By Robert Rock
The Christianity most of us know has thrived for over 2000 years. But in the last 200 years, especially since the rise of scientific thought, many have come to question its most basic tenets, such as being the one and only true religion, belief in resurrection of the body, the virgin birth, and a second coming. Those so questioning have had to make hard choices between retaining their faith by ignoring their intellectual convictions, or, giving up their practice of Christianity in favor of other religions, or no religion. Yet many of those in between continue to search for new definitions of Christianity they can accept – a religion that offers them the freedom to think and believe at the same time.
One of the most effective present day efforts toward seeking a new Christianity is that of the Westar Institute in Santa Rosa, CA, which began its activities 23 years ago. Each year over 100 scholars from all over the world assemble there to present their latest findings, and to get feedback from their fellows, as well as from the lay public before publishing their results. Following is a copy of their mission statement.
“Westar Institute is a member-supported, non-profit research and educational institute dedicated to the advancement of religious literacy. Westar’s twofold mission is to foster collaborative research in religious studies and to communicate the results of the scholarship of religion to a broad, non-specialist public.
“Until a few years ago, essential knowledge about biblical and religious traditions was hidden in the windowless studies of universities and seminaries-away from the general public. Such research was considered too controversial or too complicated for lay persons to understand. Many scholars, fearing open conflict or even reprisal, talked only to one another. The churches often decided what information their constituents were ‘ready’ to hear.
“Through publications, educational programs, and research projects like the Jesus Seminar, Westar has opened up a new kind of conversation about religion. This is an honest, no-hold-barred exchange involving thousands of scholars, clergy and other individuals who have critical questions about the past, present and future of religion. Westar is not affiliated with any religious institution nor does it advocate a particular theological point of view.”
Probably the most significant findings of this Institute are the discoveries of Christian writings that precede the four gospels as we know them. These are found among the recently discovered manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi texts. Such writings as the Gospel of Thomas describe a Christianity which precedes the concepts of the virgin birth, resurrection of the body and worship of Jesus. Because these writings occurred earlier than the better known gospels, they are considered to be closer to the time Jesus walked the earth, and therefore – theoretically – more accurate. For example, in contrast to the conventional Christian message, there is strong evidence that Jesus never considered himself a god, even though his powers of love and healing led others to regard him as one. These findings of Westar’s “Jesus Seminar” now total over 500 new books – far more information than can be adequately introduced here. (A listing of these books is maintained in Redding’s Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC.)
But because these new discoveries of Christian origins are so drastically different from orthodox beliefs, it is necessary to point out that they do not apply to everyone. There will always be those of us who need and prefer the time-tested message, and there will also always be those of us who need a new Christian message that frees us to worship and think and question and analyze, and one which does not conflict with the advent of scientific thought that was born out of the industrial and technological revolution of the last two hundred years.
My purpose in offering this information is to make it known to those who may have given up on conventional Christianity, the fact that continuing discoveries are occurring of new Christian findings that may speak with more vitality to their needs.
Pilgrim Congregational Church here in Redding is one of the places where you can explore both the new, and the traditional concepts of Christianity. Our address is 2850 Foothill Blvd., 243-3121.
Robert Rock moved to Redding from Santa Rosa in 2000, soon found the local Writers Forum, and became its President for four years. Was a former Technical Writer for McDonnell Aircraft Corp., published environmental engineering articles as a professional engineer, public interest articles for newspapers and periodicals, and a book of short stories which covers the 1920s to 2001, including WW II. Is presently secretary of the local Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and assists students at the Good News Rescue Mission in earning their GEDs.
