I’ve recently been asked to watch a YouTube video that pits
religion against Jesus. The reason I was asked to watch it is because it so
clearly describes what is expected of people who follow Jesus and stands in
direct conflict with much of what is taught in churches. I liked the video. The
production style is very well done. But what about the content? See below.
I think, by and large, the content is solid. However, the
biggest problem I have with the video is that it contrasts two things, which
aren’t necessarily at odds. Is religion and Jesus at odds?
I don’t think so. I think the major conflict we see
throughout scripture (Old Testament and New Testament) is between true religion
and false religion. When God sets forth various prohibitions to the worship of
Baal, gods of the philistines, Ammonites, and Amalekites, and the setting up of
“high places,” He does so because they are wrong, and false. Consistently, God
is calling His people to turn from false idols because in them there is no life,
which results in the worshiper having no life. For, you become like what you
worship; if you worship lifeless idols, you become lifeless. The conflict is
always between what is right and what is wrong; what is true and what is false.
Religion is simply beliefs that humans hold regarding the
supernatural and the actions appropriate for such beliefs. If you have beliefs
about the supernatural and that leads you to live a particular way, then you
are religious, strictly speaking.
