📖 It is a religion

I. The phrase “Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship” is not just unhelpful, but also wrong.

First, Christianity is, by definition, a religion. Religion can be defined by: a comprehensive system of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols designed to connect people to the sacred, supernatural, or divine. This is an accurate description of Christianity.

Also, passages like James 1:27 literally tell us as much:

Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Christianity is, by literal definition, a religion. Though it is distinct from all other religions because it is the only true and right religion.

Second, following Jesus does include a relationship, but it is not simply a personal relationship between you and God, which is how many describe it.

Your faith is personal (no one can follow Jesus for you), but it is not private. A mature, faithful, and growing relationship with Jesus only occurs in relationship with other followers of Jesus as well, who can encourage, correct, and walk with you.

So, Christianity is a religion, and it is not a private relationship only between you and God.

Here is a better and more accurate phrase: Christianity is the one true religion, and it involves a relationship with God and fellow believers to be lived out well.

———————-

II. Here are six things you can do to grow closer to God:

The stones David used against Goliath were larger than you may assume.

In 1 Samuel 17, David picks up “five smooth stones” from a brook before facing Goliath.

A lot of us imagine (as this story is often depicted) as small rocks you might casually skip across a river.

But historically, ancient slings were serious military weapons, and sling stones were often much larger than that, sometimes around 2-3 inches across and shaped for combat (think the size of a baseball).

Archaeologists have discovered ancient sling stones throughout the ancient world that were intentionally rounded for speed, accuracy, and impact.

This means David was likely not throwing a tiny pebble. He was launching a deadly projectile with a weapon that skilled slingers could use with incredible force and accuracy.

Is it wrong to skip church for kids’ sporting events?

Have a Bible question, or a situation in your life you want a biblical perspective on? Submit it here to be answered in a future Bible Made Simple Newsletter edition.

A Night To Remember by Walter Lord

A book about the final night and sinking of the Titanic. The original edition of this book was written in the 1950s, but you wouldn't know that by reading it (it feels very modern).

The book does a great job detailing what went on during the final hours of the Titanic. You do get a sense of what was going on.

On the flip side, it was difficult to actually envision it. If you aren't familiar with certain sea terms (I am not), or have a strong handle on the layout of the Titanic itself (most of us do not), then you can't often picture in your mind what things would have looked like.

This is not the fault of the author. There is no way around it, but it takes away from the overall impact the book could have.

It was still a good read, however, and on the shorter side. If you enjoy history or want to know more about what happened to the Titanic, this is a good book for that.

7.5/10

P.S. Have you checked your posture?