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Will the Creator condemn us for following a false religion?




Will the Creator condemn us for following a false religion?

Scripture tells the story of a great miracle experienced by a Pagan [Syrian] widow. As is written: «Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son”... So she [the Syrian widow] proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through Elijah»- 1 Kings 17: 13-14, & 15-16 (Christian Standard Bible).
What merit did this pagan women have, for the God of Israel to look upon her with mercy? Well, her merit was that, though a follower of pagan idols, she had shown mercy to hungry Elijah, providing him with food and water. Thus, she too was worthy of being blessed with food and water.
Likewise, Scripture relates the story of a Syrian [Pagan] general to whom God granted a miraculous deliverance from his incurable disease. As is written: “Then went he [Naaman] down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean”- 2 Kings 5: 14, KJV.
Why was this idol worshiper worthy of God's deliverance? He was worthy because, though pagan, he had been an instrument for the deliverance of his own people. As is written: “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man... because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria”- 2 Kings 5: 1, KJV. Thus, Divine justice demands that he who had delivered other people be himself also delivered.
Notice how, in the previous examples, God granted mercy and deliverance to idol worshipers, even before they had abandoned their paganism! But, isn't it important to have the correct theology? To follow the right religion? What moral lesson is Scripture trying to convey with these stories? They are recorded in order to teach us that, in the eyes of God, doing good with our existing theology is far more important than having a good existing theology.
Curiously, on this regard Jewish tradition seems to agree with Reformed Samaritanism, when it goes on to say: «Elijah [the prophet] said: “ I call Heaven and Earth to witness that, whether it be a Jew or a heathen, whether it be a man or a woman, a manservant or a maidservant, the Holy Spirit will suffuse each of them in keeping with the deeds he [or she] performs ”»- Tanna debe Eliyahu, edited by Friedmann, Page 48

 

Scripture is a book of parables and moral paradigms

Hebrew Hebrew Scripture is a book of parables, as well as moral Paradigms. As is written: “Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel… And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it… And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! … I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets”- Ezekiel 17: 2, Ezekiel 24: 3, Numbers 24: 23, & Hosea 12: 10 (King James Bible).
Thus, each geographical location, each nation, each story, each rite, each name, and each character contained within Scripture is meant to be understood either as an allegorical representation of some eternal truth; or as a moral paradigm aimed at guiding us into the path of righteousness.
Consider the following example: God Law states that, among the animals, only the cow, the goat, the sheep, and the dove were fit for Temple offerings. Which allegorical truth is Scripture trying to convey with this? Well, each of the former animals can be domesticated [therefore living in peace with humans]. In addition, none of them is a predator. Thus, Scripture hints at the fact that God isn’t pleased with those who cannot live in peace with their neighbors; nor those who “prey” upon those who are weak or feeble.
And that’s the reason why, though God is “the King” of the World, and the lion is “the king” of the beast, the latter couldn’t be offered to God in sacrifice [as God isn’t pleased with those who, like the lion, prey upon their weaker fellow].
Another example: Torah declares the swine to be impure. Why? Because, in order to be ritually pure, an animal must not only have a split hoof [an external requirement] but also chew the cud [an internal requirement]. Yet, though having a split hoof, the swine doesn’t chew the cud.
What moral teaching is Torah trying to teach with this paradigm? It hints at the idea that God isn’t pleased with he whose purity is only external [the man who is ritually observant], while his heart remains impure [tainted with stubbornness, greed, deception, pride, and immorality].

 

Who owns Torah (God’s Law)?

Reformed Samaritanism teaches that the Creator never intended Torah to become a sort of “religious franchise”; where those falsely perceived to be it’s legitimate owners would try to “license” its operations (deciding who could, and who couldn’t follow Torah) in exchange for “a franchise fee” (unconditional support for the Jewish establishment? ).
And from whence do we know this? We know it from the fact that Torah wasn’t given only to Israelites, but also to the mixed multitude [from all nations] that accompanied Israel in it’s journey out of Egypt (“And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. AND A MIXED MULTITUDE WENT UP ALSO WITH THEM”- Exodus 12: 37-38, KJB).
In addition, notice how Torah was given neither in the land of Egypt nor in the land of Israel. Why? In order to prevent both Israelites and non-Israelites from claiming ownership of it.
Truth be told, Torah can't be treated as a private business Franchise... neither can we apply to it the secular concept of " intellectual property rights". Why? Simply because God's Law (Torah) doesn't belong to any human being; Rather, it belongs to the Almighty (blessed be He). Whence do we know? From the verse that goes on to say: “... and the people shall go out, and gather that that is sufficient for every day, that I may prove them, WHETHER THEY WILL WALK IN MY LAW (TORAH) OR NO”- Exodus 16: 4 (1599 Geneva Bible). Besides, Why was Torah given in the wilderness? In order to teach that, just as the wilderness belonged to no particular person or nation (as anybody could get into it, and take as much sand as he wanted), so would it be with Torah-- it didn’t belong to any particular person (or nation), as anyone could get into it, and take as much of it’s content as he wished.  

 

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