RESCUING CHRIST FROM CHRISTIANITY
How the Spirit of Christ Can Defeat the Christian Right
“When anti-Christ comes, he will be a leader wounded in the head and seem to miraculously recover, whereupon all shall believe in him…”
Long ago in that inconceivably naive epoch known as the early 1970s, I read a popular book called, The Late Great Planet Earth - (author, Hal Lindsey, Zondervan Press, Grand Rapids, Michigan). The book purported to prophesy the imminent advent of The End Times as well as The Rapture (for the uninitiated, the Rapture is a 19th century interpretation of The Book of Revelation which posits that when the Tribulations come, believing Christians will simply vanish into heaven). Declared by the New York Times to be the best-selling non-fiction book of the decade, Lindsey’s book (which claimed the End would come before the year 1988) sold over 28 million copies and has been translated into 54 languages.
You can make what you like of the provocative opening sentence above, but this prophetic interpretation was put forward by the most popular Christian book of the past 50 years. I need not elaborate on the current parallel, and I am not affirming as a personal conviction that I accept the notion. But I am a storyteller, and when I see a hook that good, I go for it. Especially because it would be hard to find a more perfect personification of the complete opposite of the teachings of Christ than the current president of the United States and his policies.
Please bear in mind that I am speaking of the actual teachings of the historical Yeshua ben Joseph of Nazareth, who mainstream historians agree was a real person, a charismatic Jewish spiritual leader who was baptized by John the Baptist, crucified under Pontius Pilate, was said by contemporaries to have performed miracles, and whose earliest followers believed that He had risen from the dead.
Just so that we can avoid the endless interpretation squabbles which have plagued Christianity since the 4th Century A.D. (cause, hey, Michael - says who? Says you?), let’s use the formidable credibility of ChatGPT, of which I asked the following question:
Can you create a list of the ten most essential teachings of Jesus Christ - not later doctrine or dogma of any church, but of the teachings themselves in Christ's own words, using the King James Version of the Bible?
Ever helpful, here was the AI response:
Here is a list of ten essential teachings of Jesus Christ in His own words, drawn directly from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. These teachings are selected based on their foundational importance to His message, emphasizing love, forgiveness, humility, and the Kingdom of God — free of later ecclesiastical interpretations or theological doctrine.
✨ The 10 Essential Teachings of Jesus (in His own words, KJV)
Love God with all your heart
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
— Matthew 22:37
This is the great commandment, the foundation of all spiritual life.
Love your neighbor as yourself
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
— Matthew 22:39
Christ teaches that love is the fulfillment of the law. No spiritual path is real without love.
Forgive without limit
“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
— Matthew 18:22
Jesus elevates forgiveness to a divine act, urging it as the path to mercy and peace.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, and the pure in heart
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
— Matthew 5:3, 5, 8
From the Sermon on the Mount, these Beatitudes reveal the qualities of the soul that draw divine grace.
Seek first the Kingdom of God
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
— Matthew 6:33
Christ teaches that by aligning with the divine, all earthly needs fall into place.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
— Matthew 7:12
Known as the Golden Rule, this teaching distills the essence of moral living.
Be not afraid
“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
— John 14:27
Jesus constantly urges faith over fear — a teaching of deep spiritual reassurance.
The Kingdom of God is within you
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
— Luke 17:20–21
This radically mystical teaching invites the seeker inward to find God’s presence.
Judge not, that ye be not judged
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
— Matthew 7:1
A call to humility and mercy, this teaching reminds us to refrain from condemning others.
Take up your cross and follow me
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
— Luke 9:23
This teaching invites a life of spiritual discipline, courage, and union with the divine will.
I will not belabor the stark and irreconcilable contrast between the current administration’s policies of naked and even gleeful cruelty, worship of the rich, and demonization of people of color, except to note that these policies are hardly unique to the currently dominant political party, but in fact reflect the values and agenda of a supra-governmental elite which controls both parties and which foments division among the people so that we do not recognize our real enemy.
I expect the current administration to collapse under the weight of its own chaos and cruelty, leading over the next four years to a fatal fracture in both parties, with the possible emergence of a third or even a fourth party in its wake.
Meantime, the great awakening to the love of the Universal Christ, beyond sect or religion, beyond party or faction, is becoming ever more irresistible.
“The original teachings of Jesus have been greatly altered, but the core — the kingdom of God is within you — remains eternally true.” — Paramahansa Yogananda
“His Love is marching on…”
blessings,
Michael