M
MrVersatile48
Guest
BreakPoint with Charles Colson
http://www.breakpoint.org
The So-Called 'Gospel' of Judas
Unmasking an Ancient Heresy
Welcome to Holy Week, American style. Just as millions of Christians are
preparing to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the media is once again
out to debunk historical Christianity.
Just last weekend I was in an airport bookstore and saw the new book
counter filled with numerous editions of The Da Vinci Code. Then I picked
up the New York Times, and there I was greeted with the headline on the
front page that read, "In Ancient Document, Judas, Minus the Betrayal."
You probably have seen the hype, including a one-hour National Geographic
TV spectacular: After seventeen hundred years, the story goes, the
long-lost text of the so-called "Gospel of Judas" has re-surfaced. It
claims that Jesus secretly told Judas to betray Him; so Judas is really a
good disciple.
* * * * * * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * * * * * *
YOU CAN EARN A RESPECTED MINISTRY DEGREE @ HOME by enrolling
in Master's Divinity School! We offer accelerated, practical
& professional biblical and ministry training and education
for individuals who need or prefer an off-campus educational
alternative to a traditional theological degree program.
http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dzczcgwl_auojlu.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, it's not a new discovery. This "new gospel" and the heresy it
espouses-Gnosticism-were rejected as fiction by Christian leaders and the
Church as early as 180 A.D.
Gnosticism was an attempt to add to Christianity an essentially Eastern
worldview dressed up with Christian language. It was presented to the Roman world as the true Gospel-complete with endless mysteries that only those with secret knowledge could unravel.
Many unsuspecting people were enthralled with Gnostic writings, particularly their sometimes gory and salacious initiation ceremonies. Christian pastors and theologians repeatedly rejected all forms of Gnosticism, until, by the middle of the third century, it had all but disappeared.
But now it is back with a vengeance, with supposed discoveries and works
like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. It provides the means for
Christianity's detractors to debunk the historical Jesus, and it certainly
sells books. Seven million copies of The Da Vinci Code is testimony to
that. Gnosticism has particular appeal today because of the postmodern age, which has rejected historical truth. So you can find God any way you wish, through your own group. This, of course, is the belief that is at the root
of the spreading New Age movement.
The danger is that we have a biblically illiterate population. People today
don't know-maybe don't care-whether there is a difference between the
Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of John. They are unfamiliar with the work
of the ancient canonical councils of the Church (which rejected the Gnostic
"gospels" time and again) or even of the basic creeds or confessions of the
Christian Church. Sadly, people are as gullible today as ever.
Now it is tempting to get angry at National Geographic and the liberal
press for unleashing this fraudulent "gospel" at the beginning of the
holiest week of the year.
But don't.
Instead, let's use the media attention to debunk the debunkers, to point out to friends that this regurgitated Gnosticism-the Da Vinci Code and the "gospel" of Judas included - is nothing more than historically unsupportable fantasy.
Then we can point them to the knowledge that is accessible to all people
that has been accessible to Christians for two thousand years and proven
historically accurate. It's called the Bible.
But whatever you do, get informed first. Come to our website (see further
reading below) or call us here at "BreakPoint" (1-877-322-5527) and find
some of the resources that we are offering. And get busy because millions
can be suckered in-unless you and I set the record straight.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's further proof that the spirit of antichrist is as rife & as growing in this climax generation of history as 2 Thessalonians 2 prophesied
The Bible also says that men will no longer endure sound yteaching at this time, but will instead gather to themselves teachers who will say only what they want to hear
Satellite TV & the 'Net are ample witness to that, with their favourite selection & blocking unwanted stuff facilities, yes?
Back to lonk 'Engage Da Vinci Code'...
God bless!
Ian
http://www.breakpoint.org
The So-Called 'Gospel' of Judas
Unmasking an Ancient Heresy
Welcome to Holy Week, American style. Just as millions of Christians are
preparing to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the media is once again
out to debunk historical Christianity.
Just last weekend I was in an airport bookstore and saw the new book
counter filled with numerous editions of The Da Vinci Code. Then I picked
up the New York Times, and there I was greeted with the headline on the
front page that read, "In Ancient Document, Judas, Minus the Betrayal."
You probably have seen the hype, including a one-hour National Geographic
TV spectacular: After seventeen hundred years, the story goes, the
long-lost text of the so-called "Gospel of Judas" has re-surfaced. It
claims that Jesus secretly told Judas to betray Him; so Judas is really a
good disciple.
* * * * * * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * * * * * *
YOU CAN EARN A RESPECTED MINISTRY DEGREE @ HOME by enrolling
in Master's Divinity School! We offer accelerated, practical
& professional biblical and ministry training and education
for individuals who need or prefer an off-campus educational
alternative to a traditional theological degree program.
http://www.crosswalkmail.com/dzczcgwl_auojlu.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, it's not a new discovery. This "new gospel" and the heresy it
espouses-Gnosticism-were rejected as fiction by Christian leaders and the
Church as early as 180 A.D.
Gnosticism was an attempt to add to Christianity an essentially Eastern
worldview dressed up with Christian language. It was presented to the Roman world as the true Gospel-complete with endless mysteries that only those with secret knowledge could unravel.
Many unsuspecting people were enthralled with Gnostic writings, particularly their sometimes gory and salacious initiation ceremonies. Christian pastors and theologians repeatedly rejected all forms of Gnosticism, until, by the middle of the third century, it had all but disappeared.
But now it is back with a vengeance, with supposed discoveries and works
like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. It provides the means for
Christianity's detractors to debunk the historical Jesus, and it certainly
sells books. Seven million copies of The Da Vinci Code is testimony to
that. Gnosticism has particular appeal today because of the postmodern age, which has rejected historical truth. So you can find God any way you wish, through your own group. This, of course, is the belief that is at the root
of the spreading New Age movement.
The danger is that we have a biblically illiterate population. People today
don't know-maybe don't care-whether there is a difference between the
Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of John. They are unfamiliar with the work
of the ancient canonical councils of the Church (which rejected the Gnostic
"gospels" time and again) or even of the basic creeds or confessions of the
Christian Church. Sadly, people are as gullible today as ever.
Now it is tempting to get angry at National Geographic and the liberal
press for unleashing this fraudulent "gospel" at the beginning of the
holiest week of the year.
But don't.
Instead, let's use the media attention to debunk the debunkers, to point out to friends that this regurgitated Gnosticism-the Da Vinci Code and the "gospel" of Judas included - is nothing more than historically unsupportable fantasy.
Then we can point them to the knowledge that is accessible to all people
that has been accessible to Christians for two thousand years and proven
historically accurate. It's called the Bible.
But whatever you do, get informed first. Come to our website (see further
reading below) or call us here at "BreakPoint" (1-877-322-5527) and find
some of the resources that we are offering. And get busy because millions
can be suckered in-unless you and I set the record straight.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's further proof that the spirit of antichrist is as rife & as growing in this climax generation of history as 2 Thessalonians 2 prophesied
The Bible also says that men will no longer endure sound yteaching at this time, but will instead gather to themselves teachers who will say only what they want to hear
Satellite TV & the 'Net are ample witness to that, with their favourite selection & blocking unwanted stuff facilities, yes?
Back to lonk 'Engage Da Vinci Code'...
God bless!
Ian