Why Christianity Is Not Working

Very little observation is required to realize that seekers are not finding what they are seeking in mainline churches. Very little study is required to realize that the teachings of Christianity are not the Gospel that Jesus preached. Christianity isn’t working because the Gospel Jesus preached is glossed over. Many people (including Christians) do not understand, believe, and do what Jesus said.

William J. Bennett, author of The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators — American Society at the End of the Twentieth Century, said:  

“The nation we live in today is more violent and vulgar, coarse and cynical, rude and remorseless, deviant and depressed, than the one we once inhabited.”

Pause and notice what Bennett said. He was speaking about a trend. We, as a nation, are headed toward being utterly wasted (language of Isaiah), or in the language of Jesus: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand” (Matthew 12:25). Isaiah said, “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted” (Isaiah 60:1-12).

Let's face it! We, our families, our nation — and the very world itself — are divided. America, as we know America today, is headed toward being utterly wasted.

Jesus set an example for us. Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus was unified with his Father, and he wanted us to be unified with our Father. Let's face it! Most people are not unified with their Father; they function from the level of the false ego-self ... the underlying cause of discontent, suffering, and unhappiness.

Think about it! About 90 percent of American families are dysfunctional. About half of marriages end in divorce. And a vast majority of the couples who remain in their marriages are not happy, satisfied and contented; their situation has been described as a quiet hell. Clearly, things are not the way that everyone would like things to be: In unity and harmony with truth, God and nature.   

Many students of the Bible misinterpret the Holy Scriptures partly because they believe that the prophets of the Old Testament foretold the future of things to come. In biblical times a prophet was a teacher, not a forecaster of things to come, as fundamentalists seem to interpret the Holy Scriptures. Things to come happen because of the way people believe and think in their heart.

What Jesus said, is brought to desolation, and what Isaiah said, utterly wasted, is not a forecast as fundamentalists think of prophesy. What Jesus and Isaiah said is the way things happen when people are alienated from God … when people do not serve thee. The fact that we (as a nation) are headed toward being annihilated is because we are divided … we are alienated from God. Whether nations or families, there is going to be turmoil and destruction if people are not unified with God … if people are not honest, humble and truthful … if people do not serve thee.  

Let’s face it! For the most part, we do not serve thee. Serving thee is the same thing as doing the will of our Father, which according to Jesus is a prerequisite for having peace and joy. Serving thee (in our language) is the same thing as abiding by that which is true. To abide by that which is true we must transcend the chatter of the false ego self. 

We tend to think that our leaders in Washington are looking after us. But, let’s face it! Our leaders are so divided that they cannot agree on a solution for getting our nation out of the quagmire in which we find ourselves; after all, they got us into the quagmire.

I hasten to explain that I am not pointing a finger toward the present Administration. And I hasten to explain that greedy selfish people elect greedy selfish leaders. The bottom line is that the vast majority are interested in what is best for themselves, not what is in the best interest of our nation.

The long-term trend toward total destruction of America has been in place for several years. Already, there is more than enough nuclear weapons to destroy all life on planet earth. Yet, other nations would like to manufacture nuclear weapons. And there are other weapons of mass destruction. And, there are the electromagnetic bombs that could wreak havoc with our nation; they are comparatively easy to manufacture. And most disturbing, there are no signs of an end in sight for the direction in which we are headed.

As it is, we might win some battles, but we are headed toward losing the war; we are headed toward being annihilated (in the language of Isaiah, utterly wasted) … and all because of obscure fear, ego, greed and ignorance.

Our nation has more than enough knowledgeable, honorable men and women who understand enough to get our nation on the path to truth and peace, but the division of our leaders (many of whom are guided by their ego, selfishness and greed) does not allow this to happen.

Let’s face it! If our leaders were exerting efforts toward what is best for our nation — rather than efforts to satisfy special interest groups and rather than efforts bashing opponents  in an effort to get elected —  this nation would not be in the quagmire in which we find ourselves. Think about it: a soaring debt of over seven trillion dollars. Think of the interest on the debt. A tree cannot grow to the sky. Are our leaders really pursuing what is best for our nation? Surely, they realize that drastic changes are needed.

But, before pointing our fingers at our leaders (we elected them), let us take a look at ourselves. How many people do you know who do as President John F. Kennedy said to do:  “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Do you do this? Or, do you know anyone who does? To change the direction in which our country is headed, we must change the direction in which we ourselves are headed; we must change the way we believe and think in our heart. 

The Gospel that Jesus preached would change the direction in which we are headed … if we believed, understood and did what Jesus said. If we lived the kind of life Jesus wanted us to live, we would enjoy inner serenity, peace, joy, love and happiness. We, our families, our nation — the very world itself — would be in peace and harmony ... deep within the soul of us what everyone (including radical terrorists) avidly desires.

David Gergen, Professor of public service at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of government and Editor at Large, U.S. News & World Report, said: “Across the land, Americans are hungering for something more than money and a new car. They are looking for answers that satisfy the soul and restore a sense of belonging to one another” (U.S. News & World Report, December 6, 1999). 

The message Jesus intended for us would satisfy our soul and bring a sense of belonging to one another. The Gospel that Jesus preached would bring seekers what they are seeking, if only they understood, believed and did what Jesus said. Unfortunately, the Gospel that Jesus commanded his disciples to preach to every creature in the world is not being taught in mainline churches. At least it is not being made clear enough for the masses to understand and embody.  

Learn the truth! Let's face it! About 90 percent of American families are dysfunctional and about 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Our society is characterized by crime, violence, drug abuse, child abuse, spousal abuse, selfishness, greed, jealousy, hatred, and on and on and on.

Certainly there are a few good, loving, honest people in our society. There is tremendous power in love and truth; however, there is not enough truthful, honest, loving people to keep our society glued together. Think about what a difference it would make if the masses were true, loving and honest … if the masses were living the kind of life Jesus wanted everyone to live … the kind of life that everyone desires to live.  

As it is, many people in our society suffer from depression, anger, anxiety, stress, tension headaches, and so on. Many  take tranquilizers and antidepressants. Many seek help from psychics, astrologers, psychiatrists,  personal growth groups, self-help books, cults, and on and on and on … all in an effort to find inner serenity, peace, joy and happiness … all in an effort to enjoy the abundant life Jesus wanted us to enjoy. 

The ultimate solution for all mental turmoil and suffering has been known for more than 2,000 years. Although it has been glossed over, Jesus (and other biblical teachers) let us know the solution. Clearly, what Jesus and other biblical teachers taught is not being taught in modern day churches; at least not taught in a manner people can understand, believe and embody. 

We seem to think that our nation is a Christian nation. Aren’t Christians expected to believe and do what Jesus said?  How many Christians do you know who:

• Really believe, understand and embody the Gospel that Jesus preached?

• Know the truth that sets them free?

• Are pure in heart?

• Have cleaned the inside of the cup and platter?

• Have been converted and are as truthful, honest and humble as little children?

• Are as perfect as Jesus said to be?

• Seek ye first the kingdom of God?

• Are saved?

• Praise and worship their Father?

• Are not wearing a mask, pretending to be something they are not?

If we were a Christian nation, would about 90 percent of our families be dysfunctional? Would we have the highest divorce rate (close to 50 percent) of any nation in the world? Would we have all the crime, violence, drug problems, alcoholic problems, shootings in the schools? Would a huge percentage of the population be taking tranquilizers and antidepressants? Would a huge percentage be suffering from stress, tension headaches and various psychosomatic illnesses ... and on and on and on?

The deplorable condition of our society is a reflection of the condition of American families, which are fractured and disintegrating. The condition of our families is a reflection of the way people believe and think in their heart.

Twenty-first century Americans are so far alienated from their true spiritual self — alienated from God — that they have no inkling of understanding of the biblical passage: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). 

Double-minded people, unstable in all their ways (language of James, a disciple of Jesus), do not bond and become one flesh. One who is capable of bonding cannot bond with one who is incapable of bonding. (There is considerably more about this in the book, Listening to Ourselves: The Key to Everything that Matters.)

By far — without doubt — the church is one of the most influential organizations in our society and provides a great service to humankind. Without the churches, our society would most likely have already become unglued ... would have already self-destructed. However, the following comments highlight false teachings of the churches.

In the latter 1800s, Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer and moral philosopher, said:

“The true Christian teaching is very simple, clear, and obvious to all, as Jesus said. But it is simple and accessible only when man is freed from the falsehood in which we were all educated, and which is passed off upon us as God’s truth. … When, at the age of fifty, I first began to study the Gospels seriously, I found in them the spirit that animates all who are truly alive. … When I perceived that only light enables men to live, I sought the source of this light. And I found it in the Gospels, despite the false teachings of the church. And when I reached this source of light, I was dazzled by its splendor, and I found in it answers to all my questions about life.” (The Gospel According to Jesus by Stephen Mitchell).

For eons, fundamentalism has had a stranglehold on the teachings of Christianity. Typically, fundamentalists disagree with anyone who disagrees with their false beliefs. Some fundamentalists have even called Buddha an atheist, primarily because he did not believe the same false beliefs that they themselves believe.

I have found myself saying things more matter of fact, straight forward and clear than I initially had intended. However, what I have discovered is how determined fundamentalists are to evade the Gospel that Jesus preached and to adhere to their false beliefs. It’s uncanny how fundamentalists can search the Bible from cover to cover to find a passage that seems to support what they believe. And, they do not seem to notice that their interpretations are not consistent with the Gospel that Jesus preached.

It seems today that fundamentalists are as closed minded to hearing the gospel of peace as unbelievers were during the ministry of Jesus.  Jesus said, “Therefore speak I to them in parables; because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive; For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed” (Matthew 13:13-15).

 Let’s face it! Our families, our nation — the very world itself — are in need of a healing. The message Jesus intended for us would heal us, if only we understood, believed and did what Jesus said. My intentions here are to make the teachings of Jesus as clear as my awareness and understanding permits. Many passages in the Bible do not require any explanation, but only that readers be open minded, be still, and pay attention.

There are several passages that let us know that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are the same. Perhaps, the simplest explanation is two passages in Matthew. In Chapter 19, verse 23, Jesus said: “That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” And in the next verse, 24, Jesus said: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Clearly, the kingdom of heaven is the same thing as the kingdom of God.

There are many passages that are glossed over and misinterpreted. The following is an example. Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Notice what Jesus said and notice what he did not say. Speaking about little children, Jesus said, “of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Little children are born pure in heart, the condition for enjoying the kingdom of heaven. Jesus did not say anything about the kingdom of heaven being a place where Christians go after they die.

Another example of something Jesus said about the kingdom of heaven, alluding to the present, is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Note that Jesus said “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  This statement is in the present tense; there is nothing in this passage to suggest that heaven is a place where Christians go after they die. Poor in spirit alludes to those who are honest and humble, versus those who wear a mask, projecting an image of being righteous and ecstatically happy.

Another example of something Jesus said about the kingdom of heaven that is glossed over is: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Righteousness is characterized by (among other things) truthfulness, honesty and purity of heart, prerequisites for enjoying the kingdom of heaven. Again, the phrase, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” alludes to the present.

Also, it is significant to know that most all spiritual teachers (if not all) were persecuted during biblical times because they were righteous, truthful and honest, and they preached truth.  Remember what happened to Jesus and all of his disciples? 

It seems that fundamentalists have a mindset that hinders them from understanding things that Jesus said. Based on the saying of Jesus, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2), fundamentalists seem to believe that Jesus literally has gone to prepare heaven for Christians to enjoy after they die.

If only fundamentalists would pay close attention to several things Jesus said, they would realize that their belief about this passage could not be true. The passage by Jesus in Luke 17:21, “The kingdom of God is within you,” is more than enough to let us know that Jesus has not gone to prepare heaven for Christians to enjoy after they die.

I have assimilated all the passages in the Bible containing the words heaven and hell and the phrase kingdom of God (same thing as heaven). Fundamentalists seem to base their beliefs about heaven and hell on two passages that are reasonably easy for fundamentalists to misinterpret. Although there are hundreds of  passages in which the words heaven and hell appear, there is nothing in the Bible to suggest that heaven and hell are places where people go after they die.

In an attempt to make various passages from the Bible seem to support their false beliefs about heaven and hell, fundamentalists do what Jesus said blind guides (false teachers) did about 2,000 years ago; they strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. The passage about the rich man and Lazarus is an example. This is one of the most often quoted passages that fundamentalists use to support their belief of a hell of fire and brimstone after death.

If we study that passage (undistorted by a mind-set with false beliefs about heaven and hell), we realize that it is not about hell as fundamentalists think about hell.  It is about the condition of our heart, which determines our overall well being, which determines whether we enjoy the “peace that passeth all understanding,” or if we are tormented by a troubled mind, which is hell.

Another passage sometimes quoted by fundamentalists to justify their false beliefs about heaven and hell is in Mark, Chapter 9, beginning with verse 43. Jesus borrowed from Isaiah for the language used in that passage. Briefly, this passage does not indicate that heaven and hell are places where people go after they die. What Jesus was alluding to in those passages is explained in my book, Commune with Your Heart: The Only Way to Find Peace, Joy and Happiness. If you would like information about this book, click, Commune with Your Heart: The Only Way to Find Peace, Joy, and Happiness.

An example of a passage in which both the words heaven and hell appear, alluding to the present, not about something after death, is by David the Psalmist: “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there” (Psalms 18:4) ... only one example of many, alluding to the present.

Solomon and perhaps Moses let us know what happens to us after we die. In Genesis 3:19, we find, “… for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Solomon let us know that what happens to us after we die is the same thing that happens to animals after they die. Solomon  said, “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts … as the one dieth, so dieth the other … so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast. … all go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again” (Ecclesiastes 4:19-20).

Solomon also said, “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward … for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:5-10).

It seems that one of the mistakes fundamentalists make in studying the Scriptures is interpreting visions, dreams, and idioms literally. Early translators of the Holy Scriptures translated the language; they did explain the meaning of idioms, dreams, and visions. Realizing this — and assimilating the teachings of Jesus — we realize that the passages about Jesus walking on water are based on visions … not reality. When we understand the nature of visions, we realize that Jesus did not walk on water.  

And, it is a huge mistake to resort to the visions of John in the Revelation to John in an effort to make a false belief seem true. Those visions of John are not meant to be interpreted literally.

Fundamentalists adamantly and emphatically — and perhaps correctly — declare that every word in the Bible is the inspired word of God. Perhaps this is true; however, according to Webster, a fundamentalist is one who interprets the Holy Scriptures literally. A literal interpretation of the idioms, metaphors, parables, and visions — a significant portion of the Bible — results in a misinterpretation  and misunderstanding of the inspired word of God. A literal interpretation of the Holy Scriptures can cause one to miss the message Jesus intended for us.    

Jesus said, “Ye blind guides [false teachers], which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:24). Straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel, trying to make false beliefs seem true, does not make them true. False beliefs of fundamentalists are not divine, holy, or sacred; they are false and misleading. False beliefs impede people from understanding what Jesus said; they impede people from finding their way to God.

Quite sometime ago, I attended a church service in which I was stunned by a question posed by the minister. He said something to the effect the he and some of his colleagues had posed a question that people do not usually ask aloud: “Are churches helping or impeding people to find their way to God”? From a cursory observation, it seems that seekers are not finding what they are seeking.

It’s highly unlikely to understand what Jesus and other biblical teachers said if we do not understand at least some of the idioms that are used in the Bible. Following are a couple of examples:  Hell fire is an idiom, meaning, Mental suffering; torment. This is quoted from, IDIOMS IN THE BIBLE EXPLAINED AND A KEY TO THE ORIGINAL GOSPELS, by George M. Lamsa. Another example of an idiom from the same source: Closet is an idiom, meaning, Inner heart or mind.  

Closet, or inner heart or mind, is that quiet place within alluded to by David the Psalmist as the secret place of the most high. This is the state of mind in which we commune and understand with our heart, the secret for discovering the truth that sets us free ... the place in which we learn to embrace and cherish our true divine spiritual self … that place within in which we distinguish between that which is false and that which is true. 

I must add that it takes discipline to learn to be still, transcend the chatter of the ego and learn to pay attention and notice the insights that come to us. (Helpful tips are offered in my books, Life's Greatest lesson: The Message Jesus Intended for Us  and  Listening to Ourselves: The Key to Everything that Matters.)

John Shelby Spong, an Episcopal Bishop and lecturer and author of Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture and Why Christianity Must Change or Die, said:  “The hunger for God is deep and pervasive in our society today. We need to recognize that this is not the same thing as hunger for the answers the church has traditionally given. Indeed, many seekers today do not act as if the Church will ever be a place where God can be fruitfully sought.” (Why Christianity Must Change or Die, page 21).

Think about it! Christianity would flourish if the Gospel that Jesus preached were being taught in a manner that people believe, understand, and embody. After all, the way Jesus wanted us to live brings peace, joy and happiness … what everyone desires.

I learned early in life that there is something misleading about the teachings of Christianity. I was reared in a fundamentalist church. Although I did not say this aloud, I was confused from the beginning. Nevertheless, after marrying and starting a family, I thought it was important to get my family involved in the church.

During a church service, the minister preached on and on and on about things I knew could not be true. The service lasted about two hours. On the way home from the service, I told my wife that I did not want our children subjected to that type of brainwashing.

A first impulse was to find a church that did not teach fear of a hell of fire and brimstone. Although I knew what was being preached about hell being a place where sinners go after they die and heaven being a place of joy, peace and happiness where Christians go after they die was not true, I did not know what is true.

In addition, my observation let me know that something is missing in the modern day teachings of Christianity. The lives of many people who profess to be Christian are miserable. They are plagued with anger, jealousy, anxiety, depression, emotional insecurity; they take tranquilizers and antidepressants; their marriage relationships are disastrous; many wear a mask, pretending to be happy, loving and righteous … and on and on and on. Clearly, there must be a better way. Clearly, there are those who are genuinely loving, peaceful, happy and contented. If a few people can be peaceful, happy and contented, why can’t everyone be peaceful, happy and contented? It is what everyone wants. What makes a difference?

I found myself on a journey, tying to discern what is true and what is false; what works and what does not work. After considerable searching, I ended up at square one, back to where I started. I finally realized that the Gospel that Jesus preached is true. The Gospel — if believed, understood and embodied — brings seekers everything they are seeking. The problem with the churches is that what Jesus said is not made clear in the modern day teachings of Christianity.

Although it was easy to find churches that are not as primitive, or not as fundamentalist as the one referred to above, I did not find any modern day churches that are teaching the true Gospel of Jesus. Let’s face it! The Gospel Jesus preached is glossed over and/or misinterpreted.

 Modern day churches offer many social benefits that are quite worthy. However, think about what a difference the churches would make if they were teaching the true Gospel of Jesus; if they were teaching people how to discover the truth that sets them free; how to be saved; how to cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, how to love as Jesus said to love, how to be as perfect as Jesus said to be, and on and on and on.

Think about what a terrific difference it would make if religious teachers were teaching people how to seek first what Jesus said to seek first: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” If seekers were successful in doing this one thing that Jesus said to do, surely they would find every thing they are seeking ... they would  be saved.  

The whole thing about me not knowing what is true was made abundantly clear to me while my family was returning from a vacation at the beach. After I had been driving for about two hours on the Interstate, out of the blue, my oldest son (about the age of 10 at the time), ask, “Daddy, where is heaven.” After pondering and mumbling, I realized that the only true answer I had for him is, “I don’t know.” At that time, even though I had belonged to a church several years, I did not know that Jesus said, “The kingdom of God [heaven] is within you” (Luke 17:21). 

This is something I discovered after I began searching. After discovering that Jesus said, “The kingdom of God within you,” I was curious. I asked a few fundamentalists how they interpreted this passage by Jesus. I got varied answers; clearly they did not know the answer. Their answers seemed to be along the line of thinking: The kingdom of God is in those who have accepted Christ as their savior and are saved. This is not what Jesus said, and this is not consistent with the Gospel that Jesus preached.

Finally, I ask a protestant Minister about the subject passage. He did not know that Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” He questioned me, wondering if one of the old philosophers said this. When I showed him the passage in the Bible, he asked me if I had read the parable about the sower of the seed. 

What Jesus said about the subject passage needs no interpretation. It means what Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” We do not enjoy heaven — we do not have inner serenity, peace and joy — if our heart is not pure ... if we are not abiding by the will of our Father.

From Solomon, we know: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Vain things come from the ego, and they rob us of inner serenity, peace, joy, and happiness.

Not understanding the Gospel, some teachers misuse the Holy Scriptures. I have heard several times a statement like: “We cannot lean on our own understanding.” From the way this is said, it seems like we cannot lean on our own understanding. The complete passage is: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3: 5-6).

In this passage, him refers to the Lord (Father, in the language of Jesus). He shall direct thy paths is related to something Jesus said. In our language, what Jesus said is: “Only those who do the will of their Father will enjoy heaven.” Those who do the will of their Father are following the path of truth, rather than following the dictates of their fearful, false ego-self. 

To discover the truth that sets us free, to be saved, to be healed, we must not lean on the understanding we get from the chatter of the ego; we must lean on the understanding we get from our heart. There is no other way. In today’s language, we must lean on the understanding we get from our heart, not from our head.

In regard to understanding, Huston Smith said, “To understand something is to be delivered of it — these words come close to summarizing Spinoza’s entire ethic.”( Source: Huston Smith's  book, The Religions of Man). Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher and religious thinker.

The statement, “To understand something is to be delivered of it,” is a way of discovering the truth that makes us free ... free from the cause of suffering. We discover the truth that makes us free by being still and communing — and understanding — with our heart.

Here is the problem: Satan (the false ego self) is so deceitful in leading people to believe that falsehoods are true; thus, leading people astray from the truth that makes them free. There is nothing people resist more than confronting, acknowledging, and admitting the false ways of their ego. Instead, they blame their anger, hatred, and unhappiness on others.

The apostle Paul, speaking about people who are under the influence of Satan, said they are, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … so do these also resist the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7-8).

 Fear and hate evolving from the ego are perhaps the most significant explanation for the torture, persecution and execution of Jesus and his disciples. Think about it! Jesus and his disciples were not of the world; they were the light of the world; they lived truth, and they preached truth. The thing that set the disciples apart from the masses is that they believed and followed the teachings of Jesus.

Spinoza also said, “It is a comfort to the unhappy to have companions in misery.” Having the emotional support of other unbelievers of truth is another way of avoiding the task of seeking within for the cause of and the solution to one’s unhappiness.

Another way of evading the task of acknowledging and understanding one’s unwarranted fears and deeply held false beliefs is following the false teachings of fundamentalists. The beliefs of fundamentalists about such things as accepting Christ as our savior, Jesus took our sins on himself, we are saved by believing on Jesus (not the same thing as believing and doing what Jesus said), that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, there is no salvation apart from the cross, etc., are not the truth that makes us free; these things are not the gospel Jesus preached and that he commanded his disciples to preach to every creature in the world.  

Solomon said, “Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding.” We get wisdom and understanding by doing what David the Psalmist said to do about 3,000 years ago. “Be still and commune with your own heart.” Thus, we must lean on the understanding we get from our heart ... not our head. 

Regarding the teachings of fundamentalists, I am reminded of a response from a reader of my previous writings. She said:

“I was raised in a Baptist church and experienced the rituals and ceremonies required to ‘save’ myself from eternal damnation. … I haven’t been to church since I was in my early teens. I have faith in God and Jesus; however, I feel like a lost soul. I find contradictions in what I’ve been taught, and everything seems so obscure and vague.”

Can you understand why “everything seems so obscure and vague”? And, notice the cry for help in this woman’s comments … help that many people aren’t finding in modern day churches; thus, the booming business of psychics, astrologers, psychiatrists, marriage counselors, personal growth groups, self-help books, cults, and so on.

Most all (if not all) of the responses from readers of my previous writings indicate a need for the Gospel to be taught in manner people can believe, understand and embody. If you would like to see responses from readers of my previous writings, click here: Response from Readers. It is significant to know that these responses are strictly voluntary, unlike testimonials used by publishers to promote the sell of their books. 

Although there are many loving people in the churches, there are many hypocrites. And there is no one in the church to do what Jesus would do: call a hypocrite a hypocrite.

It’s nothing unusual to find many people who claim to be Christian who are emotionally insecure, neurotic, backstabbing, angry, jealous, taking tranquilizers, taking antidepressants, suffering from tension headaches, struggling with disastrous relationships, embroiled in marriage problems, and on and on and on. None of this would be happening if people were pure in heart … if they believed and did what Jesus said. 

The cry for help in the above comment reminds me of something Jesus said: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Think about what this world would be like if religious teachers taught the Gospel of Jesus in a manner people can understand, believe and embody. Imagine a society — a world — where people have inner serenity, peace, joy and happiness  … the kind of life Jesus wanted everyone to enjoy … the kind life everyone inherently desires. 

Jesus was a strict teacher! We either believe or we disbelieve! There is no leeway in the teachings of Jesus for various shades of gray. We are either pure in heart, or we are not; either saved, or not … either unified with God and in harmony with truth, or not. Like being wet or dry, we cannot be both at the same time. 

Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30). People who do not believe and accept what Jesus said and who do not do the things Jesus said to do are against the teachings of Jesus.

One of the things I am attempting to accomplish in my writings is to make the teachings of Jesus so clear and understandable that fundamentalists can no longer evade and gloss over the Gospel that Jesus preached. The Gospel that Jesus preached has the potential for taking away the sins and suffering of the world and bringing us, our families, our nation — the very world itself — the peace, joy and harmony that everyone avidly desires. However, it seems that the Gospel will never be preached clearly until the stranglehold of fundamentalism has been eradicated.

About 3,000 years ago, Zephaniah said, “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent” (Zephaniah 3:9). To some extent this is what I have done in my writings. I have used modern day language that is reasonably easy to understand.

Many people are beginning to notice that something is wrong with the modern-day teachings of Christianity. An example is an article in the September 28, 2003, issue of The Knoxville News Sentinel, by Jim Patterson (Associated Press). The title of the article is: “Some rethink idea of church.” A subtitle is: “Movement challenges how faith approached.” The following is an excerpt from the article:

“There’s a widespread feeling in a lot of churches that something’s wrong, something’s not working … Postmodern Christians aren’t proposing a specific plan, but they are questioning the current model of the megachurch, which attracts thousands of members with dynamic speakers, showbiz bells and whistles, and programs to help members improve themselves. … ‘Has the machinery of the church enabled us to do the work that Christ set us out to do, or is it inhibiting us?’ asked Spencer Burke, who once was pastor of the 10,000-member Mariners Church of Irvine, Calif. He quit that post and now runs a Web site out of his garage and pastors to a group of ‘fellow travelers’ who are reluctant to even name their church.”

This reminds me of something a friend said several years ago. Speaking about his father who was a protestant minister, he said something like, “My dad has changed his thinking considerably since he finished his seminary training. If he preached what he really believes, his congregation would probably run him off.” This raises the question: What are the seminaries teaching? 

Think about it! It seems that fundamentalists do not really want to hear the true Gospel. It seems that many Christians are as the Apostle Paul described: “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … so do these also resist the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7-8).

Many people study, study, and study and never discover the truth that sets them free. The beliefs of fundamentalists about heaven and hell are so firmly embedded that when they read or hear that Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you,” it seems that they automatically think Jesus meant something other than what he said. Thus, they gloss over what Jesus said.

Note the words of Jesus in the following passage. In response to the Jews, Jesus said, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world” (John 10:36). Note that Jesus was sanctified and sent by his Father. There are other passages by Jesus that let us know that Jesus was sent by his Father. The prophets of the Old Testament were sent by the Lord. Jesus was sent by his Father … same thing, just different words.

Webster defines sanctify: “to make holy; to set apart as holy; consecrate; to make free from sin; purify.” Thus, Jesus was saved by his Father. David the Psalmist was saved by the Lord … same thing, just different words.

Moses said, “Hereby ye shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of mine own mind” (Numbers 16:28). This is similar to what Jesus said about doing the will of his Father who sent him.

The passage in John 3:16 is perhaps one of the most often quoted — and perhaps one of the most misinterpreted — passages in the Bible. To begin with, the passage is in red letters in red-letter editions of the New Testament. There was a time when I thought the passages in red letters were the words of Jesus. Clearly, several red-letter passages are not the words of Jesus. (This is made clear in the book, Life's Greatest Lesson: The Message Jesus Intended for Us. For information about this book, click here.) 

The words in John 3:16 are not the words of Jesus: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

If fundamentalists would study and understand the passages in which Jesus alludes to the Father sending him, they would get a different understanding of the passage in John 3:16. As it is, it seems that what Jesus said about the Father sending him is glossed over by fundamentalists.

Fundamentalists not only gloss over what Jesus said about the Father sending him, they also gloss over the purpose for the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). He also said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Note that Jesus alluded to himself as the Son of man, not that he was God in human flesh.

Regarding the above passages, fundamentalists do not seem to have any questions about who is righteous — who is saved — without the teachings of Jesus.

Think about it! The child who receives perfect parenting receives perfect love. He or she has no obscure fear, which is the underlying cause of all mental turmoil and suffering. Thus, the child who receives perfect love and parenting is pure in heart … is saved.

I probably went beyond the call of duty, explaining, “Why We Are the Way We Are: How to Rear Healthy, Happy, Well-adjusted Children” (chapter title), in my first book, Listening to Ourselves: The Key to Everything that Matters. Let’s face it! This is a highly important topic. America has been described on one of the most violent nations of all highly industrialized nations in the world. Violence is the result of faulty parenting.

Problem is, we (as a nation) cannot have perfect parenting if parents are not perfect. Problem is, under the influence of faulty religious teachings, we think that we are not perfect and can never be perfect. Fundamentalists seem to ignore what Jesus said; Jesus meant what he said: “Be perfect, even as you Father who is in heaven is perfect.”

Problem is, religious teachers do not seem to believe that Jesus meant what he said. Thus, they have not bothered to learn how to teach people how to be perfect. Deep within the soul of us, everyone desires to live the kind of life Jesus wanted us to live: life characterized by truth, love, peace, joy and happiness, which we enjoy when we are as perfect as Jesus said to be.

Fundamentalists seem to focus on a passage by the Apostle Paul, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Fundamentalists seem to take this passage out of context and to misinterpret it.

Similarly, it seems that fundamentalists misinterpret a passage by David the Psalmist and   believe that people are born sinners. The passage is: “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalms 51:5).

Very little study is required to realize that this does not mean that David (or anyone else) was born a sinner, or born with a sinful nature. On the contrary, we were born spiritually perfect, created in the image and likeness of God. (Detailed explanations of some of the things I am saying here are beyond the scope of this Website. All are made abundantly clear in my other writings. Highlights are offered in a new booklet, The Truth about the Gospel. You can find information about this booklet by clicking, The Truth about the Gospel.)

Jesus also said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Let's face it! We do not enjoy the abundant life when we are wearing a mask pretending to be something we are not ... when we are a hypocrite  … when our heart is embedded with fear and false beliefs … when our heart is not pure.    

The abundant life is characterized by inner serenity, peace, joy and happiness ... what all seekers are seeking. Jesus also said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye might have peace” (John 16:33). The purpose for the teachings of biblical teachers is that we might overcome suffering and have peace and joy.

From the manner in which fundamentalists gloss over passages in the Bible, it seems that they do not believe that Jesus and other biblical teachers intended for people to believe and do what they said; for example:

• “Be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

• “Cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter.”

• “Seek you first the kingdom of God.”

• “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

• “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

• “Be converted and become as pure in heart as little children.”

• “Purify your hearts, ye doubled minded.”

• “Sanctify yourselves.”

• “Wash thine heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved.”

Think about it! These things are not made clear in the modern day teachings of Christianity. If we did any one of the foregoing things that Jesus and other biblical teachers said to do, we would be saved … we would have inner serenity, peace, joy and happiness. From the purity of our hearts, we would honestly and genuinely do unto others as we would have others do unto us. In due time, we, our families, our nation — the world itself — would be in peace and harmony.

Many people can get themselves in a quandary, trying to figure out what their purpose is, thinking that they would be happy and satisfied if only they knew. About 3,000 years ago, Solomon explained our purpose: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Think about it! Keeping the commandments of God is the whole duty of man. Keeping the commandments of God is the same thing as doing the will of our Father ... the same thing as abiding by that which is true, which brings inner serenity, peace, joy, and happiness—deep within the soul of us what everyone desires.

Copyright © 2000—2008 by Dwight Nichols