“Doubting Thomas” - that’s what most people remem-ber about Christ’s disciple, but I think he gets a bad rap.

We only know a little of Tho-mas’ background. He was a native of Galilee and called Didymas, meaning “the twin”. One apocryphal myth says he was the twin brother of Jesus, but the Bible plainly names the natural brothers of Jesus (Mt. 13:55) and Tho-mas is not among them. He was possibly a fisherman, like Peter, because he is named next to Peter in the fishing trip mentioned in John 21:2).

In regard to Thomas being character ized as the doubter, we know that Peter had his moments (Mt. 14:31) as did all of the disciples (Mk. 4:40), but they are not la-beled like Thomas. I dare say that most Chr is t ians doubted the Lord before

their conversion and even sometimes afterwards. It is true that James tells us that doubters are double-minded (James 1:5-8), but Jude also tells us to be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 22). As a matter of fact, Christ’s mission was to change doubters into believers. There is a story in Mark 9:20-27 in which Jesus tells the father of a sick child, that if he will believe, all things are possible. The father cried and said, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief”. Jesus did! He healed the child.

We all struggle with the need for more faith at times. The apostles once said to Jesus, “Lord, increase our faith” (Lu. 17:5). So He told them about the mustard seed. But Jesus did not just teach them about faith, He would lead them into cir-cumstances that tested and grew their faith. He knows just what we need. He knew what Thomas needed.

Here are some things the Bible teaches us about Tho-mas. He challenged the oth-ers to go with Jesus to Beth-any and die - if necessary (John 11:16). This demon-strated tenacious love for Christ, even though he did not understand the reasons

Volume 2, Issue 1

January, 2008

MT. 16:18 “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

for what Jesus did. He was also bold. Rather than just faking that he un-derstood something that he did not, he was willing to question the Lord. (Continued on last page )

Gate Breaker Ne

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Thomas: World Changer 1

The Golden Compass 1

HEC: New Seminar 2

Up Against the Ropes 3

GBM Partners 3

Contact & Schedule 3

Books for sale 3

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As I sat in the theater all alone, I wonderered if the movie’s low box office sales was due to a poorly-made flick rather than the fact it was in the middle of a school day just prior to the Christmas holiday break.

The movie, based upon the first book in Philip Pullman’s fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials, concerned many Christians because the au-thor, a self-proclaimed athe-

Thomas: From Doubter to World Changer!

ist, was quoted as saying, “My books are about killing God.”1

The setting of the story be-gins in Oxford, England - or rather a parallel universe resembling it. Immediately, the biblical premise that de-mons are evil spirits to be avoided is altered. Rather, (Continued on next page)

The Golden Compass

the story teaches that everyone has a personal, intimate life-time demon, in the form of a talking animal spirit. Dogs, monkeys, snakes, etc. go everywhere with people. The heroine, an 11 year-old, rebellious orphan named Lyra Be-lacqua, played by Dakota Blue Richards, has a clever, shape-shifting demon named Pantalaimon.2

Lyra learns from her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Criag) about a mysterious sub-stance called Dust which has church-men and scientists nervous. He heads to the arctic to study Dust. Lyra is given a magical golden compass, an alethiome-ter, that answers all her questions. When her friend Roger is kidnapped, she goes out to find him, using her compass. In her journey she discovers that the world is ruled by a despotic, hypocritical church group called the Magisterium. She meets Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman) who takes Lyra into her care. Eventually, Lyra will learn that Marisa is her mother; yet, for the mo-ment she escapes because she discov-ers that Coulter is the head of a church organization called the “General Obla-tion Board.” GOB has been kidnapping children and taking them to a secret experimental station in the arctic where scientists attempt to sever the children from their demons; this leaves the chil-dren emotionally handicapped and can cause death.

deceived Philip Pullman and uses him as a pawn to draw men into darkness.

An argument might be made saying that Pullman’s works are fiction and not to be taken seriously, but this view is trumped by the fact that Pullman has boldly spoken out against God and the Church. According to atheist Brendan O’Neill, “God-bashing” books like Pull-man’s are causing a negative response among high-ideal atheists who cham-pion the ideas of Darwin and Marx but who frown on the anti religious rhetoric of the “new atheists”.4

So far the books have done better than the movie with sales topping 15 million copies. As of early January the $180 million dollar movie produced by New Line Cinema has reaped much less than expected, only $41 m in North America and about $92 m worldwide. That is only half of what it cost to produce.5

Atheists have a philosophical flaw that can be formed as a simple question: If there is no Creator God then how were the universe and life created? How were Pullman’s fictitious worlds cre-ated? They give no reasonable answer. Also, atheists who consider themselves ethical have a moral dilemma. Without God’s standards, there really are no universal measurements of right and wrong; thus, the foundation of law and justice break down.

Notes

1 Tracie Simer, “Parents are concerned about movie’s intentions” (Dec. 8, 2007) Jacksonsun.com.

2 Ashwang, summary of The Golden Compass”, shvoong.com.

3. Ibid, summary of The Amber Spyglass.

4 Brendan O’Neill, “The New Atheisim”, (Dec. 30, 2007) commentisfree.guardian.co.uk

5 Norodin M. Makalay, “Atheism and the Golden Compass” (Dec, 31, 2007) mindanews.com, and “Compass spins towards $100 million overseas” (Jan. 4, 2008) screenindia.com.

Congratulations to my daughter Naphtali and to Anthony Murphy. They were wed on January 12th. He is a sergeant with the 501st Airborne, and recently home from Iraq, They will be sta-tioned at the Fort Richard-son Army base in Anchor-age, Alaska until reas-signed. Hurray!

I am creating a new 4 - 5 hour seminar called History of the Early Church that is primarily for church audiences rather than academic institutions. No tests, just power point, notes, interesting teaching, stories, plus Q & A.

HEC seminar will inform Christians about the amazing traditions of the apostles and early Church Fathers, formation of the New Testa-ment, development of important doctrines, expansion of the Church, and other profitable and interesting topics.

P A G E 2

Actually, this is contrary to the Bible’s teachings. When Jesus cast demons out of people, it brought healing and deliv-erance. It is unnatural and unwhole-some for people to have demons. They bring illness, insanity, and death. The idea that each person is to have a per-sonal demon sounds much like the fa-miliar spirits mentioned in the Old Testa-ment that would inhabit mediums and witches.

Pullman does not stop there with his anti-Christian babble. His ultimate goal is to expose and kill God. Here is how it happens. Along the way, Lyra is helped by gypsies, witches, and fighting bears to rescue the kidnapped children. She learns that she is the child of a witch’s prophecy destined to deliver the uni-verse. In future movies based on the books The Subtle Knife, The Amber Syp-glass, Lyra exposes God as being a phony; he is just one of many angels who lied about being creator and who set himself up as king. He is oppressive, old, weak and senile. Lyra and her friend, Will, find God and dissolve him.3

How does one respond to such a ludi-crous fantasy? Let me begin by saying that Pullman is attempting to lure peo-ple into believing that there is no Crea-tor God. Yet, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps. 53:1). He loves people and sent His Son Jesus so that we might believe in Him and find everlasting life (John 3:16). God is all loving, all knowing, and completely

truthful. Pullman is wrong about God; it is the devil who is the liar (John 8:44) and the great deceiver (Rev. 12:9). He has

G A T E B R E A K E R N E W S

Atheists have a philosophical flaw that can be formed as

a simple question: If there is no Creator God then how

were the universe and life created? How were Pullman’s

fictitious worlds created? They give no reasonable answer.

The Golden Compass Co n t i n u e d

HEC: New SeminarHEC: New SeminarHEC: New SeminarHEC: New Seminar

Would you like to converse via email? Over the years, I have enjoyed ministering to a variety of friends and those searching for truth. People have sought advice about many things, not just cults and religion. If you would like to write and ask ques-tions or just stay in touch, please email me at sflem-ing@gatebreakers.com.

CorrespondenceCorrespondenceCorrespondenceCorrespondence

Church of Kellogg.

• 3/1-2: Linwood, WA - Topic to be determined - check website. A New Day Church.

• 3/16-18: Nampa, ID - Answering Cults at Victory Christian Church.

• 3/31- 4/4: Cannon Beach, OR - Answering Cults at Ecola Bible School.

January—March, 2008

• 1/19-20: Quincy, WA - HEC Semi-nar, Faith Community Church.

• 1/27: Oldtown, ID - Preaching, House of the Lord.

• 2/4-7: Vancouver, WA Answering Cults at City Harvest Church in-terns.

• 2/8-10: Kellogg, ID - Answering Cults and preaching at United

P A G E 3

ministry: Places & Topics

GBM is distinct as a mixture of apologet-ics with pastoral / prophetic ministry. One of the greatest battles of the Church today is to equip Christians re-garding cults, the occult, and world religions. In a pluralistic culture the church needs the mission of Gate Breaker Ministries.

We are looking for individuals and churches that will support this ministry financially and prayerfully. Partners will receive newsletters, updates, discounts on books, CDs, DVDs, financial reports, and opportunities with involvement in GBM ministry events.

Prayer cover is essential in this ministry. The enemy does not want to see any-body freed from the bondages of de-ception.

Would you like to get involved? Please contact me. Thanks.

Stan Fleming

Boxers sometimes try to get their oppo-nents against the ropes, trap them, and beat on them. Do you ever feel like the devil has you up against the ropes and is beating on you? He hopes to conquer through fear, depression, and anxiety.

Remember that you have the power, authority, and right to overcome the devil and his designs. Consider the fol-lowing verses:

• “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1st John 4:4

• “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

• “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

• “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2nd Timothy 1:7

• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The Lord Jesus shed His blood that we might have victory over the devil. He put the devil up against the ropes with no escape. Through God you can overcome all attacks and live a life full of the joy of the Lord.

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1

The Lord Jesus shed His blood that we might have victory over the devil. He put the devil up

against the ropes with no escape.

Up Ag a i n s t t h e Rop es

Gate Breakers is now in two volumes. Book One equips Christians regarding cults, and Book Two deals with world religions and

the occult.

These are great, easy-to-read resource

books for individual or group studies. You don’t have to be an expert to teach from these. A perfect gift for pastors and stu-dents of Christianity.

Lasting Legacy: Dis-cover the roots of Christian faith, the

facts, legends, people, movements, and mira-cles from Christ to the Council of Chalcedon

in 451AD.

Islam and New Global Realities: Know the current issues, history and doctrines of Islam. Learn what the Koran says about Jesus and how it can be used to share the Good News

with Muslims.

Servants of the Third Watch is based on a prophetic vision that the Lord gave me about the modern Church. What is the midnight hour of the Church? It may be

closer than you think.

BOOKS FOR SALE

Book One is also Book One is also Book One is also Book One is also

available in Spanish.

available in Spanish.

available in Spanish. available in Spanish.

BOOK ORDERING:

• On-line: Order and pay for books at Gatebreakers.com

• Price: $12.00 each. $3.50 shipping for one book. Add .50

cents for each additional book. Contact GBM for discount on orders of five or more.

• Direct order: Make checks payable to Gate Breaker Ministries. Send to: 2508 S. Abaco Way, Meridian, ID 83642. Please specify which books your are ordering.

Contact Information

Dr. Stan Fleming, Gate Breaker Ministries, 2508 S. Abaco Way, Meridian, Idaho 83642

Website: Gatebreakers.com

Email: sfleming@ gatebreakers.com

Cell Phone: (208) 290-4007 / Home phone: (208) 286-2776

Questions: For inquiries regarding articles and topics of interest, please email me.

GBM Pa r t n er s

In the year 72, he aroused the anger of the Brahmin priests who had him assas-sinated. He was pierced with a lance while praying in a cave in Mylopur, a suburb of Madras, India.

Today, numerous Christians in Babylon, Syria, India and other places would not describe Thomas as a doubter, but as a bold evangelist and church planter. The traditions of his zeal in those places have survived to modern times. He had a profound impact upon many whose lives were changed for eternity. After seeing the risen Christ, Thomas became known as “Thomas the Believer”, but few today use this characterization. Yet, this one-time doubter became a hero of the faith and a world changer.

Notes

1 Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database, Biblesoft, 1997

2 Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas

went forth with zealous faith to proclaim Jesus to the world! Historians have a greater certainty about the acts of Tho-mas than all the other disciples, except for those of John and Peter.

There are strong traditions of Thomas’ ministry in the nations of Babylon, Syria, Afghanistan, as well as northern and southern India. Some ancient writings say he went as far as China. One legend is that Thomas found the three wise men in his travels and baptized them to be-come Christians. They later were mar-tyred in Persia (modern Iran). Though this is quite unlikely, we do know that Thomas probably established the first Babylonian church, after converting Jews in that area.

A source of great antiquity says the apos-tles divided up the regions of the world to evangelize; the lot of India fell to Tho-mas. He did not want to go, but through a miracle of God, he realized that it was his destiny. 2

Tradition says that he arrived in Malabar in southern India in 52 AD. He converted Hindu families and kings in various places. Thousands came to the Lord. Tho-mas planted many churches. It is interest-ing that the Syrian churches also cele-brate Thomas’ arrival to their country in 52. It could be that Thomas went first to Syria, then northern India and then to Malabar. The modern Christian commu-nity of southern India looks back to Tho-mas as the founding apostle. He changed society in that part of the world. In 1952 the Thomas Christians in Malabar celebrated 1900 years of Thomas’ evan-gelistic influence. The miracles and mis-sions ascribed to the apostle are too nu-merous to name.

When Jesus told the disciples that they knew where He was going and the way to get there, it was Thomas who re-sponded, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus’ famous answer to Tho-mas brings illumination and revelation to every searching heart: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:5-6)

It is in the passage of John 20:24-29 that Thomas has forever become associ-ated with the term “doubting Thomas”. Jesus had already appeared to the other disciples after His resurrection, but Thomas was not there; so he refused to believe until he had a personal, direct experience. We can only imagine what he thought. “Why did they see Him and not me?” “I saw Him die; how could He live?”

As a result of his remarks, the term “doubting Thomas” is now often used to describe people who refuse to be-lieve something unless it is proven to them. However, when Christ appeared again, Thomas was there. Jesus ex-horted him to touch His wounds and believe. Thomas exhibited his new be-lief by boldly saying to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (V. 28) He became the first to confess Christ’s divinity so explic-itly. Jesus then approves of Thomas’ faith, but highly commends the faith of those who should believe without hav-ing seen (V. 29).1 Eventually, Thomas

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Thomas: From Doubter to

World Changer!

Continued

The Basilica of Saint Thomas, in the city of Chennai, India is supposedly built atop the

tomb of Thomas