The longer I live, and the more I think – I mean, really think…it seems like “religion” is a scam.
Yes, Yes, I know. It all depends on how I define religion. If we agree that we’d let the majority in the world define it – then it’d be something like: “A shared system of beliefs and doctrines by humans about the afterlife and a deity.”
If we let the Bible define it, then we see it used positively just once – and it’s caring for orphans and widows. I’d be happy to be in that one, but I haven’t seen much of it yet.
Christianity, Islam and Judaism are the three mono-theistic religions. All believe in one deity. Muslims worship on Friday, Jews on Saturday and Christians on Sunday. We have shared holy books plus a couple of extras. The leaders of the religions teach the followers what to do and believe and say and think. Hinduism and Buddhism are much the same.
It’s not all bad. Religions give people a sense of purpose and conformity. Marx called religion the “opiate of the masses.” Conformity is highly valued in religious systems.
Along came Jesus. The man from humble origins. Dad was a carpenter. Mom had him out of wedlock. From the backwaters of the north country – Nazareth. He immediately offended the religious elite. The ones who were teaching and controlling and even using their position to make money. Jesus worked (healed) on the holy day. He ate and drank with sinners. He touched unclean lepers and dead people (they didn’t stay dead). He let prostitutes pour oil on his feet. He walked on water and commanded the elements to obey him. He loved. Laughed. Joked. Poked and pushed and wooed and invited.
Crowds followed. The religious fumed. The Politicians reeled. Then they ganged up on him and killed him. He died. Dead. Except….not. Then he conquered and lived and still lives and…..well – this is NOT religion. Whatever Jesus did and whoever he was and is – well, surely can’t be described as religious!
Sounds more like life. That’s why when people ask me what religion I’m part of, I clearly and boldly say NONE. I follow a person, not a system. I follow Life. I follow Way. And Truth. And Love. And Power. It’s Jesus. This is not watered down. It’s ramped up! It’s Jesus. The Man for all ages and the One who shows us the Father! He is the Way I follow.
Very well said, I couldn’t agree more! My question would be, because Jesus has always been associated with the Religion of Christianity and Christianity has always been associated with Judaism (Old Testament) How do you personally or suggest someone to separate them? Do you still suggest following the beliefs in other New Testament writings or only the Four Gospels, what about Gospel accounts found not part of the Catholic or Protestant Bible? Because Jesus did not write for himself but was written about, how do you suggest differentiating between the “proper” material to read about him and his life and the “improper” if those are the right words I am unsure, right/wrong, accurate/inaccurate, your choice? The reason why I am asking is because without some sort of guideline or distinction I would imagine it would be very easy for someone attempting to learn from and follow Jesus to become entangled in religion. So in summary how do you suggest separating Jesus from everything else he is sadly entangled in? Even the Four gospel accounts in the Christian Protestant Bible were written by “Christians” right?
Mike, wow. Great question dude. Well asked….
It’s a big one of course and so not easily answered. I’d say this:
1. Jesus is NOT part of a religion called Christianity. The fact that he’s been tangled in that, only means we have a lot of work to do.
2. The New Testament was NOT written by “Christians” no matter how you would use that word. They were Jews. (Maybe a Gentile or two as well). But for sure not “Christians.”
3. I think if we follow what the Bible actually teaches us. And what Jesus actually said and did, we’ll be fine!
HOW that’s done – well that’s for us to figure out from now till the end.
Hi Carl! First off let me say, I love this article. I have a question or maybe it’s more like seeking clarification on your statement that the New Testament was not written by Christians. But in the book of Acts weren’t the Jewish believers first called Christians? Wouldn’t that have likely spread and applied to the other believers? I don’t want to lose focus of or detract from this great article, but I did want to ask this question. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your response, hate to be a pain but one more clarification please =) In number 3 of your points you say “I think if we follow what the Bible actually teaches us”… Do you think the entire collection of writings in the Bible is needed or essentially just what Jesus teaches in the Four Gospels, I guess I am asking, do you believe that is sufficient for someone like you or I? Not saying to not read the rest but if for some reason the Old Testament is somewhat of a stumbling block for someone and they would rather just read the Four Gospels and about Jesus, is that sufficient in your opinion? I think that is my main point, can we literally just stick with Jesus without the background stuff or the afterwards stuff meaning the rest of the New Testament, can we just stick with the Four Gospels and still be considered a follower of Jesus, or will someone eventually have to move beyond that?
Mike
Another big and good question. I think we find problems with the word “know.” In one sense you know me and I know you. But my best friends know me a lot better. My kids even better and my wife the best. Then, of course, there’s God and he knows me.
So yes we can know Jesus from only the gospels. We know him more though when we read Paul, Peter, James and John.
Ad we know him even more when we understand the whole story from the Old Testament. The Torah. The historical books. The prophets. Even the poetry books tell us something deeper about Jesus. It’s His book! HE is the Word of God.