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Spreading the Gospel Through Pro Wrestling

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by Linda64, Dec 26, 2005.

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  1. Linda64

    Linda64 New Member

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    By JAKE TAPPER and CLAYTON SANDELL

    WINTERVILLE, Ga., Dec. 20, 2005 — Some say the United States is in the middle of another spiritual awakening. Christians are being converted through all sorts of nontraditional means — Christian rock, video games, movies and even car racing — but pro wrestling?

    Every weekend, Canton, Ga., middle school teacher Rob Fields becomes "Rob Adonis" — leader of Ultimate Christian Wrestling, a league based in Georgia.

    Two Christian wrestling leagues operate across the South, visiting churches, colleges and other arenas throughout the country.

    "This is what God's called us to do," Fields said.

    Ultimate Christian Wrestling's story lines and characters represent morality tales. "Beautiful" Bruce Biggins has been portrayed as the league's Judas, selling out Adonis' character.

    After roughly two hours of fairly typical if low-rent wrestling — headlocks, "street fights," cheap shots and the like — comes that little something extra. This past weekend's main event came right out of the Book of Revelations, with a depiction of God and Jesus judging the main characters harshly on Judgment Day. Only one got to heaven.

    http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1426365&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

    Spreading the Gospel Through Pro Wrestling? Ya gotta be kidding!! Brothers and sisters, when evangelism gets down to this level, we know that the Lord's coming is very soon!!
     
    #1 Linda64, Dec 26, 2005
  2. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Brothers and Sisters, Saints of all ages.....

    LLLLLLLEEEEEETTTTTTTSSSSSSS GET READY TO RRRRRRRRUMMMMBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

    Grab yer chairs, grab the ladders, grab your tables..... IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME!!!!!
     
    #2 standingfirminChrist, Dec 26, 2005
  3. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    Whatever it takes to get people to listen to the message. AS long as the message is coming from the the Lord, and backed by the Bible, then I say go for it.

    If it's smoke and mirror preaching, and it has no substance, then it will fade away as quickly as it came.

    Jamie
     
    #3 JamieinNH, Dec 27, 2005
  4. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Whatever it takes? We are not to be identified with the world! Achan was judged for bringing sin into the camp.

    We cannot justify bringing the world in the church. The Word of God tells us to come out from among the world and be separated unto the Lord and not to touch the unclean thing. Only then will He receive us. I have said it before, and I will say it again, the last days are certainly upon us. The church has brought the world in it through vain philosophies, rock music, and now... wrestling. Many are truly falling away from the faith as Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians!
     
    #4 standingfirminChrist, Dec 27, 2005
  5. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Sure, beat your brother up in the name of Christ. Come on, watch the video. These guys are hitting each other with chairs. Is that promoting Christian love?
     
    #5 standingfirminChrist, Dec 27, 2005
  6. Linda64

    Linda64 New Member

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    There is NO gospel in wrestling--doesn't matter if it is called "Christian" or not. Simply calling something "Christian" doesn't make it so. Are "Christian" Wrestling matches a way to evangelize now? How does one spread the gospel by beating up on each other? IMHO, I think this is blasphemous--an insult to our Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. We are not to use the "world" to spread the Gospel.

    Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

    The Great Commission is how Jesus Christ commanded us to evangelize--I see no "Christian" Wrestling matches mentioned in Matthew 28:19-20 or in Mark 16:15 or in Luke 24:45-47.

    Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)

    And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

    Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:45-47)

    I would suggest that everyone watch the video that is on the link. We are definitely in the last days!!
     
    #6 Linda64, Dec 27, 2005
  7. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    you see, to me, these people are nothing more than actors. Just like any in the movies, or on TV.

    Since they are only actors to me, I know it isn't real, and that they aren't really hitting each other on the heads, so I know they don't mean any harm.

    Also, I didn't look at the video, because of the idea I have about Wrestling. So maybe it is different than whati think of when someone says wrestling.


    I feel, and stand by my orginal statement, that to gain the attention of people, and then spread the word, who knows how many people could be reached that are unreachable by church.

    Like I said before, if the message is from the Lord, and it's back by the Bible, then go for it. If it's nothing more than smoke and mirrors, a show, a way of selling more tickets, a russ.. Then no, I don't agree and it will leave as quickly as it came.

    As long as the message is from God and it's got a Biblical standing, I say reach out to people however you can

    Jamie
     
    #7 JamieinNH, Dec 27, 2005
  8. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    Ok, for the sake of this discussion, I viewed the video, and I stand by my statement.

    The Lord works in ways we can't understand, and if there are people being saved at these meetings, and I say continue on.

    How can we sit here and judge them? They are winning souls to the Lord. How many of us won souls to the Lord today?

    How many of our churches have a "movie" night for the Teen group? How is movies listed in the Bible? Where are they listed? If they are not listed, are they wrong to see?

    Let's stop judging something just because we don't understand, and can't grasp our minds around it. The Lord works in HIS way, and that some times is through sources that we can't and won't understand.

    Again, if it's from the Lord and backed by the Bible, then I say go for it.

    Jamie
     
    #8 JamieinNH, Dec 27, 2005
  9. Linda64

    Linda64 New Member

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    So now we reach people using worldly tactics? What kind of gospel is that? A worldly gospel?

    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

    Islam uses "force" to gain converts--Jesus commanded us to preach the Gospel. The world is coming into the church--the church is commanded to take the Gospel to the world--not visa versa. The purpose of the church is to fulfill the Great Commission--the pastor is to preach a Gospel that will equip the saints to do this. Wrestling matches, I'm sorry to say, are not going to win souls to Christ.

    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
     
    #9 Linda64, Dec 27, 2005
  10. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    Let's look at your theory. If what you say is true, then it can be applied to going out and shooting up to win a drug addict, stealing to win a shoplifter,killing to win a murderer. Wake up! Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We cannot win the world by worldly actions and expect to keep them in the church.
     
    #10 standingfirminChrist, Dec 27, 2005
  11. JamieinNH

    JamieinNH New Member

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    AS both of you have made your minds, You do as you see fit, and I will do the same.

    The Lord calls us all in different ways.

    Jamie
     
    #11 JamieinNH, Dec 27, 2005
  12. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    To tell you the truth Jamie,

    It is not me that has made up my mind, it is the Lord's Word that has made up my mind.

    Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5.
     
    #12 standingfirminChrist, Dec 27, 2005
  13. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    #13 mioque, Dec 27, 2005
  14. Shiloh

    Shiloh New Member

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    I know a pro wrestler that has been preaching for years. His name is George Grant, aka "Gorgeous George". The only thing different about him is that when he got saved he stopped wrestling and started preaching.
     
    #14 Shiloh, Dec 27, 2005
  15. mioque

    mioque New Member

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    #15 mioque, Dec 27, 2005
  16. Daisy

    Daisy New Member

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    That's false analogy because wrestling is not shooting up, stealing or killing. It's not even in the same class - it is not harming others or oneself. It's theater, entertainment.

    Furthermore, these wrestlers are not trying to convert other wrestlers, but presenting the message to the audience.
     
    #16 Daisy, Dec 27, 2005
  17. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Yep. Have been since the first century A.D.

    Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV)
    Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
     
    #17 KenH, Dec 27, 2005
  18. Joseph_Botwinick

    Joseph_Botwinick <img src=/532.jpg>Banned

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    What is next? Christian Pornography? Spreading the Gospel through sex? If only more people would just stick to the Bible and preach the Word and leave the drawing of men to the Holy Spirit.

    Joseph Botwinick
     
    #18 Joseph_Botwinick, Dec 27, 2005
  19. Daisy

    Daisy New Member

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    You know, I wouldn't be surprised.

    Wrestling is more related to The Three Stooges than The Green Door.

    Passion Plays have been around for a long time. Maybe the Holy Spirit is working through these guys.
     
    #19 Daisy, Dec 27, 2005
  20. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    Bash somebody and then tell them about Jesus. Sounds effective doesn't it? Makes you want to get saved all over again.
     
    #20 donnA, Dec 27, 2005
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