlier this year?
MattSkosh on December 5, 2007 at 8:30 PM
Evangelical here. Never heard of it. Think it’s stupid. Think Robertson is annoying and shady.
baldilocks on December 5, 2007 at 8:51 PM
I was just thinking that, too. Dangit, you beat me to it. If that road has God’s seal of approval, then that bridge collapse does God no favors.
I have traveled only Texas stretches of that highway. I have no doubt that Texas has plenty of holy people, but they weren’t on the highway when I was.
flutejpl on December 5, 2007 at 8:57 PM
Another evangelical here. Never heard of it either. The reports in the video are wonderful, but I’m sure it has nothing to do with a highway.
jgapinoy on December 5, 2007 at 9:07 PM
Having actually watched the video… My only problem with what’s going on is the fruitcake level of theology on which these people have based their deeds. The very verse cited proves the modern “prophecy” to be false.
The video cuts off after Robertson offers only a few seconds of thought on the report. In fairness to Robertson, perhaps he is just reporting what is going on. We may not have everything that he said; after all, the video poster on YouTube is quite hostile to anything that can be associated with the political right of center. We don’t know if Robertson said anything about the validity of the prophecy itself afterwards. All we know is that he thinks some good things are happening along I-35, and he’d love to see their plan actually work. From an evangelical standpoint, that statement is a much harder one to deny, and that’s even if these people are off their rockers crazy regarding why they’re doing it.
flutejpl on December 5, 2007 at 9:20 PM
1. That’s what we in Bible college called eisegesis, reading meaning into the text instead of taking it out, which is just BAD hermeneutics.
2. Chapter and verse divisions were done way after the books were written. Never read meaning into them.
3. That being said, I won’t ever knock people getting together and praying, getting closer to God, and ministering to people. Good for them.
tikvah on December 5, 2007 at 9:22 PM
The fact that I-35 hasn’t become a tollway in Dallas is absolute PROOF that the Spirit of God is present in the asphalt.
I actually saw an angel driving a Spyder convertible on I-35 one day. Ok, well, it may have been a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, but it sure felt like I was having a spiritual experience at the time.
Lone Star on December 5, 2007 at 9:44 PM
If memory serves me well, in Minneapolis/St. Paul there’s a 35E/W, which goes N/S, or the other way around. I always wondered about that.
Entelechy on December 5, 2007 at 9:56 PM
One in the same sir.. what year did your Dad graduate.. this is my second time through SWBTS.
GoodBoy on December 5, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Having a degree in Theology, this idea of a “holy highway” seems like crap.
I also don’t think the Pentecostal movement has a theological inch to stand out.
That being said the girl in the green is pretty darn cute.
Tim Burton on December 6, 2007 at 12:48 AM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »