Jesus = Anti-Religion?

[JuniPearl]

Originally Posted by CRSTL13

I've heard the statement many a times how Jesus would be very Anti-Religion

Can somebody elaborate on this?

Thanks!

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. There isn't any other way! We should follow in His footsteps and obey His commands. Bad thing is... EVERY RELIGION claims they are doing it right. Sadly, this is so far from the truth. We are human and we're bound to make mistakes. But we have to keep pressing on, no turning back and no giving up. WE MUST DO AS HE TOLD US!!

First there are the "Gospels." He instructed the apostles what needed to be done in order to have eternal life. This is the doctrine every church should incorporate. After the Gospels you have the "Acts" of the Gospels. There are countless records of the born again experience documented in the book of Acts. The apostles were just following the commands of Jesus. Then there are the "Epistles." The Epistles come AFTER we are born again, we are considered "believers" after this. The believers are established and we are moving forward in our walk with God. The Epistles are given to us to help us grow and become more knowledgeable in the things of God. Once we are born again according to the Gospels (seen in Acts) we will do "works," it comes with the territory. As we mature in Christ our works manifest into other areas of the ministry, the Epistles go into detail on this. Finally, there's Revelation which contains the letters to the church for what lies ahead of us.

After knowing all of that... if we aren't following those guidelines, then yes, He is against whatever religion that person is following that would cause them to go astray.

My most recent revelation... Being a Christian is not a religion, it's a relationship! We can't say we have a relationship with God if we haven't followed these commands, every step of the way... Gospels, Acts, Epistles.

[R. Crusoe]

Originally Posted by nateswift

The point is that all the ceremonies and singing and going to church and doctrines mean nothing if a person is not committed to the way of living that Jesus taught. 1 Cor 13 is also a good explanation of the thought.

Originally Posted by jghorton

Jesus frequently opposed the Sanhedrin (Sadducee and Pharisees), who represented the established 'religion' and law of the day in Israel. He did so because they based their 'religion' on rules and laws made by men; and because they only represented the laws of God as a means to promote their own position and authority, instead of the righteousness God seeks.

Even in this context, Jesus was not against 'religion' itself, but, rather, worship that was based on form and ritual, rather than Spirit and Truth. In John 4:23-24, He expanded on this thought when He told the Samaritan woman at the well (and us):

John 4:23 ...the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

I totally agree with what nateswitf and jghorton have stated above.

The word "against" used in this context is very misleading. It has a negative implication which is completely false in this case. Jesus certainly wasn't "against" religion. He was actually REFORMING what he considered an outdated and inappropriate way to worship God, the way that over-emphasized on old customs and placed far greater importance on unnecessary rituals.

He had a divine understanding that loving and worshiping God was much more than perpetuating daily rituals and offering sacrificial animals. He doubted many of the "Laws" that he grew up with and had a deep yearning to streamline them. He effectually reinvented and reintroduced the relationship between God and man with His religious reform. Christianity was born in the process. He discarded the old barriers and brought God directly to the hearts and souls of the followers. He was way ahead of His time. No one with a rational mind will consider His deeds and achievement anti-religion.

[Matthew 4:4]

Jesus was against the false religious leaders- Matthew chapter 23 - pronouncing many ' woes' against them with his reasons for the ' woes ' .

Gospel writer Luke wrote forewarning about false shepherds at Acts 20 vs 29,30

Jesus too illustrated how genuine ' wheat ' Christians would grow together over the centuries with the fake ' weed/tares ' Christians until the harvest time, or the coming time of separation of Matthew 25 vs 31,32

[Matthew 4:4]

Originally Posted by CRSTL13

I've heard the statement many a times how Jesus would be very Anti-Religion

Was it Jesus who was against all religion, or just against false religion such as what the Pharisees practiced ?
-Matthew 15 v 9; James 1 v 27

False clergy [ 2nd Thess. 2 vs 2-8 ] often sit themselves in the ' temple ' [ houses of worship ] as if they are God when in reality they are the ones who are anti-God.

[Inattentive]

Jesus as anti-religion is a very good tread as it beckons for a clarification. Ok lets be reasonable about this subject .
If we are on the same page with respect for the key ingredient to be saved or born again one has to included in
general without naming them all "Christian religions" as favorable to God . Yes many of us find their doctrines to
be incompatible with our biblical beliefs , attempt to disassociate ,distance ourselves and even state we are not of
a religion or religious, but they are distractions not ungodly fools to be written off. The heathens are the pagan religions
the pleural antichrists those of a religion that excludes the son of man, albeit faiths that essentially defy Gods word
not us necessary we are simple purveyors. Jesus rebuked the Rabbi's, Pharisees and religion of His time .

[janelle144]

I've noticed the young people who say, "I am spiritual, not religious" really are not anything.

My Step-kids don't do anything or even teach their kids anything about the faith. It's sad but seems to be the trend now.