cgpb
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Post by cgpb on Jan 8, 2014 9:44:09 GMT -8
How all religion is created – whether for the Jew or the Gentile
This thread can also be viewed at the following link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0toPc1O4IY
From the time the true knowledge and relationship of God had been lost, every culture and civilization in all human history no matter how old or new, has developed some form of religious practice in order to try and satisfy the elusive vacuum in the human soul crying out for reason, purpose and significance. All religions are the result of mankind’s search and communication with the Supreme Being.
All religions are caused by 3 mechanisms. The mechanisms are 3 and the same only appearing under different names.
These mechanisms occur:
1. Through the observance of nature
2. Through a founder
3. Through subdivision
Lets examine each one in turn:
Mechanism 1 -Through the observance of natural events: By being exposed to the qualities of God through His Creation, mankind developed some understanding of the ways of God and applied this to a form of worship, resulting in all nature religions and mythologies. This is especially the case in cultures or civilizations where no formal religion was introduced, resulting in the worship of nature gods.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been understood from what has been made”. (Rom. 1:20)
This mechanism is based on the following pattern:
The religion /mythology/or philosophy is derived from the human imagination, the human imagination is derived from observing the facts of nature, and the facts of nature are derived from her creator GOD.
This mechanism is repeated in all cultures throughout history only appearing under the guise of different names. Here are a few examples.
The Greek god of the sea was Poseidon. The Roman equivalent was Neptune. The Egyptians had Yam whilst the Hindus had Varuna. Likewise different names of gods were applied for different purposes. Despite the many gods they worshipped, they all had the ability to reason that some other god had to be “supreme and ruler” over all the other gods. Hence a Zeus, a Jupiter, an Amun or a Brahman.
All belief systems resulting from this first mechanism reinforce what God has already put in nature. The belief patterns of such religions are in nature because they were there first in God-The Creator. There are many patterns in nature that display the invisible and eternal power of God.
Mechanism 2) Through a founder:
This second mechanism initiates religions whether historic or new.
a) Someone (usually the founder) claims to have received a “divine revelation” or a visitation by a “majestic being” like an (‘angel’) and claims they were commanded to recite, or write down what they’ve heard or seen and pass on these visions, teachings or messages, thus initiating a religion. E,g Muhammed was the founder of Islam , Joseph Smith of Mormonism and Israel ben Eliezar founded Hasidic Judaism.
3) Through subdivision
This happens through one or a combination of the following ways.
a. Through the divergence, branching off, breaking away or rebellion from an existing religion usually due to disagreement or disproval over doctrine, or, “new revelation”. For example Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism have all branched off from Hinduism. As a result of this mechanism, we also have today the main branches of Judaism, namely, Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist, which all branched off from the Pharisee movement.
b. Through the combining, mingling, or blending of existing religions to develop a new one. For e.g. Sikhism combines elements of Hinduism with Islam. Conservative Judaism is a mixture of Reform and Orthodox.
c. Further splits can occur within mechanism i and ii resulting into even smaller sects or denominations. For example Reconstructionist Judaism began as a liberal movement within conservative Judaism and then formally separated.
Classical reform Judaism, humanistic Judaism, Neolog Judaism , Jewish renewal, and Jewish science are other examples of further splits from previous sects.
d. Through a revival of older religions under new names. Many so called “new” religions are in fact old, only masquerading under a new name. E.g. kabbalah is just another form of Greek Gnosticism at a later date as both groups believed that only a select few were given deeper understanding or knowledge.
The following diagram represents how religion is founded based on mechanism 2 and /or 3 and then how the smaller sects emerge within a particular religion as a result of all the above described. This diagram can be applied to any particular religion or on a larger scale, to the divergence of all the world’s religions.
FOUNDER
successor A
successor B
successor C
split A
Point of split
split B
split C
C1
C2
etc….
Also all religions, mythologies, belief systems etc… display mans ability to reason so that in the formation of any religion, one needs to have knowledge and understanding on:
a) The nature of God (thus resulting in Monotheism, polytheism, henotheism and all the other ….isms ).
b) The way of salvation which evidently shows that man understands he has need of this.
c) The way in which one comes to the knowledge of God.
d) Eternity and the afterlife.
e) Morality.
It is these components that produce doctrine in any religion. And the fact that religions differ in the way of these components, shows the contradictory nature between religions because man is subject to deception, delusion, wickedness and misinterpretation. Therefore, the true way to God cannot be initiated by man but only by God.
As a result of the above 3 mechanisms, we now have the thousands of religions that exist around the world today. Once these 3 mechanisms are understood, one doesn’t need to study the world’s religions in order to seek truth, since the mechanisms are 3 and the same and are repeated in all cultures throughout human history only under the guise of different names.
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Post by Questor on Jan 11, 2014 18:39:02 GMT -8
An interesting statement, but it sounds like an attempt to say that all religions are similar to others, and each religion is an attempt to reach G-d.
Only under Judaism, Messianism and Christianity is G-d the instigator of the relationship between G-d and man.
G-d founded a relationship with Adam, the first man created, and then continued to hold onto one family lineage from creation onwards. G-d's purpose was to redeem man from Adam's fall, and all the problems that brokenness brought upon mankind.
Every branch of mankind comes from Adam, through to Noah, and from Noah onward most of mankind has split away from the Adamic connection to G-d. Every generation had people falling away from the pure Adamic line, but there was one lineage that continued from the flood onwards to be aware of G-d, be sought out by G-d, and to seek Him in return.
All the other religions are attempts to reach and describe G-d without connecting with G-d. Any supernatural visitation can only have been by dark angels/spirits/demons because G-d was already working openly, even as the world watched, with one specific people group, one direct lineage from Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and eventually to Yeshua, by whom all remaining difficulties between man and G-d will be cleared away.
No other religion has ever claimed a divine, continuing relationship with G-d but Judaism, and it's branches, Messianic Judaism, and Christianity. Judaism flowed into and was completed by 1st century Messianic Belief as God pLanned by sending Yeshua to us, that strayed into many forms of Christianity.
Messianic Belief, for Jews, Pagans, and Christians, is the attempt of those that believe in the G-d of Abram, Isaac, and Jacob to return to the first century Messianic Judaism
All the other religions are deceptions of man and dark spirits, not of G-d, for only those of seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob called Israel, by birth, adoption, or faith can inherit the Kingdom of G-d.
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Post by alon on Jan 11, 2014 21:51:29 GMT -8
Only under Judaism, Messianism and Christianity is G-d the instigator of the relationship between G-d and man. Very good point!  And another good point!  Actually most of them make this claim, but they have to manufacture evidence which cannot be corroborated in order to back it up.  I do like the way you phrased that!  This one you could have phrased a little better; however there is a movement afoot in mainstream churches and even some pagan church congregants (RC, EOC, etc.) to varying degrees towards that early 1st cen. mark. But few of them are willing to move into Messianism. They mostly like the Hebrew Roots side as long as you don't attack Christmas!  Yep!  Dan  C |
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Post by Questor on Jan 11, 2014 23:40:13 GMT -8
Only under Judaism, Messianism and Christianity is G-d the instigator of the relationship between G-d and man. Very good point! And another good point! Actually most of them make this claim, but they have to manufacture evidence which cannot be corroborated in order to back it up.
I didn't explain as well as I should have...I meant a single, creator 'god' such as YHVH. Sorry!  I do like the way you phrased that! This one you could have phrased a little better; however there is a movement afoot in mainstream churches and even some pagan church congregants (RC, EOC, etc.) to varying degrees towards that early 1st cen. mark. But few of them are willing to move into Messianism. They mostly like the Hebrew Roots side as long as you don't attack Christmas! Yep! Dan C |
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cgpb
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Post by cgpb on Jan 13, 2014 8:46:59 GMT -8
I think you have missed the essence of what I was trying to say. Yes I agree that only through the Judeo Christian faith did God reveal His Kingdom and plan for mankind, however even the Jew and Christian can get caught up in the substitute system for the true Kingdom called religion (hence all the denominations we have today in Judaism and Christianity) and miss the true Kingdom of God. That's why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees. They had substituted religion for the Kingdom.
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Post by Questor on Jan 14, 2014 5:15:16 GMT -8
I think you have missed the essence of what I was trying to say. Yes I agree that only through the Judeo Christian faith did God reveal His Kingdom and plan for mankind, however even the Jew and Christian can get caught up in the substitute system for the true Kingdom called religion (hence all the denominations we have today in Judaism and Christianity) and miss the true Kingdom of God. That's why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees. They had substituted religion for the Kingdom.
I made my answers based on what you wrote, not what you meant me to understand...something that is all to easy to do...I have been guilty myself many times of not being clear, and then going back, taking my initial post, and re-explaining what I was trying to say.
As you may have noticed though, my answers were then subject to dispute and commentary...which is what I am here for! |
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Post by Frank T. Clark on Jan 16, 2014 12:25:34 GMT -8
I often hear people criticize "religion" as if it was some horrible creation. It is only a word describing "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." (Quoting a dictionary.) The discussion is appropriate to different denominations or a specific "religion" but it is misleading to criticize the general term "religion".
It is similar to saying "water" is bad because there is some "water" that is polluted. Polluted water is bad but "water" is not bad.
The point may seem simple but people who try to think logically would be confused by a criticism of "religion" and dismiss the speaker as confused.
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Post by Questor on Jan 16, 2014 20:08:53 GMT -8
I often hear people criticize "religion" as if it was some horrible creation. It is only a word describing "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." (Quoting a dictionary.) The discussion is appropriate to different denominations or a specific "religion" but it is misleading to criticize the general term "religion". It is similar to saying "water" is bad because there is some "water" that is polluted. Polluted water is bad but "water" is not bad. The point may seem simple but people who try to think logically would be confused by a criticism of "religion" and dismiss the speaker as confused.
I would say that many people when they think of religion, think of a man-made collections of rules that are held up as THE rule of conduct for everyone based on human understanding alone, and more known for the breaking of the rules by their adherents.
So when asked, "What is your religion?", I say I am a Messianic Gentile, which confuses them enough to ask questions. At that point, I can speak about walking in Yeshua's footsteps, and trusting Him as my Savior, and the more they want to know, the more I get to tell them following Yeshua isn't about a religion, but a decision to love and trust Him, and let Him change my life. And I do tell them that loving Yeshua means doing things that please Him, and that it's all in the Scriptures. Usually, they are very surprised.
The reverse is what I use when I ask someone who their G-d is.
And if they say they don't like churches, and are not religious, I say, "Neither am I...I mostly just read the Scriptures, and thank YHVH a lot for all that He gives me, including His love and friendship, and blessings.", and tell them that loving, praising, talking to, and thanking YHVH just gets me more to be thankful for.
It's a fun way to witness for it is so unscripted, and so un-churchy and non-religious. |
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cgpb
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Post by cgpb on Jan 19, 2014 7:11:38 GMT -8
In the beginning God initiated a Kingdom on earth and not a religion. The Lord Jesus Christ came to re-introduce the Kingdom that Adam had lost and not a religion.
For this reason the Lord kept saying "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..... and the Kingdom of Heaven is like ..........etc... That is why the word religion appears nowhere in the Gospels.
Kingdoms produce citizens. Religions produces members.
Without the Kingdom, religion (no matter under what name it masquerades) is man's vain attempt to reach God - religion is a substitute for the real thing, but it isn't the real thing. Without the Kingdom of God, man is not in his rightful place - he is like a fish out of water trying to swim in orange juice or milk.
King David was king over a Kingdom not a religion. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings over God's eternal and incorruptible Kingdom - not a religion.
The analogy that "It is similar to saying "water" is bad because there is some "water" that is polluted. Polluted water is bad but "water" is not bad." is void
Water is always H2O regardless of the state it is in. Religion can never always be H20 because core beliefs are contradictory in nature meaning that people's eternal destinies are in jeopardy!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2014 19:20:49 GMT -8
Sounds like Kingdom Now theology.
Yeshua did not speak of an earthly kingdom, He spoke of a Heavenly Kingdom. A kingdom not made with hands.
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cgpb
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Post by cgpb on Jan 20, 2014 10:07:22 GMT -8
God's Kingdom was, is now and will be forever.
God sent us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live the Kingdom life in the now and also reap the benefits of it later.
The commands of Yeshua are for you to obey NOW not in the next life, for obedience to them will determine where and how you will spend eternity!
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- there are 70 faces to 
C
