A Study of "True Religion"

1. A Study of "True Religion" What is it, exactly? [From The Book of the Beginnings, Volume 2]

2. A Study of "True Religion" • The Meaning of "Religion" • What "True Religion" Is Not • Characteristics of "True Religion" • The Formula for "True Religion" • The Divine Side of "True Religion" • The Human Side of "True Religion" • The Dispensations of "True Religion • The Beginning of True Religion

3. The Meaning of "Religion" • Ambiguity of the Word "Religion" • The Pagan Etymology of "Religion" • Variations in Meaning of "Religion"

4. Ambiguity of the Word "Religion" "It is doubtful that there is a more ambiguous word in our language today than the word 'religion.' It has literally come to mean 'all things to all men.'"

5. The Pagan Etymology of "Religion" "The pagan etymology of the word is given us by Cicero, the Latin essayist. He derives it … from … relego, relegere, meaning 'to go over again,' 'to consider carefully,' that is, in thought, reading, and speech; and hence, as used by him, to mean ‘reverent observance’ of duties to the gods. This etymology expresses fully the concept of 'religion' that lay back of the idolatry and ritualism of pagan cults."

6. Variations in Meaning of "Religion" "In our day the word is used to embrace everything from … devotion to an object, on one hand, to sheer superstition, on the other." "Considered subjectively, of course, as devotion to an object, it can take in almost any attitude or cult imaginable."

7. Variations in Meaning of "Religion" "From this 'common denominator' point of view alone, to be religious is to be serious about something as of supreme value in life, and to take an attitude of commitment to the object that is so valued. "Obviously, from this viewpoint, religion may have anything for its object, provided the anything is regarded as worthy of devotion."

8. Variations in Meaning of "Religion" "Others have defined religion as 'anything in which one believes.' From this point of view devil-worship could be called a religion. From this viewpoint, the object of religion may be a Party or a Cause … an idol or an icon, or a whole pantheon of anthropomorphic gods and goddesses; it may be a fetish or an amulet, or some impersonal magic force ... the celestial bodies (sun, moon, star) or…

9. Variations in Meaning of "Religion" "…it may be 'Mother Earth' (Terra Mater), as in the ancient Cult of Fertility; it may be an animal, a bird, or even an insect … man himself … it may even be the Devil, as in some ‘spiritualistic’ cults. Or, indeed it may be the God of the Bible, the living and true God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

10. Romans 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although

11. Romans 1:18-32 they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies

12. Romans 1:18-32 among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in

13. Romans 1:18-32 themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors

14. Romans 1:18-32 of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

15. Exodus 3:13 Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"

16. Exodus 3:14-15 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' " Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'

17. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

18. Acts 17:24-26 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,

19. Acts 17:27-29 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.

20. Acts 17:30-31 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

21. What "True Religion" Is Not • "It is not just respectability." • "It is not just a status symbol, although thousands of church members undoubtedly use it as such." • "It is not ritualism. Pagan cults have always been built around solemn festivals and processions, and pagan temples have always reeked with the fumes of incense."

22. What "True Religion" Is Not • "It is not a matter of barter, saying to God, 'You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.'“ • "It is not an escapist device." • "It is not just wishful thinking." • "Religion is not just a convenience … something that needs to be maintained to stabilize moral and social order."

23. What "True Religion" Is Not • "Religion is not primarily a social institution. Nor is it designed to be used as a support of social stability." • "It is not just morality … it goes beyond morality." • "It is not nature-worship."

24. Characteristics of "True Religion" • Accepts the existence and awfulness of sin

25. Romans 5:11-14 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-- (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

26. Romans 5:11-14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

27. Characteristics of "True Religion" • Accepts the existence and awfulness of sin • Accepts the fact that man has allowed sin to separate him from God

28. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

29. Characteristics of "True Religion" • Accepts the existence and awfulness of sin • Accepts the fact that man has allowed sin to separate him from God • Accepts the fact that God is the offended party

30. Psalm 51:1-2 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

31. Psalm 51:3-4 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

32. Characteristics of "True Religion" • Accepts the existence and awfulness of sin • Accepts the fact that man has allowed sin to separate him from God • Accepts the fact that God is the offended party • Accepts the fact that man must have a revealed system of faith and practice in order to be reunited with God DOES THE OFFENDING PARTY OR THE OFFENDED PARTY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DICTATE TERMS OF PEACE?

33. Hebrews 12:14-16 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

34. Romans 8:10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

35. Romans 14:17 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

36. Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God."

37. Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

38. Characteristics of "True Religion" • Accepts the existence and awfulness of sin • Accepts the fact that man has allowed sin to separate him from God • Accepts the fact that God is the offended party • Accepts the fact that man must have a revealed system of faith and practice in order to be reunited with God • Must provide an adequate remedy for sin

39. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." NOTICE THAT THE REMEDY HAS TWO PARTS. THERE IS GOD'S PART AND MAN'S PART.

40. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

41. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

42. Characteristics of "True Religion" • Accepts the existence and awfulness of sin • Accepts the fact that man has allowed sin to separate him from God • Accepts the fact that God is the offended party • Accepts the fact that man must have a revealed system of faith and practice in order to be reunited with God • Must provide an adequate remedy for sin • The essence of true religion is reconciliation.

43. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

44. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.