Friday, August 05, 2005
The Religion-Relationship Farce
Obviously, not everyone agrees with our anti-religious understanding of Jesus' message. There is value in hearing other perspectives.
In the August 2005 edition of Next-Wave Ezine is an article entitled "The Religion-Relationship Farce" by Chris Munroe. Munroe views religion is much broader sense than I would, so to start with we share some semantic differences. He states that:
"Neither Jesus nor the New Testament rejects religion, [all emphases are original] but rather religious hypocrisy. Jesus did not come to do away with the law of religion, but rather to fulfill it (i.e. releasing its inherent potential and purpose). Therefore the work of Christianity is not to abolish religion, but rather to lift and refocus it."
Beyond this, the real point of interest in Munroe's article is his attack on those who use the abuses within religion as an excuse to reject it in favor of a individualistic and privatistic faith, commonly expressed as "I don't have a religion, I have a relationship." He argues that this is not a good exchange.
"Now for the record: there are just as many hypocritical or misled "relationship-Christians" as there are hypocritical or misled "religious-Christians" (distinctions which are absurd). Claiming to have a relationship instead of a religion in no way guarantees a person is a faithful or effective follower of Jesus Christ. Conversely, a religious person is not spiritually or automatically disqualified as a genuine disciple. "
I don't think Munroe and I are too far apart, despite his reluctance to give up the religious nature of Christianity. I agree that a "relationship" orientation of Christianity (as is often promulgated by Evangelicals) is dangerous, and does not accurately reflect the Good News of Jesus.
Rejecting religion does not mean we retreat into our isolated cocoons, a tendency far too common in North America. Certainly we must reject the rigid and sterile forms that develops out of religion. But, following the Way of Jesus does require more than just seeking internal peace through some spiritual relationship with God. It's much more. It requires that we live out our faith in our lives and in community with others who follow this Way. These are tangible expressions which I am unwilling to call "religion", and which are far more involved than settling for a simple "relationship".
In the August 2005 edition of Next-Wave Ezine is an article entitled "The Religion-Relationship Farce" by Chris Munroe. Munroe views religion is much broader sense than I would, so to start with we share some semantic differences. He states that:
"Neither Jesus nor the New Testament rejects religion, [all emphases are original] but rather religious hypocrisy. Jesus did not come to do away with the law of religion, but rather to fulfill it (i.e. releasing its inherent potential and purpose). Therefore the work of Christianity is not to abolish religion, but rather to lift and refocus it."
Beyond this, the real point of interest in Munroe's article is his attack on those who use the abuses within religion as an excuse to reject it in favor of a individualistic and privatistic faith, commonly expressed as "I don't have a religion, I have a relationship." He argues that this is not a good exchange.
"Now for the record: there are just as many hypocritical or misled "relationship-Christians" as there are hypocritical or misled "religious-Christians" (distinctions which are absurd). Claiming to have a relationship instead of a religion in no way guarantees a person is a faithful or effective follower of Jesus Christ. Conversely, a religious person is not spiritually or automatically disqualified as a genuine disciple. "
I don't think Munroe and I are too far apart, despite his reluctance to give up the religious nature of Christianity. I agree that a "relationship" orientation of Christianity (as is often promulgated by Evangelicals) is dangerous, and does not accurately reflect the Good News of Jesus.
Rejecting religion does not mean we retreat into our isolated cocoons, a tendency far too common in North America. Certainly we must reject the rigid and sterile forms that develops out of religion. But, following the Way of Jesus does require more than just seeking internal peace through some spiritual relationship with God. It's much more. It requires that we live out our faith in our lives and in community with others who follow this Way. These are tangible expressions which I am unwilling to call "religion", and which are far more involved than settling for a simple "relationship".
