SCIENTIFIC CHRISTIANITY. Augustine said "Though there are very many nations all over the earth,...there are no more than two kinds of human society, which we may justly call two cities,...one consisting of those who live according to man, the other of those who live according to God....To the City of Man belong the enemies of God,...so inflamed with hatred against the City of God."

Gerd Ludemann, professor of New Testament and Director of the Institute of Christian Studies at Gottingen University (Germany) said he no longer describes himself as a Christian and practices theology as a scientific discipline. (It makes me picture the King of Siam saying "It's scientific! in the King and I)

He denies the resurrection, discounts the Biblical presentation of Jesus, and believes that Jesus was conceived in an episode of rape. It makes you wonder how he could maintain his job teaching New Testament. At least he is honest about his beliefs. Many liberal theologians are not believers in any sense, but will not admit it.

Ludemann said "I don't think Christians know what they mean when they proclaim Jesus as Lord of the world. That is a massive claim. If you took that seriously, you would probably have to be a fundamentalist. If you can't be a fundamentalist, then you should give up Christianity for the sake of honesty."

On this we agree. The claims of Christianity are fantastic. Theological liberals constantly search for a way to call themselves Christians while accomodating the world's skepticism. It cannot be logically done. Augustine was right. You have to choose which city in which you will live. Jesus said no one can serve two masters. You cannot be in the world and in Christ.

Professor Ludemann, I understand the claim of Jesus as Lord of the World. Color me a fundamentalist, then. I believe Jesus is sovereign, and that he is returning to be revealed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And, I don't think he will care much for scientific theology as for the faith of a little child.