Having entered the Christmas season, we ask those who find the work of the Mystagogy Resource Center beneficial to them to help us continue our work with a generous financial gift as you are able. As an incentive, we are offering the following booklet.

In 1909 the German philosopher Arthur Drews wrote a book called "The Myth of Christ", which New Testament scholar Bart D. Ehrman has called "arguably the most influential mythicist book ever produced," arguing that Jesus Christ never existed and was simply a myth influenced by more ancient myths. The reason this book was so influential was because Vladimir Lenin read it and was convinced that Jesus never existed, thus justifying his actions in promoting atheism and suppressing the Orthodox Church in the Soviet Union. Moreover, the ideologues of the Third Reich would go on to implement the views of Drews to create a new "Aryan religion," viewing Jesus as an Aryan figure fighting against Jewish materialism. 

Due to the tremendous influence of this book in his time, George Florovsky viewed the arguments presented therein as very weak and easily refutable, which led him to write a refutation of this text which was published in Russian by the YMCA Press in Paris in 1929. This apologetic brochure titled "Did Christ Live? Historical Evidence of Christ" was one of the first texts of his published to promote his Neopatristic Synthesis, bringing the patristic heritage to modern historical and cultural conditions. With the revival of these views among some in our time, this text is as relevant today as it was when it was written. 

Never before published in English, it is now available for anyone who donates at least $20 to the Mystagogy Resource Center upon request (please specify in your donation that you want the book). Thank you.



June 14, 2010

A Profile of Three Contemporary False Prophets



"For many shall come in My Name, saying, "I am Christ"; and shall deceive many" (Matt. 24:5).

"The Second Coming" will air on the National Geographic Channel on Wednesday, June 16 at 9PM.

Meet three men who believe the Second Coming has already occurred and that they walk the Earth as the Messiah. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Philippines, claims to have built a worldwide following of six million. Sergei Torop, a former Russian traffic policeman, is believed by thousands to be the literal reincarnation of Jesus of Nazareth. Then, David Shayler, a former British MI5 agent and whistle-blower, claims to be the Jesus soul incarnated as man.

Some people have a calling to grow up and achieve monetary and material success, others desire to help the world, and others believe that Jesus was the one and only savior of the world and their calling is to spread the Gospel. While many Christians are very strong with their faith, meet these three men who believe they have a serious relationship with Jesus.

1. Vissarion, "Jesus of Siberia"



Vissarion was in a construction unit of the Soviet army from ages 18 to 20. He took a job as a night shift traffic cop in 1985.

In 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Military was in total disarray. With their pay and self-esteem at rock bottom, many military personnel were at a crossroads of their lives, looking for something such as religion. It was during this transitional period that Vissarion and his followers first established the Church of the Last Testament in Siberia.

The birth of Vissarion's Church of the Last Testament was far from easy. In the 1990s, devotees were reported to have died, either by suicide or due to the harsh living conditions and lack of medical care.

Residents of the Abode of Dawn were plagued by ticks and other biting insects and many have been infected with Lyme disease. Vissarion’s ministry includes writing letters to people outside his following, with some including addresses to conservationists, former Russian President Putin, and even to the Muslim world.

2. David Shayler



Before he claimed he was the Messiah, David Shayler made several disclosures about MI5, Britain’s domestic secret service, leading to his eventual imprisonment.

In 2007, David Shayler claimed in an interview with a British news program that a psychic who channeled the spirit of Mary Magdalene had anointed him as the Messiah.

In July 2009, David Shayler revealed a new alter ego, one that claims the world will end in 2010.

3. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, Appointed Son of God



Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy was born April 25, 1950, in a small village in the foothills of Mt. Apo, in the Philippines. He was the youngest of nine children and claims to have heard the voice of God in dreams many times in childhood.

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy claims to have started preaching in the 1970s, becoming so good he was dubbed "the preaching machine.”

On April 9, 2000 Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy began work at a college to operate within the grounds of his Jesus Christ compound in Davao City, Philippines. Today, Jose Maria College offers education from preschool, right through to college graduation, with Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy as President.

Source

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