In Spring 1992, someone tried to justify all religions and the idea of
multiple ways to get to God besides Jesus.  I disagree.  The person
used the argument of the elephant where people had different parts,
but they were all parts of the elephant.  I found a book mentioning
the argument about the elephant, and I have some interesting
observations and things to say.  So does the book which shows the true
motive of such an argument as the elephant.  In Summer 1992, I read
Frank Peretti's THIS PRESENT DARKNESS.  It dealt with spiritual
warfare and was written with an underlying Christian message.  I
recommend it for reading.  Anyway, Chapter 11 includes the elephant
argument.  The character Shawn is a young man in the New Age movement
who tries to use the elephant argument to deceptively lure the
character Sandy into a philosophic trap.  Here are the excerpts...

(Sandy says)"I just wish I could find Him(GOD) for real."

Shawn looked at her comfortingly and touched her hand.  "Hey, He's
no trouble to find.  We're all a part of Him."

"What do you mean?"(Page 116)	

"Well, it's like I said, the whole universe all fits together; it's
made of the same essence, the same spirit, the same...energy.

Right?"  Sandy shrugged and nodded.  

"Well, whatever our individual concept of God might be, we all know
that there is something there:  a force, a principle, an energy,
that holds everything together.  If that force is part of the
universe, then it must be a part of us."

Sandy wasn't grasping this.  "This is pretty foreign to me. I'm
from the old Judeo-Christian school of thought, you know."

"So all you've ever learned is religion, right?"

She thought for a moment, then conceded.  "Right."

"Well, you see, the problem with religion--any religion--is that
it's basically a limited perspective, only a partial view of the
whole truth."
	
...(The two speak and then Shawn tells about the elephant.)
"Well, see?  Each man's perspective of the elephant was limited
to the part that he touched, so since they all touched different
parts, they couldn't agree on what an elephant was really like.
They got in a fight over it, just like religionists throughout
history have done, and all they needed to realize was that the
elephant was only one elephant. It wasn't the elephant's fault
that they couldn't agree with each other.  They weren't tuned in
to each other and to the whole elephant."...(Shawn continues to
deceive Sandy.) (Page 117)
                     			
Again, I disagree with Shawn's statements.  The Bible shows
where true unification of people and the universe exists.
Colossians 1:16-17 states, "For by Him(Jesus) all things were
created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;  all things
were created by Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and
in Him all things hold together."  Chapters 2 and 4 in Ephesians
talk about the unity and oneness in Christ that Christians
experience.  There are many other verses I could include here.
Also, Christianity existed before the concept of religion.
Christianity is a lifestyle--a life and death decision.  It is
not a limitation, but rather a door to the ultimate freedom.

The book continues on the bottom of page 118 and top of page 119:

"I think maybe I'm tuning in a little bit," she said.

Shawn smiled and squeezed her hand encouragingly.

Meanwhile, with very gentle, very subtle combing motions of his
talons, Deception stood behind Sandy, stroking her red hair and
speaking sweet words of comfort to her mind.  

So, you see, Shawn's statements are deceptive...a trap.  His
words seem to make sense and sound good, but they lead to
destruction.  It's as if one sees a rich chocolate cake that looks
good, but it ends up sticking to your teeth and mouth and tastes
bitter.  This world offers a lot of temption and deception that
looks good, but is really bitter.  Don't give into deception.
Seek Christ and let Him fill and satisfy you.

	"O taste and see that the Lord is good."  Psalm 34:8

There's only one way to find the Truth and that is Jesus Christ.
Read John 3:16-18 and 14:6 and 2 Timothy 2:12.  These are just
a few verses which state the truth that Jesus is the only way
to God.  I know that many of you have heard the verses before and
deny them, but I am posting again because just as He gave me a
second chance over and over again, so I am offering you another
opportunity again.  If you want to seriously seek Jesus Christ or
simply have questions about what I have posted, feel free to
E-mail me.  Don't fall into a trap.
			--Beacon Deacon