Examining The New And Improved Jesus
May 2022 |
There are those who hold the view that the historic Jesus must change with the times. First suggested by the founders of the emergent church, it is now endorsed by a broad new movement under the umbrella of progressive Christianity. This non-traditional bent on Christianity promotes a new and improved Jesus.
A Post-Modern Jesus
Post-modernism states that truth is pluralistic, subjective, and open to change. There are no absolute truths. Their “doctrine” stands on the notion that each generation must reimagine who Jesus is to be relevant to that particular generation. Unless Jesus changes with the times, Christianity cannot reach that generation.
Is A New And Improved Jesus Scriptural?
Well, no it isn’t. However, they seem to be okay with this. In the many internet sites that I researched, they call for the systematic deconstruction of traditional Christian doctrines. These doctrines have been the foundation of the church for over two thousand years!
One of the doctrines they cast away is “The immutability of God.” Immutability is the quality of not being subject to or susceptible to change. This is an indispensable characteristic of God. God cannot and will not change. He is forever the same. He is immutable.
God Does Not Change
Malachi clearly stated the doctrine of the immutability of God: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Mal. 3:6). The God we know today is the same as He was four thousand years ago. If God can improve, then He wasn’t perfect. If He is perfect, then to change would make Him imperfect.
The Son Of God Does Not Change
The book of Hebrews comes against the idea of a new and improved Jesus: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). God said it. That settles it. I believe it. Jesus does not and cannot change. To attempt to present a more modern Jesus is to present another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel (II Cor. 11:4).
Since God Does Not Change His Word Does Not Change
His Word cannot change. I’m not talking about a smoother translation of a difficult Hebrew or Greek word. It must, however, stay true to the original meaning of that word. We do not have authority to change the meaning of God’s Word. Political correctness has no place in the presentation of God’s Word.
Since God Does Not Change His Love Does Not Change
God’s love is unchanging for God is unchanging. It is one of the immutable characteristics of God. Paul said that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).
Since Christ cannot change and the love of God is in Christ, then love cannot change.
Since God Does Not Change His Promises Do Not Change
His promises bring us hope when things look hopeless, comfort when in distress, and a safe harbor in the storm. What if we could not rely on His promises? Then we of all people would be without hope. Since God is not a man that He should lie (Num. 23:19), then His promises cannot change.
Since God Does Not Change The Means Of Salvation Does Not Change
Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
The means of salvation cannot change. It has been, is, and will always be a simple faith in the completed work of Calvary. Man cannot change from salvation by grace to salvation by religious works.
God does not change. Jesus does not change. His love cannot change, His promises cannot change, and the means of salvation through the completed work of Calvary cannot change. There is no new and improved Jesus!
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