[Diamond]

To your credit, one of the links you provided says this:

In the interest of simplicity, the criticism against the Gospel in the Stars (GIS) theory has been reduced to three points and answered as follows:

1.      GIS is a denial of the formal principle of the Protestant Reformation Sola Scriptura.  This is a misunderstanding not only of GIS, but also of Sola Scriptura.  With Sola Scriptura, the Reformers were protesting church traditions when they declared that the Bible alone was sufficient to make us wise unto salvation.  They never suggested that God’s creation played absolutely no part in the Gospel.  In fact, to suggest that God reveals himself by the things he has made is a blatant Scriptural notion found plainly in Romans 1 and Psalm 19 and taught clearly by Reformed theologians from John Calvin to B.B. Warfield.  It is called general revelation (creation) as opposed to special revelation (the Bible).  While general revelation is sufficient to pronounce guilt, it is not sufficient to produce salvation; that is the task of special revelation (the Bible).  Nowhere in the book or series of The Real Meaning of the Zodiac does Dr. Kennedy say otherwise.

2. GIS confuses special and general revelation.  Again, this is a misunderstanding of the definition and purpose of general and special revelation.  The universal guilt of mankind is revealed not only by Holy Scripture (Genesis 1-3) but also by the failure of man to acknowledge the revelation of God in His creation:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20 nkjv).

This is the role of general revelation.  Dr. Kennedy merely uses the constellations to point people to Christ.  This function is complimentary to both the Westminster Confession and the plain teaching of Scripture.

3. GIS pours superstitious meanings into the arrangement of the stars.  This is a mischaracterization of what Dr. Kennedy is saying.  To point out how the constellations point to elements in the biblical record is hardly what most Christians would call “superstitious.”  Even if you don’t agree with the GIS conclusions it by no means follows that such conclusions are “superstitious.”

In summary:  The notion that Dr. Kennedy is teaching heresy is ridiculous, at best, to even a casual observer of his ministry.  Aside from his earned theological degrees and his doctorate in comparative religions from New York University, he has also accrued 42 years of public teaching and 26 years of broadcast ministry.  He has earned a reputation for defending strict orthodoxy.  To be accused of “blasphemous heresy” shows both a lack of theological training and a gross misunderstanding of the actual contents of the book and series.

Dr. Kennedy urges those concerned about this matter to obtain a copy of the book and discover for themselves whether the message contained in The Real Meaning of the Zodiac is contrary to Scripture. After reading it, or listening to the messages on the audio series, if they believe it is in conflict with Scriptures, he welcomes comments and criticism in that regard. As he has stated:

If anybody finds something in these messages that is contrary to the Scriptures, I hope the first thing they will do will be to pick up a phone and give me a call, or write me a letter or e-mail, and tell me what it is in there that they think is contrary to the Bible, or is heretical. I have yet to have anybody show me anything in my book or my messages that is contrary to the Bible or heretical.

Dr. Kennedy has chosen to postpone the previously scheduled airing of The Real Meaning of the Zodiac series at this time.  The reason for this is primarily to take the requisite time and reflection to fashion a proper response.  As of now, the series will air at a future date, possibly with some direct responses of these criticisms from Dr. Kennedy.

Thank you for noting this change and the reasons for it.  We are immensely grateful for your standing with us during this totally unfounded personal attack on Dr. Kennedy.  You may be certain that we will attempt to resolve this matter according to Scriptural principles, and we will advise you when that has been successful.

Sincerely yours and His,

Tom Rogeberg
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer

You have accused Dr. Kennedy of "definite heresy". Back it up, or please desist.

Why do you say that that fundraising ratios are "on the high side"? What standard are you using to make that value judgment?

Cordially,

[Chancellor Palpatine]

By the rules of Orthodox Christianity to which I adhere (you would call it Greek Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox), the notion of Gospel in the Stars is complete heresy, and any theologian who espoused this could expect to be dismissed from his teaching post; and if he were a clergyman, would be relieved of pastoral duties and ould expect laicization in the near future. Regardless of what the shills say for Kennedy, those notions are not defensible from any historical understanding of Christian theology.

As for the ratios, I'd certainly expect that a religious entity would commit a smaller percentage of its total take to fundraising than does the United Way.