schooling

Calculus, branch of mathematics concerned with the calculation of instantaneous rates of change (differential calculus) and the summation of infinitely many small factors to  determine some whole integral calculus . Two mathematicians, Isaac Newton of England and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz of Germany, share credit for having independently developed the calculus in the 17th century. Calculus is now the basic entry point for anyone wishing to study physics, chemistry, biology, economics, finance, or actuarial science. Calculus makes it possible to solve problems as diverse as tracking the position of a space shuttle or predicting the pressure building up behind a dam as the water rises.

If you had no previous instruction in calculus do you think you would be able to solve a calculus equation using the above article? You have been given a great deal of information such as what it is used for, who developed it and it’s practical application. I know for an absolute fact that I could not. There is a big difference in knowing about something and actually knowing it. That brings me to my point. Every discipline of science has it’s own set of rules, the core teachings without which it is not possible to do the science. I believe Christianity is the same and I believe some of the core teachings are lacking from the lives of many who profess following Jesus.

II John 7-9 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. ⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

John 13:13 You call me ‘Rabbi’ (teacher) and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because I am. 

Our salvation depends on obeying and continuing to obey the teachings of Jesus. Many times the problem is that we have been fed a version of the savior Jesus that is detached from the teacher and prophet Jesus. All we know is “about” Jesus. We know that he was born of a virgin, that he died on the cross for our sins, that he rose again on the third day many teach that if we accept that and believe it, it will all be okay. Jesus had something to say about that which should be very alarming to those that maintain that “savior only” view of christianity.

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? ⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: ⁴⁸ he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Preaching a Jesus that is separate from his teachings and instruction is a deception and a counterfeit. Accepting a mere creed of christianity is like trying to do calculus with only its definition and I believe that teaching is in the spirit of antichrist. The essence of christianity is the teachings of Jesus, the Prophet, the Teacher and the Messiah, the Son of God.