from The Lebanon Democrat::Oct. 21, 2008
Bible Park’s Deception of Resurrection: A Hole in the Ground

By Stephen Wheely

After attending the Industrial Development Board meeting on Oct. 9 and hearing the questions raised by some of its members, several citizens and city councilors regarding the proposed Bible Park, something became apparent that was not mentioned in the media coverage of this event. It was stunningly obvious that the only attendees strongly in favor of building the park were the developers and Mayor Fox.

While it is true that the board voted unanimously to continue the approval process, this was a mere courtesy that only meant their paperwork was in order. There was a strong sense in the contextand tone of the questions asked that many board members were just not imporessed with the potential for financial success of this project. I talked to some board members and city councilors afterward and they all seemed to think it was a “pie in the sky” proposal, both due to the current economy as well as the format of the park. Some also expressed religious reservations.

More importantly for all Christians concerned about how the Bible Park will depict Christ’s life, death and resurrection, I was able to get the developers to finally admit the truth about their intentions, thus leading to the title of this essay, “A Hole in the Ground.”

The Bible Park’s spokesperson, Rob Wyatt, seemed rather taken aback when I insisted he explain their depiction of our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection. At first he would only say it waould be depicted “symbolically.” When I pressed him to explain what he meant by that, he finally admitted that the only thing they would say about the resurrection was to show an empty tomb. Now if you are already a believer, you might find this partially acceptable only as a first step in telling the whole truth. However, without additional explanation, what does it really say, especially to a non-believer who doesn’t know the complete story?

Showing only an empty tomb without also including the entire truth of Christ’s triumph over death, i.e., his appearance first to Mary, followed by multiple appearances to the disciples over a period of weeks, hardly does justice to our faith in His resurrection, does it? To a non-believer this would certainly not inspire belief as it actually plays right into the assertions of the Jewish authorities back then and modern day atheists who claim that the tomb was only empty because Christ’s followers had stolen the body.

Even the disciples didn’t believe until they saw Jesus with their own eyes, although they had been with Him for three years of teaching and healing, when all they had seen was an empty tomb.

This therefore would seem to show the developers own apparent lack of belief in Christ’s resurrection if the best they are willing to say or do is to show a “hole in the ground.” Is this what your Savior means to you as Christians, just an empty hole in the ground? I think not.

Of course, as I have pointed out before, the real reason will not say that Christ rose again is that doing so would cost them money. If they told the trugh about Jesus, they would be considered a religious organization and would not be eligible for the TIF bonds to help finance the park or qualify for the “financial inducements” (your tax dollars) offered them by Mayor Fox.

It all boils down to the obvious conclusion that they love and worship money rather than Jesus Christ. Who do you worship, Christ who died for our sins that we might through faith enjoy eternal life, or the $20 dollar bill in your wallet? If you are really a Christian, there can be only one answer. Remember 1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Let us keep this evil out of our lives here in Lebanon. The recent events on Wall Street show the consequences of mankind worshipping money over God.

Call, write, or email Mayor Fox, the city councilors and the county commissioners and tell them that Christ means more to you than just a “hole in the ground,” and that you do not want a Godless version of the Holy Bible promoted in your city, county, state, nation or world.