Jesus Christ For The 21st Century

Cousins evaluates our present religious condition and reflects on the importance of tradition, spirituality, and mysticism in understanding ourselves and others.

While on a spiritual retreat in France, I received an etheric download from my guides and an invitation to scribe a book whose subject crossed my mind like a banner at a football game. It was The Twenty-First-Century Gospel of Jesus Christ. Never having channeled or done any automatic writing, this was both shocking and exhilarating news, especially since I was a perpetual student of Christ’s teachings and mystical works everywhere. More importantly, it demonstrated the strong need for us all to invite ourselves back into the Gospels, renewing and reinvigorating their message as appropriate for our Twenty-First-Century living.

“...after much prayer and meditation, God spoke to me.” I combed through scriptures, reading about the church and more about Jesus and His relationship with his disciples, especially focusing on Peter and his bond with the church. What was its purpose? Why couldn't the thoughts of the church, the Body of Christ, the pure meaning of its intent be left alone? My brothers and sisters, after countless days of tumultuous soul searching and restless nights, God has revealed to me that the transformation begins with the acceptance of His Son. However, at times we are alienated and an enemy of Christ, destitute by the wicked works of our minds. Conversely, through his sacrificial death, He has reconciled us, to present us “holy, unblameable and unreproveable” to himself. When you journey through the pages of this book, allow the process to continue. Jesus works from the inside out. The mind is the center for change. As you continue to walk in Christ, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. Let this book be the compass that guides you back on course so that you too, can become the church that Christ intended you to be!

Why Jesus? For some his name is a swear-word. For others his cross is a fashion accessory or a lucky charm. For many Jesus Christ is considered irrelevant in a world that has 'moved on'. Contemporary attitudes reveal much indifference and ignorance towards him. Why Jesus? Challenges that consensus. To trust and follow Jesus still makes perfect sense. Take a fresh look at the one who claimed to be the Son of God and Saviour of sinners.

This book is about the role of Jesus Christ in ongoing creation on Earth. The records and artifacts left by earlier civilizations leave no doubt that creation has been a continuing process and that the quality of human life is getting better, improving dramatically in recent years. While there are still pockets of conflict, poverty and illness, most humans are living longer, happier, and more productive lives. No one has seen God, but then no one has seen gravity or the wind either. We can only see how they affect the world around us. In a similar manner Christians believe that we are observing the presence of God in ongoing creation. While Christian tradition emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ as redeemer, human history has shown us that he also came to teach humans how to work together and care for each other. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, his followers have become a Team dedicated to carrying on creation, improving human life, and managing our planet. Studies of continuing creation seem to provide answers to a number of lingering questions as well; questions such as: Why are human beings able to understand so much of their world? What is God doing about human suffering? Why is it important to obey certain rules as we carry out the activities of our lives? How does God answer prayer? Why is it necessary for Christians to gather together every seven days? Why is every human life so important? The pages that follow suggest some answers.