Christianity: The Basics

Christianity

The Basics

Elgin L. Hushbeck, Jr.

Topical Line Drives

Volume 27

Energion Publications

Gonzalez, Florida

2017

Copyright © 1993, 2005, 2017, Elgin L. Hushbeck, Jr.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society, Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Scriptures marked NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

iBooks: 978-1-63199-449-4

Kindle: 978-1-63199-450-0

Google Play: 978-1-63199-451-7

Adobe Digital Editions: 978-1-63199-452-4

Print:

ISBN10: 1-63199-448-4

ISBN13: 978-1-63199-448-7

Energion Publications

P. O. Box 841

Gonzalez, FL 32560

[email protected]

energion.com

Acknowledgments

While this is a short book, it is based on my study and discussions spanning several decades. As a result, numerous people have influenced and shaped my views, starting long before I became a Christian. I want to thank all of them, those who supported me, and those who did not. Everyone played a role in shaping the views I express in this book. And of course, I must thank my friend and editor Henry Neufeld for his efforts and support.

Introduction

Look to the essence of a thing, whether it be a point of doctrine, of practice, or of interpretation.

(Marcus Aurelius Antoninus A.D. 121-180)¹

For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine.

(2 Timothy 4:3)

THE DECADE OF the 1970s brought a great explosion of interest in the inner self. Spiritual awareness and enlightenment were diligently sought after. Many looked to eastern religions such as Zen and Taoism. Others looked to gurus. Some joined communes. Christianity saw a revival with the Jesus People and the Born-Again movement. With all this diversity, many people felt that it really didn’t matter which movement you followed as long as you were sincere. Everyone had to seek their own path, and all paths led to God.

One of these religious movements flourished in San Francisco under the guidance of a charismatic leader named Jim. Jim preached all the right things: concern for the sick and underprivileged, help for the poor, and support for minorities. Local politicians liked him because he could be counted on to bring large crowds to rallies. There was even some talk that he had done a few miracles.

In the midst of all the popularity, a few did voice concern. Jim may have started as a Christian minister back in Indiana, but somewhere along the way he moved away from the teachings found in the book that Christians consider to be inspired by God, and the foundation of their beliefs: The Bible. A few Christians complained about his unorthodox beliefs. Some relatives complained about his total control over family members. Some of those who had attended his church talked of abuse and pressure to raise funds. For the most part these charges were ignored. Jim continued to preach love and social concerns, and continued to attract followers.

All of this changed on November 18, 1978, when United States Congressman Leo Ryan and four others were murdered while investigating reports of abuse at Jonestown, the People’s Temple commune in Guyana. When Guyanese troops arrived at Jonestown the next day, they made a grisly discovery – the bodies of 913 people, over 200 of which were children. Most had died from drinking cyanide-laced punch. Jim Jones had been shot through the head, apparently by one of his inner circle.

Those who followed Jim Jones to their deaths in the jungles of Guyana may have been sincere, but their sincerity did not protect them from