I was so down yesterday, and trying to deal with so much. In the mail came my copy of 'Misquoting Jesus; The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why' by Bart Ehrmann. My oldest son and I just finished Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by the same fellow. We read it essentially in one day.
I started this book, and the author, whom I respect considerably. (I have a lecture tape series by him on the NT)
He reveals, I think that although "born again" as a teen, he now believes, from his studies that he believes in God, but that Jesus is an apocalyptic prophet not necessarily the Son of God. That's me reading between his lines.
That was scary stuff. Was I going to come to the same conclusion should I delve into this stuff? If I have the audacity to read the gnostic gospels as sources of academic study, am I a heretic? I thought, my friend Patchouli will surely understand this..will my friend Connie? What will I say to Connie?
So, God gives Connie a Word to call me this morning!
Thank God...she's obedient!
And what a wonderful conversation! Thank you, Connie....He is so good to us! The more I get into this the closer I feel to Him, to Jesus, to the truth...It's like nuzzling up against Him and knowing Him more and more. The Source quotes Jesus as saying, "You overly critical, hair-splitting, pedantic religious types!" Truth! Stop using the Bible as an idol and start seeing the truth of the words in it and LIVE it! Breath it! Embrace who He is...He is EXISTENCE! He was and is and is to come! Stop beating these words into the ground and rise up out of that dusty ground and see HIM.
I believe we are on a path back to where He wants us to be.....how flat are those self-help "Christian" books that entice us to make God in our image, to make Him our puppet?
Connie spoke of the depth of words in old hymns. So true! God is showing me that our generation is flattening Him and stuffing Him in this box, this cube. He shows me that He is like an onion, with incredible layers to be peeled back not only to see Him, but to see us as He sees us. And what is an onion in our nature, but a blood-purifier? A detoxifier? Amazing grace!
I thank Him for this morning, I thank Him for my sisters, and the freedom He gives us to actively PURSUE Him, knocking over tables, being driven from the synagogues, being called heretical. BRING IT ON...if it brings us closer to Him and His blessed Son. Praise God.
3 comments:
Hi, Opium.
Larry Here... of "Last Exit..." I finally got around to following the link through your name.
Yah, anyone who says Jesus is just another prophet is frightening. It's a popular opinion because it makes Him more understandable, and removes the objection that Christianity is exclusive.
But Jesus said it himself: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me." Anyone who wants to know God will be welcomed with open arms, if they believe in Jesus and what He did.
As for being a heretic if you read the book: I don't think so. You can read and think about other ideas without believing them. There is, however, constant pressure to conform to the world's ideas, and you need to let Jesus' truth have a good grip on you to keep from being led gradually astray.
God is more detailed, bigger, and more alive than any of us will ever fully understand. He introduces Himself to us as we're able to understand. Step by little step, in the way that each of us can best understand, he conforms us to His image instead of the image of society.
Hi, Larry! I found you through Ragamuffin Diva through Patchouli Ponderings....
Yep, I find it interesting that the more Dr. Ehrmann studied the further he got from Jesus...and the more I study, the closer I get!My revelation and faith in Him didn't come from a book or from church...it hit me full on one night. And it's all about being separate from this world, even when you're still here...as you say, He conforms us to Him; He is the potter.
And a very starry-eyed dreamer of a Potter he is... His dreams of what people can be are far beyond anything I can come up with. I just hold on.
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