Christianity Is A Religion (Why This Is Good & Biblical)

     We have heard the statements before that go "Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship." I am not sure where it begins, but it does appear that Josh McDowell has said it once in his book, "More Than A Carpenter." However, I think more people have gotten this idea from a few pastors as well as especially a popular viral video on YouTube that was released on January 10, 2012 entitled Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus. I myself was even influenced by this video as it sparked my flame even more in 2014 when I was attending college as a young Christian. I even picked up and read the book version entitled "Jesus Greater Than Religion." While I agree with the sympathy of trying to call out corrupt practices in certain churches, I think it is unbiblical and even unchristian like to say that Christianity is not a religion and that religion is bad. I will address various objections to religion after I address the one key bible verse that refutes this notion.

    Let's begin with scripture. Quoting from the KJV, we read the following in verses 26-27: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." So we see clearly a negative description of religion, only to then be followed with a positive description of religion as something "pure" and "undefiled before God." Scripture clearly lays out that there is a religion God hates, but there's also a religion God loves. If you would suggest that Christians visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep themselves unspotted from the world, then you have described Christians practicing religion that is pure. So scripturally speaking, in plain words, Christianity has to be a religion on the basis of what it teaches and what Christians thereby practice.

    Some will probably then say all kinds of thing of what religion is, but define it in ways that do not fit the definition. Let's go over the definitions. Merriam-Webster defines it as "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices." Sounds like Christianity regarding beliefs and practices we have. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries defines it as "the belief in the existence of a god or gods, and the activities that are connected with the worship of them, or in the teachings of a spiritual leader." Once again, sounds like Christianity. We believe God exists, we worship God and we affirm the teachings of our spiritual leader, Jesus Christ. I am sure you can try to find any other dictionary online or in book form and you will find various different definitions, most of which will agree with the ideas relayed in these two.

    Some might then put forth the argument that "Christianity is not a religion because it does not believe in worship in the church and it is a relationship without having leaders in charge." The problem with this is that Matthew 16:18 is a clear passage where Jesus builds his church upon the rock. We also see that there is leadership explicitly commanded in 1 and 2 Timothy regarding presbyters, elders, deacons, etc. in the New Testament. It would be awkward for this objection to remain one unless of course one removes those two epistles from their bible. Furthermore, this also proposes problem for the historic faith since pretty early in the 1st and 2nd century, we see leadership in the church with bishops and deacons who are well known in the church.

    Another popular objection is that "Christianity is not a list of rules to follow." Essentially the idea is that faith alone is all that is needed and that we should not focus on what is sin and therefore not try to do good works at all. Apart from this being a repeat of the classic Antinomianism heresy, this objection fails in that ignores again the teachings of the Bible. Jesus teaches in several places in the bible that we need to repent (Luke 13:3-5, Matthew 3:2). The Apostles even teach this after the likeness of Jesus. Furthermore, this then ignores the commands and rules we are obligated to follow in the Sermon on the Mount as well as the verses that lay out sin (Mark 7:21-23, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Plus there is the most damning of verses in 1 John 3:4 which reads: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Then we read in verses 6, 8 and 9 the following: "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.... He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." This does not negate Justification by Faith Alone, but even remember that Ephesians 2:8-9 isn't verses that are alone. Read the very next verse that teaches "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

    One other common objection is that "Religion is about rituals without meaning and Christianity is not about rituals." This is failed automatically by the two common sacraments shared with every Christian out there: Baptism and The Lord's Supper. Both of these sacraments are directly ordained for us to perform by the Lord. Before I show these, let's talk about one thing some may call a ritual: going to church every Sunday morning. Act 20:7 speaks clearly of the apostles gathering to break bread and fellowship on the first day of the week (Sunday). 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 goes further with "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." Hebrews 10:25 even suggests not to forsake the gathering together of the Christians. However, we are about to get even more deeper with a focus on the subject of the Baptism and Lord's Supper.

    Baptism is ordained in Matthew 28:19 with the words: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Christ commands us to baptize and even gives a formula for it. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 also gives us a better understanding here. "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." Furthermore, we see this is also baptism which "saves" us according to 1 Peter 3:20-21 in the context of discussing salvation via the work of Christ on the cross being similar to Noah in the ark: "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Even in Acts 22:16 we read of the urgency for baptism saying "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

    The Lord's Supper is ordained by the following in Matthew 26:26-28 which reads "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Elsewhere, we read the same similar command on repeat in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. Furthermore, there are even commands on how not to participate in this sacrament in verses 17-22 and 27-34 as well as considerations that must be taken when doing a form of self-examination before the eating of the bread and wine. If it is not a big deal, then why does this sacrament and baptism receive such lengthy treatment in sacred scripture regarding the practice?

    Another objection you will hear often is that "Religion is all about trying to work to earn God's favor and search for God." This and a few other similar objections are based on caricatures which have no proof for this regarding Christianity as a religion doing this. We simply do good works because as the scriptures says in James 2:26 so clearly: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Furthermore, we don't seek after God. We all know God exists in some degree. Consider Romans 1:18-20 which reads that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." So we don't teach that we work to gain God's favor or to find him. We already are found by God and we found him, but we work as Christians in the religion to honor, praise and worship him. It is a sign of respect, submission and honor to God, which is commanded out of his covenant people in the church.

    To the one who thinks they shouldn't call Christianity a religion, I would advise you to really rethink of how you define religion. Christianity is a different religion from all the others. Instead of telling you to worship a God you cannot personally know or communicate to, Christianity is a religion where God is truly personal with you. Instead of doing works to earn and obtain salvation, Christianity is a religion which teaches you are justified by faith alone and works are what sanctify us after the fact as we obey what our God commands us to follow in our relationship. It is a religion in that we have our beliefs and practices centered around God and not centered around man. It is a pure and undefiled religion which we call Christianity and God honors this. Christianity is a religion and a good one. Amen.