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A few months ago, I attended a sales conference in Florida. One evening at dinner, the conversation took on a religious tone. A high management executive from Canada, made a statement how Jesus had changed his life. He indicated the world did not have a problem that could not be solved if everyone would invite Jesus to lead and direct their lives. At first it seemed as if we were going to get the "when I got saved" testimony but that never came. He went on to ask how each of us felt about the teachings of Jesus. No one at the table seemed willing to say much. My friend from Canada asked me what I thought. I have never been bashful about my religious convictions. He asked and I responded.
My background was totally different from most at the table. I was very fortunate in that I had the privilege to study at two of the finest seminaries in American in the late sixties and early seventies. Although I have not continued in any type of full-time religious work, I have tried to stay abreast of religious movements and have always considered myself a free thinker not afraid of the "tough" questions in Christian theology.
The life of Christ has always fascinated me. The geo-political situation he was born into had a profound influence on His religious teachings. His confrontations were more with the religious leaders more than the political. It was these confrontations that led him to the cross. At the end He said, "It is finished." Three days later, following His death, He came forth from the grave and a new dimension of life had taken place.
I responded to my Canadian friend by saying, "the life of Christ is almost beyond explanation." Thirty years later I can still hear my New Testament professor at Southern Seminary give a brilliant analysis of the death of Christ. But he warned us; there is really no rationale adequate to explain the death of Christ. The mystery is beyond man’s ability to explain. The best we can hope for is that we understand enough to give some understanding that on man’s part it was a life taken and on God’ part a life given.
At that point, I made a statement to my Canadian friend the deep appreciation I had for the man Paul. I said, that in my opinion, Paul summed up the entire life of Christ by saying, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself I thought my friend would come across the table at me. What I said made him extremely upset. He said, "I love Jesus but not Paul. Paul destroyed everything Jesus did while he was here on earth." This seemed to startle everyone at the table. I sensed at once my Canadian friend had probably read extensively in New Age writings.
Hindson says New Age "theology" represents a do-it-yourself religion. You can pick and choose depending on what has a personal appeal. What is not chosen is not rejected but just set aside. There is no objective truth so one just creates his own subjective truth. P.229- 231. (Piercing The Future.)
Hindson goes on to point out that
Modern man has reached the point where he does not want to face the logical consequences of a secular world without God. But instead of repenting of his rebellion against God, he has now turned to a kind of scientific mysticism that has been popularized as the New Age movement. (Piercing The Future) P. 231.
I said this to my friend - "My entire worldview is based on the New Testament. By worldview I mean any ideology, philosophy, theology, etc. that gives one a framework from which to work to understand the world, God, and man’s responsibility." He continued to give his opinions and I stopped him. I pointed out to him he was giving us his opinions and we all have those but what are his written, authorized writings that he is basing his entire worldview framework on. Again he started giving his opinions. They were sophisticated and well stated. I again stopped him and asked for something outside himself, a guru, writings etc. Finally he gave me the title of a book and a website for what he felt like was the authoritative sources.
As you can imagine I could not wait to get home and check out this website. Guess what I found? The book "was authored by celestial beings as a special revelation to our planet" - ( www.urantia.org/about.html). The book's message is that all human beings are one family, the sons and daughters of one God, the Universal Father. A special emphasis is given on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
I really did not need to go into any more examination. I am not sure I have any interest in reading a book supposedly authored by celestial beings. No matter how good or bad the book may be, if it does not claim to be a work of inspiration from the creator God of the universe, it takes its place along side the millions of pages of man’s best efforts to explain the purpose of life.
I think I will take my chances on a book that was written by Holy men of God moved by His Spirit. I will take my chances on the 66 books we call the Holy Bible. I will stand by the fact that
The Bible has been given to us by the inspiration of God, attested to by that Spirit throughout the centuries, and vindicated in its use by the Holy Spirit throughout the centuries, and vindicated in its use by the Holy Spirit today. In view of this vindication by the Holy Spirit, we can accept the scripture as being reliable in every sense. (James H. Juancey, Science Returns To God. P.42
Did Paul misrepresent the purpose of Christ on this earth? Not a chance. He could not be more correct when he stated, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" . Again hear Paul -- For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is much better. (Philippians 1: 21-23)
