The book of the hope of all those who suffer

"If any one of you feels lacking in wisdom, ask God - to him, who gives to all generously and without complaining - and it will be given to you. But ask with faith, without any doubt, for whoever in doubt it is like the wave of the sea agitated and driven by the wind" (James 1: 5-6).

The New Testament is the rare jewel of human thought. Precursor of the new revelation - the Spirit Doctrine -, deserves the interest and faith of every Christian. But many claim it is of very difficult to understand, and relegate to abandonment this open letter that tells the truth plainly, without mask or concealment of words, although its pages are full of symbols.

The New Testament is the new covenant with God. It is the way and the answer of the Lord's messengers to sorrowful and suffering hearts. It is the book of hope and comfort to all who suffer.

"I would like you to give more interest, more faith to the evangelical readings. But they despise this book, they consider it a repository of hollow words, a closed letter; they forget this admirable code. Your evils come only from the voluntary abandonment to which you relegate this summary of the divine laws." (St. Vincent de Paul, in The Gospel According to Spiritism, Chapter XIII, item 12.)

Many men really despise this book.

And despise it for what?

Because it is a poem of humility, a song of hope, a verse of charity, a treatise of faith.

They despise it because it contradicts all the petty interests of our inferiority, because it shows that suffering is a joy in the soul and that every Christian must submit his will to the criterion of charity.

In our inferiority taint, we regard our interests as more important than the interest of others. But the Gospel teaches that the interest of others should be taken into account first and that it is necessary to serve if we are to be true followers of Jesus.

The New Testament is a poetic summary of moral laws.

If we followed him, we would be on the road to sublimation and true happiness. But, voluntarily, we abandon him, adhering to the inferior paths of happiness according to the world, which flows into moral unhappiness when illusions are resolved by death.

"I’ve always had an affinity with the Gospel, since Catholicism. But the beauty with which the Second Revelation is worked out by the Promised Comforter is something irresistible. I had never seen the Gospel interpreted in its primitive purity in such an engaging way." (Joaquim Bueno Neto, our interviewee in this edition.)

Many Spirits are prejudiced against the Bible, especially the Old Testament, which in this case is justified, since the ancient scriptures are full of hatred, intolerance and discrimination, especially against the adversaries of the Hebrew people and foreigners. Even the psalms, which are held to be sublime, are full of prayers unto God that may destroy the enemies.

The New Testament, however, is something very different. Its pages are a chant to love, to humility, to true happiness, to resignation.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

The change of perspective is radical. Those who follow the lines of the new covenant change their way of thinking and acting. And when it comes to our way of thinking, looking and feeling because of Spiritism, the whole New Testament comes to life and our understanding is revealed, and it is then possible for us to hope that this book is, if not praised, at least respected by Spirits and non-Spirits.