Non sequiturs¹ Jesus never said …

(But are implicit among those who jettison scripture to create a postmodern² Jesus of their own perception):

“It’s about relationship …

So forget obedience.”

“All scripture points to me …

So your own perceptions of me trump any scripture that offends you.”

“I am the living word …

So you no longer need to submit to the authority and discipline of my written word.”

“‘Be holy as I am holy’…

Now means ‘I am postmodern as you are postmodern’.”

“Because I can speak, both directly and through others, to those who lack scripture …

You are free to dismiss the plenary³ authority of my external written word.”

“When needed, I can accomplish my will through a jackass …

Which excuses your own narcissism, shocking beliefs, books and blogs which seek to redefine me, my purposes, my creation and my word.”

“Because ‘I am the way, the truth and the life’ …

You no longer need my moral precepts, propositional truths and defined reality as revealed in scripture.”

“I am love …

So Old Testament accounts about some dude who showed wrath towards those who hurt others or destroyed what I intended for good must be wrong – or talking about someone else.”

“I came to bring life by offering grace leading to repentance …

Therefore those who reject me need not worry about hell or my return as ultimate judge – and it’s hateful and intolerant to say otherwise.”

“Come, all who are troubled and heavy burdened …

Because I too struggle with moral confusion and existential angst.”

“‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given unto me’ …

Is secret code only understood by those with trans-Biblical “deeper life” revelations, because “all” really means your personal relationship with me – as defined by your own needs, motivations, proclivities and sensibilities – and we therefore must surrender the fate of nations, history and culture to postmodern nihilism.”

“Go, therefore …

And make disciples of your own ideologies, baptizing them in your own existentialism and teach them your own insecurities, because lo your angst shall be with you always, until the very end of this age.”

“In the meantime, I will build my church …

So there’s no need for you to obey my instructions on forming functional, local assemblies which gather to advance my Kingdom.”

“And the gates of hell (metaphorically speaking, of course) will not prevail against it …

Because anemic and insular ‘meet ups’, which instead reflect your own perceptions, hurts and sensibilities, won’t provoke Satan’s (again, metaphorically speaking, of course) all out resistance – which is important, since I never called you to step out of your comfort zones or offend anyone, right?”

However:

“If you love me …

obey my commands.”

“Be doers of the word …

And not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

“Stir up one another to love and good works …

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

And finally, “If you abide in my word …

You are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Oops! Sorry …

Those last four are NOT non sequiturs, because Jesus really did say them – in His word.

~ Jim Wright

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¹ Non Sequitur: The premise does not necessarily lead to the conclusion.

² Postmodern: The prevailing ideology in the West, which rejects ultimate truth, reality and morality in lieu of each individual’s right to define or reject for themselves what is true, real and right based on their own subjective, existential perceptions.

³ Plenary authority: Higher authority than own perception or belief to the contrary.