WHY BOTHER?

I Was Just Thinking About – WHY BOTHER?

Do you ever arrive at the point, especially in a religious context, where you begin to feel: “What’s the use?” or “Why bother?” It seems as though a major problem is – not what the Holy Scriptures indicate – but how the interpreters of the Biblical texts have corrupted the true meaning and intended applications.

Early in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ this question was raised by the Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-3): “Then some Pharisees and Scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked: Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat. Jesus replied: And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” 

Obviously, the problem has consistently been the interpretations and reinterpretations of men rather than by the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the lives of people as per John 16:7-11. The Jewish Community was constantly diverting God’s plan for them by following man’s directives and interpretations. This lead to several years of Captivity as God removed His protective hand from His people.

The Early Church – Acts through Jude – attempted to keep the people’s focus on the Power of God – II Peter 1:3-4, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.” And, Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”

The Greek Orthodox Church embraced a liturgy traditionally conducted in Koine Greek (the original language of the New Testament). Its History, traditions and theology are rooted in the Early Church Fathers and the culture of the Byzantine Empire. They placed heavy emphasis on the traditions of Christian monasticism and asceticism.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it is the one true Church founded by Jesus Christ, that its Bishops are the successors of Christ’s Apostles, and that the Pope is the successor to the Apostle Peter. The Roman Catholic Church maintains that the doctrine on faith and morals that it declares as definitive is infallible.

The Protestant Church maintains that one is in relationship to God – (1) By faith alone; (2) By Scripture alone; (3) Through Christ alone; (4) By Grace alone; and (5) To the Glory of God alone. Any deviation from these five premises would be the contributor to aberrant behavior and can only lead one into heresy. The questions asked: “What’s the use?” and “Why bother?” express the frustration with those steeped in the traditions of men rather than the instruction and guidance from Scripture alone.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.