A Christian Challenges my Introduction
April 2nd, 2008 by adminThe following quotes were sent to me in response to the introduction in my book. My response follows. Dr. Jim Turrell
From a Reader
I’d like your answer to these Scripture references that contradict what you stated in your Intro.
#1 Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead,[5] so he is first in everything. 19For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. 21This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, 22yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 23But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed by God to proclaim it.
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#2
37″When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40″Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.(behind) 41Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
43″Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. 44You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected.
45″Who is a faithful, sensible servant, to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his household and feeding his family? 46If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47I assure you, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48But if the servant is evil and thinks, `My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49and begins oppressing the other servants, partying, and getting drunk– 50well, the master will return unannounced and unexpected. 51He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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# 3
From Revelation 13: 7And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to overcome them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. 8And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life, which belongs to the Lamb who was killed before the world was made.
9Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand.
From Revelation 20: 15And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
From Revelation 21: 8But cowards who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars–their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” 27Nothing evil will be allowed to enter (the new city formed after the 2nd coming)–no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty–but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
From Revelation 22: 14Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15Outside the city are the dogs–the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
Those who don’t accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior do not have their names written in the Lambs Book Of Life and will be tormented day and night forever and ever in the lake of fire. Even though we don’t like it and hate to see any put there. Imagine how God must feel knowing how many of His people will not accept His gift of eternal life.
MY RESPONSE
Dear Reader,
These references about separation are tribal and work well for those who believe in the inherency of the bible. Inherency means every word is true, including revelations. I do not believe in the inherency of the bible. There are no answers to those who believe in the inherency of the bible. This is a popular version of Christianity that claims special privileges for those who belong to this group. Their minds are locked in a tribal state. But I don’t believe this was the teaching(s) of Jesus because I can’t imagine Jesus as tribal. His teachings were for all people and when viewed from a Universal point of view speak to the highest form of a spiritual life that includes Compassion, Forgiveness, Love, and Peace. However, I understand the need to make Jesus tribal. It makes those who believe in his exclusivity secure in their righteousness! And, I did not write this book to invalidate those who experience Jesus in this way. I do think that those who believe this way are having a legitimate experience, but then again so are Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists having a legitimate spiritual experience with their beliefs. As a Religious Scientist I study all scriptures to find the golden threads of truth that appear in all of them. I am not interested in exclusivity. Such beliefs are what create wars in the name of religion. Peace is to important to be the exclusive right of any religion. As Jesus is reported to have said, “all things are possible to him that believes.” I hope your daughter can get past the introduction and see what I think Jesus was seeking to communicate about love, forgiveness, and peace.
Blessings, Dr. Jim Turrell
