Blasphemy Challenge

If you need proof that we are living in a sick, fallen society, perhaps there is new evidence for you. I'm talking about a movement called the "blasphemy challenge." There is a group called the "Rational Response Squad." They are doing something that is particularly wicked and evil.

The objective of this deluded group is to refute all religion of any kind. They've taken direct aim at Christianity, using one particular piece of Scripture. Mark 3:29 says, "But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin." It is the only unforgivable sin identified in the Bible - and many immature Christians worry about committing it. But what it really means is simply that anyone who doesn't believe they need God's forgiveness cannot receive that forgiveness.

Now this blasphemy challenge asks people to record a video stating their name and denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. They are to post the video on YouTube, and then send the link for that video to the Rational Response Squad. For each valid link received, the respondent will receive a free DVD. It is shocking how many people have recorded such videos and posted them on YouTube.

As I browsed through it, I also noticed a few Christians rebuking the movement. But for the most part, the videos posted in this category are individuals stating their name and denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. Some go further and deny the existence of God. Some even curse God. One woman launched into a tirade against all religion and all gods of any kind.

Now the interesting thing is the DVD they're giving away is a movie called "The God Who Wasn't There." It's a movie that explains how Christ is a myth and how religion (especially Christianity) is false. Trailers for the movie are as sickening to watch as anything I've seen.

For what it's worth, looking at the individuals deny the Holy Spirit, and the trailer for the movie about there being no God - I also stumbled on a video clip of Oprah Winfrey arguing that there is no Jesus and that there are a million gods who are all equal. I have to tell you, that was most disturbing to hear. The other video clips are from nobody's whom nobody will listen to. Sadly, Oprah is influential and people listen to her.

But these people are wrong. They very wrong. They are sincerely wrong. The irony is that the movement called the "blasphemy challenges" says it wants to claim the souls of the recipients of the free DVD by having them commit the unforgivable sin mentioned in Mark 3:29. It is ironic because even then, those same individuals could still turn to Christ. They could still repent of that sin. Of course the sin is not forgiven when it is committed or even afterward. But as soon as the individual comes to their senses and confesses God ... He is again willing to forgive all their sins. That includes their blasphemy against the Holy Spirit committed in the past!

It is a sick society that we live in. Protect your hearts and minds against stupid arguments that have no merit. They only reveal the ignorance of those doing the arguing. If they only knew the truth, they wouldn't make such fools of themselves. Let us pray that God will intervene in their lives before it is truly too late to repent.

P.S. For those of you who are wondering, I am intentionally not posting the links to these web sites. It is trash and is not useful. Philippians 4:8 tells Christ-followers to focus on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. You shouldn't spend time with this trash. (Neither should I!)

Oprah on God

Recently one of my daughters talked about what her pastor was saying about Oprah. She said he was warning the congregation to be wary of Oprah and not be deceived by the evil that she is championing. (I knew that Oprah was a champion of Barack Obama, but didn't think he would be the evil my daugter's pastor had in mind.) So I decided to check it out.

We don't watch Oprah's show, read her magazines or take much stock in her book recommendations. I know she's influential in our culture and many people look at her. Perhaps I became a bit jaded when I was doing counseling and having to explain to people that whatever they saw on Oprah wasn't necessarily how life works! At any rate, I tuned into one episode of the Oprah show - and immediately got what I was looking for.

It seems that among the books Oprah has recommended are some that Christians would consider quite sinister. But she's gone farther. Now Oprah is hosting web-based classes for millions. The classes are on spirituality and religion. They purport to help people understand who God really is and how we should relate to them.

I don't think I've seen such blatant heresy in a very long time. It is chilling. What Oprah is evangelizing is clearly not Biblical. Here is a link to a YouTube video I found that explains the problem with what Oprah is doing. (When you're there, notice the other related videos on this subject.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkQROc5prZE

Finally, here is the link to the web site to which Oprah has hitched her wagon. It is the site of the global "church" she seems to be building.

http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/monthlynews/200804/n.html

If you are grounded in Christ, you will be chilled by the implications. If you are not, you may very well be deceived.

I am reminded of the proverb, "Let us not be ignorant about the war we are fighting."

God help us all to stand against the influence of an ignorant Oprah who choses to believe what she wants instead of what is actually true. Perhaps more importantly, God help all of those who follow an ignorant leader like Oprah.