This video has been making the rounds on Facebook among Christian crowds. And I think there are a couple of things that ought to be said about it. But before I get into that, I think that this guy speaks a lot of truth about grace and Christ and salvation through faith not works, but at the same time there is a lot that I think is less than helpful.
My main issue with this video, and the poem and sentiment behind it, is the vilification of religion. This seems to me to be creating a false dichotomy. It reminded me of back in the day when “Christian” became a term people didn’t like, so you would hear young Christians saying things like, “I am not a Christian, I follow Jesus.” I never liked that. It sounds pretentious (Read: Douchey) and like some sort of boast (and not the good kind). Now the term religion is under attack. And it seems that if I am to believe this video, then anyone who believes in religion does not know or like Jesus. I am sure this is wrong.
Christianity is a religion. Plain and simple. It is not, however, like so many other religions, based on works we do, or our earning anything. It is based on Christ’s work and faith in Him. The video does a great job highlighting that we do not earn anything through religion. But Christianity is still a religion (Look up the definition of the word, I am not lying). It is a religion based on relationship, not rules. But there are commandments, lots of them. There is conditional grace (If you do X, then Y). And lastly, Jesus Himself was Jewish. He followed the religious traditions of Judaism! He even tells us He didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
People used to think of “Christian” and get the image of self-righteous hypocrites. Now they hear “Religion” and think of people patting themselves on the back and thinking they deserve blessings. These people are not true representations of Christians, however, and when we pretend these words don’t matter, when we “Aren’t Christian, just walking with Christ,” or are, “Not religious, just focusing on my relationship with God,” we are doing a disservice. I am not saying those aren’t good things, but we really ought to be working to reclaim these Biblical terms and ideas for a true, earnest, Christlike faith so that people hear these words and have good images come to mind instead.
So I could go on, but I think I hit the main thing that struck me wrong about this video. I think it is good that people are excited about grace. But a hatred for religion, and claiming some bold (and inaccurate) things about Jesus’ view of religion just isn’t helpful.
