January 17, 2012
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Mistakes about Religion & What Religion Is ~ Henry Scougal
Many of you may have heard about and/or seen the Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus Video, a.k.a the Jesus > Religion video by Jefferson Bethke. At the current time there have been over 13 million views of the video on YouTube and almost 73,000 on GodTube.
As I considered this video, I was reminded of the teachings which Scottish Puritan Henry Scougal (1650-1678) gave on religion in his book "The Life of God in the Soul of Man," 2-3 . . .
Mistakes about Religion.I can not speak of religion, but I must lament, that among so many pretenders to it, so few understand what it means; some placing it in the understanding, in orthodox notions and opinions; and all the account they can give of their religion is, that they are of this or the other persuasion, and have joined themselves to one of those many sects whereinto Christendom is most unhappily divided. Others place it in the outward man, in a constant course of external duties, and a model of performances; if they live peaceably with their neighbors, keep a temperate diet, observe the returns of worship, frequent the church, or their closet, and sometimes extend their hands to the relief of the poor, they think they have sufficiently acquitted themselves. Others again put all religion in the affections, in rapturous hearts and ecstatic devotion; and all they aim at is, to pray with passion, to think of heaven with pleasure, and to be affected with those kind and melting expression wherewith they court their Saviour, till they persuade themselves that they are mightily in love with him, and from thence assume a great confidence of their salvation, which they esteem the chief of Christian graces. Thus are these things which have any resemblance of piety, and at the best are but means of obtaining it, or particular exercise of it, frequently mistaken for the whole of religion. Nay, sometimes wickedness and vice pretend to that name. I speak not now of those gross impieties wherewith the heathens were wont to worship their gods; there are but too many Christians who would consecrate their vices, and hallow their corrupt affections, whose rugged humour, and sullen pride, must pass for Christian severity; whose fierce wrath, and bitter rage against their enemies, must be called holy zeal; whose petulancy towards their superiors, or rebellion against their governors, must have the name of Christian courage and resolution.What Religion Is.
But certainly religion is quite another thing, and they who are acquainted with it will entertain far different thoughts, and disdain all those shadows and false imitations of it. They know by experience that true religion is a union of the soul with God, a real participation of the Divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul, or, in the apostle's phrase, it is Christ formed within us. Briefly, I know not how the nature of religion can be more fully expressed, than by calling it a divine life...
Please note: I originally posted this excerpt from Henry Scougal's book on January 4, 2009 in this post. Charles Wesley lent a copy of the book to George Whitefield, and the book was instrumental in Whitefield's conversion; please see my follow-up post "Alas! if this be not true religion, what is?" ~ George Whitefield.Related posts
on true religion . . .
My posts on True & False Religion and Legalism
What is a nominal Christian?
the Holy Spirit and Life
John 3:36a Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life (letter 64 on assurance & joy)
Advent #1 WHY HAS JESUS COME? that we might have life & life more abundantly
Advent # 5 WHY HAS JESUS COME? So we might draw near to God | Even a Vapor
Have you believed with your heart ... all your heart? (Acts 8:37)
Is your faith living – or is it dead? (Isaac Watts)
Jonathan Edwards on Religion
Instead of Legalism . . . CHRIST!
Blessed dependence ~ "Leaning upon her beloved"
Barabbas we save, Jesus Christ we slay (the mockery of profession ~ decisional regeneration)
the converted Pharisee's song: "All my works, all flesh is as grass"on discernment . . .
the most diligent prelate and preacher
Keep your heart with diligence, Take heed, beware the little foxes
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:11-"The Wiles of the Devil"by Kevin DeYoung at The Gospel Coaltion Blog . . .
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Comments (8)
I noted on a post today that the modern usage (particularly in the last 10 yrs) or so has redefined the meaning of this word. Which is kind of sad because the original meaning of it was quite important.
Good post Karen.
I'm going to have to go look at the video on youtube. I didn't realize you had one up there. Thanks for sharing!
@nidan - Just to clarify, the video I linked to isn't mine and I have no association with it; it's done by Jefferson Bethke. If you clicked the link, you probably figured that out.
It's one of those videos that's gone viral and thought I should address it on my blog.
@naphtali_deer - Yeah, I saw that. I mis-read your post is all.
All of the foregoing can easily be works of man (or might be the outworking of Christ in us). The truth of the matter is that unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Good post. I agree with guest...Father has to build the house and we have to choose to let Him
@Happily_Married_Guy - Yes, it's amazing how the meanings of words can be really twisted. I guess that's one evidence of the fallen world in which we live.
@angys_coco - Thanks. We do need to be sure we have a Biblical understanding of real religion since the fate of our souls hangs in the balance.
@nidan - No problem; that's what I figured.
@quest4god@revelife - @stephensmustang - Right. All our labors apart from Christ are all in vain. But He makes His people willing in the day of His power (Psalm 110:3), and works in us so we might will and do of His good pleasure ~ Philippians 4:12-13.