Part 12: The Ruin Of Religion

“We see that it is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.” ~ Cardinal Hume “We see that it is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.” ~ Cardinal Hume

“Jesus was not busy with a religious revival; he was busy with a revolution – a revolution in religion, in politics, and in everything else.” ~ Albert Nolan, Historian “Jesus was not busy with a religious revival; he was busy with a revolution – a revolution in religion, in politics, and in everything else.” ~ Albert Nolan, Historian

“I believe that the closer we get to the original Jesus, the closer we are to recognizing the face of the living God.” ~ N.T. Wright, Historian/Theologian “I believe that the closer we get to the original Jesus, the closer we are to recognizing the face of the living God.” ~ N.T. Wright, Historian/Theologian

“It is true, or it is blasphemy. Christ was God or godless.” ~ John Piper “It is true, or it is blasphemy. Christ was God or godless.” ~ John Piper

“Don’t make me come down there.” ~ GOD (As quoted on a billboard) “Don’t make me come down there.” ~ GOD (As quoted on a billboard)

“It is important to recognize the radicality of some of Jesus teaching, for it helps to explain from a historical point of view why Jewish authorities might wish to take action against him.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian

“It is no surprise, in view of his teachings and actions, that Jesus was crucified. What is surprising is that it did not happen sooner.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian “It is no surprise, in view of his teachings and actions, that Jesus was crucified. What is surprising is that it did not happen sooner.” ~ Ben Witherington III, Historian & Theologian

“Jesus will not be domesticated.” ~ John Piper “Jesus will not be domesticated.” ~ John Piper

“Amazing love! How can it be That thou, my God, should’st die for me?” ~ Charles Wesley “Amazing love! How can it be That thou, my God, should’st die for me?” ~ Charles Wesley

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB) God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB)

The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come, not the reality of the good things Christ has done for us. ~ Hebrews 10:1 (NLT) The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come, not the reality of the good things Christ has done for us. ~ Hebrews 10:1 (NLT)

These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ~ Colossians 2:17 (NRSV) These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ~ Colossians 2:17 (NRSV)

According to Jesus, “organized religion” is the enemy, not because it is organized but because it is religious.

TAKE OUT: The antidote to organized religion is not disorganized religion, but organized irreligion. According to Jesus, “organized religion” is the enemy, not because it is organized but because it is religious. TAKE OUT: The antidote to organized religion is not disorganized religion, but organized irreligion.

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ~ Ezekiel 36:26 (NRSV) A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ~ Ezekiel 36:26 (NRSV)

“All Israelites have a share in the world to come.” ~ The Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10:1) “All Israelites have a share in the world to come.” ~ The Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10:1)

“The Judaism that Nicodemus and Jesus both knew had a good deal to do with being born into the right family. What mattered was being a child of Abraham. Of course, other things mattered too, but this was basic. Now, Jesus is saying, God is starting a new family in which this ordinary birth isn’t enough. You need to be born all over again, born ‘from above’.” ~ N. T. Wright “The Judaism that Nicodemus and Jesus both knew had a good deal to do with being born into the right family. What mattered was being a child of Abraham. Of course, other things mattered too, but this was basic. Now, Jesus is saying, God is starting a new family in which this ordinary birth isn’t enough. You need to be born all over again, born ‘from above’.” ~ N. T. Wright

“One who has become a proselyte is like a child newly born.” ~ Rabbi Yose ben Halafta, Babylonian Talmud (Yebam. 48b) “One who has become a proselyte is like a child newly born.” ~ Rabbi Yose ben Halafta, Babylonian Talmud (Yebam. 48b)

To be born of water may mean: 1. Physical birth 2. Spiritual birth 3. Baptism To be born of water may mean: 1. Physical birth 2. Spiritual birth 3. Baptism

John 3 – the Dark of Confusion John 7 – the Dawn of Conviction John 19 – the Daylight of Confession John 3 – the Dark of Confusion John 7 – the Dawn of Conviction John 19 – the Daylight of Confession

Part 12: The Ruin Of Religion