Reason 7 of 10
The spirit cannot save itself: Jesus saves
Scientology's Creed says the spirit alone may save or heal the body, and its path is the thetan recovering its own abilities. The Bible says we cannot save ourselves; salvation is found in no one else but Jesus.
What Scientology teaches
The Creed ends by saying the spirit can be saved and that the spirit alone may save or heal the body. Throughout Scientology, the thetan is the agent of its own recovery: with the right technology, it regains its awareness and abilities and rises toward what Hubbard called total freedom.
Scientology's own words
“the spirit alone may save or heal the body”
The Creed of the Church of Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard, 1954)
What the Bible says
Jesus told Nicodemus, a deeply religious teacher, that he must be born again, and that this new birth is the Spirit's work, not ours. He told his disciples that apart from him they could do nothing. The apostles preached that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.
The Bible's word for rescue is grace: God doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
3Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6 (WEB) · context
5I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (WEB) · context
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”
Acts 4:12 (WEB) · context
4But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, 5not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7 (WEB) · context
Real freedom
Jesus promised freedom too. He said the truth would make people free, and that whoever sins is a slave to sin. Then he said: if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Freedom is not the thetan breaking its own chains. It is the Son breaking them for us.
31Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. 32You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. 35A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. 36If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:31-36 (WEB) · context
1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1 (WEB) · context
What Scientologists often say
Scientologists say teaching people to take responsibility for their own spiritual condition is empowering, while depending on a saviour is passive.
A Christian answer
Trusting Jesus is not passive. It is the most active thing a person can do: to stop relying on yourself and put your whole weight on someone else. And it is honest about what we can and cannot do. A drowning person is not empowered by advice to swim harder.
Sources
- Scientology source The Creed of the Church of Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard, 1954), as published by the Church.
- The Bible, World English Bible (public domain).