This week we looked at James 1:26-27. James here gives what looks like the authoritative definition of religion. Religion itself is viewed in so many different ways. In America, many people think as religion as something for "nutty people". Others make up their own religions or follow no religion except for what they feel is right. In South Korea, religion doesn't carry such negative connotations, but it is often treated unthinkingly. You are respected and considered educated if you adhere to a religion, but it is often reduced to little more than a demographic flagpole.
So what does James have to say about "religion"? A couple things to remember: Firstly, it'd be a mistake to just take the few pointers here as a mere checklist. Secondly, there may be more to the terms James uses here than is apparent. "Keeping a tight rein on your tongue" is often (and not wrongly) taken to mean watching what you say in every situation, not using foul language, etc. After all, Proverbs says "Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips." (4:24)
It was pointed out, though, that James may be speaking about a more specific problem. In Deuteronomy, the people were of Israel were instructed to "Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name." (6:13) By Jesus' time however, this practice of "taking oaths in his name" had been corrupted to the point where swearing by God carried little to no actual weight at all. Jesus even taught "Simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matt 5:37) A perfectly good command by God, meant to encourage people to keep their promises, had been twisted into a daily throwaway mockery of his name. James may actually be referring to this lack of fear of God when he talks about the man who "does not keep a tight rein on his tongue." A man claims he is religious, but disrespects God every single time he makes a promise he has no intention of keeping, thinking that by doing so he is keeping God's Deuteronomical command. Such a man, as James puts it, "deceives himself".
James discredits the "religion" of those who try to appear religious, but do not seek to honor God in their hearts or their words. But what does James say is "pure and faultless" religion? His words are surprisingly and refreshingly succinct: "to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." One might expect a longer diatribe on something so important as pure and faultless religion. It's almost as though James is keeping a tight rein on his own tongue! James however is only repeating the same thing God has repeatedly said throughout the bible.
"Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan." Exodus 22:22
"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18
"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17
"Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." Zechariah 7:10
"They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Mark 12:40
There are many, many similar verses, and they often come alongside other verses referring to the "poor and needy"... basically anyone in a defenseless position. Right after that, James says to keep yourself "unstained" by the world. We didn't get to talk about this latter part of the verse, but James of course isn't prescribing that we separate ourselves from everyone, for as Paul puts it "In that case you would have to leave this world". Rather it is more like Paul's counsel to "not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom 12:2)
Back to "orphans and widows." It was pointed out tonight that James was speaking to a people who lived in an era saturated with religion. Greek gods and temples were everywhere, serving out little helpings of divine favor like ancient Hellenic drive-thrus. The religion of Israel itself had become diluted by surrounding cultural influences. By returning to an oft-repeated exhortation from the old testament, James may simply be reminding the followers of Jesus who their God is and what he wants. If your religion is "pure and faultless", then you know who God is and follow his commands. There is no need (and no place) for a lot of pious oaths or religious posturing, and no need to sample this god one week, and try another the next. Just be there for the helpless! And keep yourself pure! If God has repeated something until his prophets' faces turned blue, it probably has something to do with true religion.
It's helpful to remember we live in a time and place where there's plenty of religious variety. One person shared that he doesn't think there really is such a thing as a true atheist or an agnostic. Everyone believes that there is something out there greater than themselves, even if they don't think they've personally encountered it or disagree with "religious" definitions of what that ultimate great thing is. So in a sense, we have always lived in times saturated with religion. If we aren't worshiping according to some formalized system of thought, then we are worshiping something informally. Either way, we are all drawn to worship something greater, because God has "set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecc 3:11). James helps us cut through the clutter by reminding his readers of God's character and his concerns, basically saying the things God cares about is what we need to remember and act on when we think about religion.
Next week: James condenses more tough issues and inflammatory topics into one or two sentences! We get to chew on it. Jaws will ache. Bring water. It's gonna be great!
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