Defining Words, Reaching For Truth

Can God be defined and understood by religion?

Can someone come to know God by following religious doctrines?

What about these religions that billions adhere to?

Religion

“state of life bound by monastic vows,” also “conduct indicating a belief in a divine power,” from religion “piety, devotion; religious community,” directly from Latin religionem (nominative religio) “respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation; fear of the gods; divine service, religious observance; a religion, a faith, a mode of worship, cult; sanctity, holiness.”

According to Cicero, from relegere “go through again” (in reading or in thought), from re- “again” + legere “read” (see lecture).

Popular etymology among later ancients (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and interpretation of modern writers connects it with religare “to bind fast,” via notion of “place an obligation on,” or “bond between humans and gods.” In that case, the re- would be intensive.

Another possible origin is religiens “careful,” opposite of negligens. In English, meaning “particular system of faith,” sense of “recognition of and allegiance in manner of life (perceived as justly due) to a higher, unseen power or powers.”

Muslim

from Arabic muslim: “one who submits” (to the faith), root of aslama: “he resigned,” see: Islam

Islam

from Arabic islam, literally “submission” (to the will of God), root of aslama: “he resigned, he surrendered, he submitted,” causative conjunction of salima: “he was safe,” related to salam: peace

Peace

from Biblical Latin pax, Greek eirene, which were used by translators to render Hebrew shalom: “safety, welfare, prosperity” from Latin pacem: (nominative pax) “compact, agreement, treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of war”

Sense of quiet; meaning “absence or cessation of war or hostility”

Judaism

directly from Late Latin Judaismus (Tertullian), from Greek Ioudaismos, from Ioudaios" (see Jew), “Jewish faith, Judaism,” literally “Jew-hood.”

Jew

Hebrew y'hudi, from Y'hudah: Judah, literally “celebrated,” originally “Hebrew from the kingdom of Judah”

Christian

from Christos (see Christ), first used in Antioch, according to Acts 11: 25-26

Christ

title given to Jesus of Nazareth, from Latin “Christus,” from Greek “khristos” “the anointed” (translation of Hebrew “mashiah;” see: messiah), the Latin term drove out Old English Hæland “healer, savior,” as the preferred descriptive term for Jesus

Messiah

Messias, from Late Latin Messias, from Greek Messias, from Aramaic meshiha and Hebrew mashiah: “the anointed” (of the Lord), from mashah: “anoint,” in Septuagint as Greek Khristos (see Christ), in Old Testament prophetic writing, the expected deliverer of the Jewish nation, sense of "an expected liberator or savior of a captive people"

From The Road Less Traveled, the author writes an interesting definition of religion. In brief; each individual has their own 'religion' regardless of their belief in a god, or in themselves, or in nothing, or in science, etc. The individual's religion is their definition and understanding of the world around them. By default, each person has their own, unique religion or view of the world around them.

But is God a religion?

Can God be defined by a religion?

Is Yeshua-Jesus-Isa a religion?

The three religions mentioned herein have attempted to define and impart God.

Is that attempt even possible?

Only God reveals Mystery.

So who is right?

What was Christ's purpose?

Is He merely yet another Prophet?

Was not Christ the fulfillment of the epiphany Daniel, Isaiah and Ezekiel and many others experienced?

Shall we follow the Anointed or choose between religions?


For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

- Isaiah 9: 6-7 (5th Century B.C.)


For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—I will surely raise My hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me.

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I Am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that Day and will become My people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you.

- Zechariah 2: 8-11 (5th Century B.C.)


“I kept watching the night visions, when I saw, coming with the clouds of heaven, someone like a son of man.  He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.  To Him was given rulership, glory and a kingdom, so that all peoples, nations and languages should serve Him.

His rulership is an eternal rulership that will not pass away; and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

- Daniel 7: 13-14 (5th Century B.C.)


When they saw Him, they prostrated themselves before Him; but some hesitated. Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim (disciples), immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28: 17-20 (1st Century A.D.)


“For God so loved the world that He gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through Him, the world might be saved. Those who trust in Him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the One who is God’s only and unique Son.”

- John 3: 16-18 (1st Century A.D.)