This essay continues a sequence. Read the previous one here.
Truth is religion’s North Star. Religion is not always an accurate guide to Truth.
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No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment,
for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment,
and the rent is made worse.
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles:
else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out,
and the bottles perish:
— KJV, Matt 9:16-17 / Mark 2:21-22 / Luke 5:36-37
Truth vs Religion
Truth (ref. “What Is Truth?“) is a higher-level concept than religion, as explained in the previous essay.
Just like “communication” is a higher concept than “English”, The Word is higher than Christianity.
Christ brought Truth in His Word, not a religion (ref. “What Is Truth?“):
To this end was I born,
and for this cause came I into the world,
that I should bear witness unto the Truth.
— John 18:37
The Word of Christ, properly understood, can guide the advancement of every religion and science (ref. “What Is The Word?“).
This is not immediately obvious because we read It with a superficial mindset (ref. “We Don’t Understand The Word“).
It’s Hard To Avoid Dogma
We always turn spiritual revelations into religions. In the process we introduce man-made ideas and, inevitably, errors.
When the errors and inconsistencies become too obvious, adherents of the religion are told not to think too much but to rely on “faith” (ref. “False Faiths, Part 2“). This has happened with all religions.
But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
— Matthew 15:8-9
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What Is Meant By “Church”?
Early Church leaders disseminated the idea that Christ was their founder, that He elected Peter as His representative, and that they were carrying on in this tradition:
And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it
— Matt 16:18
The original Greek word translated as “church” is ekklesia (ἐκκλησία). It is derived from the words “ek” (“out of”) and “kaleo” (“to call”), signifying people “called out“.
So it is not about an organisation to be joined. It is about hearing Christ’s Call (i.e. Truth) and acting accordingly:
Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
— John 18:37
Peter had expressed his conviction that Christ was the Son of God. He did not arrive at this conviction because Christ said so, or because he witnessed miracles (ref. “Cast Thyself Down!“).
He expressed a spiritual knowledge that is only gained from actions grounded in genuine faith (ref. “Act To Experience To Know“).
Founded On A Timeless Rock
Christ invariably spoke in a timeless, spiritual sense (ref. “We Don’t Understand The Word“).
The “rock” is the genuine faith in The Word that Peter expressed, not Peter himself:
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them,
I will liken him unto a wise man,
which built his house upon a rock
— Matt 7:24
Those whose actions evidence genuine faith in The Word have heard His Call, have obeyed, and are members of His spiritual church (ref. “The Word Is Christ, Not Jesus“):
He that hath my commandments,
and keepeth them,
he it is that loveth me:
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
and I will love him,
and will manifest myself to him.
— John 14:21
The Word Is Not The Bible
Christ foresaw the misinterpretation of The Word. He promised the Son of Man, who would restore the misplaced signposts (ref. “Ye Have Heard That Christ Said“).
These misinterpretations already existed by the time the Bible was compiled during the reign of Pope Damasus I (AD 366-384). Therefore, the follower of Christ must make a sharp distinction between The Word of Christ (i.e. words attributed directly to Christ) and everything else.
“Everything else” includes all other biblical writings and church traditions.
Today’s Resolution:
- Let us be on the alert so that we will recognise Him who will help us understand The Word as It is, independent of all our man-made opinions.
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