CHURCH AND STATE
By Reverend Booker Barskile, III
(December 2002)
It is commonly argued by scholars, both Christian and non-Christian alike, that the Bible is a difficult book to understand. So, it is no wonder that many of God’s people have accepted this misinformation as truth. This of course is another lie perpetrated by the "spirit of err" to discourage seekers of the Truth from studying the Bible. Why would God be so vague? Would not complex Scripture definitely defeat his purpose? He gave his Word, so that those who searched for the truth would have all the perfect knowledge necessary to live a righteous life. If the written word of God appears to be difficult to understand it is due to our own rebellious spirit. That’s why Jesus often said, "For those who have ears let them hear."
The true seeker of God's wisdom, or absolute biblical interpretation, must meet the prerequisite to hear; and, that is surrender to God. For those who have surrendered, Scripture will always be discernible and obvious. But, for those who are materialistically motivated, self-righteous, and or ego driven, the Word will always be hidden. Jesus told his disciples, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables...." So, only through surrender will God’s word be revealed.
Although, it is not my intent to argue Afro-Asiatic interpretation of Scripture vs. that of Western scholars, I must at least touch upon it. It should not come as a surprise that there are some differences between the Christianity of the West and that of the East. We must understand that Jesus was born in the East, trained in the East, and spoke Aramaic, a language of the East. So, the true teachings of Christ must be understood in the language and culture in which they were inspired, written, and taught. Jesus’ teachings cannot be properly interpreted by western minds, unless the translators and interpreters acquire an understanding of the customs and linguistic idioms of ancient Palestine.
Much of the biblical interpretation and commentary given in the traditional church is a product of westernized thought, or occidental theology. Therefore, much of the teaching is misrepresented because it is misunderstood. That is why it is necessary for the true seeker to submit to the Holy Spirit; He is the Teacher who will lead the sincere student to all understanding. They will then be able to detect the false gospel that is inconspicuously scattered throughout the church. Then they will be able to see the disparity between the teachings generated by the "spirit of err," and those taught by Jesus. Only then will they experience a more glorified and powerful Christianity.
Those who have what I call "preacher religion" need to understand that preachers are not perfect. Although, I do believe we are infallible under the anointing of the Holy Spirit; however, we are not always operating in that moment. Far too often we have a tendency to rely upon our questionable scholarship, which unfortunately many believe to be flawless. Contrarily, God has already told us that he will hide spiritual truths from those who rest on their worldly wisdom, and reveal it to babes. Therefore, dynamic clergy who are erudite scholars, but who are bereft of God’s spiritual truths can stunt the local church in her spiritual growth. Many of these intellectuals are the reason that powerful truths are omitted in the church, while theories that Jesus never taught are added.
One of the most notable misinterpretations of westernized Christianity is the belief that church and state should remain separate. Is that what Jesus meant in Matthew 22:20-21? I don’t think so. The Pharisees sought to trap Jesus with a political question, in hopes that he would commit treason against Rome and be put to death. They asked him if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar. He asked them whose portrait and inscription was on the coin that they intended to use to pay the tribute. When they replied Caesar's, he simply said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Separation of church and state is a concept that originated in the West, not the East. In no way does this Scripture support such a concept.
The Pharisees thought Jesus would fall into their trap because the notion of religious values being different from those of the state was not thinkable in Eastern culture. Jesus taught that serving two masters could never work. He taught that you would either hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. So, if spiritual principles and values were different from those of the state than that would mean serving two masters. This teaching is similar to the one given by Jesus to Nicodemus. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
This separation of church and state is simply camouflage for the state to exist outside of the laws of God. That is why racism, sexism, imperialism, and every other kind of "ism" is alive and well in America. Homosexuality leads to same sex marriages; fornication leads to aborting unborn babies. Murder, rape, gambling, and greed are all out of control in our nation. Unfortunately, these detriments have even slipped into the church. Our systems of government — political, judicial and economical — can never survive, because they are operating outside of spiritual law.
Separating the church from the state is Satan’s presentation, not God’s recommendation. It has nothing to do with the teachings of Christ. In fact it takes away from God's authority and gives it to man. Jesus never intended for the state to operate independently of the church. His teachings were never limited to only a part of society, they were holistic and meant for the whole of humanity. Caesar represents material life. Jesus represents spiritual life. Caesar represents man. Jesus represents God. Caesar represents death. Jesus represents life.
Let me try to make this plain. God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; man became a living soul. God is a Spirit Being; everything about him is Spirit, even his breath. So, God breathed his life force, or spirit, into the form that he had molded — the body. Now, it is important to know that man is tridimensional; he is body, soul, and spirit. When the life force or spirit leaves the body that God formed, we say that the person is dead. When the spirit left, the body was rendered inactive. The person, or spiritual entity, was never the body to begin with, it was only the shell which housed the spiritual entity.
So, what is the difference between a live body and a dead one? A dead body is simply absent of life, or spirit, and a live body isn’t. You are not your body! You are a spiritual entity living in a body. At the time of death your body goes back to the earth, and your spirit soul will go back to God for judgment. You will have, in the truest sense of the Word, rendered unto Caesar what is his — your body, and unto God what is his — your spirit. Listen, we will take nothing material with us when we leave this earth realm. That which is flesh, is flesh, and that which is Spirit, is spirit.
THE WORD
By Reverend Booker Barskile III
(9/30/03)
It is interesting to know that the five major religions of the world all originated in the East. So, it is not surprising that here in the West there is much debate concerning the majority of them. The most controversial of the five are Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. We are taught that these religions are simply philosophical paradigms based on the teachings of Mohammed, Krishna, and Buddha. Many in the West do not accept these men as enlightened souls, or Mahatmas. In fact, some have suggested that their teachings are simply the musings of egotistical and self-righteous souls who sought to exalt themselves to the level of God. However, Christianity and Judaism, the other two eastern religions, are duly recognized as operating under the authority of God.
Hear me! In no way am I trying to make a case for any of these religious movements, save Christianity. But, I do believe that there are Children of God spread among them. Our adversary, the devil, is the master of deception; and, he seeks to lead God’s people astray with lies and misinformation. His desire is to convince us that false knowledge is wisdom. That’s the illusion he seeks to create. The Bible tells us Lucifer can "appear as an angel of light, and would fool the elect of God, if it were possible." In a world of illusion it is difficult to see things as they really are, but the Children of God ought not to be deceived. So, I wonder, are we to believe that our Brethren only reside in the Western world and Israel? Are not there people in Asia and Africa who also love God and their neighbors, in spite of their religious classification?
Satan’s illusionary tactics are dangerous, because he uses them to divide in order to conquer. He is always looking to separate the people of God, because he knows, like we should know, that a house divided cannot stand. We all claim to teach the message of faith, love, compassion, forgiveness, and discipline. Each movement vows to preach morality, peace, and spiritual bliss, which is the essence of Jesus’ Gospel. All of us in Christendom say that we are teaching the same Gospel that Jesus taught, but really we’re not, because we add our own theology, denominational doctrines and church traditions. Instead of unifying the people of God with one Gospel we are busy creating division. We preach fervently that the only way to heaven is through Jesus, the Christ. However, that statement has been twisted ever so slightly to imply that Christianity is the only authorized way to God.
We say that those who do not accept Jesus, as God’s Son, are doomed to hell. Now that means there will be no Hindus, Buddhist, Moslems, or Jews in heaven. By the way, why do we reject the first three religions because they only accept Jesus as a holy prophet of God, but receive the Jews who believe the same thing? Obviously, our reasoning is flawed. And, whenever there is confusion in our thinking you can rest assured that the "spirit of err" is involved in some way. We must understand that Satan is very adept in twisting the word of God. Although, we quote John 14:6 as saying, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by Jesus," the actual Scripture states: "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." In order to create division, Satan wants you to replace the "me" with "Jesus."
Yes, Jesus is the historical name for the "me." We know the "me" in connection with his earthly ministry as Jesus, and although that name is powerful, majestic, and sovereign, it is only the label for the "me." However, the internal potency of the "me" is the Word, or God, or the Word of God. John explains this to us in the first chapter of his Gospel. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." He goes on to tell us, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...." Actually, Jesus has always been the Word since the beginning. Therefore, John 14:6 is also correctly translated, "No man cometh to the Father, but by the Word." That is who the "me" represents — the Word, or word of God. This illumination should in some way reform our thinking toward those who are outside of Christianity, but who obey the Word of God.
Many have missed this understanding in Scripture, because they haven’t yet seen the big picture painted by Jesus. They haven’t understood the extensiveness of his teachings. Much like the Jews of Jesus’ time, Christians prefer to live by doctrines, traditions, and isolated Scriptures, which are too often misunderstood. We must understand that the Word, or Jesus, came into the earth realm for several reasons, not just to die on Calvary. He came that we might worship God in spirit and in truth where we are. He also came "to set the captives free." But, we must be careful that the "spirit of err" does not re-imprison us with flawed thinking.
The biblical story of the Good Samaritan may help to shed more light on this subject. The question was asked of Jesus by a devout Jew, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus simply asked him, "What is written in the Scripture?" His response was, "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all the soul, and with all thy strength and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Jesus told him that he had answered correctly, and to go and obey God’s word. But, the man questioned him as to who was his neighbor, and of course Jesus goes on to tell the story of how the so-called righteous ones did not obey God’s word, but the Samaritan outcast showed love and compassion for his neighbor. He obeyed God’s word.
Jesus accused the religious leaders of being hypocritical, and of laying aside the commandments of God to achieve their own agendas. He said they were like sepulchers, pristine on the outside, but full of dead men’s bones on the inside. He mocked their disobedience, faithlessness, and self-righteousness by giving them examples of others outside of the House of Israel, who, perhaps only by natural revelation, or because it was written on their hearts, were obeying the Word. He told them stories about a Roman centurion, a Syrophenician mother, and several Samaritans. He was constantly teaching them that it was not by membership of a particular religious sect that you enter the kingdom of God, but by faith and obedience to the Word.
God’s agenda includes everyone. When Jesus taught the parable of the Vineyard, Luke 20:8-16, He stated that those in the vineyard would be destroyed (meaning the House of Israel), and it shall be given to others — the "whosoever wills." That is whosoever will believe in the Word, regardless of how one comes to know him. It could be through natural revelation, Scripture, or revelation knowledge. Don’t get hung up on how one receives the Word, as long as they submit to the Word. Jesus purposely used those who were outside of the chosen religious movement of his day to demonstrate his teaching. He wanted them to know that it would not necessarily be the Jews, or in our time the Christians, who would automatically enter the kingdom. It would be those who demonstrated love for God and their neighbor.
Solomon suggests that the duty of a man is to love and obey God. That is pure religion. Our way of worship, our denominational dogma, our church tradition is important to us culturally, but it is not the criteria for entering the kingdom. Jesus is our example, but remember he worshiped as a Jew. Just love God. Love your neighbor. Obey the Word of God; there is no other way.