Pure Religion

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:27

James wrote this passage into a social context that had no programs to take care of widows and orphans. If you found yourself in this position, your chances of living in poverty were very real. James speaks of widows and orphans specifically because they were the most likely to be overlooked. Those who follow Christ take care of those who have been overlooked by society.

The process of interpretation requires us to translate James' specific first century references into today's language. Who are the overlooked in our world today? I can't imagine any group that fits into this category than the victims of modern slavery. Until a few years ago, I thought of slavery as a 19th century problem, but thanks to the work of several great Christian organizations like International Justice Mission (IJM) and Project Rescue, I've seen how real and issue this is. It's been obvious to all of us in Chi Alpha that we can't stand on the sidelines in this current fight for freedom.

This week we have a chance to do something to make a difference for those who are longing to be free. Wednesday @ 9 pm in McKinley 108, we're showing the documentary, To End Slavery. IJM has produced this film to draw attention to the problem and to recruit modern day abolitionists to join the fight. Will you help? Put this event on your calendar for the week and don't forget to invite a friend. I can't think of a better way to practice pure and faultless religion.

Read on for more info on this and other upcoming Chi Alpha events and I'll see you on campus.