Posted on 04/08/2005 9:28:07 AM PDT by Dancing Jane
Hm. Not sure the points you're making.
I guess what I'm saying is that it needn't be EITHER faith OR religion. It can be BOTH faith AND "religion." Again, it's important to define that term -- don't define it as a series of routines or rituals or behaviors that one does in order to gain favor with God. THAT is "legalism." Instead, Scripture helps us understand what "pure religion" is:
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, and the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27).
The point you're making, I believe, is a good one: that it's the HEART that has "faith" and the ACTIONS that express "religion," and that worshiping the Lord with your HEART is God's will, rather than merely "doing" religious things. But my point is that Scripture indeed does not portray all "religion" as bad (though "legalism" or "religiosity" IS bad).
Mine is often a BOTH-AND world, rather than merely an EITHER-OR world....
Just for the record, I heard Peter Robinson (former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan -- Robinson wrote the "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech) say that he could NOT find any speeches or writings by John Paul II where the Pope condemned the war in Iraq.
I don't know if Robinson is correct. But he did say that on the Laura Ingraham show a few days ago.
I think it's possible we've been duped by the media about JPII's stance on Iraq.
Take a look at his/her posts. Sometimes I think he/she is a troll trying to start something with really weird posts.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.