Progressive church: 'Time for Jesus to come out'

The producer of a new film about Beatles member John Lennon says a church sign in New Zealand that has been the subject of news reports – because it questions Jesus' sexual orientation – is alarming.

According to Revs. Glynn Cardy and Clay Nelson of the progressive St. Matthews-in-the-City, their billboard depicts the baby Jesus with a rainbow halo and the words, "It's Christmas. Time for Jesus to come out."

Nelson said on the organization's web page, "Maybe gay, maybe not. Does it matter?"

"This is a subtle form of hate speech," said Ray Comfort, evangelist, best-selling author and film producer.

"These people profess to be a Christian church but they are like a sentry falling asleep on duty. They are betraying those they are supposed to be protecting. How much do I have to hate homosexuals to lie to them about what the Bible says?" wondered Comfort.

He's recently released a new movie about John Lennon, called "Genuis." The movie was produced as a companion to Comfort's new book, "The Beatles, God, and the Bible", which exposes the theological side of the Beatles, offering unique and fascinating insight into the spirituality of the world's most famous rock band.

Comfort, a native of New Zealand, said, "I like what outspoken atheist Penn Jillette said: 'If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?'"

The movie addresses his concerns, Comfort said.

"In the movie, I discuss the issue of homosexuality with Victoria – a 6-fooot-6-inch blond in a miniskirt. Victoria is a transsexual who calls himself a Christian, and sees nothing wrong with homosexuality. We speak at length about how the Bible clearly warns that according to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

"There was no contention, and he ended the conversation by saying, 'I admire what you are doing,'" Comfort said.

Comfort noted it wasn't the first time the New Zealand group had created controversy with a billboard. The Daily Caller reported members once put up a billboard of the Virgin Mary reacting to a positive pregnancy test.

"Genuis," the movie, got more than 100,000 views in only 100 hours on the Internet, and continues to maintain its viral status.

Comfort said that he wants to convince Christians that the movie can reach a hell-bound world, and he wants them to view it, "like" it, comment on it, and push it through Facebook and Twitter. He points out that this lifts the YouTube ratings, so more people get to hear the Gospel. "Genius" has been commended by many national Christian leaders, including John Piper, who so appreciated its potential to reach the lost, he tweeted it four times in four days.

Get your own copy of the movie, "Genius," and read the accompanying book, "The Beatles, God and the Bible."

The Los Angeles-based producer added: "In the past, missionaries have traveled to far countries with the message of the gospel – with great hardship and often with the loss of life. In contrast, we can reach millions instantly from the comfort of our homes by merely hitting the 'send' button on our computers, or with iPads, or phones. Romans chapter 10:15 asks, 'How shall they preach unless they are sent?' In this case 'Genius' can be the preacher and it can be 'sent' all over the world through this amazing medium."

"The Beatles, God, and the Bible," is available at the WND Superstore.

"I'm a most religious fellow ... I was brought up a Christian and I only now understand some of the things that Christ was saying in those parables."

These words, spoken by Lennon, cut to the heart of Comfort's new book that explores the spiritual motivation of the band.

The second book in a series of cultural and religious exposés, Comfort takes a trip down Abbey Road with Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, showing the evolution of their spirituality. From the height of their fame in 1965, when all four Beatles professed to be atheists, Comfort sheds light on how each member started singing a different tune when it came to their spirituality as time marched on.

The book recounts the years before the Beatles were formed – John met Paul at a church function – their march to creating worldwide Beatlemania and the spiritual lives of each member after the breakup.

"With countless books having been written on the Beatles, it's great to see one addressing this vital and fascinating topic," said J. Jackson, the lead singer of ApologetiX. "The Fab Four had an enormous spiritual influence on the world, but what about their own spiritual influences? Ray Comfort approaches that topic with the same passion and research we've come to expect from him in everything he does."

Comfort is the founder, president, and CEO of Living Waters Publications. After relocating from New Zealand to Southern California in the late 1980s, Comfort introduced pastors and churches to a biblical teaching he called "Hell's best kept secret."

The enthusiastic response that followed took Comfort's Living Waters Publications ministry to a whole new level. From humble beginnings, LWP has become an internationally recognized ministry, reaching the lost and equipping Christians with every necessary resource to fulfill the great commission.

Comfort is the co-host, with Kirk Cameron, of the award-winning television program "The Way of the Master," which airs in 70 countries.

Comfort is a best-selling author of more than 60 books, including "You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, But You Can't Make Him Think," "Hitler, God, and the Bible" and "Nothing Created Everything: The Scientific Impossibility of Atheistic Evolution."
Comfort's look at John Lennon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7pe3_VQbUM

Get your own copy of the movie, "Genius," and read the accompanying book, "The Beatles, God and the Bible."