The author addresses sensitive issues emerging from changing Christianity's messages to the world and the resulting influence, not only to Christianity itself, but to western world governments. He maintains that Governments and Christianity have both fallen prey to political manipulation of man's sensitive ego; and the only reason that has happened is because official Institutional Christianity now "coddles" ego to enlarge its membership. He concludes that gaining control of personal "ego" is the primary biblical message to living out Christian standards and traces the decline in western culture and the dismantling of free societies to the abandonment of traditional Christianity.
Let Us Create God in Our Own Image
Christianity's Revolving ThroneBy Forrest DavisAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Forrest Davis
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4520-6604-2 Contents
About the Author.............................................1From the Author..............................................3Man's Beginning Search for God...............................19The Evolving Image of Christianity's God.....................29Politicians and God-A Closer Look-...........................45Does God Micro-Manage Our Lives?.............................75Christian Standards Based on Scripture.......................105Conclusion...................................................191
Chapter One
Man's Beginning Search for God
Just how is it that we stand here staring into space, having some knowledge of the mysteries of the universe, having a keen awareness of the joys of life, having creative instincts, and having such an intense feeling of belonging to and being a part of the whole creation; yet without any power to change the inevitable death that awaits us? As author Ralph Waldo Emerson framed it: "The fate of the poor shepherd, who, blinded and lost in the snow-storm, perishes in a drift within a few feet of his cottage door, is an emblem of the state of man. On the brink of the waters of life and truth, we are miserably dying."
Is it just a cruel joke that mankind should accidently exist with such insight, and perhaps the highest intelligence in the universe, only to be discarded while the rest of the universe moves on into infinity? How come? The scale of the universe is of such dimension that it is beyond truthful comprehension, because we can only understand what we can measure. Are we to believe that it has emerged without a single permanent witness?
How many people in all history of mankind do you think have asked that same question? Are we human alone in the universe with the ability to observe its vastness and bow to its beauty? What a strange mystery should earthbound humankind exist alone in such an indescribable expanse. Such short lived intelligence would render us highly insignificant to the universe, that's for sure. Yet, as we observe our surroundings, we find no other recognizable level of intelligence equal to our own. We have named that condition "EGO." Yet, in spite of the ego, most of us deal with the age-old dilemma of an implanted thought process, assuring us that somewhere, somehow, in this universe, there is a higher, more permanent intelligence. What a party to have thrown without having a single guest in attendance! The answers to those unfathomable questions and the knowledge we desperately seek, we have named "GOD." One could take the position that in itself makes God real. It is obvious the earth we stand on and the space we stare into are real. Everything we see and touch is real; so God, then, as a place to begin, is the reality of everything. The universe is its own evidence and spirit. Is it not, then, also a manifestation of God's Spirit? Even so, we are not all satisfied in just making that declaration.
Many feel they have the right and a need to communicate with God because any such God would obviously know about our being here. We have an instinctive need to ask questions about ourselves and what is going on. But wait! That might lead us to conclude the God we search for may have intelligently designed and created the whole "kit and caboodle", and that highlights the largest difference in mankind's thought processes about "God." It conflicts with "EGO."
Those who declare "No intelligence-No creation" envision the universe and everything in it as having accidently evolved as a result of chemical interaction, having no purpose or design; just an explosion of unknown origin. Those who contemplate "Intelligence and Creation" do so because they cannot so easily dismiss a nagging "God exists" instinct that has, somehow, been implanted within them. Besides that, "where did those chemical elements and atoms come from?" they wonder. And, "how come they just interacted?" they ask themselves. They instinctively have a need to believe in something more powerful than themselves. That is especially true when they come to observe and understand just how insignificant we humans appear to be in the overall scheme of things. Being only temporary spectators, not knowing where we came from, why we are here, or where we are going, begs the question how anyone that helpless can, at the same time, be arrogant enough to emphatically declare there is no God.
So, there we have it in a nutshell. The choices are not that complicated. Do we give credibility to the natural instincts of mankind, for as long as we have history of mankind, that suggest there is a more powerful and intelligent source somewhere in the universe that we are to search for and to hope for, or do we discount such a notion because there is no acceptable scientific proof of it? Science is nothing more than what we have learned up to a point in time and no one will disagree that there is still much before us to be learned. Even so, some folks would limit new discoveries to no more than what we have already learned in the past.
Even if a person comes to discount God as being specific, you would still think that person's vision and thoughts of the universe they are a part of would take on Godly dimensions (A power greater than they) by its awesome magnificence alone. It is interesting to observe how differently the whole matter is treated by different individuals. It ranges all the way from hiding under a rock, to personally assuming to be in control of the universe and everything in it (becoming God themselves). There is a lot of room between the two positions for interesting interaction and the history of that interaction is almost laughable.
Over the centuries, various cultures have labeled anything they either don't understand or things they look to for sustenance as being God. Those many differently perceived gods include things like the sun, or the moon, or stars, or rivers, and even cows.
I, for one, happen to be one of those who did not discount God as a myth. My reasoning began with: "How can anyone deny God with any certainty?" Bottom line is: If a person decides there just may be a God they become a seeker. If, on the other hand, a person rejects the possibility that God exists, they likely will not seek God and some go on to vilify those who do.... I am both a seeker and a finder, yet I do not know anyone else that agrees with the all of the details of everything I have come to embrace as truth.
That convinces me that we humans, being individually different and unique will likely look at the same God image and each see it within the framework of our unique and individual understanding. I don't suggest there are millions of different Gods, only millions of different humans, each a little different than the other. I see that as a design by God coming from the same pattern as the universe itself, with every single galaxy or star or planet or moon being uniquely different. In fact, that principle is evident between us humans as we communicate with each other. I myself become a somewhat different image to each of my individual acquaintances, depending upon our common genetic predispositions and the history of our mutual experiences. That conclusion does not contradict the existence of a single universal God. It just means that we're all different, both to each other and to God as well, yet all of the same earth family. That is neat. On the other hand, some believe and teach the opposite; that it is man himself that is universal, with God being a different identity to each person. The subtlety of that reversal of identity puts man in total charge of himself. It goes without saying that those folks do not believe the bible was inspired by God's Spirit and is therefore irrelevant in man's search for God.
The evolution of mankind to a kinder-gentler existence parallels that of the universe as it spun through space to finally collect itself into millions of individually different galaxies, each consisting of millions of suns and planets and moons that no longer collide in the fashion of earlier times. The process continues at this very moment. Isn't it interesting that such monumental things are taking place while we only focus on trivial things such as: "what kind of hairstyle shall I go for this month?" Or: "what movie do we see this weekend?" Have you noticed how many people almost never look into the sky and give thought to what is there? To them it is just another high ceiling with recessed lighting constructed for an outdoor space.
The whole scenario sets us up for endless mind games as we explore what we think we are observing. Let's assume that mankind is alone in the universe without the existence of an intelligent God. If not, then, for mankind's limited witness of the universe, would it exist at all? Answer that and you might answer the God question along with it. It parallels an old question: "If a tree falls without witness in a far-away forest, does the sound of its falling, having never been heard, actually exist?" In the above matter we are discussing: "If the universe emerged without a witness, would the universe actually exist?" In a broader sense: "Does anything actually exist that is not seen?" Of course it does. We know from both science and experience that the tree falling in the forest produces sound waves whether anyone is there to hear them or not. The fact that no one is there when it falls does not change what we know to be true about sound waves.
There is a Godly Spirit in both the universe as well as mankind, and verifies itself through the "There is a God" instinct planted within humankind. That perceived Godly presence parallels the sound wave example. They both cry out to us in loud and clear voices: "I am sound," and "I am God." Whether or not some refuse to hear God's voice does not change what the majority believe to be implanted in their souls.
The existence of an implanted spirit of God in humankind is just as provable as the sound of the falling tree in that remote jungle. Archeological digs around the world, all the way from ancient China to the deepest jungles of Africa to the most remote forests of South America, all completely isolated and separated from each other, both by space and by time, had one provable thing in common: "God has existed in the spirit of humankind for all of its history and there has always been the perception of an afterlife for mankind." All of those widely diverse and separated cultures had that one thing in common. Their excavated sites declare mankind's instinctive search for God for thousands of years. Therefore, just as sound waves equal sound; those evidences of God's Spirit equal God.
I found God in the total context of the Bible; a book written over a long period of time by different men from different backgrounds, all claiming to have been visited by God's spirit. The bible chronicles the human condition so well that that alone would tend to validate it's being God-given. Its test-proven wisdom further enhances its reliability. It prophesied events far in advance of their happenings, including Jesus' birth, crucifixion death, and resurrection. It is the only such collection of writings and prophesies coming from many different sources over a period of thousands of years, yet with consistency and compatibility. It became much more than a collection of testimonies from a relatively few individuals. It emerged as a book designed by God's Spirit that has produced positive changes in the lives of millions who understood it, believed it, and applied it to their lives. It was designed by God to provide a plan for the unification of the billions of earthbound individuals into a brotherhood of mankind, in harmony with Him.
Jesus is central to the bible's presentation, and He declared that God is a spirit. That same spirit is embedded in mankind just as it is the universe (Surely the spirit of the universe is apparent to all who observe and absorb it). Mankind and the universe emerged from "who knows where" and currently exist together in harmony. If the universe contains no other intelligence, that would make mankind the only universal intellect. If that should be the case, one could go on to conclude the universe exists only to be a habitation for mankind.
I've often thought it must be confusing to a person who is searching for God to be informed about Jesus of the Bible beginning with His crucifixion and death. While much of today's Christianity presents Him in that manner, I think Jesus would be more understandable to identify Him in a more chronological fashion, beginning with the history of mankind's "There is a God" instinct. That implanted instinct was verified by God the Father through His inspired writings given to Moses and the other prophets. Those writings prophesied the future coming of Jesus hundreds of years before His birth. The complete Bible, both "old" and "new" testaments then become a more relevant and complete document directed to our personal knowledge of our selves along with our personal instinct to seek and discover the universal God. Otherwise, we may be confused about who Jesus is in the overall biblical scheme of things, including what brought Him to a crucifixion death. The many differing presentations of Christianity create confusion to anyone searching for God.
Attempting to create a guilt complex by explaining that we, ourselves, are individually the reason for His death, does not, by its self, sufficiently teach about His relationship to God the Father, or of all biblical history. They would merely brand us as being "sinners" without clearly defining sin. Then they jump from there to tell us that Jesus died for our sins. Today, many declaring "Christianity" do not adequately emphasize God, the Father of Jesus and Father of us all. In order to create a gospel that is flexible enough to satisfy changing cultures they go on to limit the "Gospel" primarily to that of selected portions of the New Testament's recorded history of Jesus' life here on earth, yet others (including myself) interpret the revelation of all scripture as being the complete "Gospel."
As some create their version of Jesus to be presented to you, they avoid teaching all of the New Testament's record of His life and His teachings. The finished product of their Jesus is just that, a product created for the culture of the day. I'm surprised that some group has not filed for a patent claiming legal exclusive rights to the brand name "Jesus;" and making it their "trademark."
Jesus was the culmination of all the "good news" revelation of God to mankind. He, as well as the Apostle Paul, both endorsed the Old Testament's significance in defining Christian principles and so should we all. A practice of "Christianity" without Christian principles is not Christianity. While Jesus and the New Testament ushered in a new path to God, we can't just exclude those parts of the Old Testament we do not like in our personal definition of Christianity. Sure, Paul declared some of them void, but only those "ordinances that was against us," which are specified in scripture.
So, that was the beginning of my personal search process. It pretty much summarizes and concludes my initial thoughts about "The God Question" up to the point of my finding Him in the total contents of the Bible. I have written a book about the details of what I found there and how I attempt to apply it to my life. You will find it somewhat different from many other presentations of "Christianity." A summary of it here would likely not do it justice and I invite you to read the book as a continuation of these writings. The book's title is "A VIEW FROM THE PEW — The Church vs. Institution."
Chapter Two
The Evolving Image of Christianity's God
Most of us are somewhat familiar with Christianity's overall history, so we won't revisit its early history in this book. This chapter deals with the significance of its changing identity that emerged only within the last 50 years or so. It describes not only how it got to where it is today, but goes into some detail in describing its current practice. It has emerged an entirely different kind of "Christianity," with many cheering "Les differences." We also discuss the similarities of politics in both government and religion, and then look at how men's politics guided the evolution and practice of Christianity.
Some teachings of Christianity today can best be explained by telling a short story: "Once upon a time a renowned professor was teaching about the history of mankind. He pointed to a picture of an elk that was drawn on the wall by cave dwellers and began referring to it as a dinosaur. Mary held up her hand and stated that the picture they were all looking at was obviously that of an elk. The professor answered Mary by stating that while it might look like an elk it was actually a dinosaur. `You're just going to have to trust me on this one class'." Many teachers of Christianity are busily changing elks to dinosaurs from Genesis to Revelation.
Generally speaking, you will find Christianity being practiced in two different settings: "churched" and "un-churched." In one group, the practice of Christianity is accomplished almost totally within the organizational structures and confines of a church institution, dedicating oneself to its stated doctrines and its programmed functions. On the other hand, others look at Christianity primarily as a lifestyle designed by God, to be acquired individually from God through the knowledge and understanding of scripture. They believe the word of God is the final authority to define Christianity and not church institutions (Many of this group also attends institution controlled churches). Although a desirable goal, it is somewhat difficult to completely bring the two factions together because while claiming the same God, many of them understand God differently. Unbelievably, some church institutions claim that any expression of Christianity outside of an institutional church organization is illegitimate. They maintain that a person cannot be (what they call) a private Christian. If you're not a dues paying member of their club, you're out! Still, there are also some churches that not only meet together but also teach and practice biblical Christianity. Although in the minority, they are the churches to seek out and support. It is obvious with 76% of the population of the USA claiming to be Christians, the vast majority does not attend or support any local church organization; so let's explore why.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Let Us Create God in Our Own Imageby Forrest Davis Copyright © 2010 by Forrest Davis. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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