Jesus is Lord

Jesus is Lord
By E.C. Evangelou
Christian Teaching Outreach Ministries 310 pages. Free from the publishers.
ISBN 0 9527 621 0 2

This book, which was advertised as free on Premier Radio just before Christmas 97 is designed to further the curious views of its author, a minister of a predominantly Greek 'evangelical' church in north London. This review is to warn readers of the potential harmful influence the book will have on the Greek community and any others who read it.
In his foreword Mr. Evangelou writes: 'This book has its origins in eternity' and goes on: 'It is intended as a supplement and not a substitute to the Bible' (italics mine). This gives a taste of the extraordinary claims of the author.
The book is an amalgam of gnostic and Sabellian heresies interwoven with evangelical expressions. The author claims to have direct revelations from God through visions. He has learned Hebrew directly from the 'I AM' (p.2). God revealed to him that the fourth Hebrew word in Genesis 1.1 is the Alpha and Omega. Strong's Concordance (No. 0853) tells us that it 'is a sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English, but generally preceding and indicating the accusative'.
On page 37 Mr. Evangelou explains that the angels represent Hebrew letters and ordered themselves to spell out words and execute God's commands. Using this method they created the world. In fact, his definitions of Hebrew letters are taken from the Jewish mystical source known as The Kabbalah, although he does not tell us this.
On page 248 he uses Chinese astrology horoscopes to help him interpret the Book of Revelation. On pages 259 and elsewhere he talks of having to go through different levels before attaining the mystical level. On page 82 he says: 'There are many levels of interpreting every verse'. One wonders what level of interpretation the author has reached when he states on page 260 that the child whom Jesus uses to represent humility (Luke 9.46-48) is the Holy Spirit, and on page 258 he says: 'In paradise Jesus learns of the thief. Because St. Peter says that Jesus will come as a thief in the night.'
If Mr. Evangelou is properly Trinitarian in his views of God we would not think so by reading his book. Such statements as: 'Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit', (p.101). Also: 'Lord Jesus Christ is another way of speaking about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit' (emphasis his), represent rank Sabellianism and are quite consistent with the teachings of the heretical sect of the One Way Pentecostals.
Mr. Evangelou's claims are clear. To understand the mysteries of the Bible we must come to him for he has attained the highest level. This strikes at the heart of the Protestant doctrines of the essential clarity of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers. These ancient heresies (gnosticism in this case) are still with us in one form or another.
We must pray that none of God's children will be led astray by the writings of Mr. Evangelou.

Andrew Price

Main Articles

Other articles