QUICK LINKS
Yesterday at Costco
On my most recent trip to Costco, I was reminded of how many people are “piling on” the anti-Christian movement this spring.
I was amazed at the number of featured books displayed in the, “What’s Wrong with Christianity” section.
The centerpiece was, of course, Dan Brown’s “DaVinci Code,” surrounded by his collection of other books.
The “DaVinci Code” is described by the publisher as, “intelligent, and intricately layered with remarkable research and detail.”
Sure it is. People who do real research on such matters have found that his book is a combination of plagiarism and incorrect information.
For more information on that, visit this link, http://www.debunkingdavinci.com/ .
Another book on display, “The Secrets of Judas,” is described as “The story of the misunderstood disciple and his last gospel.”
The so-called “Judas gospel” hasn’t been lost. It has been around since at least 180 A.D. when the Christian church denounced its authenticity and clearly pointed out that Judas didn’t even write it.
Then there was the “Jesus Papers.” This book is described as “exposing the greatest cover-up in history.” The publisher asks the question; “What if everything we have been told about the origins of Christianity is a lie?” And, “What if there is incontrovertible truth that Jesus Christ survived the crucifixion?”
Personally, I believe He did survive the ordeal. He not only was seen alive by a large number of people three days after the crucifixion, but there are millions of people living today who claim to believe that He is still alive, that they have met Him and actually know Him personally.
I would be one of them.
Included in the Costco display was a book I had not seen before; “The Secret Supper.” It was to the left of the book, “Misquoting Jesus,” described as, “The story behind who changed the Bible and why.”
And finally, the big one. “The American Theocracy, the Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil and Borrowed Money.” This, I suppose, would be a “break-through” book, exposing for all time that what people of faith really want is a theocracy, where we elect a national bishop, pastor, priest, or whatever, instead of a President. That way, we could be just like Iran.
Having spent my life as a pastor, I’ve not seen many local churches that couldn’t agree on the color of the new carpet in their church building, much less on a single individual who would spiritually preside over our country.
The folks who write these books really don’t understand.
The uniting force of Christianity is indeed central leadership and it is an individual, but He is not human and He isn’t running for office.
Anyone close to Christianity doesn’t believe this stuff. And therein is the problem.
As people are pressed by the uncertainties of life, they are looking for truth and meaning. Something to hold to – something and someone to believe in.
Christianity and God’s Word has stood the test of time and has been attacked by greater thinkers than this most recent group.
But after the books are gone and Ron Howard and Tom Hank’s movie version of Brown’s “DaVinci Code” is stuck on a shelf somewhere, does anyone care about those sincere, seeking people who were misled by this most recent attack on Christianity?
Hopefully, we people of faith will care enough to reach out to them with a well-prepared and prayerful loving expression of truth Christianity.
_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom
Click here to add this blog to your email inbox.
13 Comments:
Yes, Brown has a problem. Our research on this is at:
http://www.creatingnewworlds.org/davinci2.htm
I wouldn't consider it 'piling on' as much as society is reaching a tipping point where people are realizing that mythology is mythology, as much as they'd like it to be otherwise. That one's religion is almost certainly determined by where one geographically happened to have been born. Spiritualism is becoming more personal as the curtain is peeled back on organized religion. The activities of Messrs. Bush, Falwell, and the rest of the pro-business, pro-war, anti-gay zealots make it increasingly clear that religion is too often a convenient cover for their true desires of power, greed, and bigotry.
The previous comment by Anonymous could well have been written by my angry Cousin in California.
His hatred of God came first, the odd attacks on Biblical wisdom, words and Jesus came second!
The previous comment by Anonymous could well have been written by my angry Cousin in California.
His hatred of God came first, the odd attacks on Biblical wisdom, words and Jesus came second!
"The activities of Messrs. Bush, Falwell, and the rest of the pro-business, pro-war, anti-gay zealots make it increasingly clear that religion is too often a convenient cover for their true desires of power, greed, and bigotry. "
LOL. Now that's funny. ROFL.
Did other books "create" christianity? No, then other books other than the bible can't "uncreate" it either.
It's a shame too many don't understand the word "Fiction"? Or historical-based Fiction. It means it isn't real. If you write a novel that takes place in St. Peters and research the cathedral, it's still fiction.
If someone wants to read books that were written at similar points in history as the bible (such as the gospel of judas), it was just someone's viewpoint that was different from orthodox christianity. Isn't just the same as reading about christians in alabama that mess around with getting bit by poisonous snakes? It doesn't change what's in the bible or the message you want it to deliver.
Is it wrong to read a book about dinosaurs since they aren't mentioned in the bible? Why is it that everything is seen as an attack on Christianity if you don't agree with it? Are you that paranoid?
Question: Is belief in a controlling or active God directly related to a person's belief in other controlling groups or forces (e.g. conspiracies and agendas)?
Gary, if you don't like what they sell, don't shop there.
What is so hard about that?
Is it because you think you are responsible for telling people what to think and do? That's a pretty heaven burden of responsibility to assume.
Gary,
What you don't understand here is that Costco is a for-profit corporation. Because of the success of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, other "copycat" type books are being published - and bought by the truckloads. Costco only carries what people want and what will sell. That's why you're seeing a lot of that genre. It has nothing to do with the company, the buyers or anything else -- it's all about what sells.
And, it's also called "non-censorship".
What a fresh concept!
I am grateful for the prosperity and economic opportunities that our free market system allows us. As an Executive of a very successful national retail company I understand merchandising products that sell - thats the point. I am also grateful for free speech and the freedom to express an opinion. I have never met a true follower of Christ who promoted censorship of opinion. However, if in a free society we do not use a moral compass to call out what is truth from untruth, then anything goes. Gary is doing just that. The media has treated the release of the Da Vinci Code movie, and the "discovery" of the writings of Judas as if these were new revelations of truth. While some pretty light research shows them to be a work of fiction by Dan Brown, and a well known 3rd century manuscript, of which there were hundreds, that has never been recognized as historically accurate or part of the cannon. It is appropriate to point out the difference.
Ha, a work of fiction as 'real' as a Harry Potter novel, and a book contending a DIFFERENT view of Christianity and Randall has an emotional melt-down.
People have a right to THEIR religion, not a right to tell other people what their religion should be. Christianist arrogance is amazing.
As the poster compared to the 'angry cousin in California' - First, I don't hate God - I doubt if there is one. I'm certain there isn't the God described in the bible, so I don't hate what doesn't exist. Second, I've never attacked Jesus, I believe he taught great lessons. I only attack the leaders who falsely pretend to live his message. Most of the bible is mythology, but if you focus on the teachings of Jesus himself, there's some pretty good stuff there. I think it's been hijacked by organized religion.
Look at the homosexual activists on this blog . lets see, a book claiming everything that promotes your Faith is made up is being discussed and they throw in insults of the Christian Religion . This is the same mind set that thinks only they have a right to public schools because they are atheists . 70 years ago it was people like Stalin who thought the same thing . Now they are the "tolerant" ones and people having a conversation about a book are the arrogant ones/ These guys should be quoted often .
Remember He told us we would be hated for his Sake .
Post a Comment
<< Home