Monday, July 21, 2008

Gospel of Jesus Christ or Gospel of Spurgeon?




Now, before anyone thinks this is a "I hate Spurgeon!" rant it is not. I do not "hate" Spurgeon. In fact I enjoy some of his sermons and writing, though I disagree with some also. Spurgeon was just a man.

I found one of these the other day. It is a 1 billion dollar bill and it poses the question on the back:

"The billion dollar question: Will you go to Heaven? Here's a quick test. Have you ever told a lie, stolen anything, or used God's name in vain? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you looked with lust? Will you be guilty on Judgment Day? If you have done those things God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. The Bible warns that if you are guilty you will end up in Hell. That's not God's will. He sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross for you. Jesus took your punishment upon Himself -"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Then He rose from the dead and defeated death. Please, repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus, and God will grant you everlasting life. Then read your Bible daily and obey it. "

Now, this is the question and Jesus is the answer, why is Spurgeon on the dollar and not Jesus? Also, Jesus overcame sin and death... God sent His Son to redeem an already condemned world. In the message I really do not have much disagreement. Yet, to see Spurgeon's image when it was Jesus on the Cross and who rose from the dead is a bit... well... strange. The other question is why was this in a newspaper rack in front of a casino... and how effective is this method?

Any thoughts?

iggy

6 comments:

ricki said...

why do you hate spurgeon so much?

:-)


hey ... just letting you know i'm still out here and still being stoooopid.

John Whitten said...

I don't know the real motivation for the picture of Spurgeon on the bill, but if I had put it there, it would be because I think pictures of Jesus comes under the graven image issue of Exodus 20.

Doorman-Priest said...

Never met the man, so can't comment!

However, I have just seen exactly the same content on another blog and have come across something similar from time to time - you know, the "Are you a good person?" question.

I can't really argue against it so why does it makes me feel annoyed whenever I read it?

I think it is too simplistic, bit I don't really know why.

Maybe I just got out of bed on the wrong side this morning.

pastorboy said...

I think it is great.

You found this in a casino? What were you doing in a Casino? Hopefully, leaving tracts or sharing your faith like this person did.

You should go and put this billion back so that someone who has not heard the message can read it. It seems like an attractive and stunning one which people will pick up. You did!

Unknown said...

John,

I work for a living... and deliver the newspaper. I am in charge of the News racks for the Billings Gazette which is the largest paper in Montana...

Please do not try to imply that I was there for other purposes...

But what if I was... there are some great restaurants that have casinos...

Your legalism is showing... ; ) and it is sad you seem to want to do me harm with what you are implying.

iggy

Kit said...

There is a million dollar tract with Hayes on it and I heard they changed it so due to counterfeit issues.

Everyone knows Jesus' image, at least the one that would be put on that. If it is someone less recognizable, people would be more likely to pick it up. Spurgeon does look like soeone that would be on money.