Faith vs Religion: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? 3 FEB 2013
Transcript
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In a Nutshell The way of Christ is a life of practical faith,
anchored in a tangible, historical revelation of Christ and his
kingdom. Faith is an interactive lifestyle, identified by its
deeds. Religion is a man made system of beliefs, dogma and expected
practices that is mediated by the religious elite. Religion is a
closed system identified by its rules.
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CONSIDER: What religion is God?
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Blind Devotion "All the classical styles are attempts to arrest
the flux of conflict. But in actual combat the opponent doesn't
wait for formalities. He's not a robot but a human being; fluid and
alive... The fancy mess of martial arts solidifies what was once
fluid. It is nothing but blind devotion to the systematic
uselessness of routines that lead nowhere." -Bruce Lee (paraphrased
by Jason Scott Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story)
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Its the destination, not the signpost!
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Consider: How might religion have robbed you at times of the
full life Jesus is offering?
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In the words of our secular prophets
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A Vicious Cycle?
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Religion does three key things: It provides definition (this is
good, that is bad) It provides identity (I am a christian/ hindu/
atheist etc) It justifies exclusion (these people are in, those are
out) with the following effects: removes the need to wrestle with
lifes uncertainties & think for ourselves. (PHIL 2:12)
justifies exclusion & prejudice (MATT 22:36-40) legitimises
making our love conditional & excluding others until they meet
our conditions (MATT 25:44-45) empowers those who run the system
& exploits those under the system (MATT 9:35)
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Religion on trial? Violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to
racism and tribalism and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile
to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward
children: organized religion ought to have a great deal on its
conscience. Christopher Hitchens, God Is Not Great.
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Religion on trial? [Religion] may speak about the bliss of the
next world, but it wants power in this one. That is only to be
expected. It is, after all, wholly man-made. Christopher Hitchens,
God Is Not Great. Hitchens is suggesting the test of whether
something is man-made or not, is simply to ask whether it craves
power. Reflect on your own approach to Christianity. Where do you
see yourself wishing you had the power to change (control) things
vs where are you offering to just serve anyway and enable
transformation by letting your life gently seep out?
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Jesus accusation: You are in error because you know neither the
scriptures nor the power of God. Jesus, Matt 22:29.
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Jesus speaking about religion in his day Leave them; they are
blind guides. (Matt 15:14) Woe to youyou hypocrites! (Matt 23:14)
[Your converts] become twice as much a son of hell as you are.
(Matt 23:15) Woe to you, blind guides!..You blind fools! (Matt
23:16) You strain out a gnat, but swallow a camel. (Matt 23:24) You
are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but
on the inside are full of dead mens bones and everything unclean.
(Matt 23:27) You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape
being condemned to hell? (Matt 23:33)
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Jesus speaking about religion in his day Stop judging by mere
appearances and make a right judgement. (John 7:24) If any of you
is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone (John 8:7)
You are from below...you will indeed die in your sins. (John
8:23-24) I have much to say in judgement of you. (John 8:26) You
belong to your own father, the devil. (John 8:44) If you were
blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you
can see, your guilt remains. (John 9:41) ...they have no excuse for
their sin. (John 15:22)
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In short: Jesus did not come to start a new religion. He came
to free us from religion.
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In short: Religion is known by its words. Faith is known by its
deeds (James 2:18). The world is asking questions religion cannot
answer. The world needs deeds.