No, the Bible never uses the term 'religion' in a favorable sense; it is always negative.
Les Feldick reveals that every biblical reference to religion is negative, contrasting it with Christianity, which is God's grace reaching down to man. Religious people are shown as hating truth, being vicious, and even murderous, as seen in Acts and Paul's testimony.
Acts 5:33 — Shows religious leaders' murderous reaction to the truth preached by the apostles.
The Bible presents religion as man's attempt to please God through human effort, often leading to hostility toward divine truth. In Acts 5, the religious leaders of Israel, after hearing Peter's message, were 'cut to the heart' and sought to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33). In Acts 7, Stephen's hearers 'gnashed on him with their teeth' (Acts 7:54), showing the extreme violence religion can produce. Paul, in Galatians, speaks of his former life in the Jews' religion, implying it was a negative state from which he was saved (Galatians 1:13-14).
Les Feldick consistently teaches that religion is a negative term, never positive in Scripture. He says, "I detest the word religious... Christianity is not a religion." Religion prompts hatred, war, and legalism, whereas Christianity is God's grace reaching down to lost humanity. He points out that religious people hate truth and are often vicious—even murderous—as seen in the Judaizers and the Jewish leaders who opposed Paul. Paul's own testimony of profiting in the Jews' religion is given as a negative example, showing that religion made him a hater of Christ.
Les teaches that religion makes people vicious because they are zealous for their traditions and reject the truth. He says, "There is nothing that preempts murderous attitudes faster than religion." Religious people feel threatened by the truth and resort to hostile actions, even attempting to kill those who oppose them, as seen with Paul and the early apostles.
Les emphasizes that Christianity is not a religion. Religion is man's attempt to please God through works, but Christianity is God reaching down in mercy and grace to save lost sinners. He says, "Christianity is never a religion. Christianity is God reaching down... Religion never does that."
Why Repentance Was Offered to Israel — Acts 5 Explained
the husband of Elizabeth. And up in verse 67, it says that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit. I always point that out. Why? Because what he says is not going to be just the mouthings of a good Jew. This is the very Word of God coming forth. The Spirit is prompting him to say what He says. Now I'll go through this quickly.
Religion vs. Christianity
Les directly contrasts religion (always negative) with Christianity (God's grace), and shows Paul's use of 'religion' as negative.
Paul's Negative View
Les explains Paul's reference to the Jews' religion as a bad thing that made him a hater of Christ.
Religious Viciousness
Les uses the Judaizers as an example of religious people ready to kill opponents, highlighting religion's vicious nature.
Religious Rejection of Truth
Les shows that religious people hate truth and are comfortable in their religion, refusing to listen.
Religious Leaders' Hostility
Les notes the religious leaders' bad treatment of Paul, but emphasizes Paul's boldness in response.
Murderous Religion
Les points out that religious opposition to the gospel led to attempts to kill Paul.
Civility Lost to Religion
Les explains that religious Jews became so enraged that they gnashed their teeth at Stephen, losing all civility.
Acts 5:33: When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Religious leaders react murderously to the apostles' message.
Acts 7:54: When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Religious audience responds with rage to Stephen's sermon.
Galatians 1:13-14: For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Paul speaks of his former religion as something negative from which he was saved.
According to Les Feldick, no. The Bible never uses the term 'religion' favorably. It is always set in a negative light, showing man's futile attempts to earn God's favor through human effort.
Les defines religion as man's attempt to please God through legalism and works, which often leads to hatred, war, and rejection of truth. Christianity, in contrast, is God reaching down in grace to save lost sinners.
Watch the Teaching: Why Repentance Was Offered to Israel — Acts 5 Explained