In the Redeemer's Men's fellowship, on the first chapter of Isaiah, the comparison was made to Karl Marx's "religion is the opiate of the masses". This reminds me that Stephen Tong once said that this is not originally from Marx, but from a famous Christian author, Charles Kingsley, who said, according to Tong: 所讲的一段痛责基督徒的话：「基督徒啊，你不要礼拜一到礼拜六活在犯罪行恶中，然后礼拜天到教会去麻醉自我。你以为周日到教会祷告求上帝赦免你，之后就可以继续不断从周一到周六又再犯罪；犯了六天的罪后，礼拜天又来求上帝再麻醉你吗？这样，宗教只有麻醉的作用，对你根本没帮助。」
But when I looked, I only found this, that is written 4 years after Marx's statement:
We have used the Bible as if it were a mere special constable's hand book, an opium dose for keeping beasts of burden patient while they were being overloaded, a mere book to keep the poor in order. ~ Charles Kingsley.
And apparently from the same last link, something other than Kingsley's famous quote predates Marx: Around 1797 there was a comment that was floating around: "Religion acts merely as an opiate." It appeared in the L'Historie de Juliette by the Marquis de Sade and in Novalis.
So I'm not sure of Tong got it right by saying Marx took it from Kingsley. Unless Kingsley said something more closely to Tong's quote and I cannot yet find online.
Here's the overview of Isaiah by the famous Bible Project:
In the first week's of the Men's Group (Which I failed yet again to join) material, social justice is emphasized and even questioned, though somehow the missing element is called "Social Gospel". 社会福音
I would like to respond to this (second week's material of the Men's group): it ought not to be said that obedience produces forgiveness. I would say: Obedience at the most results in God's acceptance, not forgiveness. Two very different things. Hence, this statement "it is also plain that God does not proclaim forgiveness to those who are unwilling to obey all the pleadings of the prophets" is a bit erred. Sort of a misunderstanding in the predestination department.
Interesting in this 2nd week's material, there's a call to "leave the defense or condemnation of white lies out of this..." hmm...I wasn't even thinking about it but now that it's mentioned, it peaked my interest in the debate of white lies. I've always wondered which direction the majority in the church is leaning. Apparently neutral in this incident. I've done a rather thorough argument condemning it before, especially when dealing with one of Pastor Paul Murphy's sermon, so I'm good.
However, it would seemed that the question of "why all societies forbid lying?" was brought up as a show that lying is the easiest and most obvious sin to tackle, even foundational. The way I see it, it's not foundational. It's just the quickest result following Kant's moral maxim. Other sins yields the same realizations by pagan societies, depending on level of wisdom, for example, "honor your parents", etc. Truth is the very essence of human communication and relationship.
Suddenly out of no where (I guess when I was wondering as manager of NYGC, how would I start a Christian fellowship), I thought of something to ask John Chen...his former CA company, did he started the fellowship in the company, how, what's the history?
Chapter 1:13-15 Good quote from Psalm 51:7 & Prov 28:9 by Drew of the Men's group leader.
Chapter 1
v. 3 We are always owned by a Master, we are not the ultimate masters ourselves.
v. 5 As if a lost cause.
v. 6 illustration from importance of hygiene to the practice of godliness. Also connects v.16
v. 9 It's important to be reminded that remnant is grace. Contrasting what we actually deserve: Sodom & Gomorrah.
v. 10 Reminder of what we deserve as Sodom & Gomorrah.
v. 11 Religion of works.
v. 17 good works over vain sacrifices.
v. 18 Immanuel is by reason, not superstition.
v. 19 Earthly assurance
Chapter 2
v. 4 A hope without war
v. 6-7 equally yoked with gentiles who are wealthy.
v. 8 self made assurance
v. 9 a gentile's humility in their own eyes is unforgivable, for it is fake humility and godless. Contrast v.11 where God humbles them to exalt God Himself.
v. 20 True idolatry of self is revealed.
Chapter 3
Destruction of Jerusalem and Judah
v. 6-7 No one wants to lead, asked to lead out of desperation, not admiration. Leadership is no longer an honor, but burden. (ChatGPT)
v. 10 Not completely hopeless.
v. 12 leaders who are infants and women seen as insult.
v. 24 Baldness and others as contrast to blessings
Chapter 4 Cleansing
v. 1 Desperation for marriage, an image of humiliation from the judgment of Chapter 3.
Chapter 5
v. 7: While some emphasize on Social Justice with this verse, I would also stress the opposite of it. For those who stand for Social Justice focuses only on charity, positive things, while running away from the negative (i.e. afraid to criticize or justify not criticizing, move away from NYC, etc.) Also, this verse is a proof of poetic rhyming: Justice מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) vs. bloodshed מִשְׂפָּח (mispach); righteousness צְדָקָה (tsdaqah) vs. cries of distress צַעֲקָה (tsaaqah).
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
v. 6-9 Heavenly imagery of animal kingdom
v. 9 The knowledge of God will saturate the world as naturally and totally as water saturates the ocean. Reversal of Genesis 6:11 ~Chatgpt
v. 11 First time would be the Exodus from Egypt.
v. 13 The Ephraim (Northern Israel) vs. Judah could be liken to the world vs. Israel.