Kirk
Cameron – “Saving Christmas”
www.incpu.org/SavingChristmas-notes.htm
www.incpu.org/SavingChristmas-notes.pdf
Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,
Mr. Kirk Cameron is one of the biggest disappointments of my life. My family still is surprised to remember how Kirk sounded like he preached the Bible so well while with Ray Comfort… and then to completely contradict himself in his new partnerships, some of them from “the Family”, some from other places – all of them pulling away from the Bible and back toward sin and idolatry and back under the one-world religion banner of Rome and the Vatican. Is he saved? Can he really preach a false gospel and still be saved?... Unless he repents, his fruit shows that he’s a bad tree, producing bad fruit, and preaching another Jesus. If that alarms you, maybe you should look at what Kirk has been doing the last few years and who he’s been partnering with, and who he’s calling “brothers”… he’s going downhill, as is his sister.
So, in this post, I’ll be posting a little of Kirk’s
script from the movie: “Saving Christmas”. You can read the whole script for
yourself here (for free):
> http://www.incpu.org/SavingChristmas-Transcribed.pdf
Or you can watch the full movie for free on youtube, here
(for free):
> https://youtu.be/NdxVfhpqaGg
Next up, let’s look at quotes from Kirk himself… it’s sad how far he’s fallen from where he looked like he was. So, let’s just browse and look at quotes and some verses that show some of the errors of Kirk here – defending idolatry and pagan celebrations that crowd out and replace Jesus. The transcript itself is 19 pages, so I can’t quote it all. I’m just catching the highlights I’ve seen in my 7 times watching and analyzing this film.
***
“… And I love the spirit in the
air at Christmas time. Wherever you go. There's
something that
makes people
want to be more kind . At Christmas, they want to be more compassionate - more
helpful - more generous. Donations go up all around the world. Something that makes
people want to grab others in from out of the cold and help them, clothe them,
feed them. And best of all, I think there's something about Christmas that all
of us sense - deep inside that says: something big happened. And because of it,
everything is going to be okay. And I love hot chocolate.
But have you noticed, there's
some people who would love to put a big wet blanket on all of this. They don't
want us to love Christmas so much, and celebrate the way we do.
There's this one group over here hey, if
you want to sing your songs and do your stuff at Christmas-time, that's fine,
just tone it down. Don't sing so loud. Right? Just you
take your private stuff and just keep it in your house. Don't let it spill out
into the public and bother the rest of us. Just keep it tucked in and private.
And then, there's this other group, over
here, who's actually on the inside. Who's telling us:
You know, everything your doing, all this stuff - the images the characters,
the traditions, it's all wrong. It has nothing to do with Christmas. As a
matter of fact, you should just take all of that, wrap it up, and throw it out
the door, because it's all bad. You know? What are they going to do next? Tell
us that hot chocolate is bad for us? That the druids invented it?
So, what are we supposed to do? I mean, it
can get pretty confusing. And all this bickering is definitely not doing
anything good for our kids.
Maybe, we need a word from the outside. A voice. Someone who can remind us of the
true meaning of Christmas. Because, maybe somewhere
along the way, we lost sight of the real story. Maybe we've got it
wrong. Or maybe we're listening to wrong people. Or, maybe, just maybe, someone
like santa claus is actually on the team?...”
> Analysis notes: So… Mr. Cameron creates a straw man, puts both Bible-loving followers of Christ and atheists in the same camp and then seeks to somehow “prove” that all of this is… okay. Hmm… okay, let’s see where he goes.
“… Kirk:
Stories are a tricky thing. Especially the ones that we've
heard lots of times. There was a time, when we didn't mind hearing the
stories over and over again. In fact, when we were children, we insisted on
hearing them - on an endless loop. In fact, we'd even beg or plead with our
parents, until they either gave up, or gave in.
Then we got older, and we though t: maybe it's time for some
new stories. We wanted to be surprised. We wanted more twists and turns, and
we'd roll our eyes if something ever got too predictable. But then we had kids
of our own, and we found ourselves telling them the same stories our parents
told us. Only we thought that maybe the stories were too scary. We got nervous
that the wolf or the witch might actually give them nightmares. So, we eased
off on the bad-guys, or
even left them out entirely. Our heroes got tamed and cut down to
more manageable size. They needed to be less intense, more
jolly. But the stories we hear and the stories we tell shape us. The teach us how to live, by showing us how to live.
You
and I are in a story right now. And how we enter this story - matters…”
> Analysis notes: Mr. Cameron has already shown in his previous two films that he loves stories. Why Kirk loves stories so much, he’s pretend the whole Bible is full of stories… At some point, Mr. Cameron apparently believes that he can change the Bible to stories and maybe change some of God’s character… shame, shame.
“… Kirk: No. [Bridgette smiles and nods] Hey, uh, where's "Christian"?
Bridgette:
Oh, he's in the other room.
Kirk:
Yeah? How's he doing? Is he okay?
Bridgette:
Yeah! Yeah, yeah, he's fine.
Kirk:
You sure?
Bridgette:
Yeah... I don't know.
Kirk:
Woah... woah, woah, woah, woah. [Kirk goes over to his sister to talk better]
Do I need to break some lights? Is he not treating you right?
Bridgette:
No.... [as she laughs]
Kirk:
'Cause I'll take him out in the back right now.
Bridgette:
No, no, he's fine, really. He's just… He's just not into Christmas this year,
that's all. [She
says with a smile, then walks out of the kitchen]
[Kirk
looks puzzled, but quickly decides to help the party keep going]
Kirk: All right, who wants hot chocolate? Hot
chocolate guys... [As we watch a variety of people are coming over for hot cocoa, mostly children, Kirk explains his next
note]
Narrator
Kirk: Remember how I said earlier that you and I are in
the middle of a story? The difference between our story and the stories we
heard as kids is that we get to help write ours. And we can choose to be the
hero or the villain. We can be the wise man, or the fool. We can be "Tiny
Tim" or "Uncle Scrooge' [two imaginary characters from Charles Dickens’s
'A
Christmas Carol']. Even "Uncle Scrooge" has a story, and he
has his reasons. Problems don't take a break just because it's Christmas-time.
Maybe someone missed his 'Christmas bonus' this year. Or maybe he lost his job.
Or even a loved one. Or maybe, just maybe, he just doesn't like Christmas under
any circumstances. [The camera focuses on "Christian"] And that's:
"Christian". My brother-in-law. My sister
wasn't exaggerating - he is not
into Christmas this year.
You
just don't know someone's story, until you see what's going on inside his head.
Where some see youthful joy, others see phony smiles spoiled bratty kids. Where
some see laughter and holiday cheer, others see pretense and obligations. Where
some see festive decorations, others see perverted symbols with hidden
meanings. Where some see innocent toys, others see pointless distractions.
Where some see generosity and the joy of giving, others see needless spending
and bad stewardship. Commercialism. Greed.
Holiday junk. Materialism. Paganism. Elf-worship. The list goes
on and on. Some people are determined to see the worst in even the best of
things. A big slap in the face to the true meaning of
Christmas. [the camera has been playing haunted
type slow-mo version of the party, now goes to scary, creepy sounds. Interrupted by DeAndre.]…”
> Analysis points: Notice, Mr. Cameron is carefully laying the ground-work of this video-sermon – it’s not all bad… let’s keep following his trail.
“…Narrator Kirk:
And if that person goes missing from the Christmas party, especially if it's at
his own home, a good place to look would be - somewhere quiet. Free from
Christmas. Ah yes, the car in the driveway. See? If this were a story, that is exactly where you'd expect him to find him.
And you would know that this character needs, an
intervention…”
> Analysis
points: so… those who disagree with Kirk, need an “intervention”?
Hmm… okay?...
“…Kirk: Hey.
"Christian":
Hey.
Kirk:
[gets
in the car and settles into the front passengers' seat]
I was wondering where you were?
"Christian":
Just, you know. Taking a break.
Kirk:
[giving
the 'puzzled' then 'slightly disappointed looks] You
okay?
"Christian":
Yeah. Yeah, it just gets noisy... [slightly
imitates the tones from a line from the music of the 'Carol of the Bells', a
Christmas carol, and trails off]
[Kirk
looks puzzled, but says nothing, hoping "Christian" will explain. And
he does]
"Christian":
I was driving home today, and uh... you know, right on Main St. Everything's
lit up. And, I'm driving by a store and I see - I see a little girl and her
Mom. The little girl's got this look on her face like 'wah, wah, wah, I want...'And her Mom's looking
at her like - 'it's okay...' And you know Mom's got bags with her. They've
been shopping. And that little girl is just so upset. Because obviously
whatever she wants, she's not gettin'.
Everyone just wants stuff. And then, and then I come here - and I look
at it. I look at the food. I look at, like the ham, I
don't where we get a ham that big. I see the presents. I see tree. I see... I
see Santa. It's like - what are we going to do? We're going to open those
presents. The nieces and nephews are going to be all excited. They're going to
tear through - and it's like 3 weeks from now, no one's going to be playing
with it. And that money spent... how
many kids could we have fed? How many wells could we have dug? Yeah. Yeah,
that's Christmas.
Don't, don't... Dude. I love
your sister. I love her to death. And she loves - she loves doing this. She
loves putting all the lights up. But, I look - I look at what Christmas is, and
I think to myself: This cannot be what God wants. [pauses... as they
both think.]
And deep - deep in the corner, stuck in the corner, will be: a little
snow-globe. A little nativity scene. A little baby Jesus. We stick it somewhere in the corner.
You don't really see it. And its.. It's a trinket.
While a big ole Christmas tree just - walala - I'm the big tree - I'm the big
center... I'm the big centerpiece of all of Christmas. And santa's over
there... Over here, and put Jesus in the corner. Put Him right there. And put a
little glass thing around Him. Shake it upside down - it's winter. Snow falls
all over - all over baby Jesus. And by the way, He was not born in
December.
This is not what Christmas is all about.
Kirk:
I hear ya. I get it.
"Christian":
My man.
Kirk:
But, this is all wrong.
"Christian": This is all wrong.
Kirk:
No. You're all wrong.
"Christian"
About what?
Kirk:
About everything you just said.
"Christian": I said a lot.
Kirk:
Yeah, and it's all wrong. I think you mean well, but you've got the whole thing
wrong. You drank the koolaid. You - you... took the bait - hook, line, and
sinker. You swallowed the whole thing. Guess what? Everything you see inside
there. It's all about "Christmas" - it's all about Jesus. And you're
spoiling the whole thing. Not just for your wife. But for
everybody inside your house. You're listening to the wrong people.
"Christian": [puzzled then asks] Are we seeing the same party? Are we seeing the same
everything that's going on in there?
Kirk:
Yeah.
"Christian": Okay, so what...? So. Explain to me how when I walk into that Christmas party
- which is going on all over the world…”
> Analysis
points: So… Mr. Cameron, your buddy Darren Doane (playing
“Christian White”) did raise a few key notes that you’re not answering… But,
besides this concern, did you notice the words: “you drank the koolaid”? Anyone
remember what that refers to? Yep, that’s right: Jim-Jones – CIA propagandist
and false prophet who led the deaths of thousands of cult-followers when they
drank cyanide-laced koolaid, and then he supposedly did to… I doubt he did, but
that’s another issue entirely. But, back to Mr. Cameron – um, sir, how is
standing with God’s Word against the paganism many love including you, like
drinking poisonous koolaid? You’ve gone far into the false accusation realm
here to defend sins you love there Mr. Cameron. Shame on you… wonder where else
you’ll go?...
“…"Christian": Explain to me how that Christmas
party honors and glorifies Jesus - cause I'm not
seeing it. Where do I start?
Kirk:
Let's start with your snow globe. The nativity. I want
you to visualize this. Close your eyes and visualize this.
"Christian": Okay. All right. I'll play. I see it.
Kirk:
A baby is born…”
> Analysis points: So, are you ready for a story? Well, apparently Kirk always is. From here he talks about the swaddling cloths and how they are very similar to Jesus’ burial cloths and that Jesus was born to die. It’s a theme he somewhat rightly repeats through the video-sermonette.
“… [Back to Kirk and "Christian" talking
in the parked car]
"Christian": I've got to admit, I
never saw the whole swaddling cloth thing. [pausing in
amazement] Woah...
Kirk:
I didn't either.
"Christian": But that's my point.
Like, I can open the Bible. I can look right there and I can go - Oh! There it
is! I didn't see that! - That stuffs blows my mind. Like,
that. That's all I'm saying. And, Herod's soldiers and kind
of looking at that whole thing. That's. I kind of feel like we need to
have like little Herod's soldiers all around... you know, the nativity, for you
to be able to see like this is what's going on.
Kirk:
[Kirk's
been nodding and smiling] Right. …”
> Analysis
points:
You’ll see Kirk and “Christian” play this out later when
“Christian’s” eyes are supposedly open that he should go back to paganism
stuff.
> Analysis points: Next Kirk inserts his two friends David
Shannon and Raphi Henley talking about what Mr. Cameron would call “conspiracy
theories”. But they are done in such a disjointed assembly – though semi-poetic
as far as rhyming goes – all under the supposed header of “proof” that there is
a “war on Christmas”, that it’s a blur by the time they are done. I don’t know
why Mr. Cameron chooses to insult those who hold criminals at all levels and
behind pulpits accountable… but he does. Shame, shame, Mr.
Cameron. ~ the “rap” section ends with David
Shannon (playing “DeAndre”) stressed out, and Raphi asking him if he knows what
they need to do to solve this problem. ~ Continuing with Mr. Cameron’s
video-sermonette. Camera switches back to Kirk and Darren in the car.
“…[The rappers both pause in thinking... screen
changes back to Kirk and "Christian" in the parked SUV in the
driveway conversation.]
"Christian": Christmas trees. [chuckles to himself] Newsflash.
Christmas tree. Not in the Bible. Matthew, Mark, Luke,
John. Deuteronomy - did I miss it? I miss, I miss Leviticus sometimes. But, I'm
pretty sure it's not in there. And that's the big thing I've got sitting in my
house right now. Is a big Christmas tree. That's a
pagan... That's a pagan, idol, symbol, worshippy-thing.
You know that right? That's what they would worship the 'god' with. You know,
the 'gods'.
Kirk:
What 'gods'?
"Christian": The 'gods'.
Kirk:
Which 'gods'?
"Christian":
Thorsis... Thorsiris... Thor... Thor... it's always a Norwegian... it's a -
that's what they would do. It was the 'Winter'... ''Winter Solstice'. Newsflash. It
is December. Jesus was not born in December. And we're celebrating His birthday
in December. Hello?
Kirk:
When was He born?
"Christian": Probably... He was...
Probably.. Probably... Spr...
*shrugs* I don't know, but he wasn't born in December. Everyone knows that. So, we're celebrating
that...
Kirk:
And the trees are like... it's about like the evergreen trees. That represents
eternal life, and fertility. Fertility 'gods'.
"Christian": Wikipedia. Yeah.
Kirk:
And people would worship these symbols, and they believed that if they
worshipped these symbols and they laid down their offerings and their gifts,
that they would inherit eternal life.
"Christian": There you go - you
know this.
Kirk:
And this is all idolatry.
"Christian": Yes, it's idolatry -
in my house. How do your kids react every morning, on Christmas.
What do they do? Tell me. What do they do?
Kirk:
I make my kids wait at the top of the staircase. I don't let them come down the
stairs, until my wife and I get everything ready at tree. And the anticipation
builds, and they run down the stairs when I tell them they can. And they run
out to the tree, and they are just blown away by all the presents sitting at
the base of the tree.
"Christian": That's exactly what
the druids did.
Kirk:
Right...
"Christian": Druids. You can look
this up. This is all history. So, where - I ask again, where are Christmas trees
in the Bible.
Kirk:
I'm glad you asked.
"Christian": I'll close my eyes
again. Here I go. I'm waiting. Okay, what's the chapter? What's the verse? Do
you have a weird obscure verse in Numbers? Where... Where... Where am I going? [Kirks
just laughing to himself]. Where do I start in the Bible? Christmas trees? I'm waiting. Where do I go?
Kirk:
I'm glad my sister married you. This is awesome. [Christian starts singing the tune
of 'Jeopardy'] Bro. Bro, look at me.
"Christian": Where are we going in
the Bible?
Kirk:
Genesis. …”
> Analysis points: So, if they were actually looking for
Biblical answers to these questions, it would be really easy here. John 1:14
explains when Jesus added a human body to Himself, His “incarnation” – at the
time of the Jewish “Feast of Booths”, which is in the fall and explains why the
sheep and shepherds were in the fields – no snow yet. “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and
we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of
grace and truth.” (John 1:14) And yes, if you do any sort of study
on “Winter Solstice”, “Father Christmas”, “Father Time”, the Roman pagan day of
“Saturnalia”, etc (avoiding the editable wikipedia), you can find the history
of the paganism that the Vatican emperor Constantine merged with
celebrating/remembering Jesus’ coming to earth.
And then, of course, Mr. Cameron wants to explain away his
enjoyment of idolatry with a “Christmas tree”, and so he ignores Jeremiah 10,
and goes right to “Genesis”.
“…The whole Biblical story starts in a tree lot. The 'Garden
of Eden' was full of trees. Adam and Eve were given the fruit of these trees to
eat. But, the story calls our attention to two of these trees in particular. First, the 'Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil'. And then, later, the
'Tree of Life'. One tree was off limits, because, by eating it - man
would surely die. But, Adam ate from the first tree and was thrown out of the
Garden so that he couldn't eat from the second. Mankind would have to wait
until the path to that tree was reopened. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
We'll come back to that later. Let's talk about that evergreen tree in your
house, decorated with stylized fruit and lights that's
making you so nervous. You're anxious because you can't find it in the Bible.
Well let me help you.
When
God created the world, he filled it with trees. He hung fruit on the trees.
When it was time to build His "House" [referencing the Jewish Temple]
and make it beautiful, God brought trees inside. The walls of His Temple were
frescoed with images of trees. The lampstand in His Tabernacle,
was an Almond Tree. And guess what He placed on the branches of the tree in His
house? Lights. Beautiful green trees, decorated with
fruit, shimmering with lights, inside a house. That's God's idea. Not the
druids. And the early church had plenty of good reasons to celebrate the birth
of Jesus on December 25th, and it had nothing to do with the 'Winter Solstice'.
By the way, last I checked, it was God who made the 'Winter Solstice', when He
set the planets on their path around the sun. And it's actually quite fitting
that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, in the bleak mid-winter, when the world
appears to be sleeping and dying - the darkest and coldest time of the year.
Right then, at that time, we're proclaiming the turn of history from darkness
to light, from coldness to warmth, and from death to life. So
enough with what pagans want us to see. Let's look at what God wants us
to see.
Let's
go back to our story. As I was saying…”
> Analysis points:
This is where Kirk’s Bible teaching becomes clearly stories and analogies. You might remember that in his previous two films “Monumental” and “Unstoppable” and even at the beginning of this film “Saving Christmas”, Kirk has made it quite clear that he loves stories. Stories can have some point sometimes, but when they are used to bypass using Scripture, the stories become myths and a lie. And when the Bible is reduced to be “stories”, then we have a lie on a different level. And in this movie, Kirk takes it a step further to almost saying there’s little to no right and wrong, except for the “main” or “biggest” sins. And that’s exactly what he’s doing here too. Rather than just stick with the text of Scripture, which Kirk cannot do and keep his favorite pagan traditions, he avoids clear texts in God’s Word that say what he’s preaching and promoting is wrong, and instead moves to storytelling mode where he uses your emotions and fun memories to excuse these pagan traditions as though it’s really not that bad. Sorry to see Kirk doing this, but that’s what he’s doing. Let’s look at a few passages that Kirk is skipping over – quite intentionally.
You see, if Kirk were just using the Word of God as his only source to double-check everything around him, then he’d be fine. He’d discover passages about idolatry and take them seriously, and he’d discover a passage in Jeremiah 10 that talks about several ways that the pagans were making idols out of trees – something God loudly rebuked them for. But since Kirk doesn't want to look at these passages, we still need to, because God's Word is true and He disciplines His genuine children when they fight for their favorite sins and idolatry. So, let’s look at a few passages that Kirk is skipping in his love of idolatry and pagan sin-fun.
“2 Thus says the LORD: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. 4 They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple. 5 They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good."... 10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation. 11 Thus you shall say to them: "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”” (Jeremiah 10:2-11)
“5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
“7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)
“3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5)
So, now for a question time.
These are some serious questions we need think through.
> Does God really mean it when He commands us to have nothing to reject old
wives’ fables or legends?
> Is God being honest? A: Of course He means it and is being honest with us
that those lies hurt us.
> Is God true when He says that covetousness is equal in His sight to idolatry? A: Yes. Is God true when He says that people who leave sound doctrine that turns them from the comfortable sins of the world run to myths and legends and fables? A: Yes.
> Is this really too hard to understand? A: No. It’s not a matter of confusion, but a matter of willful rebellion against God – preferring myths to growth in holiness and turning from idols and sins and sin-pleasures back to God.
So, now back to Kirk’s love of “Christmas” trees. Now, are trees wrong in and of themselves? No. God did indeed make these trees and when valued the right way, they point us back to the Creator in praise and worship, instead of distracting us to our wants and the sins that lead us away from Him. But, when people set them up as idols in their homes (just like they do with the trash vendors = TVs) and decorate these trees and put covetous gifts below them, the desires of sin really do draw people away from Christ to the point of trampling on God's grace and Jesus' blood, in their hearts. It’s not my words – God says it. God calls it idolatry. The passage there in Jeremiah 10 is where God describes several ways idols are made, in a condensed list. The pagans of older and modern times took a tree that they cut down, stood it up on a stand and decorated It with gold and silver. That includes the idols they carved out of wood and applied gold and silver coating to, as well as the tree form which they decorated and worshipped around. Please also notice in the text that these trees are stood up straight “like a palm tree” – it is not a palm tree, but stood up on a stand – that’s a key difference and the text clarifies it. Now, what condemns Kirk even more here, since he makes himself a religious teacher (James 3), is that he explains the pagan festivals, but then Kirk pretends that these pagan customs are not a problem when he does some of them. Kirk says they were invented by pagans, therefore we don’t have to worry about them. If Kirk were right, then why does God command us not to make idols with our hands or in our hearts? If idols are almost impossible to make and get in trouble with God for, what are the 10 Commandments written for? And if idols are almost impossible to make and get in trouble with God for, why did God put not one, but two clear commandments against idols in His 10 Commandments? God gave us the 10 Commandments because they teach us God’s holy and pure Character and how to keep ourselves unspotted from sin-pleasures of the world.
“2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Exodus 20:2-6)
“27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)
The covenant with God to come out from the pagan idolatries and sin-pleasures of the world are the very start of becoming genuinely saved. Jesus explained that the false converts stop there and turn back to their sins.
"13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no [good] fruit to maturity." (Luke 8:13-14)
“15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1) – That is where our salvation covenant with Christ starts. Remember the fear of the Lord is the “beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7. 9:10).
“15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
"Do not love the world" is not talking about not caring about or enjoying God's creation or the people that He created. No the context shows that clearly. So what is it referring to? The whole context of these 3 verses are about sin and it’s “pleasures” – ie, the desires of the flesh, the lust/covetousness of the eyes and the pride of life, which are the 3 Biblical categories of sin, which we also see in Matthew 4. God through Paul explained them in more detail in Galatians 5: "16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:16-26)
Here would likely be a good time remind those who read this study that Jesus wasn’t “born” on December 25th. First off, Jesus wasn’t “born”, He has always existed because He is God – always has been, always will be (John 1:1-3; John 8:58; Colossian 1:16-18). Secondly, Jesus didn’t come during winter time – we know this because the sheep were in the fields (Luke 2:8-20). Thirdly, everything Jesus did (and will do) fulfills one of the 7 Jewish feasts. In the case of Jesus’ incarnation, John 1 tells when He came: “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) ~ The Greek word there for “dwelt among us” is the word for “tabernacle”. Jesus literally put on flesh and “tabernacled” among us (Matthew 1:23).
The reasons there are so much selfishness and grumpiness among humans around the world around December 25th is because that's what unsaved people are living for, and God says that the fights and wars between people come from what's in their own hearts. "1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:1-4)
What Kirk is doing here is putting him dangerously close (if not into) the judgment Jesus gave on lessening sin and teaching others to do the same. May we learn not to violate this command and teaching from Jesus Himself: "19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven [in Hell]; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:19-20)
***
Continuing with Kirk’s sermonette.
“… [Scene switches back to the conversation with
"Christian" and Kirk in the car parked in the driveway.]
"Christian":
[thinking
and awed by that story] That's pretty cool.
Kirk:
It's awesome.
"Christian":
Just... I wasn't. I almost feel bad... I wasn't looking, closely enough at... I
just didn't... I didn't see that. I didn't...
Kirk:
Hey. I didn't see it either. That's why I'm sharing it with you.
"Christian":
[his mind shifts to the next topic] Santa Claus. In the
Bible. Unless I missed somewhere in the Bible, where God sends his only
begotten...
Kirk:
Elf. [laughs]
"Christian":
Elf. Santa-dude. Like... [laughs]
Kirk:
Reindeer pulling a sleigh.
"Christian":
Just tell me right now that you're not going to pull like...
Kirk:
Sliding down a chimney.
"Christian":
Zephaniah 4. [Kirk laughs] Or like, 3rd Corinthians 15. Like.. oh, there's santa claus - I
didn't even see it right there. - Just tell me right now... we're good right?
That's not going to happen, right?
Kirk:
No. [Kirk
wants to talk, but he lets "Christian" talk first.]
"Christian":
Hold on, Hold on... So, I'm safe in saying that there is no santa claus in the
Bible. Right? [nervously braces
for answer]
Kirk:
No, there is no santa claus in the Bible. But...
"Christian":
[overtalks him] Okay. [Kirk tries to speak] Hey,
Hey, Hey!
Kirk:
Just hold on.
"Christian":
Hold on. Hold on. Just think about it. Think about it for one minute. That's
the guy - santa - that's, obliterated Jesus. Jesus is gone. The reason for the
season is santa claus. What the kids are saying all
across the world is not 'I'm so excited to celebrate the birth of Jesus!' - No,
they're saying, I'm so excited to get my picture taken with santa
claus. And, he's going to give me presents... s-a-n-t-a, rearrange the
letters: satan. santa. satan. same letters. Right?
Kirk:
Right.
"Christian":
Coincidence? [Kirk shrugs] Yeah. Okay. And who's completely gotten rid of
Jesus? satan. santa. Ho, Ho, Ho. Where's - Ho, Ho, Ho - in the Bible? Ho,
Ho, Ho - Bible.
Kirk:
[somewhat
sings] You better watch out, you better not
pout, you better not cry I'm telling you why [now, they're singing together],
santa claus is coming to town.
"Christian":
And what's the next line?
Kirk:
[Continues singing] He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you are
awake.
"Christian":
Right. Omniscience.
Kirk:
He knows when you are good or bad, so be good for goodness sake.
"Christian":
Omniscience. Omnipresence.
Kirk:
He rewards the good and punishes the bad.
"Christian": Last I checked, that was God. And by the way, this is works based. Last I
checked, saved by grace. [Kirk gives a baffled look for a second]
This is a complete hijacking... This is a high-jacking, high-handed,
high-jacking, handedness, jacking. It's like a car-jacking, but like of our
religion. And guess what? santa got in the car, kicked
Jesus out, and was like 'rolling, rolling, rolling', and took, and took it. Gone. Christmas is gone. It's all about santa. [Kirk
starts to talk...] Where in the Bible? Where in the Bible? Flip, flip,
flip, flip... Red letter, red letter, red letter.... Where is it. Okay, so. Hold on. I can't... hold on. I can't wait for
this one. Here we go - here we go. I'm ready - eyes are closed. I'm looking
it... I see him. Hold on - I see his face. [screen
shows a blurry version of a gruff santa for a second] Oh, I see his
face [face on screen again]
Kirk:
What do you see? You see a little elf? And he's in a sleigh with a little red
cap and little red outfit. He's got a sack over his back... and he's being
pulled by a team of reindeer. [Christian has verbally agreed to all these
points along the way.]
"Christian":
Not in the Bible.
Kirk:
And he's going to land on a roof, and he's going to slide down a chimney, and
he's going to fill stockings and put presents around the base of a tree. Right?
"Christian":
Right.
Kirk:
Okay. [screens shows this image of this
odd-santa getting closer in an eirie image, then
switches to "Christian" with his eyes closed, as he takes a deep
breath.] Let me tell you about the real santa claus.
"Christian":
Oh, I'm ready.
Narrator Kirk: [minute 43]
The real santa claus was a
real bad, bad dude. And, when I say "bad", I mean bad in the good
way. So "Christian", you want Christmas to be all about Jesus? You
think you're fighting the good fight by scowling at decorations and scoffing at
presents and mocking Christmas trees? Let me show you how a real defender of
the faith does it. Now if I tried to show you how this really happened, you'd
see a lot of guys in robes, wearing tall hats, carrying scepters and swinging
incense everywhere - it'd be a mess. I want you to imagine this a little
more... Lord-of-the-Ringsy...”
> Analysis points: I think the only thing Kirk gets right
in this part is that “Santa” isn’t in the Bible. But, of course his good friend
Darren Doane isn’t helpful either. Together they preach to us that santa is
supposed to be our “role model”. Why? Because this myth and old wives’ tale was
supposedly constructed around a “hero of the faith” – a Catholic bishop (that
Kirk calls a “devout Christian”) who supposedly somehow single-handedly kept
Jesus’ deity from getting lost by arguing with another Catholic leader. But the
way Kirk portrays it looks a lot more like a bar scene than anything honest.
Here’s a clip from Kirk’s story about “Saint Nicholas”.
“…There were leaders in the church that had begun to deny
the deity of Christ - the doctrine that confessed Jesus as the Son of God, God
in the flesh. Nicholas did not take kindly to those who wanted to reduce Jesus
to a mere man. The Council of Nicaea ended up producing what is known today as
the Nicene Creed. A [catholic] profession of faith used
by churches all around the world. The creed affirmed the deity of
Christ, and the three persons of the Trinity. But that affirmation didn't
happen, without Nicholas, and a fight. [wolf
howls again] He was a real man, who fought for a real truth, against a
real enemy of the faith.
[Next
scene shows this gruff man walking into the upper lit room where Kirk is
describing the story - a man in fancy clothes passionately teaching something,
and this gruff guy walks in and sits behind him at first.]
Leading
the charge in this heresy, was a bishop named Arias. He
was known as a charismatic and compelling speaker. He was traveling from region
to region spreading his heresy like a plague. Saying Jesus was less than God.
Nicholas had heard enough of Arias's babbling. He
would be the shepherd that protects his sheep from the wolves.
[Scene
shows this gruff man puts his hand on the shoulder of this fancy-clothes guy -
to get his attention. Then this gruff guy slams his shepherd's staff on the
table and sits down next to this fancy-clothes guy.]
The
older man: [as the fancy-clothes guy is nervously
listening, the gruff man says] In the
beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Narrator
Kirk: The official record says that at a critical moment
during the council, Nicholas put the heretic Arias to shame, not only in word,
but also by deed - smiting him on the cheek. [The next scene plays out with the
gruff man punching the fancy-clothes guy, and then dragging him outside and
supposedly beating him with the shepherd's staff. The dramatic music in the
background is meant to hyper the intensity of this 'fight scene'. And this
plays out for a couple of minutes while Kirk keeps weaving his story.]
Now, of course, not everyone was happy with his less
than jolly actions. In fact, they were so displeased,
they removed his title as bishop. But, he was so loved by the people, that they gave it back to him. In fact, he was even
"sainted" [Vatican system]. That's why we call
him 'Saint Nicholas'. Those were difficult and desperate times. Truth was on
the line. And it was not the time for this 'pastor' to go soft on truth or stay
quiet for the sake of being politically correct. Nicholas was a hero that
became legendary. And the legend became larger than life and reached mythic
proportions. [The scene is now watching gruff-guy coming back to his home and the
young lady watching for him with her lantern, as Kirk continues to weave his
story.] In France, he was called 'Piere
Noel'. In Sweden, he was 'Tomten'. In Norway, he was
'Julnissen'. In the Netherlands, he was 'Sinterklaas'. Everyone wanted a piece of him.
[The
gruff-guy is back at home and still has the look of rage on his face. The young
lady speaks first.]
Young
Lady: Oh! Look who it is! Better? You get that out of
your system? Come on, we've got work to do. [Camera shifts to seeing two white
horses, a sleigh, and a red suit. The gruff-guy still has his 'rage' look on
for another 15 seconds or so, but the music is changing to a disco song of some
sort, and the gruff-guy smiles really big and then replies.]
The
older man: Come on. Let's go bless some kids tonight. We've
got gifts to give. Ho. Ho. Ho. Ho. [The look on the gruff-guy's face is a mix of
excitement and crazy-man. It's just a little odd. - Scene switches to someone
in the santa outfit smiling (Kirk or Bill, I can't tell which). And Kirk
continues to weave his story.]
Narrator
Kirk: So "Christian", the guy you think is
distracting everyone from the birth of the Christ child is actually the
defender of the faith, you want to be. [Scene switches to the
conversation in the car between Kirk and "Christian".
"Christian" has the look of being blown away by Kirk's story.]…”
> Analysis points: There you go. According to Kirk, if we
hadn’t had Catholic/Vatican “St Nicholas” to slap a guy and make sure that
everyone knew that Jesus was God… we apparently wouldn’t believe that anymore.
Only, Kirk apparently was bored of the actual historical account and decided to
do a more-like bar-scene portrayal with Kirk’s “St Nick” beating the guy up.
So, you can see in clear text that Kirk loves his myths and fables and legends
and easily mingles them with God’s Word. Maybe someone needs to give Kirk a
Bible and challenge him to read through the New Testament to see how many times
he’s contradicting God’s Word in the last several years. And if he says he’s
already read it, he needs to be asked why he refuses to rightly teach it and,
even more so, to obey and grow in obeying what he knows…
Repeating these verses for clarification and
emphasis.
“5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
“7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)
“3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5)
So, the next
scene is Kirk pleased with himself for pulling the wool over “Christian’s” eyes
so that he thinks all of the paganness that Kirk loves has somehow magically
become “Christianized”. Kirk then hypes “Christian” up to go back in and “get
things right”. And the next scene is Christian going to the front door and
opening it and staring with childlike wonder and then Kirk continues his sermonette
of how all of these things are now supposedly good. So, let’s pick up here with
the script:
“…Kirk: The best
ending to this story is you being the guy that everyone roots for. You be the
guy who saves Christmas. You being the guy who's all in.
"Christian": I'm going to be that
guy. [repeats himself multiple times as he psyched
himself up. Kirk high-fives him.]
[With building symphony music, the scene switches
to a dramatic scene with "Christian" abruptly opening the front
double doors and surprising everyone.]
DeAndre:
Woah. [Crowd just stares. Bridgette looks over from the kitchen and just
watches.] Looks like someone's having a moment.
Mmm...
Narrator
Kirk: So take it all in. All the glory
of Christmas. ["Christian" closes his eyes for a
moment... then reopens them.]
Kirk:
[to
"Christian"] Now see Christmas
through new eyes.
[Christian
smiles]
DeAndre:
Woah, woah - back up everybody!
[Christian
runs and dives onto the floor and slides into the gathering of packages at the
base of the tree.]
DeAndre:
Work Holy Spirit. Can I get an amen?! [Crowd
says 'amen'.] The scales are falling off... Glory - ah, glory. Mm..
Narrator
Kirk: ["Christian" stays on the floor
just staring at everything around him for a minute. The camera looks at each
thing that's Narrator Kirk mentions as Kirk weaves his story.] Sometimes
you have to be brought low to be humbled as a little child to get the right
perspective on Christmas. Look at the presents that surround your tree. When
you see them from this perspective, see how they look like a city skyline.
Imagine the New Jerusalem - a Heavenly city, whose builder and architect is
God. And the wall of the city was adorned with all kinds of precious stones.
And what's at the center of that city? A tree. The
Tree of Life, made available by the conquering blood of Jesus to all who
believe. This Tree, full of healing leaves. This Tree, full of
fruit. This Tree, full of lights that shine in the
darkness. Lights that shine over the city. So,
see the lights, the stars over Bethlehem, announcing the birth of the Prince of
Peace. Less lights, that remind us that Jesus is the
Light of the world, and that we are to let our light shine before men.
And
there's another thing. Look at those presents again. Stacked and wrapped and
made beautiful. Waiting to be torn open. This isn't
bad stewardship. This is doing what God does. He has always been giving gifts
to His children at the base of trees. Abraham was given the gift of a son at
the oaks of Mamre. The cedars of Lebanon were given
as materials for Solomon's Temple. Our salvation was given at the base of a
tree. ["Christian" stands up, staring at the tree.] So does
this tree belong in your house? Should it be loaded with fruit and lights and
presents?
DeAndre:
Woah, woah - Part the red sea!
Narrator
Kirk: ["Christian" looks over at 'santa'
and runs over as people are scrambling out of the way and flops down next to
'santa'.] And now that you know who the real santa is, I've got a
question for ya: would you like to take a picture with him? [The
next couple of minutes are a goofy stream of still-shots where people are
coming and going for pictures with santa, wrapping up with a large group shot
with almost everyone in it. Background music is a dramatic music from one of
the songs on the accompanying CD, I think.]
[Bridgette
is playing her part well as shocked that her 'husband' is now acting so
differently. The scene shows a little of her watching, as Kirk and the camera
look back at "Christian' and Kirk keeps weaving his story.] Our
Christmas traditions are so rich and so full, if only we had eyes to see them.
It's time to step out of the car. Out of the quiet and safe place, where we've
been hiding. It's time to tell everyone that every inch of this creation
belongs to Jesus. So, you're out of the car - are your eyes open? What do you
see? A soldier? [Camera looks at the nativity globe, then to
a 'nutcracker' statue.]
We
need to make traditions of our own. We need to infuse old symbols with new
meaning. We need to rearrange our lives and our homes so that every single thing
point to Jesus. [Camera watches as "Christian" moves a nutcracker-soldier
closer to the nativity globe.] We need to tell our children new
stories. We need to be bold. Remember those soldiers at the nativity? These
were Herod's strongest warriors, doing his bidding. Every toy soldier can be a
reminder of the whole story. Of how a Baby was spared in His infancy to become
the warrior that ensured death finally was killed. So bring the soldiers close.
Let them be near the nativity. And remind your children that every character in
God's story has a place.
["Christian" looks now over at his 'wife' Bridgette, and walks over to her in an odd slow-mo. And Kirk keeps weaving his story.] And if you've been that guy. If you've spent the holidays terrorizing your family and your friends, scowling at santa, frustrating your wife, it's time to make it right. Christmas, after all, is ultimately about making all things right…”
> Analysis points: So, there you go. So, all of the sins
of the world really aren’t that bad, you see? No? Oh… you just need to see it
through Kirk’s “new eyes” apparently… and ignore the Bible verses – you don’t
really need those. Constructive sarcasm aside, Kirk is flat out lying several
times here. One of them is when he says we need “infuse old symbols with new meaning”.
Right… by bringing the sin-pleasures that crowd out Christ and
include idolatry back into our December 25th ceremonies and
traditions? Really Kirk? Or how about when Kirk
slanders those who love the Bible and are escaping from the tangles of
covetousness as though they’ve been “terrorizing” their families? With what? God’s Word and the truth? *sigh*. Darren probably
had a lot of fun pretending that we all rely on the editable online “dictionary”
called wikipedia, but that’s not the main place this info comes from – most of
it is found in history books and teachings from the past. Maybe Kirk hasn’t seen this passage in a while.
It applies to teachers like him.
“12
But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and
destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly
perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to
carouse in the daytime. They are
spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with
you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from
sin, enticing unstable souls. They
have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken
the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor,
who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked
for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the
madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness forever. 18 For
when they speak great swelling words
of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the
ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While
they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by
whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For
if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge
of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and
overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the
way of righteousness, than having known it,
to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it
has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow,
having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."” (2 Peter 2:12-22)
Let’s keep listening to Kirk’s sermonette.
“…Bridgette: [Gives
a friendly yet questioning look to "Christian" who is now standing in
front of her, in the kitchen.] Are you okay?
"Christian":
Honey, I've been a bit of a jerk this Christmas season.
Bridgette: Yeah,
yeah, you have.
"Christian":
You deserve so much better than. And this Christmas, I'm going to give you
something that I've been wanting to give you for a
long time.
Bridgette: What
have you got in mind, Big Papa?
Narrator Kirk: [1 hr,
mark. Camera freezes looking at "Christian"] Now what happens in most stories at this point. I mean, if
you were writing this story right now, what would you want to have happen? The cliché kiss, right? But, if we've learned one thing in
all of this, let's not forget that sometimes, our heroes do the unexpected. [Screen
sound for un-pause and "Christian" tells her his next idea.]
"Christian":
I went ahead and organized a hip-hop dance routine that encompasses joy and
gospel burst and excitement that I alone as one man just cannot express. [Bridgette
has a comical questioning look.] No really, I did. Hit it DeAndre!
DeAndre: [looks out from behind a laptop]
Ah, man, I've got just the track for you! How about some Family Force Five?
Angels We Have Heard On High. Come on people, let's do this! Yeah...
I want to see a choir in here. Ah, God Squad - you know how we do. Woap.
Matt Defaus [spelling?] is in the house. Kicking it old school. Theonomy. You know how we do it. How about some
sopranos and tenors. Let's do this, baby! Mmm!
[song
starts and 'God Squad' does their choreography, then everybody dances... this
takes about 5 minutes of the movie screen time.]
Kirk: [Runs into the scene and yells]
All right everybody! Let's feast! [Everybody cheers and goes in to eat.]
Bill: Well, that's why I show up for
these parties. [gingerly sips his hot cocoa with lots of
whip-cream on top.]
Narrator Kirk: [Pleasant
music in the background as the camera watches everybody get food and eat and
laugh and drink wine, etc. And, yes, Kirk continues to weave his story.]
So, this is Christmas. Pull out your best dishes. Your finest linens. Your nicest
silverware. The biggest ham. Every side dish
you can possibly imagine, and the richest butter. It's
time to feast. Invite your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends and your
family, and make the most of Christmas. Fill your table with laughter and
stories and songs. Don't miss a single opportunity to pass along the joy of the
season. And don't buy into the complaint about materialism during Christmas.
Sure - don't max out your credit cards, or use presents to buy friends. But,
remember - this is a celebration of the eternal God taking on a material body.
So, it's right that our holiday is marked with material things - things we can
see with our eyes and touch with our hands, and look upon. Ribbons,
decorations, hot chocolate, lights, presents, giants
hams, stuffing, fudge, Christmas cards, and more hot chocolate piled high with
whipped cream. How could we possibly capture all of the joy that Christmas is?
We could eat until we split at the seams. We could smile until our cheeks hurt.
And laugh until our bellies ache. We could sing until our voices grew hoarse,
and we would not have even scratched the surface of this glorious day.
[Everybody toasts their wine glasses.] Throw your doors open and
invite the world into the story of this King and His Kingdom. This is our
story. Our city. Our tree. Our lights, our presents, our songs, our Saint Nick. Our hope, our future, our Savior. My brother-in-law is
seeing it for the first time. And once your eyes have been opened, you can't go
back.
All the best to you and your
family this Christmas.
[Kirk and his sister Bridgette are looking at each other smiling, as the
camera watches both.]
I have to say things have improved around here.
[Ending scene has Kirk giving a wink to his sister - and sort of to the
camera.]
> Analysis points:
This is where Kirk gets to his favorite part of his sermonette.
“… Sure - don't max out your credit cards, or use presents to buy
friends. But, remember - this is a celebration of the eternal God taking on a
material body. So, it's right that our holiday is marked with material things -
things we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands, and look upon.
Ribbons, decorations, hot chocolate, lights, presents, giants
hams, stuffing, fudge, Christmas cards, and more hot chocolate piled high with
whipped cream. How could we possibly capture all of the joy that Christmas is?
We could eat until we split at the seams. We could smile until our cheeks hurt.
And laugh until our bellies ache. We could sing until our voices grew hoarse,
and we would not have even scratched the surface of this glorious day.
[Everybody toasts their wine glasses.] Throw your doors open and
invite the world into the story of this King and His Kingdom. This is our
story. Our city. Our tree. Our lights, our presents, our songs, our Saint Nick. Our hope, our future, our Savior. My brother-in-law is
seeing it for the first time. And once your eyes have been opened, you can't go
back…”
> Analysis points: Yep, that quote about once our eyes are
“opened” we “can’t go back” is right from the historical event in the Garden of
Eden – something Kirk calls a story. The eating of the “Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil” only happened once – in the Garden of Eden, and not again. We
can learn the pure and holy ways of the Lord by studying His Word, but we
shouldn’t let demons “open our eyes” to some new deception that contradicts God’s
Word. As you can see in what you just read, Kirk is obviously more interested
in the passing sins and pleasures of this life than about calling men and women
to repent. Not sure how he changed that from when he was working with Ray
Comfort till now, but he has.
Scripture would educate Kirk, if he wanted it to. But alas, he
seems to have the same problem almost all of the religious leaders in our land
have: an inability to read and rightly divide the whole counsel of the Word of
God, even to be able to quote literal passages. It’s apparently all stories to
them…
In 2nd Timothy, God through Paul says it so succinctly here.
“1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
We couldn’t agree more. When a leader claims to be a “Bible
teacher” but wants to lead you back to the sins that Christ has bought you from
and called you out of, mark them as a possible unbeliever and if they refuse to
hear the Word of God, then mark them as a probable wolf.
~ If you have any questions, please ask and we’ll be glad to
explain further or show you more verses from God’s Word – there are many more
on these topics.
~ Watching, Preaching, Praying, your growing bro, SH along with
the FEDBP team
***
If you’d like to review the “Saving Christmas” film again, or to
read through the movie script in text form, you can find both links below. Both
are free to use and share.
> http://www.incpu.org/SavingChristmas-Transcribed.pdf
Or you can watch the full movie for free on youtube, here
(for free):
> https://youtu.be/NdxVfhpqaGg