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The Gospel According to Spiritism (''L'Évangile Selon le Spiritisme'' in French), by Allan Kardec is a book published in 1864 that relates the teachings of Jesus to Kardecist Spiritism , the moral and religious philosophy that Kardec had been publishing. It is intended to demonstrate that, unlike critics had been saying, Spiritism was neither contrary to biblical teaching or Paganism . Furthermore, Kardec claims that Spiritism clarifies and extends the most important teachings of Jesus and argues that the essence of Jesus' sayings was not followed by most critics of Spiritism. It attracted a lot of negative reaction from the Catholic Church and was Indexed . The first edition had been titled ''Imitation de l'Évangile'' (An Imitation of the Gospels), but the third, and definitive edition (1865) had the book renamed and profusely corrected (mostly typos or supposed mistakes in channelling), edited and expanded. It is one of the five fundamental works of Kardecist Spiritism . OVERVIEW The book, the best documented and the most organised of the five, contains one introductory part and 28 chapters. The first 27 are each one dedicated to dissect one particular verse of the Gospels ) and the last one is a collection of prayers inspired by elevated spirits. The Introduction Kardec, a devoted Catholic and a dedicated teacher (disciple of Pestalozzi before his contact with Spiritism, looked forward to base his teachings in solid Biblical knowledge, as well as the messages he received from his guiding spirits. Therefore, the first part of the ''Gospel...'' is dedicated to a series of observations and clarifications intended to situate its arguments and Doctrine so that those more familiar with Exegesis would find their way throughout it more easily. The first item of the introduction argues that the currently existing Translation s of the Gospels were imperfect and were effectively unintelligible without proper relation to scholarly research about the culture and the customs of the peoples of the Middle-East (a rather advanced teaching for his time). As the entirety of the message of Christ cannot be easily grasped from the existing texts about his life, Kardec argues that --- instead of handpicking the details --- we should pay more attention to his teachings and more significant deeds. This is what he tries to do in this book. The second item argues that of goodwill all gave the same message and this message is logically consistent both internally and with what Christ taught. The third part is a rough guide to the Gospels, explaining the meaning of foreign concepts and new words only found there. The fourth part explains that even before Christ theories similar to Spiritism could be found in the Greek Philosophy , notably in Socrates and Plato (Spiritists have both philosophers in high esteem and consider them as precursors of Christ, some even believe that Christ himself was a reincarnation of Socrates and Paul , of Plato). Doctrinal Chapters The 27 doctrinal chapters are studies on quotes of Christ. The chosen quotes are the following (quotes according to the King James Version, they often differ broadly with the French text Kardec used): # Think not that I am come to destroy the law : Christ is not revoking, but improving on the previous revelation. # My kingdom is not of this world : Christ did not come as a human Messiah to save physical lives and restore a temporal kingdom, but to spread the truth about the afterlife. # In my Father's house are many mansions : The plurality of inhabited worlds, their roles and correlations in the great plan of God for mankind (seen as universal, not only earthly). # Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God : The truth of God, and our true lives, are not in the material world, but in the spiritual world, which we will only be able to understand after several rebirths on Earth. This chapter is especially devoted to proving that the survival of the spirit after death is a biblical teaching. This is probably the key chapter of the book, the one most filled with biblical quotes and the one with the wider variety of different theses. # Blessed are those that mourn : This chapter comments the Sermon of the Mountain and the divine justice according to Spiritism. Kardec argues that, assuming that we only live once, the apparent injustice of the world must be a reflection of God's injustice. On the other hand, considering that we live many times and that we carry from one life to the next the missions we left unfulfilled, the guilt for the wrongs we did against others, etc. the apparent injustice of the world reflects the compensation of the wrong done in previous lives. Kardec proposes the "Law of Cause and Effect" (an occidentalised version of the Hindu concept of Karma ) and reinforces the monstruosity of Homicide and Suicide as the greatest Sin s against the law of God. # Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest Titled "Christ, the Consoler", this chapter explains what one needs to find "salvation" (as understood by Spiritism): to rely solely on the morality proposed by God so that we fulfil our missions in the world, stop accumulating guilt by doing wrong to others, and start repairing our past sins. Kardec chose this specific verse because, according to Spiritism, to follow the teachings of Christ is much easier and leads us to more comfort than refusing them: all suffering comes from denying to do what God wants us to, that's why Christ's yoke is light. But the central point of the chapter is that the Spiritist doctrine, being an expansion and a correction of the central teachings of Christ, is the consolation once promised by him. # Blessed are the poor in spirit : This chapter explains another Christian virtue; modesty. # Blessed are the pure of heart : This chapter is about several different teachings of Christ related to true purity. Its central thesis is that authentic purity is neither unattainable nor centred on deeds, but on thoughts. # Blessed are the meek : This chapter explains why did Christ promise inheritance on earth to the meek. His thesis is that, once everyone follows the teachings of Christ, the present situation (in which most worldly goods are under the control of wicked people) will be reverted. This agrees with chapter 3, in which Kardec demonstrates that Christ did teach that there are many worlds and that, as a consequence, there are more and less evolved worlds. The adoption of Christian principles makes a world evolve and become more pleasant to live. # Blessed are the merciful : this chapter explains how divine justice works: we are submitted to the same things we do unto others so that we learn that they are wrong. So, if we are merciful, God will have mercy on us too. # Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself : this chapter explains the important of the "Great Commandment" given by Christ and relates it to the charity work that all spiritist centres do: love must be taken into action, otherwise it is not love. The chapter also deals with the Separation Between The State And The Church as expressed by Christ saying "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." # Love your enemies : this chapter explains why charity work must benefit anyone that needs, regardless of faith, and contains the central thesis about why Spiritism should not Proselitise (proselitism could cause people to think that the Spiritist Centres did only help those ready to accept the doctrine. However, the central point of the chapter is that love must be universal, not limited by our preferences or affections. Kardec suggests that Christ really meant to say "love '''even''' your enemies". One curiosity about this chapter is the extensive treaty on Duels (perhaps because they were quite popular in France then...). # Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth : another chapter that broods extensively on why you, as a Spiritist should help the needy, regardless of how they see Spiritism or yourself. The ideal situation is when the help is completely dissociated from any religious practice. In most spiritist centres that adhere to Kardec's teachings, charity has a different schedule than members' meetings and not a word is told about any doctrine, except for a vague invitatino to "come around whenever you want to visit us or to seek help if you need" (which does not necessarily imply on coming to the meetings, but merely coming to meet the people you eventually befriend there). Another central teaching, closely related to the above, is that we shouldn't expect people to give us anything in return: to see them better should be our return. # Honour thy father and thy mother : this chapter explains Jesus' teachings about family principles and morality, relating it to the Ten Commandments . # Without charity there is no salvation : this chapter reinforces the biblical evidence for the active practice of love as a key feature for salvation. # Ye cannot serve God and mammon : this chapter is about the danger that looms in the love of worldly goods and comforts, as these diver us from seeking the fulfilment of our missions and, therefore, makes our future lives worse. # Be ye therefore perfect : teachings about the actual meaning of "perfection" in Christ's words. # Many are called, but few are chosen : explains the party of the king (Matthew 22) as a representation of how Israel was called by God but few of the Israelites effectively obeyed the call (and therefore were chosen). The parable is explained as a representation of spiritual life (we are constantly called by God, but every day few of us take heed of the call). This chapter is often used as a justification of why spiritism does not bother to become a major religion, provided that it survives. # Faith moves mountains : although "miracles" (in the common meaning) do not exist, God effectively helps us and prayer can change our lives for better (though it does not actually move mountains...) # The last hour workers : a late repentance is OK, if sincere, because we will have another life to pay for the wrong we did and, if we have enough time to repair some of the evil we spread our future may be less demanding. # There will be false Christs and false prophets : deals with the usual accusation of Apostasy and persuades the reader that "false Christs and false prophets" are not the proponents of Spiritism but those who uphold religious "truths" that contradict the core of the Christian message. # Shall man not divide what God has united : explains why the law of God establishes marriage, why it is important for the improvement of mankind and why it will eventually cease to be. Also deals with divorce, stating that "what God has united" does not mean any given marriage, but those based on true and mutual love (these no earthly tribulation will break because man '''cannot''' divide what God has united). Therefore, the indissolubility of marriage is relative because there are marriages based on Misrepresentation of love, Coercion on any or both the nubents or simply by mistake (when a person marries someone and later discovers a sound reason why the wedding should have never taken place). Spiritism accepts divorced people without any discrimination and accepts that they have the right to marry again (although it states that divorce should be an exception, not a rule). # Odd Morality : this chapter collects the drearest teachings of Christ (hate your fther and mother, I came to bring not the peace, but the sword, and the like) and tries to reconcile them with the rest of his teachings. # Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel : why the message of Spiritism should not be kept secret (like Occultist Societies did to their teachings, but proclaimed openly. Thus, although Spiritism does not proselitise, its meetings are open to the general public and anyone who wishes to see one can do it, without any previous ceremony. Mediunic meetings, however, should be frequented only by people who already know enough of the doctrine --- though this rule is not universally followed. # See, and you shall find : Contrary to most Evangelical Christian Church es, Spiritism argues that we need to work to reap the fruits of our efforts. kardec quotes these verses to show that there must be initiative (and action) on our part so that God can help us. Later on the same chapter there is an analysis of the parable of the lillies (Matthew 6) in which Kardec argues, against most exegesis, that the verses indeed express that God has given us what we need to overcome the challenges we face, but we sometimes are not satisfied in having ''only enough'' --- that being what Christ meant. # Freely ye have received, freely give. : why no religious service should be charged at all, as both the word of God and his "miracles" (interventions) are given to us freely. This chapter seems (from the sampled cases studied) to have had two aims: to criticise the Catholic Church for chargin to celebrate Masses on behalf of the dead and to instruct true Spiritists not to fall to this, otherwise they would be called Charlatan s. # Ask, and it shall be given you : why it is important to preach. The Last Chapter The last chapter is a collection of prayers channelled by elevated spirits, intended as examples of how we are supposed to pray. DOCTRINAL PRINCIPLES The key aspects of the ''Gospel...'' are:
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