The Whole Wheat Gospel<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
 
The history of the American gospel and the history of wheat go hand in hand. Wheat has been a staple food throughout history and is one of the world's most important food crops. It would be hard to overstate its value in the world. Enormous changes in people's lives occurred due to the growing of wheat. People began growing their own food and no longer needed to wander in search of their next meal. Wheat could be stored for long periods of time. Permanent settlements were established because wheat provided people with a stable food supply and eventually enough wheat was grown to feed people from other lands. Once there was extra wheat available, trade between various cultures developed. 
 
However, in our rapid success of processing and refining we made a big mistake. We tinkered with this prominent food source so we could attain a longer shelf life. Like wheat, we have tinkered with the gospel by taking away the essential elements of sin and repentance. It is much like taking the bran and germ from wheat leaving it with almost zero nutritional value. The remnants of this gospel provide longer pew life from attendees and while it may look the same, it is spiritually empty.
 
All types of grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates, various vitamins and minerals, and are naturally low in fat. But grains that haven't been refined - called whole grains - are even better for you. Whole grains are better sources of fiber and other important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium, and magnesium. Whenever possible it is best to choose whole grains over refined grains.
 
Over the years milling has become subject to increased market pressures and customer demand. As a result our farming processes and techniques have taken away almost all of the nutritional value of wheat. Countless essential vitamins and oils are lost in today's commercially processed flours, all in the name of convenience. To ensure that today's store bought flour will last on shelves, all traces of the grains bran and germ must be removed. Why must they be removed? Once the bran and germ are milled, they can only last up to 72 hours at room temperature before becoming rancid. Since the germ is packed with vitamins B and E, much is lost by their removal. This removal process also results in a loss of up to 26 essential vitamins necessary for proper nutrition. Valuable roughage, which our bodies need to absorb and remove unwanted toxins and poisons within our digestive system, is lost. White flour is created by removing the bran and germ from the wheat, which contains 76% of the vitamins and minerals. It is more pleasing to the eye but lacks any nutritional value.
 
After these processes have taken place bread still looks like bread to the naked eye but the value to your body has decreased dramatically. This is the same with commercially enhanced man-centered theology. Removing all of the elements of the gospel that may be offensive offers people a longer shelf life, giving them the "preservatives" they need to sit in service and be active in church.
 
 
Commercial processors have tried to "enrich" flours with vitamins B1, B2, Niacin, and Iron, but this still cannot make up for the many other valuable vitamins lost. By milling your own grains, you can utilize all the essential vitamins and oils. Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, heart disease, bowel cancer, and tooth decay are just some of the major diseases on the rise since the introduction of white flour in the 1900's. Many nutritionists agree that white flour and other refined foods are largely responsible.
 
The gospel message is often altered in a way that gives man prominence. For example, it often begins with, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" (note that man gets two mentions here, while God only gets one and Jesus is not even mentioned at all!). Neither Peter (Acts 2) nor Paul (Galatians 1-2) ever preached such a message, nor does any book of the Bible, since it is not the gospel. While it is true that God draws the sinner out of love for His creation, and that Christ died to make it possible for him to be saved, it is not true that God has a wonderful plan for every lost sinner. His plan for lost sinners who reject Jesus Christ is that they will be cast into Hell. 
 
Let's be honest; the preaching of the gospel gets refined and processed by our own agendas to grow the church. Some major ingredients get removed because of our pride and need for acceptance. We will do whatever it takes to produce a longer shelf life for people in our church. The bread of life contains the acknowledgement of sin, repentance, and God's judgment along with God's love. Anything less is spiritually empty.
 
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Matt 4:17 ESV
 
"If Jesus preached the same message ministers preach today, He would have never been crucified." (Leonard Ravenhill)
 
 
Read more of Ray's articles at Raybaumann.com