033 Master CourseBook

OnlyTwoReligions?
IntroductiontoWorldviewEvangelism
by
Dr.PeterJones

Director,truthXchangeand
ScholarinResidence,WestminsterSeminaryCalifornia

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OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


IntroductionandSection1A

TheFivePointsofPaganOneism

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IntroandSection1A
TheFivePointsofPaganOneism
ThiscourseutilizesthetermsOneismandTwoism.Oneismisdefinedastheworshipofcreation
whereallisonewhencreationisworshippedandservedasdivine.InOneismalldistinctions
areeliminatedandthroughenlightenmentOneismproclaimsthatmanalsoisdivine.Twoismis
definedastheworshipofthedivineCreator.Allistwobecauseweworshipandservethe
eternal,personalCreatorofallthings.InTwoismGodaloneisdivineandisdistinctfromHis
creation;yetthroughHisSonJesus,GodisinlovingcommunionwithHiscreation.
WelcometotruthXchange100.
Inthiscourse,youwilllearnfivebasicdifferencesbetweenwhattheChristianfaithbelieves
andwhatallotherreligionsbelieve.Nowthatsoundsalittlebold,toyou,perhaps.Howcanall
otherreligionshavesomuchincommon?Arenttheyalldifferent?
Well,yes,ofcoursereligionshavedifferenthymns,historiesandheroes.ButtheApostlePaul
sayssomethingstrikinglysimple.WeworshipandservetheCreatororsomethingincreation.
Heissayingthatthereareonlytworeligions,onlytwowaysofbeingspiritual.
ThiscoursewillshowyoufivebeliefsofOneism(worshipofcreation)andthenshowyouhow
Twoism(ChristianworshipoftheCreator)isdifferentineacharea.
Thesefivecreationworshipingbeliefsare:
1. AllIsOneandOneIsAll
2. AllHumanityIsOne
3. AllReligionsAreOne
4. ThereIsOneProblem:Weveforgottenthatweareone!
5. ThereIsOneSolution:Lookinsideyourselfforsalvation.
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IntroandSection1A
IfyouarealreadyaChristian,wepraythatthematerialyoulearnwillhelpyouto:
UnderstandJesusandhisWordmoredeeply;
UnderstandthewayyournonChristianneighborsthink;
Speakthegospelinlanguageyourfriendsandneighborsunderstand;
RecognizeandavoidtheerrorsthatsomeChristianchurchesareteaching.
IfyouarenotaChristian,wehopethatyouwillseetheendresultofworshipingandserving
thecreation,andthatyouwillcometoseethebeauty,love,powerandmercyoftheGodwho
madeyouinhisownimageandwhowillforgiveyouifyoucometohimthroughtheworkofhis
Son,Jesus.
HowtheCourseWorks
Therearefivesections,eachwithanAandBportion.Ineachsectionwewillstudyoneofthe
pointsmentionedabove.IntheAportion,wewillseewhatOneism(worshipofcreation)
teachesandintheBportion,wewillseewhatTwoism(worshipoftheCreator)teaches.
Aftereachsection,therewillbeanassessment.Theassessmentquestionsareallmultiple
choiceandtrueorfalse.
YouwillalsofindasectionwithOptionalExercises,containingsuggestedactivitiesorresearch
projectsthatyoucandoonyourownorwithagroupofpeopledoingthecoursetogether.
Perhapsyoursmallgrouporfamilywouldliketostudythiscourse.Youcouldthendiscussthe
activitiesandquestionsinthesection.Youwillnotbeformallyassessedonthesesuggested
activities.
Wehavealsoincludedsuggestedreadingmaterialsforyou,ifyouwishtogofurther.Youwill
notbeassessedonthosematerials.
Attheendofthecourse,youwilltakeafinalexamthatisalonger,morethoroughevaluation
ofwhatyouhavelearned.Theexamisstillintrueorfalseandmultiplechoiceformats.
Thankyousomuchforyourinterestinthiscourse.AttruthXchangewearealwayseagerto
hearhowthecoursehashelpedyouinyourunderstandingoftheBible,theChristianfaithand
yourChristianwalk.Wearealsoeagertohearwaysinwhichwecanimprovethecourse.
Havefunandlearnalot!
2|P a g e
IntroandSection1A
Introduction
WhentheApostlePaularrivedintheGreekcityofAthens,helefthisbackpackinthehostel
andwentouttoseethesights.Achurchplanterbyprofession,henaturallyheadedtothelocal
worshipcentertoanalyzethespiritualconditionoftheculture.Thereheexaminedthestatues
onpublicdisplayandfoundonewiththeinscription:TotheUnknownGod.ForPaul,that
statuerepresentedtheyearningoftheAthenianstoknowtheGodwhocoulddowhattheir
owngodswerepowerlesstodo.
Agenerationago,theGodoftheBiblewasnotanunknowngodtomostWesterners,evenif
theywerenotChristianbelievers.Insomecountries,theChristianGodstillremainsmainlyan
unknowngod.ChristiansintheWestusedtobeabletoassumethattheirfriendsand
neighborsknewthebasicsabouttheChristianfaith.Thisisnolongerthecase.Losinginterestin
Christianityhasnot,however,madepeoplesecular,iasonemighthaveexpected.Peoplethese
daysgladlyconsiderthemselvestobespiritualaslongastheyhavefaithofanykind.The
objectofthatfaithdoesntmatter.Infact,anyonewhotriestoinsistthatfaithmustbeplaced
inaparticularGod,ratherthanthecrowdofgodsworshipedintheculture,isbreakingour
societysfirstcommandment:thoushaltnotimposethyreligiononme.Infact,many
Westernershavecometoidealizethenativereligions,andmanyindigenousreligionsiiare
becomingpopular,asolderandpurerformsofspirituality.InAustralia,itisaboriginalreligion;
inCentralAmerica,theMayanreligion;inBrazil,CandomblandUmbanda(ancientAfrican
religions);intheUK,Celticreligion;intheUSA,NativeAmericanIndianreligion,andsoon.
WhetherChristiansarenewtounderstandingthisadmirationofpaganreligionsorhavelived
sidebysidewiththemforcenturies,theyfindithardtoexplainthegospelofJesusChristwhen
allthewordstheyuseareeitherunfamiliartotheirlistenersorhavebeengivennewmeanings.
InNorthAmerica,wordsthatusedtobefamiliar,suchassin,salvationandprayerhave
becomefalseself,hopefortheplanetandgoodthoughts.Thegoodthingsweexperience
inlifeareduetoourkarma,andpeoplespeaknaturallyaboutgettingthingsrightintheir
nextreincarnationiii.InthisWesterncontext,itishardtoexplaineventhebasicChristian
notions,letalonethericherdoctrinesoftheChristianfaith.
Thiscourseisapplicabletoallculturesandallsituations,becausewhateverformofpaganism
youseearoundyouisdescribedintheBibleastheworshipofcreation.Thematerialyoustudy
willhelpyouunderstandthebasicprinciplesofthatsystem.Youwillseedifferentexpressions
ofit,dependingonwhereyoulive,butunderstandingthefivepointsofpaganOneismwillhelp
youliveandspeakthegospelofJesus,nomatterwhatyoursituation.
i
Secular:notpertainingtoorconnectedwithreligion
ii
IndigenousReligions:InthiscontextwemeanthenaturalreligionsthatmanycountrieshadbeforeChristianity
orothermajorreligionsarrived.
iii
Reincarnation:Thebeliefthatwhenpeopledie,theycomebacktolifeintheformofanotherpersonoranimal.
Usuallythebeliefincludesanaspectofdeservingabetteroraworselifethanthepreviouslife.
3|P a g e
IntroandSection1A
Section 1A
AllIsOne(Oneism)
TounderstandthespiritualbeliefthatAllIsOne,weonlyneedtotourthemarketplace,as
Pauldid.NoticetheAllisOnethemethatsurroundsyouinyoureverydaylife.Themovie
Avatar,forexample,impliesthattheonlyunspoiled,innocentworldistheonethatdrawsits
powerfromtheearth.Thenaavipeople,soinnocentandpure,askcreationitselftocometo
theiraidwhentheyareattackedbythespoilersfromthehumanplanet,Earth.Throughtheir
magicalponytails,theinnocentsdrawcreationpowerfromatreeintotheirconnectedcircle.
AvatarisanexcellentexampleofanAllisOne,earthworshipingreligiousphilosophy.
Variousnotionsofspiritualevolutionivdependonanallknowingearththatcreatesitselfand
knowshowtoprogresstoperfection.
YouseethesamethemeintheclassicDisneymovie,LionKing.Thoughitseemstohave
Christianideas(MufasasacrificeshimselfforSimba,forexample),therealmessageofLionKing
isthatwisdomandknowledgearefoundwithinthecircleoflife.Rafiki,thewitchdoctor,brings
wisdomfromancienttraditionsandancestorspasstheirwisdomtothenextgeneration.
Simbasdeadfatherappearstohissonfromtheskyandsays,Simba,youhaveforgottenwho
youare,andsoforgottenme.Lookinsideyourself,Simba.Youaremorethanwhatyouhave
become.YoumusttakeyourplaceintheCircleofLife.
Infilmandliteraturetoday,aGodwhostandsoutsidecreationandholdsauthorityoveritis
oftenassociatedwithatyrannicalchurch(asintheDaVinciCode)oranoppressivepolitical
structurethatdependsonaChristiannotionofGodasLord,asinthe1995Disneyversionof
Pocahontas.Thatfilmtookthelibertyofentirelyrewritinghistory.Inthetruestory,theIndian
girlPocahontasbenefittedfromtheChristianreligion,butthemoviepicturedtheEnglishman,
JohnSmithaslearningthenativereligionfromher.Thatreligionwasaformofnatureworship.
Inthemovie,Pocahontassings:
Therainstormandtheriveraremybrothers.
Theheronandtheotteraremyfriends,
Andweareallconnectedtoeachother
Inacircle,inahoopthatneverends.
iv
SpiritualEvolution.Justassomepeoplebelievethatevolutionbroughtintoexistencetheworld,animalsetc.and
thatitknowshowtomaketheworldbetterandbetter,sosomepeoplebelievethatthereisakindofspiritual
evolution,bywhichsomehowtheworldwillgraduallybecomeahappierandmoremoralplaceuntiloneday,all
theproblemswillbesolved.
4|P a g e
IntroandSection1A
ACommonLonging
Peoplewhobelievethattheworldknowshowtoperfectitselfshouldbesatisfiedwiththeway
thingsare.Buttheyrenot.Somewhereunderneath,theyknowthatthingsarenotasthey
shouldbe,sotheywanttohelptheworldprogressandevolveintherightdirection.Thebest
waytodothatinaOneistworldisbybelievingintheunityofallthings,whichseemsbetter
thanclingingselfishlytoidentityandpower.Forthisreason,Oneistsareoftenkind,andeager
tomaketheworldabetterplace.ThisconfusesChristians,whosometimesthinktheyshould
haveamonopolyonkindness.However,wemustdecidewhetherthereisaCreatorGod,
outsidecreation,whohasstructuredtheuniverseinaparticularway.Oneistsdonotbelievein
suchaGod.IfthereissuchaGod,however,theneachhumanbeingisanswerabletohimand
deservestoknowandunderstandhisnatureandhisword,sincesuchknowledgeaffectsallthat
wethink,sayanddo.
BelievingthatAllIsOnemeansthatthereisnodistinctionbetweenGodandtheworld.Godis
theworld.Oncethismostimportantdistinctiondisappears,alltheothersmustgoaswell.
Oneistsgetintomanydifficultandillogicalproblemsbydestroyingthedistinctionbetweenthe
Creatorandthecreation.IfAllisOne,thenthereareultimatelynodistinctions,whichmeans,
amongotherthings,that:
Wordsandspeecharemeaningless.(Whyshouldonewordsoundandmeansomething
differentthananother?)
Musicisimpossible.(Ifthereisnodistinctionofsounds,thentuneandharmonydisappear.)
Prayercantexist.(Wecanonlymeditateorlookwithin,whichis,ifwearehonest,
downrightdepressing!)
Personnessdisappears.(Ifweareonewithallthings,welosepersonalidentityandvalue.)
WecanthaveapersonalrelationshipwithGod.(Thegodwearetryingtoexperience
throughmeditationvendsupbeingeverywhereand/ornowhere,whichleavesuswithouthopefor
arelationship.)
Theresnogoodandevil.(Goodandevilarerelative,definedbyeachperson.Thebestone
cancomeupwithisabalancingofgoodandevilasinthegoodandbadsideoftheForceinthe
StarWarsstory.)
ThereisnoGodouttheretorescueus.(Werelyonhumanattemptsatutopia,viwhichhave
alwaysbecomecruelandunbearablenightmares.)
v
Meditation:Thereisnothingwrongwithmeditation,butitdependsonwhatmeaningyougiveit.Biblical
meditationisreflectingonGodsWord,learningitbyheartandaskingGodtoshowyouhowtoliveitout.Pagan
meditationmeansturninginward,leavingyourmindbehindandtryingtobecomeonewiththeall.Itoften
involvestrancelikeexperiences.
vi
Utopia:Thewordutopia,actuallymeansnoplace,butincommonuseofEnglishithascometomeanan
idealsociety.Itisusedinthiswayinthislesson.IfwearetalkingaboutGodsidealsociety,whichhewillcreate
whenJesusreturnstojudgetheworld,thenweshouldreallycallitaeutopia,sincetheeuinGreek,from
whichthewordutopiaistaken,meansgood.Aeutopiawouldbeagoodplace.
5|P a g e
IntroandSection1A
AsyouthinkabouttheAllisOneprincipleandexamineaspectsofthecultureinwhichyoulive,
youwillseetheOneistinfluenceinchildrensliterature,movies,healthcare,education,
sexualityandinmanyotherareas.Itisimportant,aswell,torememberthatOneismcanbe
eitheratheistic(Godisnothingandnowhere),orpantheistic(Godiseverythingandevery
where).
AttheendofthisSectionyouwillfindsomeexercisesandideasfortrainingyoureyesandears
toseeandheartheOneistmessageandfortrainingyourmindtoknowhowtogiveaTwoist
answerinresponse.
6|P a g e
IntroandSection1A
OptionalExercises
Section 1A
MarketplaceResearch
Startananalysisofyourculture:
1. After completing Section 1A, buy a popular magazine. (Pick from any field: Health, Sports,
Family,Yoga,etc.)Browsethroughthemagazinewithayellowhighlighterinhandandmark
everymentionyoucanfindofoneofthefiveOneistprinciples.Youwillbesurprisedtosee
howmuchyouunderstandaboutOneismandyoumayfeelyoureyesopeningtoacompletely
newwayofseeingyourculture.Herearetheprinciplestoremindyou:
AllIsOneandOneIsAll
AllHumanityIsOne
AllReligionsAreOne
ThereIsOneProblem:Weveforgottenthatweareone!
ThereIsOneSolution:Lookinsideyourselfforsalvation.
2. Ifyouaregoingthroughthisbookletasagroup,assignanareaofthoughtoraprofessionto
someone who works or has a particular interest in it. Look for the influence of Oneist prin
ciples in that field. For example, a kindergarten teacher might look at the childrens books
available in the public library; a doctor might examine the pamphlets handed out to new
patients, explaining the hospitals healing philosophy. You may find group members with
expertise in literature, the media, counseling, music and the arts, healthcare, education,
sexuality,andmanymore.Shareyourdiscoverieswithothersinyourgroup.
ChallengeQuestion
ThinkoffiveareasoflifeforwhichOneismbecomesillogicalandimpossible.Usethelistinthis
sectionasastartingpoint.
7|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section1B

AllIsTwo(Twoism)

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Section1B
Section 1B
AllIsTwo(Twoism)

TheChristianreligionistheonlyonethattrulybelievesinaGodwhoisseparatefromandnot
dependentuponhiscreationandyethasanintimaterelationshipwithit.
ATranscendentGod
InChristianity,Godandhiscreation,includinghumans,donotsharethesameessenceor
nature.Godisofacompletelydifferentkindofexistencefromus,whatiscalledtranscendent.i
Infact,thereareonlytwobasickindsofexistence:Godandeverythingelse,allofwhichhe
created.Ofcourse,humansarelikeGodinsomeways,buttherearequalitiesthatonlyGod
possesses.InwhatwaysisGodcompletelydifferentfromanythinginhiscreation?
TheologiansiicallthesecharacteristicsGodsincommunicableattributes.iiiThatdoesntmean
hecantcommunicatetousaboutthem.Itsimplymeansthatnoneofuscaneverpossessthese
attributes.HerearesomeofGodsincommunicableattributes:
Godhasnobeginningandnoend.
Heisabsolutelypowerful(omnipotent).
Heknowseverything.
Hecanbeeverywhereatonce.
i
Transcendent:InTheology,thiswordmeansthatGodisaboveandoutsideoftheuniverseandtimeandcannot
beentirelycontainedinourknowledgeorunderstanding..
ii
Theologian:SomeonewhostudiesthepersonandworkofGod.
iii
IncommunicableAttributes:CharacteristicsthatonlyGodcanhave,suchasbeingallPowerful.
1|P a g e
Section1B
Heneverchanges.
Heistotallypureandjust.
Heisabsolutelylovingandcompassionate.
Hespoketheworldintoexistence.
Hecreatedeverythingthatexists,whetherheavenlybeingsorallthatisinorinhabits
theuniverse.
Heisthreeinone,Father,SonandHolySpirit
Dr.PeterJoneswasoncelecturingontheseincommunicableattributesofGod.Jokingly,he
offeredafreebooktoanyoneinhisaudiencewhocouldclaimtohaveoneofthesequalities.A
manapproachedhimafterthelecturetoaskforafreebook.Surprised,Dr.Jonesaskedhim,
SowhichofGodsincommunicableattributesdoyoupossess?Themanresponded,Well,my
wifetoldmeIshouldgetafreebookbecauseshesaysIneverchange!
Allhumoraside,itisclearthatwecanneverbeGod!Theseandmanyotherqualitiesbelongtoa
GodwhoiswayaboveusandrulesoverusatrulytranscendentGod.TheBiblehasavarietyof
waysofexpressingGodstranscendence:
Forastheheavensarehigherthantheearth,soaremywayshigherthanyourwaysand
mythoughtsthanyourthoughts.(Isaiah55:9)
WhoisliketheLordourGod,whoisseatedonhigh,wholooksfardownontheheavens
andtheearth?(Psalm113:56)
Itishe[God]whositsabovethecircleoftheearth,anditsinhabitantsarelike
grasshoppers;whostretchesouttheheavenslikeacurtain,andspreadsthemlikeatent
todwellin;whobringsprincestonothing,andmakestherulersoftheearthas
emptiness.(Isaiah40:2223)
AnImmanentGod
ButGodisnotasolitary,remoteprinciple,sohighaboveusthatwehavenowayofknowing
him.HeisalsoaGodwhoisnearus,whomakeshimselfknowntousandwholovesus
whatiscalledimmanent.iv
ForwhatgreatnationistherethathasagodsoneartoitastheLordourGodistous,
wheneverwecalluponhim?(Deuteronomy4:7)
ForyourMakerisyourhusband,theLordofhostsishisname;andtheHolyOneof
IsraelisyourRedeemer,theGodofthewholeearthheiscalled.(Isaiah54:5)
iv
Immanent:Intheology,thistermmeansaGodwhodwellsintimeandspace.AGodwhoisclosetohispeople
andevenlivesinthemthroughhisHolySpirit,anddoesntremainhiddenordistant.
2|P a g e
Section1B
ForthussaystheLordGod:Behold,I,Imyselfwillsearchformysheepandwillseek
themout..Imyselfwillbetheshepherdofmysheep,andImyselfwillmakethemlie
down,declarestheLordGod.(Ezekiel34:11,15)
Godletsusknowwhoheisinseveralways:
1. Byrevealingsomeofhischaracteristicsinthecreatedworld;
Ididnotspeakinsecret,inalandofdarkness;IdidnotsaytotheoffspringofJacob,
Seekmeinvain.ItheLordspeakthetruth;Ideclarewhatisright.(Isaiah45:19)
ForwhatcanbeknownaboutGodisplaintothem,becauseGodhasshownittothem.
Forhisinvisibleattributes,namely,hiseternalpoweranddivinenature,havebeen
clearlyperceived,eversincethecreationoftheworld,inthethingsthathavebeen
made.Sotheyarewithoutexcuse.(Romans1:1920)
2. By coming to us in the form of a real, historical man, Jesus, who took on himself the
judgmentoftheHolyFatheranddiedtobringusintoarelationshipoflovewithhim;
NolongerdoIcallyouservants,fortheservantdoesnotknowwhathismasterisdoing;
butIhavecalledyoufriends,forallthatIhaveheardfrommyFatherIhavemade
knowntoyou.(John15:15)
3. Andbycommunicatingwhoheistousinatrustworthymessage,writtenintheBible.
Butasforyou,continueinwhatyouhavelearnedandhavefirmlybelieved,knowing
fromwhomyoulearneditandhowfromchildhoodyouhavebeenacquaintedwiththe
sacredwritings,whichareabletomakeyouwiseforsalvationthroughfaithinChrist
Jesus.AllScriptureisbreathedoutbyGodandprofitableforteaching,forreproof,for
correction,andfortraininginrighteousness,thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,
equippedforeverygoodwork.(2Timothy3:1417)InstructionsfromtheApostlePaul
toTimothy
Godalsoletsusknowthathelovesusinseveralways:
1. Bytellingussoinlanguagethathecreatedespeciallyforus;
ThentheLordsaidtohim,Whohasmademan'smouth?Whomakeshimmute,or
deaf,orseeing,orblind?IsitnotI,theLord?Nowthereforego,andIwillbewithyour
mouthandteachyouwhatyoushallspeak.(Exodus4:1112)
2. Bymakingawayforustobeforgiven,sacrificinghisSonforus;
ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlySon,thatwhoeverbelievesinhim
shouldnotperishbuthaveeternallife.(John3:16)
3. Andbytakingusashistreasuredpossessiontolivewithhimforever.
[JesusprayertohisFather]OrighteousFather,eventhoughtheworlddoesnotknow
you,Iknowyou,andthese[believers]knowthatyouhavesentme.Imadeknownto
themyourname,andIwillcontinuetomakeitknown,thatthelovewithwhichyou
havelovedmemaybeinthem,andIinthem.(John17:2526)
3|P a g e
Section1B
Seealso"Theyshallbemine,saystheLordofhosts,inthedaywhenImakeupmy
treasuredpossession,andIwillsparethemasamanspareshissonwhoserveshim.
(Malachi3:17)
Godistheverydefinitionoflove!Heislovenotbecausehewascosmicallylonelyanddecided
hejusthadtohavesomehumanbeingstotalkto,butbecauseheisthreepersonsinoneGod.
GodtheFather,GodtheSonandGodtheHolySpirithaveforeverbeeninarelationshipof
pure,intense,joyouslove.Godlovesbeforehecreatestheworldoranyhumans.Wecannot
fullyunderstandthemysteryofathreepersonsinoneGod,whocreateshumans(maleand
female)inhisownimageandthenbecomesaman,takingonhumanflesh.Wecanneverfinish
countingthewaysthatGodlovesus.
UnlikeOtherReligions
ChristianityistheonlyreligionthathasatrulytranscendentandtrulyimmanentGod.Other
religionsdonothaveaGodwhoisbothwaybiggerandmoreawesomethanweare,andyet
relatestousinloveandintimacy.BuddhistsvhavenosuchGod.Theyseeksolutionstotheir
problemsbypurifyingtheirmindstodevelopinfiniteloveandperfectunderstanding.Theirgod
isultimatelyagodwithin.HindusvibelieveinthegodBrahma,anentitythatinhabitsevery
portionofrealityandisthusbothimpersonalandunknowable.Likewise,inIslam,viiGodis
singular,impersonalandunknowable,agodwhonevercomesdownasdidtheChristianGod,
tolove,identifywithandrescuehispeople.EveninJudaismviii(whichbelievedinGodas
CreatorandshouldhaverecognizedJehovahwhenhecameintheformofhisSon),God
becomesimpersonal,becauseJesuswastheimageoftheinvisibleGod(Colossians1:13).By
rejectingGodwhenhecametoearth,theJewsrefusedanychanceofhavingintimacywith
God.AsJesussaid,NoonecomestotheFatherexceptthroughme(John14:6).Itisobvious,
thenthatwedontgettoknowGodjustbypickingandchoosingthingsfromeveryreligionand
puttingthemalltogether.ThatwouldnevercreatetheamazingGodwehave!
WelongforaGodwhoisfaithful,alwaysthesame;aGodwhoisbothjustandawesome,yet
alsopersonalandcompassionateaGodwhoknowswhatweneed,whoinstructsus,who
lovesus,speakstous,guidesusandprotectsusandwhovaluesusashisprecioustreasure.If
thisistheunknowngod(thephrasetheApostlePaulusedinordertoconnectwithhisGreek
v
Buddhism:areligionofeasternandcentralAsiathatisbasedontheteachingsofGautamaBuddha.Itholdsthat
lifeisfullofsufferingcausedbydesireandthatthewaytoendthissufferingisthroughenlightenmentthat
enablesonetohalttheendlesssequenceofbirthsanddeathstowhichoneisotherwisesubject.
vi
Hinduism:themainreligionofIndiawhichincludestheworshipofmanygodsandthebeliefthatafteryoudie
youreturntolifeinadifferentform.
vii
Islam:thereligionwhichteachesthatthereisonlyoneGodandthatMuhammadisGod'sprophet:thereligion
ofMuslims
viii
Judaism:Inthiscontext,wemeanthereligionthatwasoriginallyrevealedtoGodschosenpeopleintheOld
TestamentbutwhichnowdependsontraditionandbloodlinesinadditiontothefirstfivebooksoftheScriptures
(theTorah)foritssenseofmeaningandpurpose.ThereligionofpresentdayJewishpeoplewhohavenot
acceptedJesusasMessiah.
4|P a g e
Section1B
audience),thenletsgettoknowmoreandmoreofhim!TheGodoftheuniverse,whoissofar
aboveusandutterlyunique,makeshimselfknowntousinlove.NootherreligionhasaGod
likethat,whoisutterlytranscendentandpowerful,yetintimatelyrelatedinlovetohis
children.ChristianshavecommunionwithGod,withoutbecomingGodorsharinghisessence.
WecomefullcircletothefirstsentenceIthissection:Godisseparatefromandnotdependent
uponhiscreationandyethasanintimaterelationshipwithit.
5|P a g e
Section1B
OptionalExercises
Section 1B
BibleResearch
1.Considerthefollowingtexts,whichshowhowawesomeeventerrifyingandotherGodis.
Discusstheminyourclassorgroupandfindsimilartexts.
Knowthereforetoday,andlayittoyourheart,thattheLordisGodinheavenaboveandon
theearthbeneath;thereisnoother.Deuteronomy4:39
Andthescribesaidtohim[Jesus],Youareright,Teacher.Youhavetrulysaidthatheis
one,andthereisnootherbesidehim.Mark12:32
Whoislikeyou,OLord,amongthegods?Whoislikeyou,majesticinholiness,awesomein
gloriousdeeds,doingwonders?Exodus15:11
Yourrighteousness,OGod,reachesthehighheavens.Youwhohavedonegreatthings,O
God,whoislikeyou?Psalm71:19
2.Nowconsiderthefollowingtexts,whichshowhowGodmakeshimselfaccessibletousandshows
hownearheisforus.Discusstheminyourclassorgroupandfindsimilartexts.
Ibringnearmyrighteousness;itisnotfaroff,andmysalvationwillnotdelay;Iwillput
salvationinZion,forIsraelmyglory.Isaiah46:13
ThustheLordusedtospeaktoMosesfacetoface,asamanspeakstohisfriend.
Exodus33:11
AndthoughtheLordgiveyouthebreadofadversityandthewaterofaffliction,yetyour
Teacherwillnothidehimselfanymore,butyoureyesshallseeyourTeacher.Isaiah30:20
AndIwillnothidemyfaceanymorefromthem,whenIpouroutmySpirituponthehouse
ofIsrael,declarestheLordGod.Ezekiel39:29
ForyourMakerisyourhusband,theLORDofhostsishisname;andtheHolyOneofIsraelis
yourRedeemer,theGodofthewholeearthheiscalled.Isaiah54:5
ChallengeQuestion
3.WhatTwoistprinciplesmustOneistsborrowinordertoliveinGodscreation?
6|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section2A

HumanityIsOne

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Section2A
Section 2A
HumanityIsOne

OneistsdontbelievethatthereisaGodouttheretohelpusandrescueus,sowemustdoit
ourselves.Somethinginthehumanheartknowsthattheworldisnotasitshouldbe,andsowe
allfeeltheneedtoimproveit.Humanshaveamazingpowerstocreatebeautiful,complexand
productivethingsandideas,sowearetemptedtothinkthatifindividualscouldonlyunitetheir
powers,wecouldperfecttheconditionoftheworld.Thiswastheveryideaofthosewho
constructedtheTowerofBabel.iGodsaidaboutthem:
Behold,theyareonepeople,andtheyhaveallonelanguage,andthisisonlythe
beginningofwhattheywilldo.Andnothingthattheyproposetodowillnowbe
impossibleforthem.(Genesis11:6)
Thehopeforabetteruniverseinspiresmanyvaluablepoliticalandsocialmovementsand
projectsfromsolarpowerprojectstonewvarietiesofgrainstomicroloansforwomen.But
manyofthesehopesbecomegrandioseutopiandreamsthatarecontrarytoGodswill.
ThefoundersoftheUnitedNationshopedthattheorganizationcouldsavesucceeding
generationsfromthescourgeofwar.Onefamousphilosopher,PierreTeilharddeChardin,ii
said,Ourduty,asmenandwomen,istoproceedasiflimitstoourabilitydidnotexist.Weare
i
TowerofBabel:ThetowermadeearlyinthehistoryofmankindbywhichpeoplethoughttheycouldhaveGod
visitthembydescendingfromheavenonatowerlikestructurecalledaZiggurat.Goddisturbedtheirplansby
causingthemenworkingonthetowertobeginspeakinginmanylanguages.Sincetheycouldnolonger
understandoneanother,theyscatteredinlanguagegroupsandtheprojectwasnotpursued.Seethestoryin
Genesis11.Goddidcomedowntomankind,ofcourse,butinhisownwaythroughJesushisSonwhobecamea
mantolivewithpeopleandtoprovideawayforthemtoknowGodandhavecommunionwithhim.
ii
TeilharddeChardin:AFrenchanthropologist,Jesuitclergyman,paleontologist,andtheologianwhoheldthat
biologicalevolutionwasthedivinecreationprocessthatwouldleadtotheidealOmegaPoint,aperfectionofthe
consciousnessofmankind.
1|P a g e
Section2A
collaboratorsincreation.HebelievedinanOmegaPointthatwecouldreachifallhumanbe
ingswouldworkinunity.Hitlerfeltthatifcertainundesirableelementswereeliminated,the
humanracecouldproducetheperfectSuperman,whowouldserveastheworldsSavior.What
iscommonlyknownasmulticulturalismbelievesthatbyriddingtheworldofnational,racial
andculturaldivides,aworldgovernmentcaneventuallyallowustofunctioninharmonious
relationshipwithoneanotherandtheearth.
WeseemanyOneistexpressionsofthisoptimistichopeforglobalunityandaperfectedplanet.
Theecologymovement,afterinterpretingsomemathematicalandscientificdataas
indicatingafearfulriseintemperatures,hopestosolvetheproblembyencouraging,even
forcingcountriestochoosecertaintypesoffuels.
Aglobaljusticemovementseesaninternationalcourtastheonlywaytokeepourworld
fromspinningoutofcontrol,withtheconsequencethatthereismuchconfusionaboutwhere
andbywhompeoplearefairlyjudgedforpossiblecrimes.
Amovementtowardgeneticengineering,notonlyoffoods(whichmayormaynotbe
safe),butofanimalandhumancells,whicharebeingcombinedinavarietyofways.This
movementalsoseesgreathopeinthecombinationofcomputerizedormechanicalelementsto
beincorporatedintothehumanbody,creatingwhatisknownascyborgs.iii
Amovementforsustainabilitycombinesaspectsoftheecologymovement,an
emphasisongivinglargeswathsoflandbacktothewildanimalsandadesiretoreducethe
worldshumanpopulationdramatically.Thismovementseemstobelievethatiftherewere
fewerpeople,morewildanimalsandlessindustry,everythingwouldturnoutperfectly!People
wouldbelesslikelytocausetrouble,fightwarsorotherwisedisruptthepeace.
ThereisnowapushforakindofSexualUtopia,thebeliefthatifonlyeveryexpression
ofsexualitycouldbeequallyvalued,wewouldallbehappyandtheworldcouldexistinpeace
asweliveandletlive.Thedemandthatsamesexmarriageandothergenderneutraland
nontraditionalsexualrelationshipsbeacceptedisbasedonahopethatbygettingridofsexual
distinctions,wewillcreateamorejustandpeacefulsociety.
ThosewhowanttobringhumanitytogetherasonearenotseekingtodosoonGodsterms,
butontheirownterms.Thedesireforaworldfunctioninginharmonyisagoodandright
desire.ButGodtellsusthatthosewholoveandworshiphimcanhavenospiritualfellowship
withthosewhoworshipcreation,sothekindofunityTwoistscanhavewithOneistsislimited.
Donotbeunequallyyokedwithunbelievers.Forwhatpartnershiphasrighteousness
withlawlessness?Orwhatfellowshiphaslightwithdarkness?(2Corinthians6:14)
ThedreamsofunityputforthbyOneistsarebasedonantiGodassumptionsanduseantiGod
principles.They,likeTeilharddeChardin,thinkofthemselvesascollaboratorsincreation.
iii
Cyborg:Apersonwhosebodycontainsmechanicalorelectricaldevicesandwhoseabilitiesaregreaterthanthe
abilitiesofnormalhumans.Originallyseenonlyinstories,peoplearenowlookingmorerealisticallyatcreating
suchhuman/mechanicalbeings.
2|P a g e
Section2A
Oneismwantstobringhumanitytogetheronthebasisofprinciplessuchasthese:
Allisoneandoneisall,sohumanityisapartofGod.
Humansareakindofcosmicenergyandcancreatetheirownreality.
Becausehumansaredivine,theyarebasicallygoodandcancreateheavenonearth.
Weareuncreated,asoldasGod.
Wecandecideourowntruth.
Childrenshouldlearntorelyontheirowninnerinstinctstofindpeaceandunity.
Humansareonlyapartofthecircleoflife,andweneedtolistentonaturetoteachus
ourmorals.
ConsiderthisexampleoftheaboveOneistprinciples,asevidencedinastatementfroma
valuesclarificationprogramintheLosAngeles,Californiaschoolssomeyearsago:
Eachpersoncreateshisorherownrealitybychoosingwhattoperceiveandhowto
perceiveit.oncewebegintoperceivethatweareallGodthewholepurposeoflifeis
toreownGodlikenesswithinus.
ChurchesalsofallintotheOneisttrap.Considerthisstatementfrom theUnityChurchofLife:
Purpose:WecelebrateaworldexpressingonenesswithGodaworldofpeace,unity
andabundanceforall.
Mission:Wearealoving,spiritualcommunityempoweringactiveleadersinstewardship
toanawakeningworld.
Affirmation:Thereisonlyonepowerandonepresenceinourlife,Godthegood.
Ifweareallsinful,astheBibleteaches,theseprincipleswillobviouslynotbringaboutpeace!
ThisiswhyOneistUtopiandreamsalwaysfallflat.
Oureffortstounifyandbringpeacetowarringfactionshavefailedmiserably,nomatterhow
manyorhowfewpeoplewerelivingontheearth.Beforethetwoworldwarsofthe20th
century,philosophersandreligiousleadershadhighhopesforthegrowthofworldwidepeace.
Instead,theysawmisery,bloodshedanddestruction.Infact,thedesiretounifypeopleusing
Oneistprincipleshasperhapsincreased,ratherthandecreasedviolence,whichseemssodeeply
rootedinhumannaturethatnoamountofselfgeneratedgoodwillcantearitout.Schools
teachingchildrenprinciplesliketheonesabovecanproduceadultswhogoonshootingsprees
intheschoolswheretheygrewup.
Somearguethathumanitycanneverbeuniteduntiltherightpoliticalstructureiscreated.Has
thereeverbeenorwillthereeverbeapoliticalorsocialstructurethatallowsustomaintain
ourownidentity,yetliveinpeaceandlovewithoneanother?Theproblemisnotthepolitical
structure,sinceanypoliticalstructurewouldworkifperfectpeoplewererunningitandliving
underit!
3|P a g e
Section2A
Theproblemwithhumanityisnotthesocialstructures,buttheheartofthoselivinginthose
structures.TheBibletellsusthatnotonehumanbeingisperfect,exceptforJesushimself,so
nopoliticalstructurecaneverbeperfecteither.
Theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked:whocanknowit?
(Jeremiah17:9,KJV)
Theyhaveallturnedaside;togethertheyhavebecomecorrupt;thereisnonewhodoes
good,notevenone.(Psalm14:3)
forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.(Romans3:23)
Thesinandevilofpeoplelivinginasocialistsystemwillensurethateventuallythemost
powerfulwillruleandjusticewillnotprevail,inspiteofthewonderfulideathatpeoplecould
justsharetheirsurpluswithothers.Weareallsinfulanddontsharewithotherseasilyuntilwe
aremotivatedbytheloveGodgivesus.Thesinandevilofpeoplelivinginamonarchywill
makeeventhemostrighteouskingquake,forhowcanheforcehispeopletodowhatisright?
Heisquitelikelytogetbeheadedifhetries!Andofcourse,thekinghimselfisnotrighteous,so
hisintensepowermakeshimintenselydangerous.Thesinandevilofpeoplelivingina
democracycanbeheldatbayuntilthepointwhenfiftyonepercentofthemnolongerrespect
amoralitybasedontheabsolutejusticeoftheGodwhocreatedtheworldanddeclaredwhatis
rightandwhatiswrong.Democracy,thoughagreatideal,willonlyworkifthevotersandtheir
representativeshaveadeeper,internalmoralitybasedontheonlyworldview(Twoism)that
canproducepeace.
OnlythosesharingacommonmoralworldviewbasedonGodsjusticeandmercycanbeginto
laythefoundationforpeaceandeventhen,peaceisfarfromautomatic.
WellseeinthenextsectionthatChristianityoffershopeforhumanreconciliation,though
perfectpeacewillonlycomewhenChristreturnsandeviliscompletelyeradicated.
4|P a g e
Section2A
OptionalExercises
Section 2A
MarketplaceResearch
1. Listenforexpressionsofayearningforpeaceandunityinthewordsofacolleagueatwork,a
politicianseekingoffice,oracharacterinanovel.Sharethemwithyourgroup.
2. Whatsolutionsareofferedforthehumanproblemsofgreed,hatred,violenceandbroken
relationships?
3. Whatoptimismcanyoufindinthelivesofthosearoundyou,andonwhatisitbased?
ChallengeQuestion
Here are a few organizations that hope to create peace and utopia through the unification of
mankind:
http://www.aunitedworld.net
http://shiftmovement.com
http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/gorb1095.html
https://www.unitychurchoflife.com/We_Believe.html
Do you see any common threads in the attitudes and principles of the above organizations as to
whatshouldbedoneintheworld?
Whatadvicemightyouoffersomeoneseekingtochangetheworldthroughorganizationssuchas
these?
5|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section2B

HumanityIsTwo

Broughttoyoubythe
www.blbi.org
Aministryofthe
BlueLetterBible
Section2B
Section 2B
HumanityIsTwo

Eachhumanbeing,createdinGodsimage,hasthesameintrinsicandmarvelousworth.Inthe
Twoistsystem,mankindiscreated:
1. byGod;
2. distinctfromandsetoverallothercreatures;
3. maleandfemale;
4. undertheauthorityofGodanddefinedbyhim.
Whethertheyadmititornot,humanbeingsallsharethesequalities,whichGodgavethemat
theircreation.Thosewhorefusetoconsiderthemselvesascreated,distinctandunderGods
authority,willnotnaturallyfeelunifiedwiththosewhoacceptthesetruths.Oneistshavetaken
Godoutofthepicture,butremainspiritualbyworshipingsomeaspectofcreation.In
Romans1:25andelsewhereintheBible,Godtellsusthatultimately,thereareonlytwokinds
ofpeople:thosewhoareforhim(whoworshipandservehim)andthosewhoareagainsthim
(whoworshipandservecreation).
Whoeverisnotwithmeisagainstme,andwhoeverdoesnotgatherwithmescatters.
(Luke11:23)
Theoldsaying,Christiansarentbetter,theyrejustforgivenhasalotoftruthtoit.Christians
aresinnersjustlikeeveryoneelse,andhavenonaturalabilitytogenerateunityandlove.
However,inChrist,theyhaveanamazinggroundforunitywithothersbecausetheynotonly
agreewithGodsdesignandpurposeinlife(toglorifyGod)buthavethepowertoaccomplish
thatpurposebecausetheyarenewcreaturesinChristandcanreflecttooneanother,and
eventononChristians,thelovethatJesushasshownthem.
1|P a g e
Section2B
TheloveandmercythatChristiansshowoneanotheronthebasisofChristsloveshinesoutin
adarkworld.Thatlove,socontrarytooursinfulnatures,iswhatoftendrawsanunbelieverto
faithinJesusChristandtoalifeofobedience.ItiscruciallyimportantthatChristiansspeak
humblyandgraciously,showingtheirneighborsandfriendsthatthedeclarationofthetruthis
notastatementofarrogance,asmanythink,butadeclarationofhumility.AOneistsetshimself
upasauthorofhisowntruth.Nowthatisarrogant!ATwoiststandsinsubmissiontoGod,
undertheauthorityofGodstruthandisthereforehumble.
ChristiansarenottojudgeotherChristiansorevennonChristiansinthesenseofplaying
judgeoverthem.Godmeasureshumansaccordingtohisstandardsofgoodness,bywhichwe
allfallshort.GodaloneisthefinalJudge,aroleheclaimsforhimself:Beloved,neveravenge
yourselves,butleaveittothewrathofGod,foritiswritten,Vengeanceismine,Iwillrepay,
saystheLord(Romans12:19).
If,however,somehumansloveGodandareeagertoobeyhim,whereasothershatehimand
areinactiverebellionagainsthim,thenwecanexpectconflicttoarisebetweenthetwo
groups.Christiansareprohibitedfromtakinguptheswordagainsttheirenemies.Theywin
thedayforthetruthoftheChristiangospelneitherbyarmedconflictnorbypoliticalpower,
butbylivingouttheirloveforJesus,anddependingonhisloveforthem,nomatterwhatthe
results.
Jesuswarnedhisfollowersthatthey,liketheirLord,wouldsufferpersecution,slander,mockery
andevendeathbecausetheyrefusetorenouncetheirfaithinhim.Christiansaretogive
thanks,remainjoyful,andcontinuetolovetheirenemies.Suchbehaviorofteninfuriatesthose
whoaredeterminedtostampouttheChristianfaith,butitcanalsowinthemover.One
wondershowmanyjoyful,patient,compassionateChristianstheApostlePaulpersecuted
beforebowingthekneetotheresurrectedJesus.Christiansinmanycountriesliveonadaily
basiswiththekindofpersecutionPaulvisitedonearlyChristians.ThoseintheWestcanhardly
imaginewhatitmustbeliketofearthearrivalofanangrymob,orthebetrayalofaneighbor,
ortheknockofpoliceonourdoorinthemiddleofthenight.Thereisoftennoonetorescue,
noonetolistenandactonthebehalfoftheseChristians.Yettheyholdfirm,knowingthatGod
isontheirsideandthatotherChristiansthroughouttheworldareholdingthemupinprayer.
IfOneismprogresses(anditscurrentgrowthisexponential),thenevenChristiansinWestern
countrieswilleventuallyknowthepersecutionthattheirbrothersandsistershaveconsistently
facedinareaswhereOneistreligionshavelongdominated.
Inourconversations,weChristiansoweittoourfriendsandneighborstomakethedistinction
clearbetweenChristianandnonChristian.Goddivideshumanityintotwoandonlytwogroups:
thosewhobelieveonandbelongtohisSonJesusChrist,andthosewhodonot.Whoever
believesinhimisnotcondemned,butwhoeverdoesnotbelieveiscondemnedalready,
becausehehasnotbelievedinthenameoftheonlySonofGod(John3:18).Clarifyinga
personspositionbeforeGodisnotahatefuljudgment,butalovinganalysisthataChristiancan
offer.WeinvitenonChristianstobelieveinJesusdeathandresurrection,toreceivethe
sacrificehemadeindyingfortheirsins.Weinvitethemtomovefromunbelieftobelief.Only
onthebelongingtoChristsidewillanyoneeverfindtruepeace.
2|P a g e
Section2B
Keepinmind,however,thatnoonelivesaperfectlyconsistentworldview.YouareaChristian.
DoyouliveinaperfectlyChristianway?DoyousaythingsinaperfectlyChristianway?Justas
youareininconsistentChristian,sothereareinconsistentnonChristians.Yourbrotherinlaw,
yourchildsteacher,yourroommateatuniversitymayclaimtobeaOneist,butyouwillbeable
toshowthattheyactuallyusemanyTwoistprinciplesinlifetheydomakedistinctions.Forex
ample,theybelieveinadifferencebetweengoodandevil.Theywouldnteatmushrooms
pickedatrandom.Theyrealizethattheyhavearesponsibilitytolookaftercreation.Theytalk,
writeandplaymusic,thususingthedistinctionsofsoundandlanguagethatGodgaveusto
communicatewithoneanotheralloftheseinconsistenciesareopendoorsthroughwhich
theycanwalkintoanunderstandingandacceptanceofTwoismthatistosay,anacceptance
ofthefactthataCreatormadethisworldbysettingthingsintheirparticularplacesandroles.
OurselfsacrificialloveforbothChristiansandnonChristiansisbasedontheloveJesusshowed
usonthecross.OnlyinthepoweroftheHolySpiritcanweloveasChristloved.Andhisloveis
theonlyfoundationfortruehumanunity.SoChristianshavethepowertobegincreatingthe
kindofcommunityeveryonehopesforoneinwhichpeace,joyandloveabound.InChristthe
social,racialandeconomicbarriersdissolveandtruefellowshipoccurs.
3|P a g e
Section2B
OptionalExercises
Section 2B
BibleResearch
1.HowisahumanbeingdefinedintheBible?
ThenGodsaid,Letusmakemaninourimage,afterourlikeness.Andletthemhave
dominionoverthefishoftheseaandoverthebirdsoftheheavensandoverthe
livestockandoveralltheearthandovereverycreepingthingthatcreepsontheearth.
SoGodcreatedmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodhecreatedhim;maleand
femalehecreatedthem.AndGodblessedthem.AndGodsaidtothem,Befruitfuland
multiplyandfilltheearthandsubdueit,andhavedominionoverthefishoftheseaand
overthebirdsoftheheavensandovereverylivingthingthatmovesontheearth.And
Godsaid,Behold,Ihavegivenyoueveryplantyieldingseedthatisonthefaceofallthe
earth,andeverytreewithseedinitsfruit.Youshallhavethemforfood.Andtoevery
beastoftheearthandtoeverybirdoftheheavensandtoeverythingthatcreepsonthe
earth,everythingthathasthebreathoflife,Ihavegiveneverygreenplantforfood.
Anditwasso.Genesis1:2630
ThentheLordGodformedthemanofdustfromthegroundandbreathedintohis
nostrilsthebreathoflife,andthemanbecamealivingcreature.AndtheLordGod
plantedagardeninEden,intheeast,andthereheputthemanwhomhehadformed.
.TheLordGodtookthemanandputhiminthegardenofEdentoworkitandkeepit.
AndtheLordGodcommandedtheman,saying,Youmaysurelyeatofeverytreeofthe
garden,butofthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevilyoushallnoteat,forinthe
daythatyoueatofityoushallsurelydie.ThentheLordGodsaid,Itisnotgoodthat
themanshouldbealone;Iwillmakehimahelperfitforhim.Nowoutoftheground
theLordGodhadformedeverybeastofthefieldandeverybirdoftheheavensand
broughtthemtothemantoseewhathewouldcallthem.Andwhateverthemancalled
everylivingcreature,thatwasitsname.
Themangavenamestoalllivestockandtothebirdsoftheheavensandtoeverybeast
ofthefield.ButforAdamtherewasnotfoundahelperfitforhim.SotheLordGod
causedadeepsleeptofallupontheman,andwhileheslepttookoneofhisribsand
closedupitsplacewithflesh.AndtheribthattheLordGodhadtakenfromthemanhe
madeintoawomanandbroughthertotheman.Thenthemansaid,Thisatlastis
boneofmybonesandfleshofmyflesh;sheshallbecalledWoman,becauseshewas
takenoutofMan.Thereforeamanshallleavehisfatherandhismotherandholdfast
tohiswife,andtheyshallbecomeoneflesh.Genesis2:78,1524
2.WhathappenstothosewhorejectGodandworshipCreation?
Theiridolsarelikescarecrowsinacucumberfield,andtheycannotspeak;theyhaveto
becarried,fortheycannotwalk.Donotbeafraidofthem,fortheycannotdoevil,
neitherisitinthemtodogood.Jeremiah10:5
4|P a g e
Section2B
OurGodisintheheavens;hedoesallthathepleases.Theiridolsaresilverandgold,the
workofhumanhands.Theyhavemouths,butdonotspeak;eyes,butdonotsee.They
haveears,butdonothear;noses,butdonotsmell.Theyhavehands,butdonotfeel;
feet,butdonotwalk;andtheydonotmakeasoundintheirthroat.Thosewhomake
thembecomelikethem;sodoallwhotrustinthem.Psalm115:38
ThereforeGodgavethemoverinthesinfuldesiresoftheirheartstosexualimpurityfor
thedegradingoftheirbodieswithoneanother.Romans1:24(NIV)
Becauseofthis,Godgavethemovertoshamefullusts.Eventheirwomenexchanged
naturalrelationsforunnaturalones.Romans1:26(NIV)
Furthermore,sincetheydidnotthinkitworthwhiletoretaintheknowledgeofGod,he
gavethemovertoadepravedmind,todowhatoughtnottobedone.Romans1:28(NIV)
5|P a g e
Section2B
ChallengeQuestion
In your everyday life, or by doing a little online research, find three Oneists and show how they
definehumanexistence.Herearethreeexamples:
WayneDyer,anexpertonselfdevelopmentsays,Whatsthebiggestthingpeopleneedto
learn...togetbeyondexcuses?hisanswer:TheyneedtoknowthattheyareGod.
ABuddhistmysticsays,IthoughtaboutNirvana,aboutthatgreatandtotalnothingness
intowhicheveryhumanbeingwouldultimatelydissolve.
StephenHawkingsays,abouttheChristiansviewofGod:Theymadeahumanlikebeing
withwhomonecanhaveapersonalrelationship.Whenyoulookatthevastsizeoftheuniverseand
howinsignificantandaccidentalhumanlifeisinit,thatseemsmostimpossible.
6|P a g e

OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section3A

ReligionsAreOne

Broughttoyoubythe
www.blbi.org
Aministryofthe
BlueLetterBible
Section3A
Section 3A
ReligionsAreOne

Bynow,youaregettingtheidea.IfAllisOne,andHumanityisOne,thennaturally,allReligions
areOne.Youmayhaveheardpeopletalkaboutthevariousreligionsasslicesofapizza.Each
religionisapieceofthewholeandatthecentertheyallsharethesamedelicious,gooey
experienceofspirituality.Itreallydoesntmatterwhichsliceofpizzayouareserved.Ifyoueat
throughthecrust(thedoctrineortheteachings),yougettothegoodpart(theexperience).
Thatspiritualexperience,akindofecstasy,alosingofonesself,beingabsorbedintothe
wholethatexperienceissurelysharedbyallreligions.
Peoplealsousetheimageofanundergroundsourcethatfeedsalltherivers,ordifferentroads,
allofwhichleadtothetopofthemountain.Allroadsleadtothetopofthemountain.Allrivers
comefromthesameundergroundsource.InaOneistwayofthinking,doctrineandcreedsare
useless.Wordsmeanlittleandshouldalwaysbeabandonedinfavorofcommonmystical
experience.Ifourreligionsallleadtothatsimilarexperience,thensurelytheycomefromthe
samesourceandarethereforethesamereligion.
Utopia:WorldwidePeace
Somearguethatfortheworldtobeapeaceful,unifiedplace,weneedacommonsetofmoral
valuesandacommonglobaljusticesystem.TheBibleseemstoimplythatsomeantiChristian
politicalsystemswillhave,atleastonthesurface,apeacefullookandfeeltothem.ButGod
warnshispeopleintheOldTestamentaboutlisteningtoprophetswhosay,Peace,peace,
whenthereisnopeace.Godwillbringpeacetotheworldinhisownwayandinhisowntime.
Oneistswhoseekglobalpeaceandunityattempttobringallthereligionstogethertohelpout.
Eventhoughthereligionsseemsodifferent,surelytheymustagreeonmostthings.Cantthey
1|P a g e
Section3A
cometogetheronthebasisofwhattheyhaveincommon?Interfaithchaptersand
organizationsliketheParliamentoftheWorldsReligions ipresentagoalofworldwide
religiousunity.Andactually,thosewhoseeksuchunityoftenhavemoresuccessthanone
mightthink.AttheParliamentoftheWorldsReligionsin1993,representativesfromone125
differentreligionsdancedaroundahugeballroom,arminarm,singing.Theywereperfectly
happytojointheglobalreligiouscelebration.BecauseOneistreligionssharethesameultimate
truths,unionwithotherreligionsisnotahugeproblem,especiallyiftheunityisbasedon
mysticalreligiousexperienceandnotondoctrinalstatementsespeciallythatoftherevealed
wordofthetrueGod.
Whatisthatcommonexperience?Itischaracterizedbyemptyingthemind,losingones
identityinthewhole,andattemptingtofindabalancebetweencontrastingideas.Thephrase
usedisthejoiningoftheopposites.Whenareligiousexperienceleadsyoutothatperfect
pointofsuspension,wheregoodandevilarethesameandworktogethertoproduceahigher
self,ahigherplanet,agreaterunionwiththeallthenyouhaveexperiencedtruespirituality.
Ofcourse,thereisawidevarietyofreligioussystemsintheworld.Someworshipancestors,
sometheelements(sun,wind,sky).ThisevenhappenedamongGodspeopleintheOld
Testament:
Andhe[thegoodking,Josiah]deposedthepriestswhomthekingsofJudahhad
ordainedtomakeofferingsinthehighplacesatthecitiesofJudahandaround
Jerusalem;thosealsowhoburnedincensetoBaal,tothesunandthemoonandthe
constellationsandallthehostoftheheavens.(2Kings23:5)
Somehavesetinplaceelaborateritualsforpurification.Someinsistonseparationfromcertain
physicalactivities(includingmarriage)orcertainfoods.PaulspeaksaboutthisinColossians:If
withChristyoudiedtotheelementalspiritsoftheworld,why,asifyouwerestillaliveinthe
world, do you submit to regulations: Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"
(Colossians2:2021)
Someofferanimalorevenhumansacrifices.Manyrelyontalismans, iicurses,magicalritesand
intensephysicaldiscipline(evensuffering).Someareovertlypolitical,whileothersdrawaway
fromsociety,creatingtheirownworld.Alloftheseactivitiesaremeanttoreassurethe
worshiperthatthegodsareappeasedandwillnotpunishanoffender.Inallofthesereligions,
theearthitself,orsomethinginit,istheobjectofworshipandservice.Thiscanincludetheself,
money,success,theadmirationofothers,orservicetoactualidols.Thetechniquesinthese
religionsmayvary,butthethemesarethesame.
Tofindunity,thosewhoseektobringthereligionstogetherwillemphasizecertainaspectsof
spiritualitycommontoall:
i
ParliamentoftheWorldsReligions:Themottoofthisorganization,whichmeetsbothinternationallyand
regionally,isBringingpeopleoffaithtogetherforabetterworld.Christianity,however,cannotjoinwithother
religionstodoGodswill.
ii
Talisman:anobject(suchasaringorstone)thatisbelievedtohavemagicpowersandtocausegoodthingsto
happentothepersonwhohasit.
2|P a g e
Section3A
CharacteristicsofOneistSpirituality
1. Intenselypersonalandinwardfocusedexperiences;
2. Agrowingconsciousnessofbeingunitedtoallthings;
3. Thejoiningoftheopposites(especiallygoodandevil,toassuagetheconscience);
4. Ablurringofthedistinctionbetweenmindandbody;
5. Adeliberatesilencingofthemind.
6. AhatredoftheCreator/creaturedistinction
Dontbefooledbytheverystructuredlookofsomereligions.Youwillfind,ifyoudiginalittle
deeper,thatthesestructuresdonotultimatelyprovidepeaceintheheartofthedevotee.They
arenotultimatelysatisfying.Areligioninwhichyoucanneverdoenoughtosatisfythegods;in
whichyouarealwaysafraidthatsomeevilpowerwillmakeyousickorkillyourchildren;in
whichyouareneverreallysureifthegodsareonyoursideorevenifitspossibletoknow
thosegodsareligionlikethatcannotbesatisfyingtoanyone.Thereisalwayssomethingmore
thatshouldbedone,somefearofthewrathofthegods,somedoubtaboutthequalityand
effectivenessofonesworship. iiiWehumanshavethesamefearsandworriesnomatterwhat
versionofGodweareworshipingunlessthatGodistheGodoftheBible.Heisfaithfulandwe
donotrelyonourreligiousactivitiestopleasehim!Heispleasedwithusbecauseofthe
righteousworksthathisSon,Jesusaccomplishedinourplace,andacceptsthepunishmentthat
fellonhim,sothatwedonothavetoendurehisjudgment.Christianspiritualityisentirely
differentfromOneistspirituality.
Inthenextsectionwewillseewhyallreligionscannotbebroughtintothepie.Thereisonethat
justwontfit.
Withthissectioninmind,usetheMarketplaceResearchinthepracticalsectionofthischapter
totrainyourselftoidentifyandunderstandOneistspirituality.Youwillsoonbecomeadeptat
recognizingOneismintheculturearoundyou.Youmayalsobesurprisedtodiscoverthatsome
aspectsofOneistspiritualityneedtobeeradicatedfromyourownChristianpractice.
iii
Ifyouhaveaccesstotheinternetortoadigitalreader,youmightbeinterestedindownloadingandreadinga
truthXchangecompendiumvolume,calledGlobalWizardry:PaganSpiritualTechniquesandaChristianResponse,
ed.PeterJones(MainEntryEditions:Escondido,CA,2010).ThechaptersarewrittenbyChristiansinavarietyof
culturesandavarietyofreligions,yetthepaganspiritualityisastoundinglysimilar.Ifyoucannotaffordto
purchasethisvolume,youcandownloadatnoexpensethelecturesthatwerepresentedbyloggingontothe
truthXchangewebsite:www.truthXchange.com.Gototheaudioandvideosection.ThelecturesforGlobal
Wizardryarefrom2008.
3|P a g e
Section3A
OptionalExercises
Section 3A
MarketplaceResearch
1. AsktwopeoplefromareligionotherthanChristianitywhatitmeansforthemtobespiritual.
2. AsktwoChristiansoutsideyourowndenominationorfellowshipwhattheythinkitmeanstobe
spiritual.
3. Recordyouranswersanddiscussthemwithyourgroup.

ChallengeQuestion
PickareligionotherthanChristianityandwritedownfiveofitsbasicbeliefs.Lookalsoatits
practiceofspiritualityandrecordfiveormoreaspectsofitsworship.Seehowmanyofthefive
Oneistqualitiesseemtofitthereligionyouhavechosen.Shareyourresearchwiththegroup.
4|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section3B

ReligionsAreTwo

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Section3B
Section 3B
ReligionsAreTwo
Thereareonlytworeligions:worshipoftheCreatororworshipofthecreation.Thisisnotsome
crazy,intolerantideathattruthXchangehasdreamedup.Godinsistedonthistruthtohispeople
eversincethebeginning.AdamandEvecouldlistentoGodsvoiceortothevoiceofacreated
beingwhotoldthemtheywerentexperiencingenoughbenefitsbystickingwithGodsplan.The
peopleofIsraelcouldchoosetoworshipthepagangodsoftheirfathersandthegodsofthenations
aroundthem,ortheIAM,whodeliveredthemfromslavery.Allthroughtheirhistory,thechoice
wasthesame:TheGodofAbraham,IsaacandJacob(aGodoflove,powerandtheWord)orthe
muteidolsmadefromhalfastick,theotherhalfofwhichwasthrownintothefiretokeepthem
warm.EvenJesushadtomakethischoicewhenthedeviltemptedhimtofindaneasierwayto
accomplishhismissiononearth,ratherthandoinghisFatherswill.(Luke4:113)Ofcourse,Jesus
knewthatSatanswaywouldneverwork,butittooktremendouscourageanddeterminationas
wellaslovingobediencetoGodforJesustowalkforwardtothecrossandthesufferinghewould
endure.
TheApostlePaulpicksupthesamethreadinRomans1,whenhesaysthatweworshipandserve
either the Creator or the creation. In this section of Scripture, Paul shows that we have either a
Oneistapproach(creationisselfcontainedanddeservesworship)oraTwoistapproach(Godthe
Creator,whoisoutsidehiscreationistheonlyoneworthyofworship).Ourchoiceaffects:
1. WhatwethinkaboutGod(theology);(Romans1:1820)
2. Howweworship(spirituality);(Romans1:2123)
3. Whatwedowithourbodiesinthislife(representedbyPaulinourchoiceofsexuality,aswell
asotherthings).(Romans1:2432)
1|P a g e
Section3B
AOneistbelievesthatGodisnodifferentthancreation,andsoheworshipsandservessomething
created,whichmeansthatheistheonewhodecideswhattoworshipandusuallyendsup
worshipinghimself!AOneistwillnaturallyseektosuppressthedistinctionsGodhasplacedinthe
world and may be tempted to embody his Oneist tendencies in a Oneist sexuality, such as
homosexuality,transgenderismorlesbianism.ThisisnottrueforeveryindividualOneist,ofcourse,
butitisalogicalextensionofOneismintheareaofsexualexpression.ManyOneistscholarsand
religionspromotehomosexualityasalogicalexpressionoftheirbeliefs.
ATwoist,ontheotherhand,believesinaGodwhodefineshimselfandisnotdefinedbycreation
aGodwhospeakstousandisultimatelyknownbyusinsomeway,evenbythosewhothinkthey
aredenyinghim.1ATwoistworshipstheCreatorGod,lookingoutsidehimselftopraise,honor,pray
toandsingaboutaGodwhoseexistenceisseparatefromhis.ATwoistrecognizesthedistinctions
God put in the world as a reflection of the distinction between the Creator and the creation.
Sexuality is one of those distinctions, and so a Twoist rejoices in the sexual differences between
menandwomenandenjoysnormal,createdsexualrelationswithinthemarriagestructureordered
bytheCreator.
HaveyoueverwonderedwhytheApostlePaulhighlightshomosexualityinRomans1:2627since
hementionssomanyothersinsafewverseslater(suchasenvy,murder,deceit,gossipandsoon,
Romans 1:2831)? What Paul writes about homosexuality makes sense in his argument: If you
believe in a God who is other, then you will worship something other and will be in human
sexual relationship with someone who is other (male or female). One Oneist author calls
homosexuality the sacrament of monism (Oneism). In other words, homosexuality is a natural
outworkinginthesexualareaofOneistbelief.Itisnottheworstortheunforgivablesin,andthe
sinsPaulcitesintheversesthatfollowarealsoresultsofaOneistsystem,buthechoosessexuality
becauseheterosexual,lifelongmarriagewassetapartbyGodasaspecialpictureofJesuslovefor
thechurch(Ephesians5:3132).Godknitintotheveryfabricofcreationinourphysicalsexualitya
reminderofhisothernessandofthecommunionwecanhavewithhim.Weallknowhowdeeply
sexual relations affect us. God made us sexual beings so we could have some human experience
that opens our understanding to the depth and intimacy ofGods love for his people. When God
createdusinhisimage,maleandfemale,hecreatedthefirstsignpostpointingtoChristssacrifice
forusonthecross.
Twoismteachesdifferentthingsineachofthethreeareasmentioned:
Theology(whatwebelieveaboutGodinourminds)
Spirituality(howweworshipandserveGod)
Sexualityandotherareasoflivinginourbodies(howwerelateinthemostintimateofhuman
relationshipsmarriage)
WesawinthelastsectionthatOneistssuppresstherevelationofGod,thattheyturntheir
worshiptonatureandthatthroughthedebasedmind,theyendupseekingafterallkindsof
unnaturalandunholyactivitiesandattitudes.
2|P a g e
Section3B
Theology
TwoistsbelievethatGodisother.Heistranscendent,faraboveus.Godhasalsomadeusinhis
imageandhasrevealedhimselftousinthebeautyofthecreatedworld,intheBibleandinhis
son,Jesus.EventhoughGodissofaraboveus,hemakeshimselfknowntousandcreates
intimacywithus.Wecanknowhimbecauseofthesewayshehaschosentorevealhisnature.
ThisisbestseenintheamazingloveheshowedusbysendingJesustotakeoursinandtogive
ushisrighteousnessinexchange(Romans3:2126).Thatsanexchangethatissogood,itis
hardtobelieve!
Spirituality
TwoistsdonotwanttodestroythedifferencebetweenGodandtheworld.TheyserveGodin
theworld,humblyrespondingtoGodsgreatmercyandaskinghimtohelpthemobeyand
honorhim.TheworshipofaTwoistdoesnthavealottodowithtrances,experienceorself
focusedmeditation.OfcoursemanyChristiansoftenexperienceanamazingsenseofGods
presence,butChristianworshipandserviceisalsoverypracticalanddoesntseemlikethe
spiritualitytheworldisseeking.WorshipandserviceinvolvesourloveofandobediencetoGod
inselfsacrifice,longsuffering,patience,humility,peace,kindnessandsuffering.Itavoids
judging,anger,gossipandpride.Itisoftenremarkablebecauseitdoesntseektoshowoffor
findamazing,impressivethingstodoorbe(1Corinthians13).Itentailslovingaspouse,being
patientwithchildren,workinghonestlyintheofficeordoingathoroughjobinallthats
undertaken(Psalm15).ButpeopledonoticethedifferencewhenChristianslivethisway!
Sexuality
ATwoistmustlistentohowGoddefinessexuality.ThemarriagebondthatGodsetupatthe
beginningofcreationisnotasocialstructurethathumanbeingsfoundandGodthoughtwasa
goodidea.Itwasknitintothefabricofhumanrelationshipsfromthestart.Itisapictureofthe
loveandunionJesuswillhavewithhischurch.Weshouldtreatthisunionwiththehighest
respect.Menandwomen,differentastheyare,aresuitedforeachother.Themarriageofa
manandawomanisanamazinglybeautifulcommunionthatproducesnewlifechildren.The
unityinthefamilywasmeanttobestrongandunbreakable,justasGodsloveforhisBride,the
Church,isalsounbreakable.
Twoistsbelieveinsin.Oneistsdont.Thegoodnewsaboutsinisthatsomethingcanbedone
aboutit.Oneistsreallyhavenoanswerforthethingstheyknowarewrongintheworld.Sinhas
beendealtwiththroughJesusandonedaywilldisappearfromtheearth.Butthatdaywill
comeafterJesusreturnstojudgetheworld.TherewillbeajudgmentbecauseGodknows
thereissinandhaspromisedtobefaithfulandjusttoforgivethesinofthosewhosefaithisin
Christ,buthewillinnowaycleartheguilty(Exodus34:67).
Christiansmustnotgiveuponannouncingthegoodnewsofthegospel,whichmeanswemust
alsotellpeoplethebadnewsoftheFall.
3|P a g e
Section3B
OptionalExercises
Section 3B
BibleResearch
Read the following verses and discuss how marriage expresses Christs love for his Bride, the
church:
Wives,submityourselvestoyourownhusbandsasyoudototheLord.Forthehusbandisthe
headofthewifeasChrististheheadofthechurch,hisbody,ofwhichheistheSavior.Nowas
the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands,loveyourwives,justasChristlovedthechurchandgavehimselfupforhertomake
herholy,cleansingherbythewashingwithwaterthroughtheword,andtopresenthertohimself
asaradiantchurch,withoutstainorwrinkleoranyotherblemish,butholyandblameless.Inthis
sameway,husbandsoughttolovetheirwivesastheirownbodies.Hewholoveshiswifeloves
himself.Afterall,nooneeverhatedtheirownbody,buttheyfeedandcarefortheirbody,justas
Christ does the churchfor we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his
father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a
profoundmysterybutIamtalkingaboutChristandthechurch.However,eachoneofyoualso
mustlovehiswifeasheloveshimself,andthewifemustrespectherhusband.Ephesians5:2233
TheLord said to me, Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is lovedby another
man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other
gods.Hosea3:1

ChallengeQuestion
HowdoesOneismaffect:
1. howwethinkaboutGod(theology),
2. howweworshipGod(spirituality),and
3.howweliveinourbodies(sexually,amongotherways)?
1
SeeHebrews6:1316,wheretheauthorshowsthatGodcannotswearbyanythingbuthimself.SeeJob37:57,
whichhasthesamethemeasPaulspeaksofinRomans1,namelythatallmenreallyknowthroughcreation,that
thereisaGod.
4|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section4A

OurProblemAccordingtoOneism

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Section4A
Section 4A
OurProblemAccordingtoOneism

AconsistentOneistshouldnotbebotheredabouttheworldsproblems.Afterall,iftheworld
createditselfandknowshowtoprogress,thenthecourseofhistoryshouldleaveaOneist
perfectlycontent.Heshouldntevenworryifyouchoosetopunchhiminthenoseforno
apparentreason.Thatisjustthedarksideofyourforce!Ultimately,thereisnoreasonfora
Oneisttothinkthatanythingisbetterthananythingelse.IfAllisOne,thengoodandevilare
alsoone.Youandheareone.Heisonewiththeanimals.Itshouldntmattertohimwhether
hisdogorhischilddiesinthefirethatdestroyshishome.
IfyoumeetaOneist,youmightaskhimthatquestion,Whydoyouthinktheressomething
wrongintheworld,ifeverythingisalreadyoneandiftheworldknowshowtocreateitself?
Oneistsarenotconsistent.Likeeveryonelivingonearth,theyrealizethateverythingisnot
right!Theyfeelthattheyshoulddosomethingtomaketheworldbetterhavefewerchildren,
stopusingplasticbags,givemoneytohelpthevictimsofsexualabuseorthoserendered
destitutebyatsunami.Somebecomepassionatelyinvolvedintryingtobringunitytothe
planet.
Theirdesiretoimprovethestateoftheworldisgoodandright.Weallsensethattheremustbe
somethingbetterthanthebitterness,hatred,war,greedandviolencethateveryhumanbeing
experiencestoonedegreeoranother.Inthatsense,aChristianreadilyagreeswithaOneist,
thatthereisindeedaproblem.
LeadingOneistthinkersteachthatalltheworldsproblemsareduetoseparationand
distinction.Theverydistinguishingofonethingfromanotheronesexfromtheother,animals
fromhumans,Godfromcreationisthereasontheworldisinamess.Ifonlywecouldallwake
uptothefactthattherearenodistinctions,thenwecouldcreatetheidealworld.Haveyou
everwonderedwhysomegroupsaremoreconcernedaboutthehabitatofagnatthanabout
1|P a g e
Section4A
shreddingthebodiesofhumanbabiesinside(andnowevenoutside)thewomb?Whyisthe
distinctionbetweenmenandwomenleadingpeopletobelievethattherearefifteenormore
possiblesexualidentities?Whyistheauthorityofparentsovertheirchildrenbeingshiftedto
thestate,ortosocietyasawhole?Why,inspirituality,isGodbeingmadepartofallthings?
TheseareallevidencesofaOneistdesiretodestroydistinctionssothateverythingcanbeseen
asOne.
Somereligionsteachthedestructionofdistinctionquiteclearly.Hindus,forexample,aretobe
detachedfromsuchdifferentiation.Themeasureoftheirspiritualprogressisthelevelofde
tachmenttheycanreach.ThegoaloftheentirereligionistoloseonesselfintheAllandto
reachNirvanaastateinwhichyounolongerpossessanyindividualityorawarenessofthat
individuality.Buddhismissimilar.Mormonism,whichoftenpresentsitselfasbeingnearly
identicaltoChristianity,believesthatwecanbecomegod.
AllOneistsystemsarenotsoexplicit,however.TheyarenotpurelyOneist,whenitcomes
downtoit.InspeakingwithaOneist,youmaywishtoprobegentlythisinconsistency.IfAllis
Oneandtheworldwillevolveonceeveryonewakesfromtheiramnesiaandisawarethatthey
areapartofthewhole,thenwhybotherwithmoralsatall?Whyisonecourseofactionbetter
thananother?
ChristiansknowthatGodhasplacedthedesireforutopiainourhearts,becauseheplanned
utopiafromthebeginning.AdamandEve,thoughinaperfectgarden,werenotintheirfinal
state,butratherinprobation.HadtheyobeyedGodscommands,changeswouldhave
occurred.Ofcoursethelongingforabetterworldonlyintensifiedwhentheydidnotobey.The
beautyofthegardenturnedtoashesandtheirwailingwasheardassoonastheeffectoftheir
sinbegantoworkitswayintothenewlycreatedworld,andintotheheartsofthehumanswho
inhabitedit.Intheverynextgeneration,jealousy,angerandhatrederuptedintothefirst
murder.Painandfrustrationwouldaccompanyeveryactofeveryhumanbeingfromthemo
mentAdamandEvedecidedthattheyshouldtakeoverbeingGodtocreateutopiaaftertheir
ownimaginations.Isitanywonderthatwealllongforabetterworld?
Oneistsolutions,however,onlyintensifyevil.TheOneistgoalistodestroyGodsdistinctions
andtobringtheoppositestogether.PrevioussectionshaveshownsomeofthewaysOneists
trytoaccomplishthis.TheyhavenotimeforGodsWord,hisSonorhissalvationplans.What
theyfailtorealizeisthatthedestructionofGodscreateddistinctionswillbringincreased
sadnessandsufferingtoallmankind,notthehappinessaboutwhichtheydream.
Ontheonehand,ChristianswhohavebeenusedtolivinginaculturewhereChristianity
dominatedforhundredsofyears,maythinkthatsuchOneistbeliefsaremarginalandtheymay
havetroublerealizingthepagannatureofthebeliefsthatarenowtakingrootintheircultures.
Ontheotherhand,Christianslivingincountrieswheresyncretismiandanimismiihavealways
i
Syncretism:thebeliefthatreligionscanbemixedorblended,andthatapersoncantakeportionsofseveral
religiousbeliefsatthesametime.GodspeopleweresyncretisticintheOldTestament,forexample,bybelieving
theycouldworshipGodbyworshipingagoldencalf(doubtlessliketheidolstheyknewfromEgypt).
ii
Animism:Thebeliefthattheelementsoftheearth,suchasfire,storm,wateroranimals,areformsofGodand
shouldbebothfearedandworshiped.
2|P a g e
Section4A
flourishedwillunderstandhowthemanyvarietiesofnativespiritualitiesarereallyOneist.
Indigenousreligionsseenature,ancestorsorspiritsasapartofGodoraspowersequaltothat
ofothergods.Theseforcesmustbeappeased.Feardominates,andreligionbecomestyrannical
becauseonecanneverdoenough,prayenough,presentenoughsacrifices.Thedoctrineof
Oneismissocentral,soingrainedintheheartsofrebellioushumanbeingsthataChristians
strongbeliefincreateddistinctionsbecomesahatedthreat.PersecutionofTwoistsbyOneists
isalmostinevitable,becauseTwoismistheonlysystemthatwontjointheunifiedOneistparty.
ChristiansknowwhatJesussaid,IamtheWay,theTruthandtheLife.Noonecomestothe
Father,exceptthroughme.
TherealhumanproblemisnotthatwehaveforgottenthatweareGod.Therealproblemis
thatwehavenocommunionwiththeGodwhohastoldustoworshiphimandhimalone.We
cannothaveunionwithGod(becomeapartofGod),becausenooneisGodbutGod.However,
Godhasprovidedawayforustohaveeternalcommunionwithhim.Welllookatthesolution
fromaTwoistpointofviewinthenextsection.
3|P a g e
Section4A
OptionalExercises
Section 4A
MarketplaceResearch
WhathaveyounoticedinthisweeksnewsthatshowshowaOneistwayofthinkingisblurringthe
linesbetweenthefollowingdistinctions:
AnimalsandHumans
MaleandFemale
ParentsandChildren
GoodandEvil
CreatorandCreature
ChallengeQuestion
Whatisthedifferencebetweenunionandcommunion?WhatdoesJesusmeanwhenhespeaks
of our unity with him and with the Father? Is this the same kind of Oneness that Buddhism and
otherOneistsystemsadvocate?Whyorwhynot?
Myprayerisnotforthemalone.Iprayalsoforthosewhowillbelieveinmethroughtheir
message,thatallofthemmaybeone,Father,justasyouareinmeandIaminyou.Maytheyalso
beinussothattheworldmaybelievethatyouhavesentme.Ihavegiventhemtheglorythatyou
gaveme,thattheymaybeoneasweareoneIinthemandyouinmesothattheymaybe
broughttocompleteunity.Thentheworldwillknowthatyousentmeandhavelovedthemevenas
youhavelovedme.John17:2023
4|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section4B

OurProblemAccordingtoTwoism

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Section4B
Section 4B
OurProblemAccordingtoTwoism
A Twoist defines the worlds problems completely differently than does a Oneist. We can never
wakeuptorealizethatweareGod!OurproblemsstemfromtryingtobeGod.AsourCreator,
Goddefinedourrealityandcommandsourworship.Heitiswholaidthefoundationsoftheearth
andputusinittobehisviceroys(Psalm90:12;Psalm8:68).HeitiswhohasgivenusinhisWord
thetrainingmanualforlifeonearth.Infollowinghiscommandsandabsorbinghislove,weknow
truehappinessandcontentment.Itishisplanforutopiathat willtakeplaceintheendnotour
vainhumanattemptsatbuildingaTowerofBabelorclimbingaladderofgoodworksintoheaven.
It is not by destroying Gods distinctions that we gain freedom and joy as human beings, but by
conformingourlivestothem,bylivingwithinthosestructures,byallowingourheartstobeshaped
by the love God has for usthe love of a Father on whom we are entirely dependent. A Twoist
alwaysbeginsbyrecognizingthatGodisGodandthatwearehiscreatures,createdtohonorhim,
givehimglory,andtakejoyinlivingaccordingtohispleasure.Thatisourdeepestsatisfaction.We
do not look to a god within but to our personal Creator who sits above the circle of the earth
(Isaiah40:22).Wedonotworshipmute,powerlessidols,butalivingGodwholovesusenoughto
take our name into his, to assure our identity, which comes from being separate from, yet
dependentupon,hiseverlivingidentity.
TheTwoistrealizesthatifyoucollapsedistinctions,youendupnotwithharmonybutwith
chaosorevennothingness.ThoughthismayseemawonderfulgoaltoaOneist,itisnothow
Twoistslive.Ourveryidentityashumansdependsondistinctions.EvenGodhimself,asTrinity,
existswithdistinctions.Godisnotdependentontheworldforlove.Heloveswithinthedistinct
personsoftheTrinity.Amanandawomanwhoaremarriedareinaunionofsorts,buttheir
individualidentitiesarenotdestroyedbythatunion.Theyareenhancedbyit.Sotrue
communionactuallydependsondistinctions!Howcanyoucommunewithanythingifyouare
1|P a g e
Section4B
alreadyanindistinguishablepartofthatthing?ThisiswhyTwoistscanpray.Wehavesomeone
outsideofourselvesandindeedoutsideofallcreationtowhomwecanpray.
Inrecognizingthattheworldisnotasitshouldbe,Twoistsareconsistent.Theydontexpectthe
world to fix itself through some innate spiritual, selfcreating, selfhealing power. Like others,
Twoistslongforunity,peaceandtheendofpoverty,sicknessandwar.However,aTwoistwilltryto
conquer these problems using a different remedy and a different motivation than a Oneist uses,
becauseaChristianbelievestheproblemiscomingfromanothersource.Wecantdrumupgood
karma or be reincarnated to a better life by doing good things for people or by joining the
opposites.Theproblem,inonesense,isjusttheoppositeofthedefinitiongivenbyaOneist.The
worldisnotfallingapartbecauseofdistinctions.Theearthandotherhumanssufferbecausewefail
torespectandliveoutGodsdistinctions.Themostimportantdistinctionistheonebetweenthe
Creatorandthecreation.
Oneists are right, however, about one thing: there is a problem of separation that needs to be
fixed.TheseparationwascausednotbecauseweareofadifferentessencefromGod,butbecause
werebelledagainsthim.WecantsolvetheriftwehavecausedbyseekingunionwithGod(inthe
senseofbecomingGod),butratherbyfindingcommunionwithhim,whichhehasofferedtousby
comingdowninthepersonofJesustorescueus.ThisJesusisourpathtopeace,bothwithGodand
with one another. Jesus died to satisfy Gods justice; rose to show mastery over death and evil;
ascended to the Father, sent the Holy Spirit to fill his church with power, joy and love and now
praysforhischildren.Hewillcometojudgetheworldandistheobjectofourworshipandthekey
toourdailyliving.
Twoistscannotimposethissolutiononothers,andtheyfinditdifficulttoconvinceOneiststosee
thiskindofpeaceasanysolutionatall.TheTwoistsolutionsoundsabstractandotherworldly.
Oneistsworkthroughearthlyandpoliticalstructurestoputinplacetheirideasofutopia.Though
Twoiststhrowthemselvesintolifewithenthusiasmandaccomplishmanypracticalthingsforthe
benefitofothers,ultimately,theirsuccessininfluencingthecourseofhistoryandthelivesoftheir
neighborsdependsonprayer,faithandlove.Thosetoolsseemfeeble,buttheyarenot!TheHoly
Spirit,whoisintheChristian,ismorepowerfulthantheforcesofevilintheworld(1John4:46).In
ourweakness,Godspowerismadeknown.
2|P a g e
Section4B
OptionalExercises
Section 4B
BibleResearch
1.Readthefollowingpassages(andothersimilarpassages),thendiscusswithyourgroupwhether
Christians and nonChristians can work together to solve the worlds problems. How? When? In
whatway?
Donotbeyokedtogetherwithunbelievers.Forwhatdorighteousnessandwickednesshave
incommon?Orwhatfellowshipcanlighthavewithdarkness?2Corinthians6:14
Makeeveryefforttoliveinpeacewitheveryoneandtobeholy;withoutholinessnoone
willseetheLord.Hebrews12:14
Therefore,aswehaveopportunity,letusdogoodtoallpeople,especiallytothosewho
belongtothefamilyofbelievers.Galatians6:10
ChallengeQuestions:
1. ManyChristianstodayfeelthatthechurchsinfluenceiswaningduetothesinsofthelast
fewgenerationsofthechurch.Aretheyright,oristheproblemduemoretosinfulrefusalof
theChristianmessage?Giveyourreasons.
2. Whatinfluenceshavemadethechurchinyourcountryweak?
3. Isitstrongtoday?Ifnot,whenhasitbeenstrong?Ifso,whyisitstrong?
4.WhatarethechallengesyoufacetodayfromaOneistwayofthinking?
3|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section5A

TheOneistSolution

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Section5A
Section 5A
TheOneistSolution

The Oneist hopes to find unity in the world by bringing together the opposites and by
discoveringhisorherowndivinity.Inordertofacilitatethisdiscovery,aOneistoftenseeksa
pinnacleofreligiousexperiencethatwill,onanindividualbasisatleast,produceunitywiththe
earth, the universe, and whatever Force is behind the desired progress toward utopia. This
oftentrancelikeexperienceissimilarinavarietyofOneistsystems.Itproducesthefollowing
confession:Iamuncreated,asoldasGod.ThatisthestatementofHaroldBloom,aJewwho
turnedGnosticiandplungedintoOneistspirituality.Thepinonbadge/buttonthatsaidIAm
God,onsaleinaSanDiego,Californiashoppingmall,isnotasstrangeasitfirstmightseem.
Mr.BloomsstatementandthewordsonthebuttonareexpressionsofOneismthatthoseliving
intheUnitedStatesmayhearandsee.
In an animistic culture, the Oneist might turn to a shaman,ii witch doctor, sorcerer
(Deuteronomy 18:10) or hijraiii who claims to have brought the elements together in his
mysticalpower,towardoffsicknessortopunishanenemy(Isaiah47:13).InsomeOneistrites,
worshipersusedrugs,repetitivewords(Matthew6:7)ormusictoworkthemselvesintoastate
inwhichtheyfeelthattheyhavefoundunionwiththeuniverse.
i
Gnostic:GnosticismwasanearlyheresyintheearlyChurch.TheGnosticsdidnotbelieveintheOldTestament
CreatorGod,butfelttherewasagodbehindthecreator,whowasthetruegod.TheydidnotbelievethatJesus
trulydiedonthecrossandbelievedthatcreationwaseitherbadorunimportant.Becauseofthis,someofthem
livedaveryimmorallifestyle(ourbodiesarentimportant)andsomelivedaverycontrolledandasceticlifestyle
(arebodiesareevil,soweneedtomasterthem).SomeoftheNewTestamentbooks,especiallytheepistlesto
TimothyandtheepistlesofJohn,werewrittentocountertheearliestformsofGnosticism.
ii
Shaman:someonewhoisbelievedtobeabletousemagictocurepeoplewhoaresick,tocontrolfutureevents,
etc.
iii
Hijra:apersonwhoadoptsagenderrolethatisneithermalenorfemale.
1|P a g e
Section5A
Inrationalisticcountries,Oneistssaythatthereisnoforceoutsidetheevolvinguniverseitself,
butthatmankindcanandshouldparticipateintheprocessofmakingtheearthbetter.Suchan
attitudehasledtoideassuchaseugenics,bywhichleaderswithpowertrytodeterminewhich
humansarethebestspecimensoftherace,inordertohelpnaturealonginassuringthatthe
futureoftheplanetgetsbetterandbetter.Thisledtotheholocaustinthelastcentury,when
peopletriedtocreatearaceofSupermenbykillinghandicappedpeopleandpeoplefromraces
that were considered inferior. Even this seemingly rational and scientific version of Oneism
oftenseeksthemysticalexperienceasanecessarypartofthesystem.
ThemysticalexperiencetypicalofOneistspiritualityinvolvessilencingthemindandusingsome
kindoftechnique(whetherhypnotism,asweatlodge,ivbreathingtechniques,atrance,adrug
induced state, or a labyrinthv walk, to cite just a few) to reach a state of utter calm or utter
ecstasyinwhichtheworshiperhasasenseofallthingsbecomingoneincludinghimself.
Oddly enough, this experience is never enough. It is addictive, bringing with it a hunger for
anothersimilarexperience,aneedtorecreateamoreandmorepowerfulsenseofunitywith
allthings.Inaddition,itcanhavetheeffectofdistancingtheuserfromorhardeninghimtothe
needs and feelings of those around him (Psalm 115:48). In fact, it often has exactly the
oppositeeffectoftheoneintended.Theworshiperwashopingtofeelunifiedtoallthings,but
in fact ends up using all things for his own insatiable spiritual hunger. Spirituality becomes a
powerplayatooltodrawtohimselfallthegoodhedesiresandthinkshedeserves.Onesees
such an exercise in the book, The Secret, which teaches people that they can draw to
themselvestheriches,gloryandsuccessthattheydeserve,ifonlytheycanconcentratehard
enoughonthetechniquesproposed.
Such spiritual techniques become a kind of spiritual Ring of Power, as in Tolkiens story, The
LordoftheRings.Intheend,thisspiritualitybecomes,asdidtheRingofPower,aheavyweight
around the users neck. Life becomes harder and harderthe goal farther and farther from
being realized. When an interviewer asked Harold Bloom (the one who said, Im as old as
God)whyhehadsomuchtroublebeinghappy,Bloomsaidthathedidntknowandthateven
thoughhehadaloving,faithfulwifewhowashisbestfriendforfortyfouryears,hestillfelta
longingforsomethingmore.
In your relationships with unbelievers, you may find Oneists intent on living out their worldview.
Those who are the most eager and the most disciplined may discourage you, because they dont
wanttohearaboutthegospelofJesusChrist.Wemustrealizethattheharderthepersonistrying
to achieve oneness with the universe, the closer he may be to the disillusionment that such a
worship choice produces. Remember that the Apostle Paul was killing and imprisoning Christians
whenGodcalledhimtofaith.MartinLutherwasinafrenzyofspiritualpracticesbeforehefinally
realizedthatsalvationwasnotduetohisworks,buttoGodsgraceandChristsrighteousness.So
iv
SweatLodge:ahut,lodge,orcavernheatedbysteamfromwaterpouredonhotstonesandusedespeciallyby
AmericanIndiansforritualortherapeuticsweating
v
WalkingtheLabyrinth:Thispracticeinvolvesmeditatingononesinnerself,whilewalkingtothecenterofa
labyrinthtracedonthegroundorinareligiousspace.Theexperienceismeanttohelpbringthepersonintoan
experienceofthedivinewithin.ItisoftenapartofOneistspiritualityintheUSandotherWesterncountries.
2|P a g e
Section5A
keep loving your Oneist friends and family members. Keep sacrificing yourself for them joyfully.
Keepprayingandkeepprobing.Andkeepenjoyingthesolid,everyday,createdstructuresinwhich
God has placed you. The stability, good sense, faithfulness and steady joy of a Christian couple,
home,familyorindividualoftenhasanamazingeffectonsomeonewhohasbecomedisillusioned
with Oneist spirituality. Eventually, by Gods grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, you may
discoverthatyourfriendshavethatlongingforsomethingmore.GodmaybreakintotheirOneist
world,surprisingthemwithhisjoyandforgiveness.
3|P a g e
Section5A
OptionalExercises
Section 5A
MarketplaceResearch
1.WheredoyouseethelongingforsomethingmoreintheOneistsyouknow?
2.Whatexperiences,systemsorworshiptechniquesonofferinyourculturepromisetoprovide
Oneistspirituality?
ChallengeQuestions:
YoudontgettointerviewpeoplelikeHaroldBloom.HowcanyoudiscoverwhatOneistleaders
arethinking?
Howcanyoudiscoverwhatyourfriendsandneighborsthinkaboutspirituality?
Ifyoucan,findaOneisttointerview.Asagroup,writeoutsomeleadingquestionstodrawoutthe
hopesanddesiresofaspiritualbutnotreligiousneighbororfriend.
4|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Section5B

TheTwoistSolution

Broughttoyoubythe
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Aministryofthe
BlueLetterBible
Section5B
Section 5B
TheTwoistSolution

Twoismissomuchbetter!Everythingaboutitringstrue,eveninthemiddleofpainand
suffering,evenwhenweknowwedontunderstandeverything.
Firstofall,ourGodistrulytranscendentfaraboveus.AGodwecanrespectandwhois
infiniteinhisknowledge,power,goodness,justiceandlove.HeisKingoverallthings(Psalm
47:2).
Secondly,theTwoistGodisapersonalGodwhomakeshimselfknown,throughnature,his
WordandhisSon.Frankly,ifGodwerenotdistinctfromhiscreation,andifallthedistinctions
wereerasedfromcreation,sothateverythingisone,wecouldnothavelifeasweknowit!Only
asTwoistscanwedothefollowingthings:
Wecansing,forthereissomethingtosingaboutandeverytuneisnotreducedtoonenote.
Wecanspeak,forGodmadedistinctionsinsoundsandgaveuslanguage,inwhichwords
havemeaning.
Wecanprayandpraise,forthereissomeoneouttherewhohasmadeallthisbeautyand
whoistheretoreceiveourthanksandhonor.
Wecanworship,forthereisaGodworthyofworship.
Wecantellrightfromwrong,becausewearemadeinGodsimage.
Wecanpaint,forGodmadeavarietyofcolors.
Ourworkisimportant,sinceeachpersonisuniqueinGodseyes.
Wedonthavetoworkourwaytoheaven,becauseGodreachesdowntorescueus.
Wecanremainindividualsinourmarriages,andyetbeunitedinlove,justasGodthe
Father,SonandHolySpiritaredistinctpersonsoftheTrinityknittogetherineternallove.
Wecanovercomesintorelatetooneanotherinlove,becauseweareinGodsimageand
nowintheimageofJesus.Godisperfectingustoliveinourfinalhomewithhimandallthosewho
loveHim.
1|P a g e
Section5B
Noneofthesethings(ormanyothers)shouldexistinaOneistworld.Oneismonlyoffers
annihilationandextinctionofindividualgiftsandpersonalities.
ItisarelieftoknowthatthereisaGodoutthere,aGodwhocares,whohasthingsunder
control,whohaslaidoutaplanforusandhasnotfailedtodeliverittousinlanguagewecan
understand.Henotonlytoldushowtoliveourlives,buthetoldusabouthimself.Andthenhe
wentfurther.Inspiteofourrejectionofhim,ourrefusaltolistentohisvoice,toobeyhimorto
lovehim,heprovidedameanstorestorefellowship.Heofferedhimselftousbysendinghis
Son,sodeeplyandinfinitelyloved,whotookuponhimselfthepunishmentandjusticethatour
rebelliondeserved.TheCreatorGodsteppedintohiscreation,notasaweak,compromisedgod
liketheGreekorEgyptiangods,butasarealman,yetaperfectone,whosucceededwherethe
firstman(Adam)failed.JesusperfectlyobeyedhisheavenlyFather,inordertoprovideuswith
hisrecordofperfectionbutthenboretheunthinkable,unbearablerejectionoftheFather
whomhehadonlypleasedforeternity.Hedidthatwhenhewascrucifiedbythehandsof
wickedmen.
Deathcouldnotholdhimforlong,however.Heroseandhelivestoday.Heascendedto
heaven,whereheintercedesandpraysforusbeforethethroneoftheFather.HesenthisHoly
Spirit,whonowhelpsustounderstandtherevelationofGodbothinnatureandinthewritten
WordthatGodhasprovidedthroughhisprophetsandapostles.
OnthedayJesusrosefromthedead,evilwasconqueredandawaywasprovidedforsinnersto
findcommunionwiththeirCreator.Wefinallyhavethatsomethingbetterforwhichthe
humanhearthasalwayslonged.BecauseofJesusdeath,wedonthavetofearGods
judgment,whichfellonhisSoninsteadofonus.BecauseofJesusrighteousness,whichisnow
oursbyfaith,wedonthavetotrytoworkourwaytoheaven.Wecandropourfrantic,fruitless
searchfortheultimatereligiousexperience;wecanthrowofftheheavyburdenoftechniques
andrulesandoftheexertionoftryingtobeordogoodenoughforGodsapproval.Thatuseless
effortcanbethrownintothesea.Ourpersonalobedienceisnotaduty,butaheartfeltthank
youtoourHeavenlyFather.Lighthearted,weturntolookonhisface,andrunintohisopen
arms,welcomedhomebecausewebearthelikenessandtherighteousnessofhisperfectSon.
UntilwearriveatthefinaldoorofourowndeathoruntilJesuscomesback,wehavethejoy
andprivilegeofreadingwhatGodhaswrittenforus,ofspeakingtootherswhoknowhim,of
prayingdirectlytohimthroughthemediator,Jesus,andofcommuningwithGodthroughhis
HolySpirit,whowhisperstoourspiritsthatwearechildrenofGod.
Ifwefailtopronouncethisgospelbyactionsandbywordswefailtoexercisethecalling
Godhasgivenus.ManyChristianstodayfeelthatwemustshowChristslove,withoutspeaking
thewordsofthegospel.Deeds,notcreeds!isthemantra.Butwhatofit?Ifyouloveothers
asChristlovedyouandfailtogiveGodtheglory,whowillreceivethatglory?Youwill!Doyou
reallywantthat?Ifyoulove,butfailtowarnunbelieversoftheirfateshouldtheyfailtobow
thekneetoKingJesus,whowillberesponsible?Doyoudarekeepsilent?Supposeyousawa
couplelazingdownariveronaninnertubeandfailedtowarnthemofatreacherouswaterfall
aheadfailedtoscreamandyellasloudlyasyoucouldwouldyounotbeatleastpartiallyre
sponsibleiftheyplungedoverthefallstotheirdeaths?Christian,wakeup!Thegospelhas
2|P a g e
Section5B
power.YourOneistfriendsarestillseekingtheunknownGod.Godhascommandedustotell
themwhoheis,thenlovethemwithallourhearts,aswewatchtheLordaccomplishhis
miracleofnewbirth.
3|P a g e
Section5B
OptionalExercises
Section 5B
BibleResearch
1.Readandconsiderthefollowingtexts,thendecideintowhichsectionofthiscourseyouwould
putthem.
Genesis7:1316 Deuteronomy17:3 Exodus15:11

John14:6 Psalm135:1518 Matthew6:7
Psalm148:13 Deuteronomy4:34ff Acts7:42
2Corinthians2:14 Romans12:1 Matthew28:1720
Psalm47:2 Matthew12:30 Deuteronomy29:1819
Suggestion
UsethesectionsofOneismandTwoisminthiscoursetodevelopyourownlistofScripturepassages
thatapplytoeachsection,asyoucomeacrosstheminyourowndevotionalreading.Thiswillgive
youideasastowhatpassagestoshowanunbelieverasyouspeakaboutthedifferencebetween
theChristianfaith(Twoism)andallotherfaiths(Oneism).
ChallengeQuestion
Howhasthisstudyinfluencedthewayyouthinkaboutevangelism?Aboutyourculture?Aboutyour
ownattitudetolivingandspeakingthetruth?
4|P a g e
OnlyTwoReligions?
by
Dr.PeterJones


Appendix

Broughttoyoubythe
www.blbi.org
Aministryofthe
BlueLetterBible
Appendix
Appendix
AreJudaism&IslamTwoist?
Whenever we at truthxchange make the claim that there are only two religionsOneism and
TwoismwereceivequestionsaboutJudaismandIslam.Dontthesereligionsbelieveinthesame
GodastheoneworshipedbyChristians?BothteachthatGodisoutsidetheworldandthatweowe
allegiance and obedience to him. Jews and Muslims both begin with the Old Testament, which
clearly teaches that God made the world and that he sits above the circle of the earth
(Isaiah40:22).TheyalsoagreethatthereisonlyoneGod,andthatheisnotoneandthesameas
theearthordothey?
Asmentionedabove,Oneistsarenotalwaysconsistent,norareTwoists.UnlessaJewisinvolvedin
Kabbalah,hewouldprobablythinkofhimselfasaTwoist.Butonemustasksomehardquestions.Is
the Jewish God personal? Well, yes, it would seem so. The Old Testament speaks often of Gods
love, his compassion and his grace. Such attributes are indeed personal. And yet, the same Old
TestamentScripturesgivehintsthatGodistriune.ThefirstversesoftheOldTestamentincludethe
hovering of the Spirit, the power of the Word, and the intentions of God the Creator. (See also
Genesis1:26andotherpluralreferencesforGod,Psalm110andotherpassagesthatclearlyspeak
ofthecomingMessiah.)WealsoseethattheMessiahmustbeGodHimself(e.g.Isaiah35:4).When
Jesuscomes,hetellshisdisciplestobaptizeconvertsinthenameoftheFather,theSonandthe
HolySpirit,showingagodheadthatwithinitself,independentofthecreation,experiencesloveand
relationship(Matthew28:19,John14:26).Healsomakesamazingclaimsforhimself:Ifyouhave
seenmeyouhaveseentheFather(John14:9),andIandmyFatherareOne(John10:30)andno
mancomestotheFatherexceptthroughme(John14:6).Tomakessuchclaims,Jesusmustbe1.
crazy,2.anutterpagan,or3.Godintheflesh.IfJesusreallyisGod,thenaJewwhofailstocometo
GodtheFatherthroughJesusfailstoknowthetrueGodandthusfunctionspracticallyasaOneist.
HemaybelievethattheresaGodoutthere,buthecanhavenocommunionwithhim,noaccessto
him,noforgivenessfromhimandnoprotectionfromhisjudgment.(CurrentJudaismdoesnoteven
havethesacrificialsystemoftheOldTestamenttofallbackon.Ofcoursethatsacrificialsystemis
no longer what God wants us to use to approach him, because he has received the ultimate
sacrificewhichisalonesufficienttopayforoursinsthatofhisonlySon.)
OldTestamentJudaisminitstrue,heartfaithfulformwasdefinitelyTwoist.Soitisimportantin
speakingwithJewsthatChristiansrecognizethat.TheOldTestamentisthefirstrevelationof
JesusChrist,whotellsusthattheentireOldTestamentisabouthim:
Thenhesaidtothem,ThesearemywordsthatIspoketoyouwhileIwasstillwithyou,
thateverythingwrittenaboutmeintheLawofMosesandtheProphetsandthePsalms
mustbefulfilled.(Luke24:44)
TheJewwhosefaithisnotinJesusisaveryshakyandunhappyTwoist,atbest.IfyouhaveJewish
friends, you may wish to explore this line of thinking with them. God did command the Jewish
people not to worship any images of him. Yet God specifically made theperfect human image of
himselfJesusand commanded his disciples (as well as Moses and Elijah) from heaven: This is
mybelovedSon.Listentohim!(Matthew17:5).DidhenotthensetoutfortheJewanultimate
1|P a g e
Appendix
commandofworship?Didhenot,ontheMountofTransfiguration,redefinetheloyaltiesofevery
Jewforever?IftheJewrefusesthatLaw,givenonanothermountaintoaprophetfargreaterthan
Moses,hecanhavenohopeofhisnamebeingcaughtupinthenameofGod,aswereAbrahams,
IsaacsandJacobsasarethenamesofallwhoputtheirtrustintheSaviorprovidedbyGodasour
righteoussacrificialsubstitute.Inthissense,theJewwhorefusesChristbecomesatheologicaland
practical Oneist. His god is not triune and becomes a lonely singularity with whom no one can
commune.
Allah, the God of Islam, is also an aberration of the Old Testament God. Though Islam claims
allegiance to the Old Testament and sees Jesus as a prophet, it, like Judaism, refuses to worship
Jesus and to see him as Gods only means of salvation. In fact, the message of Islam has so
corruptedthepersonofGodthatheremainsentirelyremote.Henevercamedowntorescueus.
He never provided a way of escape. In fact, Allah is much closer to being a Oneist god than the
stunted vision of Jehovah with which Judaism has tried to content itself since rejecting Gods
Messiah.Allahisnotsosupremeasheismadeouttobe,sinceheswearsbytime(Surah103:1),by
steeds (Surah 100), by the signs of the Zodiak (Surah 85:13), by the wind and stars (Surah 51:1,
Surah81:15)andbymanyotherearthly,physicalthings.TheGodoftheBiblerefusestoswearby
anything,becausehecanonlyswearbyhimself:WhenGodmadehispromisetoAbraham,since
therewasnoonegreaterforhimtoswearby,hesworebyhimself(Hebrews6:13).Thisisatruly
transcendentGod.Allah,oddlyenough,ismadeouttobesotranscendentthatnoonecanknow
anythingabouthim,yetheissoweakandpowerlessthathemustswearbycreation.
TheseareverybroadevaluationsofJudaismandIslam.BothreligionsalsohavetheirNewAge,
OneistequivalentsinKabbalahandSufismrespectively,systemsexperientiallyorientedandmore
easily recognized as Oneist. Traditional Judaism and Islam claim to be Twoist, yet both are
functionallyOneistandthegodtheyworshiplacksbothtruetranscendenceandtrueimmanence.If
Godisremote,untouchable,impersonal,impotentandsilent,thereisnohopeforanyofus!Ifhe
hasnotcomedownhimselftorescueusandtorestorecommunionwithus,wewouldhavenoway
ofknowingorlovinghim.
OnlytheChristianGodisaGodwhosethoughtsarehigherthanourthoughtsandwhoisaboveall
creation,yetwhohascomedowntoliveasaman,todietakingourpunishment,toliveaperfect
lifeofrighteousnessonourbehalfandtosethisloveonus,fillinguswithhisSpiritanddrawingus
intoarelationshipofintimateloveandjoy.WhataGodwehave!
Letsliveforhim,talkabouthimandloveforhim,sincehehasalreadyrescuedus,lovedus,clothed
usandpreparedourgoodworksbeforeus!
2|P a g e
Glossary
IntroductionGlossary
Secular:notpertainingtoorconnectedwithreligion
IndigenousReligions:InthiscontextwemeanthenaturalreligionsthatmanycountrieshadbeforeChristianity
orothermajorreligionsarrived.
Reincarnation:Thebeliefthatwhenpeopledie,theycomebacktolifeintheformofanotherpersonoranimal.
Usuallythebeliefincludesanaspectofdeservingabetteroraworselifethanthepreviouslife.
Section1AGlossary
SpiritualEvolution.Justassomepeoplebelievethatevolutionbroughtintoexistencetheworld,animalsetc.and
thatitknowshowtomaketheworldbetterandbetter,sosomepeoplebelievethatthereisakindofspiritual
evolution,bywhichsomehowtheworldwillgraduallybecomeahappierandmoremoralplaceuntiloneday,all
theproblemswillbesolved.
Meditation:Thereisnothingwrongwithmeditation,butitdependsonwhatmeaningyougiveit.Biblical
meditationisreflectingonGodsWord,learningitbyheartandaskingGodtoshowyouhowtoliveitout.Pagan
meditationmeansturninginward,leavingyourmindbehindandtryingtobecomeonewiththeall.Itoften
involvestrancelikeexperiences.
Utopia:Thewordutopia,actuallymeansnoplace,butincommonuseofEnglishithascometomeananideal
society.Itisusedinthiswayinthislesson.IfwearetalkingaboutGodsidealsociety,whichhewillcreatewhen
Jesusreturnstojudgetheworld,thenweshouldreallycallitaeutopia,sincetheeuinGreek,fromwhichthe
wordutopiaistaken,meansgood.Aeutopiawouldbeagoodplace.
Section1BGlossary
Transcendent:InTheology,thiswordmeansthatGodisaboveandoutsideoftheuniverseandtimeandcannotbe
entirelycontainedinourknowledgeorunderstanding..
Theologian:SomeonewhostudiesthepersonandworkofGod.
IncommunicableAttributes:CharacteristicsthatonlyGodcanhave,suchasbeingallPowerful.
Immanent:Intheology,thistermmeansaGodwhodwellsintimeandspace.AGodwhoisclosetohispeopleand
evenlivesinthemthroughhisHolySpirit,anddoesntremainhiddenordistant.
Buddhism:areligionofeasternandcentralAsiathatisbasedontheteachingsofGautamaBuddha.Itholdsthat
lifeisfullofsufferingcausedbydesireandthatthewaytoendthissufferingisthroughenlightenmentthat
enablesonetohalttheendlesssequenceofbirthsanddeathstowhichoneisotherwisesubject.
Hinduism:themainreligionofIndiawhichincludestheworshipofmanygodsandthebeliefthatafteryoudieyou
returntolifeinadifferentform.
Islam:thereligionwhichteachesthatthereisonlyoneGodandthatMuhammadisGod'sprophet:thereligionof
Muslims
Judaism:Inthiscontext,wemeanthereligionthatwasoriginallyrevealedtoGodschosenpeopleintheOld
TestamentbutwhichnowdependsontraditionandbloodlinesinadditiontothefirstfivebooksoftheScriptures
(theTorah)foritssenseofmeaningandpurpose.ThereligionofpresentdayJewishpeoplewhohavenot
acceptedJesusasMessiah.
Section2AGlossary
ThetowermadeearlyinthehistoryofmankindbywhichpeoplethoughttheycouldhaveGodvisitthemby
descendingfromheavenonatowerlikestructurecalledaZiggurat.Goddisturbedtheirplansbycausingthemen
workingonthetowertobeginspeakinginmanylanguages.Sincetheycouldnolongerunderstandoneanother,
theyscatteredinlanguagegroupsandtheprojectwasnotpursued.SeethestoryinGenesis11.Goddidcome
downtomankind,ofcourse,butinhisownwaythroughJesushisSonwhobecameamantolivewithpeople
andtoprovideawayforthemtoknowGodandhavecommunionwithhim.
TeilharddeChardin:AFrenchanthropologist,Jesuitclergyman,paleontologist,andtheologianwhoheldthat
biologicalevolutionwasthedivinecreationprocessthatwouldleadtotheidealOmegaPoint,aperfectionofthe
consciousnessofmankind.
Cyborg:Apersonwhosebodycontainsmechanicalorelectricaldevicesandwhoseabilitiesaregreaterthanthe
abilitiesofnormalhumans.Originallyseenonlyinstories,peoplearenowlookingmorerealisticallyatcreating
suchhuman/mechanicalbeings.
Section3AGlossary
ParliamentoftheWorldsReligions:Themottoofthisorganization,whichmeetsbothinternationallyand
regionally,isBringingpeopleoffaithtogetherforabetterworld.Christianity,however,cannotjoinwithother
religionstodoGodswill.
Talisman:anobject(suchasaringorstone)thatisbelievedtohavemagicpowersandtocausegoodthingsto
happentothepersonwhohasit.
Section4AGlossary
Syncretism:thebeliefthatreligionscanbemixedorblended,andthatapersoncantakeportionsofseveral
religiousbeliefsatthesametime.GodspeopleweresyncretisticintheOldTestament,forexample,bybelieving
theycouldworshipGodbyworshipingagoldencalf(doubtlessliketheidolstheyknewfromEgypt).
Animism:Thebeliefthattheelementsoftheearth,suchasfire,storm,wateroranimals,areformsofGodand
shouldbebothfearedandworshiped.
Section5AGlossary
Gnostic:GnosticismwasanearlyheresyintheearlyChurch.TheGnosticsdidnotbelieveintheOldTestament
CreatorGod,butfelttherewasagodbehindthecreator,whowasthetruegod.TheydidnotbelievethatJesus
trulydiedonthecrossandbelievedthatcreationwaseitherbadorunimportant.Becauseofthis,someofthem
livedaveryimmorallifestyle(ourbodiesarentimportant)andsomelivedaverycontrolledandasceticlifestyle
(arebodiesareevil,soweneedtomasterthem).SomeoftheNewTestamentbooks,especiallytheepistlesto
TimothyandtheepistlesofJohn,werewrittentocountertheearliestformsofGnosticism.
Shaman:someonewhoisbelievedtobeabletousemagictocurepeoplewhoaresick,tocontrolfutureevents,
etc.
Hijra:apersonwhoadoptsagenderrolethatisneithermalenorfemale.
SweatLodge:ahut,lodge,orcavernheatedbysteamfromwaterpouredonhotstonesandusedespeciallyby
AmericanIndiansforritualortherapeuticsweating
WalkingtheLabyrinth:Thispracticeinvolvesmeditatingononesinnerself,whilewalkingtothecenterofa
labyrinthtracedonthegroundorinareligiousspace.Theexperienceismeanttohelpbringthepersonintoan
experienceofthedivinewithin.ItisoftenapartofOneistspiritualityintheUSandotherWesterncountries.

5PointsofOneism 5PointsofTwoism
1. AllIsOneandOneIsAllManypeoplearebeginningtothink 1. OneGod,theCreatorGodisdistinctfromhiscreation.
thatGodistheSpiritofeverything.Thismeansthat, EverythingthatisnotGodwascreatedbyhim:theearth,
ultimately,man,animals,rocksandtreesarealldivine.There animalsandman,whoaloneiscreatedinhisimage.
isnomajordistinctionbetweenGodandMan.
2. HumanityIsOneIfallpeopleareEqual,nogrouphasunique 2. OneinChristAloneTheonlytrueunityiscreatedby
accesstothetruth.Allhumansaredivineandmustlive commonfaithinJesusChrist.Goddefinestwocategoriesof
together,acceptingacommonstandardofmoralityandtrying people:hischildrenandthosewhoareinrebellionagainst
tobecomeaslikeoneanotheraspossible,ratherthan him.TrueChristianloveknowsnoracialoreconomicbarriers.
emphasizingdistinctionsthatcancausefriction.
3. AllReligionsAreOneNoreligionknowstheonlypathtoGod. 3. OneTruthJesussayswecanonlyapproachtheFather
Allroadsleadtothetopofthemountain,fromwhichwesee throughhim.ChristiansdonotrevereChristasonegreat
thesamemoon.Religionsshouldemphasizetheirsimilarities, prophetamongothers.HeisGodinhumanform,cometo
nottheirdifferences,sincetheysharethesamemystical rescueusfromoursin.TospiritualizehimasaChrist,present
experience. inavarietyofreligions,istorefusehim.
4. OneProblem:AmnesiaSinceGodisinallofus,isallofus, 4. OneProblem:DeaththroughSinSinhasruinedourpeace
weshouldnotworryaboutsinandguilt.Ifwewakeuptothe withGod.Wedarenotapproachhimbecauseheissopure
wonderfulrealitythatweareGod,wewilleliminatethe thatwewouldbedestroyed.Yetsinalsodestroysus.Without
distinctionsofsex,roleanddoctrinethatdivideus. Godssolution,theproblemofsinisinsurmountable.
5. OneAnswer:LookWithinIfyouwanttobehappy,youneed 5. OneSolution:LooktoHimGodcomestosaveus.Wedonot
toloveyourselfandstopfeelingguilty.Themoreyoubelieve findsalvationinourselves.Wecanadmittherealityofoursin,
inyourselfandyourownpowerthemoreyouassertthat repent,andreceiveGodsjustforgiveness.Jesusbecamesin
powerforyourownhappiness,thesooneryouwillhavea forusandtookitsguiltandpunishment.Hethenprovedhis
senseoffreedomfromconstraint.Youwillenjoyatruly poweroversininhisresurrection.Hewilltransformusand
peacefulandfulfilledexperienceofGod. receiveusashischildrentolivewithhimforever.
AdaptedfromGospelTruth/PaganLiesbyDr.PeterJones
Founder,truthXchange,Inc.
http://www.truthXchange.com

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