It takes a long time to understand the Scriptures as recorded in the Holy Bible. Is it history or fable? Is it the word of God and relevant to life in the 21st Century? Is it inviolate truth or not? It is only after we have studied the Bible carefully with the intent to  understand that we begin to glimpse its consistency  and simplicity. It has been called many things, such as the "Makers users manual,"  "A love letter from God," "A book that prophetically foretells things to come."  Theologians dig into the study of Scripture from a variety of motives and at times leave with a lot of knowledge but little understanding.
The apostle Paul who was highly educated and religiously situated proclaimed that scholarship, philosophy and theology are a pathway that does not lead to knowing God. Human knowlege is not Spiritual knowledge. Truth and wisdom is a Spiritually derived gift. Spiritual life is outside of religion. For it is only God himself who through the revelation of the Holy Spirit to impart to human beings the necessary understanding and revelation of the Mysteries of God.
(Read 1Corinthians Ch.1&2)


WHAT ARE SOME RELIGIOUS ATTRIBUTES
WHICH HINDER FULFILLMENT IN A LIFE OF GOD?

**Schisms and division in the body of Christ from denominational boundaries

**Schism and division result from the designation of clergy and the subordinate laity

** Some form of priesthood remains as the controlling voice in fellowship

**Human headship a heirarchy of authority controls and imposes obligations

**Formalistic rituals or orders of service prohibit God's interacting

**Religious services become a form of performance or entertainment

**Congregations (the laity) undervalued and serve mostly to support the institution

**The members of congregations are identified as "sheep" to be exploited

**the institution church is focused primarily on maintenance; continuance and growth

**Religious traditions borrow worldly values and methodology

**The doctrines of institutional Christianity may be at variance with scripture

**All individual believers are not expected to grow, mature and assume leadership

**Traditional religious practices lack a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

**Although Christianity is the outgrowth and fulfillment of Judaic roots there is little  acknowledgment of these foundations


"A guidebook on accessing the life of God
Without being sidetracked by religious tradition."

By Charles Pinkney




  THE PERILS, PITFALLS, PROBLEMS OF 
RELIGION 
&  
RELIGIOUS ATTRIBUTES


An important caveat:
There are degrees of spiritual content in many of the traditional churches today. People who are faithful to these institutions sustain values that have laid the moral and social foundations of our nation. There has been a noble and historic inheritance of Christian Churches in America and other countries. Although there is a disturbing tendency for institutional churches to depart from their fundamental roots allowing the tenets of worldly thought and values to enter to their detriment.

God, can and does find His way into the churches who worship in more formalized ways. To the extent that the Word is taught and valued and the true worship of God is encouraged there is fruitfulness. The principle lessons of these writings is that there is more, more, always more to be known and to be experienced. And these experiences are entirely Scriptural consistent with apostolic teachings. The more freedom and liberty is given to the Holy Spirit, The more spiritual growth will be "experienced" when those believers gather together.

Negative attributes of the Religious paradigm described throughout these writings are the elements which impact faith in negative ways and in fact can actually keep individuals from ever experiencing the Kingdom of God or the Salvation Gift of God.

Introduction to the Gospel Without Religion

What's the Trouble with Religion

The Trouble with Religion

Attributes of Religion

2attrib.html

The Clergy Laity Doctrine

Denominational Empires

"It is finished" What was finished?

Religion Essays Indexed

Behaviors of the Pharisees

Religion, Jeremiah's Stale Cisterns

Religion, God in a Box

Religion: A dividing force

Religious, emulated behaviors

Religion's Focus on Performance

Looking at Externals

Terms that have become Religious

Vines, True Vines and Others

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The Pattern of Jesus Christ's Ministry


 

 





Trouble with Religion?

Attributes of Religion

2attrib.html

The Clergy Laity Doctrine

Denominational Empires

2"It is finished" What was finished?

Religion Essays Indexed

Behaviors of the Pharisees

Religion, Jeremiah's Stale Cisterns

Religion, God in a Box

Religion: A dividing force

Religious, emulated behaviors

Religion's Focus on Performance

Looking at Externals

Terms that have become Religious

Vines, True Vines and Others

 

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has prevailed



 




1995-2008