Appendix

Various Views About the Deity of Christ

 We felt it would be helpful to list a number of religious systems and summarize, as best we could,  their views on the deity of Christ. For those interested in a more comprehensive discussion, see the Handbook of Today 's Religions series by Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, available at your Christian bookstore or from Here's Life Publishers, Inc., San Bernardino, California. 

 Agnostic

The word agnostic comes from two Greek words,  a meaning ''no,'' and gnosis meaning ''knowledge.' ' Simply put, an agnostic is one who claims it is not possible to know whether there is a God or not, let alone whether Christ is God. 

 Atheist

The word atheist comes from two Greek words, a meaning "no, " and theos meaning «God °  An atheist believes that there is no God. 

 Bahai

The Bahai faith teaches that in the history of the world many religions have led to God. God has used many prophets as His divine spokesmen, Jesus being the main one for His day, as were Buddha, Moses,  Krishna, Zoroaster, Muhammad, etc., for theirs.  Bahais believe that Baha 'u'llah is God's prophet for today. 

Black Muslims

The Black Muslims are an American Islamic movement, with strong political and racial overtones. Like many movements, it has tended to mellow with the passing of time. Certain segments of Christianity are integrated into this movement with Christ sometimes being spoken of as black Jesus is considered a prophet of Allah (God), inferior to Muhammad as a prophet, and was definitely not God. 

 Buddhism

Buddhism which began as a philosophy espoused by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), became a religion approximately two hundred years after his death when a segment of his followers deified him Buddha (the name means "enlightened one' ') is treated as a savior-god, even though he claimed to be only a teacher. Buddhists view Jesus as a moral teacher of less importance than Buddha – prayer is offered to Buddha. The main God of Buddhism is impersonal. 

 Children of God (Family Of Love) 

This group was founded by David Brandt Berg,  nicknamed Mo (for Moses) by his followers and considered a prophet. It is not clear in his writings whether or not he believes the deity of Christ. 

 Christian Science

Founded by Mary Baker Eddy, this group denies the deity of Christ, asserting that Jesus is the son of God,  not God. Christian Science teaches that Jesus is the human man and "Christ'' the divine idea that heals. 

 Confucianism

Confucianism named for Confucius, is a Chinese philosophy and political system more than a religion (although it promotes worship of mountains, rivers,  ancestors, etc.). In its system ''heaven'' is the highest spiritual reality and is used in place of the name "God.' ' Confucianism is humanistic in its concerns, stressing love, peace, and gentleness in all levels of society. It tends to pay little attention to the supernatural, and rejects the Judeo-Christian concept of a personal God. 

 Divine Light Mission

This movement, founded by Guru Maharaj Ji, is Hindu in origin. It teaches that God has revealed his knowledge through several divine Masters in the past (Jesus, Krishna, etc.). Maharaj Ji is seen as the new Master to lead men and women today to a knowledge of the truth. 

 Eckankar

Eckankar, allegedly the science of soul-travel, was founded by Paul Twitchell, a "prophet, healer, soul-traveler.'' It is a blend of Western Christianity and Eastern religions. Like the Bahai faith, it gives each of the main religions credence in helping one know God. Eckankar speaks of a Holy Spirit through whom we come to know "Divine Reality" and enter into a "God-realized"  state. Jesus is treated as a man who had a "Christ-consciousness." As in Hinduism,  Sugmad, the "Supreme Being, ' ' is thought to have incarnated himself in many masters or gurus (such as Jesus). 

 EST (Erhard Seminars Training) 

EST was started by John Paul Rosenberg, who now goes by the name of Werner Erhard. Its high-priced seminars are programmed to change one's thinking about reality. EST is a philosophy of no absolutes. Whatever ''IS'' (est) is right (whether good,  bad, evil, etc.); there is no such thing as wrong (except perhaps in your mind). Each person is his or her own god. 

 Hare Krishna (ISKCON – International Society for Krishna Consciousness) 

The Hare Krishna movement is rooted in Hinduism

Its Bible, the Bhagavad-Gita, is supposedly the summation of India's Vedic Literature (sacred writings).  Krishna is the "Supreme Personality of Godhead,  the one full of knowledge, and cause of all causes.  As in Hinduism ISKCON believes in many gods.  Brahma, the impersonal world soul (the closest equivalent to "God''), has manifested himself in millions of gods, the highest being Krishna. Krishna is called "Lord ' and receives prayer. He has supposedly appeared as a man at various times (Buddha was supposedly one of his incarnations). The Christian concepts of God and Christ are rejected. 

 Hinduism

Hinduism grew out of India's nomadic oral tradition and sacred writings (called Vedas). It has no single founder. Brahma is seen as the all-encompassing world soul behind the universe, impersonal, but manifested in millions of gods, many of which are in nature. Hinduism is pantheistic, seeing all things (trees, etc.) as part of Brahma. Jesus is seen as a special manifestation of Brahma, just slightly more so than any other person. All people are considered spirits (atman) that somehow got separated from Brahma. The main goal of life, according to Hinduism is to be absorbed back into Brahma. 

 I-Ching

I-Ching (the I is pronounced E) means Book of Changes. It is a very complex method of seeking spiritual guidance through the use of the I-Ching book. It is Chinese in origin and existed prior to the

time of Christ. It had a major influence on Confucianism and Taoism and is once again becoming popular with many Eastern religions and sects, as well as among young people with no particular religious ties. 

 Islam

Islam is a religion believing in one God, Allah. Its adherents are called Muslims. Jesus is viewed as a prophet, along with Adam Noah, Abraham Moses,  etc. Most of the New Testament accounts of the life of Jesus are rejected by Muslims as false and historically inaccurate (eg, they believe that Judas died on the cross, not Jesus) Muhammad, the founder of Islam is considered Allah's chief prophet. 

 Jainism

Jainism founded by Mahavira, is an Eastern religion that grew out of Hinduism It does not believe in a supreme being. Mahavira is considered a savior by Jainists, who adhere to an ascetic, nonviolent lifestyle, trying to rid themselves of negative karma (bad deeds that stick to the soul). Jainists try to deny themselves of all pleasure and anything that would bind their allegiance to this world. 

 Jehovah's Witnesses

The Jehovah's Witnesses movement, founded by Charles Taze Russell, teaches that Christ was a preexistent "god "  who was created by God – through whom God then created the world. That is, Christ is considered to have been a sinless spirit being (a god), who was made flesh. The Jehovah's Witnesses' view of the deity of Christ comes close to that of Arius, who denied the deity of Christ at the Council of Nicea. Nor is the Holy Spirit considered God – only Jehovah. 

Judaism

Judaism has taken many turns through the centuries.  One can be a Jew either by nationality or by religion.  For example, one can be an atheist or an agnostic and still be a Jew by birth. Or one can be born a Gentile, convert to Judaism religiously and thus, in one sense of the word, be Jewish. The early Christian church was entirely Jewish. Judaism and Christianity were not and need not be mutually exclusive. There are many messianic Jews (or Hebrew Christians)  who are followers of Christ, who see Him as their Messiah and Lord. By and large, however, Jews through the centuries have rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Many still believe in the God of Abraham,  although only a relatively small percentage accept all of the Old Testament as literally true. Some Jews say that Jesus was well intentioned or a good teacher. Many, however, see Him as either deluded or a fraud. 

Mormonism

The Mormon church was founded by Joseph Smith.  Shortly after his death there was a split over who was to be his successor. The main body of followers,  who became known as Mormons, acknowledged Brigham Young as their new leader. Mormons believe in many "Gods. " They teach that a council of the Gods met, and that one of them Adam (as in Genesis chapter two), became a man and is the "God of this planet. He is the one Jesus referred to as "God the Father (see Journal of Discourses, Vol.  I, pp. 50, 51). Mormons believe that all people exist first in a pre-mortal state, and that in order to become Gods we must first take upon ourselves bodies of flesh and bone. They teach that Jesus as a pre-mortal man was the brother of Lucifer, and that Jesus had several wives. Elohim and Jehovah (two Old Testament names for God) are seen as two separate Gods. 

New Age Movement

The New Age Movement is a loose term for many religious, political, and social organizations, along with many people who consider themselves "New Age' ' but have no allegiance to any group. Many,  if not most, within the movement are probably unaware of any one underlying philosophy.  However, an organized segment of the New Age Movement ran full-page ads in major newspapers and magazines around the world in April, 1082,  announcing that the Christ was on earth and soon to be revealed. That segment believes that the World Soul (Buddhist concept) has incarnated himself four times in the history of the world and that incarnation number five (Lord Maitreya) is on earth waiting for the proper time to reveal himself. 

Radio Church of God

This church, founded by Herbert W Armstrong, has been carried on by his son, Garner Ted Armstrong.  The Armstrongs believe in the deity of Christ, but not in the orthodox sense of the word. For them the whole "family" of believers will eventually comprise the very being of God ("We shall then be God! ").  They do not believe in the Trinity. 

Reorganized Church of Later Day Saints

This church and the Mormons both have Joseph Smith as their founder, and both churches adhere to the Book of Mormon (Mormons accept several other books as well). After Joseph Smith's death, the church split, with the Mormon branch following Brigham Young and the Reorganized Church of LDS following Joseph Smith's son. The latter is much more orthodox in its views. They believe in the deity of Christ and Trinity, even though there is evidence that Joseph Smith did not. (Two months prior to his assassination, Joseph Smith said in a speech that the Father had been a man just as Jesus had been a man – a view consistent with present-day Mormonism) . 

Scientology (Church of Scientology) 

Scientology, self-designated as the "science of knowing how to know ' or ''applied religious philosophy, ' ' is rooted in the world of science fiction rather than in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It does not discuss doctrines like the Trinity and the deity of Christ. Its founder, fantasy writer L. Ron Hubbard,  published a book called Dianetics: the Modern Science (1950) introducing his theories and therapeutic techniques. Scientology, which now sells its services, has an unusual, specialized vocabulary for its concepts and procedures. 

 Shintoism

Shintoism is a Japanese religion that believes in many gods. It is politically tied to the Japanese way of life and is very accommodating to Buddhist beliefs (i.e., Buddhist priests often perform ceremonial rites for Shintos). Shintoism has no one set of religious beliefs, but is divided into many sects. 

 Sikhism

Sikhism founded by Nanak in the late 1400s, is a branch of Hinduism God is considered formless,  sovereign, unknowable, and absolute. Unlike Hinduism, the religion is basically monotheistic, and does not have all the ritualism that Hinduism has.  Like Hinduism however, the final goal in life is to be absorbed into God. 

 Spiritism

Spiritism is a broad classification that encompasses many spiritual practices and beliefs (seances,  soothsayers, mediums, magic, sorcery, palm readers, astrologers, horoscopes, etc.). Such practices and beliefs have been around for thousands of years. Depending on the person involved in spiritism most (although not all) reject the deity of Christ. Of special importance is the Bible's teaching that such people are opening themselves up to demonic spirits by seeking spiritual guidance from someone or something other than God – practices condemned in Scripture. 

 Theosophy

Theosophy, a movement started by Helena Blavatsky, teaches that the underlying cause of all religions is the same; an impersonal God or Divine Principle.  The ultimate end of all religions, whichever one chooses, is to be absorbed into God. For Blavatsky,  Christ was the Divine Principle, Jesus the man. 

 Transcendental Meditation (TM) 

TM was founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and thus its origins are Hindu. Superficially, TM seems to be more of a philosophy than a religion, with emphasis on inner peace, relaxation, meditation, and psychological wholeness. The religious teachings and ceremonies of TM, however, are strongly Hindu-with Western applications. Christ is viewed as a good moral teacher. 

Unification Church

The Unification Church (or the Moonies, as the group is called) was founded by Sun Myung Moon of Korea. Jesus is said to be the son of God, not God.  Unification teaches that Jesus brought spiritual redemption to earth but died prematurely. Sun Myung Moon is seen as the new Messiah to bring physical redemption to earth and finish what Jesus failed to complete. The Holy Spirit is seen as the feminine counterpart to God the Father. 

Unitarianism

Unitarianism while considered a religion, puts humanity and humanitarian concerns, not God, at the center. The church has no formulated creed concerning God, Jesus, salvation, the Bible, or any other theological doctrines. It stresses total freedom of religious belief. God is generally thought to be impersonal. 

Unity

The Unity School of Christianity, started by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fillmore, is close to Christian Science.  God, considered impersonal, is "Life' ' or the "Divine Principle."  Sin is defined as negative thinking, Jesus is man, and Christ the divine idea. The Bible is treated allegorically. By means of Unity's Metaphysical Dictionary, the Bible can be interpreted to gain truth and proper thinking. 

The Way International

The Way International, founded by Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille, teaches that Jesus was a sinless man, the Messiah, our redeemer, the Son of God, but not God.  Adherents deny the pre-existence and eternalness of Christ; Jesus's existence began at conception in the womb of Mary. Unlike most other groups that deny the Trinity and deity of Christ, Way members claim to hold a literal interpretation of the Bible. (As such, they should be very open to examining its contents.) 'The Way teaches that God is holy and God is Spirit, but when Scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit (spelled holy spirit), it is referring to a spiritual gift that God gives. 

Zen Buddhism

Zen Buddhism is the name given to a segment of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation to discover one's Buddha-nature and reality. Zen is a blend of

Buddhism and Taoism.

As in Buddhism deity is identified with nature. God is an unconscious, impersonal essence found in all things; members thus have a keen awareness of art and other aesthetic expressions. Jesus is looked on as a good moral teacher. 

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism grew out of the same Vedic traditions and sacred writings as did Hinduism. Zoroaster, the founder, emphasized worship of only one god,  Ahura Mazda ( Wise Lord )., his outlook was thus basically monotheistic. Zoroastrianism believes in a holy spirit and an evil spirit, a duality vying for human souls.