As the Honorary Director of RealityBites I am working on 50 short gospel presentations that compare and contrast conflicting worldviews. Here are four of them that get people thinking about blasphemy. Edward Wightman was the last person in England to be burnt at the stake (1612) for blasphemy. He denied the Trinity. It goes without saying that it is tragic that Edward was put to death in this way. I still believe Edward got this badly wrong.
Newton Presentation
“Have you heard of Isaac Newton? He was a famous scientist who discovered the law of gravity. Did you know that he almost went to prison because he believed it was a blasphemy to pray to Jesus? He believed that Jesus was just an ordinary person like you and me. I feel very sorry for Isaac Newton. It isn’t a blasphemy to pray to Jesus. In fact it is the very best thing you can ever do with your life. Trust in Jesus and all your sins are forgiven. When you die you will go to paradise and avoid eternal death.”
Jehovah’s Witness Presentation
Did you know that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe it is a blasphemy to pray to Jesus? They reject the Trinity, viewing it as pagan and unbiblical. They believe in a strict unitarian theology. Only Jehovah (the Father) is God. This means that Jesus is a created being. They also believe that Jesus used to be Michael the Archangel before he was born. Very odd. I believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are completely wrong. It is right to pray to Jesus because He is God in the flesh. He can save you and protect you.
Tolstoy Presentation
“The famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy proclaimed that to consider Jesus as God was the greatest possible blasphemy! He didn’t believe that Jesus performed miracles. Jesus didn’t die on the cross for our sins and His resurrection was a fiction. He did believe that Jesus was a great moral teacher. He taught that Jesus’ gospel boils down to five commandments – do not be angry, do not lust, do not take oaths, do not resist evil, love your enemies. Tolstoy was a heretic. Jesus was the Saviour of the world. Trusting in Him for salvation is not a blasphemy.”
Camel Presentation
“Did you know that during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca between 1 million and 1.5 million animals, primarily sheep and goats, along with some cattle and camels, are sacrificed to Allah? This totally contradicts Christian teaching that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Do remember that Muslims believe it is a blasphemy to pray to Jesus because Allah is One. What a contrast with Christian faith! We believe that thanking Jesus and praying to Him is the best thing you can do with your life.”
Mark is a lively storyteller and the author of four books, including The Spy, the Rat and the Bed of Nails: Creative Ways of Talking about Christian Faith. His work is focused on storytelling and how this can help us to communicate the Christian faith. He has written many articles for the Baptist Times, RE Today, Youthscape, Direction magazine and the Christian Teachers Journal.
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