Another Jesus

Is the Jesus of the Bible the same as the Eucharist Jesus of Catholicism? Or is this a different Jesus?Many Christians think that the Christian tradition of communion is the same as the Catholic tradition of the Eucharist. But this is not so. The Eucharist (i.e., Transubstantiation), is a Catholic term for communion when the bread and the wine actually become the very body and blood of Jesus Christ, thus when taken the partaker supposedly experiences the presence of God. These transformed elements are placed in what is called a monstrance and can then be worshipped as if worshipping God Himself. The implications are tied in with salvation. With the Eucharist, salvation becomes sacramental (participation in a ritual) as opposed to justification by faith in Christ alone. While this mystical experience called the Eucharist cannot be upheld through Scripture, there appears to be an increase of interest by evangelical Christians towards this practice.Author Bio: Roger Oakland is an author-lecturer and founder of Understand The Times International. His easy to understand teaching style communicates to people of all ages and backgrounds. Over the past twenty years he has lectured at numerous churches, conferences, universities and educational facilities in over 100 countries.Roger Oakland has authored and co-authored numerous books and produced audiotapes, videos and other publications that have been translated into several different languages worldwide. For more information regarding Roger's availability or the ministry of Understand The Times International, call 714-957-3898 or write to P.O. Box 27239, Santa Ana, CA, 92799.

Drawing on both Christian and Latter-day Saint documents, Robert Millet clearly explains the many beliefs that Mormons hold in common with traditional Christians and also highlights differences where they exist.

"Inspired by the New Age book God Calling, Sarah Young claims to be receiving messages from Jesus Christ which she compiled into what is now her best-selling book, Jesus Calling. Author Warren Smith carefully documents his concerns about her book, her "Jesus," and the New Age implications contained in many of Young's devotional messages. He also warns about the danger of contemplative prayer and in elevating spiritual experiences over the Word of God."

Ruth A. Tucker's book is a comprehensive survey of all the major alternative religions in the United States, including the new groups since the 1960s.

Its the Christmas seasonthe most wonderful time of the year for most people in River City, California. But for Jehovahs Witnesses Lawrence and Brad, its a time for them to try to explain the truth about this holiday season to the people of the community. Their earnest efforts may earn them ridicule, disagreement, or a door slammed rudely in their faces, but they persistand are sometimes able to find a mind and heart receptive to their urgent message about Jehovahs coming Kingdom. Whereas for Elders Skousen and Marshalltwo Latter-day Saint (Mormon) missionariesthe season is another opportunity to share their Churchs distinctive interpretation of the Christian gospel; but their efforts are often rebuffed, as well. In the course of their work, these two pairs of men engage in dialogue with traditional Christians, as well as members of the Church of Christ; the Community of Christ (RLDS); Seventh-day Adventists; and Oneness Pentecostalsnot to mention skeptics, atheists, and the increasing numbers of people who lack any particular religious beliefs. But when a local church brings in a researcher to give a series of lectures on Cultsand specifically targeting the Jehovahs Witnesses and Mormonsa confrontation is ensured, where theological and biblical concepts collide in a public forum. Who, if anyone, really has the Truth? Can one still discover the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of passionate disagreements over the validity of the holiday season? Are objections raised about the secularization and rampant commercialism of the modern celebration valid? Spend a holiday season (or any other season) with some interesting and intellectually-stimulating characters, as they explore these and other challenging questions. (Readers of the authors earlier novel, A Multicultural Christmas, will be pleased to see a brief reappearance of two characters from that book.)

In the fear of God, and in all solemnity, I must tell you that if you are a conservative Seventh-day Adventist male there is a very real possibility that you have accepted "Another Jesus." I must also tell you, the stakes are far too high not to find out. In the same fear of God and the same solemnity, I say to every conservative Seventh-day Adventist female that although the likelihood that you have accepted this same false Christ is definitely less, the possibility is still there. And even if you have not, the men that you love so much--your husband, your father, your sons--may have. I realize that what I have just said may be pretty disturbing, but I believe with all my heart that it is true, and that the seriousness of the situation calls for solemn words and solemn pleas. I am convinced that multitudes of sincere, Spirit-of-Prophecy-loving Seventh-day Adventists have accepted an understanding of Christ and of righteousness that will cause them to lose out on eternity. Please, try to realize how real is Christ's warning: "If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

According to recent surveys, many Americans associate the label "Christian" with judgmental attitudes, hypocrisy, a fear of hell, and a commitment to right-wing politics. Author Greg Garrett suggests another way, arguing that a faith that focuses solely on personal morality and the afterlife misses much of the point of Jesus' message. This other way of following Christ is not concerned with an array of commandments or with holding the "right" beliefs. Rather it is centered on loving each other and loving God, what Garrett calls "love where the rubber meets the road, where faith meets the world." Personal and moving, the book relates Garrett's experiences growing up in--and leaving--a disapproving conservative church and then finding his way back into a different kind of Christian community, one that is communal, missional, just, and loving. Garrett draws on popular culture to illustrate his spiritual points, showing how authentic Christian truth can be found in unlikely places.

An enlightening follow-up to the bestselling book The Case for Christ, In Defense of Jesus follows award-winning journalist Lee Strobel as he explores the most explosive arguments against the identity of Christ as the Messiah. Has modern scholarship debunked the traditional Christ? Has the church suppressed the truth about Jesus to advance its own agenda? What if the real Jesus is far different from the atoning Savior worshiped through the centuries? In Defense of Jesus explores such hot-button questions as: Did the church suppress ancient non-biblical documents that paint a more accurate picture of Jesus than the four Gospels? Did the church distort the truth about Jesus by tampering with early New Testament texts? Do new insights and explanations disprove the resurrection? Have fresh arguments disqualified Jesus from being the Messiah? Did Christianity steal its core ideas from earlier mythology? Evaluate the arguments and evidence being advanced by prominent atheists, liberal theologians, Muslim scholars, and others. Sift through expert testimony. Then reach your own verdict with In Defense of Jesus. This title is also available in Spanish, En defense de Jesús.

Bill Baldwin has been a Christian worker with Greater Europe Mission in Greece since 1966. He is a graduate of the University of Houston and received a Th.M. degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, majoring in New Testament, in 1965. During his many years in Greece Bill has been involved in the founding of Greece's only Bible College, where he served as director for over 20 years. He also helped start a church in Athens' northern suburbs where he served as head elder until late 2011. He teaches and preaches in Modern Greek. In this book Bill used primarily Greek sources which he, or others, had translated into English. The call by some in N. America to "return to historic Christianity" led Bill to write this book in order to help people understand the real teachings of the Orthodox Church.

The second edition of this classic has been revised and its language made more gender-inclusive.