It was subtle at first and seemed to come from several directions. At first it seemed like from the Alcoran, often nowadays referred to as the Muslim holy book, The Koran. It denies that Jesus is God along with the Father and the Spirit. This is also found today in Unitarianism which is sort of a ‘feel good’ religion. No original sin, God sits with Enoch, Abraham, Noah and Elijah. Not Jesus. David’s vision in psalm 110 is my favorite one by the way.

There are many of note that have embraced the Unitarian Church. It insists that John the apostle was made up and not mentioned in any of the other Gospels. The Jehovah Witness’ seem to be on board with that denial of Jesus’ divinity as well. Their syllogism falls apart with a close look at the logic. Their logic or premises state that if Moses’ command from God was to worship the one true God, then worship of Jesus is wrong. The other pillars of that syllogism? Opinions, not facts. The roof on that logic is sitting on the ground, not supported by facts.

This sideways movement has dropped into my world by a beloved friend that is upset that I pray to Jesus and not to the Father. Everyone in that movement (including Muslims} are very adamant about this.

I grieve for my friend for now it appears he has fallen under the spell of this. It seems that the sticking point is that Jesus is the Judge of all. Of course, in John 5 Jesus declares the truth of those who do not honor the Son do not Honor the Father.

I can tell this has happened to him as he writes to me now that I am the deceived one believing in a corrupted and altered Bible. This is such an old attempt by so many up to this day. He referred adamantly to Brad Ehrman’s books as the basis for rejecting half of the new testament including the Gospel of John.

On Brad Ehrman’s writing:

With a few exceptions when he admits he’s not certain, I’m struck by Ehrman’s usual unswerving confidence that he is 100 percent right. He is, just like evangelicals, relying on an ultimate authority—but instead of the Bible, it’s his own intellect. He is very well grounded in Christianity as he once was a priest and well educated in the faith. He would be an excellent lawyer as he could convince a jury whatever way he wanted them to see. All of his research, all of his ‘sources’ are presented as solid and irrefutable. By whom? It is obvious to me and many, many other concerned and more learned people than I that Mr. Ehrman has now been seduced into declaring that all scripture is errant and only he has the truth. What was the question that Pilate asked Jesus? Mr Ehrman is echoing the old question: “did God really say?” Ehrman also makes a lot of cash from his book sales. Nice. Better pay than declaring Jesus is the light of our world. Darkness pays well but the retirement plan is not good.

I have heard Jesus speak audibly to me, I have seen my best friend enter into paradise. I prayed to Jesus in the hospital over my good friend for healing. As I have prayed to Jesus, He has changed my life from an atheist to a prayer warrior. My friend knows this. I continue to love him and pray for him. If I listen to Jesus, he always talks to me and guides me. Often I don’t listen and lose my way. He is gentle and kind and understands completely. Many times He has lifted me with his strong hand and helped me back on the highway of holiness.

“I consulted 12 major translations by different teams of Hebrew scholars, all of whom don’t hold biblical text to be inerrant. Their translations contain only minor differences. All of them suggest Job is indeed speaking of seeing God in the afterlife.” 1. 

This denial of Job’ words s is just one example of Ehrman’s practice of either: (1) inaccurately conveying what the Bible says; (2) accurately conveying what the Bible says, then declaring it’s wrong; (3) arguing the text really doesn’t say what Christians believe it says (why does that matter if what it really says is also wrong?); and (4) citing Scripture in support of his contentions, even though he regularly dismisses Scripture’s validity! Pray for him and for my friend and for me. Truth is freedom, Shalom, Truth to you. Norm the fiddling Gator

1. A big thank you to Randy Alcorn for inspiration and truth