There is a kind of cancer that has entered the Christian consciousness that has disguised itself as the light and grace of Jesus and his teaching, but in truth it has nothing to do with Jesus or his teaching. In the rush to spread, the good news about Jesus, ignorance, arrogance, and prejudice has crept into the consciousness of several well-known evangelicals. These evangelicals seem to have completely lost sight of the teaching of Jesus Christ. In fact, in some cases Jesus is being used to serve their lust for political power and his most Holy name is being used to spread fear, hatred, and prejudice. This is simply not the way of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “They are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14) Pat Robertson actually stated on live television that the president of Venezuela should be assassinated. Is this what Jesus teaches? It is not uncommon for Jerry Falwell to actively promote politics in his Sunday sermons going so far as to tell people how they should vote! Is this what Jesus teaches? And Ron Luce has created an organization called TeenMania Ministries directed at fulfilling his dream of raising an army young people to fight against what he feels is the evils of media and immorality. He uses militant language and has even compared his BattleCry teen movement to well known military groups such as the Navy SEALs and making rash statements during BattleCryevents such as, “This is war. And Jesus invites us to get into action, telling us that the violent-the ‘forceful ones’-will lay hold of the kingdom.” He takes this militaristic vernacular even further by stating, “That is your youth pastor. He is going to make you a SEAL [reffering to the Navy SEALs] for Christ.” Is this what Jesus teaches?
If Jesus were to return to earth today he would flip over tables and throw the tainted offerings of religious leaders like these on the ground shouting,“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” (John 2:16) The message of Jesus is love not hate, love not fear, love not prejudice, love not politics. Jesus is the light. To follow him is to let go of the things of this world and embrace the eternal light at the core of your being. As Jesus intimates, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
The interesting thing about Ron Luce is the name of both his TeenManiaorganization as well his BattleCry movement is found in the very words he has chosen to describe both his organization as well as his teen movement! Mania is defined as; An abnormal mental state characterized by an elevated or irritable mood, exaggerated self-importance, racing thoughts, and hyperactivity. Battle Cry is a term used on the onset of war that leads to violence and death. These names reflect the essence of what his organization is doing; spreading mania – fear and an exaggerated sense of self-importance known as pride and prejudice. The truth is Ron Luce is using the very thing he says he is against; rock bands, multi-media, t-shirts and more, all designed to entice teens to join in the fight for Christ, but what exactly is he fighting? And why?
Ron Luce is dangerous because he is blinded by faith and has become so arrogant in his love of Jesus that he has left the teaching of Jesus in the dust. He is using the most Holy name of Jesus Christ to wage an unholy war. On the surface the BattleCry movement appears to support the noble cause of converting young teens to Christianity, but the underlying purpose is to teach these young people political ideologies in the hope of influencing politics in the future. Fundamentally, his movement is based in the fear that Christians in the United States are losing political power. Let me just say again; This is NOT the way of Jesus Christ.
To say that Ron Luce has an exaggerated sense of self-importance would be an understatement. This kind of evangelical activity does nothing to spread the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. This kind of megalomania combined with his militant message will ultimately lead to violence. Again, is this what Jesus teaches?
Jesus illuminates, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48)
The way of Jesus is the way of love not the way of hate or prejudice. It is not that men like Ron Luce do not have a deep faith in Jesus Christ. The truth is they have become so blinded by their faith that perhaps they do not even realize that they are being led by their ego and their ego’s lust for power. Ego is the root of all sin. Ego focused outward toward the world leads to more violence and tribulation. The true message of Jesus is transcendent of everything in this world and the world itself. As Jesus reveals, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When ego is blinded by faith, it transforms into the worse kind of sin: arrogance, prejudice, and fundamentalism, which ultimately leads you away from the love and light of Jesus Christ.
When Christian voices proclaim, “BattleCry or TeenMania” or ask for, “The Assassination” of a President of another country or are audacious enough to tell someone how to vote; it shatters my heart. How did this happen? How did these Christian leaders become blind to the eternal Truth that Jesus reveals? Blind faith is the great blind spot of Christianity. It represents a shadow of truth that ultimately leads you away from the infinite love and compassion of Jesus Christ.
Some would argue that people like Ron Luce are bringing teens to Christ, but psychologist point out that the brain washing techniques his movement uses will not necessarily lead to a life-long commitment to Jesus or Christianity. If anything the concern is that, the militant message it offers teens could lead to violence and this absolutely does not represent the loving peaceful teachings of Jesus Christ.
Jesus warns, “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’ (Matthew 7:21-23) This statement points directly to anyone who does not apply the true teaching of Jesus: TO LOVE. It is directed at anyone that has become arrogant in his or her faith like Falwell, Luce, and Robertson.
All too often religious leaders focus on the things of the world and neglect to focus on that which is far more important – the freedom of eternal life. As Jesus asks, “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? (Matthew 16:26) Wisdom arises when mind meets heart. One with without the other can lead to the king of chaos – egoic thought in action. As Jesus warns, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:23)
In the midst of all the articles that reveal the dark side of evangelism, is a voice of light that opens my heart and brings a smile to my lips. It is the voice of a one of the great messenger’s of God – Billy Graham. Someone recently had asked Rev. Graham, “What does a person have to do to get into heaven? I’ve heard people say that all you have to do is believe in Jesus, but what difference does that make? I guess I believe in Jesus, but I’m not sure I’m going to heaven.” Rev. Graham responded, “You’ve asked the most important question any person can ever ask, because nothing — absolutely nothing — is more important than our eternal salvation. Life is short, and someday our time on this Earth will be over. But eternity is forever — something we can barely imagine — and yet, tragically, countless people never stop to prepare for eternity.”
Reverend Graham continues, “The Bible tells us salvation is a gift from God — a gift we receive by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. When the jailer in the town of Philippi asked Paul and Silas how he could be saved, their reply was clear: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). But what does it mean to “believe” in Jesus? It doesn’t mean simply to believe He existed, or even that He died on the cross to save us. The word “believe” in the Bible means “to trust.” It means to believe that through His death and resurrection, Christ paid the penalty for our sins and conquered death — and then to commit our lives to Christ and trust Him alone for our salvation.”
This is the fundamental reason why Rev. Billy Graham will always remain a legendary messenger of Jesus Christ. He never lost sight of the deepest teaching of Jesus Christ – to trust in his infinite light of Jesus and NOT the words of men. The words of Jesus Christ prepare you for eternity. His words are not to be used to support a political agenda. As both Jesus and Rev. Graham point out – NOTHING – Absolutely Nothing – is more important than eternal salvation. This is the way of Jesus. The way of freedom. The way of love. The way of compassion.
Reverend Billy Graham has been successful for one reason – he always turns your attention to that which is eternal. Far too often we focus on the fear and tribulation of the world and forget about the light of Jesus that transcends the world. As Rev. Billy Graham points out; “Life is short, and someday our time on this Earth will be over. But eternity is forever –something we can barely imagine…” Reverend Billy Graham has never lost sight of the Truth: Jesus lights the way to eternity. It is the light that leads to the infinite grace and compassion of God.
You can choose to follow evangelicals down the slippery slope of fear, prejudice, and earthly politics or you can choose the infinite wisdom of Jesus that leads to true and lasting freedom. The choice is yours.
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