Today's Journal
WHEN FAITH BECOMES AN HEIRLOOM
Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972) Jewish theologian and philosopher wrote:“Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion—its message becomes meaningless.”
(From: ‘God in Search of Man’)
I have always enjoyed Heschel’s books and especially his prophetic bluntness. He was a no-nonsense rabbi that lived his message as an interfaith advocate and an activist for human rights.
‘Faith becomes an heirloom when it is “completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit.”
It is when religion replaces life in Jesus and his Kingdom way.
“I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” Jesus