What a presumptuous title! But the book, Advanced Christianity, delivers. The
author’s preface
states that Matthew 7:2 is referred to often throughout the book and that there is even a
chapter with Matthew 7:2 as its title. Matthew 7:2 says that God will do to you what you do to others. The ramifications of that statement are explored throughout this book. A brief synopsis of some of their intriguing titles follows:
How Satan Chides us to Make Choices That Lead Us Away from God. The author states that Satan often tempts us to do something that goes against God’s commandment to love—then pulls the memory rug out from under us, leaving us with only the pain of the choice (and not the choice itself) in our memory. Then we cry out to God, saying, “Why did this happen to me?” There are times when the world hands us things we didn’t bring on ourselves and then it is imperative we respond AS IF Matthew 7:2 is true, forgiving the injustice, and causing a new and glorious harvest for our
lives.
The Burning of the Dross. The author states that it is painful when the Holy Spirit sets up conditions where our hearts are being purified. Without these events in our lives where it feels as if a fire is consuming our very souls, we would wander, helplessly through this world, completely unaware we harbor deep resentments and misinterpretations in our hearts that God wants to correct.
The Holy Spirit and Correction. The author gives numerous examples (from his life and the lives of others) indicating that God is quite capable of correcting any situation that may be uncomfortable for us.
Repetitive and Obsessive Judgment: Nagging. This chapter builds a case against us telling people, over and over again, to behave in a certain way or follow our instructions. If it looks like it, and it acts like it, and the fruit of it is painful, then it is judgment and the Lord said, “Judge not lest you be judged.” This chapter builds quite a case against this irritating form of judging known as nagging.
Witnessing the Truth. We choose what we want to believe and can back our beliefs up with numerous witnesses, all pointing to the truth of what we have chosen we want to believe in. However, the author points out, we have carefully chosen our witnesses. They must hold our point of view or we will not acknowledge their existence, let alone rely upon them for the truth.
Is Jesus Christ, in Us, a Wimp? There are many people who would choose to go to battle for the Lord, riding their white steed, brandishing their swords, slashing right and left, defeating the enemy. But, did Jesus really ask us to do this? Is Jesus incapable of fighting the battles for us? Why did He tell us to “resist not evil”? Why does he ask us to allow Him to relieve our heavy burdens? This chapter eloquently answers these questions.
Effective Prayer is the longest chapter with four parts that explore what the Scriptures say about our daily (and sometimes hourly) communication with God. How best should we approach Him? The author’s own experiences of successful prayer are explored, in addition scriptural references suggesting unique approaches to our Almighty God are looked at.
There are poetic elements and wonderful turns of a phrase that makes even the reading of this book, almost like saying a prayer. Advanced Christianity by Vic Zarley is an eBook that is available as a free download at the following site: http://www.joyfulChristianliving.com/jesus.htm.
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