If_CJS we_PNP really_AV0 want_VVB to_TO0 understand_VVI the_AT0 definition_NN1 of_PRF “_NN1 religion_NN1 ,_PUN ”_NP0 why_AVQ not_XX0 go_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 Bible_NN1 ?_SENT 
Evangelical_AJ0 Protestantism_NN1 (_PUL which_DTQ I_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 enthusiastic_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF from_PRP 1977-1990_CRD ,_PUN and_CJC retain_VVB many_DT0 fond_AJ0 memories_NN2 of_PRF and_CJC gratefulness_NN1 for_PRP )_PUR is_VBZ known_VVN for_PRP having_VHG lots_PNI of_PRF slogans_NN2 and_CJC catch-phrases_NN2 and_CJC mantras_NN2 that_CJT are_VBB repeated_VVN over_AVP and_CJC over_AVP as_CJS if_CJS they_PNP are_VBB Gospel_NN1 truth_NN1 ._SENT One_CRD of_PRF these_DT0 is_VBZ :_PUN “_NP0 Christianity_NN1 isn’t_NN1 a_AT0 religion_NN1 ._SENT It’s_NP0 a_AT0 relationship_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 
I_PNP used_VVD to_TO0 agree_VVI with_PRP this_DT0 sentiment_NN1 quite_AV0 a_AT0 bit_NN1 myself_PNX ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP never_AV0 took_VVD it_PNP as_CJS far_AV0 as_CJS many_DT0 people_NN0 do_VDB ._SENT (_PUL I_PNP hardly_AV0 could_VM0 have_VHI ,_PUN having_VHG obtained_VVN a_AT0 college_NN1 degree_NN1 in_PRP sociology_NN1 ._SENT )_PUR I_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI still_AV0 said_VVN ,_PUN if_CJS asked_VVN :_PUN “_NN1 Christianity_NN1 is_VBZ one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 world’s_AJ0 religions_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 one_PNI that_CJT is_VBZ the_AT0 most_AV0 true_AJ0 ._SENT ”_NP0 
I’d_NN1 like_VVB to_TO0 unpack_VVI this_DT0 famous_AJ0 saying_VVG a_AT0 bit_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP found_VVD a_AT0 great_AJ0 article_NN1 on_PRP this_DT0 topic_NN1 by_PRP a_AT0 United_AJ0 Methodist_AJ0 minister_NN1 named_VVN Jimmy_NP0 Mallory_NP0 ,_PUN entitled_AJ0 ,_PUN “_NP0 It’s_NP0 Not_XX0 a_AT0 Religion_NN1 ,_PUN It’s_NP0 a_AT0 Relationship_NN1 ,_PUN Right_AV0 ?_SENT ”_NP0 He_PNP observed_VVD :_PUN 
“_NN1 By_PRP definition_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 relationship_NN1 requires_VVZ a_AT0 mutual_AJ0 connectedness_NN1 ._SENT ..._PUN by_PRP God’s_NP0 grace_NN1 at_PRP work_NN1 in_PRP our_DPS lives_NN2 ,_PUN we_PNP can_VM0 respond_VVI ._SENT And_CJC the_AT0 practices_NN2 by_PRP which_DTQ we_PNP respond_VVB are_VBB collectively_AV0 called_VVN ‘religion.’_NN1 It_PNP makes_VVZ our_DPS mutual_AJ0 connectedness_NN1 complete_AJ0 ._SENT ..._PUN God_NP0 comes_VVZ to_PRP us_PNP in_PRP grace_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP go_VVB to_PRP God_NP0 in_PRP religion_NN1 ._SENT Together_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP form_VVB a_AT0 relationship_NN1 that_CJT puts_VVZ all_DT0 other_AJ0 relationships_NN2 into_PRP right-relatedness_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 
This_DT0 is_VBZ dead-on_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP especially_AV0 like_VVB it_PNP because_CJS it_PNP shows_VVZ that_CJT this_DT0 understanding_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX0 simply_AV0 a_AT0 Catholic_AJ0 one_PNI ._SENT Nor_CJC does_VDZ the_AT0 Bible_NN1 pit_NN1 these_DT0 two_CRD valuable_AJ0 and_CJC altogether_AV0 necessary_AJ0 things_NN2 (_PUL relationship_NN1 with_PRP God_NP0 and_CJC religion_NN1 )_PUR against_PRP each_DT0 other_NN1 ._SENT 
All_DT0 “_AJ0 religion_NN1 ”_NN1 means_NN0 is_VBZ to_PRP “_NP0 observe_VVB ”_NP0 or_CJC “_NP0 bind_VVB ._SENT ”_VVB All_DT0 Christians_NN2 certainly_AV0 “_NP0 observe_VVB ”_NP0 many_DT0 things_NN2 ._SENT Almost_AV0 all_DT0 of_PRF us_PNP believe_VVB in_PRP baptism_NN1 and_CJC receiving_VVG Holy_AJ0 Communion_NN1 ._SENT That’s_NP0 ritual_NN1 and_CJC it’s_NN1 religion_NN1 ._SENT Jesus_NP0 even_AV0 said_VVD that_CJT receiving_VVG the_AT0 Holy_AJ0 Eucharist_NN1 is_VBZ directly_AV0 tied_VVN to_PRP salvation_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 Bible_NN1 teaches_VVZ that_CJT baptism_NN1 is_VBZ ,_PUN too_AV0 ._SENT We_PNP sing_VVB hymns_NN2 in_PRP Church_NN1 ._SENT That’s_NP0 a_AT0 ritual_NN1 of_PRF worship_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP bow_VVB our_DPS heads_NN2 together_AV0 to_TO0 pray_VVI ._SENT Sometimes_AV0 we_PNP kneel_VVB ._SENT All_DT0 of_PRF this_DT0 is_VBZ “_AJ0 religion_NN1 ._SENT ”_NP0 
No_AT0 Christian_NN1 of_PRF any_DT0 sort_NN1 who_PNQ knows_VVZ anything_PNI about_PRP his_DPS or_CJC her_DPS faith_NN1 would_VM0 deny_VVI the_AT0 importance_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 deep_AJ0 relationship_NN1 with_PRP Jesus_NP0 ._SENT One_PNI can_VM0 ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN always_AV0 find_VVB hypocrites_NN2 ,_PUN bad_AJ0 examples_NN2 and_CJC “_AJ0 religious_AJ0 nominalists_NN2 ”_NN1 in_PRP any_DT0 religious_AJ0 group_NN1 —_PUN half-hearted_AJ0 ,_PUN ignorant_AJ0 followers_NN2 who_PNQ don’t_VVB even_AV0 know_VVB the_AT0 teachings_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 group_NN1 they_PNP are_VBB affiliated_VVN with_PRP ._SENT 
Jesus_NP0 died_VVD not_XX0 only_AV0 to_TO0 save_VVI any_DT0 who_PNQ call_VVB upon_PRP him_PNP ,_PUN but_CJC also_AV0 to_TO0 transform_VVI people_NN0 like_VVI that_CJT —_PUN like_PRP most_DT0 of_PRF us_PNP Christians_NN2 at_PRP least_AV0 used_VVN to_TO0 be_VBI before_CJS God_NP0 transformed_VVD our_DPS lives_NN2 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ why_AVQ God_NP0 sent_VVD the_AT0 Holy_AJ0 Spirit_NN1 to_TO0 be_VBI our_DPS helper_NN1 and_CJC to_TO0 guide_VVI and_CJC empower_VVI us_PNP as_CJS we_PNP walk_VVB with_PRP Jesus_NP0 in_PRP discipleship_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC if_CJS we_PNP really_AV0 want_VVB to_TO0 understand_VVI the_AT0 definition_NN1 of_PRF “_NN1 religion_NN1 ,_PUN ”_NP0 why_AVQ not_XX0 go_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 Bible_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ all_DT0 Christians_NN2 agree_VVB (_PUL or_CJC should_VM0 agree_VVI )_PUR is_VBZ the_AT0 inspired_AJ0 and_CJC infallible_AJ0 revelation_NN1 from_PRP God_NP0 ?_SENT Here’s_NN2 what_DTQ we_PNP find_VVB :_PUN 
“_NP0 ..._PUN But_CJC by_PRP good_AJ0 deeds_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS befits_VVZ women_NN2 who_PNQ profess_VVB religion_NN1 ”_NN1 (_PUL 1_CRD Timothy_NP0 2_CRD :_PUN 10_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Note_VVB the_AT0 “_NN1 religion_NN1 ”_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 positive_AJ0 thing_NN1 ,_PUN characterized_VVN by_PRP good_AJ0 deeds_NN2 ._SENT 
“_NP0 Great_NP0 indeed_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP confess_VVB ,_PUN is_VBZ the_AT0 mystery_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS religion_NN1 :_PUN He_PNP was_VBD manifested_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 flesh_NN1 ,_PUN vindicated_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 Spirit_NN1 ,_PUN seen_VVN by_PRP angels_NN2 ,_PUN preached_VVN among_PRP the_AT0 nations_NN2 ,_PUN believed_VVD on_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN taken_VVN up_AVP in_PRP glory_NN1 ”_NN1 (_PUL 1_CRD Timothy_NP0 3_CRD :_PUN 16_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Here_AV0 “_NP0 religion_NN1 ”_NN1 has_VHZ to_TO0 do_VDI more_AV0 with_PRP the_AT0 doctrinal_AJ0 creed_NN1 or_CJC confession_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP accept_VVB ;_PUN it’s_NN2 also_AV0 used_VVN by_PRP Paul_NP0 to_TO0 describe_VVI his_DPS own_DT0 former_DT0 Jewish_AJ0 religious_AJ0 belief_NN1 in_PRP Acts_NN2 26_CRD :_PUN 5._CRD That’s_NP0 part_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP ,_PUN too_AV0 ._SENT We_PNP observe_VVB and_CJC do_VDB certain_AJ0 things_NN2 because_CJS of_PRF what_DTQ we_PNP believe_VVB in_PRP faith_NN1 ._SENT 
“_VVB But_CJC understand_VVB this_DT0 ,_PUN that_DT0 in_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD days_NN2 there_EX0 will_VM0 come_VVI times_NN2 of_PRF stress_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP men_NN2 will_VM0 be_VBI lovers_NN2 of_PRF self_NN1 ,_PUN lovers_NN2 of_PRF money_NN1 ,_PUN proud_AJ0 ,_PUN arrogant_AJ0 ,_PUN abusive_AJ0 ,_PUN disobedient_AJ0 to_PRP their_DPS parents_NN2 ,_PUN ungrateful_AJ0 ,_PUN unholy_AJ0 ,_PUN inhuman_AJ0 ,_PUN implacable_AJ0 ,_PUN slanderers_NN2 ,_PUN profligates_NN2 ,_PUN fierce_AJ0 ,_PUN haters_NN2 of_PRF good_AJ0 ,_PUN treacherous_AJ0 ,_PUN reckless_AJ0 ,_PUN swollen_AJ0 with_PRP conceit_NN1 ,_PUN lovers_NN2 of_PRF pleasure_NN1 rather_AV0 than_CJS lovers_NN2 of_PRF God_NP0 ,_PUN holding_VVG the_AT0 form_NN1 of_PRF religion_NN1 but_CJC denying_VVG the_AT0 power_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP ._SENT Avoid_VVB such_DT0 people_NN0 ”_NN1 (_PUL 2_CRD Timothy_NP0 3_CRD :_PUN 1-5_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Religion_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP tradition_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ a_AT0 good_AJ0 thing_NN1 ,_PUN not_XX0 a_AT0 bad_AJ0 thing_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC like_PRP everything_PNI else_AV0 it_PNP can_VM0 be_VBI corrupted_VVN and_CJC descend_VVB to_PRP an_AT0 empty_AJ0 form_NN1 (_PUL “_NN1 denying_VVG the_AT0 power_NN1 of_PRF it_PNP ”_NP0 )_PUR ._SENT Proper_AJ0 marital_AJ0 sexuality_NN1 can_VM0 be_VBI perverted_VVN to_PRP lust_NN1 ._SENT Enjoyment_NN1 of_PRF food_NN1 can_VM0 degenerate_VVI into_PRP gluttony_NN1 ._SENT Rest_NN1 can_VM0 turn_VVI into_PRP slothfulness_NN1 ._SENT And_CJC so_AV0 on_AVP ._SENT 
So_AV0 Paul_NP0 is_VBZ saying_VVG those_DT0 who_PNQ are_VBB lousy_AJ0 at_PRP religion_NN1 should_VM0 be_VBI avoided_VVN ,_PUN not_XX0 those_DT0 who_PNQ are_VBB religious_AJ0 ,_PUN period_NN1 ._SENT 
“_NN1 If_CJS anyone_PNI thinks_VVZ he_PNP is_VBZ religious_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC does_VDZ not_XX0 bridle_NN1 his_DPS tongue_NN1 but_CJC deceives_VVZ his_DPS heart_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 man’s_NN2 religion_NN1 is_VBZ vain_AJ0 ._SENT Religion_NN1 that_DT0 is_VBZ pure_AJ0 and_CJC undefiled_AJ0 before_PRP God_NP0 and_CJC the_AT0 Father_NN1 is_VBZ this_DT0 :_PUN to_TO0 visit_VVI orphans_NN2 and_CJC widows_NN2 in_PRP their_DPS affliction_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC to_TO0 keep_VVI oneself_PNX unstained_AJ0 from_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ”_NN1 (_PUL James_NP0 1_CRD :_PUN 26-27_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
The_AT0 same_DT0 thing_NN1 is_VBZ expressed_VVN again_AV0 —_PUN religion_NN1 is_VBZ good_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC a_AT0 religious_AJ0 hypocrite_NN1 is_VBZ bad_AJ0 ._SENT Exactly_AV0 what_DTQ Jesus_NP0 scolded_VVD the_AT0 Pharisees_NN2 about_AVP ._SENT 
“_NP0 So_AV0 Paul_NP0 ,_PUN standing_VVG in_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Are-op’agus_NN1 ,_PUN said_VVD :_PUN “_AJ0 Men_NN2 of_PRF Athens_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP perceive_VVB that_CJT in_PRP every_AT0 way_NN1 you_PNP are_VBB very_AV0 religious_AJ0 ”_NN1 (_PUL Acts_NN2 17_CRD :_PUN 22_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
This_DT0 was_VBD not_XX0 a_AT0 rebuke_NN1 at_PRP all_DT0 ._SENT Paul_NP0 was_VBD complimenting_VVG them_PNP ._SENT They_PNP worshiped_VVD an_AT0 “_AJ0 unknown_AJ0 god_NN1 ”_NN1 (_PUL 17_CRD :_PUN 23_CRD )_PUR ,_PUN so_CJS Paul_NP0 took_VVD the_AT0 opportunity_NN1 to_TO0 proclaim_VVI the_AT0 one_CRD true_AJ0 God_NN1 to_PRP them_PNP —_PUN to_TO0 preach_VVI the_AT0 gospel_NN1 (_PUL 17_CRD :_PUN 23-31_CRD )_PUR ._SENT He_PNP built_VVD upon_PRP what_DTQ they_PNP knew_VVD ,_PUN citing_VVG their_DPS own_DT0 pagan_AJ0 philosophers_NN2 and_CJC poets_NN2 (_PUL 17_CRD :_PUN 28_CRD )_PUR ._SENT He_PNP used_VVD his_DPS own_DT0 evangelistic_AJ0 “_NN1 methodological_AJ0 principle_NN1 ,_PUN ”_NP0 later_AV0 expressed_VVN as_PRP “_NN1 I_PNP have_VHB become_VVN all_DT0 things_NN2 to_PRP all_DT0 men_NN2 ,_PUN that_CJT I_PNP might_VM0 by_PRP all_DT0 means_NN0 save_VVB some_DT0 ”_NN1 (_PUL 1_CRD Corinthians_NN2 9_CRD :_PUN 22_CRD )_PUR ._SENT People_NN0 often_AV0 believe_VVB in_PRP partial_AJ0 truths_NN2 ._SENT We_PNP build_VVB upon_PRP what_DTQ they_PNP know_VVB and_CJC introduce_VVB then_AV0 to_PRP even_AV0 greater_AJC ,_PUN deeper_AJC spirituality_NN1 and_CJC theology_NN1 ._SENT 
“_NN1 If_CJS a_AT0 widow_NN1 has_VHZ children_NN2 or_CJC grandchildren_NN2 ,_PUN let_VVB them_PNP first_ORD learn_VVB their_DPS religious_AJ0 duty_NN1 to_PRP their_DPS own_DT0 family_NN1 and_CJC make_VVB some_DT0 return_NN1 to_PRP their_DPS parents_NN2 ;_PUN for_PRP this_DT0 is_VBZ acceptable_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 sight_NN1 of_PRF God_NP0 ”_NP0 (_PUL 1_CRD Timothy_NP0 5_CRD :_PUN 4_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Again_AV0 ,_PUN nothing_PNI negative_AJ0 about_PRP “_NP0 religion_NN1 ”_NN1 ..._PUN it’s_VVZ a_AT0 “_NN1 duty_NN1 ._SENT ”_NN1 With_PRP that_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP rest_VVB my_DPS case_NN1 ._SENT 
