The New DA VINCI CODE and CHRISTMAS?

 

THE PROBLEM

THE SOLUTION


Celebrity opinion, religious bias, satirical abuse, and academic liberalism powered by the television networks/filmmakers have created an atmosphere of criticism and mockery of the Bible. This false information is pumped into homes via cable & satellite. Not once a year, once a month, once a week but EVERY DAY!

The conservative academic perspectives on issues related to the Bible’s historical and archaeological reliability are rarely heard on television > 85% (Liberal) to 15% (Conservative). Cable & Network stations such as A&E, NBC, CBS, ABC, The Cartoon Network, FOX, The Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel have broadcast documentaries on the Bible. The Bible is presented as either myth, an exaggerated/plagiarized text or it is mocked comedically.

Below are the bizarre theories about Christmas and the Bible that congregants and students should be aware of. Television and Films over the holiday season are problematic. In December 2006 "The Nativity Story" will be released in the theatres. Some web sites claim that the story will go into the early life of Mary. Vatican/Apocraphal/Pseudepigraphal texts will probably be used to fill in those non-biblical sequences. Similarly, the Da Vinci Code author, Dan Brown, used non-biblical texts (Nag Hammadi) as part of his research for his novel.

Link 1, Link 2 for the film "The Nativity Story."

 

1) Is the Roman Soldier, played by actor Matt Petrisi, Panthera (see below)) whom Celsus claimed that Mary slept with and produced Jesus? Why is only one soldier mentioned on the internet? I would feel more comfortable with soldiers (plural).

2) A previous web article stated that the film will go into the early life of Mary. Where is it now?

3) Cinema Confidential stated that the film will go into the story of the Virgin Mary before the birth of Christ. What manuscript sources will they use for this part of the film?

4) On www.theleaven.com Mike Rich, the screenwriter, said that film will be “faithful to the spirit of the biblical account.” Both films Mary, Mother of Jesus and Noah’s Ark had the same generic disclaimer. Both films had major errors.

5) Mike Rich wrote the Disney film called “The Rookie” about Baseballs oldest Rookie Jim Morris. Only 1/5 of Morris’ book “The Oldest Rookie” was used for the film. Will they do the same to “Nativity?” Walt Disney distributed the Rookie. Disney also owns other cable networks critical of the Bible (read below). How is Disney involved with bad programming concerning the Bible?

 

WHO OWNS WHAT TV STATIONS AND PRODUCTION COMPANIES?

 

 

More problematic examples of the beliefs pushed over the airwaves on cable documentaries about Jesus' birth, his contemporaries and his early life & beliefs.

• Herod did not kill the Bethlehem infants (Herod: Madman or Murderer on The Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > Herod the Great, the one of whom scripture says was the instigator of the death of the infants 2 years and younger and who prompted the family of Jesus to flee to Egypt, ruled from 37 B.C.- 4 B.C. Herod interestingly was not a true Jew and was greatly disliked by the same, but was an Idhumean and was appointed King of Judea. Fearful of the brand of "Jew," he was a frequenter of the commercial greek marketplaces and strove to be as his adopted title " friend of the Romans." Though a diplomat at heart, he was a man of great cruelty and paranoia. Reports have it that Herod had his nephew drowned, his sons strangled (7 B.C./B.C.E. ), his mother-in-law Alexandra executed as well as his wife Mariamne. The death of Mariamne caused great sadness for Herod who would often call out to her as if she was still alive. If Herod could kill beloved family members (Mariamne) what would 7-20 infants matter to this murderer?
  
  
  
• Herod did not kill the infants but his two sons. The two stories (Herod's sons death and the Nativity) were combined together to form one story. (Herod: Madman or Murderer on The Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > According to Historian's Josephus and Joseph Free, Herods sons were killed either 8 or 7 B.C.E. Jesus was born about 5 B.C.E. though some contend it was the year 6, two years before the death of Herod. The two stories were not combined. There is no evidence to support the above conclusion. Controversy is more interesting than factual history. That is what the Discovery Channel is conveying to its viewers.
  
  
  
  
• Herod was too sophisticated to have killed the infants, he was an architectural genius (Herod: Madman or Murderer on The Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > Hitler built the Third Reich via his architect Albert Speer. Stalin built up Russia. Both men had blood on their hands as did Herod.
  
  
  
  
• There was no Virgin Birth (Jesus: Holy Child on A&E).
  
  Answer > Virgin Birth (Greek = Parthenos) > an unmarried daughter, maiden, virgin is implied because she was not married.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus was the son of a Roman named Panthera (In Search of Christmas on The History Channel).
  
  Answer > Celsus, an influential 2nd-century Platonist of Alexandria and perhaps the first serious critic of Christianity is the source of this falsehood (Microsoft Encarta). It would have been nice to have had the source for this lie. The History Channel did not bother so I had to conduct my own research.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus was confused about whether he was the Messiah (Mary, Mother of Jesus on NBC).
  
  Answer > There is no proof that Jesus was confused about his divinity or mission. See Luke 2:49, Mark 2: 1-12, 28, John 20:28.
  
  
  
  
• Paul rejected Jesus' virgin birth (Jesus: Holy Child on A&E).
  
  Answer > But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman (not a man > my insertion), made under the law (Galatians 4:4). Paul did not reject Jesus' Virgin Birth.
  
  
  
  
• The National Geographic Channel series Science of the Bible contains many errors.
  
  Answer > Once reviewed, it will be inserted in this location or a new page.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus' birth is not historically accurate (Jesus: Holy Child on A&E).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus was born in Nazareth not Bethlehem (Jesus: Holy Child on A&E).
  
  Answer > See Matthew 2, Luke 2. There is no proof for this contention.
  
  
  
  
• There was no Census (In Search of Christmas on The History Channel).
  
  Answer > A Census from Bacchias, Egypt (119 A.D.) Not the Census issued from the time of Jesus but it does request citizen (taxpayers) to return to their original homes for registration.
  
  Roman Census' closer to the time of Jesus (below). The Census that Mary and Joseph participated in has yet to be uncovered.
  
  a) 28 B.C. E > 4,063,000 registrants
  b) 8 B.C.E. > - 4, 233, 000 registrants
  c) 14 A.D. > 4, 937,000 registrants
  
  Source: In the Fulness of Time by Dr. Paul Maier
  
  
  
  
• Contradiction > It was stated there were no Magi on the program, later on it is stated that there were (In Search of Christmas on The History Channel).
  
  Answer > Perhaps the History Channel needs a proof reader and video editor. Read the Bible, then write the script = Editing 101.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus is the new Moses. Herod, the new Pharaoh (In Search of Christmas on The History Channel).
  
  Answer > Hmm? Still trying to decipher this one.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus was Rich. Jesus owned ships (The Art Bell Show "Coast to Coast" on am1500 KSTP).
  
  Answer > Based upon The Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus and other books by Glenn Kimball. Based upon Vatican documents not contemporary with the first century. Not reliable sources.
  
  
  
  
• Judas was a childhood friend of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea was Jesus' uncle. Joseph was the third wealthiest in the world. Joseph owned a tin and lead mining business in Britain (The Art Bell Show "Coast to Coast" on am1500 KSTP).
  
  Answer > Based upon The Hidden Stories of the Childhood of Jesus and other books by Glenn Kimball. Based upon Vatican documents not contemporary with the first century. Not reliable sources.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus never fled to Egypt (In Search of Christmas on The History Channel).
  
  Answer > Jesus did flee to Egypt. I have documented the routes in my paper "Jesus in Egypt" that I will put up on the site soon. It must be understood that many locations in Egypt are "tourist traps." Every location you visit they say the Holy Family visited with little proof archaeologically. There is a difference between historic sites and traditional sites one exception is probably the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the tomb of Jesus. There is no proof the family stayed in Herod's jurisdiction during the slayings of the infants.
  
  
  
  
• Mary met the angel outside of town in the Wilderness. The Bible says she was in town or in the village (Mary: Mother of Jesus on The Nat'l Geographic Channel/Discovery).
  
  Answer > Luke 1:26.
  
  
  
  
• Some Scholars believe the virgin birth was added to the gospels by Christians after the death of Jesus says the Narrator. Note: the program narrator interviewed no Scholars who believed this theory > Some Scholars? Who are they? (Mary: Mother of Jesus on The Nat'l Geographic Channel/Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > It is important to cite your sources before you make claims. This is basic. I cannot comment until I can go to the source which the Discovery Channel did not provide.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus was illegitimate (Mary: Mother of Jesus on The Nat'l Geographic Channel/Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention. Mary and Joseph were married (Matthew 1:24).
  
  
  
  
• Mary was beaten by her father after her pregnancy was discovered (Mary: Mother of Jesus on The Nat'l Geographic Channel/Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention scripturally or archaeologically.
  
  
  
  
• Jesus glowed at his birth (Mary: Mother of Jesus on The Nat'l Geographic Channel/Discovery Channel).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention scripturally or archaeologically.
  
  
  
  
  
• Jesus is confused about his divinity and mission as a boy and a man (Mary, Mother of Jesus on NBC).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention scripturally or archaeologically. There is no proof that Jesus was confused about his divinity or mission. See Luke 2:49, Mark 2: 1-12, 28, John 20:28.
  
  
  
  
• Mary gave Jesus his parables (Mary, Mother of Jesus on NBC).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention scripturally or archaeologically.
  
  
  
  
• Herod wants to kill the infants six months and younger. The Bible says two years and younger (Mary, Mother of Jesus on NBC).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention scripturally or archaeologically. See Matthew 2:16.
  
  
  
  
• Mary and Joseph were never married (Mary of Nazareth on A&E).
  
  Answer > There is no proof for this contention. Mary and Joseph were married (Matthew 1:24).
  
  
  
  
• N.T. Wright, famous Christian Theologian/Bishop of Durham, believes that Jesus thought that "maybe" he was the Messiah as a boy. Maybe? (Peter Jennings Reporting. Jesus and Paul: The Word and Witness on ABC.
  
  Jennings: So it’s not all unusual for a boy in Jesus’ time to think something's really got to be done here and possibly
  I’m the one to do it.
  
  N.T. Wright: Something’s got to be done. Maybe I’ll be the one to do it.
  
  Jennings: …and maybe I’m the Messiah?
  
  N.T. Wright: I suspect that half the Jewish mothers in Galille at the time hoped their son was going to be the Messiah.
  
  
  
  
  THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR CHURCH AND SCHOOL
  
  A.D. Communications, a Twin Cities based ministry, was developed to provide answers to the Christian, the Skeptic and the Seeker using Scripture and Science (Archaeology). Presentations created specifically for Churches and Schools, A.D. Communications also employs software technology (3D simulations, virtual tours, sound clips and animated slides) in its media presentations. A.D. Communications may be the only organization in the nation that provides this valuable information. Information on how to discern truth from error scripturally and historically in the light of media criticisms of the Bible.
  
  Using Scripture and Science, A.D. Communications presentations are entertaining and easy to understand. A.D. Communications provides packets for all attendees (television viewer guidelines, maps, artifact illustrations, alternative sources of information etc;).
  
  ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER
  
  Rick Dack, founder and director of A.D. Communications, has appeared numerous times on the radio (am980 KKMS) as a Historical Commentator for Tom Marsland and Joyce Harley. He is a member of the Near East Archaeological Society and a board member of Christian Apologetics Ministries > www.caministries.org. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Northwestern College and will be pursuing graduate work at the University of Minnesota in the area of ancient history.
  
  Mr. Dack has spoken at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Southwest Christian High School, Northwestern College, Grace Church, Wayzata Evangelical Free Church, St. Stephanus Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Park Evangelical Free Church, The Minnesota State Fair and national conferences associated with The Evangelical Theological Society.
  
  Set up a FREE informational meeting today.
  
  Call 952-933-4770 or visit www.defendingthebible.com for a complete list of all presentations that Mr. Dack offers.
  
  
  Thank you,
  
  
  A.D. Communications
  www.defendingthebible.com
  952-933-4770
  Minneapolis/St. Paul