Australian Jesus?

Yesterday’s news held an interesting revelation: turns out Jesus has been born again! But this time round he’s come in the form of an Aussie called Alan John Miller. Not convinced? Here’s the evidence… AJ remembers.

He describes the crucifixion as not so “harrowing for [him] as it was for others like Mary who [were] present” and claims not to have been in a state of fear or pain. The Bible, he says, is a distortion of his original ‘lessons’ and his current campaign is an attempt to “reverse the untruth taught on earth associated with beliefs attached to the Bible.” The irony is that he continually refers back to what he believes is a corrupted book for support. Mentioning his ‘good friend’ Lazarus, for example, AJ reminds us of the biblical records. However, the only verification of his relationship with his partner Mary – whom he argues was his first-century wife, pregnant with their daughter when he died – apparently stems from the renowned Da Vinci Code.

Reading through the Sky News report yesterday, my first reaction was to jest. But as the article went on things didn’t seem so funny. “What’s the harm,” you say? Firstly, there’s the ‘Cult Factor.’ Living in the twenty-first century, we’re still not immune to such ploys. Phenomena like the Jonestown Massacre and the child sacrifices of Ramon Castillo began with similar claims and are just as shocking today. It can start small – people leaving their jobs or homes or families – and end in disaster.

And then there’s the ‘Christian Factor.’ It’s true that, in a world quick to quash any hint of un-PC-ness, Christians can offer a powerful witness when we're not offended by personal attacks. But it’s not our name in the spotlight. Exodus 20:7 is a commandment we can often shy away from today, but ‘misusing the name of the Lord’ is not something we should ignore. AJ Miller doesn’t just believe himself to be Jesus. His assertions undermine Jesus’ whole work on the cross. He denies Jesus’ sinlessness; his sacrifice; his resurrection and triumph. And he does it in the name of Jesus. So by all means laugh a little. By all means be gentle. But use this as an opportunity to speak up about the True Lord Jesus.