
Religion - Defined: the belief in a god or in a group of gods: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group
People say, “I’m Spiritual, but not Religious.” YOU CAN’T BE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER! This is ridiculous, to say, “I am spiritual” is a religious statement in and of itself. It means that you believe in a god, gods, spirits or some other supernatural force(s) beyond ourselves. Congratulations, you’re spiritual and religious. The only people who may have a true claim to being non-religious are atheists, but then again, atheism is a belief that is religious in that you have set yourself up to be god – at least in your own world.
Look at the military, if you want to see some high liturgy, go visit the grave of the Unknown Soldier, or attend a burial with military honors.
Those people are no nonsense and it is utterly moving to the core.
The Israelites of old had their worship rituals, so did all of the pagans with their“gods.” The church likewise has traditions and rituals, even those who claim to be free flowing and non liturgical. Consider that there is an order in the way that things are done. The band plays for 45 minutes +/- until the preacher feels that it is enough, then he gives a sermon, then they take up an offering, during which, they have announcements, the band plays some more, altar call,
The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day were dedicated to their religiosity. What happened (as Jesus points out several times) was that they had become so caught up in the rules of their man made rituals that they forgot why they even did things. The catch all was basically that the angry god will be more angry with us if we don’t do things right.
Many of the things that I just mentioned above have a good reason for existing and I do not mean to diminish the proper use of any of them, but I am simply pointing out that when the trappings become the main thing, the thing that is diminished in it is the “Who” of our faith – Christ Jesus.
Conversely, the knee jerk reaction to this error is an error in the other direction where we show disdain for all church practice and make it all about ME in worship that is emotionally driven.
The road has a ditch on each side and it is easy to fall off on both sides. The key is religion in an attempt to keep religiosity at bay.
What happens in Christian worship is confession and absolution from the beginning to the end. We confess who we are – Sinners. We confess who Christ Jesus is – The loving God who died and rose from the dead, exchanging our sin for His righteousness. This is the rhythm of Christian worship, confession and absolution from the hymns, confession and absolution in the service, to the readings, to the sermon, to the Creed (for us men and for our salvation…), to the Lord’s Supper, to the benediction.
The Christian religion is all about sinners in the hands of a merciful God. Religiosity is about, “how am I appeasing the angry god?”
The true religion is the end of religiosity. Twitter: @Craig_Donofrio
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