2/27/25

It becomes quite evident as you begin to explore the perspectives of other religions that Jesus is often esteemed. For some, Jesus (Isa) is merely a great prophet from God (Allah), perhaps the greatest prophet. For some, Jesus is an older sibling that was designated by God the Father to save us from sin so that we too can become like God. For others, Jesus was the first creation and is not to be worshipped as he is not considered God Almighty. So which Jesus is right? How can we know? Why does it matter?

There seems to be an overwhelming confusion about who Jesus is and what He taught, not only among those outside of the "church", but also within it. In our time on CSUF campus, we've spoken with so many diverse people with extremely different backgrounds and demographics, but the same plague runs throughout them all. Whether Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, hedonist, naturalist, atheist, agnostic, capitalist, socialist, queer, straight, Catholic, Christian, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, WMSCOG, ICC, RCW, etc., we have seen the extreme lack of personal exploration into the actual historical documents recording the claims and teachings of Jesus. 

It is not just the Jehovah's Witness and Muslim who are lost, but perhaps even some of those in our churches. All too easily the inspired words of scripture can be replaced by the interpretation of the religious leading figure without the careful testing of those claims to the mass of scripture. I certainly have great concern for those who acknowledge that they reject Jesus of Nazareth, but in many ways, I am more concerned for those who think they are following Jesus, but have been terribly misinformed on His teachings, life, and demands. The perversions of scripture that change the gospel and remove the deity of Jesus are very crafty, and to no surprise. It is a fearful thing to think that the devil is far more versed in scripture than many Christians today. I don't say this as a rebuke to merely read your Bible more, but to try to emphasize WHY this is so important. The proper view of who Jesus is and what He taught is the essential doctrine of Christianity. 

The people that we talk to are so confused about Jesus and His message and have misread so many things onto Jesus that can be refuted by simply becoming aware of the life of Jesus recorded in the gospel accounts. I am not downplaying the rest of scripture, but the historical records of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection teach us a ton! I don't want to be redundant, however, I struggle to describe briefly the depth and harm of the lies taught and spread about Jesus of Nazareth. I would encourage you to consider what people believe about Jesus before thinking that their rejection is absurd. Likewise, be cautious that those who profess Christ truly know who scripture teaches He is and what scripture shows He taught. If our understanding of God is something contrary to the truth, can we really say that we worship God, or merely the false god that we've constructed? Do we know well enough the doctrines of Christ to refute the lies of the opposer? Who is Jesus? What is His message? How does that change the way we live and die?

Thank you for your prayers and support for me and this ministry! It's a simple life that will cost you everything, and I pray that God grants us the strength to spend it all for Him.

With love and peace,

Ivan Penrose