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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:

QuoteYears 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

Interesting.  Reading the Da Vinci code was actually a turning point for me.  It frustrated me to no end that I didn't know how to refute what was being said...so I went out and actually studied until I did.

Also, the "gospel of Judas" is part of a very old heresy.  It is mentioned, I believe, in Ireneus Against Heresies.  It was not then, nor has it ever been, a part of the literature of anything remotely Christian.  It belonged to a Jewish-gnostic cult, If I remember correctly.

The Jesus Papers...I have a copy, but I just put it down about 10 pages in.  This isn't something to understand and refute, it is just one bald-faced lie after another.  It just assumes that everything in Holy Blood is correct and known to start with.  Which is just a lot of horse....poop.

So was the Last Temptation of Christ so heretical and horrible because it --

Presumed to portray Jesus as having any interest in, longing for, a "normal" life, with only "normal" responsibilities? 

Presumed to portray Satan and temptations as attractive?

Because it protrayed Jesus actually falling to temptation and then later repenting.

                                        A Church In Crisis
        How the Da Vinci and Other Heresies Were Allowed to Happen


Some thoughts that formed as I read this article;

1.  Since when have there not been heresies?

2.  How is it that "the Church" "allowed" these heresies to occur?

3.  What exactly IS the "church"?  I get the distinct impression that denominational structures (which I'd view as para-church structures) are believed to be "The Church".

4.  We are presently seeing "the fall of the Church"?  May I ask how that is determined?  Are you telling me that determination is made by pointing to the reality of the disbelief of the world combined with the phoniness of many so called Christians?

5.   I am skeptical of the assertion that the Body of Christ is "threatened" by the Jesus Papers and the Gospel of Judas that have apparently slipped under the heresy radar.  (Actually, I would assert that heresies are God tools to distinguish the wheat from the tares [I Cor. 11:18-19].)

6.  I have the distinct impression that an under-laying supposition of this article is that the "fall of the Church" is being equated with the diminuation of the influence of nominal American cultural Christianity.

7.  The controvery that surrounded the screening of The Last Temptation of Christ only served to prop up ticket sales of a sub-quality production.  I know.  I watched it after it came out in video.  For fiction it really only deserved minor recognition and would not have garnered much in the way of sales except for the hoopla that Jerry Falwell and others made of it.  People are rarely impressed when Christians rail about stuff, but they often notice when the followers of Christ act like Christ.

8.  to be continued later...


V

QuoteWhy 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.

Have you ever considered that maybe The Last Temptation of Jesus sucked in comparison to the DaVinci Code. (In terms of quality of film and how well either was put together.) And Christians really had nothing to do with it, other than make a fuss about it, thus making it even more popular.

I mean, yes, the church has to come together against false accusations and blasphemy and heresy and all that. But in terms of literature, they are both fiction, and it's not like either is even likely, when you look at it. It is definitely interesting, I mean, looking at what could've been, or thinking what could've happened. Maybe Jesus was tempted with those thoughts and ideas. They were just exploring it. I mean, I can't say much about them, since I've seen neither of them, but the reason that one was a success and the other flopped isn't the Christians fault.

Quote from: Volkmar on Tue Nov 13, 2007 - 20:59:38
                                        A Church In Crisis
        How the Da Vinci and Other Heresies Were Allowed to Happen


Some thoughts that formed as I read this article;

1.  Since when have there not been heresies?

2.  How is it that "the Church" "allowed" these heresies to occur?

3.  What exactly IS the "church"?  I get the distinct impression that denominational structures (which I'd view as para-church structures) are believed to be "The Church".

4.  We are presently seeing "the fall of the Church"?  May I ask how that is determined?  Are you telling me that determination is made by pointing to the reality of the disbelief of the world combined with the phoniness of many so called Christians?

5.   I am skeptical of the assertion that the Body of Christ is "threatened" by the Jesus Papers and the Gospel of Judas that have apparently slipped under the heresy radar.  (Actually, I would assert that heresies are God tools to distinguish the wheat from the tares [I Cor. 11:18-19].)

6.  I have the distinct impression that an under-laying supposition of this article is that the "fall of the Church" is being equated with the diminuation of the influence of nominal American cultural Christianity.

7.  The controvery that surrounded the screening of The Last Temptation of Christ only served to prop up ticket sales of a sub-quality production.  I know.  I watched it after it came out in video.  For fiction it really only deserved minor recognition and would not have garnered much in the way of sales except for the hoopla that Jerry Falwell and others made of it.  People are rarely impressed when Christians rail about stuff, but they often notice when the followers of Christ act like Christ.

8.  to be continued later...


V

Hey V!

You make some excellent points, thank you.

I like 7 the best. 

Really, heresies have been around since the day Christ rose (Matt 28:12-13), however it seems until recently the church (which is the universal body of believers) has been united in fighting them...not every instance, I know, but overall.  This is where number 7 comes in.  We are not acting like Christ...especially not with each other and that is what I think the big problem is.  We are too busy fighting with each other, tearing each other to shreds to fight heresies that are creeping in.  The term "false teacher" has been used so loosely and thrown about so often, that it too easily falls on deaf ears now.

We need to stop fighting each other and start fighting the enemy (Eph 6:12).

In Christ,
KP

why is the church in crisis?

Speaking for our country;

1. We let the world into the church. Which is ok if we are influencing the world and it is changing because of us, HOWEVER, that is not the case, we have let it influence us and we are changing to be PC for the world.

2. there is no more, or lack of, daily prayer, fasting and supplication. Also, we do not pick up our cross daily, nor do we cruisify our flesh daily. What we pick up daily, is the remote for the TV, which brings me to...

3. we have fallen for satans suttle traps. he has given us so many gadgets and toys to play with; TV, radio, movie theators, Ipods, video games, etc.
this is what we are spending our time on, more than being in the word, renewing our minds by the word.

4. division. A house divided against itself will fall, says Jesus. And it is true. The only concern should be if a church worships God in spirit and in truth. IS the focus on Christs coming in a virgin birth, deing for our sins, and being resurrected as the firstborn of many brothers, if that is the focus, than all the other 'stuff' should not cause division. But in our pride, we let satan use this religious 'stuff' as a weapon against ourselves.

5. lack of disipline. God says, spare the rod and spoil the child. Just because the world says 'do not discipline or hit your child', why do we live by there standard, rather than Gods? Our children have no respect for elders, or property, or authority, or even thierselves. They do not respect their parents either because of the lack of disipline. it is natural for children to respect discipline as it gives them boundaries and structure, take that away and you take away thier sense of security. (of course this may not apply to your children) depending on how you are raising them, but if you are doing it the worlds way with the USELESS time outs, then God help those children.

6. ignorance. I already touched on the fact that we spend more time in front of the TV than we do in the bible. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. My people parish due to lack of understanding. Wisdom calls out in the streets for anyone who will listen, if we do not know what the bible says, then how will we know the will of God? And we will be lost in ignorance, and that is when satan will give us false doctrine.

7. no backbone and being lukewarm. In REV Jesus says because the church (last one or the seven) was lukewarm He would spew them out of His mouth. Harsh words. This was a large and successful church, but Jesus said, they were poor and naked. They said that they were serving God, but they were not. Actions speak louder than words. What is the church doing? the average Christians gets up Sunday morning, waits to the last minute, watching as much of the football game as we can, sit in a seat and sleep or daydream through a long and boring service, with our eyes on the clock praying that it will be over soon, so we can catch the end of the game. and that is it for a week. some of the more devoted Christians may catch a mid eek bible study (unless something better comes up). The rest of the week the church lights are out, and the building is empty. The church lights should never be out, and certainly not 5 or 6 days of the week!
no backbone, why does the church let everything go on unchecked? In the church, we have gay pastors, pastors molesting children, cheating on their spouses with othre members, members who are in open sexual relationships unmarried, and the sin goes on and on, inside the church, let alone outside. What about abortion? Is God pleased with it? Heavens no! Yet we blame it on the government, because it is the easy way out. It is their fault! I tell you it is not their fault but ours! What more would we expect from sinners? nothing less. but what does God expect from us? We are suppose to be in charge, not the world. The world does not have the power and the name of JEsus! The world does not have God Himself backign them up! We do! Yet we act like little babies and point fingers. I wonder if on judgement day, all the murdered babies will stand up against us? They do exsist, they are in heaven. What have we done to defend these innocent babies who can not defend themselves?
What about the homeless? Is your church right now activily helping these people? Most do nothing for the communities they are in. What are we here for? spread the Gospel and be witnesses? How do we be witnesses? By our actions. Do we show the world we love them? Does our love take action?

the church has fallen asleep and it is time to wake up! We are the only reason why God keeps this nation. God sets up kings and kingdoms, and He lays low kings and kingdoms. Do not think He will not destroy this nation. The more we turn from God, the more He will lift His hand of protection from us, and evil will keep moving in deeper. God always brings warning before destruction. Has He warned us? The earthquakes, violent storms and hurricanes, the fires....I think so! Will we head the warnings and repent? or remain in rebellion and be destroyed.

Good message, kamakaz.

Incidentally, I have made good use of my MP3 player!  I downloaded an audio bible free off the internet and now whenever I'm doing housework or yardwork I can listen to God's Word!  It's great!  It's much faster for me too.

Good use of technology, just as radio and tv spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.