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THE PATTERN FOR AUTHORITY (PTNC-2)

The lack of respect for the authority of God has gradually produced a generation of people who are no longer outraged by evil behavior. Indeed, the purveyors of anti-Christian doctrine are now teaching masses of citizens in the United States that each individual is his own god. Oprah Winfrey will be letting out all the stops on her XM Satellite Radio program this coming year. Beginning January 1, 2008, "Oprah & Friends" will offer a year-long course on the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman. Schucman claimed she received these revelations from “Jesus.” Since these teachings have clearly turned the teachings of the Bible upside down the author more clearly resembles anti-Christ rather than Jesus the Christ. The course will be taught by Marianne Williamson, a premier leader in the New Age Movement.

1. A lesson a day throughout the year will completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles "Workbook." For example, Lesson #29 asks you to go through your day affirming that "God is in everything I see."

2. Lesson #61 tells each person to repeat the affirmation "I am the light of the world."

3. Lesson #70 teaches the student to say and believe "My salvation comes from me."

4. By the end of the year, "Oprah & Friends" listeners will have completed all of the lessons laid out in the Course in Miracles Workbook. Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined spiritual mindset—a New Age worldview that includes the belief that there is no sin, no evil, no devil, and that God is "in" everyone and everything.

5. A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life. The Course Workbook bluntly states: "This is a course in mind training" and is dedicated to "thought reversal.” [In other words, “Brain Washing”]

Other thoughts from this Course in Miracles are:

6. A "slain Christ has no meaning."
7. "The journey to the cross should be the last 'useless journey."
8. "Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross.'”
9. "The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray."

10. "God is in everything I see."
11. "The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
12. "The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation."

With these disturbing thoughts in mind, let’s see if we can nail down the fact that the “Higher Authority” for our lives does not come from the teachings of “Oprah and Friends.”

But there is another Course in Miracles which shows how truth was authenticated, and thus establishing the pattern for authority.

1. Read Mark 16:20 and tell how the word of the Lord was confirmed?

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2. Read John 20:30-31 and tell the purpose of the miracles that were done.

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3. Read Hebrews 2:2-4 and tell what occurred.

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4. What then, according to the above passages, was the purpose of the miraculous age?

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5. How was this message delivered to mankind? (John 16:13-15) [Here show who the originator was, then to whom the message was passed and by whom]

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6. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the ____ __ ___ ____ _____, gving thanks to God and the Father by him (Colossians 3:17).

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The word “name” (Gr. onoma) represents "the title and dignity" of the Lord, as in Eph 1:21 and Heb 1:4; for all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc., of everything that the "name" covers . . .

7. Give other scriptural names for the confirmed message of the New Testament from:

a. Romans 8:2.

b. 1 Corinthians 13:10.

c. Galatians 3:23

d. James 1:25

e. 2 John 9

f. Jude 3

8. What work will be performed by that standard of authority (John 12:48)

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9. Paul told the elders of the church at Ephesus “ For I have not shunned to declare unto you __(a)__ the __(b)___ of __(c)___” (Acts 20:27).

Ans.: (a)

(b)

(c)

10. Who did Jesus say would enter the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matthew 7:21)

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11. In the discussion of Shucman’s book from the introduction to this lesson:

a. Who did she say was the light of the world?

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b. Who did Jesus say was the light of the world? (Matthew 5:14)

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c. Who did Shucman say was the source of Salvation?

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d. Who does the Bible say is the source of salvation? (Acts 4:12)

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e. Shucman “there is no sin”

The bible answers (give book chapter and verse):

f. Shucman “there is no evil”

The Bible answers (give b.c.v.):

g. Shucman “there is no devil”

The bible answers (give b.c.v.):

12. To what does Shucman refer as being “a pathetic error”?

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13. In what did the apostle Paul say he would glory? (Galatians 6:14)

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14. What does Shucman say is meant by “the name of Jesus”?

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15. Will people be led to respect the authority of the Bible by sitting at the feet of “Oprah and Friends”?

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16. Choose the correct answer(s):

a. The Bible provides the pattern for authority in our lives

b. Shucman’s A Course In Miracles provides the pattern for authority in our lives

c. Some of the writings of men provide the pattern for authority in our lives.

d. Mankind does not need a pattern to follow in life.

Ans.:

17. Many people are influenced (touched) by her programming, and thoughts are gradually implanted in the minds of her audiences. As these lessons from A Course in Miracles begin to unfold on her program, will you (select all that apply):

a. Refuse to watch

b. Watch and accept what is said

c. Object to her sponsors and to her

d. Inform others of the danger this program presents to those faithful to Christ.

e. [Tell me of your thoughts regarding her teaching of this book which turns upside down the teachings of the Bible. We’ll consider some of these thoughts on our Class Participation page]

END (PTNC-2)