I offer to you a rough summary of this outstanding book’s principal points after their page numbers for quick reference. I do have copies available for $3. This book written and released two years ago is now quite cunningly and very candidly appropriately focused spot-on discerning the state of the union for Christianity as practiced the past several decades in North America and Western Europe, especially now as many of us are living in a “lock-down” mode, that terminology reflecting multiple possible definitions for Jesus followers as detailed by the author.
I refrained from editorial liberty or license as the book speaks clearly and simply. The exceptions to that are on page 73 where I reworded a sentence for clarity. Numerous times I added comments in parentheses, like adding the adjective “authentic” to the word “Christian” near the end of the book to distinguish such from merely “culturally practicing” or perhaps better understood, as “exhibiting a form of Christianity though perhaps not possessing the substance of the faith. See II Tim 3: 5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” I also added nine Biblical passages supporting our admonition to living in holiness in the P 52 section after which I included the words to the hymn “Take Time to be Holy” and the unique accounts of two men being faithful in their holy moments.
Please understand highlighting the key points from this book’s 113 pages to merely seven typewritten is not without editing perils. I trust my chosen key points may encourage you to read the book for yourself! Thanks for the opportunity to share this with you but the real thanks goes to Matthew Kelly who was obedient in his holy moment to share his revelations on paper with us.
I also must share with you that I purchased this book nearly a year ago and it stood in my bookcase until this past Sunday (Actually this was written in May 2020) and when Loretta went to get it, she couldn’t see it. But it was on my library list so the second look revealed it was hidden behind the bookcase trim strip because it was so thin. I must admit I’ve been nudged for the past month or two that I really needed to read this book. Finally, Saturday while working in the garden, I just spoke out loud and said “OK OK then, I will read it tomorrow!” And so after church Sunday, and a luxurious hour nap, I began the journey and three hours later, finished The Biggest Lie In The History Of Christianity. Simply timing; for indeed such a time, or Holy Moment as this! And as Matthew Kelly believes, our “transformation” to authenticity to institute our “Holy Moments” will transform us, as well as those in our sphere of influence, eventually the Church and indeed, the world… again even!
Perhaps now Matthew should write a sequel about “Fear not” since fear is escalating among so many today. After all, it is said the KJV has 103 “Fear nots” and the word “fear” is used over 500 times. In the event Matthew Kelly passes on writing the “fear book,” may I recommend you then read John Bevere’s “The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God” by positioning your heart to receive answers, by promising divine protection, by providing clarity and direction, and by producing legacies, honor and a fulfilled life.
It is past time we begin! (And now on New Years Eve 2020, it is remarkable that I found my two draft posts from last May. Just yesterday I commented to my cousin Loretta that I had four posts ready but I was not sure the time was right yet for their release! And just now I discovered I had two more draft posts ready to publish! And when I read them, I was compelled to release Part One tonight on the eve of 2021 and Part Two soon thereafter)
Here is my attempt to condense a great book, “The Biggest Lie….
P 12: the foundational question is how long do you want to be happy for? If only for a couple hours, take a nap…. We yearn for long term happiness, a lasting happiness, and when it really comes down to it, that itch is a yearning for JOY, which transcends simple happiness.
P 15: …the authentic person acknowledges that he is not perfect. He is open, honest, and vulnerable about his imperfections and is certainly not using them as excuses to engage in self-destructive behavior or behavior that negatively impacts others.
P 16: I am never happy when I pretend to be someone I’m not… The birth of social media has put this pretending on steroids!
P21: The five biggest lies in the history of Christianity to provide the context for the biggest single lie are 1.) Jesus didn’t exist; 2.) The Resurrection is a Myth; 3.) Christianity Preys on the Weak & Ignorant; 4.) Christianity is Anti-Intellectual and Anti-Scientific & 5.) Christianity is Anti-Sex.
P 32: The biggest lie of all is that “Holiness is not possible.” This lie is diabolical and evil, but brilliant nonetheless. It is astounding that just one lie can neutralize the majority of Christians. This one lie is largely, if not primarily responsible, for ushering in the post-Christian modern era throughout Western civilization. The fact the word holiness has disappeared from out dialogue is proof we consider it either irrelevant or unattainable.
P36: “A Holy Moment (HM) is a moment when you are being the person God created you to be, and you are doing what you believe God is calling you to do in that moment”. It is an instance where you set aside self-interest, personal desire, and what you feel like doing or would rather be doing, and embrace what you believe will bring the most good to the most people in that moment.”
P 38: John Keats points out: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.” So it is with one single Holy Moment (HM)! One single HM is a thing of beauty. Its loveliness increases. It will never pass into nothingness.
P40: God’s grace is needed to create a HM. This is not a self-empowerment thing. HM’s are created with God’s grace. God will never deny you the grace needed to create a HM.
P 52: Holy Moments are possible. Holiness is possible. This is a beautiful truth and truth animates us. This is also the very will of God, In Thessalonians 4:3 we read “This is the will of God, that you be holy.” Don’t let yourself be neutralized by the biggest lie in the history of Christianity. Reject that lie every day, and embrace every Holy Moment that comes your way.
I Cor 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God…..for the temple of God is holy , which temple ye are.”
Eph 1:4 “Accordingly as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Col 1:21-22 “..yet hath he now reconciled ….through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight:”
Col 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
II Tim 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace..”
Luke 1:74-75 “..that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”
Rom 6: 22 “But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
II Cor 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Eph 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”