A Sabbath Message -3/19/22 – What is Religion?

What is Religion?

The terms “religion, religious, religionism” and probably more with prefixes and suffixes added to the word “religion” are in use today. There are as many varied meanings to the multitude of terms as there are in the numerous denominational theologies, philosophies and psychologies. And let’s not forget that other ___ology word – ideology. “To be or not to be” is no longer a question; it’s whatever the head desires – be!

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick (H2483), and the whole heart faint (H1742).” (Isaiah 1:2-5)

*H2483 – חלי – chŏlı̂y – khol-ee’ – From  H2470; malady, anxiety, calamity. KJV Usage: disease, grief, (is) sick (-ness).

>H2470 – חלה – châlâh – khaw-law’ – A primitive root (compare H2342, H2490); properly to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat. KJV Usage: beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, X pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit (X supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded.

*H1742 – דּוּי – davvây – dav-voy’ – From H1739; sick; figuratively troubled. KJV Usage: faint.

>H1739 – דּוה – dâveh – daw-veh’ – From H1738; sick (especially in menstruation) KJV Usage: faint, menstruous cloth, she that is sick, having sickness.

>>H1738 – דּוה – dâvâh – daw-vaw’ – A primitive root; to be sick (as if in menstruation) KJV Usage: infirmity.

Many things have been turned into a “religion”, from evolution to LBGT and CRT. Religions have adapted every ideological philosophy under the sun until truth has become nothing more than pulverized cremains to be sparingly used to spice up every ideology imagined. As people turn mole hills into mountains, any idea can quickly evolve into some sort of religion or religious philosophical theology or theological philosophy adaptive of any ideology. How many recipes are there for ideology stew? If one person is of a single idea at first considered unacceptable, they’re considered crazy. I there be two, it becomes a movement and with three of more, it then becomes a revolution. If the ox knows its owner, does not the owner know that an ox is an ox? Can the ox identify itself as an ass? Can the owner of the crib identify itself as a crib?

In all the Holy Bible, the English term “religion” is used five times: (G2356 – Acts 26:5, James 1:26,27) and (G2454 – Gal. 1:1,14). The English term “religious” is used two times: (G2357 – James 1:26 and G4576 – Acts 13:43)

*G2356 – θρησκεία – ceremonial observance. – Derivation: from a derivative of G2357; – KJV Usage: religion, worshipping.

*G2357 – θρησκός – ceremonious in worship (as demonstrative), i.e. pious. Derivation: probably from the base of G2360; KJV Usage: religious.

>G2360 – θροέω – to clamor, i.e. (by implication) to frighten
Derivation: from θρέομαι to wail; KJV Usage: trouble.

*G2354 – Ἰουδαϊσμός – “Judaism”, i.e. the Jewish faith and usages
Derivation: from G2450; KJV Usage: Jews’ religion.

>G2450 – Ἰουδαΐζω – to become a Judæan, i.e. “Judaize”
Derivation: from G2453; KJV Usage: live as the Jews.

>G2453 – Ἰουδαῖος – Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah
Derivation: from G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); KJV Usage: Jew(-ess), of Judæa.

*G4576 – σέβομαι – to revere, i.e. adore. Derivation: middle voice of an apparently primary verb; KJV Usage: devout, religious, worship.

Keeping the commandments of God and teaching men to do so is not Judaizing! (John 14:15 Matt. 5:19)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:21-23)

Is there a religious identity problem?

 Have a restful and joyful sabbath.

LOLGB+