In recent years there has been a lot of talk in certain circles that Christianity is not a religion, that it is instead a relationship but I believe that it is a religion and it is a relationship at the same time.
First of all, I will point out what I believe Christianity is not. It is not following non Biblical rituals and non Biblical traditions, it is not self righteousness such as the Pharisees, and it is not people trying to work their way to heaven by their own works. So Christianity is a relationship with God right? Yes, but it is also a religion at the same time.
So how it is a religion? If we go by the definitions of religion from the dictionary and how the Christian religion has been historically defined that say nothing about following non Biblical rituals and non Biblical traditions, that say nothing about self righteousness such as the Pharisees, and say nothing about people trying to work their way to heaven by their own works.
Below is the definition from Webster's Dictionary so before people assume I am defining Christianity in those negative terms, because I am not, read the definitions below. So Christianity is, under definition 1b(1), "the service and worship of God." While a false religion would be the service and worship of the supernatural or the service and worship of a false God or Gods. Christianity is also, under definition 4, "a system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith." But I am not saying that it is not a relationship with Christ because it is a relationship. But I fully expect some to not even read why I believe it is also a religion and to not read the actual definitions of religion and also to assume that I am defining it in the negative terms in use by some use today, which I am not doing.
Besides if Christianity is not a religion, then how can we in the United States claim our right of freedom of religion if someone tries to take away our right to worship as we see fit? Are we going to tell them we have freedom of relationship? That just doesn't fit now does it.
Full Definition of RELIGION
1a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
First of all, I will point out what I believe Christianity is not. It is not following non Biblical rituals and non Biblical traditions, it is not self righteousness such as the Pharisees, and it is not people trying to work their way to heaven by their own works. So Christianity is a relationship with God right? Yes, but it is also a religion at the same time.
So how it is a religion? If we go by the definitions of religion from the dictionary and how the Christian religion has been historically defined that say nothing about following non Biblical rituals and non Biblical traditions, that say nothing about self righteousness such as the Pharisees, and say nothing about people trying to work their way to heaven by their own works.
Below is the definition from Webster's Dictionary so before people assume I am defining Christianity in those negative terms, because I am not, read the definitions below. So Christianity is, under definition 1b(1), "the service and worship of God." While a false religion would be the service and worship of the supernatural or the service and worship of a false God or Gods. Christianity is also, under definition 4, "a system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith." But I am not saying that it is not a relationship with Christ because it is a relationship. But I fully expect some to not even read why I believe it is also a religion and to not read the actual definitions of religion and also to assume that I am defining it in the negative terms in use by some use today, which I am not doing.
Besides if Christianity is not a religion, then how can we in the United States claim our right of freedom of religion if someone tries to take away our right to worship as we see fit? Are we going to tell them we have freedom of relationship? That just doesn't fit now does it.
Full Definition of RELIGION
1a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion>
b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith