What Is True Religion?

I'm taking a class based on Manna and Mercy by Daniel Erlander.

It's a great book, written in comic-book style, with a very serious purpose. 

Erlander's intent is to explore the history of God with human beings, viewed through the prism (point-of-view) of Jesus. 

Although Manna and Mercy was published in 1992, it remains almost preternaturally relevant today, especially given the division in Western culture, along with its growing diversity.

Towards the end of the first class meeting, in response to a final question, I scribbled an answer:  "Is religion a response to our life? Is religion an attempt to explain our situation?"

Merriam-Webster's definition of religion is, "a belief in god or gods. an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship god or a group of gods."

So, at its core, religion seeks to establish a belief and a system with the goal of worshipping God.

Religion then isn't primarily interested in replicating itself, competing with or dominating a culture or political system. In fact, it would seem that religion's true purpose is antithetical to anything other than worshipping God.

The twist is that human beings enmeshed in western culture have a difficult time dealing with spiritual things. Since the Enlightenment (17th to 19th centuries), we're been more centered on the material and practical. Down to its 21st Century evolution: Success vs. Soul.

If you'd like a Biblical take on the subject, James 1:27 is a great place to begin. That scripture reads: "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." NLT. 

According to James, genuine religion is other-centered, loving and serving. It isn't at all interested in proselyting, converting or coercing people into a particular belief system.

If you're more of an Old Testament sort of person, then you might be interested in what Micah had to say: "What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before your God." (Micah 6:8 NIV). 

I really like The Message version of this verse: "But God's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love..."

What Jesus may have looked like

My personal favorite on this subject is recorded in Luke as coming straight from the mouth of Jesus. "One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: 'Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'" (Luke 10:25). 

Jesus replied: "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?"

The man answered: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

"Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live." Luke: 26-28 NLT).

Matthew contains perhaps the ultimately succinct version of Jesus' take on religion: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:36-40 NIV).

So, it turns out that my hastily scribbled answer as to the purpose of religion (see the fifth paragraph above) wasn't the right one! 

A more biblical, Jesus-focused answer would be: True religion is centered in love and focused in relationship.