Monday, February 13, 2006
Review: The End of Religion
As promised in earlier posts (#1, #2), I'm finally getting around to a review of Bruxy Cavey's book, The End of Religion: An introduction to the subversive spirituality of Jesus. Oakville, ON: Agora Imprints, 2005. (Can only be ordered directly from the author at www.theendofreligion.org).
Discussions on the irreligious nature of the Christian faith are not new, but The End of Religion provides a fresh look at the theme in a short book that is accessible to virtually any reader. This is neither an academic treatise or "fluff" writing. Bruxy Cavey's down-to-earth communication style makes it a book that spiritual followers, seekers and skeptics will all find a valuable read.
Making the distinction between religion and the spirituality of Jesus is no abstract construct for Cavey. He begins his case by illustrating that the Bible itself points out that Jesus came to put an end to religion and to lead people to the ideal nature of spirituality intended at creation. Jesus was against religion, and "never commanded his followers to embrace creeds or codes of conduct, and he never instructed his followers to participate in exhaustive religious rituals. In fact, ... his life's work was about undoing the knots that bound people to ritual and empty tradition" (p. 22). According to Cavey we do not have to look far to see the negative effects of religion. History is full of examples which confirm the problems it has created.
A large section of the book is devoted to demonstrating how Jesus' scandalous life took on the religious establishment of his day. Specifically, Jesus challenged five of the most central aspects of Israel's faith: Torah, tradition, tribalism, territory and temple. Aside from the mnemonic alliteration, Cavey provides an insightful discussion that clearly relates Jesus' message to its historical context.
The issue I was waiting to see addressed finally came in Part Three of the book. It's one thing to say that Jesus opposed religion, but what then did Jesus offer in its stead? What are the implications of this subversive spirituality? Cavey reiterated a common argument, distinguishing between religion and relationships, with the latter expressing the nature by which we should be relating to God. He states that "our connection with God should be a lot more like our relationships with other people - intimate, unscripted, authentic." (p. 94). Ultimately this trusting relationship expresses itself "in practical loving action". (p. 116)
Cavey's arguments are sound and insightful, especially for those who see Christianity as nothing more than a religion. I am not convinced, however, that he succeeded in his last section in mapping out in more concrete ways what an irreligious faith looks like. There is some vaguness in the discussion. Certainly, formulazing Jesus' subversive spirituality could be just another religious form, something Cavey is wanting us to avoid. But, but the challenge still remains to help people understand what this looks like.
To be fair, Cavey has just signed a two-book deal with a major publisher. Not only will his writings be easier to obtain, but it sounds like he will be building and expanding upon what he has started here in The End of Religion. Currently, at his church (www.themeetinghouse.ca), he is preaching a series entitled "The Irreligious Life" which probes more deeply into these issues. I look forward to seeing his thoughts develop and the impact that these new books will have on a wider audience.
In the meantime, The End of Religion is worth reading and discussing (discussion questions are included). Bruxy Cavey has made an important contribution that should encourage people to discover anew the message of Jesus.
