The Real Reason Behind the Film "The Last Temptation of Christ"

Dear Christian Friend: The controversy about the film, "The Last Temptation of Christ" has promoted speculation concerning the motive behind this blasphemy. The usual answer is that a "non-Christian group of film makers" is defying Christian America, because of greed. Consider These Facts: Although the original author of "The Last Temptation of Christ," Nikos Kazanitsakis, was Greek, the two most powerful figures behind this movie, Lew Wasserman, president of MCA (owner of Universal Studios, which produced the film) and Sidney Sheinberg, president of MCA, are Jewish. Gary Goldstein, head of national promotion and field operations for MCA, is also Jewish. Does such Jewish promotion of this anti-Christian film imply a "Jewish conspiracy" to defame Christ? No responsible Christian would allege that all Jews support the blasphemies of "The Last Temptation of Christ." Yet the fact that many of its sentiments do, in fact, reflect traditional Jewish teaching concerning Christ causes uneasiness in many. The Babylonian Talmud is the most authoritative source of Jewish legends and traditions concerning Christ. The Talmud is a vast compendium of Pharisaic oral law and tradition, which was written down nearly 1500 years ago. Its teachings, which accurately reflect the beliefs of the ancient Pharisees, are of greater authority to modern religious Jews than the Bible itself. Compare essential points from "The Last Temptation of Christ" with the “Talmud”.
The Last Temptation	The Talmud
Jesus a Fool, Insane Mary says to the crowd, "Forgive my son! He's crazy! He doesn't know what he is doing. He has problems. Ever since he was a baby. He's not well in the head."	"He was a fool, and we do not pay attention to what fools do." Sanhedrin 67a (uncensored edition)
Jesus a Sinner, Deceiver Jesus to Mary as He is being crucified: "Farewell. Forgive me for being a bad son." Jesus to Mary Magdalene: "I've done a lot of wrong things. I'm going to the desert to be cleansed. The worst things I've done are to you. Forgive me."	Jesus was a "bloody and deceitful" man. Sanhedrin 106b (uncensored edition) He was counted among the "sinners of Israel," one of the three greatest enemies Israel has ever known. Gittin 56b, 57a
Jesus an Apostate Jesus says to Judas: "No, I don't have any pride. I don't go to synagogue. I disobey the commandments. I work on the Sabbath." Judas: "And who will pay for your sins?" Jesus: "I don't know. I'm struggling."	Jesus "practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy." Sanhedrin 43a
Jesus Immoral, Blasphemous In a dream Jesus marries Mary Magdalene. Jesus invites his guardian angel to watch as they engage in sex. After Mary Magdalene dies, Jesus moves in with Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus, and has children by them.	Jesus was excommunicated for the thought of seducing a woman. In his ensuing grief he fell down and worshipped a brick. Sanhedrin 106a (uncensored edition)
Jesus not God "The Last Temptation of Christ" lends credence to the traditional rabbinic view that Christ was not God incarnate. He was not divinely conceived, but was an imposter, a misfit to his people and traditions.	Jesus was born out of wedlock: Mary was descendant of princes and governors played the harlot with carpenters." Sanhedrin 1 06b Jesus was killed by "...stoning, burning, decapitation, and strangling. . . he met his death at the age of thirty-three. . . he had no portion in the world to come. Sanhedrin 106a-1O.6b He is now in hell, "punished with boiling hot excrement." Gittin 56b-57a
Media Jewish, Liberal Statements from Jewish authorities confirm that Jewish control of such media giants as MCA is not an exception, but the rule. Jews dominate not only in movies, but television as well. According to the prestigious Encyclopedia Judaica (written by and for Jews), .... . all the large Hollywood companies, with the exception of United Artists... were founded and controlled by Jews." (Motion Pictures, p. 449). According to the Judaica's article on "Television and Radio" the big three TV networks: NBC, CBS, and ABC, were founded and controlled by David Sarnoff, William S. Paley, and Leonard Goldenson respectively, all Jewish. The famous Lichter-Rothman poll of 105 media executives, published in Public Opinion magazine (Dec. Jan. 1983), found that no less than 59% of those who produce our nightly TV programming are not only Jewish, but favor attitudes far to the left of mainstream Americans. For example, 97% of media leaders surveyed believe in a woman's right to an abortion, 80% say homosexuality is not wrong, 86% believe homosexuals have the right to teach children, 51% disagree that adultery is wrong. The Judaica, in its article on "Publishing," also lists dozens of the largest publishers in America, founded and controlled by Jews. An Antichrist Agenda Such antichrist perspectives are also reflected in national Jewish-dominated "watchdog" organizations, such as the American Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai-B'rith, and the American Civil Liberties Union. These organizations tirelessly protest such fundamental Christian values and observances as nativity scenes, prayer in the schools, the Year of the Bible, the rights of the unborn, anti-communist causes, and Biblical Creationism. Is it a coincidence that essentially the same group which stood in the path of Christian progress in the first century AD. is now, through movies, television, the printed word, and liberal activism, still contesting Christianity nineteen centuries later? What are their long-term objectives? Sacred Rabbinic Scriptures, such as the Talmud, but especially the Zohar, or Kabbalah, are full of affirmations that Israel will one day triumph over the foolishness of nations, and rule over them under the leadership of their (false) Messiah. Other religions, of course, make little secret of word ambitions. Roman Catholicism, Islam, Protestant Christianity, (especially Christian Reconstructionism) Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Worldwide Church of God, and the Moonies, are all confident that their system will prevail in the end. Is it astonishing, then, that a religion so imbued with messianic visions and promises as Judaism should have such dreams and work toward their fulfillment? Alarming Prophecies   Winston Churchill, after astute observation of the Jewish inspiration of Bolshevism in Russia, wrote: ". . . it may well be that this same astounding race may at the present time be in the actual process of producing another system of morals and philosophy as malevolent as Christianity was benevolent, which, if not arrested, would shatter irretrievably all that Christianity had rendered possible. It would almost seem as if the gospel of Christ and the gospel of antichrist were destined to originate among the same people. Illustrated Sunday Herald, Feb. 8, 1920 In an astonishing article in LOOK magazine, Jan. 16, 1962, former Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion predicted that a one-world system, presided over by Jerusalem, will be set up in the near future. "All continents will become united in a world alliance at whose disposal will be an international police force, all armies will be abolished, and there will be no more war. In Jerusalem, the United Nations (a truly united nations), will build a shrine of the prophets to serve the federated union of all continents: this will be the seat of the supreme court of mankind to settle all controversies among the federated continents, as prophesied by Isaiah. . Yet the Bible tells us that although Israel will participate in a one-world government under her false Messiah, Antichrist, that "man of sin" will betray her, plunging Israel into "great tribulation." During the "time of Jacob's trouble," the Antichrist will incite centuries of resentment against those who have enslaved and corrupted the world, largely through such media control as we are witnessing today. Such will be the greatest period of anti-Semitism the world has ever seen. Yet such persecution will be "shortened" when Christ, returning to earth, unleashes from heaven terrible judgment on those who are attempting to annihilate Israel. It is out of such anguish that a "remnant" of Jews finally look upon Him whom their fathers "pierced," and in a spasm of national repentance, believe in Him whom their fathers reviled. Conclusion: A Time for Biblical Balance How should Christians respond to the bias of the Jewish media against Christ? It is clear that there still exists an intense controversy between God and the Jews concerning the claims of Jesus Christ. That controversy erupted in the first century as intrigue, defamation and mob violence against the followers of Jesus. It continues today in the manner in which the Jewish media rejoices over misbehavior of Christian "televangelists," by production of such outrages as the "Last Temptation of Christ," and by Jewish manipulation of most forms of television programming, especially the news. Today, Jewish organizations are beginning to actively protest "anti-Semitic" portions of the New Testament. Legislation is even now being planned which will make it a form of "genocide" for Christians to agree with the New Testament that Jews and their leaders played the central role in having Christ crucified. During the next decades it is not inconceivable that the Jewish media might convince society that "anti-Semitic" portions of Scripture should be considered "racistic" and those who literally teach such Scriptures should be subject to civil penalties. At the same time it is vital that Christians not respond to increasing Jewish control in a manner which might be accurately called "anti-Semitic." Christians must become aware of the full extent of Jewish involvement in the affairs of our nation and inform others of these facts, yet in a way that honors Christ and respects the rights and feelings of the Jewish people at large. We must never indict all Jews for the sins of a few. Unfortunately, virtually any probe into Jewish affairs, or criticism of their behavior is quickly labeled "anti-Semitic" by the Jews, a term which Jewish interests use with devastating effectiveness to silence any inquiry into their secret beliefs or monopolistic control of the media. Yet Christians must not be bullied into silence because of the irresponsible use of this term. Like the prophets of old, they must protest the anti-Christian behavior of such Jewish-dominated organizations as the movie and television industries because they threaten the existence of Christ's work on this earth. Our Lord warned us to "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." (Matt. 16:6) Since "modern" or "rabbinic" Judaism looks to the ancient Pharisees as the greatest spiritual light that Judaism will ever know, and owes first allegiance to their Talmud, Christ's words can only mean, "Be very war of the seductions and ambitions of Judaism. The anti-Christian posture of the Jewish media is a reminder to the Church of Paul's warning nearly 2,000 years ago that "Concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. . ." (Rom. 2:24) Paul told the Jews that through their unbelief the "name of God" was being "blasphemed among the Gentiles." The arrogant production of "The Last Temptation of Christ" is proof that the blasphemy Paul described continues today. It is time that Christian America faced the fact that Jewish interests in the media, liberal activist groups, the Zionist lobby in Congress, are doggedly opposed to values we hold dear. In order for their own values to prevail, it is necessary that ours be broken down. Through incessant battering at Christian values, this anti-Christian elite hopes to establish its own "new order." Unfortunately, that new order will be one which gives no more respect to the "false prophet" Jesus Christ, than do the producers of "The Last Temptation of Christ." Will you do your part to wake up the Church? Here are dynamic tools which will help you do just that.

 

Written By Ted Pike, Director of the National Prayer Network
Mail: P.O. Box 828, Clackamas, OR 97015
Phone: 503-631-3808