Did you know that the Bible has it's own definition of religion? I bet you didn't know that, did ya?
So let's start off with "religion". What is it according to most people?
According to most, it's a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. Usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
(Paraphrase) A faith based belief that has rituals that you have to look at and observe and respect. It offers a "moral code" that the believers have to abide by.
Most people see this when they think about religion. But what is religion in accordance to the Bible? What does the Bible say about religion? Does it define it?
Yes! However, the Bible has a different definition! It's in the book of James:
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
~James 1:26-27
According to scripture, there is such a thing as good religion. And good religion is three things:
-Keeping a rein on your tongue
-Looking after orphans and widows
-Keeping yourself from being polluted by the world
By these standards, I bet we're afwful at being religious since i rarely see people actually do these things. This is what religion should mean to us. Now let's be honest here. We've heard other Christians say, "Religion is Bad!" It honestly makes me cringe when I hear it. First off, I think we Christians need to recognize the original word and meaning of "religion", and then say, "Religion is great!" (In the context of James, of course!)
Then we can finally say, "The worlds definition of religion is a lie!" That would make me content.
I think of it this way. Which definition came first? I'd say that the Bible wins on this one because according to Etymologists (those who study the history of words), the earliest use of the current definition was 1200-1300 AD. The book of James was written around 49-50 AD. I think it's safe to say that the Bible's definition of "religion" was the first one, (unless of course there was a different one way before the Bible, but I don't know of it).
Of course, If I'm wrong, then please leave a comment and explain why. It's not a challenge, but a learning experience for me. I would most welcome that. :)
Great insight Jorge
ReplyDeleteHey, jorge, is that the only place in the Bible where you found the word Religion?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the fact that the world's definition of Religion is different then God's. The bigger question is, which one will we follow.
-Tim Funk
@ Tim - There are a few other places where the word "religion" is used. The NIV has 5. It also depends on which version, as some do not use the word but rather a different word to better fit the context of the verse. 1 Timothy 5:4 says:
ReplyDelete"But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."
Other versions replace the word "religion" with; Godliness; practice piety; respect their own... Paul is basically saying that a widows children, if they have the means, should help their widowed mother. It's a deed, it's a practice of religion. Just like James says.
Hope that answers your question!