The (What Would Jesus Say to) Eminem (and Ted Turner) Show Taking a cue from Ohio pastor Greg Nettle, known for his "What Would Jesus Say to [insert name of famous person here]?" sermon series in the 1990s (his sermon on Howard Stern ultimately got him on the Stern TV show), Leonard Sweet prepares a Father's Day message for rapper Eminem and former media mogul Ted Turner.
In spite of their shock-mouth careers, both Eminem and Ted Turner seem to be at a point in their lives when the harvest is plentiful and the message of the gospel can penetrate their hearts. Now reaching the grand old age of 30, Eminem seems more willing to face the music he has created and be honest about what kind of impact he is having on the world. In particular, Eminem has a daughter Hailie Hade Mathers. He wants to be a good father to her, and his "Hailie's Song" ("The Eminem Show") talks about how much he loves his daughter and wants a good world for her. "I want to raise my daughter the right way and not cut out on her like my father did to me," Eminem said recently (CosmoGirl, April 2003). He has also expressed some willingness to make this world a better place: "I don't know how long I'm going to be on this planet," Eminem said recently. "So while I'm here, I might as well make the most of it."
Ted Turner publicly professes to being either an atheist or agnostic, while at the same time bragging "I live like a Christian." Turner admits that he "was born again seven times," and at one point in his life he decided to become a missionary. But while Turner says he has turned his back on his Christian faith, he boasts, "I guarantee you I'll see you [in Heaven]." One of the most openly Christian movies ever made was bankrolled by Ted Turner. The Civil War film that opened in February of 2003, "Gods and Generals," revels in its Christian revelations.
So, what would Jesus say to these two? Sweet gives it his best shot. Read on...