Wow! The Zanders have really tapped into elements of the true Gospel. From some of their comments, it doesn’t seem they credit Christ for their philosophies. However, spending some time in the scriptures will reveal that Christ's Kingdom is The Universe of Possibility.
The basis of their ideas are actually from the spiritual or - what some may call the religious history they practically discredit. They should know they are presenting copyrighted material and failing to credit the Author. Whenever I have to read books like this, I am intrigued that mere men have the audacity to tell others that they need to change the way they think and let go of their beliefs. These mere men credit their own experience and intellect as the source of their great philosophies. Men have great mental capacity because God blessed man in the Garden of Eden. Even after Adam's fall, God had to honor his promise to bless and prosper Adam. Why? Because God is incapable of lying, and He is incapable of "going back" on His word.
Man's God-given ability to do great works is evident in the scriptures. The Tower of Babel is an example. In Genesis 11, verse one reads "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." Verse 4 continues, "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven." Man endeavored to build a tower that would reach heaven. It could have been done, so God confounded the language, thus the project became known as the Tower of Babel. After that point, man spoke in different languages. Man's power united was so powerful. That power came from God blessing Adam. The reasons for this restraint are another topic. The issue here is that man's capacity to achieve great things and to realize new possibilities is from God, not these authors who even credit the art and music which also originated from God as equal to things spiritual and "religious."
The basis of their ideas are actually from the spiritual or - what some may call the religious history they practically discredit. They should know they are presenting copyrighted material and failing to credit the Author. Whenever I have to read books like this, I am intrigued that mere men have the audacity to tell others that they need to change the way they think and let go of their beliefs. These mere men credit their own experience and intellect as the source of their great philosophies. Men have great mental capacity because God blessed man in the Garden of Eden. Even after Adam's fall, God had to honor his promise to bless and prosper Adam. Why? Because God is incapable of lying, and He is incapable of "going back" on His word.
Man's God-given ability to do great works is evident in the scriptures. The Tower of Babel is an example. In Genesis 11, verse one reads "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech." Verse 4 continues, "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven." Man endeavored to build a tower that would reach heaven. It could have been done, so God confounded the language, thus the project became known as the Tower of Babel. After that point, man spoke in different languages. Man's power united was so powerful. That power came from God blessing Adam. The reasons for this restraint are another topic. The issue here is that man's capacity to achieve great things and to realize new possibilities is from God, not these authors who even credit the art and music which also originated from God as equal to things spiritual and "religious."
The Zanders are correct, it is all invented. The writers’ comments are interesting. “Markets in free societies are rapidly replacing governments and religious institutions as regulators of the highest authority…” (p. 3)
I’m not interested in that game. In fact, reading this book heavily reminds me of resources I had to read in my first masters degree program. I was accused of being close-minded because I disagreed with the new age philosophies that were presented in the course. I was practically criminalized because I wasn’t looking for a new reality. I already have a new reality. His Name is Jesus Christ. A real understanding of the scriptures provides for a life of creativity –from God the Father, the author of creativity and invention - and limitless possibilities.
In the Book of Genesis when God created man, He created man for relationship. That relationship was destroyed when man fell by partaking of the fruit that God told them not to eat. One perspective may think that God’s command NOT to eat from the tree was symbolic of limits. Not so! Adam and Eve enjoyed total access to paradise. In reality, the fruit represented much of what the Zanders are trying to instruct people away from: limits, passionless attitudes of scarcity and complacency. The fruit was and represented knowledge of all the bad stuff that has since held man back.
After the fall, man was separated from God, and God’s plan to reconcile with man was in full effect. The plan was masterfully carried out through the ages. Judaism, one of the religions that have structured our society, was born. In fact, I would ask the Zanders, what seems to be the problem with governments and religions contributing to the shape of human thought? Are not the foundationsand pillars of a society the structure and infrastructure of its modern existence? Could we have arrived where we are without our origins? Man’s limited mindset is not from the structure, it is from the garden – when he partook of the fruit that represented limitations and scarcities.
Through ancient Judaism, Christ was born. In the Bible, II Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17 is about the new creation in Christ, that is the new being that Christ receivers become from receiving Christ. This is the great mystery. Many an intellect and doubter in general have joked the new birth and people who profess to be born again. People mock what they don’t understand. The new being that Christ receivers become is explained in the Bible. It’s called the Pauline Revelation. Upon reading it, one will see that the Zanders beliefs are not new. They have actually been inexistence for thousands of years. Bible loving and understanding Christ receivers know that the true nature of Christ is not confined to the dictates of religious practice. It is a life of limitless possibilities and abundance, not from inconsistent and unpredictable world markets but from the Creator of all things, the One who designed the Garden of Eden – which by the way had it’s own unique sprinkling system.
My mindset is not of scarcity. It is of possibility and abundance and all things positive and good because that is the true nature of God. I have received that nature through Christ. My faith has proven itself through the ages and stages of my life. So, I will continue believing and receiving new life and new thinking, not from modern self help authors but from the Author of the Universe who inspired Paul to write “let God transform you by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2 New Living Translation).
So, yes, I agree with the Zanders. There is a new way that we need to think, but it is not based upon their limited and finite experiences and resources. It is based upon man knowing that God has given us Christ as the vehicle back to Him and the abundance of creative ability, thought, provision, and health in the Garden of Eden. We are supposed to experience Heaven on Earth, but it's not through man’swisdom and his philosophies. It is through a new and complete understanding of God’s true intent for man.
Some may say, Katina, what's the big deal? Well, the big deal is the motivating factor behind any such teaching that seeks to claim God's creative and inventive nature - without siting the Source: it is the spirit of the Antichrist that the scriptures warn us about. I never knowingly agree with anything that so confidently speaks of purpose and possibilities while failing to acknowledge the Intelligent Design of Father God. It would be comparable to looking my precious and loving parents in the face and saying, "You get absolutely no credit for my existence on the Earth."
I know all things are possible for me because I believe in the Jesus in me...who is the same Jesus who is in Heaven - currently seated and praying for me at my Father God's right hand. He is praying that my faith doesn't fail. Consistently at my weakest, most vulnerable moments when everything seemed impossible and during times of great triumph God's power has been with me - making all things possible.
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