A roundup of mysterious‚ paranormal and strange news stories from the past week.

The emergence of a “messiah” figure is a common trope in sci-fi‚ fantasy‚ and superhero narratives. Whether Harry Potter‚ Aragorn‚ Neo‚ Luke Skywalker‚ or any number of superheroes‚ the messianic hero usually rises to prominence in a period of war or oppression—often fulfilling prophecies along the way—to address injustice and defeat an evil regime. It shouldn’t be surprising that audiences find messianic narratives irresistible. They’re downstream from the Greatest Story of Jesus Christ—what Tolkien called the “true myth.” Frank Herbert’s Dune novels are a prime example of the messianic narrative (the second novel of the series is titled Dune Messiah)‚ and they’re rife with religious themes that draw from Islam‚ Judaism‚ and Christianity. This is vividly apparent in the new Dune films from director Denis Villeneuve‚ one of today’s most thoughtful and gifted filmmakers. Villeneuve’s follow-up to 2021’s Dune is a messiah story of incomparable cinematic scale. It shouldn’t be surprising that audiences find messianic narratives irresistible. Dune: Part Two’s family drama is Godfatheresque‚ its ruling-class politics Shakespearean in scope. The world-building detail is unparalleled. The immersive experience of sight (has blockbuster cinematography ever looked so gorgeous?)‚ sound (Hans Zimmer!)‚ and sandworms is utterly epic—especially on an IMAX screen. There are several moments of cacophonous triumph that left me awestruck. Dune Two is among the most impressive sequels I’ve seen. Yet this isn’t a rousing‚ feel-good messiah story. And as much as the film pulled me into its world and gave me a bravura moviegoing experience‚ I left the theater ready to exit that world—and especially grateful that this messiah story isn’t the messiah story. Messianic Rise Spoilers ahead. The sequel’s narrative focal point is simple enough: the messianic rise of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). Heir of House Atreides (which has Davidic overtones)‚ Paul comes of age among the Fremen people on the desert planet Arrakis‚ a sort of “holy land” of immense strategic importance‚ frequently invaded or occupied by this or that regime. There are clear echoes of the imperial-occupied Holy Land where Jesus’s messianic rise took place. And the biblical parallels don’t end there. Paul is a humble and reluctant messiah‚ at least at first. And like Jesus‚ he dignifies the marginalized‚ including women‚ in stark contrast to the male-centered imperial culture of the day (especially the misogynistic‚ gladiatorial men of House Harkonnen who evoke pagan Rome). We see echoes of Jesus’s testing in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11) when Paul goes through a time of preparation in the sandy wilderness of Arrakis. He later has a “death and resurrection” moment that cements his messianic status. And when a religion starts to form around Paul—who the Fremen come to see as the long-prophesied Lisan al Gaib (or off-world prophet)—imperial leaders take notice and ponder how to deal with this problematic source of regional instability. But as the Paul Atreides messianic rise accelerates‚ the ways his story is unlike Christ’s become clearer. Conquering Militant Messiah Far from a self-denying savior‚ Paul becomes increasingly motivated by fleshly desires and tempted by world-conquering ambition. He takes a lover‚ for example—the Arrakis warrior Chani (Zendaya). And his treatment of her throughout the film deteriorates. In a moment that nods to the Genesis 3 temptation of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil‚ Paul drinks the “Water of Life‚” a poisonous blue liquid that—if it doesn’t kill you—purportedly gives you superhuman knowledge. “You’ll see the beauty and the horror‚” his mother‚ Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson)‚ tells him after she partook of the drink herself. In more stark contrasts‚ Paul embraces militancy and revenge. He seeks greater power. The oppressed Freman people want a conquering militant messiah‚ and Paul gives them what they want. Many of Christ’s Jewish disciples also expected and desired a conquering militant messiah. But Christ was a nonviolent servant king‚ who gave his life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:20–28) and declared his kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36). While watching the final act of Dune Two‚ part of me delighted to see Paul lead the Arrakis Revolt against the evil imperial forces‚ culminating in the deaths of top Harkonnen baddies‚ the submission of Emperor Shaddam (Christopher Walken)‚ and Paul’s consolidation of power. But Villeneuve wants us to feel conflicted watching it‚ and I certainly did. Paul hasn’t turned out to be the unstained‚ virtuous messiah we instinctively desire. The look on Chani’s face in the film’s final shot is a proxy for many in the audience—and indeed‚ many in our secular age who resent institutional religion. She feels betrayed and manipulated. She never bought into the “Paul as messiah” narrative‚ but she’s mad so many of her people did. Above all‚ she’s mad Paul himself did. Messiah Myth as Means of Control Dune Two feels like an artifact of a post-Christian age‚ and Chani represents religious skepticism (in contrast to Javier Bardem’s Stilgar‚ who represents sincere-if-naive belief). Chani gives voice to the questions and doubts of a growing number of “nones” who see religious faith as a feel-good smoke screen for nefarious power grabs. “You want to control people? Tell them a messiah will come‚” she says at one point. “They’ll wait for centuries.” Dune Two feels like an artifact of a post-Christian age‚ and Chani represents religious skepticism. The film portrays Chani as a more “progressive” denizen of Northern Arrakis‚ in contrast to the “Southern fundamentalists” who are all too eager to acknowledge Paul as messiah and fight for him in a holy war. Chani sees how religious narratives can serve the interests of those in power by reinforcing hierarchies and encoding behaviors in the name of faithful devotion. Certainly‚ given the track record of so many power-hungry and abusive religious leaders in history‚ some of the skepticism Dune Two raises is warranted. Chani’s nemeses are the Bene Gesserit‚ a mysterious magisterium of women who perpetuate narratives‚ manipulate bloodlines‚ and make “plans within plans” to move chess pieces around the table‚ always to their advantage. “We don’t hope‚” says one Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother. “We plan.” This cynical admission is all the more damning because “hope” is exactly what they sell to the masses. The Bene Gesserit epitomize religious hypocrisy: pushing a narrative that benefits them‚ even if they don’t believe it themselves. This outwardly pious order of “sisters” has clear Catholic overtones‚ and in the Dune universe‚ they’re arguably the most sinister villains. They perpetuate prophecies concerning the “Kwisatz Haderach”—a superhuman they hope to breed into existence‚ thus giving them an ever-tighter grip on power. In the name of doing humanity a service‚ the Bene Gesserit are wielding religion for colonialist aims. As Chani says‚ “This prophecy is how they enslave us.” As much as Dune Two plays with religious archetypes and the universal appeal of “messiah” narratives‚ it adopts a decidedly skeptical posture toward the religious enterprise. Is the messiah narrative of Christ—indeed‚ the entire New Testament—merely propaganda to inflame religious fervor and consolidate power among religious leaders? Are the writings of the apostle Paul‚ like the machinations of Paul Atreides‚ less the product of divine orchestration than of fleshly opportunism? Christians might have good answers to these contemporary questions‚ but we should know they’re in the background of a film like Dune Two‚ because they’re on the minds of a growing number of people. Dune Two’s skepticism of religion is nothing new. It’s the familiar Marxist critique that religion is a means of social control‚ a narrative apparatus used by the hegemony to entrench its authority and subdue the restless masses (“the opium of the people”). But the critique gets a post-Christian‚ contemporary spin. Because at least in Villeneuve’s rendering of Dune’s world‚ the beauty and transcendental power of religious tropes are on sincere display. There’s a conflicted‚ almost contradictory posture here. It recognizes—even relishes—the beauty‚ mystery‚ and galvanizing hope of faith in a supernatural messiah. But it also sees behind the curtain‚ recognizing—and rejecting—the power structures harnessing religion for power-seeking ends. This is why I call Dune Two a “post-Christian artifact.” It captures something of what I’ve called the “push and pull of post-Christian culture”—the simultaneous attraction and revulsion of faith‚ the desire to retain religious aesthetics and some habits while discarding religious systems of authority. Challenge for Christians I’m not sure if Villeneuve has a Christian faith. Having grown up in Quebec‚ the French-Canadian filmmaker was likely influenced by Catholicism to some degree. Certainly‚ theological ideas are often front and center in his films‚ particularly Prisoners (2013) and Arrival (2013). Dune Two reveals the director engaging faith more directly than ever. It’s interesting that‚ similar to the pro-life bent of Arrival‚ a significant character in Dune Two is an unborn baby who spends the film in her mother’s womb. In a culture that often refuses to grant personhood to preborn babies‚ it’s refreshing to see a movie so directly depict the humanity of a child in the womb. Still‚ whatever interest Villeneuve has in Christianity is clearly conflicted‚ as the Dune saga leads audiences to question “messiah” mythologies and be wary of religious narrative gatekeepers. Dune leads audiences to question “messiah” mythologies and be wary of religious narrative gatekeepers. Christians can find an opportunity in this film. Widespread longing for a true‚ good‚ and beautiful messiah is real. This is a starting place for evangelism in a post-Christian age. But warranted skepticism about manipulative messiahs and hypocritical religious leaders is also real. And so the opportunity comes with a challenge: to model a Christianity that doesn’t feel phony or suspicious. How do we do this? By focusing always on Christ’s glory and his kingdom rather than our own. If we go down the Paul Atreides path‚ falling in line with worldly patterns of power and glory‚ the Chani-type responses will grow. But if we instead model a countercultural kingdom‚ decreasing so Christ might increase (John 3:30)‚ then the “true myth” of Messiah Jesus will be harder to ignore.

“Let’s give ourselves to extraordinary prayer‚ knowing that no matter what the wilderness of this world may bring our way‚ our God is with us.” –– David Platt In his keynote message at TGC’s 2023 National Conference‚ David Platt teaches on Exodus 40 and emphasizes the importance of extraordinary prayer in our lives and our families‚ churches‚ and ministries. Exodus is filled with evidence of God’s desire to dwell among his people—may we pray for the fullness of God’s presence among us‚ acknowledging that God’s glory will fill the earth as all nations sing of his grace.

It doesn’t take a study (though there are plenty) to know moving from one home to another is stressful. From deciding to move to working through negotiations to hauling boxes‚ moving is a lot of mental‚ emotional‚ and physical work. Last summer‚ Sarah’s family moved from the Chicago suburbs to Kansas City‚ Missouri. And in 2022‚ Winfree’s family moved around the corner‚ to a house on another street in her neighborhood. Our moves looked different‚ but we both experienced uncertainty‚ stress‚ and exhaustion. Since moving can be an emotional rollercoaster‚ it’s hard to process the feelings that come with each stage. With so much to be done‚ it’s easy to just put our heads down and plow through. But what we need‚ even more than an X-ray machine to show us exactly what’s in all those boxes‚ is to lift our eyes and remember our “help comes from the LORD” (Ps. 121:1–2). Here are some verses we kept hanging on to during our moves. 1. Uncertainty and Instability of House Shopping From the day we heard‚ we have not ceased to pray for you‚ asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding‚ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord‚ fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power‚ according to his glorious might‚ for all endurance and patience with joy. (Col. 1:9–11) Our moves looked different‚ but we both experienced uncertainty‚ stress‚ and exhaustion. The beginning of a move involves a lot of worrying and waiting. Will your current house sell? How many times will you have to clean up and clear out at a moment’s notice for showings? Will your offer on the new house be accepted? What if the timelines don’t match up? Even if you have a clear idea of what you want‚ there’s little you can do to make it happen. As you’re asking desperately for wisdom and hoping you’re making good financial and geographical decisions‚ try using Paul’s prayer. 2. Pressure and Stress of Packing Do not be anxious‚ saying‚ “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek after all these things‚ and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness‚ and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow‚ for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt. 6:31–34) Before you start boxing things up‚ you’ll want to declutter. There’s no point in moving things you won’t need—but will you need them? Maybe if you study the Zillow photos a little more‚ you can figure out if that oversize chair will fit in the corner of the new family room. And when should you start packing? You don’t want to pack too soon‚ because you still have to function in your home. But you don’t want to wait too long‚ because then you’ll run out of time or space and have to leave things behind. (Sarah is raising her hand—she had to do that!) Be encouraged by Jesus’s promises of provision. 3. Anxiety and Exhaustion of Moving It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest‚ eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Ps. 127:2) This is when we got stress headaches and didn’t sleep well. Sarah was nervous about getting everything onto the truck and about her husband’s ability to drive it for eight hours. (Follow-up report: he did great and liked it so much that he briefly considered becoming a long-haul trucker.) She worried about her family’s ability to get the truck unpacked without as many helpers since they didn’t know anyone in their new town. Winfree was anxious about meeting her (perhaps naive) goal of getting everything from the old house around the corner to the new one before the kids got home from school. As dinnertime approached‚ she gave up hope that the movers would get the job done and started unpacking the truck herself—talk about exhausting! But sleep was still elusive because that running to-do list wouldn’t let her brain turn off. When you’re exhausted and overwhelmed‚ let this psalm remind you to rest in the Lord. 4. Frustration and Overwhelm of Unpacking God is able to make all grace abound to you‚ so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times‚ you may abound in every good work. (2 Cor. 9:8) The chaos can be paralyzing. Sarah’s lowest day was after they returned the truck and got the major furniture in place. Her mom went home‚ there were boxes everywhere‚ and so many things needed to be done that she couldn’t even get started. (Tip: narrowing your focus and picking one area works well to combat this.) Winfree woke up on the first morning to realize she’d unpacked the coffee maker but had no clue where to find a mug. As despair welled up‚ she spotted one in a gift basket their realtor left. She’d never been so happy to own a cheap mug covered in a business logo. It became a reminder of the Lord’s provision in all things. When confronted with your inability to find and do things‚ be encouraged by this assurance that God can equip you. 5. Sadness and Insecurity of Not Belonging (Yet) The eternal God is your dwelling place‚ and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deut. 33:27) Even though we both moved to beautiful new spaces in friendly neighborhoods‚ it didn’t seem like any of that belonged to us. Instead‚ it felt like we were on long vacations we could never come home from. There were grief and tears‚ not just for the people and places we’d lost but also for the feelings of security and familiarity they’d given us. All this might be compounded if you don’t want to move in the first place‚ you don’t love the house you’re moving into‚ or you have a gap between homes that leaves you in temporary lodging. Lord willing‚ our homes are places of security and belonging‚ so when we move that feels disrupted—at least for a while. Let this promise remind you of the security and stability we have in the Lord. 6. (and 7.) Incompetence and Impatience over Newness Better is the end of a thing than its beginning‚ and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Eccl. 7:8) Let us not grow weary of doing good‚ for in due season we will reap‚ if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9) Maybe we’re watching the neighbors to see how often they water their grass and what day they take out their garbage (Sarah). Maybe we’re frustrated every time we see a pile of wet towels on the bathroom floor‚ wondering if we’ll ever have time to hang the towel racks (Winfree). There’s a learning curve to being in a new home. It takes us a long time to figure out how to do things or set up systems we used to zip right through. It’s hard to be patient with ourselves when it takes much longer than we’d like to unpack and organize everything we need to function normally—or when we can’t find things we know we’ve unpacked. New beginnings are hard. Let these verses encourage you to patiently persevere. 8. Confidence and Joy After Settling In The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed‚ I have a beautiful inheritance. (Ps. 16:5–6) Before long‚ we could look at our moves and see the Lord had been faithful through every single step. There wasn’t a need he didn’t meet. There wasn’t a sadness he didn’t comfort. Over and over‚ he gave us more than we would’ve even dared to imagine—whether we were moving into our dream homes or not. Before long‚ we could look at our moves and see the Lord had been faithful through every single step. Even if we realize the house isn’t all we thought it would be or the new city doesn’t measure up to the old one‚ we can take joy in our good Father’s provision and rest in his sovereign care. We can praise the Lord with the words of this psalm. My (Winfree’s) family has been in our new home for more than a year‚ but every time I see a “for sale” sign in front of a house‚ I still thank the Lord we’re no longer in the whirlwind of moving. It’s a stressful endeavor. But it’s not without purpose—and I don’t just mean getting a bigger house or moving for a job. As Paul explains in Acts 17:26–27‚ God has determined the periods and boundaries of our dwelling places with a clear aim—that we’d seek him. Wherever you are in the moving process‚ let it be an opportunity to seek the Lord. Remember that “he is actually not far from each one of us” (v. 27)—no matter how far we’ve moved.

Science fiction is supposed to show us a futuristic world where science has advanced so far ahead that‚ in some ways‚ it can almost seem like magic. But what sets it apart is that it still tries on some level to give us a plausible explanation for how science‚ far‚ far in the future‚ could […] The post Top 10 Times Sci-Fi Forgot to Use Science appeared first on Listverse.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) stands as a pivotal institution in the realm of global justice‚ distinct in its focus and jurisdiction. Established in 2002‚ it serves as the first permanent international court tasked with prosecuting individuals for the most severe violations of human rights: genocide‚ crimes against humanity‚ war crimes‚ and the crime of […] The post 10 Landmark Cases of the International Criminal Court appeared first on Listverse.

Five years after a resounding Kickstarter success‚ Last Epoch has officially stepped into the ARPG Arena with its full release‚ taking aim at the genre’s established fans. Does Last Epoch live up to the “Diablo killer” title bestowed by its early access players‚ or does it ultimately fall short as another generic ARPG? Last Epoch presents itself like a familiar top-down action RPG title: slay monsters‚ hoard loot‚ build your character with sprawling skill trees‚ rinse‚ and repeat. However‚ what truly sets it apart from the usual suspects is its incredibly impressive skill system that allows for a vast array of unique builds that don’t require a math degree (sorry‚ PoE) and are all perfectly viable (sorry‚ Diablo). In fact‚ Last Epoch stands out as the most balanced ARPG I’ve experienced at launch. While the inevitable S-Tier builds certainly exist‚ the game allows you to experiment and play with any combination of talents without being punished for ...

The other day‚ Politico reporter Heidi Przybyla appeared on MSNBC’s “All In With Chris Hayes” to talk about the hysteria de jour‚ “Christian nationalism.” Donald Trump‚ she explained‚ has surrounded himself with an “extremist element of conservative Christians” who are misrepresenting “so-called natural law” in their attempt to roll back abortion “rights” and other leftist policy preferences. What makes “Christian nationalists” different‚ Politico’s Przybyla went on‚ was that they believe “our rights as Americans‚ as all human beings‚ don’t come from any earthly authority.” As numerous critics have already pointed out‚ “Christian nationalism” sounds identical to the case for American liberty offered in the Declaration of Independence. Then again‚ the idea that man has inalienable‚ universal rights goes back to ancient Greece‚ at least. The entire American project is contingent on accepting the notion that the state can’t give or take our God-given freedoms. It is the best kind of “extremism.” None of this is to say there aren’t Christians out there who engage in an unhealthy conflation of politics and faith or harbor theocratic ideas. It is to say that the definition of “Christian nationalism” offered by the people at Politico and MSNBC comports flawlessly with the mindset that makes the United States possible. Conservatives often chalk up this kind of ignorance about civics to a declining education system. It’s not an accident. But even if progressives were fluent in the philosophy of natural rights‚ one strongly suspects Przybyla‚ like most progressives (and other statists)‚ would be uninterested. It’s a political imperative to be uninterested. If natural rights are truly inalienable‚ how can the government create a slew of new (positive) “rights”—the right to housing or abortion or health care or free birth control? And how can we limit those who “abuse” free expression‚ self-defense‚ and due process if they are up to no good? You know‚ as President Joe Biden likes to say—when speaking about the Second Amendment‚ never abortion—no right “is absolute.” The most telling part of Przybyla’s explanation‚ for example‚ was to concede that “natural law” had on occasion actually been used for good. When natural law is used to further “social justice‚” it is legitimate‚ but when applied to ideas the Left finds objectionable (such as protecting unborn life)‚ it becomes “Christian nationalism.” It’s almost as if she doesn’t comprehend the idea of a neutral principle. It’s the kind of thinking that impels the media to put skeptical quotation marks around terms like “religious liberty‚” but never around “LGBT rights” or “social justice” and so on. It’s also true that the “Christian nationalism” scare is a ginned-up‚ partisan effort to spook non-Christian voters. And‚ clearly‚ to some secular Americans‚ the idea that a non-“earthly authority” can bestow rights on humans sounds nuts. As a nonbeliever myself‚ I’ve been asked by Christians many times how I can square my skepticism of the Almighty with a belief in natural rights. My answer is simple: I choose to. “This is the bind post-Christian America finds itself in‚” tweeted historian Tom Holland. “It can no longer appeal to a Creator as the author of its citizens’ rights‚ so [he] has to pretend that these rights somehow have an inherent existence: a notion requiring no less of a leap of faith than does belief in God.” No less but no more. Just as an atheist or agnostic or irreligious secular American accepts that it’s wrong to steal and murder and cheat‚ he can accept that man has an inherent right to speak freely and the right to defend himself‚ his family‚ and his property. History‚ experience‚ and an innate sense of the world tell me that such rights benefit individuals as well as mankind. It is rational. The liberties borne out of thousands of years of tradition are more vital than the vagaries of democracy or the diktats of the state. That’s clear to me. We still debate the extent of rights‚ obviously. I don’t need a Ph.D. in philosophy‚ however‚ to understand that preserving life or expression are self-evident universal rights in a way that compelling taxpayers to pay for your “reproductive justice” is not. John Locke‚ as far as I understand it‚ argued as much‚ though he believed that the decree of God made all of it binding. Which is why‚ even though I don’t believe my rights were handed down by a superbeing‚ I act like they are. It’s really the only way for the Constitution to work. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post If This Is ‘Christian Nationalism‚’ Sign Me Up! appeared first on The Daily Signal.

NASHVILLE‚ Tenn.—An Indiana pastor has launched an effort to connect Christian leaders across the country and root out the influence of a “woke” Christianity that undermines the biblical and traditional doctrines of the faith. “We’ve got 500 pastors that have signed this statement across all sorts of denominational lines‚ committing themselves to really sound biblical teaching as a primary doctrine and to help eradicate wokeism from the American pulpit‚” Lucas Miles‚ pastor of the Nfluence Church in Granger‚ Indiana‚ and leader of the Nfluence network‚ tells “The Daily Signal Podcast.” Miles explained his “American Pastor Project” in an interview here at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention last week. The project urges pastors to sign on to a statement committing to “the essential doctrines of the Christian faith” and protecting the faithful from “the deceptions of false teaching and anti-Christ agendas‚ including‚ Marxism‚ socialism‚ CRT (critical race theory)‚ universalism‚ critical queer theory‚ the slaughter of children (both in and out of the womb)‚ climate alarmist theory‚ and globalism.” “I see it as almost a modern-day Nicene Creed or Apostle’s Creed‚” Miles says‚ comparing the document to two historic Christian statements of faith that encapsulate essential doctrines and unite Christians of various denominations around the world. He acknowledges that such a project represents a “tall order‚” but says it is necessary because Christian churches have “oftentimes elevated secondary doctrines over primary issues.” “We’re fighting over ‘once saved‚ always saved‚’ versus ‘lose your salvation‚’ and meanwhile‚ the progressive Left is rolling a whole ‘nother Jesus in for people to bow down to‚” Miles warns. Miles says he enjoys debating theological issues and while he holds strong opinions on these questions‚ disagreements about them “shouldn’t cause us to break fellowship with one another‚” especially when facing the threat of a deceptive “woke” Christianity. “There’s virtually no difference between what we call the ‘progressive church’ or the ‘Christian Left’ and the current administration in the White House‚” the pastor argues. “They have the same views about immigration [and] open borders‚ [the] same view about socialism‚ [the] same view about marriage‚ sexuality‚ gender.” “What we have is deception‚ and we have a propaganda center called the ‘progressive church’ that has literally just become an arm of the leftist movement in this nation‚” Miles notes. These views contrast with “scripture and Christian teaching for the last 2‚000 years” on issues like marriage‚ sexuality‚ and gender‚ he says. Miles warns that the Christian Left has “led to schisms” and “heretical beliefs.” He describes “wokeism” as a “placeholder or moniker for cultural Marxism‚” the cultural application of a Marxist theory that the oppressed will cast off the chains of the oppressors. Miles warns that the Christian Left presents “an alternative of Jesus.” “We could talk about several different Jesuses‚ if you will‚” such as “the Aryan Jesus of Nazi Germany” or “the black Jesus of Black Liberation Theology‚” he argues. The Christian Left’s version involves the “historical Jesus‚” he says‚ or “Jesus minus the miracles‚ Jesus minus divinity‚ Jesus minus walking on water and being raised from the dead—it is the sort of Jesus the great social justice warrior‚ rather than Jesus the savior.” In 2022‚ Miles published the book “Woke Jesus: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity.” He describes the book as “a definitive guide to understanding wokeism and how it intersects and integrates into the modern church.” “Christians and Republicans don’t have the same platform‚” the pastor notes‚ “although we might believe that conservatism is a better solution for the nation than Marxism.” Miles says he believes that “Christian principles lead to a free market; Christian principles lead to freedom of speech and liberty; and the constitutional values that we have in this nation‚ I believe‚ are based in and rooted in that Judeo-Christian framework that we have.” Miles also spoke about Sex Change Regret‚ a website geared toward helping detransitioners. Walt Heyer‚ a man who formerly identified as a woman but later rejected his transgender identity after he had taken hormones and undergone surgery‚ started the website to connect with other detransitioners and get them the mental health treatment they need. Miles’ Nfluence network acquired Sex Change Regret and hired Heyer to train mentors and establish the website as an ongoing project long into the future. Heyer‚ 83‚ still speaks publicly about his journey and travels the world with his message‚ but Nfluence is helping him pass the baton. “I believe that there’s a wave of trauma that is going to be coming to the doors of the church in the next three‚ five‚ 10 years like we’ve never seen before‚ and right now the church isn’t equipped to do this‚” Miles says. “We’re trying to put billboards around this country with the website Sex Change Regret on them with a really nice bold message‚” he notes. Listen to the full interview below. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.  The post Rooting Out ‘Woke’: One Church Leader’s Mission to Rescue Christianity From Cultural Marxism appeared first on The Daily Signal.