Surge summary: Director Francis Ford Coppola reveals his worldview through his statements about “no hell” and “heaven on earth” — reminding us that the prism through which a person views life determines what are his beliefs and convictions.
In an extensive Wall Street Journal interview with world-famous director, Francis Ford Coppola of “Godfather” fame, he shared about his new film project presenting utopia here on earth. He also told us that, “There is no hell, but the other news is that this here is heaven!” (WSJ 8/17/19). He’d been raised in a strong Catholic, Italian family so obviously he’s embracing a different worldview than that of Scripture and Roman Catholicism.
In his classic, Oscar winning “Godfather” series, the brilliant director featured a mafia kingpin making a memorable line often repeated to this day. “I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.” It’s apparent Mr. Coppola offers listeners a “deal” if they accept his belief about no eternal judgment and that they can escape accountability to a loving but holy and just God.
According to the Bible, the wisest human being who ever lived was Solomon. In his collection of divinely inspired wisdom he stated, “A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Prv.27:12).
He also summarized his lifetime of learning with these words, “Now all has been heard. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl.12:13-14).
Jesus came to redeem us but made it clear we must repent and trust Him alone for salvation. He reinforced the doctrine of eternal judgment in which hell is real and real people go there.
Secular vs. Scriptural Worldview
A biblical worldview means the lens through which we view reality. It’s our personal belief system based on convictions riveted rock-solid in the authoritative, divinely-inspired Word of God.
God’s charge to us: be courageous amidst opposition and live by convictions not necessarily what’s popular or politically correct. This has become increasingly important in light of the Barna Research report showing only 1 in 10 Americans have a Biblical worldview and only 4 percent of Millenials!
“…all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue in the things that you have learned and have been assured (“convinced of”)” (2Tim.3:13-14 NIV).
Beliefs are what we hold. Convictions are what hold us!
It’s enlightening to contrast prevailing unbiblical worldviews circulating in our culture with those grounded in sacred Scripture. Examining these worldviews side-by-side helps us to grasp the stark differences between authentic and counterfeit perspectives.
In our culture today many are deceived into believing we can accommodate error, look for “common ground” and then gather to sing “Kumbaya” in sentimental interfaith services. A Methodist university in Virginia recently hired a Muslim chaplain to complement a cleric who’s an LGBTQ advocate in their Spiritual Life Office. “Hey, we’re progressive…this is diversity… we all pray to the same God anyway and we’re committed to being welcoming and all-inclusive!” They’re in serious error, in fact heresy!
Professing Christian leader Rob Bell sells scores of books and propagandizes people on campuses and in churches peddling his secular, heretical belief on the absence of eternal judgment.
“Secular” doesn’t necessarily mean atheism. It comes from the Latin word “saeculum” which means “time or age” – focusing on this age alone; rejecting religion and eternity.
What you believe determines how you live and where you’ll go when you die. People flourish or flounder and face eternal separation from God based on their worldview.
The Scriptural “Sweet Sixteen”
The following is not an exhaustive list but it helps us with some core
beliefs of Christianity. These are non-negotiables – fundamentals of our
historic Bible-based faith.
ISSUE SECULAR VIEW SCRIPTURAL VIEW
Truth Subjective and experiential Objective and Biblical
(what feels true to me) (“true truth” revealed by divine decree)
Bible Religious book with stories Inerrant and inspired
and helpful insights revealed will of God
Origins Evolution and man-centered Creation and God-centered
Man’s Condition Inherently good and Originally sinful and hopeless
ever-evolving without redemption
Source of Problems Ignorance, environment, Fallen condition and need
victim mentality for personal responsibility
God Whoever, whatever or denial Loving Creator, merciful
Savior, righteous Judge
Plight Ignorant of potential; evolving Separated from God (spiritually dead)
Sin Redefined as sickness, addiction Willful violation of God’s
or weakness commands given for His
glory and our good
Solution Legislation and education Regeneration (spiritual rebirth – supernatural transformation)
Provision Education, science, The Person and finished work of
technology and therapy Jesus Christ, mankind’s only Redeemer
Jesus One of history’s many Son of God, Sovereign Lord
religious leaders and mankind’s only Savior
Response Better self through human effort Change direction (repent) and
and possible charitable activity trust Jesus Christ alone for
salvation
Change Excuse, blameshift, plead ignorance, By God’s grace “put off”
rationalize harmful habits and “put on”
responses of obedience reflecting His character
Afterlife Denied, ignored, reincarnated, all Body decomposes awaiting
saved; Hell only for history’s worst future resurrection while
spirit/soul enters heaven or hell based on one’s response to gospel
Judgment Nonexistent as “God is Love” Obedience is rewarded and disobedience punished by a just, holy and loving God
Purpose of Life Self actualization, pursuit of Glorify God and fulfill one’s
pleasure and pleasing oneself, destiny by joyful service,
acquisition of fame and fortune obedience and pleasing God
Here’s the Deal: Living in a time like one spoken of in Scripture when “Everyone did what was right in his eyes” (Judg.17:6), we must prioritize developing an uncompromisingly biblical worldview. Then with confidence and compassion let’s be “salt” as Jesus directed as a bulwark against the avalanche of deception rampant today.
Look for the debut of the “Here’s the Deal” podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network to engage and encourage you to be an informed influencer in these days of deception but incredible opportunity.
The views expressed here are the author’s and not necessarily those of Daily Surge.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Surge summary: Director Francis Ford Coppola reveals his worldview through his statements about “no hell” and “heaven on earth” — reminding us that the prism through which a person views life determines what are his beliefs and convictions.
In an extensive Wall Street Journal interview with world-famous director, Francis Ford Coppola of “Godfather” fame, he shared about his new film project presenting utopia here on earth. He also told us that, “There is no hell, but the other news is that this here is heaven!” (WSJ 8/17/19). He’d been raised in a strong Catholic, Italian family so obviously he’s embracing a different worldview than that of Scripture and Roman Catholicism.In his classic, Oscar winning “Godfather” series, the brilliant director featured a mafia kingpin making a memorable line often repeated to this day. “I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.” It’s apparent Mr. Coppola offers listeners a “deal” if they accept his belief about no eternal judgment and that they can escape accountability to a loving but holy and just God.
According to the Bible, the wisest human being who ever lived was Solomon. In his collection of divinely inspired wisdom he stated, “A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished” (Prv.27:12).
He also summarized his lifetime of learning with these words, “Now all has been heard. Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl.12:13-14).
Jesus came to redeem us but made it clear we must repent and trust Him alone for salvation. He reinforced the doctrine of eternal judgment in which hell is real and real people go there.
Secular vs. Scriptural WorldviewA biblical worldview means the lens through which we view reality. It’s our personal belief system based on convictions riveted rock-solid in the authoritative, divinely-inspired Word of God.
God’s charge to us: be courageous amidst opposition and live by convictions not necessarily what’s popular or politically correct. This has become increasingly important in light of the Barna Research report showing only 1 in 10 Americans have a Biblical worldview and only 4 percent of Millenials!
“…all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue in the things that you have learned and have been assured (“convinced of”)” (2Tim.3:13-14 NIV).
Beliefs are what we hold. Convictions are what hold us!
It’s enlightening to contrast prevailing unbiblical worldviews circulating in our culture with those grounded in sacred Scripture. Examining these worldviews side-by-side helps us to grasp the stark differences between authentic and counterfeit perspectives.In our culture today many are deceived into believing we can accommodate error, look for “common ground” and then gather to sing “Kumbaya” in sentimental interfaith services. A Methodist university in Virginia recently hired a Muslim chaplain to complement a cleric who’s an LGBTQ advocate in their Spiritual Life Office. “Hey, we’re progressive…this is diversity… we all pray to the same God anyway and we’re committed to being welcoming and all-inclusive!” They’re in serious error, in fact heresy!
Professing Christian leader Rob Bell sells scores of books and propagandizes people on campuses and in churches peddling his secular, heretical belief on the absence of eternal judgment.
“Secular” doesn’t necessarily mean atheism. It comes from the Latin word “saeculum” which means “time or age” – focusing on this age alone; rejecting religion and eternity.
What you believe determines how you live and where you’ll go when you die. People flourish or flounder and face eternal separation from God based on their worldview.
The Scriptural “Sweet Sixteen”The following is not an exhaustive list but it helps us with some core
beliefs of Christianity. These are non-negotiables – fundamentals of our
historic Bible-based faith.
ISSUE SECULAR VIEW SCRIPTURAL VIEWTruth Subjective and experiential Objective and Biblical
(what feels true to me) (“true truth” revealed by divine decree)
Bible Religious book with stories Inerrant and inspired
and helpful insights revealed will of God
Origins Evolution and man-centered Creation and God-centeredMan’s Condition Inherently good and Originally sinful and hopeless
ever-evolving without redemption
Source of Problems Ignorance, environment, Fallen condition and need
victim mentality for personal responsibility
God Whoever, whatever or denial Loving Creator, merciful
Savior, righteous Judge
Plight Ignorant of potential; evolving Separated from God (spiritually dead)
Sin Redefined as sickness, addiction Willful violation of God’s
or weakness commands given for His
glory and our good
Solution Legislation and education Regeneration (spiritual rebirth – supernatural transformation)
Provision Education, science, The Person and finished work of
technology and therapy Jesus Christ, mankind’s only Redeemer
Jesus One of history’s many Son of God, Sovereign Lord
religious leaders and mankind’s only Savior
Response Better self through human effort Change direction (repent) and
and possible charitable activity trust Jesus Christ alone for
salvation
Change Excuse, blameshift, plead ignorance, By God’s grace “put off”
rationalize harmful habits and “put on”
responses of obedience reflecting His character
Afterlife Denied, ignored, reincarnated, all Body decomposes awaiting
saved; Hell only for history’s worst future resurrection while
spirit/soul enters heaven or hell based on one’s response to gospel
Judgment Nonexistent as “God is Love” Obedience is rewarded and disobedience punished by a just, holy and loving God
Purpose of Life Self actualization, pursuit of Glorify God and fulfill one’s
pleasure and pleasing oneself, destiny by joyful service,
acquisition of fame and fortune obedience and pleasing God
Here’s the Deal: Living in a time like one spoken of in Scripture when “Everyone did what was right in his eyes” (Judg.17:6), we must prioritize developing an uncompromisingly biblical worldview. Then with confidence and compassion let’s be “salt” as Jesus directed as a bulwark against the avalanche of deception rampant today.
Look for the debut of the “Here’s the Deal” podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network to engage and encourage you to be an informed influencer in these days of deception but incredible opportunity.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Stay in the loop on killer content,
exclusive videos, and much more!
Larry Tomczak
Larry Tomczak, with over 45 years of trusted ministry experience, has trained leaders and planted dozens of churches in the U.S. and abroad. He’s the author of 10 books including the 1/4 million bestseller “Clap Your Hands!” and the innovative, video-supplemented “Bullseye Challenge” which develops informed influencers in 30 days. His weekly commentaries reach millions on Charisma News, World Net Daily, Barbwire, The Christian Post, ChurchGrowth.org and Intercessors for America. He’s a speaker for professional sports teams and currently seen on the major Christian TV networks and heard weekly on “InfoAmerica” broadcasts.