The General Attack Against Christianity

“But all these things will they do unto you for my names’ sake, because they know not him that sent me.” John 15:21.

April 20, 1999, Littleton, USA. Cassie Bernal, a blond 17 year old girl was known for sometimes taking a Bible to school with her. On that particular day she sat during a break in the library at school, to read her Bible. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, in long trenchcoats entered the Columbian High School on that day, the birthday of Adolf Hitler. Their outfits and actions were alarmingly similar to those of the hero in the film “Matrix”, recently shown in German movie theatres. Their victims were not taken at random, but were deliberately picked out. Coming into the library, one of the killers pointed his semiautomatic rifle at the Bible-reading Cassie and said: “Do you believe in God?” Cassie hesitated a moment, then said: “Yes, I believe in God. You can take my life, but not my God!” The member of the so-called Trenchcoat Mafia shot Cassie. Satanists killed the faithful Christian girl. Her last words were: “You cannot take my God from me!”

It is interesting to note that Cassie was herself just two years ago active in circles of occultism. But then she became a Christian and severed herself from these connections. At the end of that massacre, 13 victims lay dead on the floor, eight of them were Christians. One of those eight dead young people was Bible-reading Cassie Bernal.

There is a movement in the USA, called, “See you at the pole.” That pole is the flagpole one can find in every schoolyard in America, ft is there that the students meet to pray, to witness for their faith and to encourage one another. This movement started in 1990 in a schoolyard in Texas, and soon found followers. More and more young people met at the flagpole, confessed their sins to God and claimed forgiveness in Jesus. The movement now has three million sympathizers.

On Sept. 15th, 1999, this group “See you at the pole”, called for worldwide prayer meetings. On that same day in Wedgwood, Texas, 47 year old Larry Ashbrook loaded nine full cartridges of ammunition into his semiautomatic pistol. Then with cursing and shouting he rampaged into the church where a service for the youth of “See you at the pole” was being held. “What you believe is all rubbish,” he shouted, shooting at random into the crowd of 150 young people. At the end he had killed three adults and four youngsters; seven others were severely injured. When Ashbrook saw a policeman, he went to a bench and shot himself in the head.

What does the word of God say about the last days? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, waiketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1. Pet. 5:8,9. Fortunately not all attacks of Satan are so horrendous, so dramatic, so terrible and so sensational.

A quote from the 1998 book by theologian Dr. Stephan Holthaus, Trends 2000 with the subtitle: The spirit of time and Christianity’. “We are in a historic time with fundamental changes taking place before our very eyes,… Today… fundamental basics and norms of society… are being challenged…”

In Christian circles the concept of “End-time theology” is mostly being connected with the Catholic church, the papacy, the uniting of Europe, the happenings in Israel and in the USA. But are these the only topics to be taken into consideration as to what is actually happening? Or is there, perhaps, another direction from which we may expect “surprises” in the future?

As the term “antichrist” was understood in the past as being “against Christ”, it is also necessary to add the Greek meaning, namely, “instead of Christ”.
I would like to refer to dangers from a direction from which nothing, or only very little is being talked about. Helena Blavatsky, also called “The Sphynx of the Occult”, formed in 1888 the esoteric section within the Theosophical Society. This society upholds a statute which cannot be misunderstood: ” … must be resisted, … every form of dogmatic theology, especially of Christianity.”
Marilyn Ferguson, 1981 wrote in her book about a further goal of this organization, called The gentle seduction, “the reorientation of the entire human race.” In 1998, only 16 years later, Dr. Hinrichs writes in her book ‘You will be like God’, the conclusion being, “The… described infiltration of all (religious and social) institutions, must sadly be called a full success.”

What does this mean? “All religious institutions are already infiltrated?” How for instance, is it with us?
I’d like to give an example, which tells about a woman named Beverly Schnell who had been looking for a new tenant. In exchange for low rent, the tenant was to help in renovating the approx. 100 year old house. She, as a Christian, hoped to find a reliable Christian. Therefore she put an ad in the paper: “Christian workman needed.” But what happened then? Her ad provoked government officials to act. Her simple ad was a clear case of sexual and religious discrimination. Instead of eight dollars for the cost of the ad, she had to pay $8000 dollars. It was the cost of the ad plus a penalty and for the paperwork done by the bureaucrats of the State.

If we want to remodel a society, where would we start? With the children and the youth! This is how it happens: Shaman Berry, a first grader in an elementary school in Florida was talking during a break with one of her classmates about their mutual faith in Jesus Christ. A teacher who heard the conversation took both aside and scolded them sharply that they were not allowed to openly talk about Jesus.

A similar incident took place in New York State, when a teacher prevented a girl in third grade to read her Bible during a break. The crying girl was told that she was never again to bring that forbidden book to school.

A fourth grader, Raymond Raines made the mistake of bending his head for a little prayer at lunchtime. It resulted in a stiff warning. He was called to the office of the principal, was told that if he tries again to pray, even silently he would be punished. Note the following facts: These propagated changes in society from the New Age founders are aimed at the children and the youth. Those who have the youth, have the future! Success promises changes; be it in the area of politics, society or religion, it will be aimed at the young-Does the reorientation of society from the above-mentioned examples not show reasonable success? What kind of changes have already taken place in our society? What if I would say that just by mentioning the name of Jesus Christ you are going to be punished with imprisonment? Not possible? Is it only possible in the former Soviet Union or in some dictatorial nation of the Third World?

On May 5, 1995, judge Samuel Kent in an US court in Southern Texas, made the resolution: every student, who in prayer, at graduation would say the name of Jesus, will face six months imprisonment. This is what the judge said: “Make no mistakes. The court will send an government official to the graduation. If a student violates this court order, he will instantly be removed from the premises, and spend six months in the prison at Galveston. Everyone violating these orders will (without joking) wish that he or she had died as a child, when the court executes those orders.”

But how can such a thing happen in the USA, the land that for so many years had welcomed religious refugees? This land which guaranteed everyone religious liberty, according to the first amendment of the Constitution? This country, with the statue of Liberty in the harbour of New York, which for many immigrants was for decades the land of “freedom”?

Or do we here already see a change or reorientation? Think about the woman who was part of the hospital staff in Texas, ordered to undergo psychoanalysis because she spoke to one of her superiors in “religious tones”. Think about the incident of the housemaster of the boarding school at Cornell University, an “active Catholic”, who had as part of his “sensibility training” and orientation been forced to look at hardcore homosexual pornographic movies. “This was no harmless stuff”, the young man emphasized, “it was hardcore homo-porno. Those “training-sessions” on Sunday were obligatory and the participants were closely watched for showing any sign of abhorrence, indicating homophobia, (rejection of homosexuality). This would bring about further “training” or even the loss of one’s job.

What does this mean to believing Christians?
Helena Blavatsky said: “Christian religion must be resisted!” One hundred years ago this movement pronounced its decided resistance against Christianity.

What is tolerance? What is truth?
We like to say that the one who demands tolerance must also practice the same. But this works only when all participants mean and understand the same things about tolerance. But what do we really understand as tolerance?

Biblical tolerance is “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” Eph. 4:2. Traditional tolerance is comparable to the biblical one. A traditional understanding of tolerance means to protect and to respect the legitimate rights of other people.

What do Blavatsky, Bailey and Ferguson, as the reoriented society, understand regarding the “new” tolerance?
“The definition of the new tolerance says, that convictions, values, lifestyle and perceptions of truth are the same with everyone. There is no hierarchy of truth, everyone’s convictions are equal, and all truth is relative.”

This is not a single quote. The Spanish philosopher Fernando Savater states in his new book: “Tolerance is a newly adapted teaching, that all men are equal. Each one has its centrepoint and all are to be respected and to be prized. This means that there is no rational method to discern between them.”

Stanley Grenz says in his book Introduction to Post-Modernism. “Since there are many human societies, there are therefore many different truths.” Thus, truth became pluralistic. “So we today no longer have one truth … but several models of truth next to one another… This means also that there is no more one distinctive truth, but only (many diverse) truths – short lived truths -valid just for the moment in a certain situation and for those involved with the situation.” Holthous concludes from all this: “But if everything is truth, there is nothing that is truth.”

American courthouses even adopted this definition of the new tolerance. Judge Danny Boggs declared as a reason for giving out sentences: “Every belief as a declared religion is equally true.”
In this new tolerance all values, convictions, lifestyles and claims of truth are equal. Every belief is truth. Everyone is right. All religions are equal.

How does Christianity stand in this new tolerance?
Looking at the first commandment, “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any other gods before me,” (Ex. 20:2-3), we find an additional quote from Christ in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto my Father but by me.” There is no other way to the Father.

This is the biblical claim of God’s absoluteness. There is no other god who could be equal to Him. The Ten Commandments clearly forbid the worship of other deities. According to the Bible, there is only one God. And thus only one truth.

“But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth” Dan.10:21. There is no other source of truth beside the Bible! There is no alternative way. The word of God claims to be the book of truth. Yet not of a pluralistic truth, but the only truth.

Dr. Stephan Holthaus, lecturer in church history, clearly points out the fact: “The Christian faith has irrefutable divine guidelines for the daily life and for doctrine. These are truths which simply cannot be questioned, because they originate with God.”

According to a survey done by the magazine “Der Spiegel”, to most Germans this first commandment is an unimportant matter. In short, today’s change of values can be described as such: Christ is, according to the new tolerance intolerant. He does not fit into the society of this age. Christianity does not correspond with today’s ideas of tolerance.

The very source Christianity is based upon – the Bible – claims to be the book of truth. Thus it is a very unloved book.
It may also be said that Christianity is intolerant. Christ is being intolerant and the Bible as the truth is a symbol of intolerance. One who makes his stand against the popular trend is considered dangerous. This may bring Christians under heavy pressure in the future.

How are these so called intolerant ones being dealt with today? Leslie Armour, professor of philosophy at the university of Ottawa, suggests: “We think being a good citizen means to tolerate everything except intolerance.” Dr. Hill from the school department says: “It is the duty of public schools not to tolerate intolerance.”

Today’s definition of tolerance considers the commandments in the Bible and its claims of truth as being too narrow. The Christian belief of “the God of truth” (Isa. 65:16) and the “scripture of truth” (Dan.10:21), is unacceptable for those in favour of the new tolerance. For they consider the belief of an absolute truth as being evil and offensive. Such attitudes produce an ideal condition for cases like the following: In Manassas (Virginia) ten year old Audrey Pearson took her Bible with her in order to pass the time meaningfully during the hour-long bus ride to school. The principal said she was never again to bring the Bible to school with her… Another incident took place in the Capitol of the USA when a group of tourists took a break to pray. They were interrupted and warned that public prayer was considered a “demonstration”. The consequences would be to be removed from the premises, along with a fine of $500 and six months in prison.

At the same time the report came from “AMC Update” on September 1, 1999 stating that beginning that week, Muslims wanted to pray every Friday in the Capitol building. This Friday prayer meeting would bring together representatives of the House of Congress, employees of the State and other Muslims from Washington D.C. to pray and to discuss political questions important to Muslims.

In a similar way the American Union for Civil Liberty in Columbus, Ohio, demanded that one of the federal courts should prevent the State from allowing the State’s motto: “With God all things are possible” to become engraved on the wall of the Parliament. The lawyers of the American Union for Civil Liberty declare that this motto is insulting to members of religious minorities, and is a statement against the Constitution, limiting the progress of religion.

Blavatsky said one hundred years ago: The Christian religion must be resisted. Ferguson wrote in 1981: Society must be remodeled. Dr. Stephan described Helena Blavatsky as “The Sphynx of Occultism”. Organizations of the New Age Movement that were inspired by her views are active today in the reorientation and transformation of society. We can conclude that Christianity is being suppressed by satanic, spiritist organizations. Satan leads a decided attack against Christianity. It is already going on in full swing.

This deranged reasoning caused them to try and convince the people, that they themselves, not God are the judge of truth and morality. It could also be said this way: “You have your values and I have mine. Because they differ, this does not mean, that yours are right and others false.” (Biblical) Claims of exclusiveness are rejected. Everything is equal. Everything is right. Everybody is right. All religions are right. Those who do not accept this are intolerant!

Matthias Horx in his book Megatrends for the latter Nineties: “Belief is on the loose. What results from it is a religious, spiritualistic patchwork, a supermarket of beliefs with fast changes and countless combinations. A market of every belief imaginable is being offered: Make use of it, that ye might be saved!” Thus we can understand what the Psalmist meant with the exclamation: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Ps. 11:3.

On what criteria should one orient himself these days? Pilate asked Jesus at His trial: “What is truth?” John 18:38. Where then can one find truth when everything is claimed to be truth?
Vicka Ivankovic from Medjugorie, who personally received many visions of Mary, said about the content of the visions: “All religions are basically of the same value…”. By declaring a gospel which can be accepted by Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Jews, she says: “Everybody worships God according to the peace he has in his heart.” Through Spiritism Satan makes the idea of a pluralistic truth even more popular.

According to the new tolerance my identity to be separate from my behaviour, reason and beliefs; for my identity is interwoven in my culture and behaviour. Thus, if they are opposing my beliefs, they despise me! When they say that my behaviour is wrong they are judging me! If they cannot accept my lifestyle they are intolerant towards me! The French politician Pisani stated: “Intolerance is not just a missing out of solidarity with the people; it is a rejection of others for the sake of what they are, what they do, think, and finally, because they exist.”

We summarize: “Because the new tolerance starts out with the false principles that our actions represent what we believe, thus beliefs, values and lifestyle of a person must be supported in order to accept and respect that person. Otherwise one will be considered as being insensitive, intolerant and fanatical.”

In our society nobody wants to associate with someone who is insensitive, fanatical or intolerant. One makes a big circle around such a person. But today, serious Christians can be labelled with these degrading attributes. So how do we respond to these challenges?
Dr. Hinrichs, who unfortunately passed away in February 1999, wrote: “It has been attempted to expose how widely the Organization of the United Nation is connected with New Age ideology.

These connections are not limited to mere mutual political goals and personal interests. They reach deep down to the very agreements in principles It appears that we have to come to the conclusion that the UNO is an organization of the New Age Movement The attempt was made to show that the new tolerance has its origin in the founders and authoritative figures of the New Age Movement. What is the stand of the UNO toward the new tolerance? “The definition of tolerance is the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism”.

The problem of tolerance today is one of the greatest and urgent challenges the world has been confronted with. The UNO General Conference, on Nov. 25, 1981, proposed the long overdue acceptance of the declaration to eliminate all forms of intolerance and discrimination concerning religion or belief. It was an important step towards the “global family.”

This elimination of all forms of intolerance through the “global family”, is aimed at those among us who have a message of global truth. Those are the Christians. Christianity has the universal, full and only truth. As faithful Christians we shall find ourselves more and more in contrast to the “global family”.

As an example, the countries of Brazil and Guatemala declared that it is illegal for Christians to proclaim the gospel to the native Indians; a position which has been supported and enforced by the United Nations. Christians have become the target of the new tolerance. Christianity is being attacked.

Continued next issue…