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Yes, Jesus Claimed to Be God

The following is reprinted with permission from Tony Miano and can be found at On The Box

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Yes, Jesus Claimed to be God

One of the many "cut & paste" objections unbelievers levy against God and His Word is this: "Jesus never claimed to be God."

Truth: The Bible does not record Jesus saying these words in a single sentence: "I am God."

Truth: Jesus repeatedly asserted He was and is God, and that is why the Jewish religious leaders sought to murder Him (Mark 14:60-64; Luke 22:66-71; John 8:48-59; John 9:35-41; John 10:30-33).

The Bible is replete with the words of Jesus and the words about Jesus, which clearly show (to those who are not spiritually blind), that God the Father and Jesus (God the Son) are one in essence and character while, at the same time unique in their personage. God the Father and God the Son, along with God the Holy Spirit, comprise the Trinity of God. God is one God in three Persons.

What follows was compiled by Mark Spence and published as part of Lesson 49 of The School of Biblical Evangelism. Feel free to copy and paste this into a Word document and size it to fit inside your Bible. The next time someone foolishly challenges the deity of Jesus, you will be all-the-more equipped to give the reason for the hope that is in you.

Description: YAHWEH; "I AM"

God the Father: Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 32:39

Jesus: John 8:24; John 8:58; John 18:4-6

Description: God

God the Father: Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 45:6-7

Jesus: Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1, 14; John 20:28; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1; Matthew 1:23; 1 John 5:20

Description: Alpha and Omega (The First and the Last)

God the Father: Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:8

Jesus: Revelation 1:17-18; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 2:12-16

Description: Lord

God the Father: Isaiah 45:23

Jesus: Matthew 12:8; Acts 7:59-60; Acts 10:36; Romans 10:12; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philippians 2:10-11

Description: Savior

God the Father: Isaiah 43:3, 11; Isaiah 63:8; Luke 1:47; 1 Timothy 4:10

Jesus: Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 1:29; John 4:42; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 5:9

Description: King

God the Father: Psalm 95:3; Isaiah 43:15; 1 Timothy 6:14-16

Jesus: Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16

Description: Judge

God the Father: Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm 50:4, 6; Psalm 58:11; Psalm 75:7; Psalm 96:13

Jesus: John 5:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1

Description: Light

God the Father: 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 27:1

Jesus: John 1:4, 9; John 3:19; John 8:12; John 9:5

Description: Rock

God the Father: Deuteronomy 32:3-4; 2 Samuel 22:32

Jesus: Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 10:3-4; 1 Peter 2:4-8

Description: Redeemer

God the Father: Psalm 130:7-8; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 48:17; Isaiah 49:26; Isaiah 54:5

Jesus: Acts 20: 28; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12

Description: Our Righteousness

God the Father: Isaiah 45:24

Jesus: Jeremiah 23:6; Romans 3:21

Description: Husband

God the Father: Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:16

Jesus: Matthew 25:1; Mark 2:18-19; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32; Revelation 21:2, 9

Description: Shepherd

God the Father: Genesis 49:24; Psalm 23:1; Psalm 80:1

Jesus: John 10:11, 16; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4

Description: Creator

God the Father: Genesis 1:1; Job 33:4; Psalm 95:1-7; Psalm 102:24-26; Isaiah 40:28; Issiah 43:1; Acts 4:24

Jesus: John 1:2-3, 10; Colossians 1:15-18; Hebrews 1:1-3, 10

Description: Giver of Life

God the Father: Genesis 2:7; Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6

Jesus: John 5:21; John 10:28; John 11:25

Description: Forgiver of Sin

God the Father: Exodus 34:6-7; Nehemiah 9:17; Daniel 9:9; Jonah 4:2

Jesus: Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:1-12; Acts 26:18; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13

Description: Lord our Healer

God the Father: Exodus 15:26

Jesus: Acts 9:34

Description: Omnipresent

God the Father: Psalm 139:7-12; Proverbs 15:3

Jesus: Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; Ephesians 3:17; Ephesians 4:10

Description: Omniscient

God the Father: 1 Kings 8:37-39; Jeremiah 17:9-10

Jesus: Matthew 9:4; Matthew 11:27; Luke 5:4-6; John 2:25; John 16:30; John 21:17; Acts 1:24

Description: Omnipotent

God the Father: Isaiah 40:10-31; Isaiah 45:5-13; Revelation 19:6

Jesus: Matthew 28:18; Mark 1:29-34; John 10:18; Jude 24

Description: Preexistent

God the Father: Genesis 1:1

Jesus: John 1:15, 30; John 3:13, 31-32; John 6:62; John 16:28; John 17:5

Description: Eternal

God the Father: Psalm 102:26-27; Habakkuk 3:6

Jesus: Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; John 8:58

Description: Receiver of Worship

God the Father: Matthew 4:10; John 4:24; Revelation 5:14; Revelation 7:11; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 19:10

Jesus: Matthew 14:33; Matthew 28:9; John 9:38; Philippians 2:10-11; Hebrews 1:6

Description: Hope

God the Father: Jeremiah 17:7

Jesus: 1 Timothy 1:1

Description: Speaker with Divine Authority

God the Father: “Thus saith the Lord…” -- used hundreds of times in Scripture

Jesus: Matthew 23:34-37; John 3:5; John 7:46; Every time Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say…”

Description: He Who Rose Jesus from the Dead

God the Father: "Whom you crucified..." Acts 2:24; 2:31-32; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14

Jesus: "Destroy this Temple..." John 2:19-22; John 10:17-18; Matthew 27:40

Description: Who Gets the Glory?

God the Father: Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 48:11

Jesus: Hebrews 13:21; John 17:5

Funny Video About Being Good

Consider This About Roman Catholicism...

Do you know very much about Mormonism?  Mormons consider themselves to be Christians, and if you ask them if they believe in Jesus they will answer with all of the 'correct' answers that really make it seem that they believe as a Christian.  However, their words mean something different.  Although Mormons claim to believe the bible, they also believe another book called the Book of Mormon (supposedly given by revelation of an angel).  They place the Book of Mormon on equal par, or greater than, the Bible.  And because the Book of Mormon disagrees with most of the Bible (much like the decrees of the Pope or Catholic Catechisms) they have to choose which to believe.

Mormons believe Jesus is the Spirit brother of Lucifer, and they don't like each other because Jesus was chosen to be the Messiah instead of Lucifer.  Mormons believe that when they die they will become gods and rule over their own planet someday (and the god ruling this planet was once a human like them who has attained godhood).  Mormons have secret rites and rituals inside of their temples that help them on their journey to godhood.

Do you wonder how they can believe those things if they are supposedly Christian?  It is because they do not believe and trust what the Bible says, but instead listen to angelic (demonic) and human teachings.  In the same way, Catholics believe a great deal of human teachings over what the Bible teaches. 

If you are Roman Catholic here is a brief article showing the man made rules and teachings in Catholicism.  Please consider trusting in the Word of the Lord, and believing what it says!

Apostolic or Apostate?

Watch 180 - Hitler & Abortion

Have you ever heard of Ray Comfort?  He is an amazing street evangelist, and here he talks to people on the street about the Holocaust in Germany, and the Holocaust happening in America.

Hot Topics

Back in this post I had a preview of a documentary called "Wide is the Gate"...here are two hours of a radio interview with the producer covering such topics as: yoga, Rick Warren, meditation, green movement, and New Age.  Why not listen as you clean or cook dinner tonight?  You might hear something you were unaware of.

Hour 1
Hour 2

Great Source of Info for Catholics

Airo has put together a great page for Catholics to explore the differences between what the Church of Rome teaches and what the Bible clearly says.  There are dozens of articles and videos...please take the time to look through this info to understand why the gospel message saves and Catholicism does not.

What the Bible Says About the Millenial Kingdom...

In this article Dr. David Reagan shows from a biblical perspective what the bible says about Jesus reigning on the earth.

Are You Really Saved?

I grew up believing I was a good person.  I knew Jesus died to take away my sins (I knew that intellectually) but since I never did anything 'really bad' I still thought I was good.  Even in church when a pastor commented on how terrible his sins had been before being saved I would think, "Wow, I wonder what he did.  At least I've never done that kind of stuff."  Well, that is what scripture is for!  I started really studying my bible (you know besides reading it on Sun at church) and about a year ago I was convicted and shown that I am not as good as I thought. The bible revealed to me sin after sin in my life.  It was almost overwhelming, and I realized that I could never stand before God with all of the sin I had committed.  All thoughts of myself as a good person were shattered.  I repented of my sins (not just asked for forgiveness but grieved over my sin), and at that time something different began to happen.  I started hating some of the things that I used to enjoy.  I think about the things I do in light of God's words instead of if they seem ok to me.  It's an ongoing process, but I am making changes lead by God's Word.  I was saved, and now I'm a different person.

This video by Brannon Howse and the link to  sermon below both cover the same topic.  Listen and then examine yourselves to see if you are a Christian by choice or a Christian that has truly been born again.



ARE YOU REALLY A CHRISTIAN? By Todd Friel

Tour of Rome

See pictures of the city of Rome and its buildings along with a sermon by David Cloud about the Roman Church as "The Woman Who Rides the Beast"

Dominionist Political Agenda

By Lighthouse Trails...

Signs and Wonders

There are many things going on in the world that can seem to come from God because they are beyond our understanding.  Strange things happen and many proclaim, "It must be a miracle from God!" However the Bible warns us that in the last days things will occur and people will attribute them to God but they are a lie.

Matt 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Rev 16:14 "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

Signs and wonders...what would that look like today?  Crying statues?  Oil dripping from paintings?  Gold dust falling from heaven? Apparitions of the Virgin Mary?  What else could these things be if they aren't from God?  Did you notice in the above quote from Revelation that demons can work miracles?  Remember when Moses performed the 10 plagues to free the Israelites from Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's magicians were able to replicate many of the impressive miracles from God (Ex 7)?  That's because magic is witchcraft (" the use of sorcery or magic : communication with the devil or with a familiar spirit" Merriam-Webster).  Magicians use demons to work supernatural wonders, and it still happens today. 

Weeping Statues and Oil Paintings:
You have probably heard of the 'miracles' where Catholic statues weep, and people flock from all over the world to see this miracle.  What is the result of these crying statues? Do people fall down and worship God, or do they revere the statue (and Mary)? 

But this isn't just a Catholic thing...it happens in other religions.  When a hindu statue drinks milk is it another miracle from God?



I have already linked several videos discussing the Marian apparitions, see post .

Within 'Christian culture' there are many false prophets today deceiving many people.  Todd Bentley, Patricia King, and Joshua Mills perform 'miracles' and deceive many, many people.  This video is of FALSE PROPHETS...






"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

Wide is the Gate

 This is a clip of a great documentary (can be found at Caryl Productions) that covers so many important topics for Christians today.

Catholic Topics by John MacArthur

Please take the time to listen to or read these sermons by John MacArthur. 


Explaining the Heresy of the Catholic Mass Part 1   LISTEN or READ
-He talks more about the Mass of 50 yrs ago, such as how the communion is dispensed, but the meaning behind the mass is the same. The verse he is referring to when he comments that all Christians are priests unto God is 1 Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

Explaining the Heresey of the Catholic Mass Part 2 LISTEN or READ

Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship Part1 LISTEN or READ

Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship Part 2 LISTEN or READ

Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship Part 3 LISTEN or READ
-What the Bible says about Mary 

False Christian Movement- New Apostolic Reformation

On Aug 9th Gov Rick Perry is hosting The Response, a prayer event, that on the surface sounds great.  But the leadership team behind the event is a group known as the New Apostolic Reformation (also known as Joel's Army).  Take a moment to educate yourself about who this group is, and what they believe, before you consider supporting this event.

False Preachers

I'm sure at some point while flipping through tv channels you passed by TBN or another such 'Christian' channel with preachers promising to send you something holy if you send a donation.  Or telling you that if you give them $100 God will multiply your donation and you'll receive back $300.  Or even telling you that God wants you to be rich, so if you aren't then you just don't have enough faith.   Some say that if you 'name it you can claim it!', or just focus on what you want to happen then declare it will happen and that gives God permission to do that work in your life.

These men (or women) are not teaching Biblical ideas.  The Bible clearly teaches, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Tim 6:10).  When we give money at church (whether you tithe or not), we are simply giving back to God what He has given to you.  We give to God without expecting anything in return.  We give to God because we want to contribute to doing His work on earth through the different ministries our churches support.

God doesn't need our permission, or our visualization, to accomplish anything.  The Bible says, "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26)

Preachers that make false claims about money are called Prosperity Preachers.  And those that teach we need to give God permission to work, or that we need to speak certain words to release God's power are called Word-Faith Preachers. Even if you don't watch TBN, these preachers often write bestselling books, are invited onto talk shows, have celebrity friends, and author chain emails that you may be passing around.  Please take a moment to look through these names and see if you recognize any. 

Here are some of the big names in these false Christian movements. It can be easy to be deceived because they sound very Christian (because they use the same 'Christian' language), but listen to the messages they speak.

Prosperity Preachers:
Kenneth Copeland
Creflo Dollar
Rod Parsley
Benny Hinn
Paula White

Word of Faith Preachers:
 Joyce Meyers
Joel Osteen
Cindy Trimm
Pat Robertson (700 club)

Aren't All Religions Basically the Same?

Have you ever wondered why there are so many religions?  Where did the religions come from?  Well, all religions on the Earth are from the same source...except Christianity.

A really interesting video series tracing the beginnings of the different religions is called The Fuel Project. You will see why so many religions are so similar today, and what makes Christianity different.

But lets look at some of the similarities between the world religions:

Prayer Beads:  Many religions use beads to pray repetitive prayers.  (They are being sold for the upcoming World Interfaith Harmony Week in September, where all religions are going to work toward peace.) 

Catholic's pray the Rosary to Mary

Muslims pray subhah beads to Allah

Hindu believers pray Mala beads

Buddhists also pray Mala beads

The Bible has no reference about praying with beads.  Prayers are to said to God asking for things, praising God for His Holiness, etc.
 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Phil 4:6)
Jesus gave us an example of how to pray: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." (Luke 11:2)


A "Holy" Person- Many religions claim to have a man with direct access to God / god that others don't have:

Dalai Lama leads Tibet

The Pope leads Catholics

Thomas S Monson leads Mormons

The Bible says each person who trusts in Christ as their savior receives the Holy Spirit.  There are no longer prophets, we no longer need someone to talk to God for us.  We have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to tell us what God says. 
"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Cor 3:5)



Mother and child religious figures:  All around the world throughout history a woman and her child have been worshiped. 

Isi and Iswara worshiped in India

Isis and Horus were worshiped in Egypt

Shing Moo and child worshiped in China

Mary and Jesus worshiped by Catholics

"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matt 4:10)

Awaiting the return of a Holy One: Many faiths are waiting for their deity to return. 

Muslims expect the 12th Imam (the Mahdi) to return soon.
Jews expect the Messiah to appear any day (they are ready to rebuild the temple).
New Agers and Buddhists expect that the Maitreya is already born.
Hindus await the reincarnation of Krishna.

Of course, Christians are awaiting the return of Jesus Christ to return to earth, judge the righteous and unrighteous, and rule for 1000 years as the King of Kings before Satan is eternally thrown into hell.  But before Jesus returns the Bible (Revelation, Daniel, and Isaiah) prophesies a man who will arise to rule the entire world, promising peace to everyone, then he will cause the worst holocaust in history.  The Antichrist.  Doesn't it make sense that so many religions are waiting on a man to come and bring peace, when the Bible says that is exactly what the Antichrist will do?

Discernment Article

This article can be found at Apprising Ministries:

WE NEED DISCERNMENT MINISTRIES? YES, ABSOLUTELY.

By Ken Silva pastor-teacher on Jul 1, 2011 in Current Issues, Features

In a day of pluralism and tolerance, apologetic and discernment ministries are viewed by some as anti­quated, unneeded, and in the way of getting together and getting along.
In a day when unity is put far above truth, counter-cult ministries are seen as passé and even obstructionist.
Televangelists and Word Faith teachers can draw tens of thousands to their meetings while discernment confer­ences struggle to get a hundred. Truth, dear thinking, and biblical precision are definitely not in, and heresies are gaining popularity. Orthodoxy is out and false doctrine is in vogue.
Of course, there are many reasons for this: Men love darkness rather than light. We have an unseen enemy who goes about like a roaring lion. And liberalism has so eroded confidence in Scripture that many are turning to mysticism and experience. Subjectivism is the drug of choice. Many of the religious are addicted to their own adrenalin.
Truth be known, the deception is getting deeper and more subtle. This only underscores the need for organi­zations such as Personal Freedom Outreach. Someone needs to sound the alarm. Without discernment minis­tries, who will do it?
The evangelical Church has tried so hard to be relevant to the world that it is becoming irrelevant. Rather than compromise with the dominant culture, we need to stand more strongly for our distinctives and distinctiveness.
The Apostle Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 3 that deception would be as alluring and impressive as the magicians of Moses’ day (v. 8). The antidote, Paul says, is to carefully follow doctrine (v. 10), but few are listening. Paul further warns that “evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (v. 13).
Deception has multiple masks. Deception is hard to spot. Deception is covered with religious clichés de­signed to deceive and that is why we need all the help we can get from those with discernment. Deceivers are tricky and most times wear disguises. Deceivers may even say they believe in Jesus, so we fail to stay alert to what they layer onto the name of Jesus. Some may not even ask, “Which Jesus?”
Take, for instance, the following testimony. Read it slowly and see if you can find anything wrong with it:

“…today’s society makes me constantly wonder if anyone knows what it’s like to give your heart and mind to the truth of Christ and Yahweh, and to be hated and ridiculed for those beliefs, especially by people that don’t even know me. I’m always trying to make sense of everything I read and everything I see going on around me and holding back my disgust for those that I feel are responsible for the lies that my people so easily accept as truth. I see drug dealers, gang members and other criminals killing and being killed all the time with no sign of fear from these individuals. But we Christians that are promised life everlasting seem to stand back and let things get out of control because of our fear and because of the Judeo-Christian preachers and the government constantly telling us that these prob­lems will be taken care of. But they never are. My hateful thoughts toward my enemies sometimes consume my logic.
But I am always mindful of the mistake and great wrong it would be to take any kind of action out of hate or ignorance. As a messenger of Yahweh I am always praying that what I have expressed to my people will make them thirst for more knowledge. And that what I have told them will never escape their minds. As a Christian I don’t need to see what will take place in the future because Yahweh has told me what will happen, therefore I know it will be. But knowing what the future holds doesn’t make it any easier living in the present. So, when I’m asked, don’t you get depressed or do you ever feel like giving up, my answer is ‘yes.’ But it is my faith that sustains me and I start out every morning with the thought that every new day means one more day of Satan’s rule behind me and one day closer to the second coming of Christ. My wife also reads Psalm 91 every morning, which I suggest that everyone should read for spiritual fortification.”

On some level the words are challenging and would resonate with most Christians. The deception, however, is not the words, but the real interpretation given by the speaker. The one who spoke these words is Charles Lee, Grand Dragon, White Camelia Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The quote is from Soldiers of God by Howard Bushart, John Craig, and Myra Barnes (pp. 171-172).
On the basis of Lee’s words alone, most anyone would consider the speaker a dedicated Christian. However, a discernment ministry would pick up on all the baggage that so denies Christ as to nullify Lee’s testimony. It would know about the “seed line” theory that gives the white supremacist the liberty to persecute Blacks and Jews. Remember: The Pharisees were fundamental and believed the Old Testament. However, the traditions they added made their religious system void in the eyes of God (Matthew 15:8-9). Whatever they had right was nullified by their endless traditions and additions. A religion may offer the name Christ and even have a correct Christology, but then offer a plan for salvation by works. A proper Christology does one no good if Christ is put out of reach by a defective doctrine of salvation. One correct doctrine is not enough if another totally ignores the pattern of the Apostles’ teachings (Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 1:13).
The above is almost a no-brainer, but there are others less obvious and more deceptive. The Word Faith movement may superficially speak of Christ, but their Christology of a born-again Jesus who suffered in hell, denies the Christ of the Bible and is rank heresy. Using Christian words and defining them in non-Christian ways is the essence of deception and cultism.
There are many reasons we need organizations such as PFO. We need to help one another spot deception. We need to help one another be more discerning overall.
Pray for PFO — support it with your prayers and gifts. It is a ministry that is desperately needed as the darkness and deception deepens. There are men who want to be thought of as evangelical who sit on the boards of organ­izations of New Age gurus, and who endorse New Age teachers and a Catholic contemplative web site. Someone needs to sound the alarm on the fence-straddling.

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18, NKJV).

G. Richard Fisher

________________________________________________________________________________
End Notes:
[1] G. Richard Fisher, “Is PFO Really Needed Or Should We Quit?,” The Quarterly Journal, Personal Freedom Outreach, Vol. 25, No.3, July-September 2005 , 2, 24, 25.

The Message Bible

There are so many false movements in the name of Christianity today, which means a lot of what is being marketed as 'Christian' in bookstores, radio stations, and churches is not biblical.   Take for example The Message 'bible' that is so popular today.  There are so many Bible interpretations that people are eager for another version 'in today's language'.  They don't question who the author is, what his beliefs are, and what it is really promoting.  The problem is that he changes the meaning of the Bible.  God's Word doesn't change to suit different cultures or become more modern.  God's Word is never changing!  Here is some info on The Message:

A Mystic Mess (New Age Inclinations)

and

Eugene Peterson and the Message (taken from Way of Life)

Jun/30/11 08:13 Filed in: Bible Versions

Enlarged June 20, 2011 (first published February 2, 2005) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
Eugene Peterson (1932- ) was for many years James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College. He also served for 35 years as founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland. Today he is retired and lives in Montana.

The New Testament portion of The Message was published in 1993 and the complete Bible in 2002. It is called a “translational-paraphrase” and is said to “unfold like a gripping novel.”

In fact, it IS a novel!

It was translated by Peterson and reviewed by 21 “consultants” from the following schools: Denver Seminary (Robert Alden), Dallas Theological Seminary (Darrell Bock and Donald Glenn), Fuller Theological Seminary (Donald Hagner), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Trinity Episcopal School, North Park Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Richard Averbeck). Columbia Bible College, Criswell College (Lamar Cooper), Westminster Theological Seminary (Peter Enns), Bethel Seminary (Duane Garrett), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Paul R. House), Covenant Theological Seminary, Westmont College, Wesley Biblical Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute (John H. Walton), Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Gordon College (Marvin Wilson).

The Message is widely recommended by well-known Christian leaders. In keeping with his love for every corrupt Bible version to appear since the Revised Standard, Billy Graham printed his own edition of “The Message: New Testament.” Warren Wiersbe, who should know better, says, “The Message is the boldest and most provocative rendering of the New Testament I’ve ever read.” Jack Hayford says, “The Message is certainly destined to become a devotional classic -- not to mention a powerful pastoral tool.” Rick Warren loves The Message and quotes it frequently, five times in the first chapter of The Purpose-Driven Life. J.I. Packer says, “In this crowded world of Bible versions Eugene Peterson’s blend of accurate scholarship and vivid idiom make this rendering both distinctive and distinguished. The Message catches the logical flow, personal energy, and imaginative overtones of the original very well indeed.” CCM artist Michael Card says, “Peterson’s translation transforms the eye into an ear, opening the door of the New Testament wider than perhaps it has ever been opened.” Leighton Ford says, “The Message will help many to transfer God’s eternal truths to their contemporary lives.” Joni Earckson Tada says, “WOW! What a treasure The Message is. I am going to carry it with me. This is a treasure that I will want to use wherever I am.” The Message is also recommended by Amy Grant, Benny Hinn, Bill Hybels, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Chuck Swindoll, Toby of DC Talk, Gary Smalley, Gordon Fee, Gordon MacDonald, Jerry Jenkins, John Maxwell, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Max Lucado, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys, Phil Driscoll, Rebecca St. James, Rod Parsley, Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Tony Campolo, Bono of U2, Vernon Grounds, to name a few. (This information was gathered from the NAVPress web site.).
The Message sold 100,000 copies just in the first four months following its summer 1993 release.

Peterson told Christianity Today that a major turning point in his ministry was a lecture by Paul Tournier sponsored by the liberal Christian Century magazine and held at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore (“Books & Culture Corner: The Contemplative Christian,” by Nathan Bierma, Christianity Today web site, Sept. 29, 2003). In his 1973 Masters Thesis “Paul Tournier’s Universalism,” Daniel Musick warned: “Paul Tournier was an unrestricted universalist. His writings, personal correspondence with him, and interviews with many who knew him support this conclusion. An analysis of his soteriology over 35 years of writing reveals a transition from reformed roots to an unbiblical, neo-orthodox perspective influenced by Emil Brunner and Karl Barth.”

Peterson has recommended The Shack. Though fictional, this book’s objective is the redefinition of God. It is about a man who becomes bitter at God after his daughter is murdered and has a life-changing experience in the very shack where the murder occurred; but the God he encounters is most definitely not the God of the Bible. Young’s depicts God the Father as a black woman who loves rock & roll, and well as a man with gray hair and a pony tail. Young’s male/female god/goddess is the god of the emerging church. He is cool, loves rock & roll, is non-judgmental, does not exercise wrath toward sin, does not send unbelievers to an eternal fiery hell, does not require repentance and the new birth, and puts no obligations on people. (For documentation see “The Shack’s Cool God” at the Way of Life web site, www.wayoflife.org.)

Peterson has also recommended Rob Bell’s universalistic book Love Wins. Bell says hell is in this life and most men will eventually be saved. He writes: “This insistence that God will be united and reconciled with all people is a theme the writers and prophets return to again and again. ... The God that Jesus teaches us about doesn’t give up until everything that was lost is found. This God simply doesn’t give up. Ever” (Love Wins, Kindle location 1259-1287). Bell calls the preaching of eternal hell “misguided and toxic,” a “cheap view of God,” and “lethal” (location 47-60, 2154-2180). He says there is something wrong with this God and calls Him “terrifying and traumatizing and unbearable” (location 1273-1287, 2098-2113).

That kind of talk apparently resonates deeply with Peterson. No wonder he loves the non-judgmental god/goddess of The Shack.

Peterson is a big promoter of Catholic contemplative mysticism. He is on the Board of Reference for the international ecumenical contemplative organization Renovare (pronounced Ren-o-var-ay, which is Latin, meaning “to make new spiritually”), founded by Richard Foster. At the October 1991 Renovare meeting in Pasadena, Foster praised Pope John Paul II and called for unity in the Body of Christ through the “five streams of Christianity: the contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice and evangelical” (CIB Bulletin, December 1991). Foster advocates the practices of Catholic mystics and “the integration of psychology and theology.” In his book entitled Prayer Foster draws material from Julian of Norwich, Thomas Merton, Bernard of Clairvaux, Madame Guyon, Teresa of Avila, even St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Renovare promotes guided imagery, visualization, centering prayer, astral projection, Zen meditation, and Jungian psychology (Calvary Contender, Feb. 15, 1998).

Along the same line, notice the heroes of the faith that Peterson quotes in the article “Spirit Quest” (which is a Native American Indian term for seeking intimacy with and revelation from pagan spirits): “Single-minded, persevering faithfulness confirms the authenticity of our spirituality. The ancestors we look to for encouragement in this business -- Augustine of Hippo and Julian of Norwich, ... Teresa of Avila -- didn’t flit. They stayed” (Christianity Today, Nov. 8, 1993). Augustine, Julian, and Teresa had authentic spirituality? Not when tested by Scripture. Julian of Norwich said, “God showed me that sin need be no shame to man but can even be worthwhile” (quoted by Kenneth Leech, Soul Friend, p. 146). Julian also said, “God is really our Mother as he is our Father,” and called Christ “Mother Jesus.” Augustine was the father of a-millennialism; taught that the sacraments are the means of saving grace; was one of the fathers of infant baptism, claiming that baptism takes away the child’s sin; taught that Mary did not commit sin and promoted prayers to her; believed in purgatory and the veneration of relics; accepted the doctrine of celibacy for “priests”; and laid the foundation for the inquisition; to name a few of his heresies. Teresa of Avila was probably demon possessed; she levitated and made strange noises deep in her throat, experienced terrifying visions and voices, and held to Rome’s sacramental gospel that works are required for salvation.

Peterson was Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College, and it is obvious that he has been influenced deeply by the Catholic and pagan “spirituality” in which he has immersed himself for so many decades. I have spent many days studying in the Regent College library and the bookstore features many works by Catholic mystics, such as those already named, as well as by rank theological modernists. There is no warning whatsoever in regard to these books.

The mystical “spirituality” that is so popular in evangelical and charismatic circles today is a yearning for an experiential relationship with God that downplays the role of faith and Scripture and that exalts “transcendental” experiences that lift the individual from the earthly mundane into a higher “spiritual” plane. Biblical prayer is talking with God; mystical spirituality prayer is meditation and “centering” and other such things. Biblical Christianity is a patient walk of faith; mystical spirituality is more a flight of fancy. Biblical study is analyzing and meditating upon the literal truth of the Scripture; mystical spirituality focuses on a “deeper meaning”; it is more allegorical and “transcendental” than literal.

Peterson defines spirituality as “a fusion of intimacy and transcendence” (“Spirit Quest,” Christianity Today, Nov. 8, 1993). This confuses the sensual intimacy of earthly relationships with the spiritual intimacy the believer has in this life with God.

It is not surprising that Peterson’s translation has a New Agey flavor to it. He even uses the term “as above, so below,” which is a New Age expression for the unity of God and man, Heaven and earth. In the book As Above, So Below, Ronald Miller and the editors of the New Age Journal say: “This maxim implies that the transcendent God beyond the physical universe and the immanent God within ourselves are one. Heaven and Earth, spirit and matter, the invisible and the visible worlds form a unity to which we are intimately linked” (quoted from Warren Smith, Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose-Driven Church, Ravenna, Ohio: Conscience Press, 2004).

In light of this, consider the following quotations from Peterson’s The Message:

Matthew 6:9-13 -- “Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best -- AS ABOVE, SO BELOW. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge!”

Colossians 1:16 -- “For everything, absolutely everything, ABOVE AND BELOW, visible and invisible ... everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.”
THE MESSAGE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL BIBLE
In Romans 15:13, The Message says, “May the God of green hope fill you up with joy...” and in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, it says that those who “use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t quality as citizens in God’s kingdom.”
THE MESSAGE IS THE PRO-HOMOSEXUAL BIBLE
The Message tampers with God’s Word about homosexuality. Consider the following two examples:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11KJV - “ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
THE MESSAGE - “Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who do not care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom.”
1 Timothy 1:10 KJV - “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”
THE MESSAGE - “for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever!”

One brother rightly observed that “The Message is simply a forerunner to what will be a ‘christless,’ sinless Bible.”
CONSIDER SOME OTHER EXAMPLES OF THE AMAZING LIBERTIES THAT EUGENE PETERSON TAKES WITH THE WORDS OF GOD
Matthew 5:3KJV - “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
THE MESSAGE - “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
Comment: Being poor in spirit is to be at the end of your rope? Then vast numbers of unsaved people are candidates for heaven on this basis.
Matthew 5:8 KJV - “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
THE MESSAGE - “You’re blessed when you get your inside world, your mind and heart, put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”
Comment: This must be transcendental, because it doesn’t make any non-transcendental sense.
Matthew 5:14 KJV - “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
THE MESSAGE - “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.”
Comment: “God-colors”? I didn’t even learn about God-colors when I was a member of Parmahansa Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship Society before I was saved!
Matthew 5:43KJV - “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.”
THE MESSAGE - “Jesus said, You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’”
Comment: The Lord Jesus was not quoting the Mosaic Law; He was referring to the teaching of the Pharisees who had perverted the Law. The Law of God did not command, “Hate your enemy.”
Matthew 9:34KJV - “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”
THE MESSAGE - “The Pharisees were left sputtering, ‘Hocus Pocus. It’s nothing but Hocus Pocus.’”

Comment: This is clearly a “translational-paraphrase.”
Matt. 11:28-30KJV - “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
THE MESSAGE - “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”
Comment: The Message sounds like an iron tonic television commercial here!
Matthew 28:19KJV - “...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
THE MESSAGE - Matt. 28:19 -- “...baptism in the three-fold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Comment: The Message gives an Anti-Trinitarian, Jesus-only spin to this verse, which teaching claims that God is not three Persons in one Godhead but that He simply manifests Himself in three ways.
John 1:18KJV - “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
THE MESSAGE - “No one has ever seen God, not so much of a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day.”
Comment: To translate “the only begotten Son” as “this one-of-a-kind God-expression” is not only heretical; it is absurd.
John 3:5 KJV - “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
THE MESSAGE - “Jesus said, You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation--the ‘wind hovering over the water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life--it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.”
Comment: Peterson’s “translation” gives the baptismal regenerationists the best support they have ever had. The Roman Catholics who write to debate me would love this version.
John 10:30 KJV - “I and my Father are one.”
THE MESSAGE - “I and the Father are one heart and mind.”
Comment: To add to the words of Christ in this strange manner, it truly appears that Peterson has no fear of God.
Acts 8:20KJV - “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee...”
THE MESSAGE - “Peter said, ‘To hell with your money!’”
Comment: Since Peter cussed some the night he denied his Lord, I suppose Peterson believes he was still cussing in the book of Acts.
Romans 8:11KJV - “...he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
THE MESSAGE - “...he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself.”
Comment: Peterson spiritualizes Christ’s resurrection here.
Romans 8:35 KJV - “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
THE MESSAGE - “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.”
Comment: Revelation 22:18-19 should cause Peterson (and everyone who approved The Message) to lose a lot of sleep.
1 Corinthians 13:12-13KJV - “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
THE MESSAGE - “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears, and the sun shines bright! ... Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.”

Comment: It is the “translator” who is squinting in a fog!
Philippians 2:12 KJV - “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
THE MESSAGE - “Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.”
Comment: This is another New Agey, heretical spin to the Scriptures.
Colossians 2:10 KJV - “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
THE MESSAGE - “You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him...”
Comment: What? And this mess was reviewed by 21 scholars and approved by the likes of J.I. Packer?
1 Peter 3:1 KJV - “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.”
THE MESSAGE - “The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs...”
Comment: Peterson has done away with wifely subjection. Do we have the “feminist version” here?