because i don't have an original idea in my head, but i proposed today that i disagreed with my "brother in christ at work" philosophically on why jesus came to earth.
this is what i said:
Christ came primarily, NOT to establish a religion (or system of belief), but a movement (namely the kingdom of God) in which he invites others to particpate in the redemption of the world.
This is THE major theme of scripture - God partners with Israel in the OT and the Church in the NT to redeem fallen man for his glory (i added this later). Through Christ he has once and for all, finished the work of salvation, and he is asking us to "trust" him for that salvation and the power to live with Christ as king.
we run to religion, rules, laws and the like while jesus wants us to run to him in obedience.
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2 comments:
That's a very good point, but did you remember to include that your "brother in Christ at work" doesn't really believe the claim that this post implies he does? :)
Adam,
You know I agree 100% with what you are saying. However, I wonder whether to the ears of your (my) peers, the difference between "religion" and "a movement" is simply a matter of pragmatics. ("Sure, call it what you want. It's a religion whether you call it that or not.")
In many ways, this mincing of words may be more of a stumbling block than worthwhile point of dispute. Our culture has arisen in a post-Christianized context...and the very word "religion" is defined by their perceptions of Christianity. So to insist that Christ did not come to establish a religion is simply an inconceivable suggestion. Perhaps an alternate way to skin this cat would be to say, "What you call Christianity is not really a religion at all, it is an array of institutions, 501c3 organizations, that collect non-taxable contributions to ensure their own longevity, which doles out "benevolence" for the primary purpose of positive public relations and membership growth."
"However, I'm not a Christian in that sense -- not a member of the social club that calls itself the church."
"Instead, I'm a member of a radically fundamental religious order of believers in Christ who care not for tax deductions, who deplore memberships, who collectively function as a conspiracy of love and sacrifice, though every individual is autonomous, and accountable only to God himself."
Here's the thing Adam, we religious in the only true sense of the word. It is not that Christ didn't come to establish a religion...it's just that the monster that calls itself religion in our culture today isn't it.
You think?
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