Propaganda Wars – Unbelief Based on Propaganda

by Terry Wane Benton

The Bible talks about a god that never existed and a Jesus who never existed, modern atheists and humanists tell us. Is that fact (truth) or propaganda? Our president laid his hand on a fiction book and swore by fiction to uphold the Constitution: "So help me, fictional god?" Truth or propaganda? A completely fictional book rose above all other fictional books in history to be considered sacred? Truth or propaganda? How is it that the entire world calendar felt it expedient to adjust the world's dating of 2025 based on the impact of a fictional character, Jesus? Truth or propaganda?

It is easy to assert that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote fictional "propaganda" and changed the world. Still, usually, the ones who treat it as lies and propaganda have never actually studied the evidence. They have an emotional dog in this fight. If it is true, then it demands change and moral accountability before God. Most don't want that change. Still, the writers of these four books either knowingly told lies about what they saw and heard, were deceived and misguided to write these accounts of Jesus, or were telling the truth because propaganda regarding Jesus had to be challenged.

• In Matthew's effort, it was clear that he was trying to persuade Jews that Jesus had the credentials laid out in their holy book (our Old Testament). Jesus fit the genealogical and prophetic credentials, and he demonstrated that God was working miracles through Him. He dealt with the propaganda of the unbelieving Jews to show the truth about Jesus.
• In Mark's effort, it was clear that he was trying to persuade the Roman culture that Jesus was from God, and he dealt with truth versus propaganda circulated among Roman culture regarding Jesus.
• In Luke's effort, it is clear that he states the reason why these are things "most surely believed among us" to a Gentile ruler. This man could then sort out the truth from the propaganda he had heard.
• In John's effort, there was an emphasis on "truth." Over and over, John helps the early reader to understand the proof of Jesus being Immanuel or "God with us." God had come in the flesh. Jesus' miracles were so widely known that no one could deny them. Again, it was "truth" versus the propaganda of the unbelievers.

The eyewitnesses' evidence was so substantial that the evidence of Jesus' actual resurrection impacted city after city, including the city where Jesus was crucified (Acts 17:30-31). The assurance of judgment was based upon the assurance of Jesus' death and resurrection (I Corinthians 15).

Our calendar year, the placing of hands on the Bible in oaths, and the long tradition of baptism and communion on each first day of the week are either based upon truth or propaganda. It is either a great truth or the world's biggest lie. "If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain" (I Corinthians 15:14). Propaganda? For what gain? Truth? For great gain!