To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the Jesus Seminar distributed by Westar Institute and offered by First Presbyterian Church to our community. Any teaching that does not bear witness to the biblical Jesus, and to the absolute authority of Scripture, and to the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word (The Bible) is false teaching and is, ultimately, of Satan, although it may be delivered by sincere but deceived people. The following is a description of the Jesus Seminar quoted from its website:
“The Jesus Seminar was organized in 1985 to renew the quest of the historical Jesus and to report the results of its research to the general public, rather than just to a handful of gospel specialists. Initially, the goal of the Seminar was to review each of the sayings and deeds attributed to Jesus in the gospels and determine which of them could be considered authentic.
“Thirty scholars took up the challenge at the initial meeting in Berkeley, Calif. Eventually more than 200 professionally trained specialists, called Fellows, joined the group at various phases…
“The Seminar met twice a year to debate technical papers that were prepared and circulated in advance. At the close of debate on each agenda item, Fellows voted using colored beads to indicate the degree of authenticity of the words and deeds attributed to Jesus in the gospels…
“Among the findings is that, in the judgment of the Jesus Seminar Fellows, about 18 percent of the sayings and 16 percent of the deeds attributed to Jesus in the gospels are authentic.” (www.westarinstitute.com)
The Bible warns, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Teaching which claims to be about our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but is not based on the absolute truth of Scripture is a lie and constitutes man-made religion which is opposed to God who graciously reveals Himself in His Holy Word.
Neighbor, take heed!

Julie Seward
Elizabethton