tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013061704828990246.post4376076505662391221..comments2023-06-04T08:57:15.376-05:00Comments on Christian Life with Michael: Religion, Relationship, and Stolen ShowsTulsaMJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15945834114006833482noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013061704828990246.post-31186256078798061032013-03-20T08:58:37.446-05:002013-03-20T08:58:37.446-05:00Well-stated, J.R. I think the word "religion&...Well-stated, J.R. I think the word "religion" gets a bad rap sometimes; the New Testament even tells us that there are both "false" and "true" forms of religion - <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/James%201%3A26-27/" rel="nofollow">James 1:26-27</a>. Maybe a better term, since "religion" has turned into such a dirty word, would be "discipline" - the discipline of weekly church attendance, or the discipline of studying the Word regularly, etc. "Discipline" at least publicly has a positive connotation, although when it comes right down to it I'm not sure most people care much for discipline either. We like it when we see it in others (i.e. the Olympics, spelling bees, virtuoso musical performances, etc.) but we don't care much to apply it to ourselves (by actually being consistent with exercise, healthy eating habits, prayer, etc.)TulsaMJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15945834114006833482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4013061704828990246.post-10953040701306631862013-03-19T20:30:46.009-05:002013-03-19T20:30:46.009-05:00Well, my view is that religion is indefinitely nec...Well, my view is that religion is indefinitely neccesary - Religion is made up of disciplines and activities and such that help nurture our growth as Christians, as long as we do them out of a sincere desire to please God. The relationship with God can't happen without at least the disciplines of Prayer and Bible study. Attending church is (supposed to be) fellowship with other Christians and a learning experience for us, as well as a place to hear (again, supposed to) the inspired word of God. And of course we go to church to help other Christians if applicable. But again, we need authenticity. We can't be 'Sunday Morning Christians'. We must be led to an earnest relationship to God, not flee to Christian-like activities for passing comfort whenever there is an arms race or bubonic plague or something. It's a double edged sword: Jesus wants a relationship with us; when we get a relationship with Him we start desiring to do things to please him; some of these things -the disciplines - help grow our relationship with Him. What goes aroung comes around. Basically, we need both (what we call) Religion and Relationship. J.R.noreply@blogger.com