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MagicMattMan Special user Tampa, FL 741 Posts |
Hey Guys!
I have recently acquired the knowledge of one of the best Gospel effects in awhile. To give a small background of myself; I am a highly, evangelical Baptist and, to me, a lot of the so-called "Gospel effects" on the market do not really share the Good News of Christ! To me, it seems like they are telling other stories of the Bible to those who already know Jesus and the lost would be confused about. I don’t know for you, but I really do not think preaching to the choir (so to speak) is spreading the news of Christ. I have been searching a long time now to find something that could be used for outreach on a college campus, as well as on missions trips. I have come up with my own Jesus story with the deck so far, as well as putting scripture to effects I already know. However, an effect has been found that is very well conceived, that just reading the manuscript wanted to make me be born again! I would now like to introduce you to a life-changing effect called “RISEN” by Michael Paul. It is considered to be Sam the Bellhop meets Jesus. Hence, that is how I found out about it, searching The Magic Café for people posting about StB. It was mentioned by a handful of people: regular people, professional people (Thanks, Justin Miller!), and even Michael Paul. However, when I went to the site, it had been temporarily removed from sale. I was saddened. I emailed Michael, and I eventually obtained a copy. Oh, Happy Day! “RISEN” has taken Gospel magic to a new level by actually sharing the gospel scripturally and visually with an added bonus of a torn and restored card within the story. It uses most of the deck for the story and has the words perfectly match the cards. An example would be “grace (Ace of Diamonds) of God.” To keep the story going, minimal amount of sleight of hand is required, like false shuffles, but nothing as fancy as Bill Malone doing StB because that would take away from the story that is being told. Michael includes some added recommendations for presentation, which if incorporated by a seasoned card worker would enhance the presentation. The story is simple since it is most likely known by any Christian. After having this delight for two weeks, it is like second nature to tell the story and not be wrapped in the motions of the cards. For me, personally, this effect has entered my life at the right time as I head off for a Spring Break missions trip. In quick situations, I’ll most likely be using my Gospel effect to make a point- to plant a seed. But when I know I’ll have time to invest in someone, “RISEN” will be used. I am an intern at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of South Florida. I have shown this effect to the director, and all he could say was, “Wow- I’ve never imagined it [the Gospel] would be ever be told like that.” Friends at the BCM love seeing it performed, as well. I am in charge of outreach at the BCM, which includes prayer walks around campus. Instead of just doing my own, I have been asked to walk with others, just to perform “RISEN”. It seems to be both Christians and non-Christians are blessed when seeing it in action. Just want to end by saying thanks to Michael Paul for giving me the opportunity to learn this and for strengthening my belief in Jesus even more. This brother in Christ is a real encouragement to a fellow magician. In God’s Love, Matthew G. Miller Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not, none will suffice." -Joseph Dunninger
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."Hebrews 13:2 |
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Thetruthteller New user 93 Posts |
Sounds like a heck of a card trick!
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Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
It's too bad the APostle Paul did not have this. Think how different the Book of Acts would have been. No matter how good a trick is, it dos not replace the Word of God (faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God) andis not life chnging. I think the nthusiasm needs to be tempered with sme good theology.
Kevin |
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Justin N. Miller Inner circle 2457 Posts |
As someone who has over 5 yrs of theological training, (in and off the field) when showing this effect I always speak God's word into this and it no longer had a TRICK feel but a demonstration of the Greatest Factual Story Ever Told.
Justin N. Miller |
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Hearttau Elite user New Jersey: Exit 15 E 423 Posts |
A little more info please. Which scriptures does it incorporate? Is it a synopsis of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection as the title implies? Or is the patter broader, covering aspects of Christ’s life and ministry as well?
Thanks, Dave
Lentidigitator: “A magic artist who performs slow motion magic”... Rene Lavand
"Peace and all good"... St. Francis "Hold on to your joy!"... Me http://mysite.verizon.net/hearttau/ |
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Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
And, as someone with a Master's in theology and 32 years in the field, Sam the Bellhop meets Jesus is no replacement for the Gospel. Magic is an adjucnt,an opening, an assistant. It does not make the Gospel more appealing or produce faith - the Holy Spirit does not need magic, and using magic will not convert anyone. Anything that requires slight of hand has the potential to destroy the power and truth of the Gospel, not glorify it.
Paul said, "And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up. We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that....But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. 2 Cor 4:1-7 (NLT) |
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revlovejoy Special user Pennsylvania 765 Posts |
Winks, I was with you on your first post in this thread, but as for your last, I don't know that a blanket condemnation of sleight of hand is in order. Your profile lists close-up as your interest.
I think people understand a card trick is a card trick, and the trickster is just that: a trickster. I don't think it rises to the level of deceit. By contrast, an example of what you are quite rightly opposed to, was recently employed by a neighbor of mine. He is one of many folks around here who founded their own church with the only truth that none of the other 1000 churches in the area were preaching. In an effort to get a mailing list, he set up a stand at a local carnival with a "free drawing!" raffle. This struck me as odd, as he was of the stripe who was vehemently opposed to all games of chance. As he proudly told me, there were no prizes, just a name and address harvest for him. I doubt this is what Christ had in mind as he sent us out to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. I just don't know that a card trick is in the same league. Again, I still understand your point a couple posts up. |
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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
If 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 is being understood to speak against sleight of hand, all I can say is, "Text, without context, is pretext."
I'd certainly be interested to sit in the hermeneutics class that taught the method of interpretation that leads to this conclusion. Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
So how many angels can sit and do card tricks on the top of a pin?
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Dan Bernier Inner circle Canada 2298 Posts |
Do I dare ask, "How many?" (Lol)
"If you're going to walk in the rain, don't complain about getting wet!"
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revlovejoy Special user Pennsylvania 765 Posts |
There's no answer. It's the classic missing-the-point reference to the medieval church. Also a good reminder of when theology gets into areas we cannot possibly know about. (easy Payne, I know that is all of theology for you)
Of course, I have an answer to this question. None. The Biblical experience of angels is in visible form. The word means "face of God." Each one was met with fear, thus the words "do not be afraid" spoken to humans every time one shows up. Tiny unseen creatures do not elicit that kind of fear until germ theory hit the scene. Nor do little fat babies on postage stamps. My kids' diapers maybe. |
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Dan Bernier Inner circle Canada 2298 Posts |
Thanks revlovejoy for bringing to light as to what Payne was getting at with what I thought was going to be a joke.(boy, did I miss the point!)
"If you're going to walk in the rain, don't complain about getting wet!"
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revlovejoy Special user Pennsylvania 765 Posts |
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Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
I've found the web site "The Straight Dope" to be very helpful when researching questions. Here's their take on the angels question:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_132.html Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
Do not misunderstand what I was saying, please. Sleight of hand is fine in using Gospel magic for object lessons and the like. But when it is used to, how shall I phrase it, present the Gospel itself, well, yes, I have a problem with that. The original post seems - operative word, seems - to be making the magic trick greater than the Word itself as a witness. That is a problem. You witness to a non-believer using a trick with slight of hand as a presentation of Jesus' atoning death and resurrection. Non-believer realizes slight of hand was utilized. Non-believer rejects the miracles of Jesus and all He did as a trick also. I've seen it happen. That is why I use magic with believers and always make sure they understand that what I do is not reflection of the greatness of God. That is what is behind the quote in 2 Corinthians - we do not use any kind of deception - innocent or otherwise - in presenting the Gospel. I suppose I am explaining this badly - I just never want any trick I do to detract from God and His truths.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-12 02:03, Winks wrote: Hate to break this to you but I'll wager that the non believer didn't reject the message simply because it was presented in the form of a magic trick. All of the non believers I know (and I know quite a few) are intelligent enough to know the difference between a conjuring trick and the purported miracles of Jesus.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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RevJohn Inner circle Oregon City Oregon, Oregon 2473 Posts |
So, just curious... how does one go about getting this presentation?
Thanks. RevJohn |
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RevJohn Inner circle Oregon City Oregon, Oregon 2473 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-12 02:19, Payne wrote: Completely agree with you, Payne. And Winks, You have seen this happen based on a Magic trick? Isn't is possible (and probably likely) that the rejection had already happened before the trick? Or perhaps, what if a believer sees the trick, and then rejects the faith because of the trick? Doesn't seem very likely. Seems to me, one is not giving the viewer, the spectator enough credit (either way one approaches it... believer or non-believer (which is always a strange term anyway). RevjOhn RevJohn |
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Michael Paul Special user 535 Posts |
Hi guys.
I'd like to just jump in here and say that "Risen" is the gospel story. It is not better then, or different from the message... it IS the message. Risen is a story book deck that tells the good news of Jesus in a visual, novel way. Just like a cartoon, puppet show, movie, passion play, comic book, or audio cd can be used to tell the gospel story... so can a playing card presentation. Of course, the Bible is the word of God, and nothing will ever take it's place... especially a small, short card trick... but Risen is a wonderful tool to help share the message of our Lord. I think the point that Magic Matt was trying to make was that he found "Risen" to be an improvement over other gospel effects that he had seen, and not that it was an improvement over the gospel. Anyone interested can email me at mike@michaelpaulmagic.com Thanks for your interest. Michael Paul |
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Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
Michael,
If "I think the point that Magic Matt was trying to make was that he found "Risen" to be an improvement over other gospel effects that he had seen, and not that it was an improvement over the gospel." was what was meant, then I have no argument with that whatsoever. Do you have a website where I can take a look at it? Thanks Kevin |
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