The Way of Life

"Consider this remarkable fact: in the Sermon on the Mount, there is not a single word about what to believe, only words about what to do and how to be." - Robin R Meyers

In my World Religions class, we’ve been talking a lot about what constitutes a religion. The dictionary defines religion as a complex set of beliefs and practices often revolving around something which is considered sacred or spiritual. Yet many of the adherents to the "religions" we are studying don't consider their beliefs and practices as a religion, per se, so then, should we? For example, the Diné people and many other indigenous groups don't use the word "religion" at all, rather calling their beliefs and practices "the way of life."

The way of life. I like that.

Today in class, I commented on how in some Christian churches, it is not uncommon to hear people say: Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship. Could we also be saying Christianity is 'the way of life'? And what is it about religion that we are denying by saying this?

I know when I have said the above, that Christianity is not so much a religion but a relationship, I am referring to a rejection of legalism.  In the days of Jesus, the people followed not only the 600+ laws of the Old Testament but also hundreds of "oral laws" and traditions. There were to do's and not to do's about everything from eating to resting to property rights to marriage. Those who were unable to follow the strict rules were often ostracized from the community. They were viewed as "unclean". They were seen as less than. 

Only, Jesus didn't see them that way. So why do we?

Paul says in the New Testament we are free from the law (ie. Romans 6:14 or 10:4). Paul also says the purpose of the law was to point us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). So why do we keep trying to create new laws?

There have been multiple articles and studies and books coming out over the last twenty to fifty years, all asking the same question - why are so many people leaving the Church? Why are young people in particular leaving the Church? Could it be, possibly, because we have transformed our faith in Jesus into a religion with such a strict set of rules and regulations and expectations that people find it cumbersome? Or, maybe, simply irrelevant to their life and reality?

In 1 John, John talks a lot about the importance of right belief. In fact, he says that only those who acknowledge Christ as Messiah and the Son of God are saved and walking in Truth. The rest of his letter - written more like a sermon - specifies how that right belief is lived out through love and fellowship with God and others. Fellowship, however, is not possible unless it starts with right belief.

So, belief is important. I'm not saying it isn't. But the example Christ set for us was not a set of do's and not to do's. Rather, it was a way of living. As John notes, a way of living in love and fellowship.

It is not a difficult step to go from this understanding of our faith to recognizing how religion and politics have become so intertwined in our country. If religion is indeed about a set a list of to do's and not to do's, maybe it makes sense that the way that you spread that religion is through making everyone else follow your to do and not to do list. If, however, your faith is about love and fellowship with God, then the way you spread your faith is by introducing people to the One you serve.

A very different approach.

Politics is, of course, very involved with passing policies and laws, which are all about do and do not, aren't they? Therefore, it makes a very natural marriage with a more legalistic type of religion. It does not, however, make for a natural marriage with faith built on a relationship.

You cannot legalize or legislate someone’s faith. You cannot make someone believe what you believe through the passing of laws and ordinances.

If those on the conservative side doubt this, we can point out how legalizing gay marriage in the U.S. back in 2015 certainly didn't change many conservative Christians' views on the issue.

Another example: you can force someone to marry another person, but you can't force them to love or trust that person. We don't work that way.

Within this framework, it makes sense that many of us, and I count myself here, emphasize the need to love one another, to serve our neighbors, and to care for the poor and marginalized, so that God might be seen and felt. This is evangelism based on a relationship. This is walking as Jesus walked. Being the light as He is the light. Loving as He loved.

Ultimately, it’s not about us, but about Christ, who lives within us. Jesus the incarnate God walked on earth for a short while, and then He left it to us to continue His ministry of incarnation among the people. Never once did Jesus nor the disciples nor the early church say we are to create a state-enforced religious set of do's and not to do's. People are not transformed by laws. They are transformed by heart change. And you cannot pass a law that makes someone change their heart. Heart change only comes through love.

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