The New Pharisees (Why Hating Religion is a Very Religious Theology)

The problem with trying to fit the Gospel of Jesus Christ into a passing fad slogan, like “WWJD?” or “I Hate Religion, But I Love Jesus,” is that a mere catchphrase does not and cannot encompass all of the gorgeous truth of Jesus, nor do they tell of all His gifts and sacrifices, neither of His teachings and commands. This was the big problem with “What Would Jesus Do?” For one, it implied Him hypothetically, when the fact is that Jesus does still work today, being alive and well; any good we do is His labor on our hearts. The slogan also failed to tell of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection.

This past year, YouTube and Facebook were swarmed with the popularity of a spoken word poem/video that proclaimed hating religion but loving Jesus. The problem with a wildfire catchphrase instead of the wildfire Gospel, again, is that it failed to proclaim all of the good news about Christ; only God’s word does that, this big Book we came to call the Bible.
But the more disconcerting problem with “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” is that so many believers, and non-believers, failed to grasp what hating religion truly entails.

Anti-religious theology in Christianity is nothing new. Pastors like Mark Driscoll, a wonderful speaker but one who is often more concerned with making a hip, in-your-face theological statement than with following Scripture, have often made not-quite-accurate statements like “religion killed Jesus,” and further condemns “religious people.”
If Isaiah chapter 53, John 10:17-18, and many other passages, give anything to this matter - which they do, being the very word of God - we’re told that Jesus’ sacrifice was the will of God the Father, that you and I would be reconciled to Him. It was not the will of rich villains that Jesus die for us, He was not an unwitting or unwilling Martyr that held the convenient side effect of saving our souls. No, Jesus’ death was the will of His Father God, a predetermined event first foretold by God Himself when He cast Adam and Eve out of Eden.

Did the New Covenant free us from offering sacrifices or other things that today one would call “religious?” Of course. But religion was not what led Jesus to the cross. It was the desire of God to free us from sin. And as we’re told in Romans, the Law (the Torah) was not sin.

The religion, so to speak, condemned by Jesus was the notion that our works save us; the belief that sinning less than one’s neighbor make us better, that physical and temporary rituals justify us, that anything other than Jesus is what redeems us. That is the religion condemned by Jesus Christ. He did not condemn going to church on Sundays, or some other day, to have fellowship with believers, did not condemn the idea of tithing, did not condemn giving to the poor (quite the polar opposite, actually).

The funny aspect of so many of my brothers and sisters who ravenously condemn “religion” is that they, in their theological dogma, become quite religious themselves, at least by their definition of the word.

I've been judged by a brother for putting a dollar in the collection plate (yes, I’m very cheap). He denounced the notion of tithing at church, and went so far as to say that anyone who does so only does so for approval by other church members (I don’t know how he knew the hearts and minds of everyone who tithes, but that’s another matter). This naturally made me very wary of putting anything in the collection plate, even if it was my usual I.O.U., for fear of my brother’s criticism.
So, my brother’s anti-religious theology had the same effect of the self-righteous scolding of a Pharisee; a Pharisee who might have scolded someone for bringing his donkey out of a ditch on the Sabbath, or partaking of a Feast with unwashed hands. During the time of Jesus’ walk as a Man, Pharisees routinely berated others they deemed in violation of the Law, and exalted themselves above them. Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who pray in the temple is an astounding illustration of the mind of the religion He indeed condemns.

So, my brothers’ denouncement of my putting money in the church collection plate (or the I.O.U. I indeed would have tried to pay), though knowing nothing of my heart’s intent, told me that my deed was not good enough, and his view made him closer to God in a hip, new way because he deems himself smarter than, or above, some weekly thing done by other believers.

Do you really think Pharisees are gone, that they don’t scold and judge among us today? Do you really think you're incapable of judging others, of esteeming yourself better than anyone, just because you deem yourself “non-religious?”
No, the Pharisaical mind is still alive and well. Not only in those who exalt themselves because they follow tradition, but in those who exalt themselves because they don’t.

The Pharisaical mind is alive and well in those who curse a brother or sister because they pray in the King James “thy” and “thou” language, in those who label another believer’s worship “not good enough” because he does it the same day every week at the same building.

Tell me, how is this different than the Pharisees who condemned their brothers and sisters two thousand years ago?

“…he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” -1 Timothy 6:4-5
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” -Philippians 2:3

How the Twisting and Manipulation of Words Ruined the World, Like, Forever

Most of the time, no one bothers to twist and manipulate the words of unimportant things, because it doesn't benefit them in some twisted, manipulative way. So when you hear people in rabid debate over the meaning, relevance, truth, substance, and importance of something someone once said, wrote or recorded, it's always something like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the lyrics to "Comfortably Numb," and just as often, the Bible.

The twisting and manipulation of the Bible doesn't strictly refer to an outright changing or omitting of words and passages. I refer instead to the manipulation of the finished product.
Many ask how I could be sure this Book we came to call the Bible is truly of God's breath. Pertaining to the assured divine Authorship of the Scripture:
If I believe God is omnipotent and powerful enough to have created the breadth of the universe and all biological forms in it by speaking them to be so, I'm deluded if I think that He stopped paying attention and ceased being almighty just for a little while, so that man fiddled with His Word and added his own selfish agenda. If God is almighty enough to have formed the galaxies and the comets, the planets and all life, then He is almighty enough to prevent man from interjecting his own will and desires into the Scriptures without sound rebuke. If God allowed man to alter His instruction and love to us, man would have long ago translated the Bible to read "Murder is perfectly okay if one's neighbor steals his cable. Adultery and the abuse of our bodies is fine too. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law." 

Therefore I refer to the grasping at straws and desperation to make the actual words of God's law mean something they don't.

Now, the twisting of the Word of God began long ago, to create lies and self-imposed doctrines that attempt to free one's self from the responsibilities Christ has given us. Long before the historical events depicted in the Bible were ever written down, long before God breathed His word into chosen men to put to ink and scroll, His words were being misused and manipulated.

The first instance, not surprisingly, was perpetrated by Satan, in the form of a serpent in the Garden. His lie to Eve was that, not only would God be envious if man knew good and evil, but also that God had lied, that they would not surely die if the fruit was eaten. 

"And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”"

(Genesis 3:1-5)

The truth is that this sin in the Garden resulted in the fall of man - it introduced sin, death, decay, general mortality into the world. Therefore when God said "you shall surely die" if Adam ate of that tree, He did not say nor imply "you will die instantly, you will drop dead on the spot." But rather, that Adam would bring death and mortality into the world by his sin if he chose to be disobedient to God. And being that death would be inevitable, he would, therefore, surely die. (Genesis 2:15-17)

The first sin committed in this world was caused by the twisting and manipulation of words for one's own twisted, manipulative benefit. And Satan, being a serpent of old, the father of lies, the most twisted, manipulative, selfish being to ever roam this world, still revels in this sin millenniums later.

This selfish and warped attitude is the same we adopt when we engage in pointless arguments over the meanings and subtexts of various words. We do so when we debate the 2nd Amendment - does the right to bear arms have relevance today, or was it merely meant for the militias of the time? I don't know and frankly don't care (and I don't want to hear from gun enthusiasts giving me all the reasons I'd better care - I like guns as much as the next Texan, but focus on the bigger point I'm trying to make).

When we engage in this war over the words of God, we don't merely risk distorting some document that can be ratified and changed at the drop of a hat or the hanging of a chad - we risk distorting the Truth of a God who loves us, who gave His only Son to die for us, whose Son rose from that death, and that whoever believes and proclaims Him will not enter into eternal condemnation but be given everlasting life. 

When we dispute and debate theology in bitterness, when we argue for or against Predestination, when we quote Scripture in spite rather than love, edification and teaching, we risk distorting our belief and understanding of the basic principle fact that Jesus saves us.

If a man can choose not to believe just one piece of God's Word...maybe he chooses to dismiss that Jonah was swallowed by a large fish and survived...he opens the door for the devil to exploit man's fleshly weakness, and lead him away from the Christ who saves lives, physical and eternal - the fact that Jesus died for us and rose again, that He is Lord of lords, and King of kings.

And if man is so arrogant to think he's incapable of being fooled by the devil, he's already been deceived. Here's a good way to avoid being tricked by Satan - consider him as he is, crafty and cunning, who "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) And, as bruising as it may be to our fleshly egos, pretend for a moment that we know nothing; pretend we people are idiots.
Just pretend.
And when we're caught up in our performance, portraying simpletons, we will see the damage the devil inflicts upon the souls, bodies, and minds of many. We will see how God raised Christ from the dead, yet the devil still deceives many who don't believe. And only then in our Gump-like states can we begin to achieve wisdom.

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." -1 Corinthians 1:21-25

The Future of Marijuana

2012 (yes I know that's not the future, just shutup): The debate rages on concerning the legalization and taxing of marijuana; whether it is a question or morality, health, government, etc. Alcohol meanwhile remains perfectly legal despite causing numerous deaths on a daily basis.

2022: Many partakers of the bright green pleasure machine are now elected to office, as Governors, Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen; they naturally want to protect themselves from legal scandal, therefore...

2023: Marijuana becomes a legal substance, taxed and sold in your local convenient store, between the Soap Opera Digest and the Monster energy drinks.

2030: A mortician in Bluefield, West Virginia is baked when his assistant, who was heavily baked at the time, accidentally turns on the cremation machine whilst the mortician is inside, searching for where he last placed his prized Seth Rogen Series ivory bong.

2031: Though nowhere as frequent as alcohol-related deaths and injuries, a small but noticeable concern grows in America over whether or not a legal cannabis intake limit should be put in place for public marijuana use, much like a blood-alcohol level.

2034: The Illinois State Supreme Court becomes the first to enact a cannabis level limit, which works much like a field sobriety test. The law is passed on September 3rd; it was meant to be passed September 2nd, but half of the Illinois Supreme Court forgot about the meeting and went to a Denny's in Chicago instead.

2035: Several states follow in making cannabis level limits for public use of marijuana. By the end of 2038, forty-seven states have such laws in place; see if you can guess which three don't!

2036: Numerous protests by grass-roots (pun intended) activists insist that State governments limiting the amount of marijuana one can use at any given time in public is, to quote one group's leader, Violet Burgundy, "unconstitutional and sooo gay."

2040: US Representative from Texas, Ron Paul (yes he's still alive - he's 105 years old, has legally changed his name to "Cap'n Ron Paul McCartney," and takes more geriatric medications than the entire cast of Hot In Cleveland combined, but dangit the kids love him) once again runs for President, citing the cannabis level limits as unconstitutional, and using the hot button issue as one of his main platforms. On Election Day '40, he is defeated by the Democratic nominee by 420% to 308% (somehow by 2040, mathematical laws were altered and somehow made these figures possible).

2085: The first lawsuit by a private citizen against a major marijuana corporation is filed; Kenneth Palmer of Salina, Kansas, claims his consistent short-term memory loss and low sperm count is the direct result of "big marijuana" and their advertisements, which he feels influenced his decision to begin smoking weed.

2086: "Big marijuana" settles the case with Palmer out of court, awarding him $25,000.

2087: Hundreds more similar suits by similar users with similar side-effects from marijuana use are filed.

2088: The first anti-big marijuana company commercial airs during the first game of the World Series (won by the Pittsburgh Pirates).

2089: Similar commercials air rampantly; the kind with teenagers with tough faces staring into the camera, vowing never to become "victims of big marijuana," using mannequins and other creepy props to make their points, eerily similar to today's "Truth" commercials condemning "big tobacco."

2091: Marijuana companies are no longer allowed to advertise on billboards or in High Times magazine.

2091: High Times magazine goes out of business.

2095: By this year, courts have awarded a whopping eighteen billion dollars in numerous lawsuits in the US to  people who claimed to have been affected negatively by "big marijuana" corporations. In a speech before the Organization of Veterans of the Venezuelan Conflict, Senator Paul-McCartney calls this "justice in action."

2100: Marijuana use stays steady in the US at the turn of another century, having first surpassed tobacco use in 2047. Marijuana farming and distribution makes up one of the three leading industries in the US (the other two being avocado bobble heads and extension cords).

According To Our Work

I read a man’s suicide note last week. His name was Joe Bodolai. He was a comedy writer in his time. He posted a final blog, posting the things he’d accomplished that he was proud of, and the things he regretted, such as his alcoholism. Soon after, he killed himself in a hotel room. In the blog, he cursed God, saying He was evil if He existed, because of the atrocities committed in the world.

We teach our children responsibility. We tell them to own up to their own actions, not to blame others for their own mistakes, and no one will ever wave a magic wand and make their consequences disappear. Yet when someone overdoses on heroin, we blame God for not yanking the needle from their arm, rather than obeying God’s command of love and taking the drugs away ourselves and flushing them down the commode. When a homeless man is beaten to death by delinquent teens, we blame God for making him homeless rather than taking him in ourselves or paying for a place for him to stay, and we blame God for the violence, rather than the society that so loves violence, the Tarantino and Rodriguez films that depend on gratuitous gore to make their money at the box office. We don't blame the parents who beat and abused their children and drove them to life on the streets.

Every injustice and atrocity in this world is caused by sin, which is as you know, rebellion against God’s will. If those in third world countries are starving, it’s because a dictator has withheld provisions to pay for his palaces. Or because none of us saw fit to travel to those countries and feed the hungry. That’s beneath us, a novelty as we see it, something Miss America contestants say.

But we refuse to take responsibility for our own actions, or inactions. We instead throw tantrums as children and irrationally blame God for the things we chose to do or not to do. This is why sin is such a harmful and destructive thing, not only because it hinders the good in our own lives, but because it damages the lives of others. Your sins, my sins, can so easily lead another astray, lead them to lose hope, lead them to stop caring for themselves and others, and lead them to deny God.

And when God intervenes and delivers someone from their peril, whether it was self-inflicted or not, as He so often rescues us, we scoff and call them liars out of bitterness and envy.

We laud responsibility for our own actions, but we blame God when we do atrocious things or do nothing to stop them. We accept the idea that God exists, we even accept that He has statutes that we’re to follow for our own sakes and for the sakes of others. But when we break His commandments, and disaster follows, we forsake God and hate Him by claiming He doesn’t exist.
That’s the worst way a person can convey their hate - by claiming those they despise don’t exist.

If I know someone like Joe Bodolai, who I know to be in pain, and I turn them away and do nothing to help them, their pain is on my hands and not the fault of God, whose command of love I've broken.
I hate that you were hurting, and I hope you didn’t mean those things you said; I love you Joe Bodolai.

“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to commit iniquity. For He repays man according to his work, and makes man to find a reward according to his way. Surely God will never do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.” -Job 34:10-12