Why do people act religious?

[pescador]

Jesus, the Son of God, was a poor, homeless carpenter. He and his followers were ordinary people; he taught on hillsides and in the synagogues. He was not a Sadducee or a Pharisee, the most religious groups of His time. The famous verse, Isaiah 53:2, says, "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."

So, why do we behave as though He was somebody different? We create ornate churches, we have a priesthood which often dresses in the garb of the Roman empire, we read Bibles written in archaic English, we celebrate communion in a ceremony that is nothing like the original Passover supper that Jesus ate and drank with His disciples, etc.

IMHO many churches have regressed toward the elaborate rituals and priesthood of the Old Covenant. Why?

Why can't we be free in our worship and devotion to God? We Christians are a nation of priests, so why do we have a hierarchical priesthood like that of the Old Testament? Jesus and his followers, as well as most of the people of the region, spoke Aramaic, a language of the common people, so why do we have lofty language in bibles such as the King James?

It is time to examine why we have deviated so far from what the New Testament teaches us and regressed into behavior that resembles the Old Covenant?

 

[seeking.IAM]

...Why can't we be free in our worship and devotion to God?

We can be free in our worship. You can be free to worship on a mountaintop or your home church and I can be free to worship in a liturgical, ornate space worthy of the King of Kings. I suspect all is pleasing to God.

 

[Porpoise]

Jesus came first in humility, but in his second coming he will come in glory. Why should our churches portray only his humility and not his glory?

 

[Christsfreeservant]

Jesus, the Son of God, was a poor, homeless carpenter. He and his followers were ordinary people; he taught on hillsides and in the synagogues. He was not a Sadducee or a Pharisee, the most religious groups of His time. The famous verse, Isaiah 53:2, says, "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."

So, why do we behave as though He was somebody different? We create ornate churches, we have a priesthood which often dresses in the garb of the Roman empire, we read Bibles written in archaic English, we celebrate communion in a ceremony that is nothing like the original Passover supper that Jesus ate and drank with His disciples, etc.

IMHO many churches have regressed toward the elaborate rituals and priesthood of the Old Covenant. Why?

Why can't we be free in our worship and devotion to God? We Christians are a nation of priests, so why do we have a hierarchical priesthood like that of the Old Testament? Jesus and his followers, as well as most of the people of the region, spoke Aramaic, a language of the common people, so why do we have lofty language in bibles such as the King James?

It is time to examine why we have deviated so far from what the New Testament teaches us and regressed into behavior that resembles the Old Covenant?

These are really good questions. You have made some very astute observations, and you have presented some very valid and worthy questions to consider.

Yes, a lot of what is done in modern Christianity is a carry over from the Old Covenant and the Old Temple. For example, it used to be that if you entered into a building called "church" that you were told you were now in "God's house," and that the "sanctuary" was a holy place and so you had to treat it as such. And, traditional churches still are like that.

I think a lot of today's modern church congregations have pulled away from some of those traditions, but they have ended up on an extreme in the other direction which is also not good. And, many of today's church gatherings are a blend of the Old and the New (not the New Covenant, but the new way of doing church).

 

[Dave-W]

He was not a Sadducee or a Pharisee, the most religious groups of His time.

Actually HE taught in the Pharasaic doctrinal field, coming in somewhere between Hillel and Shammai, the founders of the 2 main houses of pharisee training. Almost all rabbinically trained Jews today recognize that fact.

 

[Michie]

Jesus, the Son of God, was a poor, homeless carpenter. He and his followers were ordinary people; he taught on hillsides and in the synagogues. He was not a Sadducee or a Pharisee, the most religious groups of His time. The famous verse, Isaiah 53:2, says, "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."

So, why do we behave as though He was somebody different? We create ornate churches, we have a priesthood which often dresses in the garb of the Roman empire, we read Bibles written in archaic English, we celebrate communion in a ceremony that is nothing like the original Passover supper that Jesus ate and drank with His disciples, etc.

IMHO many churches have regressed toward the elaborate rituals and priesthood of the Old Covenant. Why?

Why can't we be free in our worship and devotion to God? We Christians are a nation of priests, so why do we have a hierarchical priesthood like that of the Old Testament? Jesus and his followers, as well as most of the people of the region, spoke Aramaic, a language of the common people, so why do we have lofty language in bibles such as the King James?

It is time to examine why we have deviated so far from what the New Testament teaches us and regressed into behavior that resembles the Old Covenant?

I worry more about those that put on a friendly Christian front and then exploit others when they think nobody is looking. There is nothing wrong with worshipping in congregations with sincere spiritual leaders.

 

[Anthony2019]

If we were expecting a visit from a King, how would we prepare for it? I expect we would roll out the red carpet and do everything to make the occasion as respectful and dignified as possible. We would be very careful to ensure that the way people conducted themselves showed propriety and reverence. If we are prepared to go to such lengths to show a Head of State such honour, then how much more respect should we show towards the King of Kings?

 

[Michie]

If we were expecting a visit from a King, how would we prepare for it? I expect we would roll out the red carpet and do everything to make the occasion as respectful and dignified as possible. We would be very careful to ensure that the way people conducted themselves showed propriety and reverence. If we are prepared to go to such lengths to show a Head of State such honour, then how much more respect should we show towards the King of Kings?

Quote for truth.

 

[pescador]

Actually HE taught in the Pharasaic doctrinal field, coming in somewhere between Hillel and Shammai, the founders of the 2 main houses of pharisee training. Almost all rabbinically trained Jews today recognize that fact.

Jesus was vehemently opposed to the Pharisees and the effect their teaching had on others, so I can't accept your premise.

 

[Dave-W]

Jesus was vehemently opposed to the Pharisees and the effect their teaching had on others, so I can't accept your premise.

Your choice. I was very skeptical at first as well. But studying what the Pharisees actually taught instead of what I learned in church convinced me otherwise.

I suggest you study it out for yourself.

 

[pescador]

If we were expecting a visit from a King, how would we prepare for it? I expect we would roll out the red carpet and do everything to make the occasion as respectful and dignified as possible. We would be very careful to ensure that the way people conducted themselves showed propriety and reverence. If we are prepared to go to such lengths to show a Head of State such honour, then how much more respect should we show towards the King of Kings?

It's okay to think that way but it's not biblical. John the Baptist told the people of his day how to prepare for the coming of the Messiah: make your [spiritual] paths straight, level the behavioral ups and downs, etc. and he did it wearing clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

He did not tell people to build ornate structures or create a separate priesthood. That's what was done in the Old Testament, and as we know, that didn't work too well. In fact, when Jesus came they had all that and it did them no good.

 

[pescador]

Your choice. I was very skeptical at first as well. But studying what the Pharisees actually taught instead of what I learned in church convinced me otherwise.

I suggest you study it out for yourself.

I believe what the Bible says about the Pharisees. Is your source better than Scripture?

 

[pescador]

I worry more about those that put on a friendly Christian front and then exploit others when they think nobody is looking. There is nothing wrong with worshipping in congregations with sincere spiritual leaders.

Except people are supposed to tithe to support the physical structure, etc. with their hard-earned money and are supposed to agree with their spiritual leaders' specific doctrines, which often conflict with other spiritual leaders' specific doctrines. Paul warned specifically against this, but the various denominations do it anyway.

 

[Anthony2019]

It's okay to think that way but it's not biblical. John the Baptist told the people of his day how to prepare for the coming of the Messiah: make your [spiritual] paths straight, level the behavioral ups and downs, etc. and he did it wearing clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

He did not tell people to build ornate structures or create a separate priesthood. That's what was done in the Old Testament, and as we know, that didn't work too well. In fact, when Jesus came they had all that and it did them no good.

I see where you are coming from and I agree with you that we should be careful not to put more importance on created things rather than the Creator. That said, I do believe sometimes that the church today is bordering on the irreverent by trying to make worship far too cosy and comfortable. Churches are becoming more like pop venues, rather than places of worship. Jesus is indeed our friend, and loves the poor, the outcasts and sinners. But while we are busy waving our hands in the air, jumping up and down and doing aerobics for Jesus, we need to be careful that we are not treating Him as if he is simply our "best mate", and placing Him on an equal footing to us. We are often forgetting that He is also our heavenly King and the second person of the Trinity. In 1 Chronicles 29:11-16 it states "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all".

 

[Michie]

Except people are supposed to tithe to support the physical structure, etc. with their hard-earned money and are supposed to agree with their spiritual leaders' specific doctrines, which often conflict with other spiritual leaders' specific doctrines. Paul warned specifically against this, but the various denominations do it anyway.

Well I could say something to that but I’ll skip it.

 

[icxn]

Jesus was vehemently opposed to the Pharisees and the effect their teaching had on others, so I can't accept your premise.

Yet, He did ask us to obey them: "Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you..." (Matthew 23:1-3)

 

[seeking.IAM]

It's okay to think that way but it's not biblical. John the Baptist told the people of his day how to prepare for the coming of the Messiah...and he did it wearing clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey...He did not tell people to build ornate structures or create a separate priesthood...

He also didn't tell us to wear camel's hair, eat locusts, live in the wilderness, or worship in home churches, plain structures, or anything of the sort.

 

[pescador]

Yet, He did ask us to obey them: "Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you..." (Matthew 23:1-3)

Why are taking this totally out of context? It's a serious distortion of Scripture.

Here is the passage you're citing... "Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are."

... and so on. It is not wise to take Scripture out of context, especially if you're making a point exactly opposite of what it says.

 

[Jesus is my Superhero]

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

To do what they tell you is to show respect for Moses' seat which had/has authority. But they themselves had no interest in doing what they demanded of others. This is why Jesus said to not do as they do.

In modern lingo: "Do as I say, not as I do". Parents will sometimes use this with their kids.

 

[pescador]

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

To do what they tell you is to show respect for Moses' seat which had/has authority. But they themselves had no interest in doing what they demanded of others. This is why Jesus said to not do as they do.

In modern lingo: "Do as I say, not as I do". Parents will sometimes use this with their kids.

Do you forget this part of Matthew (or do you think that taking a few words out of context is meaningful)?

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. "

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are."

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!

“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”