Was Jesus Wrong? Reclaiming Jesus’ True Way

The hijacking of Christianity. Part 4 of 6

Would you be surprised to learn that many in our government and military adopted one of the most insidious notions ever to walk the path of Christianity? “Jesus was wrong,” they proclaim. It’s not about love, it’s about power! Spirituality and religion were blended with politics to create a demonic caricature.

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Hijack of Christianity. Satan in church image by Microsoft Designer.

The power of truth must be our favored device. Jesus himself spoke truth, and those who resonated with it followed him. Just as in his time, new generations today—Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation Alpha—resonate with Jesus’ authentic truth and readily recognize the false and often harmful portrayals of Christianity that have emerged. It is this inherent truth that will ultimately prevail.

Ref. verses

Jesus said:

“You will know them (his followers) by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” – Matthew 7:16-20

““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – Matthew 7:21-23

“Jesus answered them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray.’”- Matthew 24:4

The hijacking of Christianity

Religion is a very powerful force, and many powerful people have hijacked it for their own purposes over the last 2000 years. Some of Christianity is hardly recognizable today.

I don’t have a problem with different denominations emphasizing different things. People are not all the same, and different things resonate with them. Meaning and purpose are a calling. My concern is when they go so far off the rails that they become mired in the swamp of stinky purposes.

Hijacking by an Antichrist: The “Jesus Was Wrong” Movement

One particularly insidious form of hijacking involves the distortion of Jesus’ core teachings, often for the benefit of those seeking power. The influence of groups like C Street exemplifies this trend.

The C Street influence has been pervasive. This influential group often shielded errant congressmen from serious trouble. Its core belief, that “Jesus was wrong” about love of others and that “power is the answer,” is a direct contradiction of Jesus’s teachings.

This philosophy has not only had a pervasive influence on congressmen and world leaders; it has also found its way into many churches, further undermining Jesus’ justice teachings to the point that these are now branded “radical leftist lunatic” by some. Is this true?

For further insight into the beliefs and influence of C Street, Jeff Sharlet’s book, C Street, is a valuable resource. And see the Encyclopaedia Britannica article, The Family international religious movement.

Congress dropped its association with the C Street Prayer Breakfast a few years ago after it was widely exposed. It formed its own prayer breakfast, which is exclusive and not publicized. You can read more about it in this article: Congress takes reins of prayer breakfast from secretive Christian evangelical group.

The assertion that “Jesus was wrong” is, fundamentally, an antichrist belief. It’s against God.

As the Apostle John wrote to the churches, many antichrists were among them, deceiving them. He was specific about that time being the “last hour,” meaning the end times, or the time when Jesus would return to earth to rule over his people.

The Last Hour

What did John mean by “the last hour,” in an era when the apostles and followers of Jesus expected Jesus’ return within their lifetime?

The end of the era was relevant to the end of the Temple and the dispersion of Judaism, which happened, as Jesus said it would, between 70 CE, with the complete destruction of the Jewish Temple, and 135 CE with the Romans chasing the Jews out of their land. Many hid in the hills and caves as Jesus said they would (Mark 13:14-16). The second coming of Jesus referred to the body of Christ on earth, which is the people of the church with the heart and intent of Jesus’.

The spiritual kingdom of God, with people recognizing Jesus’ teachings (God) in their hearts and minds, and representing Jesus’ teachings through their actions, is the body of Christ among us. It took a while to reach all the earth, so some thought that maybe the teaching was wrong.

The same truth holds for today. Antichrists are deceivers and deny Christ. They operate both within and outside of religious institutions, distorting truth and promoting agendas that contradict Jesus’ message of love and service.

What can churches do?

Churches can be on guard about conflating the way shown to us by Jesus with other things, especially those not part of the way to live. Christianity is not about power, forcing or persuading others to convert, about a nation or democracy, capitalism, politics, or any other thing people conflate with following the teachings of Jesus. These other things are people’s beliefs, not Christian.

With so many people believing different things about what teachings represent Christianity, I prefer to call myself a “follower of the Way,” as early Christians did, or “a follower of Jesus.” To avoid my own or others’ misinterpretation, I asked AI what Jesus’ core teachings are:

“Jesus’ core teachings revolved around the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing a radical shift in values and behavior. He taught that this kingdom was not a political entity but a spiritual reality accessible through faith and repentance.

“Central to his message was the call to love God wholeheartedly and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, extending this love even to enemies. He stressed forgiveness, compassion for the marginalized, and the importance of humility and service over worldly power and wealth, often illustrating these principles through parables and his own example of living among and caring for the poor and outcast.”

Ultimately, the path forward is clear. Stay true to the mission. Love God. God is love, which is charity and mercy to all. Bring people into the spiritual domain (kingdom). Be kind to each other. This is the law and the prophets, and the new law of Jesus, and covers all human conduct. This message of love and inclusion should be the guiding principle for all Christian churches.

Conclusion

Christianity is not about money and power, forcing people through power, nations, or freedom and democracy. Christianity is about acquainting people with the way to live, as demonstrated by Jesus, so they enter the “spiritual domain” [kingdom] of God that is here, now, forever, and is spiritual not physical. It’s the way of love, which encompasses all human action and activity.

“With hate, we have more to lose than gain – break the cycle” – Dorian Scott Cole

Probability Space

So, how can we practically apply this understanding? Consider this: What probability spaces can we open in our minds to demonstrate the love of God and our own love of others, to help the world be a better place for all, so that people want to follow the Way Jesus showed us to live?

(A probability space is where all of the elements necessary for something to happen are present and it’s almost inevitable. All it takes is intention.)

Potential Space

Expanding on this idea, let’s consider: If you think creatively and allow your mind to wander and explore, how can we reflect the love of God for all, and our own love for all, through our government?

(A potential space is a virtual space in our minds where entirely new things can take shape.)

Some things that you might love

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Below is information for creating change in my new book, Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change.

My new book. Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change.

My new book, Unleash Movements that Matter: Break Through Barriers to Change, which I wrote for new generations, I research and explain in great detail what it takes to create change in our world. (An audio presentation is in progress.)

Ministering to New Generations – strong impact course

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– Dorian

Our answer is God. God’s answer is us. Together we make the world better.

Restore and recreate. Take time to celebrate life. Laugh, sing, and dance regularly, even every day. Happy. This is why we dance to celebrate life: Reindeer actually running and dancing.

Building a Community of Action

New Way Forward community

Can we make positive change in our world and end a lot of suffering?

Helen Keller, who was both blind and deaf, said: “Although the world is full of suffering, it’s also full of the overcoming of it.”

The human spirit yearns for a world without suffering, but it’s through facing challenges that we progress. The world isn’t perfect, but together we can create a future with less hardship. Famine, discrimination, gun violence, and injurious economic and educational disparities are complex problems, yet understanding their root causes empowers us to find solutions.

Launching in first quarter 2025, the New Way Forward community will connect individuals seeking practical solutions and creating lasting change. We’ll focus on understanding problems and their solutions, and how to effectively create change.

Join us in building a brighter tomorrow! New Way Forward on Facebook.

Civic service opportunities

Do Unto Others Kindness Campaign, and civic engagement.

UCC service opportunities.

PC USA programs and services.

United Methodist Church Volunteer Opportunities.

Join or support Zero Hour and amplify the voices of youth organizing for climate action.

Peoples Hub. Resistance, Resilience, Restoration, Re-imagination. Online Popular Education. For movement workers to learn, connect, collaborate, and strategize – in and across the disability justice and solidarity economy movements.

Stakeholder Capitalism – a video podcast series from the World Economic Forum. Can capitalism be made to work for all of us – and to improve rather than destroy the state of the planet?

General service and aid opportunities (on One Spirit Resources Website). To add your service opportunity to the One Spirit Resources list, contact the author (me) through Facebook Messenger. Note that I only friend people I know.

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Education Opportunities for new generations

Becoming an Entrepreneur – MITx online

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Bible scripture verses are New American Standard Version (NASB), unless noted.

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Author and books

Appease the Volcano: What does God require from people? The voices of the ancients from many religions echo much of the same things: It starts with law, then mercy and forgiveness, then love. Love is a major emphasis in all major religions and replaces law.

The Prophetic Pattern: Ancient and Modern Prophecy: How to distinguish the intent of various types of prophecies and oracles, both ancient and modern.

Preparing For the Future Of Work and Education: Analysis of the kinds of jobs that AI and Robotics will displace, and the educational requirements for them. AI will replace or augment thirty percent of jobs. This is an in-depth analysis citing many authoritative sources.

Author Website: Dorian Scott Cole