The Museum of Idolatry

More on the Beckham & Posh Spice Nativity

There is much more to this nativity than the Beckhams. Mockery of Christianity has reached new lows.

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David Beckham and Posh Spice Nativity

Sky News is reporting:

A nativity scene featuring David and Victoria Beckham as Joseph and Mary at Madame Tussauds waxwork museum has sparked outrage among some church leaders.

At least there are some church leader left who would think this is blasphemous.

Obama Figurines Top Nativity Scene Add-Ons

The Christian Post is reporting:

The Italian city of Naples has for centuries made big profits through the sale of nativity scene figurines. It is home to some of the finest displays of the nativity scene in the world.

And each year, craftsmen in Naples come up with figurines of some of today’s best known public figures, which are often added to traditional displays.

This year, most likely to be standing alongside Mary and Joseph, or perhaps the three wise men, will be another heralded couple – the Obamas.

We had no idea that the Obamas were present at the birth of Christ.

Jesus Was Downloaded?

Here's an interesting explanation of Christ's incarnation.

Kitschmas: Eskimo Nativity

This explains why white Christmases are so important.

Emergent Distractions Away From The Gospel

Once you jettison Sola Scriptura and redefine the gospel like the Emergent Church has, then you will be "tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes (Eph 4:14)."

Now the Emergent Church is encouraging churches to atone for their environmental sins by reducing their carbon footprint so that they can do their part to fighting man-made global warming.

Emergent Rebellion Against Sola Scriptura

Phyllis Tickle, author of the Great Emergence and recent conference speaker at the Great Emergence Conference is on record predicting the demise of Sola Scriptura. At the conference she said "it’s not if Sola Scriptura ends but when" and her books includes this quote against Sola Scriptura:

Always without fail, the thing that gets lost early in the process of a reconfiguration is any clear and general understanding of who or what is to be used as the arbitrator of correct belief, action, and control… The Reformation,…was to answer the question… Sola Scriptura, scriptura sola… While we may laugh and say the divisiveness was Protestantism’s greatest gift to Christianity, ours is a somber joke. Demoninationalism is a disunity in the Body of Christ and, ironically, one that has a bloody history…

Now, some five hundred years later, even many of the most die-hard Protestants among us have grown suspicious of “Scripture and Scripture only.” We question what the words mean - literally? Metaphorically? Actually? We even question which words do and do not belong in Scripture and the purity of the editorial line of decent of those that do. We begin to refer to Luther’s principle of “sola scriptura, scriptura sola” as having been little more than the creation of a paper pope in place of a flesh and blood one. And even as we speak, the authority that has been in place for five hundred years withers away in our hands. (The Great Emergence 45, 46, 47,)

Her book also contains this quote:

The new Christianity of the Great Emergence must discover some authority base or delivery system and/or governing agency of its own. It must formulate—and soon—something other than Luther’s sola scriptura which, although used so well by the Great Reformation originally, is now seen as hopelessly outmoded or insufficient,… (The Great Emergence, 151)

Ironically, Jesus Christ claims that adherence to His Words will set us free rather than put us into bondage under a "paper pope".

John 8:31   So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Furthermore, God's Word itself testifies to its own sufficiency. What other source of 'spiritual information' can make this claim? (Answer None)

2Tim. 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Scripture and Scripture ALONE gives us the revealed words of God and the only true repository of the Words of Jesus Christ. There is one reason and one reason only why anyone would rebel against Sola Scriptura and that reason is a refusal bend the knee to God and to believe what God has said.

But, since the Emergent Church is now openly rebelling against Sola Scriptura we'd like to help them out by offering them some alternative sources of "spiritual knowledge" that they should consider.

Kitschmas: The "What Were They Thinking" Nativity

This nativity has some historical merit. But, what's with the giant frog wearing a neck tie and father Christmas? Were they present at Jesus' birth? Were the creators of this nativity under the influence of a mind altering substance when they put this together?

What's next...Jesus in the sky with diamonds?

Pick Jesus?

Is Jesus now a nose or a guitar?

Kitschmas: Safari Nativity

This one has us scratching our heads. Apparently the Virgin Elephant gave birth to the Hippo Savior. The theological implications of a cross species animal incarnation are beyond our ability to comprehend.

Oh and we'd also like to know where the Flying Monkey originated from?

The Price is Right

This price seems like it is just right for these Jesus Junk T-Shirts.

Here is something to think about...

So-Called "Christian Merchandise" is a multi-billion dollar a year industry in the United States.

We think it is a perverse form of evil that we rich Americans waste so much money on ourselves buying all of this Jesus Junk while there are billions of people dying of extreme poverty and preventable diseases around the world.

We here at the Museum of Idolatry believe that Christians should ingore all of this Jesus Junk and instead spend our money by prayerfully supporting true Christian missionaries, and charitably helping and assisting the poor and needy in our communities and around the world.

Fact is, in some nations $6.66 could keep a poverty stricken child alive for almost a month.

Further Resources

If you're looking for a real Christian relief organization that you can support that won't compromise the message of the Gospel by 'uniting' with other world religions' may we suggest that you consider supporting LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

And if you would like to read a FANTASTIC article on how charitable acts of mercy flow from the preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins then click here to download Theology for Mercy.

Kitschmas: Frog Nativity

Frog lovers the world over will be jumping for joy when they see this depiction of the birth of the King of Kings.

One Sabbath?

Where in the Bible does it say that Christians are supposed to work with people of other religions in order to solve the problem of poverty in the world?

We thought that the Great Commission said:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you... (Matt 28:19-20)

Or as Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke:

Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things...(Luke 24:46-48)

Well here is a website that is trying to unite the world religions in order to solve the global problems of extreme poverty and diseases and Rick Warren has signed on to this. Are Christians supposed to be working with false and idolatrous religions in order solve the problems of disease and poverty? Can Christians really be "One" with them in mission?

May we be so bold as to offer a Biblical answer to the questions we've just posed. According to the Bible (not Rick Warren or Bono) Christians cannot work with these other religions.

Cor. 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Kitschmas: Alien Nativity

This out of this world Christmas card features the 'Alien Nativity'.

A Divine Salsa Spill

Rick Warren: Try Jesus for 60 Days ***Updated***

Rick Warren's December 3rd, 2008 appearance on Hannity and Colmes was a mixed bag.

We'll give Warren props for not caving in on the issue of Jesus being the only way. But, once again Warren stoops to new lows in his quest to remove the offense of the cross by asking Alan Colmes to give Jesus a 60 day trial and "see if he won't change your life".

Warren, like a bad used car salesman is trying to sell the gospel via bullet point benefits. Once again Warren skirts the issue of man's sin and rebellion against God and he doesn't call men to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ but instead asks non-believers to "give Jesus a 60 day trial" claiming that "if Jesus doesn't change your life then you can get your money back".

Is there a way for us to have a recall on Rick Warren? We don't want him representing us Christians anymore on Television. We want a different representative. We want one who is not ashamed of the Gospel and will boldly condemn men's sins, call men to repentance and placard Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.

Warren's seeker-sensitive mushy non-offensive approach to "selling" Christianity is truly embarrassing.

***Update*** - Chris Rosebrough, the curator of the Museum of Idolatry reviewed Warren's television appearances on the Fighting for the Faith radio program. Click Here to Listen

Kitschmas: Luck of the Irish Nativity

We thought Jesus was Jewish. Apparently, he was Irish.

That third 'wise man' looks like a tall leprechaun bearing a pot of gold.

Rick Warren Biffs it Again ***Updated***

The topic of discussion on this Today Show interview is "The Purpose of Christmas". It was a perfect set up for discussing man's sin and need for a savior and how at Christmas we celebrate the incarnation of God and the reason for His coming to earth to die for the sins of the world. But, once again Rick Warren blew it. After watching and rewatching this interview we're not even sure what Warren thinks the "purpose of Christmas" is.

We think he was claiming that:

“Jesus Christ came for your greatest benefit”

“He sent Himself to earth so that we could know what he is like”

Well those purposes are NO WHERE mentioned in the scriptures.

Why is it that every time Rick Warren has an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel on national television he biffs it! This is making us wonder if Rick Warren even knows what the Biblical Gospel is?

***Update*** - Chris Rosebrough, the curator of the Museum of Idolatry reviewed Warren's television appearances on the Fighting for the Faith radio program. Click Here to Listen

Kitschmas: Chicken Nativity

This nativity is fowl.

A Christian LED Flashlight

With short winter days cutting daylight to a minimum, no discerning Christian should be without a Christian LED Flashlight. Just like the light of Christ, this Christian Flashlight shines into the darkness and since it uses LED lighting rather than standard bulbs your conscience can rest easy knowing that your making a contribution towards the keeping the planet green.

Once you use this Christian LED Flahslight you'll never use a pagan flashlight again.

Kitschmas: Cowbow Nativity

If the Native American Nativity is not your favorite then maybe you should try the Cowboy nativity instead.

Pigskin Bible Cover

Sometimes a Bible cover reveals what is most important in a person's life. We think this Bible cover does just that.

Emergent “Holiday” Dancers

Here are the Emergent “Holiday” Dancers celebrating Rama-hanu-kwanz-mas aka the ‘good news’ that people in all religions are actually following Jesus regardless of their belief in Jesus. This Post-Modern interpretive disco dance joyously recognizes God in the "other" and compassionately reminds us that "Jesus is bigger than all of our religions and tribes".

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Church Tries Goth Liturgy

The pursuit of relevance has pastors doing some very strange and questionable things. Here is a story from a news paper in Northeastern Pennsylvania:

NANTICOKE -- Churches continually strive to attract fresh faces into their flocks, and one of the challenges they face is getting the attention of younger people who may have turned their backs, according to the Rev. Lou Divis, deacon in charge at St. George’s Episcopal Church.

To address this quandary, the church on Main Street in Nanticoke embraced a new approach called the Goth Liturgy on Saturday night at 9. Unlike the traditional Sunday-morning service in which an organist, choir and congregation join in energetic hymns of praise, the Goth Liturgy is more “meditative,” Divis said.

The church is dimly light, lined with candles and full of the aroma of burning incense. Gregorian chants from the 12th century and faith-based music from techno bands such as Depeche Mode and Love Spirals Downward played softly during the hymn segments.

The servers were dressed in black robes and the guest celebrant, the Rev. Peter D’Angio from St. Luke‘s Episcopal Church in Scranton, was clothed in a flowing white robe.

Kitschmas: Hair Raising Nativity

Here's a news story about a nativity made of human hair. We are left asking the obvious question...WHY!?!