Wow! You are right. The battle is within. So many Christian organizations are fighting the battle of Genesis 2 when they were called to live the life of Genesis 1. In Genesis 1, man was created in the image of God to be a spirit being. In Genesis 2, he was formed from dust to be a physical being. He was supposed to live in the realm of Genesis 1 but he allowed form to rule over spirit. We need to go back to the life of Genesis 1. Thanks for shedding this light.

Thank you so much. I constantly want to teach our kids to look like Christ. Loving, compassionate, radical, etc. I have found that preaching against sin really does little to actually curb sin. Instead teaching them what to DO as Christians, how to be radical Christ followers, does more to dissuade from sin then anything else. A book that really encouraged my thinking in this is “irrisistable revolution” by Shane Clairborne. Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one feeling this way.

you are so true, even though i’m a christian myself, i think this battlecry movement is misleading. especially with the rallying and protesting. it isn’t just right. God teaches us to respect the authorities (the state), and what they’re doing is not that.

what we need to do is to SHARE THE WORD OF GOD to these people if we really want change. because it is God’s command for us, not rise in protest against the god-instituted authorities.

You are so right. I’m new in my youth ministry position at this church and, although they traditionally attend ATF, this year I asked that we try something else instead, so we’re going to Planet Wisdom. However, many other youth pastors in this town seem to worship Ron Luce second to Christ. Thanks for posting this video.

If you are all interested, Rolling Stone Magazine did a hit piece on them recently. While it is hardly “fair and balanced,” is is eye opening none the less.

It can be found here: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/14021621/teenage_holy_war/1

Thoughts from a youth minister of 22 years experience who swore off Ron Luce 9 years ago, but has been won back this year.
First: None are perfect, but God’s son. Nuff said.

Second: Someone responded that Christianity isn’t about morals. Really? Think about that. God gave His people guidelines, 10 Laws, in fact, because they lived in a culture devoid of morals. AND Jesus came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Our society is full of RELEVANT TRUTH. Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Some would say this to be a pretty intolerant and politically incorrect statement by today’s standards.

Third: Jesus turned over tables in the temple to make a point. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites. Jesus said leave everything and follow me. Was he a radical?
You better believe it.

Forth: – yes, forth – not Fourth – we are to go forth and take a stand. We are to love as Jesus loved us. We are to be in the world, not of it. Let me be clear, I am not defending Ron Luce… nor am I even a big Luce fan. Some of his stuff is good, some is lacking. But he has inspired many youth… to follow Christ.

BattleCry is just ONE vehicle for spreading the word. We should pursue many avenues. “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary.” It is in the actions that our youth find their place. They are a passionate group who can indeed “Do all things through Christ.” We should never limit them to the mere level of OUR faith.
Peace.

I would agree with your statement 100% up until the seminar in Dallas this past March. And then, I saw a shift… maybe even an evolution in his message. I heard him repeatedly counseling the droves of teens to resist the temptation to attend an altar call out of emotional motivation or peer pressure. (A first for Luce.) FINALLY, he didn’t do one of those salvation prayers! The emphasis seemed to be on trying to get the teens to wake up to what the media was feeding them. And that their self-image should come from the Creator, not society. EXACTLY.
I agree, it’s not in the event, its in the everyday living of the message that our teens grow their faith. “Transformation by the renewing of the MIND.”
Battlecry is just one event. But we are definitely at war… there is a real enemy. And namby pamby, feel-good religion won’t win the battle. Who can turn to a teddy-bear god when in a time of real crisis? We’ve gotta show our youth our God – one of justice AND of mercy. Personally, I’ve got my youth in B.A.S.I.C. Training: (Be About Service In Christ).
It’s a process!

I think we are missing the point behind Battlecry/Ron Luce…. This is a fight for the lives of the teens and if we don’t engage in this battle with force we will surely lose the war!!!

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. — Matthew 11:12 (nkjv)

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force — Matthew 11:12 (amplified)

I think we also need to reevaluate what being a Christian is and how we play our role as co-heirs with Christ Jesus. Most “Christians” don’t have a true idea about what the cross meant and how we are 100% desired/loved by God. Ron Luce is taking this approach in a well-handled manner.

There are other conferences available… such as the Dare2Share conference. wwww.dare2share.org

Jesus or society whats your influence?

Everything that the world has to offer is a fake replica of what God Truley designed. Self image is one of them.whats on the inside determines whether a person is attractive or not.

There are two scriptures i know of right now off of the top of my head that has to do with that the first on is where Jesus states that ppl dress up the outside to look good but really on the inside its filthy and He used a cup to explain it….The second one He tells us its out of mens hearts that defile a man not what goes in …..

The enemy has twisted things to decieve our generation and our society has prohibited true morals ….they cant stand the ten commandments to be displayed…it presents truth and yet cus its from God they wont allow it….

Jesus states ” I am the way the truth and the life …” He is the way out of ppl circumstances and complications the way to a new future Jesus says ” Behold i come to make ALL THINGS NEW!!!”He is the only truth and the only way to heaven “….noone goes to the father exept through me” – Jesus. Yet PEOPLE VIEW HIM AS A RELIGION AND HES TIRED OF BEING LABLED AS A RELIGION AND GOING UNNOTICED!!!! Hes not a religon Hes a savior 304-580-1354

I am not religious, so I apologise if my opinion seems to be offensive in any way.

I am not against religion, but I am against Battlecry. I think it is disgusting that Luce is pulling the strings on todays youth and telling them o seperate themselves from the world, shove it aside- throw away the world around and accept a pure religious life. there’s nothing wrong with being devoted to a religion, but the very fact that he gives the children this choice “The world or Jesus?” makes this sound like a religious cult.

This may be jumping to conclusions, but it’s all very cult like and certainly not like real Christianity.

He wants to make America (and incidently every other country) run by theocracy and I feel that’s unfair because there are other religions out there that they also have to respect (if you read his blog, you’ll find him whining about Muslims “Taking over Africa” as if they are evil or diseased).

What sickens me also is how he wants to censor the media. The media is the very epitome of communication and free speech. It is very hypocritical to use the media, use advertising and use marketing to lure kids into Battlecry and yet boycott it at the same time.

Still, great way to beat the competition- call your rival evil and a money grubbing monster.

I don’t want to live in a world where I’m ostracised because I watched something that isn’t “wholesome” entertainment- even if it is a cinematic masterpiece like Pulp Fiction, for instance (which has a lot of religious themes in it).

The media is for everyone and everyone has the right to believe in whatever they want about god, the universe and so on, so Luce can shove his agenda where the sun don’t shine.

Thanks for the post. I am a new youth pastor and been in the Lord for only a couple years. When my pastor encouraged me to take the kids to ATF I agreed. As I grow in the Lord I am finding I need to be checking things out before I carlessly act. I have to say although I agree with part of what Mr. Luce says, I do not agree with the domionist agenda , protests, and fleshly tactics being used. We have one weapon and that is God’s powerful word, sharper than any two-edged sword, able to seperate bones and marrow, soul and spirit, and able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. I’m questioning now whether it is wise to take the kids. The outrageous price dosent help either, especially since it is written “Buy the truth, sell it not”. I am disgusted so many organizations see it fit to turn my Fathers house into a house of merchandise. I am heart broken and upset. Lord give me strength…Amen.