More than a Relationship...

"Christianity is not a religion. It's a relationship."

If you really want to get me going, just say this phrase because this statement reduces the Christian Faith to a self help program with Jesus as your best friend or what have you. The Christian Faith is not a mere relationship. But what is it then?

First off (and let's get this clear) Christianity is simply the body of thought about the Christian Faith. Christianity is an idea, in other words. Much like Theology is the study or thoughts about God, but Theology is not God. It is God whom we worship- not Theology. Instead of "Christianity", we should say "Christendom".

Now, Christendom gives rise to many different connotations. Many Christians today would say "What? I have no clue what that means!". The more historically minded folks, such as myself, will think of Medieval Europe. Christendom simply means "the realm of the Christians" or Christ depending on the context, when you get right down to it. So, in other words, your home (if you live in a Christian home) is a "Christendom". But the most obvious example of Christendom is the Church.

Now, the Church has been getting a lot of bashing lately. We're being told to "get out of our pews and leave our comfort zone (i.e. the Church)." While it is true that we need to be spreading the Gospel, it is wrong to belittle God's Church. The Church is not just an agency whereby people are regenerated (though that is part of the Church's mission, as I said). Neither is the Church just a "spiritual gas station" where we get our tanks filled and rush out again. It is the community of Christ's people, the "realm of Christians" (Christendom!). We ought to desire the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. The warrior does not always swing his sword- otherwise he couldn't fight for lack of strength. He must rest and enjoy the company of the saints.

Many today are trying to destroy the idea of a Church community. Fewer and fewer Churches have cemeteries (one the greatest symbols of community, I might point out. You live together, die together and are laid to rest together...). Is it any wonder that kids who grow up in the Church are leaving? God has given man a natural desire for fellowship (Gen 2:18) and when the Church fails to provide it, it loses people. For a church to grow and continue for generations, it must be a community.

Now, part of the problem lies in the makeup of American society. As inhabitants of a land essentially born in rebellion, Americans cherish their rights and honor and will not give them up easily. Spiritually, this is a disastrous environment for the Church. Like the government, you have to please people or they leave and cast their vote for First Rock n' Roll Church down the street. So, you have to keep everyone happy. The only reason they'll come is if everything suits them- and you can't please everyone! If one glances at the Medieval Church, it is interesting to note that each community had a church (Granted, larger cites probably had many congregations but within that city existed communities). The Church served as the community center rather than a place for various sects to spout their ideas. Everyone attended the church, grew up in the church and was buried in the church graveyard. It was a community.

Of course, the medieval church had doctrinal flaws (lots of them) but I think they had the right idea in this instance. After all, these churches have survived the ages and will continue long after I have passed on. Imagine if they had only been doctrinally sound- the world might be a different place. But we cannot change the past and the dwell on the former days too much is unwise (Eccl 7: 10 [12 in the Geneva]). Yet we can learn from those who have gone on before us. The reformers brought light into the darkness but sadly rent the Church unity apart. But they knew that community and unity are important for they established churches in the same manner. Scotland and England both had, at one time, thriving Churches and Christian communities (their decline is due mostly to the deistic influences from the 18th century, but that's another topic).

In conclusion, I say again that the Christian Faith is more than a relationship- much, much more!