The “Jesus Painting” Controversy

by Teresa Carr

The “Jesus Painting” Controversy by Teresa Carr In all the fifty states in th U.S., statistically West Virginia being low man on the totem pole and the butt end of ethnic jokes until it comes to the media. Not many stories of West Virginia make national headline news unless it’s really serious business or worth reporting. Back in June 2006 the story began with the lawsuit by the ACLU and the Americans United for Separation of Church and State vs. the Harrison County West Virginia Bridgeport High School. The lawsuit involved the removal of a painting of Warner Sallman’s “Head of Christ” given to the school’s principal some 30 years ago. The painting hung outside the school’s administrative office. Then on August 17, 2006 an unknown intruder broke into the school and stole the painting from its frame. Now there’s a new fire has ignited in the case of the Jesus Lawsuit. Students associated with the Christian Freedom Alliance donated a mirror to the principal with a brass plate with an inscription at the bottom that reads, “To know the will of God is the highest of all wisdoms. The love of Jesus Christ lives in each of us.” Now, the Americans United for Separation of Church and State want to reject this and not have anything that refers to Jesus Christ put in the school. There has been lots of reference made about the ACLU and their agenda. The reference made by both Americans United and ACLU regarding separation of church and state which actually came from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist church in Massachusetts. By September 1, 2006 headlines in the Charleston Gazette read ‘Harrison won’t fight ACLU.” Unfortunately, this is heartbreaking to the point at each victory of the ACLU plunges the dagger deeper into the heart of American freedom and liberty. Many do not understand the importance of Biblical principles is valuable in public schools other than at home. If children aren’t taught at home the love of God and His Word to guide them, how will they know at all? Know wonder West Virginia is last in everything. As the year draws to a close we welcome another Christmas in the hustle and bustle of shopping and celebration in the midst of a silent take over by you guess it the ACLU. It hit again in St. Albans, West Virginia that a display of the manger scene of the Holy event was reduced to just stable made national news; some animals and you’re lucky to get three wise men. On my way to some town business I couldn’t help but notice an empty display on a church property. I think to myself what is the point of an empty stable scene and a star. Historically, Jesus was born in a grotto not a stable. In ancient times the animals were kept in small caves within small village boundaries. Some were underneath lodgings built over them. If the blessed event was in the winter the shepherds kept their flocks in safety from the cold, rainy Mediterranean weather instead of in the open fields. The scriptures don’t actually pinpoint the exact time of Christ’s birth but some scholars believe it was sometime around late summer to fall (September or October) due to the time of the census recorded in the scriptures (Luke 2:1-20). In the case of Mary and Joseph since their trip to Bethlehem from Nazareth was a long even treacherous journey. When they arrived there was no room for them in the Inn, they were given a place with the animals. If you ever spent time on a farm and had the opportunity to spend a night with the animals in a nice, warm barn a bit smelly and dirty. But God had it planned that our world is not always sparkling and clean. The world of sin is a dark and dirty place. That’s why Jesus came to earth on that Heavenly silent night long ago I’m sure the Prince of Peace slept peacefully in the quietness of His creation surrounded by those who came to worship Him. You couldn’t have done that in a stuffy old Inn possibly crowded and noisy. God couldn’t have picked a better place to be born into this world. Since His birth He has changed the world with His ministry. This is the true meaning of the Christ’s story. The reasons we do hold on to the true meaning of Christ’s birth is that our love and desire to worship our Savior and Lord and His gift of Eternal Love and Salvation for the nations of the world. We are to be salt and light to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the world. On that blessed night long ago in Bethlehem, there was no room for Jesus in the earth that He made. Will you make room for Him in your heart? He keeps knocking on your heart’s door. What will you say? There is no room. We should not only celebrate His Birth but also commemorate His suffering, death and resurrection. I believe that’s the way Jesus would have wanted it. When I read a commentary about Christmas from a Christian magazine it got me thinking on what would Jesus do? Christmas originated from a pagan celebration introduced by the converted Constantine about 300 AD. Jesus and His disciples observed the holy days in the days of the early church. In ancient times from Moses to the time of Jesus were the Passover, Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles among others that Jesus and his disciples observed. The reason that His death and resurrection is important because it is written throughout the New Testament that Christ is our mediator to the Heavenly Father and a substitute for all of us. He became our Passover lamb and fulfilled all prophecy on the cross. And that through Him we have eternal life which He had conquered death. Because of His Birth He became a man to take upon Himself our sins on an old rugged cross over 2000 years ago on a hill above Jerusalem called Calvary (in Hebrew, Golgotha). He was our sacrificial lamb who lived a sinless life knew our suffering. I keep a small framed business-sized card on my desk that reads, “Jesus became what we are so we can become like He is.” Even when Jesus was here on Earth His enemies were always plotting to get rid of Him. Imagine the Creator of the Universe getting pushed aside and out of the hearts of men. Even in His suffering and sacrifice on the cross, God was in full control. This message I have for the ACLU and other organizations sworn to vanquish the only thing that really matters to America and it’s future is God and His only begotten Son Christ Jesus. In my experience in life I know that Jesus is real and He’s alive. So eliminating our constitution, our religious freedoms, our Holy celebrations and holidays and even His Holy name CANNOT keep God out. Jesus will come back to get those who believe in Him and love Him and those who do NOT He will judge this world. God has a kingdom and that kingdom is eternal. This world and evil will NOT go on forever. In the midst of the coming tribulation fear and evil is coming upon the earth. Those who are lost it will be for an eternity a total separation from God and a sentence to an everlasting Hell. Because it is written in Isaiah 51:6-8, Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be forever and my salvation from generation to generation. For future generations I can only hope that they know the truth about what we value the most and the real history behind our nation’s legacy. So many good lives are wasted because of the immoral propaganda especially being taught to schoolchildren. In the past years education has suffered due to the elimination of vital curriculum, lack of professional instruction and financial funding. And to remove the importance of Biblical instruction from the classroom can prove catastrophic. Much of the moral decay is largely due to the media. Our children are exposed to sexually explicit material, violence, obscene language, witchcraft and other immoral, evil practices. There is a legacy behind the Jesus painting one that has impacted society that began a little over two thousand years ago from the cross, when Jesus gave this prophecy “when I’m lifted up I will draw all men to me.” It’s a symbol of our Christian roots that has suffered persecution throughout the ages. As Jesus said long ago and His Spirit still speaks to us, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16). Jesus goes onto say that He came not to destroy the law, or the prophets, but to fulfill. Until heaven and earth pass, one jot and one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, he shall call the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:17-20). If atheists take all the trouble in removing a painting, manger scene, and the Ten Commandments it shows the power in Jesus Christ. If His gospel didn’t have that power they wouldn’t bother. If Christ wasn’t born all of our lives would be at stake. If it were the ACLU’s goal to get rid of anything to do with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Son Jesus Christ (from the words of Nora Lam’s story in China Cry) they would have to imprison the wind. In every believer’s heart lives the Spirit of the Living God. Removing any mention of His name will not shake the faith of those who love Him. Jesus is coming back one day and according to the Scriptures it is written that every man shall stand before God and give an account of his life. Where will you stand on judgment day? Get the documentary, Picture Perfect Jesus, VHS#4498 or DVD#501126D while still available. Christianity is not a religion it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ. The only hope to eternal life and a life abundantly. You can’t find it in a church but in His Word. You can’t find it in the world but it’s God calling to your heart. Update: As of 2007, the ACLU and Michael Neudow continue their battle to remove any mention of God from our schools, public and government buildings, and from our U.S. money. In a recent 2007 news article, Slidell Mayor vs. ACLU. ACLU threatens removal of Christ’s image holding the Ten Commandments in a public building with the words, “Know Peace, Obey these laws.” Pray that the soon coming Lord Jesus Christ will come and bring his judgment and justice to a dark, dying world. ©2006, Teresa Carr, Skyhouse Communications.

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