Twenty-one Modern Religious Myths

By David R Holt

I t is sad that a number of totally unscriptural myths, originally perpetrated by the early church, are, in these times, almost universally accepted as truth. Sad because, once told, unless Christians correct their errors, Divine Judgement will be terrible. Anyone who has read their Bible must be familiar with Jesus' devastating warning as reported in Matthew 7:13, 14. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and MANY enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only A FEW find it.”

This MUST stir anyone who claims to love Jesus to make their number one priority establishing how to separate from the “many” and be one of the “few.” It also prompts the question, “Just HOW “few” was Jesus referring to?” and, only a few verses later, He gave a clear indication when He also said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ONLY THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN. Many will say to me on that day [Judgement Day] , ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”

From His wording, it is obvious that Jesus wasn't referring to atheists or followers of other religions because those people won't be addressing Him as “Lord.” Therefore, when He said this, Jesus must have been talking about those people who had claimed to be Christians in their earthly lives. So who are those Christians that will hear those devastating words from the lips of the One they acknowledged as their Saviour?

His beloved disciple John gave us a strong clue when wrote, “ Anyone who says, ‘I KNOW HIM,' BUT DOES NOT DO WHAT HE COMMANDS IS A LIAR, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 2:4).

Speaking to the Old Testament prophet, Hosea, Yahweh (the preincarnate Jesus) said, “My people are destroyed through lack of knowledge.” At first glance, this may seem somewhat harsh. It implies that ignorance is sin (since Romans 6:23 tells us that destruction – death - is the wages of sin). It is always very important to read what the Word actually says and not view it from the opposite perspective. Many Christians tend to do this (they call this “interpretation”) and it is extremely dangerous. Therefore, in this case, it is essential that we don't assume an implication and interpret Yahweh's words to Hosea to say, “My people are saved by knowledge.” That may, at first, seem to be implied but it is NOT what He said and to interpret it thus would be legalism. Thus the lack of knowledge that will destroy God's people is the result of their own refusal to gain that knowledge. It is not hidden where it cannot be obtained. ALL the knowledge we need is readily available right there in the Bible. BUT WE HAVE TO READ IT!

Far too many dear people who sincerely want to serve their Creator and Saviour entrust their acquisition of knowledge to their preachers and religious teachers and, as I will show, what those preachers and teachers say is laden with myths. The Bible says, “Trust in THE LORD with all your heart and lean NOT unto your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:4) and it distresses me to see how many beautiful people allow themselves to be sucked in by leaning on people rather than going directly to the Source. Of course, Satan promotes this by making sure that people are increasingly “too busy” to do their own Bible study and, therefore trust their religious leaders to tell them the truth.

The writer of Hebrews, in chapter 10, verses 26 and 27, qualifies Yahweh's words to Hosea by saying, “If we DELIBERATELY keep on sinning AFTER we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

In these verses, the implication is that knowledge is a prerequisite for the existence of sin. After all, how can a person's sin be deliberate if he doesn't know what law he is breaking? God is not an unfair tyrant who enjoys destroying people who didn't know the truth. In the whole Bible there is only one definitive explanation of that word “sin” - found in 1 John 3:4 where we are told, “Sin is the transgression of the Law” (KJV) or, “Sin is lawlessness” (NIV). When you think about it, “sin” is a religious word. We rarely use it in a secular context. It therefore follows that, in a single word, sin is disobedience and, to elaborate on that, disobedience to divine Law–the Ten Commandments. To take this even further, divine Law must not be confused with Mosaic Law, which was a long list of regulations written down by Moses concerning tabernacle rituals, dietary, heath and sanitary issues and secular life.

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) and many Christians quote His words saying that these two “New Commandments” replaced the Ten Commandments. What they fail to realise is that, in those words alone, Jesus said absolutely nothing about HOW to love God and our neighbour. As with many who quote Scripture, they omit to also quote Jesus' very next words: “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Study of the Ten Commandments (the ones written on stone by Yahweh Himself with his finger) shows that the first four are precise instructions on how to love God and the last six on how to love our neighbour. Please take very careful note of Jesus' exact words here: “ALL the Law AND the Prophets…”- not just the bits that suit you!

This poses the question, how can a person be guilty of disobeying an instruction he never heard or received? The Apostle Paul wrote, “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the Law.” (Romans 7:7). As we have seen in Hebrews 10:26, 27, judgement and raging fire are the expectation of those who practise deliberate persistent disobedience. In other words, once a person has acquired the knowledge of the Law, he or she has absolutely NO EXCUSE for disobeying it. In other words, whilst obedience doesn't save us, deliberate disobedience will very definitely rob us of our salvation.

In the secular world, ignorance of the law doesn't excuse an offender from breaking it. Certainly, a court may be lenient on someone who has broken the law in genuine ignorance and, although statutorily convicting him or her, impose a minimum sentence. That is called “mercy.” You see, God has promised that, in His everlasting kingdom, there will be no sin and so it MUST follow that, however merciful He may feel to people who, through their own foolishness, have CHOSEN to disobey Him, He simply CANNOT let them in and keep that promise. Is that why Yahweh said His people are destroyed through lack of knowledge? Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise because of their disobedience. Can we learn from their example?

Before going any further though, I want to reiterate that I believe it is imperative that one thing is absolutely clear. There may be readers who are still thinking at this point that knowledge is going to save people but that is NOT what the Scripture says or implies. Knowledge, in itself, won't save anyone. It is ONLY Jesus' sacrifice that saves. Nothing else! As the Scripture clearly states, it is LACK of knowledge that will destroy people. I hope that you can see the difference. Just as keeping the commandments won't save anyone, deliberately NOT keeping them will, ultimately, prevent salvation. Look at it this way: If a person knows the Law and makes a conscious decision not to obey it, then, as the Scripture says, they have chosen their path - the wide one that leads to destruction - and are, therefore, a wilful sinner. God is not a tyrannical bully who is going to force His will on anyone (much as He may long to!). When He created us, he gave us freedom of choice and, having done so, respects it even though the choices we make may hurt Him terribly.

Knowledge is obtained by a number of different means. It can be learned by seeing. This includes reading. That is why God gave us His Holy Bible. But, in order to gain the knowledge it contains, you have to READ IT! It isn't meant to gather dust on a shelf or be an ornately embellished but rarely opened work of art that sits on a coffee table to impress visitors! Just as no one can make you read the Road Code when you drive a car, no one can MAKE you read God's Word – that is a personal decision you alone can make (but, as you make that decision, remember The Lord's words to Hosea). There's one major difference though. Before you get a driver's licence, you have to pass a driving test that includes questions on the Road Code so that, if you haven't read and learned it, you probably won't get your licence. Not so with life. Even though our Divine Creator gave humanity a “Life Code,” there isn't a “living test” wherein we have to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of it – other than living itself. We don't have to have to have a licence to breathe!

Knowledge can also be gained by word of mouth. Unfortunately though, literally millions of Christians have relied solely upon this source and been well and truly duped by Satan's servants masquerading as angels of light (ref; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15) who preach lies and myths. Why those dearly beloved folk entrust their very salvation to such teachers totally baffles me. Answering His disciples' question, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3), Jesus replied, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming that I am the Christ and will deceive many.” One might think that such a warning would put people on their guard but, very sadly, it doesn't seem to have. By all means listen to anyone who claims to come in the name of the Lord BUT, for the sake of your own salvation, do as the people of Berea did when they listened to the apostle Paul (ref: Acts 17:11) and check out everything they say in Scripture.

Knowledge can be obtained experientially too. For example, a little child doesn't know that a thorn will prick until he tries it (unless, of course, he is told by an adult). But, once tried, the painful reminder of that knowledge will be in that child's mind forever.

Knowledge can also be gained inspirationally – that is, directly through the Holy Spirit “speaking” to your mind. This is often referred to as “sixth sense.” But, here again, caution must be the watchword. Just because a person is “inspired” with some “new” revelation doesn't automatically mean it came from the Holy Spirit. I am, of course, speaking about personal revelation here since actually, there is nothing “new” in the way of spiritual knowledge. Satan is just as adept as the Holy Spirit at “speaking” to people's minds. I can personally testify to this because, long before I had the knowledge I have now, I believed that a “message” another person had received was from God and acted accordingly. I didn't check the Scriptural validity of the message and, therefore, made some HUGE irrevocable mistakes as a result. To have avoided that terrible life-changing error only needed me to check the Scriptures to see that that message could NEVER have come from God – but I didn't! Just like Adam and Eve, I will pay for that mistake for the rest of my life. Because I asked Him to, God has, of course, forgiven me but that doesn't exclude me from the natural consequences in this life. ANY inspiration MUST be checked in the Scriptures. If it isn't confirmed there then be VERY careful. Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Don't be one of his victims!

Below is a list of some of the more popular myths abounding throughout Christendom (as opposed to those in individual church doctrines). A few Scripture references are included to get you started. These are ONLY to get you started – they are by no means exhaustive. Use a Bible with marginal cross-references to fully research them. To ensure honesty, use as many different translations of the Bible as you can. Also, I recommend that you acquire a copy of a good Hebrew and Greek concordance (Strong's is excellent) so that you can compare different renditions of the original texts. My book, “God's Deal With YOU” examines most of them in much greater detail but, before reading that, do your own research.

God loves YOU so much that He sent His Own Son to take your place and, as a gift of His grace, open the doors to paradise to you. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep the commandments.” So, how much DO you love Him?

Finally, a word of advice. If you don't REALLY care about truth and aren't prepared to open your mind – if you aren't prepared to accept that some of your church's teachings might be wrong – then don't waste your time. God has provided all the answers but, if you refuse to accept them, your fate is already sealed (ref: Rev. 20:12, 13). Remember, this is not some game of Trivial Pursuit or general knowledge! We are talking about your eternity! How much effort is THAT worth?

Myth Number 1.

Christians are “above the Law.”

Matt. 5:18; 15:3, 14; 19:17; 28:19, 20; Mark 7:7; Rev. 12:17; 14:12; John 15:10; Rom. 2:13; 3:31; 6:15; 7:7; Acts 5:29; Prov. 28:9; 1 John 5:3; Eccles. 12:13.

This is probably the most fatal myth of them all.

Since sin is defined in 1 John 3:4 as “transgression of the Law” it MUST follow that, without any law, there can be no sin and, by extension, if there were no sin, there would be no need of a Saviour!

Myth Number 2.

There are different degrees (or “levels”) of sin (“venial” or “mortal”).

1 John 3:4; James 2:10.

This is like saying a person who embezzles a million dollars from his employer should be jailed but it's OK to take a postage stamp from your employer's office. BOTH are stealing! The ONLY difference is the magnitude! Think about it!

Myth Number 3.

The Law (the Ten Commandments) was only for the Old Testament Jews.

Psalm 111:7, 8; 119:151, 152; Isa. 56:6, 7; Rom. 11:11-24.

Bear in mind here that it was under the Jewish sacrificial laws that Jesus came in the flesh and was crucified and raised from the dead in atonement for sin for ALL mankind. Therefore, if you believe that the Law was only for the Jews, then you must also believe that Jesus was only for the Jews!

Myth Number 4.

It is no longer necessary to obey Jesus' command regarding foot-washing.

John 13:14-17; Matt. 20:25-28.

It is obvious that the foot-washing performed by Jesus as an example to His followers was not merely to physically clean their feet but to symbolically accept the role of menial servant. This is no less significant today than it was then and the almost total abandonment of the practice of foot-washing is, in itself, illustrative of the modern trend to shun anything that may even hint at servitude.

Myth Number 5.

Baptism can be performed by sprinkling or anointing with water.

Eph. 4:5; Mark 1:9-11; Acts 8:35-39.

In both the last examples it should be noted that the participants “came up” out of the water which illustrates that they were immersed. The Greek word Baptizo means “to immerse.”

Rom. 6:3, 4 also refers to being “buried” in the baptismal water.

Baptism has nothing to do with washing. It is a public testimony to a person's new stance with Christ.

Myth Number 6.

People are visited by dead people and can pray to them.

Exodus 20:4, 5; Eccles. 9:5, 6; John 16:23.

This is spiritualism. Lev. 19:31; 20:6.

Myth Number 7.

Dead people have already gone to heaven or hell.

Eccles. 9:5, 6; Rev. 20:4-6; John 14:2, 3; John 6:44; 1 Cor. 15:22, 23; Dan. 12:1, 2, 13.

If you are a Christian, I must assume that you believe in Jesus' “second coming” to resurrect the dead as described in Matthew 24:27, 1 Corinthians 15:35-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and most of the Book of Revelation. If the dead are already raised, why is Jesus coming again? Doesn't make sense does it?

Myth Number 8.

Jesus was crucified on the sixth day (Friday).

Matt. 12:40, 16:21, 28:1; John 19:31, 42.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus was crucified on the sixth day and simple mathematics demonstrate that, if you accept that He was raised on the first day, there is NO WAY His own prediction of Matt. 12:40 could possibly be true.

The key to understanding how this myth came about is the fact that, in the year of Jesus' crucifixion, the regular weekly Sabbath was preceded by the special Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread on the sixth day.

Myth Number 9.

Sunday is God's appointed rest day and day of worship.

Exodus 20:8-11; Matt 5:18, 15:3; Dan. 7:25; Isa. 58:13, 14; 66:22, 23; Heb. 13:8; Mark 2:27.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the Sabbath was changed from the seventh day to the first.

A variation of this myth is, “It doesn't matter which day is kept holy just so long as one day is.” and that is nothing more than a very feeble attempt to justify wilful disobedience!

If a close examination of motives is made as to WHY a person insists on defiling the true Sabbath, it is often found that it is not only the fourth commandment that is being broken. If the reasoning is because a person has to work on Saturday or lose his or her job or because he or she plays a sport that takes place on Saturday or simply that Saturday is the only day available for polishing the car or mowing the lawn then, in effect, all those things have been given greater importance than pleasing God and Jesus and thus the very first commandment is being broken.

Myth Number 10.

Every day is a Sabbath.

Exodus 20:9.

This is just another very feeble ‘cop-out' for wilfully breaking the fourth commandment. If every day is a Sabbath, when do people who perpetuate this myth do any maintenance on their homes or go shopping because the commandment clearly states that NO work may be done on the Sabbath.

Myth Number 11.

Jesus took the criminal on the cross next to him to Paradise on the day they were crucified.

John 20:17 (this was three days after the crucifixion). The problem here is simply the incorrect addition of a comma (not present in the original Greek) BEFORE the word “today” in Luke 23:43 whereas it should FOLLOW the word “today.” In the light of 4 (above) that criminal won't be with Jesus in Paradise until Jesus returns to raise him along with the rest of humanity. Thus Jesus' promise that he will be with Him in Paradise is wonderfully sound and, if He promised it to a convicted criminal, He will surely promise it to you.

Myth Number 12.

T he age of miracles is over.

This is a two-edged sword to be viewed in conjunction with Myth Number13 (below).

Joel 2:28-30; Mark 16:17; Acts 8:6, 7; 1 Cor. 12:7-11, 28.

Myth Number 13.

The age of miracles is now.

Matt. 24:24; 2 Thes. 2:9; Rev. 13:13.

Just as there are those who say Myth Number12, there are those who “use” spectacular “signs and wonders” unscripturally (usually to take a lot of money from people who need to read this message!).

Myth Number 14.

Modern prophets are automatically from God.

Deut. 13:1-5; 18:20, 22; Jer. 28:9; Matt. 7:15-20; 1 Tim. 4:1, 2; 2 Tim. 4:3; 2 Peter 1:20-2:1.

Contrary to popular thought, a prophet is not necessarily a person who foretells the future (although, of course, many do). A prophet is actually an inspired teacher and, as such, may just as equally be inspired by Satan. Christians refer to such a prophet as a “false prophet.” It seems that the big problem for many Christians is that they don't know how to distinguish false prophets from true ones.

It is also worth mentioning here that the term prophet is often applied to a person by followers after his (or her) death and, if he were able to respond to that designation, he would vehemently deny it.

It is also possible that a person can be a “part-time prophet” inasmuch that divine inspiration is given to him from time to time but, at other times, speaks only from his (or her) own mind. No doubt, when that happens, the person's words are “coloured” by his other inspired statements even though they are not, themselves inspired.

Myth Number 15.

“Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.”

Matt. 7:21-23; 21:12, 13; 23:13-36; Mark 3:5; John 2:13-16.

There is a big difference between malicious anger and righteous anger. In your further studies take a look in the Old Testament at some of the most righteous kings of Israel and Judea and how they restored their kingdoms to true holiness. This myth is largely derived from Jesus' advice to Christians to love their enemies and His statement in His “Sermon on the Mount” that the meek shall inherit the earth. We need to understand and be able to separate the sins of our enemies from the people that commit those sins. “Hate the sin but not the sinner.” Thus, if you love your enemy, you will make every effort to change him so much that he becomes your friend. You see, the terms “enemy” and “friend” are both temporary – usually based on behaviour – and, in particular, their behaviour towards YOU.

Myth Number 16.

“Speaking in Tongues” means talking gibberish.

Acts 2:5-11. Take particular note here that the disciples spoke known languages that they had not learned.

1 Cor. 14:9, 13, 22, 23, 28.

Myth Number 17.

New revelation adds to the Scriptures.

Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18, 19.

Quite simply, everything we need to know in order to serve God in truth is in the Bible.

Myth Number 18.

Once saved, always saved.

Num. 15:30, 31; Heb. 10:26, 27; 2 Peter 20-22.

Myth Number 19.

Satan is an evil-looking beast with horns and a forked tail.

Ezek. 28:11-15.

Whilst this passage ostensibly describes the king of Tyre , from the statements made it is obvious that it really describes Satan since the king of Tyre could not have been in Eden or anointed as a “guardian cherub” or had access to the mountain of God . Thus the allusion to the king of Tyre may merely use a very wicked ruler of the time as an illustration.

Myth Number 20.

Hell is a place of never-ending burning and torment.

Matt 25:41. This tells us that the fire is eternal and is prepared (by God) for Satan and his followers.

2 Thess. 1:7 says that this will happen when Jesus is revealed from heaven (that is, at His third coming at the end of His thousand-year reign in heaven as explained in Rev. 20:4, 5)

The main error that occurs is where Matt. 25:46 describes the fate of the wicked as “eternal punishment.” The punishment than He was referring to was eternal exclusion from God's presence, NOT the punishment of their destruction. 2 Thess. 1:9 says that the wicked will be punished with everlasting destruction. Perhaps the problem lies in the way the English language uses the word “destruction” rather than “destroying.” Where the destruction is the result and “destroying” is the process so that Thess. 1:9 does NOT mean that the actual process of destruction will go on forever (be “everlasting”) but that the destruction itself – the result – will last forever – that is, there will be no return from it – it will be permanent.

See also, Psalm 37:20; Malachi 4:3; Acts 3:23; 2 Peter 3:7; Phil. 3;19.

Mark 9:48 describes the fire as “unquenchable” which simply means that it will be impossible to put it out until it has totally consumed all the fuel thrown into it (the sinners). Rev. 14:11 says, “the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.” and, again this should not be taken to mean that the actual torment will go on forever and ever. It simply means that the smouldering ashes will smoke forever. The previous verse says the wicked will be tormented in the presence of the angels and Jesus (the Lamb). That is their inevitable punishment because God promised that, in the New Earth, there will be no trace of sin and, even though He doesn't want anyone to perish (Ezekiel 33:11 and 2 Peter 3:9), if He allowed even the slightest trace of sin (lawlessness) in, He would, in effect have broken that promise.

Just think about it. Do you seriously believe that your Creator, the God of Love, would delight at watching His enemies screaming and writhing in terrible suffering for eternity? Hardly! He even told the prophet Isaiah that past troubles will be hidden from His eyes in the New Heavens and the New Earth and former things won't be remembered (Isa. 65:16-19).

Think about this too. If you were in God's kingdom in the New Earth where, we are told, “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” (Rev. 21:4) how could you possibly watch loved family and friends who rejected the truth suffering forever without mourning or crying? It doesn't make sense does it? The “lake of fire” is a necessary culmination to the war against evil. It is a last resort that will only be used when all else has failed. The Bible refers to it as “The Second Death” (Rev. 20:14) and THAT death is terminal.

If you love and obey God and Jesus, then it is absolutely possible and probable that you are part of that “all else” – that YOU will be given the opportunity to be used by the Holy Spirit to draw lost souls to Jesus (ref: John 6:44) and eternity with Him in the purified New Earth.

Will you lay up for yourself store in heaven or just settle for the transitory pleasures and traditional myths of this life. Think about it!

Myth Number 21.

Jesus' birthday is December 25 th .

Luke 2:1-3;

The only information that Scripture provides is that Jesus was born at the time when Jewish citizens of the Roman Empire were ordered to participate in an empire-wide census. Bearing in mind the communication systems of the time, it is highly probable that census would have taken several months to complete which is why everyone was required to register once only in his birthplace.

In the early third century, Roman historians Julius Africanus and Hippolytus came up with December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth but gave no concrete reason for doing so. What is most likely is that, in the already overcrowded Roman calendar, it was both convenient and appropriate to tie the new festival in with an already established one – in this case, the ideal one symbolically being the winter solstice when the Sun god was deemed to be “reborn” and the days began to lengthen and the world had a “new beginning.”

It is more likely that Jesus incarnation occurred earlier in the year when shepherds were still tending their sheep in the open fields before bringing them into the folds for winter but, other than that, there is little evidence to base any particular time as when Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem .

Nowhere in the Bible is any date given for the time of year when Jesus was born. There has to be a good reason for that since the Bible leaves nothing of importance to speculation. It therefore follows that, if God decided that His inspired Word wouldn't be specific on the timing of His Son's incarnation, His people didn't need to know it.

Nevertheless, the commemoration of the Messiah's first advent is not, in itself, a bad thing. After all, it was that event that set in motion the greatest events in the history of the world. What is, perhaps the most distressing for true Christians today is the blatant commercialism that has come to be associated with the commemoration of the Saviour's birth.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to celebrate such a momentous event in earth's history. It is HOW you do it that matters. Maybe the real point is that the fact that God sent His Son to redeem mankind to Himself is something that should be celebrated EVERY day! However, it was God Himself who originally established a number of festival or feast days throughout the year and so we can assume that God is in favour of festivals. As humans, we all enjoy celebrations and what greater event than the giving of the Saviour to celebrate is there?

For further study on this topic refer to http://www.ldolphin.org/xmas.html .