August 23, 2022

In his My Turn column of August 7, Lee Santa makes a claim that “Organized religions are religions of enslavement; the eSoteric is the path to liberation.” But quite the opposite is true when it comes to Christianity.

The word esoteric is defined by Webster as “designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone” and “requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group.” In other words, only an elite few can understand the teachings of the Gurdjieff cult (which is what makes it a cult). Lee Santa, being a student of Gurdjieff, claims to have special knowledge that the rest of us don’t have.

Christianity, on the other hand, can be understood by everyone. No one is excluded from the knowledge it contains or from a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. In fact, it is just such an openness and personal relationship that makes Christianity so special. No other religion offers the freedom and love which is found therein.

Far from being a religion of enslavement, Christianity offers liberation.

John 8:31-32 says: “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” In other words, we can be set free from slavery to the world and the lies of the Gurdjieff cult by heeding the words of Jesus Christ. His truth is out in the open for everyone to see, not hidden as in Gurdjieffism.

Galatians 5:1 says: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” The “yoke of slavery” that Paul writes about refers to being under Jewish law. We have been set free from bondage to such laws by Jesus himself.

Romans 8:1-2 says: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” In verse 21 Paul further states “the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”

After becoming established as a guru, G.I. Gurdjief became a dictator, ruling over his followers with an iron fist, forcing them to do and believe things against their will, and that included physical torture. His followers were slaves to their master. And like their master, they were ever seeking esoteric knowledge and never satisfied with what they found.

Christianity is not a religion of enslavement; it is a religion of freedom. In it we are free from the bondage of sin, we are free to turn away from the evil in this world, and we are free to have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus and God the Father.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Original Article: Christianity offers freedom and love