Lew Wallace. Library of Congress description: "Gen. Lew Wallace" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bob Barney
The Rest of the Story (Ben Hur) inspired by the late Paul Harvey
A New "Ben Hur" Movie has been released. In no way does it match Heston's Original Classic, but do you know the story behind Ben Hur? It is an amazing story of an atheist finding GOD!
Bob Barney
Most folks my age know the story of Ben Hur, maybe some of the younger generations out there have not read the book or had a chance to watch the movie; but I highly recommend it! This classic book was written by a Civil War general, named Lew Wallace in 1899. His story became movie starring Charlton Heston which won the Academy Award for best movie in 1959. It is a towering story of love, of suffering and of the struggle of good against evil.
Judah Ben Hur, the story’s hero, grows up with his childhood friend, Messala. Judah is a Jew, and Messala is Roman. Judah is the heir of a very great and wealthy house in Jerusalem. Messala is a promising military man who trained in Rome as a soldier then returned to Jerusalem as the leader of the Roman occupation forces. Both are great friends, but fate intervenes and makes the two bitter enemies.
Judah Ben Hur is sent off to die in prison, but a thoughtful man gives him water to drink and that act of kindness leads to his will to survive. As fate would have it, he finds himself saving the admiral of the Roman fleet and thus thrusting Judah back into fame and fortune.
The story of Ben Hur is riveting and awe inspiring, but do you know the rest of the story about the AUTHOR, Lew Wallace? You see General Wallace, like me started out as an atheist! He began this book to show the silliness of the Christian faith. I started off on my spiritual journey to do the same. Back in 1975 I was hellbent on disproving Garner Ted Armstrong and his logical and methodical belief in God – The God of the Bible! This story has a special meaning to me because both Mr. Wallace and I had a date with destiny. Mine was just 70 years later than his! And the rest of the story ??????????????????? Click on Read More below