Copyright ©2019 by The Good Elder. All rights reserved.
Recently, I found myself conversing about, and subsequently being inspired by the precept found at 2nd Timothy 3:16. As I contemplated this scripture, the following inspiration came to me.
We have all heard the arguments from disgruntled high school students who have grown weary of going to class, those who, in the "11th hour" or in the "bell lap" feel unmotivated to finish the last li'l bit. Looking back in retrospect, we can relate to their sentiments, but we can also give a full-throated endorsement to the value and necessity of finishing what you start, especially when you're so close to the end.
They moan, "I'll never need this..." They whine, "What good will anatomy do for me...?" With the benefit of hindsight, we can speak to how many more opportunities become available to those who complete various levels of education (and more money), opportunities which they don't see or appreciate at their current place.
Beyond the achievement of completing the diploma or the degree, however, the process of disciplining the self to endure the process and to be exposed to the lessons actually changes the person, usually causing the person to be more enlightened and mature. This process, which, in my view, is the more valuable benefit of educational pursuits, is usually subtle and is often unnoticed by the one undergoing the change--until he or she goes back home or sees someone that he/she hasn't seen in a while. Both the student and the parents/family/friends notice the differences almost immediately when they meet again. This growth and maturity is certainly desired and will persist long after the student completes school.
Such should be the case with religious and spiritual teachings. None of the Biblical figures (of old times) "went to church". However, they engaged in practices inspired by Divine revelation, practices designed to not only cause positive change in the world, but also designed to improve the state of being of the practitioner. Let us, then, consider the underlying process of religion, which is not so much about "going to church" but rather about becoming righteous.
The familiar scripture found at 2nd Timothy 3:16 is quite dense, and we often overlook its richness because it is so elegantly composed. Perhaps even more overlooked than this scripture is the following one (verse 17):
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
When we consider the first phrase, it must immediately dawn upon us that, in terms of physical writings, the only "scripture" that Paul could have been referring to was (what we now call) the Old Testament. Paul could not have been speaking about the writings included in the New Testament, because there was no such thing! In fact, Paul hadn't finished writing all his letters, and the Gospels had not been written, let alone canonized.
Essentially, then, Paul is telling Timothy (and we extrapolate to apply to ourselves) that the Torah, Prophets, and Writings (the TaNaKh) were Divinely inspired, with the ultimate goal of teaching and guiding the practitioner in the ways of righteousness. It teaches us how to live, what to wear, what to eat, how to handle money, how to seek and approach God, and how to relate to our fellow pilgrims along the Way.
In short, Paul is saying that God inspired people to write things that we can use as a doctrine, not for a religion, but for how to live! Thus did the Bishop William S. Crowdy set forth the lesson, "Religion is not something to get; it is a duty...!"1
The question must then be asked, "Why? To what end?" This question is especially relevant today, given the world in which we live, for "church going" has become a popular pastime (if I may say so). For many, the importance is in the simple (routine) act of going to church, in being seen in their finest clothes, hats, shoes, jewelry... driving up in the nice car... sitting on the front row... being named to certain committees and ministries... Just as some read the Bible to bring themselves into repute, some go to church for the same reason.
If you just talk to people, you will see that many are totally unfamiliar with the very scriptures they endorse by their very attendance and membership! For these ones, it is clear that, for them, the importance is not in applying the teachings of their chosen place of worship. For these ones, the church going pastime, down to the particular place, sect, or denomination of worship is (for many) a by-product of their culture. It is these people who wonder how there could be a non-Arab Muslim, a non-Indian Hindu, a non-white Jew, a non-Caribbean Voodoo priest...
The question begs, "What does race, nationality, or culture have to do with truth and righteousness?" And furthermore, how can one be called or considered righteous on the basis of having simply acquired a token or having accepted a belief?
To be righteous means "to do right", but DO-ing is a verb, and it implies action. In other words, a righteous person DOES right, and is always TRYING to do right!
Herein opens a doorway to better understanding the Name that God gave Moses to identify himself as the deliverer. Exodus 3:14:
[14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
The translation of I AM has been problematic, because for some, the concept of always becoming what one is was foreign. And yet, God is always BEing Who He is! Active, present existence, deliverance, healing, enlightenment, and love. There is never a moment when God is not BEing Who He is! And for those who would pursue the path of righteousness, there should never be a situation where we shy away from doing what is right! We should always be becoming righteous, because righteousness is a state of being, not a single act to perform or token to acquire. We must, thus, strive ALWAYS to be(come) righteous! Just as Active Being describes the Creator, so, too, should active being identify us as righteous. It is not a "sometimey" thing!
Becoming righteous is a pre-requisite for salvation, for salvation is not about getting a token or confessing a doctrine or belief. Salvation is the result of effort of righteousness.
Consider a physical salvation, e.g. someone trapped in a burning house. There is nothing that a fire fighter can give to a victim to make the house be not burnt or to make them impervious to the flames. If the person is to be saved, the fire fighter must, at minimum, extend a ladder to the window, spray some water; he may even have to go in and physically pick up the person and drag them out. The point is, somebody must DO something, or the fire will consume the victim. And even then, the victim must LEAVE the building(!) either by crawling down the ladder, or otherwise not resisting the rescuer's effort to save them.
The same is true with righteousness. We may not always do the exact same thing in similar situations... but whatever we do (or don't do), it should be the right thing for that particular moment. If we persist over time, we will discover that we have changed. We'll find that (for example) Jerry Springer no longer appeals to us. Standing on the corner won't be exciting anymore. Being in other folks' business will be a waste of time. We'll find that God sends a Word through the preacher, through the singing, through the fellowship, AND through the liturgy! We'll begin to feel that the day is incomplete unless we've read the Bible (or other sacred text) or meditated. And we will find, that just like the pursuit of formal education compels us to employ skills such as discipline, endurance, patience, and openness in order to pass, religious practice (as opposed to "going to church") compels to employ spiritual skills, such as temperance, patience, humility, compassion, and love; causing us to grow and to elevate ourselves to the "level of winnability."2
Let us, then, use Jesus' words to describe what pure religion (and not simple "church going") is intended to bequeath to us (St. John 13, with author's own edits):
[12] ...Know ye what I have [given] to you?
[13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
[14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have [loved you]; ye also ought to [love] one another...
[15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
[16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
[17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The days of "going to church" are over. It is now past time for us to live right and do right, and allow the LORD to make us what He'd have us to be.
1Crowdy, William S. , "The Bible Gospel Told", Church of God Publication House, Philadelphia, 1902, page 36.
2Plummer, Levi S., phrase coined in a sermon from December 23, 1983 in Jacksonville, FL
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