2nd Corinthians 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
One of my favorite religious films is Pilgrim's Progress, which was released in 2008. You can watch the full movie (while it is still available) on the Internet Archive website. I just purchased another copy (I gave my old one away at church) from Amazon.
The movie is based upon John Bunyan's (1628-1688) classic book of the same titled: Pilgrim's Progress. John Bunyan was actually incarcerated in prison for 12-years (his offense was preaching the Gospel in public), when he wrote his book. John didn't have any paper, so he wrote his book on the back of milk bottle lids. Amazing! I love John Bunyan!!!
A Damnable Error In The 'Pilgrim's Progress' Film
My favorite quote of all quotes is by John Bunyan:
“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —Evangelist John Bunyan
Yes, Bravo John, that was very well said! In this tremendous quote, we can plainly see that John fully understood the Gospel of free grace. John Bunyan understood that discipleship has nothing to do with sonship. He understood that service is something entirely different and separate from salvation. He also understood the grace importance of keeping these two things separate at all cost, lest the inspired Word of God be corrupted and stumbling stones cast before the people. I love this quote and am so thankful for John Bunyan, who five centuries ago exposed the Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation in his own generation.
The writers who made the 2008 version of John Bunyan's book changed some things, horribly altering Bunyan's theology to insert their own perverse neo-evangelical agenda. As I watched the movie, I immediately noticed a serious discrepancy that stood out boldly to me, when Christian ate dinner at the home of Prudence, Charity and Piety. The following is an excerpt of their conversation around the dinner table, comparing the movie transcript with the book text...
Here is the movie script...
Prudence. Why did you become a pilgrim?
Christian. To find a way for me and my family to escape the fires to come.
Charity. Is that the only reason that you seek the celestial city? To escape the fires of Hell?
Christian. I wanted to see Him alive, who died for the sins of the world. I needed to get rid of the evil inside of me, and I wanted to live forever in the company of those that sang holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.
Here is the book text...
Prudence. And what makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?
Christian. Why, there I hope to see Him alive that did hang dead on the cross; and there I hope to be rid of all these things that to this day are in me an annoyance to me. There, they say, there is no death; and there I shall dwell with such company as I like best. For, to tell you the truth, I love Him because I was by Him eased of my burden; and I am weary of my inward sickness. I would fain be where I shall die no more, and with the company that shall continually cry, "Holy, holy, holy!"
Do you see how the neo-evangelical writers of the 2008 film, Pilgrim's Progress, deceptively changed the conversation from that of Prudence asking why Christian wanted to go to Heaven, to that of why Christian wanted to be saved? In the book Prudence simply wants to know why Christian is desirous to go to Mount Zion (Heaven); but in the movie Prudence is challenging Christian's motive for coming to Christ, clearly implying that a person cannot be saved if your only motive is to escape burning in Hell. I hope you see the subtle attack on the Gospel in the movie.
May I say, it is a perfectly valid reason to be saved to avoid spending eternity burning in the fires of Hell. That is why I got saved at age 13, I was afraid of going to Hell. Please don't miss this truth. In the movie's script, the viewer is led to think that coming to Christ to escape burning in Hell is not an acceptable motive. But it sure is dear friend. In fact, if a lot more preachers would start warning lost sinners of the horrifying wrath and judgment of God upon all Christ-rejecters in Hell, fire and damnation, more people would get saved. Fear is a great motivator, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. What saith the Scripture? ...
Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 15:16, “Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
Proverb:16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.”
The fear of God is a good thing, and we need a lot more of it in this characterless wicked generation.
I heard Pastor Jack Hyles say in a sermon, that one day his mother and father were arguing in the house. So little 11-year-old 'Jackie Boy Hyles' (as he often called himself) was out in the backyard, and there and then he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. Brother Hyles said that his motivation to get saved was simply that he feared burning in the fires of Hell. That is a perfectly good and proper reason to get saved. The honest truth friend is that it matters not what your motivation may be for getting saved, God honors the least amount of faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus.
I need to warn you dear reader about the neo-evangelical movement in America, which has existed for the past century. They are sometimes called: “new-evangelicals.” This ungodly liberal theological group preaches another gospel commonly known as “Lordship Salvation.” Bob Jones University (BJU) are neo-evangelicals. In the decades following Dr. Bob Jones Sr.'s graduation from this life to Heaven in 1968, the college sadly turned neo-evangelical. Dr. John MacArthur is one of their alumni. If you know anything about Dr. MacArthur, he is a devout 5-point Calvinist and considered to be the godfather of Lordship Salvation in our generation.
It is clear to me that unsaved neo-evangelicals made this 2008 movie, Pilgrim's Progress. They mean well, they really do. But as we all know, the road to Hell is often paved with good intentions. Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Unfortunately, neo-evangelicals have been misled by the Devil to believe a distorted gospel. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people to live the Christian life without ever being born-again. That is what the Pilgrim's Progress movie is suggesting when they confuse and combine sanctification with justification; failing to put a difference between service versus salvation, between discipleship (which is our obedience to follow Christ as His sheep) versus sonship (which is by faith alone). If you get these two things confused, you will end up burning in the everlasting Lake of Fire. Discipleship plus partial faith in Christ cannot produce the new birth; you must wholly lean on Jesus' name.
We have a biblical example of an unfortunate group of religious people who followed Jesus devoutly. They preached (prophesied) in Jesus' name. Yet, Jesus denied knowing them. ...
Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”There's the Devil's Lordship Salvation right there! They cried, “Lord, Lord,” but they had never simply rested in Jesus as their Savior. You don't get to Heaven by following Christ as your Lord; you get to Heaven by trusting in Him alone as your personal Savior. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born-again. Have you been born anew by the Holy Spirit of God (John 1:12-13), by faith in the incorruptible seed of God's Word (i.e., the Gospel)? BELIEVE the Good News of Christ crucified, buried and risen the third day (1st Corinthians 15:1-4), Oh sinner, and you will instantly be saved forever!!!
Here again is the movie script, which teaches the damnable heresy of Lordship Salvation...
Prudence. Why did you become a pilgrim?
Christian. To find a way for me and my family to escape the fires to come.
Charity. Is that the only reason that you seek the celestial city? To escape the fires of Hell?
Christian. I wanted to see Him alive, who died for the sins of the world. I needed to get rid of the evil inside of me, and I wanted to live forever in the company of those that sang holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.
The false teaching in the movie misleads the viewer to think that more than childlike faith is required to get to Heaven. In addition, the movie clearly implies that you must have a desire to turn away from your evil ways to get to Heaven, which is a counterfeit gospel. ...
Christian. I wanted to see Him alive, who died for the sins of the world. I needed to get rid of the evil inside of me, and I wanted to live forever in the company of those that sang holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.
I want to make it very clear dear reader, that you DON'T have to have this type of holy-minded attitude to be saved. I am sick and tired of the wrong repentance being preached in 85% of Baptist churches today, which says that if you haven't turned away from a lifestyle of sinning, you've never repented of your sins and are not saved.
Please hear me out in this important matter friend. If you do some homework and search the web for what the cults believe and teach regarding repentance, you will discover that they ALL errantly teach you must turn away from sinful behavior to be saved. For example: Look at what the Mormon's teach on their official website:
“Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.” [emphasis added]That is 100% Lordship Salvation! That is exactly what Harvest Baptist Church on Guam and Bob Jones University (BJU) are sinfully preaching these days, for which God's curse is upon them! Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Pastor Marty Herron is cursed! Pastor Gary Walton is cursed! BJU is cursed! Pacific Garden Mission and their 'UNSHACKLED' are cursed! Pastor John MacArthur is cursed, to whom Moody Bible Institute, BJU and the Bob Jones' crowd all bid Godspeed, making them partaker of his Calvinist counterfeit gospel! These men are devils in the pulpit today!!! The Mormon website further heretically states concerning repentance:
SOURCE: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints - Repentance
“Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Father in Heaven has provided the only way for us to be forgiven of our sins. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for our sins so we can be forgiven if we sincerely repent. As we repent and rely on His saving grace, we will be cleansed from sin.” [emphasis added]I couldn't show you a clearer example of the heresy of partial faith in Christ, plus works. Nowhere does the Bible teach that we must repent of our sins, and continuing repenting of our sins as a lifestyle, to be saved. Evangelist Ray Comfort teaches this nightmare theology, that you must continuing repenting of your sins your whole life to be saved. Getting saved is not a process, it is a new birth! You don't get cleansed of sin as you make an effort to turn from them, and rely on Jesus' saving grace while you are doing it. This is a counterfeit gospel based upon works, and not faith alone. Do you see friend how evil Lordship Salvation is? It is a false Gospel that adds to faith. Whereas the Bible simply teaches to “believe” to be saved, proponents of Lordship Salvation require that you make an effort to turn from your sins, and then secondly trust Christ. That is NOT the Gospel which the King James Bible teaches!
SOURCE: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints - Repentance
Having A Relationship With Jesus Is Not How To Be Saved
Also, in the film Pilgrim's Progress, as Christian and Hopeful re walking along engaged in conversation, Hopeful says that a person must have a relationship to get to Heaven. I like how Christian author Michael P. Bowen refutes the heresy of “having a relationship with Jesus” to be saved:
Also, in the film Pilgrim's Progress, as Christian and Hopeful re walking along engaged in conversation, Hopeful says that a person must have a relationship to get to Heaven. I like how Christian author Michael P. Bowen refutes the heresy of “having a relationship with Jesus” to be saved:
Salvation, according to Joel Osteen, consists of having a “relationship” with Jesus Christ. In order to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, Osteen says we must 1) repent of sins, 2) ask Jesus into our hearts, 3) ask Him to wash us clean, and 4) “make Him” our Lord and savior.
Now, according to the bible, this is not how to go to heaven. What this is, however, is a blueprint for discipleship. More accurately, what we really need is a “savior.” When you become born again through faith alone in Christ, you are automatically in a “relationship” with Jesus Christ the very instant you trust in what He did for you by His death, burial and resurrection from the dead. To say that we need a relationship with Christ is not an accurate statement. We need salvation in order to escape the wrath of God, not a “relationship.” Osteen preaches our need for a discipleship-based relationship with Christ. Salvation is vastly different from discipleship in that discipleship requires hard work whereas salvation requires only your trust in the promise of everlasting life that Christ extends to all of us by His grace. Quite literally, Jesus saves you the instant you trust in what He did for you. Salvation is not what you do for God. Salvation is what God did for you and nothing of yourself (works) enters into the contract (Ephesians 2:8-9).SOURCE: Michael P. Bowen, “I Never Knew You,” pp. 22-23
Well said! You don't get saved by starting a relationship with Jesus. Did not Judas Iscariot, one of Christ's very apostles, have a relationship with Jesus? Yes, he most certainly did. Sadly, Judas died in his unbelief and sins, plunging into the depths of Hell the moment he hung himself from a tree and died. That is so tragic and sad. God is not willing that any man perish, not even Judas (2nd Peter 3:9).
Faith Is The Only Righteous Thing That I Can Do
Dear reader, please beware of any preacher of church layman who tells you that you must turn away from your sinful ways to be saved, because that is self-righteousness and not the imputed righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” The only way that any lost sinner will ever get born-again, so that he or she can go to Heaven, is by faith in the GOSPEL (i.e., the GOOD NEWS) of Jesus Christ crucified, buried and bodily resurrected three days later. What saith the Scripture? ...
1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Anyone who comes to God as a guilty sinner, receiving Christ's sacrifice upon the cross as payment for their sins, is immediately, irrevocably and permanently saved. The following is one of my favorite scenes from the Pilgrim's Progress movie. Evangelist Billy Sunday (1862-1935) made this tremendous statement:
“A man can slip into Hell with his hand on the doorknob of heaven.” —Billy Sunday
Pilgrim's Progress: Journey To Heaven;
Thrown Into Hell From Heaven's Gate
Thrown Into Hell From Heaven's Gate
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