This Acquire the Fire video is from the tour sometime between 1996-1998. Strangely, Teen Mania seems to be promoting a very harsh way of dealing with our non-Christian friends.
The video skit in question starts at 6:15.
The climax of the scene begins when the newly saved main character, Joe, starts getting rid of his secular music CDs, posters, etc. His non-Christian friend then walks into the room with a cigarette and asks, “Have you got a light?”
Joe replies angrily, “I’m gonna let it shine” and then punches his friend in the face!
His friend says, “What’s up Joe, are you crazy?!”
Then Joe turns to the camera and says, “Crazy? Yo loco por Jesus.” (I’m crazy for Jesus)
End Video.
It what universe is this acceptable Christian teaching or behavior? Especially when speaking to young, impressionable teens in an emotionally driven environment?
In what twisted interpretation can you equate “letting your light shine” with punching out a non-believer? This is nothing less than a gross misrepresentation of Scripture and an absolute perversion of the Gospel.
The lead up to this video is Ron Luce using the story of Josiah to advocate violent smashing of any “idols” (music, tv, drugs, sex, etc) – and with this video, that seemingly extends to anyone who is associated with those “idols.”
How appalling would this video be to Jesus of Nazareth? The one who said to “turn the other cheek” and wouldn’t even let Peter take up a sword to defend him against Roman soliders?
If you think this video is tongue and cheek, ask yourself how a young person attending this ATF who struggled with drugs, alcohol, music, etc. would feel. Would they feel welcomed, loved and accepted?
UPDATE:
Apparently, Ron also used this video in a 1999 ATF tv show. The topic was “How to Be a Real Man.” Even if you wanted to give TM the benefit of the doubt, watch how they use the skit here and be appalled. There is no getting around this.
Ron opens by saying viewers are going to learn how to be a real man of God and not some “sissy little limp wristed thing.”
@1:40 – Ron introduces the clip by saying, “What you’re about to see is an example of what a real mean is all about.” “
At the close of the skit, he says, “You can see the modern day translation of what it means to live like Josiah.”
Will nobody hold Teen Mania accountable for this gross distortion of the Gospel and advocating violence and hatred against non-Christians???