Where “Relationship Over Religion” comes up short

The atomic bomb was one of the most horrifying inventions ever created.

But despite being the result of cutting-edge scientific research, I don’t know anyone who looks at the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and thinks, “Science is evil!”

I think religion isn’t so different.

Moves Away from Religion

In the West, we’re quick to discard religion (Christianity in particular) due to a long history of wars and violence from “Christian” nations and “Christian” rulers.

But what if that violence had more to do with politics and human nature than Christianity itself?

Remember, science was the vehicle by which the atomic bomb was created but the reason for its existence was the war and desire to end it.

And this is where I think, “Relationship over religion” falls short.

Though well-intentioned, the phrase plays into a growing stigma that started as a reaction against Christianity, not towards it.

The phrase attempts to reframe Christianity as non-religious, making it more palatable to 21st-century people.

But here’s the big problem…

…a relationship with Jesus can’t be taken out of the realm of the religious.

Is Jesus For Religion?

Let me explain.

Religion is, famously, difficult to describe. In fact, the term is really the invention of Western scholarship from the 19th and 20th centuries. 

However, I think it suffices to say that when we think of religion, we think of systems of belief and practice intended to relate humans to a transcendent being over creation.

This was, in theory, what the Pharisees were practicing.

And, yes, Jesus gave them the business. But not because they were engaging in religion but because they were using religion for their own self-glorification. 

In other words, Jesus’ problem was with hypocrisy NOT religion.

After all, He’s the same guy who said: Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5v17)

The Law and Prophets were, by the way, the foundation of the Jewish religion.

Jesus didn’t come to abolish religion; He came to bring it to its logical conclusion—Him!

Religion is the map that leads us to Jesus. Of course, the map is not your destination, it’s not your goal, but it’s what leads you there. In the same way, religion by itself won’t save you but, when used rightly, it takes you to the one who will.

The issue isn’t religion, it’s what we make of it.

Thanks for reading. For now, be blessed.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

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