Book Review: Roadblocks to God

"God makes happy those who know that they need Him.  The kingdom of heaven is for them" (Mathew 5:3 -- Worldwide English Version).

What the authors of this book have accomplished is a return to the meaning of the original Greek and Hebrew words of the New Testament.  As with the above Worldwide English Version translation of Mathew 5:3), the results are enlightening, and, among most Christian faiths, controversial. Indeed, the authors reveal God not as a distant, vengeful and angry Lord Jehovah, but as a lovingly close, gentle and forgiving father of us all, who sent his only begotten son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save it.

Their book recalls these words of Mahatma Ghandi:  "I like Christ, but not Christianity . . . Christians should be more like Christ."  That mindset is what drives this book.  By removing the roadblocks to God, Christians, indeed, would be more like Christ.

As with all good scholarship, the authors began their research with the founding documents, which among Biblical texts, are the first, second and third chapters of  Genesis.   Their findings greatly conflict with established Christian doctrine, starting with God's "curse on man", which is the subject of Chapter 1 ("The Curse").  Chapter-by-chapter, the authors continue to debunk a litany of accepted Christian doctrines, which they believe constitutes roadblocks to God:  "God's Sovereignty" (chapter 2); "Born Again" (chapter 3); "Faith and Works" (chapter 4); "Predestination" (chapter 4); "Sacrifice" (chapter 5); "Adoption" (chapter 6); "Sacrifice" (chapter 7); "The Blood of the Atonement" (chapter 8); "Redemption/Restoration" (chapter 9); "Reconciliation/Final Restoration" (chapter 10); "Eternal Punishment (chapter 11), and "Gehenna" (chapter 12) ["Gehenna" is the Greek word for hell, a word found only in the New Testament].

Gehenna is a Greek word from the Hebrew word Ge-Hinnon.  It means "the valley of Hinnon".  It's a real place, a historic valley south of ancient Jerusalem.  In Jesus' day, the fires of Gehenna were kept burning day-and-night to consume the refuse that was thrown into it. Reports the authors:  "This fire is no longer burning, and yet it has come to represent hell, the place of eternal torment.  How did this happen?"

Continues the authors: "There is no denying that Jesus referred to Gehenna and in ways that sounded positively frightful.  But was he teaching everlasting torment?  We can be sure that if Jesus had been teaching everlasting torment, the apostles would have taught it too.  It would have been their responsibility. . . .  Gehenna would have been a central message of their teachings.  But this is not what we see at all. In fact, only one apostle ever used the world Gehenna, using it to describe the destruction that can result from careless speech."

"The word hell should not appear in the Bible," concludes the authors.  "After all, God is a God of light and love."

They quote the Apostle John, who defined God as "love" (I John 4:8), and as "light" (I John 1:5).  The authors further quote the apostle John's most profound words:  "There is no fear in love; but perfect fear casts out fear" (I John 4:18).

The authors of "Roadblocks to God" begin their book with these words: "This is a book of heresy.  'Heresy' comes from a Greek word meaning 'choice'.  It is a chosen opinion, but one contrary to orthodox religious doctrine. While many people associate the word with error, this association in incorrect.  Jesus was a heretic in his day.  He stood firm against various religious teachings because these 'truths' were only making it harder for people to love God and their neighbor.  As it turned out, of course, He was right, and the religious leaders of his day were wrong.  But standing firm, He taught us that religious leaders are not infallible.  This should not surprise us.  They are human beings, none of whom have yet been perfected. Even when we strive to do well, we can and do make mistakes.  While some mistakes mean little, others matter a great deal. It was true two thousand ago, and it is true today.  If there are ideas being taught that stand in the way of furthering our relationship with God, they must be called into question.

"Love for God and man is the central message that Jesus presented to his followers in the 'Sermon on the Mount'.  It is a timeless message that subsequent religious doctrine (i.e. 'roadblocks') has blinded many followers of Christ."

How these roadblocks to God were formulated, is a story in itself.  However, you can be sure the Christians of the first-, second- and third-centuries were NOT blinded by religious doctrine. Such "Roadblocks to God" were instituted in the Middle Ages after the ability to read was lost.  This was the time when "heretics" were routinely burned at the stake.  Had they lived at this time, authors John R. Watson and Larry D. Lilly freely admit it's likely they would have suffered such a fate.  They also admit their ideas would be considered as heresy in many churches of today.

How did Mssrs. Watson and Lilly come to their conclusion about "heresy"?  By delving into the latest Biblical translations, which are based on the study of the original Greek and Hebrew religious texts of the first century.  They also referred to "Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible".  Their results are not dissimilar to what restorers of Renaissance art have achieved, by removing centuries of lacquer and dust from famous paintings, to reveal the original startling colors, the results of which are highly illuminating.  It was the untiring labor of Larry T. Lilly who initiated the process, about 50 years ago.  He found a willing conspirator in John R. Watson.   The two have spent the last 30 years debating their research in a series of long walks in the countryside near their homes.   In the end, it was John who wrote the book, based on a series of note cards Larry had prepared for him.  It turns out that John is a very good writer, who possess the gift of being able to shape complex ideas into simple, very readable sentences and paragraphs.  John supports their ideas with a number of pithy quotes from Psalms and a number of noteworthy Old Testament Prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zephaniah:  "[I]t shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.  The Lord thy God in the midst is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over the with singing" (Zephaniah 3:16, 17).

Reading "Roadblocks to God" reminded me of a famous old world Christian hymn, in these words:  "Weeping may endure for a night, But joy cometh in the morning.

"Our God shall wipe all tears away, For joy cometh the morning: Sorrow and sighing shall flee away, For joy cometh in the morning." (M.M. Wienland)

In the concluding chapter ("Everything Matters"), the authors writes: "God is light.  This is His nature.  To sum up what has been previously presented, God is perfect righteousness.  His love for us is revealed in the beauty of His creation and making us an important part of it.  He is our Father, better than the best earthly father.  He is king and ruler over all things, but rules by serving His creation.  His treatment of us is not punitive. Instead, He is our Savior, disciplining us in order that we become true sons and daughters.  God needs nothing from us.  He is self-sufficient.  He has full knowledge and knows all things about each of us, both good and bad.  He has no desire to hide any of what he sees.  His Fatherly nature wants to help us grow to maturity, able to walk as He lights our path to righteousness.  He will do this through His Spirit, which is like the wind.  It is everywhere, touching everyone. He is on a never-ending quest to draw people to Himself and work all things together for their good. There are some things that describe His nature.  There is nothing negative. There is no darkness.  it's all about how He cares for us as only the best fathers do . . . It is amazing love."

Having read "The New Testament: A Student's Introduction" by professor and Bible historian Stephen L. Harris, who bases his religious insights on the latest interpretation of Bible texts, I found "Roadblocks to God" to be absolutely authentic.   At one quarter of the retail price, and one quarter of the length, I heartily recommend John's and Larry's book.