Two Gods?

Your congenial editor recently came across an 18-year-old article, which could have been written yesterday. It appeared in the Orlando Sentinel on September 16, 2006, under the heading, “NEW VOICES, a Forum For Readers Under 30.” The title of his editorial was, “2 Gods—Choose 1” (A21), and it was written by a 21-year-old Valencia Community College student, whom we’ll call Brock (not his actual name).

He began by complaining about a street preacher who held a Bible in one hand and spoke through a bullhorn clasped in the other. The man was shouting at pedestrians passing by on the sidewalk in downtown Orlando. The message was a blunt one: “You’re going to hell.” That could very well be the case, but is this the way to make that point? Brock didn’t think so. Most people would probably not think so. Especially if they are on the streets of Orlando.

But Brock protested that this “evangelist” thought he had the right to judge people concerning their eternal home. Perhaps he was a little sensitive there. It’s the stuck pig who squeals, some used to say. Many would just ignore the guy and hurry by; most would pay no attention to him. But Brock went home and wrote a column about it. Something must have got to him.

And, in fact, it did. He admits that he is like many other people who “go clubbing on a Saturday night,” with plans to attend “church the next day.” So, what does it mean to go clubbing? Generally, it refers to visiting an establishment where drinking alcoholic beverages and dancing are the main attraction. Solomon wrote not to even look upon “the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly” (Pr. 23:31).

So, what kind of attitude does Brock have? Does he think that engaging in the consumption of alcoholic beverages and watching or participating in lascivious behavior is consistent with offering up worship the next day? Is that the plan, to spend Saturday night sinning and then acting pious on Sunday morning? Does that sound like a plan God would approve of?

Ironically, Brock next advocates that followers of Jesus, should consider carefully WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) Really? Does he consider himself a follower of Jesus? If he does, does he actually think Jesus would party on Saturday night and then teach people to be pure in heart on Sunday? If he is not a follower of Jesus, on what basis does he assume he has the right to tell those who are how to live and conduct themselves? “I’m not a Christian, but I think those who are should meet my criteria of how to live and how they should approach me.” Brock knows so much about Jesus that he knows Jesus was not “arrogant or pompous”: therefore, He would not deliver His message “in such a way to exclude rather than unite.” One wonders if Brock has ever devoted much time to reading the Scriptures.

Exclusion

John prepared the way before Jesus, and he was, uh, well, exclusive. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’” (Matt. 3:7). He was not excluding them arbitrarily; they could come if they bore “fruits worthy of repentance” (v. 8). Pretending to be a disciple was not good enough; being lukewarm would not suffice; being a disciple involves a commitment.

Jesus likewise exposed the hypocrisy of those who did charitable deeds in order to be seen (Matt. 6:1-4); who prayed to be heard (6:5-8), and who fasted in order to be noticed (6:16-18). Jesus also told people that they could not serve two masters (6:24)—like go clubbing and going to worship. Moreover, Jesus told the multitude that most people were on the broad road to destruction and that only a few were on the narrow road that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). How’s that for exclusion?

Then He taught about the difference between the wise and foolish man. This latter person is defined as one “who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them” (Matt. 7:26). They have heard the truth, but they do not live according to it. Some will even claim to be religious—to have prophesied in the name of Christ or done wonders in His name—but the Lord will tell them, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:21-23). Is it possible this would include those who attend worship on Sunday morning after clubbing Saturday night?

Jesus is not through excluding people. Consider the passage beginning with these words: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!“ (Matt. 23:13). He repeats these words several more times—and also calls them fools and blind guides (13:16-17, 19). Hopefully, Brock will not change his mind about Jesus being arrogant, pompous, and exclusive when he reads this chapter. Jesus is inclusive to everyone who desires to come to Him, but He excludes those who desire to remain in wickedness (Matt. 11:28-30; cf. 7:13-14).

Morality and Divinity

“The idea that Christianity or any other religion, for that matter, has a monopoly on morality or divinity is absolutely preposterous,” saith Brock. Where did this 21-year-old obtain such great wisdom—from a college professor? Are we supposed to take his word for it? Where is his authority to back up what he said? While all religions contain some truth, only Christianity contains all truth. Jesus promised truth to His disciples—if they continued in His Word (John 8:31-32). Jesus taught that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). He further promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:12-13). One of them, Simon Peter, acknowledged they had received it (2 Peter 1:3).

Shall we continue to discuss how preposterous this idea is? “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). It is not that men did not and cannot know the truth; they do not want to know it; they would rather choose to walk in unrighteousness. They knew God but invented idolatry to take the place of truth (Rom. 1:21-23). The sad reality is that people do not have a love of the truth, which is one reason why they are lost (2 Thess. 2:10).

As for Divinity, Christianity does have a monopoly on that, also. Jesus is the Son of God and the only Divine personage to found a religion. Muhammad is not Deity; Confucius is not Deity; Buddha is not Deity; Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) is not Deity; Brahman is not Deity. But Jesus is; He identified Himself as the I AM; like the Father, He is eternal (John 8:58). Jesus taught, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). As has been clearly shown, Brock is wrong on these matters.

Harmony

But he has more advice; he asserts that “all religious leaders should be pushing for harmony.” How exactly is that going to work? Does he actually think Muslim leaders are going to promote peace? Brock wrote these words only 5 years after 9-11, an event which should remind him that some do not want peace and harmony.

Then the young student writes that God, Yahweh, and Allah are all “in fact the same being.” Thus, he reveals about himself that he has read neither the Bible nor the Qur’an. The same Author did not write both books. In fact, Muslims are taught that Jesus is not the Son of God. Furthermore, the New Testament does not teach that a future prophet will arise—whether it is Muhammad or Joseph Smith.

Two Gods

Remember how Brock said that Jesus was not arrogant (which is true)? How does this statement of his sound: “After years of pondering these questions, I have come to one conclusion…”? What? Years? Did he start meditating on these matters at the age of nine? Hmm. His conclusion (after all these years) is: “There are in fact two Gods.”

This is intriguing. The case could be made that the two are: 1) the One true God Who exists; and 2) the one that people make up to suit themselves. But this is not Brock’s thinking. No. The first one he identifies as “the public god.” What does that mean? He’s the one who “fuels the fires of war and prejudice.” This description sounds more like Satan, doesn’t it? He further claims that this is a god that man invented, and he “serves only the selfish.” Isn’t that what Satan appeals to? Aren’t the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17) all aimed at selfishness? Didn’t Satan appeal to advantages to the Self when he tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?

Say, maybe this young man is on to something after all. But then, he violates the very principle he has just condemned and describes God the way He wants him to be. He writes:

The second God is the God of love. This God prefers to go about his [his] business without much fanfare, because his [his] primary objective is to spread love to all people…. Ignoring race, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation, this God…is the God who is present when men are at their most noble. …the first God played a hand in the terror that occurred on 9-11; it was the second God who banded us together.

What Is Love?

Baby, don’t hurt me. [Sorry. These are the opening two lines in a song by Haddaway.] Let’s rephrase the question: How does the Bible define love? Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). John echoed these sentiments: “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6a).

Loving others is a high priority—the second-greatest commandment, but the first is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). And that means keeping His commandments. Many seek to divorce love from obedience, but God clearly links them together. One thing that this means is we must love righteousness and hate evil (not people—but the sins they commit).

How does the list of things Brock thinks should be tolerated match the Bible? He claims that love ignores race, nationality, religion, and sexual orientation. Part of that is Scriptural; the other part he made up. In Christ, there “is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female…” (Gal. 3:28). Nationality (or race) should not be an issue among Christians; neither should social status nor gender.

The New Testament recognizes, however, only one valid religion—Christianity. We have a special bond with fellow Christians. And we try to reach others through discussion—not through violence. The Bible never uses the term sexual orientation. It does, however, condemn homosexuality under all three covenants (Gen. 19:4-5; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:21-28). This is a matter of God’s law and holiness. Those who truly love homosexuals will show them that the practice violates God’s commandments and that they need to give it up (1 Cor. 6:9-11). God loves all sinners; Jesus died so they might be saved; but they must first repent of their sins (Acts 17:30-31).

Regarding 9-11, people banded together for about fifteen minutes and then resorted to their old ways. God #2, as Brock defines him, is as invented as God #1. He’s the Great Mushy God who allows anyone to participate in any sin (at least any sexual sin)—and does not hold it against them. He’s for love, peace, and harmony. So is the true God, but these things can only be achieved on His terms—not ours.