Other
Proctor
Articles:
The Ten
Commandments
Controversy
PART 2
By Paul Proctor
March 12, 2004
NewsWithViews.com
I must admit, I am both saddened and stunned at the vast number of respected Christian pastors, authors, leaders and commentators that have fallen for The Passion of The Christ and forsaken the Word of God to embrace the lie of Lord Caviezel. As if that weren't enough, many of them are now encouraging us to join them and share in the delusion. Truly, these are dark days in America for Christianity.
"Have you seen the movie?" some ask. "Then how can you judge it?"
"Well, have you tasted rat poison?" I respond. "Then how do you know it's bad for you?"
Same logic�
Remember how we first received the Gospel of Christ? By way of witnesses, was it not? That's how reporters get their stories straight, police officers investigate a crime and juries reach a verdict; by listening to witnesses. And from the biblically-minded lay-witnesses I've talked to and read online, the movie is chocked full of lies, distortions and inaccuracies � many of which I've seen myself on television in clips and in trailers promoting the film. Quite a few of them are listed in detail on a couple of web sites I've visited. But, the word of a few faithful witnesses is good enough for me. I certainly don't need to subject myself to severe emotional trauma and manipulation to find out if something is spiritually and emotionally unhealthy.
"�but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." � Galatians 1:7-10
Is it any wonder we're losing our churches and our country to homosexuality, hedonism and heresy? Like Eve taking from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; the Word of God is just not good enough anymore. We want to experience what our bibles have denied us.
"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." � 2 Corinthians 11:4
And bear with Mel, they shall�
So, churches have become movie theaters and movie theaters have become churches where crowds gather to lay their silver down and behold the glorious image, munch their popcorn and watch, with hungry and tear-filled eyes, as "Jesus" is mocked, beaten, crucified and disgraced all over again, not by Romans, Jews, religious leaders or even God The Father, but by an ambitious Hollywood producer and his passionate pretenders. Why? � to fill our eyes with the sordid simulation of a pseudo-savior suffering in ways the Gospels never described.
So much for believing God and taking Him at His Word�
"What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it" � Deuteronomy 12:32
Yes, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and OH what a job of editing we've done with our latest version of the visual bible. Commenting on an admittedly fictitious scene in The Passion, a caller named "Tony" described to host Stanley Monteith and guest John Loeffler, on a recent Radio Liberty broadcast, a scene where the devil tempted Jesus. Here�s what he said: (underlined emphasis added)
"It's a very powerful movie. I don't see anything in it that's not scriptural. Uh, there were a few scenes -- um -- and I � I thought they were very powerful � uh � especially when � when - uh � before Jesus was -- uh � arrested � when He was sweating great drops of blood and the devil was in -- was there � and he was trying to, almost like tempt Him away from the cross. Now, that's not in the bible. I know that. But um � uh � it was very realistic � and I'm � you know I � it -(the caller briefly stumbles and stutters to find words), obviously, it wasn't in the scriptures � but I really feel that it was something that � uh �uh -- was very apropos."
Did you catch all of the contradictions?
So, the caller admits a lie was presented, yet because of the feelings he experienced from seeing the movie, he disregards it � calling the fictional scene "powerful, realistic and apropos". So, it was fictional but realistic � not scriptural but appropriate. How's that for blindness and confusion?
It's just another example of the dialectic at work � the willing exchange of biblical facts for experiential feelings � prompted by dramatic imagery and emotion that results in the widespread embracing and promoting of lies.
And the church cheers�
In the meantime, dialectic distractions are set in force to redirect attention and hide the lies behind controversy, special interest and polarization.
"It's secular versus religious!"
"No, it's liberal versus conservative!"
"No, it's Jew versus Christian!"
"No, it's Protestant versus Catholic!"
All the while, compromised Christians, looking for the largest herd to run with, fail to recognize the real battle being waged for souls.
You see my friends, it's simply the truth versus the lie; a passionate lie so near the truth that apostasy is celebrated as revival. But, what would you expect from an angel of light? That's what great acting is all about.
But, the lies, errors and distortions in the film are only secondary sins. The primary problem is not believing God. Had we simply taken Him at His Word, rejected the false image offered and stayed at home with our bibles instead of running out to a movie theater to see what Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were keeping from us, there would be no controversy, contradiction or confusion. But, by disobeying God, ignoring His Word and pursuing a charming pretender, we forfeit our faith, lose our discernment and begin believing all of the bittersweet lies that follow. Worse yet, we end up defending them. Why? Because, like the caller said, they�re "powerful, realistic and apropos."
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" � Isaiah 5:20
� 2004 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print. Paul may be reached at watchman@usa.com�
"All the while, compromised Christians, looking for the largest herd to run with, fail to recognize the real battle being waged for souls."
