My friend Micah recently wrote this post on his blog
Redemption Pictures and I found it quite lucid and compelling; traits I've come to expect from Micah. Quite good. Check it out.
Micah:
You’ve heard it before. It tops the list of “Stuff Christians Say”. I know I’ve said it.
But it’s not true.
The intention is honorable enough; we want to differentiate
Christianity from other belief systems. We’re trying to express the
fundamental difference between our faith and other faiths; that is, the
unmerited offer of free Salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
Perhaps
we’re also trying to separate ourselves from some of the negative
associations one may have with “religion” – narrow-mindedness,
hypocrisy, historical persecution of “heretics”, etc. However, the
“relationship, not religion” phrase doesn’t really work. It either sets
up a false expectation for the reality of following Jesus, or it is
quickly discounted (for good reason) and we lose credibility.
Yes, Christianity is a relationship. But there is more to it than
that. Because no sooner does one begin that relationship than they are
encouraged to get baptized, take communion, read their Bible daily, and
attend church. These are not elements of any other relationship. They
are unique. Yes, they are relational in nature, but there is also an
element of tradition, of ritual, of spiritual discipline. If someone is
told that Christianity is ONLY a relationship and is not at all a
religion, they will find themselves sorely disillusioned when faced with
the plethora of religious elements that are a part of expressing that
relationship in a community of believers. It’s a bait-n-switch. If you
say “It’s a relationship, not a religion”, then you should forfeit the
right to use any of these phrases in the future: systematic theology,
church attendance, spiritual growth, discipline, devotions, sound
doctrine.
The second reason we should avoid the catchy “relationship not
religion” phrase is because we aren’t fooling anyone. We may think we
are helping look God look good to “nonbelievers” by distancing Him from
all the negative connotations of religion. But really, we are lying. In
conversation with those around us, we are not allowed to make up new
definitions for words. We can’t redefine religion as “trying to earn
God’s favor”. Because if we are engaging in a public discourse, the
words we use must carry the meanings assigned to them by the public.
And the definition of “religion” is:
“a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose
of the universe, usually involving
devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a
moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.” (dictionary.com)
I've said the same thing as well, particularly when trying to counsel friends. For the most part, people nod and simply accept it. But I did have a friend who looked at me and almost laughed in my face. He asked me, "why do we separate such things?"
I didn't have an answer. I wondered if it was cultural, or the hip thing to do. It might be. But I wonder if it is our way of individualizing our subculture to bring about credibility. Spiritual, not religious.
Stuff to think about.
For the rest of Micah's post, enjoy it
here.
--Nick
