The Shepherds Way (TSW) ~ Eric W. King: Understanding the Truth about Christianity

Understanding the Truth about Christianity

By Eric William King

Many of you may have been raised in some kind of Christian church. Sadly, many in America have never been taught the history of their faith. Unfortunately many accept whatever they may hear from their pastor and simply believe that what he or she is saying is true. So, because of this there is much need of Apologetic Ministering [defending the Christian faith] in today’s world.

I have been involved with my Christian faith for many years, since I was just a baby. I have studied my faith intensely for many years. I attending Christian college for a very short time and worked in numerous churches, many different “denominations” and “non-denominations”. I also spent five years involved off and on in many different religions.

I studied at a Buddhist monastery in California in the early 90’s. There I studied the “8 fold path”. I studied many different forms of Hinduism and was at one time a celibate Hare Krishna [Sannyasi]. A California news paper did a two full page interview with me and printed pictures of me in a Sunday paper. Why am I sharing this? I think it is important to let you know that I speak with experience.

I was baptized and raised all the way into high school in a conservative Lutheran Church. I have been married twice and am now widowed. Through all of this [even after studying the occult and being involved with metaphysical science for many years] I have, by God’s grace kept some sanity. Oh, one more area of study that has interested me since a young child is that of UFOlogy and extraterrestrial phenomenon. In my 30’s I gave lectures about these subjects at conferences. I even wrote at least 10 study guides throughout my life on many topics.

The Shepherds Way

Making a very long and complicated life story short, on October 10^th 2017 while walking with both my dog’s on a trail of nature near Yosemite Natural Forest, [after losing important people in my life] I was in prayer and I was wondering what God would have me do with all these things that I had learned and experienced. I really wanted to have some ministry for God and to share the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe that God had given me the idea to start a BLOG. I realize that “everybody” has a BLOG and that many do not trust the information that they may receive on somebody’s BLOG. None the less, I started my online ministry. It went through some name changes but I decided on “The Shepherds Way”. The first Christians were called “followers of the Way” and Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd.

I also have been blessed by God to speak publicly in the church that I attend. Again I have been blessed to teach adult Bible classes and create study forums which help Christians begin to understand the original Christian Church and what the earliest church taught theologically. This is extremely important to me. Christians have been “hoodwinked” about the true history of theology in the Christian church, how it grew, changed, and in many cases has become distorted.

I have a wonderful library containing many books which I have collected throughout the years. Many pastors that I taught with and studied with have bequeathed unto me great biblical study volumes. I was also blessed to receive some very ancient knowledge from the Greek Orthodox Church. In my conclusion, after years of study, I truly believe that God did call St. Martin Luther and St. Philip Melanchthon to expose the errors of the Great Roman Apostasy.

Please understand, in this sense the true Confessional Lutheran Church is NOT a denomination but a RESTORATION of the one True doctrines of the original church. St. Luther’s reform began to expose the Roman Pope Heresy. Also, the study of the Augsburg Confession is a must when it comes to understanding the true doctrine of Soteriology [Doctrine of Salvation]. To me, Soteriology is the most important theological study.

If you get salvation through Jesus Christ wrong, well then you are wrong on everything else.

Antiochene Christianity

As I began my intense study of the early Christian Church I began to do a lot more reading. I discovered that you can find the first and original teachings and ideas of the church within the first 450 years of the church. This period is referred to by many scholars as “the Patristic Period”.

It all starts with where the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” in Antioch. From St. Peter (of the Bible) all the way up to 361 AD we have in our TSW Library a list of “bishops”. This shows a continuation of the Ancient Antiochene Church. Our studies show however, that only the first seven bishops held to a more uncontaminated truth. Be that as it may, all of this is in fact historically documented.

If you study here and watch some of my lectures you will begin to learn about this interesting history of the Christian faith. Two ancient schools of theology formed. One was the more liberal School of Alexandria and the more conservative and connected to the true apostles, the Antiochene School of theology.

St. Ignatius was the third bishop [regional head pastor] in line of St. Peter. Again, all of this is historically documented. Some of the early pastors of Antioch wrote volumes from which we still read from today.

Ancient Antiochene School Revived!

So, on October 10^th 2017 the Ancient Antiochene School of theology was revived through this ministry, “The Shepherds Way” showing the true history flow from the beginning of the first church all the way up to 451 AD. After that, all the heresy and great apostasies began which started the two biggest denominations in church history, the Greek Church and the Roman Church.

I also started the “Nugget of Truth” where I have posted many Biblical lectures on many topics. You can find it on Youtube. I don’t update it as much as when I first started but I still post very important talks when I can.

Christianity needs proper history!

“I don’t need to understand the history of my Christian faith. Just give me a Bible to read. I’ll get it all figured out.” REALLY?

The problem with the Roman Catholic Church is that it believes that the “church” creates the Word rather than understanding that it is the Word that creates the Christian Church. If you put the church above the Word then the leaders of the church may dictate to - and even change the Word.

The Christian Church does not produce the doctrines of Christianity; the perfect Word of God creates the doctrines and practices of the true church.

In the Roman church you have doctrines which contradict the Bible. If you have studied here at “The Shepherds Way” & “Nugget of Truth” you have learned about the importance of understanding proper Christian History and how it effects biblical interpretation. For instance, many Christians are unaware that after the last apostle died the Christian church developed into two main schools of thought, the Alexandrian school & the Antiochene school.

The earliest school of theology being the Antiochene school which was founded by Apostle Peter, Paul and Barnabas. We here at “The Shepherds Way” & “Nugget of Truth” hold to the original and earliest Christian teachings which have their roots in Antioch.

Though the Alexandrian school was recognized as the first “Christian Learning School”, it was not as old as the Antiochene Church which began to take the Alexandrian school on regarding Alexandrian heretical doctrines. The Antiochene school became legitimately known as a “Christian School” after its prolonged battle with the Alexandrian school.

The Antiochene theology thus predates Alexandrian theology. Antioch became recognized as the antithetical of Alexandrian theology because of open theological debates between the two.

Understanding what the original Greek words meant to the Apostles of that time, understanding the culture, language and what their world perspective was helps us to grasp a better interpretation of biblical doctrine.

The seventh bishop of Antioch used the Greek word for “trinity” when explaining the Godhead (Deity). This shows that long before the heretic Arius (who came some 250 plus years later), the early apostolic church understood and accepted the Trinity. The early writings also prove that they held to a pre-millennial eschatological view and that they understood the dual nature of Christ.

The Antiochene Christian Church existed long before the two major and first powerful denominations which are the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches. We find the true teachings along with the earliest struggles of the church between the apostolic period (first 100 years of the church) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD). We here at TSW (The Shepherds Way) teach the history of the first 451 years of the Christian Church making us true “non-denominationalists”.

Sound Antiochene Rules

It is extremely important to follow proper interpretation rules. We follow the Seven Ancient Antiochene Rules of Interpretation which could be outlined as follows:

1-Pray (Always ask God to show you what He would have you know before study)

2-Consider the Context (This means understanding the near & far context, context controls the meaning of the text)

3-Understand Words (This means the language you are using and the Greek & Hebrew words)

4-Understanding Grammar (Understanding similes, metaphors, allegories and figures of speech – hyperboles)

5-Grasping the Authors Intention (Do not read your personal meaning into the text, let the authors meaning stand)

6-Studying the Background (Understanding the contemporary political, language, art, scientific understandings and other things going on during the time the letter was written.)

7-Interprepting Scripture with Scripture (Letting the Bible interpret itself…so to speak. Understanding typology.)

Proper Christian living comes through proper Christian study. It is the goal of the true Christian to develop the “Mind of Christ”. The true Christian has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Divine Spiritual Implant. This special helper begins to lead, guide, direct and protect the Christian student into Christian Maturity.

Our attitude toward the Scriptures (the Christian Bible) governs our conceptions and conclusions. We hold to Sola Scriptura (the Bible Alone). Our teachings do not allow for additions or subtractions from God’s word. All of our biblical doctrine must be found in Scripture and taught from Scripture. Having stated that, we also recognize the importance of understanding other things such as the Seven Rules of Biblical Interpretation which help substantiate additional facts.

Our most important evidence is transformed human lives. Those who have studied here and become regenerated children of God are the bright lights of this planet. True Christianity is not a religion; it is a way of life. True Christianity is a healthy relationship with God, Divine Intelligence.

I hope that these thoughts help you gain a deeper respect of God, His Word and the importance of properly understanding it all. May God continue to richly bless you with proper doctrine and proper living.

Greek Thought & Hebrew Thought in Scripture

I wish to share with you something I believe to be extremely important. I have learned throughout my years of studying the Bible many things and continue to do so and my excitement leads me to share. This information is surprisingly not realized or known by most Christians. The Bible student can really begin to understand this subject by doing a thorough study of the epistle of Hebrews.

My pastor and Patriarch, Richard Cripe who in my opinion still teaches what I call original Ancient Antiochene Theology when it comes to true Dispensational Theology and Soteriology recently took all of us through the epistle of Hebrews. Some major points that he brought out in the epistle were as follows:

1-The finality of true revelation through Jesus Christ (Sola Scriptura).

2-The fact of the superiority of Jesus Christ over the angels and Moses.

3-Jesus Christ brings us into a new and complete priesthood (Solus Christus).

4-Our rest is not in “day keeping” or “rule following” but is complete in Jesus Christ (Sola Fide).

5-Through Jesus Christ we come into the presence of God the Father (Soli Deo Gloria).

6-All “shadows” and “types” are fulfilled in Jesus Christ who takes us into “pure reality”.

7-The necessity of Christian progress and the finality of OT Jewish law through Jesus Christ.

….and much, much more.

In addition to all of these awesome facts I wish to give some historical insight of the epistle of Hebrews that is fascinating too. We have been blessed with a complete Christian Library of information which I refer to as our “Ancient Antiochene Library” (which in my opinion contains much more accurate knowledge than even the Vatican Library, though much, much smaller than the Vatican Library…of course).

The ancient Alexandrian School of Theology became much influenced by Greek Platonic Thought and that of his student Philo. They had quite a library of ancient parchments there in Alexandria including a lot of pagan wittings and mythos from the Far East. Clement of Alexandria used these writings in producing some of his theological conclusions in the Alexandrian School. He also used a “midrish” (extreme allegorical) approach in his interpretations.

Many of his successors in Alexandria did the same including the chief allegorist, Origin. This created a lot of problems. For one thing it was plain and simple bad hermeneutics. The ancient Greek philosophers sought a better world of experience. They would say that our material world is a distorted and aberrant reflection of a purer reality which is made of an ethereal or spiritual reality. I have referred to this same idea in stating that the fallen world (our current material reality) is the Fallen Matrix in contrast to the pure reality, the Divine Matrix (or Kingdom of God). This approach speaks more to the deeper intellectual thinker.

The epistle of Hebrews contains this idea. Some theologians have referred to this theme found in the epistle of Hebrews to be the “two-story” schematic.

The Two Realities

What we might call the “two story” theme is mostly Greek in its approach. What makes the epistle of Hebrews extremely interesting is the fact that it mixes the Greek approach with the Hebrew (Jewish) approach in a beautiful unfolding of the human condition and our relationship as Christians with Divine Intelligence (God).

Though predominately the epistle of Hebrews was written as a witness to the Hebrews (Jews) it also contains information which would have strongly affected the Hellenistic Jews. To the Jews it was always taught that a person could never really come into the presence of God, only the High Priest once year on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest once a year would enter the Holy of Hollies for a short period of time to offer prays and blood sacrifice.

Moses stated; “No man can see God and live.” (Exodus 33:22) Manoah once stated; “Surely we shall die, for we have seen God.” The Jewish people also understood that they served a covenantial God, a God who spoke through covenants. They understood that through a priesthood (the Levitical) and animal sacrifice they could stay “right” with God. However, they started to realize that in order for them to continue with God so must the sacrifices which really never satisfied God. So they sought a new priesthood (a better one) and an ultimate sacrifice. This would truly make them right with God.

The Greeks believed that God would never become a human and that only through special knowledge (gnosis) and initiation could one become right with God. Interestingly the Greeks believed that our planet and the kosmos were fake, or shadowy, transient and imperfect. The Greeks view of our world, in that sense, agreed with the Jewish concept of sin and a fallen world (world completely infected with sin). Right away they had grounds to agree.

We could say in our “two story” theme that both Greeks & Jews believed that the lower story, all of what we refer to as physical creation, was aberrant, distorted, a Fallen Matrix from which we must escape. By the new knowledge (gnosis) of Jesus Christ and by hearing the “Gospel” and through accepting the higher sacrifice and priesthood of Jesus Christ one could be “saved” and be brought into proper relationship with Divine Intelligence (The Creator).

Man has this inner knowing that something in our reality is not right. Man has an innate understanding of “good” & “evil”. Man seems to somewhat understand his fallen nature and the reality of a Supreme God. Thus the search to answer these important questions begins and man begins to seek for answers and he or she ultimately finds the answers in the person of Jesus Christ who in fact is God coming to us (incarnate). God Himself must make the way for us; God Himself is the only perfect priest and sacrifice. Finally, God is love and thus He makes the initiative and way for us to be brought into right relationship with Him. Ultimately all of creation will be brought back into its glorious reality. This final restoration begins in the “upper story”, the Divine Matrix.

This two story view of reality is central throughout the epistle of Hebrews. This explanation in Hebrews of a far better reality, above all the shadows and types, is not purely Platonic though some of the author’s explanations are set in Platonic idealism. The author of Hebrews is using language that the Hellenistic Jews could properly grasp and understand. The author of Hebrews is also not being overly allegorical or “midrashic” in his approach especially when he begins to speak about the reality of a literal second coming.

The author of Hebrews simply uses the name Jesus to answer all the questions. Jesus Christ our Lord is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Through Him we have complete atonement, redemption, reconciliation and salvation. Praise God for the good news of Jesus Christ.

Historical connections to the original Church?

Today in the United States of America there are many churches that call themselves “Christian”. Just about anybody can legally start a church and start teaching things that he or she believes in personally. So let’s look into what this might mean in regards to what some might call “historical Christianity”.

First off, if one reads the Bible he or she will find that Jesus Christ Himself stated: “I will build my church and the gates of Hades (or hell) shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) So when did Jesus build this church? Notice that this church is “His church”, not mans. So first off, Jesus did not start a “non-profit” organization following some legal standard. Second, nowhere in Scripture do we read that Christ’s church was to be “denominated”, or divided into groups with slightly differing beliefs. So right away we have some issues with all the so called “denominations” around the globe.

We read that after Jesus resurrected He appeared to His disciples and told them to go and wait in an upper room where He would empower them with the “gift of the Holy Spirit” thus charging His church to begin in the “great commission” to call in others from all over the world. The “Book of Acts” records that this event did indeed happen and thus the church began, sometime around 33 AD. (Acts 1:4)

So this means (going clearly by Scripture) that that same church is still here to this day. Jesus said that until He comes for His church it would not be destroyed. The next question becomes, “So where is it amongst all the confusion?” This leads us to look closely at another teaching of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that if we remain in His word we will know the truth and this truth would “set us free” - free from sin and error. (John 8:31,32; John 15:7)

Authority of Scripture

This guides us to base our understanding of the Christian Church based on the teachings of His Word, which all churches recognize as the Christian Bible. Now we get into proper interpretation, this is where I truly believe that not only should we begin to understand what I call the “Seven Rules of Interpretation” but we must also delve into the earliest church and the writings of those who actually knew some of the first apostles.

Two Oldest Churches

The two claimed oldest churches are the Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church which of course still exist unto this day. Just because they are old and still exist mustn’t what they both teach still be tested by the Word of God? If we believe Jesus and the first apostles, Yes! (1^st John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20) ~

How to Test the Churches

Another very important thing to keep in mind is that the apostle Paul himself warned in the epistles that in latter times many calling themselves “Christian” would fall away from the Truth and begin to teach false doctrine (Acts 20:29-31). So how does one test false doctrine? Again, by using the Word itself, comparing what the Scriptures say to what others might say.

One cannot “add” or “subtract” from the Scriptures. (Galatians 1:6-9; Duet. 4:2; Prov. 3:6; Rev. 22:18,19)

Note: This does NOT mean that we cannot let history help fill in the “gaps” of prophetic history using archeology and science also….as we do in our “Book of Genesis” studies.

Early Writings

So we do have early writings from first Christians who actually knew some of the apostles such as St Justin Martyr, St Papius, St Ignatius and others. Reading the early writings from what is called the Patristic Period of the church is also extremely important. This period starts at 100 AD and ends with the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. It is important to understand how the early church understood Scripture and handled issues.

So called “Apostolic Succession”

The Roman Church bases their authority not on Scripture but on what they call “apostolic succession” which means that they believe they have a list of “popes” which connects them to the Church that Jesus built. First of all, Jesus never appointed “popes” over His church and second of all their so called “apostolic list” of “popes” was made up in 514 AD by a disgruntled pope to try and prove his point.

Apostolic Authority

The Bible does tell us to trust apostolic authority which simply means that we should trust what the original apostles wrote in Scripture. When we look at the life of Apostle Paul we find that he did not have any approval of the church and as a matter of fact before his conversion he was persecuting the church. Jesus Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus and called him to follow. Here we see that to be “called of God” is an individual thing. There doesn’t have to be a direct contact to some church organization or affiliation. (Also see Matt. 3:9)

The true Church is Catholic

The word “catholic” simply means universal and whole. Today people associate this word with “Roman Catholic” but the earliest church (way before the schism and creation of the Roman church) called itself catholic. St. Ignatius used the term to show that the true church of Jesus Christ is not divided, it is whole and that it is universal…not denominated. So the true church is in fact catholic – with a small “c”.

The true church is also “orthodox”. This in its religious sense simply means conforming to the “original” or “fundamental” teachings of true Christianity. The true church is also what we would call “apostolic” which means that it holds to and teaches what the original apostles taught.

The true church is thus not a continuation of the claims of men but is instead the continuation of the TRUE TEACHINGS of Scripture. Also, the Christian Church does not create the Scriptures (Word of God) but instead the Word of God creates the proper Church.

Ending Thoughts

Finally, Jesus built His church on the testimony of Apostle Peter who stated that Jesus was and is the true Messiah. After Peter stated this Jesus confirmed that it was upon this truth (the testimony of Peter and not on Peter himself) that He would build His church and that He did. It is still here today operative on planet earth. On the Rock of Peter’s testimony (not on Peter) that Jesus is in fact the Messiah the Church is built. (Matthew 16:17,18)

The Shepherds Way

Thank you for reading this article and you are invited to continue your studies here at “The Shepherds Way” (TSW). This ministry was started on October 10^th of 2017 and is a continuation of the true teachings of Jesus Christ and the church that He built.

Always resting in the finished work of my Savior, Jesus the Christ,

Eric William King (Compiled February 18^th 2021)

*Also READ & WATCH: "Message from Presbyter of TSW In America