Sessler's Soapbox: Violence Has Always Been Entertaining - G4tv.com

Image by MarmotChaser via Flickr

Adam Sessler gives his thoughts on how throughout human history violence, blood, and gore has always been part of human entertainment. I agree. Then we wonder why the Bible says everyone is sinful! We are guilty. 

Xbox 360 Games - E3 2010 - Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City

Sessler's Soapbox: Violence Has Always Been Entertaining - G4tv.com

Paul Verhoeven: ‘Robocop was a Jesus metaphor’?

Paul Verhoeven,the director of the original RoboCop movie, was interviewed by MTV. It was interesting to me about how Verhoeven views the story.

How you do [a remake] now, you’d have to go into all of the digital world, and I’m not sure that would improve the soul of the movie, you know? The point of Robocop, of course, it is a Christ story. It is about a guy who gets crucified in the first 50 minutes, and then is resurrected in the next 50 minutes, and then is like the supercop of the world, but is also a Jesus figure as he walks over water at the end. Walking over water was in the steel factory in Pittsburgh, and there was water there, and I put something just underneath the water so he could walk over the water and say that wonderful line, “I am not arresting you anymore.” Meaning, I’m going to shoot you. And that is of course the American Jesus.

Is he right does Robocop's story mirror Jesus' life? I'm not sure, I'm sure that Verhoeven is referring to the myths of dying and rising saviors of pagan mythologies which cannot be applied to Jesus. I think it's worth further discussion. There are several differences between RoboCop and Jesus.

Jesus chose to lay down his life. He was resurrected and acted on his own without being under other people's control. Jesus predicted his death, burial, and Resurrection, and his claim to deity was validated by his resurrection. Jesus also died for others. He was punished because of our sins.

RoboCop on the other hand was murdered. He did not choose to die. The death of Alex Murphy did not save anyone or get rid of sin. Unlike Jesus' resurrection which confirmed Jesus' identity, Alex Murphy's resurrection detracted from his identity. He be came less than human. Robocop's free will was arrested and he was reprogrammed. None of these traits Jesus shared with RoboCop. The thing I always found interesting was the question about where Murphy's soul went. I think it was firmly established that Robocop retained his soul. I wonder if that means if we can ask if Murphy even really died. He was more than just a puppet on a string. Because of that soul RoboCop transcended his programming.

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Paul Verhoeven: ‘Robocop was a Jesus metaphor’

Exegeting Mark 16:17

I saw the following tweet from tweeter AlmightyGod:

How to tell if someone is really a Christian: http://is.gd/bKcAV

The  link takes you to the following cartoon:



Obviously  the strip is saying that if a person claims to be a Christian, then we must be able to cast out demons, survive snake bites, and survive drinking poison. The conclusion is that Christians are hypocrites because the majority of us are not looking for demons to subjugate, pick up deadly snakes, or drink poison and those that are doing those things are crazy!

There are two problems with this. Anyone who knows anything the Greek texts and it's copies we have of Mark knows that Mark 16:9-20 is not in the oldest manuscripts and was most likely added later! Therefore I don't think that we can say that Jesus actually said it because it does not seem the same author of Mark wrote the Mark 16:9-20. In addition, even if you disagree and say that  Mark 16:9-20 is just as much scripture as the rest of Mark, the cartoon strip twists verse 17-18. Let me quote the NIV and KJV

¹⁷And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (NIV)

 ¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
 ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (KJV)

Jesus is not telling his followers to pick up snakes or drink poison. The context is in terms of preaching. These signs are to be given to validate the witness not just because. If you happen to pick up a snake or drink poison unbeknown to you these promises are made. In Acts  Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake while he was gathering  wood. He didn't get sick  but it was an accident. I liked how the following web site answered this:

If it is supposed to be in the bible then should we drink poison to get our skeptic "saved"?
We can see from the Devil's testing in the wilderness where Jesus stood on this issue:

(Mat 4:6-7 NIV) "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" {7} Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Like some skeptics, the devil is good at quoting scripture (Psa 91:11-12) and Jesus wisely answers with scripture Deu 6:16. Clearly we should not put God to the test by drinking poison, further God saves using preaching, that is his method (Rom 10:14). (http://www.apocalipsis.org/difficulties/poison.htm)

THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Slave Catcher of the Week: Pastor James David Manning supports Virginia's Confederate History Month and uses the bible to endorse slavery

So Manning is back. Here is an article discussing the latest spew of inconsistent  rhetoric that characterizes Manning's ministry.  The author posts two videos and then comments. I think h3 as some good points.

THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Slave Catcher of the Week: Pastor James David Manning supports Virginia's Confederate History Month and uses the bible to endorse slavery