The Religious Foundations of Theology 2: The Location of Religion in Man

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Permalink Reply by Ruel Z Chavez on February 15, 2011 at 6:32am

Thanks Robbin for your reply. This post is Part 2 on the subject about "The Religious Foundations of Theology." In Part 1, "The Essence of Religion, there is an attached word document that explains how the understanding of religion evolves throughout history. At first, I was confused about the meaning of religion for I have been hearing constantly the message coming from popular television evangelists claiming, "We do not preach religion but relationship with the Lord." For me, this is misleading for it assumes that religion is void of relationship with God whereas throughout history religion is understood as "the bond that unites human beings to God."

 

However, in communicating to today's generation, there is wisdom in that above statement. For religion is misunderstood as something "rigid," "legalistic" and associated with "ceremonialism" and "institutionalism." I do not understand religion in that way. For me, I consider both the objective and the subjective aspects in religion:

 

Objective Aspect of Religion:

 

Old Testament - the revelation of God in various forms like precepts, decrees, commandements, and the like

New Testament - Christ Himself for he is the ultimate revelation of God.

 

Subjective Aspect of Religion:

 

Old Testament - fear of God

New Testament - faith and godliness

 

Herman Bavinck defines it best:

 

"For in the earlier interpretation the law in which God laid down the manner in which he wanted to be served was to be understood not only literally but also spiritually. It controlled not only the words and the actions but also the attitudes, thoughts, and desires of human beings. It claimed the whole person, soul and body, the mind, the heart and all a person’s strengths. It therefore required that human beings serve God not only and not even in the first place with external actions and rituals but above all with a sincere faith, firm hope, and ardent love, with worship in spirit and in truth, with the sacrifices of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Religion, accordingly, was not exhausted by external observance but consisted above all in internal devotion, a knowing and serving of God from the heart. But also this internal devotion could not, any more than the external observance, be self-willed. Essential in religion is first of all the manner in which God himself wills and determines that people shall know and serve him" (Reformed Dogmatics, p. 239).

 

Permalink Reply by Ruel Z Chavez on February 15, 2011 at 6:48pm

In the objective side, Christ Himself is the ultimate religion for He is the final revelation of God and in and through Him, God and humanity are reconciled. But this is not how most people today understand religion.

 

I think during Jesus' days, religion deteriorated into mere rituals and external performance without integrity of the heart. We have to distinguish between corrupted forms of religion and pure religion. James 1:27 says, "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." I understand James saying that true religion has two sides: concern for others and personal holiness. False religion emphasizes only one side. We see this among those active in social reforms and yet in their private lives, you cannot see Christ. And on the other hand, we also see this one-sided emphasis among those who claim to be pious and consistent in their prayer lives and yet making no impact in their immediate society. I think Jesus did both. He constantly commune with His Father and at the same He is leading people to the path of pure and faultless religion by His words and actions. 

 

Blessings!

 

Ruel

Permalink Reply by Ruel Z Chavez on February 15, 2011 at 11:11pm

You are welcome!