A Church In Crisis
How the Da Vinci and Other Heresies Were Allowed to Happen
By Todd Uebele
25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29"Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. 30"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." -- Matthew 12:25-32
onsider the above statement made by Jesus. A kingdom divided against itself will not stand. A household divided against itself will be ruined. It is the original "united we stand, divided we fall" statement. Like everything else Jesus stated, this is the hard truth. Unfortunately, we are seeing the fall of the Church today; a fall that has resulted from our division. As this is being written, two of the biggest news items are the removal of the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego, California, and the blockbuster status of Ron Howard's adaptation of Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code, which to date has grossed over $150,000,000.
Da Vinci is not the only book lately to make the news. Just since the last newsletter, The Jesus Papers and the "Gospel" of Judas have made headlines. All three of these present great threats to our Church, yet many Christians simply watch the news and then change the channel, going on with their lives. They are too busy worrying about how often one takes the Lord's Supper or what day of the week one meets. Christians would much rather argue over disputable matters (Romans 14) then take on issues that threaten the Body. Yes, there have been many books to set straight Dan Brown's book and his claims of fact. However, The Jesus Papers and Judas seem to have slipped under the radar. How could this have happened?
It's Not Our Fault!
Actually, yeah, it is. It is my fault. It is your fault. It is our fault. Christians bear the blame for what we see happening today. Twenty years ago two things similar to Dan Brown's book and movie appeared. Authors Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh wrote The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, a non-fiction work that presented the theories Dan Brown writes about in his fiction novel. This book was largely ignored because it theories were so "out there." Mr. Brown's book presents those same theories but it is selling millions of copies. Why?
Similarly, twenty years ago, the movie The Last Temptation of Christ was released nation-wide. This too, was a controversial film. The main source of controversy stemmed from a scene near the end of the movie in which Jesus imagines himself marrying Mary Magdalene instead of dying on the cross. A brief scene of the married couple making love is shown in the film, sparking the anger of many protesters. What these controversial scenes portray is Satan’s tempting of Christ with the life of a normal man, a man with everyday desires and concerns, free from the burden of being crucified and being the salvation of mankind. In the guise of a beautiful angel, Satan deceptively brings Christ down from the cross in a dream sequence and gives him the life he has desired, telling him he is in fact not the Messiah. Jesus falls for this temptation and lives his life as a normal man would, until the very end when he realizes he has abandoned his duty and begs God to return him to his crucifixion. This movie just as heretical as Da Vinci was a box office flop. Why?
Why was a book and a movie similar to the ones written by Dan Brown today both a flop twenty years ago but critically acclaimed hits today? Because of us. Christians. Twenty years ago Christians were united in facing threats to the Body. As a matter of fact, Protests against the movie from the religious community began before the film had even finished production. Major religious leaders in the United States blasted the film in fiery sermons, and condemned its subject matter as pornographic. Similar things, though not on such a large scale happened with the book by Baigent and Leigh.
Today, we see no such thing.
Joseph Farah, Editor and CEO, World Net Daily put things rather succinctly in his last Op/Ed piece, entitled, "The 'Da Vinci' libel." He states:
Years ago, when I was covering Hollywood, a movie called "The Last Temptation of Christ" was released. It, too, was based on a work of fiction. It, too, was blasphemous and offensive to all sincere followers of Jesus. But it died a quick death at the box office. There were mass marches in the street by Christians and Jews to protest its opening. It suggests Christianity has lost ground in the battle for the hearts and minds of Americans in the last two decades. It suggests Christian clergy are not providing the salt and the light needed to keep this culture from rotting in darkness. It suggests biblical illiteracy is on the rise. It suggests moral relativism is the dogma of our day. It suggests our nation is in desperate need of a moral and spiritual revival if it is to avoid judgment.[1]
Christian leaders carry a lot of the blame, but not all of it. Each and every one of us both individually and as a Body of Believers is responsible. There is no doubt that today, “Christianity has lost ground in the battle for the hearts and minds of Americans in the last two decades” (ibid). I personally believe it has to do with an increase in the disunity among believers over the last two decades. Infighting among Christians has been on the rise and with it a sort of apathy against threats to Christ. We would much rather stamp out such heresies as "contemporary worship" or just plain old music in worship, then confront true threats to our Church and libel against our Savior.
When my kids are being unusually bad...that is when they are acting like complete and total punks, I will get them all together and in a stern voice tell them, "This stops now." It usually works, though sometimes they must be banished to their respective bedrooms. Sometimes, when praying, I get that same feeling from our Father. It is almost as if He is telling me in a very stern voice, "This stops now." I think God has moved beyond sadness at our fighting each other and, if it is possible for Him to do so, is getting frustrated at the way His children are carrying on.
And why shouldn't He? Frankly the way we are carrying on does need to stop. Unity should be one of the identifying marks of our Church:
Unity should be a fundamental feature of God's Kingdom, and Jesus was more than passionate about it - He knew it was essential to the impact of the Gospel. Earlier that same evening Jesus told His disciples that if they would love one another in true unity then "all men will know that you are my disciples" John 13:35. When Paul came into his ministry there was no doubt that he was equally fanatical about the importance of Christian unity. In fact, almost every one of his letters include teaching on relationship building. Sometimes he begged Christians to be united (1 Corinthians 1: 10, Philippians 4: 2). And why? Because Paul knows, like Christ, that division always ends in destruction.[2]
Today, we are reaping that destruction. The media have been churning out a false history about Jesus and Christianity. The Gnostic "gospel" of Judas was accepted by many talking heads as legitimate and true because it told a different story then the true Gospel. Never mind that it was written after the Bible as we know it was codified. Never mind these same talking heads claim the Biblical books are not true or accurate. This hoax is accepted because it paints Jesus is a heretical light.
Another example Michael Baigent's new book, The Jesus Papers. The media, NBC in particular, fawned all over him over his assertion that Jesus survived the crucifixion. The documents Mr. Baigent used for his book, the so called "Jesus Papers" are forgeries, but they are a big blow to Christianity so the media presents them as true, accurate and authentic. He says he has held these papers in his own hands and seen them with his own eyes. No doubt he has, but they are forgeries. Still, those papers are the catalyst that convinced Baigent to go public with his theory:
It was rigged. It was a fraud. I think the crucifixion was set up precisely to remove a particular political problem which both Pilate and Jesus found themselves within. It’s my hypothesis that [Pilate] rigged the crucifixion such that Jesus would survive but very quickly removed Jesus from the scene.[3]
During an interview on Dateline NBC, Mr. Baigent admitted that that there is no real proof for his theory, but it is still taken as truth instead of the fiction that it really is.
The media seems to enjoy present works of fiction as fact. Even Dan Brown's novel, a fiction novel, is present as fact! One of the reasons the book has caused such a stir is not because of the heresies it contains, but because Dan Brown has traveled across both England and America claiming the book, while fiction, is based on hard facts. Like Michael Baigent, Mr. Brown has no documentation and no proof to back up his theories, but they are still presented as fact. The media does this and gets away with it, why?
Simple. Christians are too busy fighting each other to stand up against such heresies.
One could very easily dismiss all of this. "Mr. Baigent's claims are so outlandish and unfounded no one will take them seriously!" "But Dan Brown's book is only a work of fiction, a good story, nothing more!" I know I will receive at least one response criticizing the concept for this article, but the result from these heresies is more dramatic then even I have let on. While I was in NY hoping to catch a ship, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the hotel clerks about the book of Judas. Because he saw it on the news he thought it was an accurate historical document and had changed his views on Jesus. It sounds sad, but it is true. The way the media portrays these heresies as fact and truth are leading people away from Christ. When I told this particular individual that the book of Judas was not written until after the Bible was codified, he was astonished. He had no idea.
CONCLUSION
Heresies and conspiracies have been around since the day of the resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15). However the Church has always been united in combating these heresies. From the Council of Nicea up to as recently as twenty years ago, Church leaders and preachers have been united in confronting unorthodox beliefs that have tried to worm their way into the Body. Today, no such unity exists. We need to put down rather than throw down the gauntlet with each other. We need to draw our swords not against our brothers and sisters but against the world and the lies the enemy propagates.
I do not think we have ever seen a better reason for this then what we have seen over the past few months. People are being led away from Christ by the lies of the world, and Christians are letting it happen. While we fight with each other, people are dying lost. Twenty years ago preachers and church leaders were united. Today we need to unite against the plethora of lies that are being spit out by the world.
If the church is going to seriously impact this nation then it is absolutely essential that we move ahead together as a united movement. United we stand! Divided we fall! As we journey through the difficult cultural landscape trying to do our best, inevitably people will get things wrong and make mistakes. Some of us will feel disgruntled and upset. But let's commit ourselves to the command of Paul to "make every effort to keep the unity" and deal with those issues immediately when they arise, so that everything can remain in the light and the enemy has no ability to cause division amongst us. [2]
Update From Nepal (Churches Network)
I would like to say thank you for your love, concern, Prayer and support for Nepal. We have sensed our God is doing something great in changing Nepal in our midst. We feel like cloud above us is moving and we are moving too. We can only reach God's destined place (Promise Land) if you powered us from the back. We have found our vision and now we must go " To open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by faith, that is in me," Acts 26:18. I want you to take part on this please. Because you are partner in our prayer list I would like to share April updates with you. Please rejoice with us.
Ministering to Sick. These days Church is being crowd with the sick. My Jesus and I are praying for healing. We want to give them God's best. We want them to receive the abundant life, which we can only find in Jesus. We go house to house and pray for them right away and bring some to the church. Gopal and his household have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Please lift these people up in your prayer.
Children Service and Kids Camp 06. Children are our heritage from the lord. We give them special place in our midst. We want them to have separate room for their Sunday school. We have booked one room but we don't have money to pay rent. We are looking for suitable time to hold kids camp 06. Programs such as Bible Quiz, Dancing, Coloring, Games, Film Showing Program, Food and other mental and spirit building programs will be there. Let us teach our children in the ways of the Lord.
Sports Evangelism. We are, comprise of born again Christian players, taking team to the football league first time. We want to show good sportsmanship to the athletes and share the gospel with the high level people. Government and Maoists Talk. Government and Maoists are heading for talks please pray that God's will be done.
Before closing, please take some moment to view our photos (Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3).
Working Together to Save someone,
Reuben in Nepal
Bit 'O Humor
Courtesy of Clean Joke of the Day
The Game Warden stopped a deer hunter and asked to see his hunting license. "This is last year's license," the warden informed him.
"I know," said the hunter, "But I shouldn't need a new license, I am only shooting at the deer I missed last year."
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Do the hunter's efforts miss you?
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. -Psalms 18:3
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