ISRAEL UPDATEFebruary 22, 2004 - If you ever saw the movies “Elmer Gantry” or “Leap of Faith” you would think that all evangelists were phony money-grubbing charlatans.
TV series such as “Maude” and “All in the Family” painted Christianity into the tiny corner of a judgmental, insecure, and inept belief system full of inconsistencies.
Those who watched the smash hit cult classic “Billy Jack” saw actor Tom Laughlin declaring the “white man’s Messiah had failed.”
If you ever watched “The Simpsons,” then you have seen more than a decade of subtle innuendoes. The “M.A.S.H” character Hawkeye Pierce would lead you think all Christians were like the insipid, paranoid, neurotic hypocrite Frank Burns.
How much defense of our L-rd was pursued on behalf of Christians when movies like “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “The Last Temptation of Christ” depicted our L-rd Jesus as an insecure, frustrated homosexual, or as a human-natured man burning in lust?
While the list could go on and on, suffice it to say that the media's stereotype of Christianity does not present any positive attributes of its leaders, nor of the movement in general. It is also safe to say that these-depictions of Christianity do not foster feelings of love and acceptance towards its leaders or the movement at large.
Therefore, when “The Passion” debuts this Ash Wednesday in theaters, it will no doubt cause even more controversy. However, please understand… first, it was not the Jews who killed Jesus, and second, those anti-Semitic people complain about movies like “Schindler's List.” This is because they say the Holocaust never happened. . . We need to understand that stereotyping and misrepresentation can have a negative effect on all of us.
February 22, 2004 - Is there such a doctrine as a “generational curse” that carries on for generations, or is this new teaching just taking the word of G-d to extremes?
Notice the genealogy of our Savior Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the world. . . who was a perfect being and the Son of G-d… as He was also included in the records.
Matthew 1:3 names Thamar (Tamar), who was a deceptive woman whose seduction of family members led to conflict and strife. Genesis chapter 38
Then, verse 5 of the same chapter names Rahab, a prostitute, along with Ruth. Both were pagans and technically unqualified for the Israelites inheritance.
Also in verse 6, we find the mother of Solomon, the wife of Uriah, i.e., Bathsheba – a woman whose complicity in adultery with King David brought about horrific results. If we are to embrace the theory of “generational curses,” then this is another passage that poses problems for those who choose to believe it.
Seduction, murder, revenge, lies, and deceit all compacted into the same chapter that explains the lineage of the Savior of the world.
Aside from these women, we need to realize one other key - G-d redeemed these situations and turned them around for His glory and thereby continued His covenant keeping.
The genealogy of Jesus includes these women that gained notoriety, yet saw G-d's blessings manifested in and upon their families. There is absolutely nothing He cannot do for you! No curse is greater than the Cross!
To be continued…