There is a catchy sentence that is often quoted by many in the Christian community. A few months ago, I saw this sentence on a poster at the mall as an advertisement for a local church. But not all catchy slogans are equally true or accurate.
This article is one in which I argue that precision in the language of Christians is important. We are a people of the Word. So words matter.
Here is the catchy sentence to which I refer,
Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.
This statement echoed by many Christians may sound right, but is it right?
I’ll start off that I’m usually on my guard when I hear the it’s not x, it’s y argument. Often I simply ask if it’s possible that both x and y are correct.
In this case I’m pretty sure that the first part of the sentence is incorrect. I must say that I understand the point being made, but again precision is important. Christianity is about a relationship with the Lord Jesus. But that doesn’t disqualify it from being a religion.
Merriam-Webster defines religion this way,
a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
the service and worship of God or the supernatural
commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
That kind of sounds like Christianity to me.
It is also worth noting that one of the classical books in the history of Christianity is Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. So Calvin and many who read Calvin think of Christianity as the Christian Religion.
Perhaps you will argue that Calvin could be wrong. That is true. But can you argue that the following text is wrong?
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
—James 1:26-27, ESV
So the New Testament speaks of Christians having a religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father. I’ll take this over a catchy, modern slogan any day.
Here is a quote from the MacArthur commentary to help with our thinking.
Godly religion, that is, biblical Christianity, is a matter of holy obedience to God’s Word—reflected, among other ways, by our honesty in regard to ourselves, by our selflessness in regard to the needs of others, and by our uncompromising moral and spiritual stand in regard to the world.
—John MacArthur
And one more quote for good measure.
Saying that “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship” actually creates a false dichotomy. It deceives people into thinking that they have to choose between a religion and a relationship. Instead, the division needs to be made between true and false religion, and between a reconciled and an estranged relationship.
—Cameron Buettel
So I hope you will give more mindful consideration when you hear something that sounds good. Examine whether it is actually what the Bible teaches.