The Controversy of Bishop E. Bernard Jordan

Wednesday's communication (3/5/08) sponsored by Inner Flames Press (The Hidden and the Revealed) shared the idea that we are all living at a historic time. A shift in human consciousness is occurring. We are moving away from materialism toward a greater expression of spirituality.

Evidence of this shift completely surrounds us. As the Master taught, let those with eyes to see perceive the flowering of a new day.

Last year a charismatic young man named Bishop E. Bernard Jordan published an interesting book entitled The Laws of Thinking (Hay House, February 2007.) Using a conversational-style reminiscent of the Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Jordan presents his complex (and sometimes shocking) ideas in an easy to read format. He is the author of over 40 books, a speaker in high demand and the prodigy of New York's famous Rev Ike.

Dr. Aaron D. Lewis writes the book's introduction. He presents the old thinking Bishop Jordan promises the book will liberate Readers from. Lewis writes, "Being a third-generation child of the Pentecostal heritage I distinctly remember pastors strictly forbidding members to visit certain churches within our denomination, fearing that we might not come back. . . .Also, I remember how the same pastors encouraged us to read the Bible only, claiming that other books would contaminate our mind and spirit, rendering us worthless in the sight of God. . . .Most parishioners acquiesced and remained ignorant." (Jordan, The Laws of Thinking, pg. xvii)

Contrary to the limited belief systems of those preachers, Jordan promises to share with his Readers knowledge that will "rock your world. It's mind-blowing and perception-enhancing, and not everyone will be able to handle it. In fact, I'd say that the majority of Christians cannot handle the ideas in The Laws of Thinking." (pg. xvii)

So what are those ideas?

They all arise from the hot bed of controversy.

Inside the 20 chapters Jordan composed are some of the most shocking sentences I have ever read come from the pen of a minister claiming faith in the salvation work of the Lord Jesus Christ! I imagine the church Fathers who attended the Nicene Council and wrote the Apostle's Creed turning over in their graves. I am amazed Jordan receives speaking engagement by Bible-believing churches.

Echoing the Ancient World's belief that humanity and the Almighty share the same essence, Jordan thunders with authority, "When you declare 'I Am,' You become God. Ignorant minds will look at that statement and call it blasphemy, but that is only because they do not truly understand the nature of the relationship between God and man." (pg. 3) emphasis mine

Please allow me to repeat that idea. "You are god. But when you think about it, is it really so far-fetched?"

Bishop Jordan continues with one controversial paragraph after another.

"You are already at one with God. Separation from God does not exist. Everything is within the Infinite Mind. The only separation from God exists in your mind. That is the only sin in the world." (pg. 19-20)

"There is no such thing as evil. There is only the lack of awareness of God. You create the only evil there is when you choose to walk a path that rejects the good in you and rejects the calling from God to express His Spirit in the world." (pg. 44) emphasis mine

Such ideas are more comfortable coming out of the mouth of a so-called New Age, or New Thought, philosopher, not a Christian minister.

Personally, I applaud Bishop E. Bernard Jordan for the courage he expressed through the pages of this book. I disagree with some of his ungrounded speculations in the later chapters, but he blows the trumpet the Master gives any Believer in John 10:33-36 with fierceness!

"The Jews said to him [the Master], It is not because of the good works we stone you, but because you blaspheme; for while you are only a man, you make yourself God.

"Jesus said to them, Is it not so written in your law, I said, you are gods? (See Psalms 82:6)

"If he [King David] called them gods because the word of God was with them (and the scripture cannot be broken)

"Why to the one whom the Father sanctified and sent to the world, do you say, I am the Son of God."

From: The Holy Bible: George M. Lamsa's Translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta; originally presented to the West in 1933