Slandering Jesus
I wanted to know what Slandering Jesus was all about. I have felt that people have picked Jesus apart to try and make him fit what they want to believe. Dr. Lutzer addresses that topic in this book. He explains that there are many Jesuses, and that the Jesus that i know and follow may not be the Jesus that you know.
Why is this. I guess because people don't like the narrow path that you must follow. Here are some complete passages from the bible about the path. These are from NIV translation.
Matthew 7:13 "13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Luke 13:22 22Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, 24"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' 26"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' 28"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
People today, and i would say long ago, the reason is all the works from antiquity that they are finding (Gnostic writings), that this path to God that Jesus taught was not what many wanted to follow. So out come the new writings that are more acceptable to people.
When writing this article i had imagined the work that was being done on the interstate where i live. Before the work started it was a 4 lane route with 2 lanes for each direction. Now the same route is 8 lanes with 4 going in each direction. I know some people that live in larger cities will still think that is small with 8 or more lanes for each direction, but stick with me. I am going to show some age when i say i remember traveling on 2 lane roads. It was fun passing in those days. But back to the point. Jesus laid out the path, with his teachings he showed us the way to eternal life with Him in heaven. However many people did and do not like this path. This is that very old school 2 lane road. It's not as enjoyable to be on than the 8 lane express. People want to widen the path. Bring in the bulldozers and make this 2 lane road into a 16 lane express way. Heck make it like the autobahn. Also make it more accessible to everyone, easier to pass, and put a Starbucks exit every so often.
So now Jesus is being changed into what is more acceptable to the current society. He is more tolerant of the lifestyles that people chose. Dr. Lutzer brings this up in his book about the different Jesuses that are being created. People are using Jesus like a buffet. Picking the pieces that they like and will fit with there personal agenda, and leaving the rest.
This is a book that i will read again. It did not take me that long to finish it, but the next time i will make some more detail notes.
I do recommend this book to anyone that wants more insight into the different interpretations of Jesus, and people working to change him into the Jesus that is more acceptable and easier to follow.