William P. Young

Thought For The Week – Dan Brown Et Al

I thought I would start adding to Beacon Apologetics a “Thought For The Week” bit. No, I do have more than one thought each week though some critics may not be so quick to agree.

Dan Brown is not the problem by adding his spin on Christianity; it is the people that lap it up. Even though his work is heresy to the Christian Church, that is merely a slight roadblock to clearer thinking. I have met Christians that have profoundly believed that there is truth to his writings. Of course, the book is a work of fiction with a whisper of truth, but that has never been an issue to some Christians and a whole lot of atheists! Let’s not let Truth stand in the way of clear thinking.

If the type of literature that Brown puts out had the same formula with Islam as his against Christianity, all hell would certainly break out! Remember not too long ago there was a series of relatively innocuous cartoons that had depicted Mohammad, and sent the Islamic world into a frenzy? That was never made into a Hollywood blockbuster.

When a writer (and many will agree it is just fiction), writes that Jesus was merely a “great moral teacher” instead of the mighty creator of the universe, Christians should not just stand idly by whistling and scratching their collective toes in the sand! We as Christians must clear the air and spread the gospel, and quash this type of nonsense!

We as Christians will have another chance to defend the Word of God when a movie based on the book by William P. Young “The Shack.” This book depicts God as “God the Father appeared to him as an African-American woman (p. 82) named Papa” (p. 86). Mr. Young also wrote ” The Father had scars on his wrists – like the crucifixion wounds of Christ (p. 95), any Christian that understands the Triune God knows that the Father was not crucified it was Jesus!
Young’s book promotes many heretical views of God and His Holy Church.

As Dan Brown’s book “The Da Vinci Code” was made into a major motion picture, so will Young’s book. Be ready to defend another onslaught of anti-Christian bunk. Do not be timid as not to see the film, but see it (on a cheap night) and spot the heresy and get ready to defend! Hollywood will not win in the end!

God Bless

Brian Mason

“The Secret” to “The Magic”

The following buy-line was posted on amazon.com to promote the new Rhonda Byrne novel “The Magic”. Ms Byrne is famous for her other novel entitled “The Secret”:

ONE WORD CHANGES EVERYTHING
For more than twenty centuries, words within a sacred text have mystified, confused, and been misunderstood by almost all who read them. Only a very few people through history have realized that the words are a riddle, and that once you solve the riddle—once you uncover the mystery—a new world will appear before your eyes.
In The Magic, Rhonda Byrne reveals this life-changing knowledge to the world. Then, on an incredible 28-day journey, she teaches you how to apply this knowledge in your everyday life.
No matter who you are, no matter where you are, no matter what your current circumstances, The Magic is going to change your entire life!

Okay, this is also known as Gnosticism!

This is a definition of Gnosticism: “Gnosticism” comes from the Greek word “gnosis” which is defined as “knowledge.” Gnosticism teaches that your Salvation is attained through special secret knowledge (gnosis). This is Heretical!

Gnostics deny the incarnation of God as the Son. Read 1 Timothy 1: 3-7

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Gnosticism is very dangerous. The Christian believes in bodily resurrection, the Gnostic does not. 2 Timothy 2: 18,

18who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

Ultimately it is your choice of course, to purchase this book. I can see it being dangerous in the mind of a new Christian or just letting the Devil get back onto the best sellers list. However I know that it would never come close to out-selling the Word of God, The Holy Bible!

I know there are large groups of people that will comment and say that it is just “fiction” and “entertainment”, granted. I remember the same being said about Dan Brown’s novel “The Davinci Code” and the misinformation inside that book that educated people take seriously. Also the William P. Young book “The Shack” has some very confused as most of it is an outright heresy! Young has the creator of the universe portrayed as a black woman that sits around and passes gas, then jokes about it! Talk about taking away God’s majesty!

Before you run out and buy this book, ask yourself “why?” It has great cover art and I am certain the book has that newly recycled paper smell, but really ask yourself, “Is this entertainment worth downgrading our Lord and Savior Jesus?”

God Bless

Brian Mason