Google Search: Hypocrisy?

I published this post on www.Christdot.org after an interview with the Vancouver Sun.


An Open Letter from The Alleged ''book banning left behind bashing liberal
Posted by Nathan on Monday, April 12 @ 15:36:10 EDT
The original headline in the Vancouver Sun read "Apocalypse No: Religious bookstore refuses novel." The headline was abbreviated by Ekklesia to read, "Bookshop bans Christian best-seller." Notice how this second headline is more alliterative than the first. Look at all the b-words. Christdot picked up this headline. It now reads "New 'Left Behind' Book Banned From Bookstore." Notice that by introducing the title of the novel another b-word has appeared.

These headlines are a little misleading. For the record, I clearly expressed to the journalist that while the bookstore does not regularly stock the Left Behind novels, we will and have special ordered them for customers upon request. I bought my own copy from the Regent College Bookstore. For those of you who are concerned with freedom of speech, this information should set your hearts at ease.
Still, we do not regularly stock these books. So, how does a conversation with a journalist become a front-page headline? Well, in order for this story to reach the front page the stars must be in proper alignment. First, we must have an otherwise slow news day. Check. We have a Wednesday with no murders or political scandals. Second, we must spin the story in such a way that it becomes controversial. Controversy is exciting and sells papers. (I bought one.) Are all the elements for a good controversy present? Check. We have the appropriate elements for controversy religion, politics, censorship and money. "Sex, sex, sex. We must get sex into it." So, the headline becomes a combination of religion and literary censure.

The article placed four sentences in quotation marks and attributed this quote to me. Now, I am not denying that I spoke these words or at least something akin to them. In the article, the quote reads, "The book is very American-centric. It says the United States is successful because it has supported the state of Israel. It portrays the Anti-Christ as a Russian who has risen up to take over the United Nations. It also paints the European Union as entirely demonic."

This quote is, in fact, a summary of twenty minutes of conversation. Only one of these sentences was a direct reference to the Left Behind novels. Two of the sentences were references to dispensational theology in general. The other statement is about another book entirely.

The comments about "American-centrism" and the European Union were about dispensational theology in general. The second sentence concerning the relationship between the U.S. and Israel was a reference to Broadman & Holman's new non-fiction book Two Nations Under God. I used this book as an example of the way in which America and Israel are linked in this branch of theology. The only sentence that in this article that referred directly to Left Behind is the one about the Anti-Christ. I actually said he was "from Russia or something like that." I did not remember that he was Romanian in the novels. I could only remember the actor's Russian-Irish accent from the movie.

For those of you who were concerned that describing something as "Americancentric" sounds anti-American, I will attempt to lessen though not eliminate that concern. I am, after all, Canadian. If you consider the very American concept of the separation of church and state, then you will see that my comment expresses an American ideal. The problem is that current political situations are being read into the Bible and coming out the other end as the word of God.

Once current political activities and policies are given scriptural authority or are viewed as the inevitable fulfillment of prophecy, then, like other biblical doctrines, they cease to be open for debate. Thus, in the case of America's relationship with Israel, if Israel must exist as a nation in preparation for Christ's return, then, to speed Christ's return, we ought to support Israel. Since, Armageddon is a condition of the fulfillment of God's ultimate plan, then peace in the Middle East cannot be our goal because war is inevitable. Like Jerry Falwell, Tim LaHaye has political pull.

While my specific comment on America and Israel was a reference to Two Nations Under God, a friend of mine showed me this comment by Tim LaHaye expressing a similar sentiment, "We need to be steadfast in our defense of Israel and the national policy of aid to that beleaguered country. As Americans we can be proud of the fact that were it not for our country, the state of Israel would not exist...It is no accident that we are the nation in history of the world that has most supported Israel, and thus we are also the most blessed nation in the world.No nation in history has ever been blessed like America. Were we to change our policy of humanitarianism to Israel, we would lose the blessing of God."# I find this call for unquestioning support of Israel based on prophetic texts fascinating considering that the Hebrew prophets themselves spend most of their time critiquing Israel and ultimately announce her destruction.

Please do not mistake these comments as Anti-American or Anti-Israel or Pro-Palestinian or whatever. No nation, including Canada, is above reproach with respect to divine or even human standards. Since dispensational theology views the world heading in a downward spiral of sin, LaHaye himself certainly would not perceive America as being above criticism. However, when theological focus is the end of the world and the imminent return of Christ rather than "loving your neighbour" and caring for the "widow and the orphan", then social reform and peace plans take a back seat to short sighted foreign policy. Also, cataclysmic political events like September 11th are seen as inevitable and the result of moral (that is, sexual) decay in America. This perspective is like learning your mother has cancer and kicking your neighbour's dog.

Finally, to the person who wrote, "Of course, who's to say that profit isn't a part of this. Getting your store mentioned in a news article is certainly a good way to drum up business." In truth, I was shocked to see that my conversation with this journalist had been transformed into a front-page story. I would gladly pay for advertising where I control the content rather than having my ideas and words presented in such a way that they could do as much harm as good for the college. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to vent a little. The appearance of this article has caused a little stress and no venue for putting my words into context.


Yours truly,
Ian W. Panth

P.S.
As things happen in the Kingdom, I found myself in the same room with Jerry Jenkins (the coauthor of Left Behind). As we had been brought into collision through this media event, I thought it important to introduce myself. We had a brief but Christianly significant conversation. That is, while the world takes pleasure in Christians fighting amongst themselves, Jerry Jenkins and I were able reconcile, agree that we had a difference of opinions and part brothers in Christ. The Spirit has a way of bringing about such wonderful moments.

P.P.S.
If you watch the movies for fun, as I do. Those of you with a little knowledge of Hebrew will get a kick out the sign posted at the 'Wailing Wall' in Left Behind II: Tribulation Force. Remember, read right to left and think 'Hooked on phonics.' Sound it out!

Joel Osteen or Matthew Robert Short?

I have watched Joel Osteen's show a few times. When I watch him I can't help but wonder about cloning and transmigration of the soul. Think about it. Splice Martin Short and Matthew McConaughey and infuse with Robert Schuller.

A Christian sermon should be the gospel, the good news. The centre of the good news is Jesus Christ. So, Jesus Christ ought to be the centre of the Christian sermon. The centre of Joel Osteen's talks is not Christ Jesus but Joel Osteen. His talks are full of good advice much of it useful but rarely is it particularly Christian. Joel Osteen is full of good advice, if you want to be like Joel Osteen. The typical model is humorous and "encouraging" anecdotes (usually involving CEOs), a Bible quote, a joke about his marriage (so, the camera has reason to be on his wife) and common sense.

Jabez vs. Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling and The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson both hit the bookstores at the dawn of the new millenium (2000 A.D.). Both books were brought to the attention of Christians. One, The Prayer of Jabez was heartily endorsed. That year, The Christian Booksellers Association was decorated with Jabez banners. I still have souvenirs with the phrase 'Got Jabez?' on them. Harry Potter on the other hand was attacked as writing from the pit of hell. Rowling was leading children to depths of evil where only Pokemon had gone before.

The Regent College Bookstore, my employer, stocks both of these books. We are a Christian bookstore. We sold plenty of Jabez and took plenty of heat for selling Harry Potter. I read both of these books. I read Jabez because of the number of copies we were selling. I read Harry Potter because of the controversy. Could I recommend Jabez to customers? Could I defend our decision to carry Harry?

After reading both books, I was struck by the irony of the popular Christian response to Harry Potter in light of what The Prayer of Jabez was asking me to do.

Now, as everyone knows, Harry Potter is a wizard. Therefore, the story takes place in a world of magic and makes magic seem fun. For Christians, the practice of magic is forbidden. Magic is forbidden because magic is essentially a means of manipulating the spirit world. God, the Father of Jesus Christ, will not be so moved. The spirits who will appear to be manipulated are demons. So, of course anything that promotes magic is to be shunned.

Now, having read Harry Potter and having had some experience of modern magic in its various New Age forms. I remain convinced that few children who have read Harry Potter will have the patience for actual magical practices. By analogy, few children born in the age of e-mail will have the patience to correspond by mail. Practical magic is not the point and click of Harry Potter but the continued repetition of actions, phrases and rituals.

Practical magic requires patience and endurance. For instance, one might repeat an incantation over and over again in the hopes that the spirit world will respond and the desired effect will come to pass in this world. "As above, so below."

In other words, magic looks alot like The Prayer of Jabez. Pray this prayer for 30 days and see the results. The irony of the attitude toward Harry Potter and the phenomenal sales of The Prayer of Jabez struck me then as it does now.

Harry Potter lived because someone loved him and died for him. If praying Jabez's prayer did not improve your life and increase your evangelistic conquests, it was because of some sin in your life that needs to be rooted out. Now, one of these books reflects Christian theology. And now we know where Harry's story ends...