Faith and Religion
At lunch not too many weeks ago a business acquaintance looked up and said, “Ken, I’m skeptical of organized religion.” Elaborating, he shared some details of a bad experience from yesteryear that had left him skeptical of religion. But what started as a conversation killing statement turned into a robust conversation when I confided in him that I too was skeptical of organized religion. But do let me elaborate.
Back in college I had an interesting ethics professor who was a liberal, retired minister. I would beg to disagree with him on many issues, but he said one thing that has stuck in my mind all these years. Speaking of faith and religion, he summed it up by saying, “Faith is what you have. Religion is what you do about it.” Albeit a shallow summary, it helps explain the dilemma that organized religion finds itself bogged down in today.
Speaking of my personal faith, I believe in the one, true God of the bible; Creator and Judge of heaven and earth. But according to the word of God found in the bible, I’ve violated his precepts and have alienated myself from Him. Furthermore, I believe that there is only one way for me, as a created being, to be reconciled to the Creator and that is through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. But even that sacrificial death is meaningless if it ends there. The bible also tells me that Christ is today my living advocate before the Judge, just as he was my sacrifice many years ago. So, basing my faith in the bible, I believe that Christ has risen from the dead; just like the bible says.
And that’s what I’ll be celebrating this Sunday with many other faithful believers in the Tharptown community. Together we’ll gather and let our faith flow freely and exercise it in a “religious” ceremony celebrating the fact that “He has risen.” We’ll be celebrating Easter!
Having said all that, why would I say that I’m skeptical of organized religion? Because there are a lot of organized religions don’t base their faith in the God of the bible. Instead they conjure up a God of their own creation; one that suits their fancy. Corrupt faith leads to corrupt religion. And believe me, those with a false faith have nothing to celebrate on Easter.
Is your faith in the God of the bible? If it is, you have every reason to celebrate Easter with other believers this weekend. Take your faith out for a walk Sunday by joining together in a joyful, worshipful celebration of the risen Christ. First timers are especially welcomed to the celebration!
Ken Askew
Back in college I had an interesting ethics professor who was a liberal, retired minister. I would beg to disagree with him on many issues, but he said one thing that has stuck in my mind all these years. Speaking of faith and religion, he summed it up by saying, “Faith is what you have. Religion is what you do about it.” Albeit a shallow summary, it helps explain the dilemma that organized religion finds itself bogged down in today.
Speaking of my personal faith, I believe in the one, true God of the bible; Creator and Judge of heaven and earth. But according to the word of God found in the bible, I’ve violated his precepts and have alienated myself from Him. Furthermore, I believe that there is only one way for me, as a created being, to be reconciled to the Creator and that is through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. But even that sacrificial death is meaningless if it ends there. The bible also tells me that Christ is today my living advocate before the Judge, just as he was my sacrifice many years ago. So, basing my faith in the bible, I believe that Christ has risen from the dead; just like the bible says.
And that’s what I’ll be celebrating this Sunday with many other faithful believers in the Tharptown community. Together we’ll gather and let our faith flow freely and exercise it in a “religious” ceremony celebrating the fact that “He has risen.” We’ll be celebrating Easter!
Having said all that, why would I say that I’m skeptical of organized religion? Because there are a lot of organized religions don’t base their faith in the God of the bible. Instead they conjure up a God of their own creation; one that suits their fancy. Corrupt faith leads to corrupt religion. And believe me, those with a false faith have nothing to celebrate on Easter.
Is your faith in the God of the bible? If it is, you have every reason to celebrate Easter with other believers this weekend. Take your faith out for a walk Sunday by joining together in a joyful, worshipful celebration of the risen Christ. First timers are especially welcomed to the celebration!
Ken Askew
posted by TBC at
4/07/2009 10:25:00 PM
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