The Strand Study Bible

JOHN

1725 JOHN Confucianism neither bows down to God as a Trinity nor serves God’s great interest by teaching salvation by grace. Confucianism believes in “works” by becoming masters of their own destinies. Confucianism doesn’t have a lot of doctrines about God. Like Hinduism and Buddhism , it is practical, social, ethical, and full of advice on how to behave in the world. Judy Jones and William Wilson, in An Incomplete Education , note: Confucianism is more code than creed, with no churches or clergy in sight. 6

According to Bruce Bickel & Stan Jantz, in their book called World Religions & Cults 101 , Confucianism has a current membership of about 6 million followers. Over 26,000 Confucians live in America. 5 Confucianism does not believe in a literal Hell, only in reincarnation. Messianic Christianity continues with the BIRTH OF CHRIST (c. 1 BC) – God becoming man in order to save men Gnosticism begins (c. AD 50) - Men “ working ” to add knowledge to salvation ( Colo 2:16 ) The Talmud is created (c. AD 70) - Men “ working ” to remove the MESSIAH from the Torah According to Akef Tayem, in his book called A Muslim, the Quran and JESUS the son of Mary : The Talmud was the concept and creation by rabbi ben Zakkai shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans. It is a man-made attempt (Rabbinical Judaism) to exclude the fundamental theme of the Torah; that of a suffering Messiah, and the shedding of blood for theremission of sin. The early leaders of Islam following the death of Muhammad seized on the opportunity presented by the controversy over the Talmud, and presented it as proof that the Jews were in the habit of altering God’s Laws by producing new books and new doctrines. 7 According to their own website, Unitarian Universalism has always been heretical (“Heresy” in Greek means “choice”). During the first three centuries Unitarian Universalists chose to believe that Jesus was simply an entity sent by God on a divine mission, not God Himself in the flesh. They chose to follow Jesus, not worship Him. According to their own website: In sixteenth-century Transylvania (in Eastern Europe), Unitarian congregations were established for the first time in history. 8 Unitarian Universalists neither bow down to God as a Trinity nor serve God’s great interest by teaching salvation by grace. Unitarians believe in salvation by “works.” Unitarians Universalists are pluralists who have affirmed the rights of bisexuals, gays, lesbians, and transgendered persons, including ordaining and settling gay and lesbian clergy. In 1996, they affirmed same-sex marriage. Unitarian Universalists do not believe in a literal eternal Hell. They believe in Buddhism’s doctrine of annihilation. According to history, Catholicism didn’t even get off the ground until c. 700 years after the time of Christ. The official recognition of Christianity in 313 AD by the Emperor Constantine was the starting place for universalism (Catholicism). According to The New Age Encyclopedia : The history of the Roman Catholic Church can be divided into four major periods. The first, to about A.D. 700, was the period of expansion and growth… 4 Although there are some within Roman Catholicism that are genuine Christians ( I Ki 21:29 , Mt 11:30 , Lk 7:50 , I Cor 11:24 , Jms 5:7 , I Jn 1:9 b ), the majority of Roman Catholics trust Catholicism, not Christ. Roman Catholicism sees the Roman Church as the seat of authority. To be sure, the Bible is believed, but it cannot be interpreted, they say, but by the Roman Church. Therefore, the Roman Church becomes the final authority instead of the Scriptures, and its pronouncements are binding on its members. Although Catholics do bow down to God as a Trinity, most don’t generally serve God’s great interest by teaching salvation by grace. Catholicism teaches salvation by “works.” Catholicism does believe in a literal Hell, but has added Purgatory to its teachings on biblical judgment ( I Cor 3:13 a ). Islam began in the Middle East c. AD 622. William J. Saal in Reaching Muslims for Christ notes: Muhammad was born about A.D. 570 in Mecca. It is likely that he was exposed to some Jewish and Christian teaching during his travels with trade caravans, and those influences can be noted in the development of Islam. 9 Islam neither bows down to God as a Trinity nor serves God’s great interest by teaching salvation by grace. Unitarian Universalism (c. AD 100) - Men “ working ” to earn salvation Catholicism (c. AD 300) - Men “ working ” to save themselves ( I Cor 3:13 ) Islam (AD 622) - Men “ working ” to save themselves ( Gen 16:10 )