The first commonplace phenomenon is the expression “I’m spiritual, not religious,” to which now I always want to reply, “Hmm…well, so is the devil.” Obviously this kind of bluntness is not a wise pastoral move in most situations, but it’s still true, and it must be overcome. The devil is definitely spiritual; he’s pure spirit. And, of course, as embodied spirits, we’re all spiritual. So it’s a true statement as far as human nature goes, but it says nothing of what we actually believe or how we think we ought to live. There’s no confrontation with our own faults and weaknesses, and there’s certainly no challenge from such a spirituality to let in the transforming power of the Gospel. To be religious means to be in conformity with what’s due to God in justice. The devil wants to be like God, without God, without the ”parameters of love” (and authentic human flourishing) that God has revealed to be the fullness of truth in Christ. Religious practice, while it must be taught and lived in such a way that modern minds can understand its richness, is a divine prerogative. God desires us to worship him in specific ways. It was clear and specific in the Old Testament, and it’s even more precise in the New Testament: Communion with Jesus Christ.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:20:05 +0000
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