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Another day, another anti-Christian meme. I find great inspiration in refuting these. This collection was just plain lazy.
If our friend, Jim Palmer, spent any time at all giving the Gospels more than a cursory glance, it doesn't show. He claims his book, Inner Anarchy, is a "literary Molotov cocktail, designed to take down that story once and for all so we can get to the true message and spirit of Jesus, and a real plan of action to birth a new world." However, if the meme attributed to him is ANY indication, he's produced more of a literary sparkler - the kind of harmless firework that makes a bit of a show before fizzling out. The ignorant will believe it and spread it. Those more well-versed in what the Scripture actually says will likely roll their eyes and move on with their day.
For the sake of the ignorant, I offer the meme's statements in bold, followed by the actual quote from Scripture that refutes what he's said.
1. Jesus never taught that people are separate or separated from God.
What Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5
2. Jesus did not die on the cross to fix humankind's sin problem.
What Jesus said: “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28
Yes, Jesus came to fix our "sin" problem. We couldn't fix it on our own.
3. Jesus never claimed to be divine in a special way that no one else is.
“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30
If you think you're one with the Father, try curing your own head cold next time. Try generating an entire universe by yourself out of nothing. If you can do that, come talk to me.
4. Jesus did not intend to be the founder of Christianity.
“I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it.” – Matthew 16:18
If Jim comes from a Protestant background, I can understand a bit where his confusion comes from. They like to pretend this verse doesn't exist.
5. Jesus never taught Heaven as an afterlife location.
The first of the four truths that Jim sprinkles in among his stack of lies. In fact, what Jesus clearly says in Matthew 6:9-10 is this: "“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Translation: When God's will is done here on Earth as it is in Heaven, that's when we'll all get to experience Heaven right here on Earth. Heaven begins in the heart. How do we know? "...for God is love." - 1 John 4:8 and what is God's will? That we "love one another as I have loved you" - John 13:34
6. Jesus did not believe in the notion of an eternal hell.
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” – Matthew 25:41
It's pretty clear here that Jesus did believe in the notion of an eternal hell. That didn't mean he wanted humanity in it. In fact, that's why he came!
6. Jesus never claimed his mission was to save the world.
“...I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." - John 12:47
7. Jesus never organized his teachings into a belief system.
“...The person who believes in me, even though he dies, will live.”." - John 11:25
8. Jesus never led others in saying the "sinner's prayer."
This one is true. The sinner's prayer is a Protestant invention.
Anyone serious in their reading of Scripture knows that it's based on a lie itself. You can read more about it in this article: https://disciplestoday.org/bible-study-teacher-s-corner-item-8589-teacher-s-corner-the-sinner-s-prayer-a-brief-history-of-a-novel-practice/
9. Jesus never made people feel judged, unloved, or unworthy.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.” – Matthew 23:13
Not sure about you, but I'm pretty sure those scribes and Pharisees were feeling pretty judged, unloved, and unworthy here. People engaged in sin who think they're righteous have a tendency to feel judged when their behavior is called into question.
10. Jesus did not claim to be the only voice of truth.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
12. Jesus never demanded blind obedience.
This is another truth. Scripture even warns us: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" 1 John 4:1
Anyone who demands blind obedience is leading you into a cult, not to Christ.
13. Jesus never vilified humanity.
This is another truth on Jim's list. He vilified sin, not humanity.
14. Jesus did not require people to become religious to know God.
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” – John 16:15
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. The word that you hear is not My own, but it is from the Father who sent Me.” – John 16:23
You've got ambitions, but if you won't put in even the modest work required to find the truth, you're going to end up swallowing - and spreading - a pack of lies. Which is an incredible shame, because it leaves you missing out on finding the truth about LOVE! There's nothing more important or that will bring you greater joy than love. It's worth the search.
Award-winning international speaker and author, Brandy M. Miller is a Catholic revert. Raised in a culturally Catholic home, she left the faith at 16 in search of the truth and returned 12 years later when she found it right where she left it. Today, she is convinced that the Catholic Church is the cure to society's ills and is eager to help share the Gospel truth to those who have ears to hear it. When she isn't writing for or about the Catholic Church, she offers her writing talents to Catholics who would like help sharing their witnesses of Christ's work in their lives.
