For today’s elementary school kids, “cut and paste” means something totally different than when most of us grew up. In fact, I do a whole lot more “cut and paste” today than I did in elementary school. Today, I use the buttons on the computer, no more sticky glue that make the paper wrinkle when you glue it down. Glue, white out, carbon paper, steno machines and bound encyclopedias are a thing of the past. I am sure plagiarism is much more prevalent today because it s so easy and “everybody does it”.
Did you know that one of the principal authors of the Declaration of Independence was a “cut and paster”. Thomas Jefferson was the original cut and paster. He made up his own “bible” by cutting and pasting sections from various Bibles. He excluded any sections containing supernatural aspects and what he perceived as misinterpretations that had been added by the “Four Evangelists. Many people think Jefferson was a Christian and maybe he considered himself to be a Christian, but his writings tell us something different. Jefferson, in fact was a deist. His "bible" is just proof of his deist philosophy.
Using a razor, Jefferson carefully cut and pasted selected verses from the gospels in chronological order to create a single narrative. He excluded any references to angels, genealogy, prophecy, the divinity of Jesus including the resurrection. He did however include reference to heaven, hell and the devil. He admired the ethics and morality of Jesus but never saw Him as God. If you are interested, the entire “Jefferson bible” is available for viewing at Smithsonian National Museum website.
Why do I bring this up? Because this was prophesied by Paul in his letter to Timothy:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”
Now, it is easy for us to see this occurring with other people; but surely we would never be guilty of this, or would we. Do we want to be challenged in our faith or do we want to be told that we are OK? Jefferson did not try to hide the fact that he denied the divinity of Jesus. He thought he was a great moral teacher, but not God. He denied the supernatural. Most Christians would never be dumb enough to deny the supernatural; but, do we act like we believe it. Are we guilty of being "spiritual" cut and pasters. Do we have the “form of godliness” or do we practice true Godliness. Are we so busy “doing” church, while ignoring the power of God? Is that why we have so many programs in our churches? Is that why there is never enough money to do every program because we are doing it in our own strength? If we really believed in prayer, why do we spend so little time in prayer in our churches and our homes? Jesus and his disciples met the needs of the people supernaturally. There is never recorded anytime when Jesus sent someone away when they were in need. He fed them when they were hungry and healed them when there were sick.
He gave them this charge:
“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.
3“On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.
4“Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.
“Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.
5“When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’
6If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself.
7“Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.
8“When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you,
9heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’ Luke 10:2-9, The Message
The supernatural was the standard operational mode in the New Testament church. We are told by Mark that "they (disciples) went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.?
Did the Jesus Christ, "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever", change? Did the early church need the supernatural and we don't?
OR
Are we preaching a different gospel? Remember these signs follow only those who believe?
"these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:17-18
1 comment:
Fabulous reference to the Jefferson Bible. Many of our founding fathers were Deists, not Christians. GREAT POST!
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