November 10, 2010

Biblically Speaking, What Is Religion?

This is rather interesting, please do your own studying as well, you may find even more "gold" then me. :-)

I did a detailed study on the word "religion" via several translations and also by digging into the Greek (original language) via an Interlinear Bible. In Acts 17:16-31 Paul is speaking to religious Gentiles in Athens, telling them they needed to "repent" (have a change of mind) from their current beliefs to that of Christ. These were "religious people" Paul is telling to repent and it's my opinion that Jesus Himself told religious people as well, to have a change of mind... not so much for non-religious unbelievers as we think of them nowadays!

That being said... let's take a look at a few things...

Acts 17:22 (New International Version)
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very RELIGIOUS.

Acts 17:22 (Amplified Bible)
So Paul, standing in the center of the Areopagus [Mars Hill meeting place], said: Men of Athens, I perceive in every way [on every hand and with every turn I make] that you are most RELIGIOUS or very reverent to demons.

Acts 17:22 (New American Standard Bible)
So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very RELIGIOUS in all respects.

Acts 17:22 (King James Version)
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too SUPERSTITIOUS.

Acts 17:22 (Young's Literal Translation)
And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, said, `Men, Athenians, in all things I perceive you as over-RELIGIOUS;

The Word in CAPS is Greek word: deisidaimōn

Definition:
in a good sense - reverencing god or the gods, pious, religious
in a bad sense - superstitious

This Greek word is taken from two separate Greek words: deilos & daimōn

daimōn definition: a god, a goddess - an inferior deity, whether good or bad - in the NT, an evil spirit
deilos definition: timid, fearful

In essence it appears that Paul here and Jesus in His preaching was teaching "religious people" to change their mind from one of fear based religion to the Gospel (Greek = GOOD NEWS) of the "kingdom of God" (Remember the Kingdom of God is within us, not a place in the sky!)... Have a change of mind from fear based false gods to experiencing God's loving, peace, joy, etc.. within you! (Romans 14:17)


If my study here is accurate, then "Christianity" itself needs a change of mind (REPENT) FROM FEAR BASED RELIGION (false perception of god) into a much more peaceful, loving, merciful, etc... belief system. 

As with all my blog... Don't believe me... seek the Lord and His wisdom... for Jesus is our true teacher, not any human!

Peace :-)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

LO THERE DAVE, THIS IS ME!!!

I AM SO GLAD THE LORD HAS SOME
PEOPLE THAT DIG FOR WORD MEANINGS.
THANKS.

ABOUT THIS EARTH AND RELEGION,
SEEMS TO BE ONE LONG LIFE BETWEEN
THE BEGINNING AND THE END
AND THE END IS THE SAME AS THE
BEGINNING. THINK OF IT. THIS
IS MY COMMANDMENT THAT YE LOVE
ONE ANOTHER. IT IS NOT A NEW
COMMANDMENT BUT THE SAME ONE YOU
HAD IN THE BEGINNING.
I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA.
THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
I AM GOD.
I AM LOVE.


I AM...........NOT..........RELIGION

THAT'S THE INBETWEEN. HA