Posted on 02/25/2004 12:20:14 PM PST by Pikamax
'Jews Killed Jesus' Billboard Causing Controversy Pastor Refuses To Remove Or Change Saying On Outdoor Marquee
POSTED: 9:41 am MST February 25, 2004 UPDATED: 12:44 pm MST February 25, 2004
DENVER -- A billboard unveiled on Ash Wednesday, the same day that a controversial movie depicting the last hours of Jesus Christ premiered, is sparking criticism from people of all faiths.
The large-size outdoor marquee, which sits on the property of the Lovingway United Pentecostal Church at Colorado and Mississippi, says, "Jews Killed The Lord Jesus" and the word "Settled!"
The Anti-Defamation League asked for the marquee to be changed because it is anti-Semitic, but the church only amended the billboard slightly by removing the word "settled" and attributing the line to biblical Scriptures.
That, however, is still not appeasing critics.
"Immediately, I picked up the phone and called the pastor and had a spirited but good and respectful discussion with him in which I tried to explain to him that that kind of message is divisive and exactly the kind of message which has fueled anti-Semitism for thousands of years," said Bruce Debosky, the Mountain States Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League.
Jewish leaders say that like Mel Gibson's new movie "The Passion of the Christ" -- which opened Wednesday morning -- the passage will stir up anti-Semitic attitudes and will cause some people to lash out at Jews.
The Colorado Council of Churches also tried to get Pastor Maurice Gordon to change the sign but he refused and wouldn't even answer the phone or answer the door, 7NEWS reported.
Rev. Jim Ryan, a spokesman for the council, was quick to point out that it is a small minority who feel this way about Jews and that most Christians don't share that sentiment. Although the "Jews Killed the Lord Jesus" line comes from First Thessalonians, second chapter, verses 14 and 15, many Christian scholars interpret that passage to mean that when Paul refers to the Jews, he is referring to certain Jews who opposed Jesus' teachings and does not mean all Jews.
THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
Movie Review Commentary: 'Passion' Violence Is Not For Kids Surveys: Too Graphic? | Plan To Take Your Kids? Movie Clips, Interview Clips, Slideshow Movie Trailer
"It is ironic that a church named 'Lovingway' would advance such an attitude of hurtfulness," Ryan said. "Christ gave his life for all people. To blame a particular group of people, then or now, is a misuse of the Gospel of love and grace. The Colorado Council of Churches wishes to make it clear that this one congregation does not speak for the vast majority of the Christian community. In fact, we stand in direct opposition to the message on this sign and its implications."
"We also call upon the leaders of other Christian groups in Denver to reaffirm the statements they have made: that all of mankind shares responsibility for Jesus' death, and that blame should not be placed collectively on the Jews of the time or the Jews of today," DeBoskey said. "We fervently hope that Jews and Christians can use this time as an opportunity for dialogue and learning, not blame and divisiveness."
Gibson's film has been criticized because it depicts the Roman governor Pontius Pilate as reluctant to crucify Jesus, placing the blame more on the Jewish high priest Caiaphas. Some people fear that the extreme violence and brutality inflicted on Jesus in the movie could foster unwarranted resentment toward Jews.
The $25 million movie, although intense and graphically violent, is being praised by Christian leaders for bringing the Passion story to a large national audience.
Gibson financed the movie by himself because no Hollywood studio was willing to invest. Gibson, a devout Catholic, belongs to a traditionalist sect that rejects Vatican II changes in 1965 as too liberal, changes that include a law that condemned the medieval thinking that Jews were cursed by God.
That so-called "blood libel" is in the Gospel according to Matthew, when Caiaphas says, "His blood be on us and our children," for allowing the crucifixion to happen.
Gibson says his movie is not anti-Semitic. The movie is rated R and presented with English subtitles.
Previous Stories:
Odd place, primitive Christians--get in, get out, or get run over
What's a primitive Christian?
Don't just stand there knocking, come right on in, and let's get acquainted.
There's an awesome family of brothers and sisters on the face of this, God's green earth, that the Apostle Paul called "Fools for Christ's sake." We're sanctified proud to be numbered among them. Everyone has an inherent, compelling desire to worship Someone or Something and I hope you give our Lord and Saviour the opportunity to be yours.
Frankly speaking, (I believe in honesty) we're out to "get" you, because we're commissioned by Jesus Christ to be "Fishers of Men," and I'm warning you - we use the loving grace of God for "bait."
Some call us fanatics. They're probably onto something. We love to party hearty, after filling our new wine skins with Holy Ghost new wine. When you drive into our parking lot and hear the festival of praise, worship, singing, testifying, and preaching - you get the message - you'll know you've found a sample of Heaven on Earth.
Michael Burton, our webmaster, asked me to write a nice welcome and a mission statement, but I got in the Spirit and got carried away. So consider yourself (and your best enemies and worst friends) welcome.
Oh yes, about the mission statement: as primitive Christians, we believe, practice and preach the same message as the Apostles - so get in, get out, or get run over!
Pastor M.R. Gordon
Lovingway's number one servant.
If you are referring to 'Jew' as a race, then Christ was born Jewish, as were the disciples. Death does not alter that.
However, if your use of 'Jew', as in the religion, then would not the disciples stop being 'Jewish' the moment they accepted Christ as the Messiah?
Certainly 'Jews for Jesus' are no longer considered to be 'Jewish' by some.
On the third day He arose from the grave.
Hallalaluya
Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
To bad that nobody bothered to tell the dumbass "pastor" that Jesus lives........
Neither.
Who are we supposed to blame for the chopping off of Anne Boleyn's head?
Henry VII or every Anglican alive today?
A pastor has the right to quote any Bible verse. Period.
The Anti-Defamation League called the quote "antisemitic."
Some Canadian judges also found that quoting Bible verses next to a Prohibited sign (circle with a slash) was homophobic.
Is quoting anti-homosexual verses also " playing into their hands and doing Christ's witness no favor"?
This isn't sermon - this is sign for drivers-by. And purpose of sign is to create anti-Semitism.
Contact information for this church is as follows:
tel: 303.777.8888
address: 999 S. Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80246
email: mrgacts238@aol.com
I would ask that anybody from a Christian background contact this outfit and let them know how this is coming off "in the real world." Post any responses.
'Ping' on joesnuffy's comments on the rest of the thread at 29. Thanks, Joe. Cooler heads and sounder theology will prevail in this.
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Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~
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