There's this awesome scene in Zeferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" when Pontius Pilate finally relents to the harassment of the Sanhedrin and sighs "All right. I'll see him. Your Jesus." And the representative retorts 'Not -our- Jesus!'Pilate shouts 'Then who's? Who's?!'For all that Zeferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" was flawed, it has some awesome scenes.I haven't been around lately.I once told Geoff Brenneman 'Burn down your Christianity, and whatever is left is left, rebuild on it', or that was what I meant to tell him. So much attaches to the Bible's messages. Look at your local Christian bookstore. If the Bible is completely accessible and comprehensible to each and every person, why do we have a million Bible commentaries and other interpretative books coming out of our ears?Of course, the hardest question in the world is 'How do I know God's will for my life' in terms of specifics. 'Thou shalt not kill' 'Love thy neighbor as thyself'But Lord, do I go to this college or to that? Is this the job you want for me? Will I ever marry, or do you want me to be single?I have never understood Jesus' words about The Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, unless He literally meant that speaking certain words damns you utterly. My psychiatrist told me that the inability to see an intended message because of a fixation on actual wording is a sign of mental illness.So, in utter terror and fear, I reasoned, 'Only people filled with the Holy Spirit can rightly interpret Scripture. Since I may or may not have blasphemed the Holy Spirit, I can't trust my own judgment. Therefore, I must find Christians who I respect, and let them interpret the passage for me. If I believe in God, He will surely guide them, if not me.'I found several different interpretations of the meaning of the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Some said it could only be done in the physical presence of the Lord Jesus, and could not be done today. Some said it represents a continuous willful rejection of the testimony of the Holy Spirit of Lord Jesus. Others said if you care about Jesus it was proof you hadn't done the deed, for the Holy Spirit testifies of the Lord Jesus, and only through Divine Inspiration do you call Him Lord.I had my doubts. Why did they have different interpretations? I trusted Chuck Smith, Chuck Swindoll, and Dr. McGee. Was it possible that they were all right? A gem has many facets, but is one gem. Or was there some underlying human sentimentality clouding their vision?Now, last year I wrote an installment of 'The New Sons of Thunder' that was inspired by Saint Joan of Arc. It had some Catholic non-essential beliefs in it, like the visitation of Saints and such. Nothing foundational to Salvation was violated, but I guess there was a lot of 'a protestant's view that the grass is always greener on the Catholic's side of the fence' sentimentality in it.People were kind and gentle in correcting me. The problem is, I'm not sure I agree with them.Am I falling into error, or growing? Is protestant evangelical Christianity the whole picture of God? Do the Catholics have nothing to teach us?And I have realized, I came to depend too much on others to tell me what Christianity is. Brothers and Sisters, do you see the trap? The foundation may be The Lord Jesus, but we need to burn down the hay wood and stubble we heap on top of it from time to time.Who's Christianity do I believe? Who's?!It must be mine. Never mind if no one will publish my story. Or if I lose friends. God and Christianity must be big enough to meet me where I am, to call me home to Lord Jesus, or it is ultimately irrelevant to me.Well, I've babbled long enough today. Maybe I will come back later:)Gerry Lee
really feeling down and upset right now i think i made a horrible mistake
made a commitment for a cover artist thinking i could raise the cash to pay for him $500 he gave me a discount of about 150 from his usual 650 im close to have in commitments from people and no ideas what to do now
please pllease pray for a miracle. I already told him i would have the money in a month that was two weeks ago he wont start drawing till he gets half in front. could go another route but I really want this guy for the cover for the wow factor and his name
Dear Geoff,
I'm sorry I neglected you and all my Christian brothers and sisters these past months. I was kind of back slidden. I say that every year, don't I? I'm sure 'seasonal Christianity' isn't a valid Christian lifestyle, but if it was I would be it's most notorious member.
Unfortunately, I've been neglecting Larry Blake too, and only started reading his recent letters this past week. In November he was booked solid on projects. In February his work load lightened a little, but he didn't mention any of his plans. I am going to write him again tonight. If you're still interested in seeing if he wants to do some pages I will ask him in my snail mail.
It's been great seeing "Jesse's Story" taking shape, the pages of material you've posted look wonderful!
I plan to hang around here a lot more often now, so I will talk with you real soon:)
my dear brother where have u been ive emailed posted etc u for months about jesses story i need to know if you and larry are a yes or a no. btw dont know if u got my email or not but i just added pablo marcos to do the cover
Comments
made a commitment for a cover artist thinking i could raise the cash to pay for him $500 he gave me a discount of about 150 from his usual 650 im close to have in commitments from people and no ideas what to do now
please pllease pray for a miracle. I already told him i would have the money in a month that was two weeks ago he wont start drawing till he gets half in front. could go another route but I really want this guy for the cover for the wow factor and his name
I'm sorry I neglected you and all my Christian brothers and sisters these past months. I was kind of back slidden. I say that every year, don't I? I'm sure 'seasonal Christianity' isn't a valid Christian lifestyle, but if it was I would be it's most notorious member.
Unfortunately, I've been neglecting Larry Blake too, and only started reading his recent letters this past week. In November he was booked solid on projects. In February his work load lightened a little, but he didn't mention any of his plans. I am going to write him again tonight. If you're still interested in seeing if he wants to do some pages I will ask him in my snail mail.
It's been great seeing "Jesse's Story" taking shape, the pages of material you've posted look wonderful!
I plan to hang around here a lot more often now, so I will talk with you real soon:)
Take care & God Bless you