'Religion' and 'relationship' aren't opposites. This is a false dichotomy, also, as if they two were opposed to each other or at odds somehow.
But like I say, I chose not to participate in the redefining of the word religion-- or at least not the side of the redefiners. It did not sit well with me when I was 9 or 10, and when I encountered it again in it's full blown form to me in my 20's, it sounded stupid and confusing. I still think that way. Some people who talk about it have a valid point and IMO a very bad way of expressing it. Some have invalid points. They've turned this anti-religion thing into another religious idea that competes with a Biblical understanding of how our faith should operate.
Some people are really religious about the idea that we have to believe and repeat this religion rhetoric. If you write against it, they treat it as if you are attacking something holy. It is a very religious thing for them. I understand with this new version of/replacement for the gospel-- that you give this anti-religion speech then say pray and get told you are saved saved, people treat the anti-religion speech as something holy. It can be a part of their religion.
As far as relationship goes, if we are talking to unbelievers, we can follow apostolic example-- be reconciled to God. That's how we get relationship. We don't get relationship because we hear about relationship. is good and religion is bad. We get into right relationship with God through grace through believing the Gospel. We do not have to tell people religion is bad. That doesn't save anyone. We need to tell them about Christ, about His sufferings, His resurrection, and repentance and remission of sin through His names. That's what Jesus talked about when He told the apostles about preaching to the nations in Luke 22. In Matthew 28, he wanted them to go, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to observe all things 'whatsover I have commanded you.'
We should focus on the actual Gospel in the Bible not all these evangelical cliches and rabbit trails against religion or wonderful plans for people's lives or how 'personal' everything is.[/QUOTE
Good stuff.
But like I say, I chose not to participate in the redefining of the word religion-- or at least not the side of the redefiners. It did not sit well with me when I was 9 or 10, and when I encountered it again in it's full blown form to me in my 20's, it sounded stupid and confusing. I still think that way. Some people who talk about it have a valid point and IMO a very bad way of expressing it. Some have invalid points. They've turned this anti-religion thing into another religious idea that competes with a Biblical understanding of how our faith should operate.
Some people are really religious about the idea that we have to believe and repeat this religion rhetoric. If you write against it, they treat it as if you are attacking something holy. It is a very religious thing for them. I understand with this new version of/replacement for the gospel-- that you give this anti-religion speech then say pray and get told you are saved saved, people treat the anti-religion speech as something holy. It can be a part of their religion.
As far as relationship goes, if we are talking to unbelievers, we can follow apostolic example-- be reconciled to God. That's how we get relationship. We don't get relationship because we hear about relationship. is good and religion is bad. We get into right relationship with God through grace through believing the Gospel. We do not have to tell people religion is bad. That doesn't save anyone. We need to tell them about Christ, about His sufferings, His resurrection, and repentance and remission of sin through His names. That's what Jesus talked about when He told the apostles about preaching to the nations in Luke 22. In Matthew 28, he wanted them to go, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to observe all things 'whatsover I have commanded you.'
We should focus on the actual Gospel in the Bible not all these evangelical cliches and rabbit trails against religion or wonderful plans for people's lives or how 'personal' everything is.[/QUOTE
Good stuff.