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The Gospel for Today

The Gospel for Today

God is love. When God built His universe, He constructed it to operate in harmony with His nature and character. The construction protocol upon which the universe is built is commonly known as God’s law. The Bible tells us that this law is the “law of love,” which is not a feeling, but the principle of other-centeredness, giving or beneficence that life is designed by God to operate upon. (Rom 13:10, James 2:8, 1 Cor 13:5)

A simple example is respiration. With every breath we breathe we give away carbon dioxide and plants give back oxygen to us. This is God’s design for life, a perpetual circle of free giving. If you break this circle of giving by tying a plastic bag over your head, you break the law and the result is death. “The wages [result] of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23) This circle of giving that God constructed life to operate upon is the law of love in action.

God created mankind, in Eden, with minds that operated in harmony with God’s design for life, the law of love. In this state there was peace, joy, contentment and perfect physical and mental health, because everything was in perfect harmony with the design protocols God built life to operate upon (law of love).

Sin is lawlessness, (1Jn 3:4) or being outside God’s design for life. Rather than having love as the operating principle that governs our existence, humankind is now dominated by fear and selfishness, more commonly known as “survival-of-the-fittest.” This is the principle of watching out for self at the expense of others, “kill or be killed.”

In this condition the mind does not operate as God designed. Instead of perpetual peace, love, and joy, the mind is dominated by a need to survive, and is driven by fear, insecurity and threat assessment.

Because of sin we are biologically wired to be afraid, with brains no longer balanced as God designed. We experience the emotion of fear from the activation of the amygdala in our brains. Firing of the amygdala, causes anxiety, worry, and dread, which activates the stress pathways in the body, causing inflammation which results in multiple health problems like ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, irritability, depression, dementia etc.[ii] [iii] [iv] [v] [vi]

Any belief or activity that chronically increases fear, anxiety, or worry causes increased inflammation, with subsequent worsening physical and mental health, to include higher rates of depression and dementia. This would include beliefs about God that incite chronic fear. Conversely, beliefs that instill love as the motivating principle in the heart calm the brain’s fear circuits and result in improved physical and mental health. Perfect love rids us of all fear. (1Jn 4:18)

The church after Christ’s ascension taught a theology which focused on the principles of love, and Christ’s mission to reveal truth, defeat Satan, and restore the law of love into humankind.

Justin Martyr (103-165) taught Christ came to do three things – overthrow death, destroy Satan and restore humanity back to God’s design, thus providing eternal life to fallen humanity.

(Christ) having been made flesh submitted to be born of the Virgin, in order that through this dispensation the Serpent, who at the first had done evil, and the angels assimilated to him might be put down and death might be despised.[vii]

Robert Franks describes Justin’s theology:

In fact we find in Justin clear indications of the presence to his mind of the recapitulation theory, afterwards more fully developed by Irenaeus, according to which Christ becomes a new head of humanity, undoes the sin of Adam by reversing the acts and circumstances of his disobedience, and finally communicates to men immortal life.[viii]

Franks also describes Irenaeus’ (2nd Century AD – 202) theology:

We come here to the famous Irenaean docrtrine of Recapitulation. The conception is that of Christ as the Second Adam, or second head of humanity, who not only undoes the consequences of Adam’s fall, but also takes up the development of humanity broken off in him, and carries it to completion, i.e. to union with God and consequent immortality.

“It was God recapitulating the ancient creation of man in Himself, that He might slay sin, and annul death, and give life to man… The Son of God, when He was incarnate and was made man, recapitulated in Himself the long line of men, giving us salvation compendiously (in compendio), so that what we had lost in Adam, viz. that we should be after in the image and similitude of God, this we should receive in Jesus Christ.”[ix]

Amazingly, the early church understood Christ’s mission was to rebuild humanity back into God’s original design. They realized God’s law of love was the template upon which He built His universe and rightly realized that in order to save mankind the law upon which life is constructed to operate had to be restored into humanity. Christ’s mission was to restore mankind back into harmony with God!

If this is how the early church understood it, if this is what Christ accomplished, then what happened? How have we drifted so far?

Romanism – Imperial Rome’s concept of government and law infected Christian thought when Constantine converted. Prior to Constantine’s conversion, Christianity understood God’s law as the law of love: Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (emphasis mine). (Rom 13:10 see also Gal 5:14, Jas 2:8, Mt 12:37-40, Prov12:28, 21:21, Ps 19:7)

But, after Constantine converted the Christian church accepted Rome’s change to God’s law, and what was that change? That God’s law is an imposed law put upon His creatures to govern their lives and test their obedience rather than the truth that God’s law is the natural law, the principle upon which He created life to operate.

Christians lost sight of God’s law of love and instead accepted an imposed law by a powerful potentate. After all, if they still believed God’s law was the natural law of love, like the law of respiration, would they ever have thought a church committee could vote to change such a law? Something the Roman church did vote in committee to do. But they could only vote to change God’s law, after they first accepted the concept that His law is imposed, not natural.[x]

Protestant or Catholic matters not, both have accepted this idea that God’s law is imposed, and unavoidably have accepted the fear inducing views of God such a belief creates – God the imperial imposer of law, punisher of law breakers, and source of torture and death for all who fail to have their sins paid. Such views incite fear and subsequently activate amygdala resulting in worsening mental and physical health.

God is calling for His children to return to their first love – the truth about Him as Jesus revealed. God is love! This is the good news, the eternal good news that we are called to share throughout the universe. Only by rejecting the infection of Imperial Rome and returning to Biblical concepts of God’s law of love can we fulfill our purpose as His children.


[ i ]  Evidence from Inspiration that the law of God is the law of love which is the law of life:

  • Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10
  • The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14
  • If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”you are doing right. James 2:8
  • Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matt 12:37-40
  • In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. Pr 12:28
  • He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Pr 21:21
  • The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. Ps 19:7

[ ii ] Miller AH, et al. Biol Psychiatry. 2009;65(9):732-741.

[ iii ] Goldstein BI, et al. J Clin Psychiatry. 2009;70(8):1078-1090.

[ iv ] Szelényi J, Vizi ES. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007;1113:311-324.

[ v ] Banasr M, et al. Biol Psychiatry. 2008;64(10):863-870.

[vi] from Danese A, et al. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(12):1135-1143.

[ vii ] Franks, Robert S. A History of the Doctrine of the Work of Christ in its Ecclesiastical Development vol. 1, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1918, p. 21.

[ viii ] Ibid p. 22.

[ ix ] Ibid, p. 37,38.

[ x ] Compare Catholic versus Protestant Ten Commandments. Catholic version removes number two (graven images) splits Ten into two, change language of the Sabbath commandment (number four in Protestant versions and due to eliminating number two, the Sabbath commandment is number three in the Catholic version). They also, in their catechism, claim to have changed the holiness of Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. We do not argue any of these points. We only use this to illustrate the acceptance of a change in God’s law from a natural law to an imposed law. If theologians viewed God’s law as a principle upon which life is built, like the law of gravity, thermodynamics, respiration they would not have voted in committee to make changes to it. The fact they have changed it reveals the acceptance of Imperial Rome’s concept of law.

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Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA