What Is the Difference Between the Gospel and Religion?
Do you know the difference between the Gospel and religion?
Both are stories. Both are narratives.
Lots of people who reject Christianity and Christ reject Christianity and Christ based on the religion narrative.
That narrative looks something like this:
The story of religion, one that is looked at from history’s standpoint, is one usually marred with persecutions and oppressions and witch hunts.
The story is one dominated by men who massaged the Bible so that they could manipulate the masses, men who exploited the poor through indulgences and men who waged crusades comprising aggression, paranoia, nostalgia and wishful thinking in so-called wars of the cross.
The story is one of interrogation, torture and execution at the stake for anyone accused of disagreeing with the Church.
That’s religion’s story.
The Gospel story is vastly different.
It’s a narrative about God redeeming a rebellious people to himself.
The story starts with the creation of those people. And their eventual rejection of their Creator. And the doom that awaited those people because of the justice that is demanded by a holy, just and righteous God.
It’s a story about how that penalty of rejection must be paid. And how utterly impossible it was for man to pay it. And how God came down as a man to redeem these people because of their separation from him.
And how He was crucified, a substitution for our sins, that his righteousness might be imputed to us. That propitiation bridged the unbridgeable gap between God and man that we may stand before God and be found righteous in his sight.
It’s not difficult to distinguish the Gospel from religion. One is the redemptive history of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The other is man distorting that history for his gain.
You just have to know what story to tell. What story are you telling?
No related posts.
10 Comments to What Is the Difference Between the Gospel and Religion?
I got a great story. It starts like this: FUCK your GOD. Let the consequences BEGIN.
ps. Got a tip for U: read more BOOKS>
Michael, what makes you so angry towards our God?
Demian FarnworthFebruary 16, 2009
Michael: That’s not really a story. More of a statement. But that’s beside the point. So, why are you so angry?
Demian,
Years ago I heard a very simple and succinct definition of the difference between the Gospel and religion. Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. The Gospel is God’s attempt to reach man. Pretty much sums it up.
February 16, 2009
[...] Last night I got a great comment on this post Know the Difference Between Religion and the Gospel?: [...]
Those who are angry at God is usually because they’re not getting what they want. It’s like a child who scream and stomp his feet when he doesn’t get his candy.
These days, I never get a rational and calm discussion about religion, God, or Jesus. Everyone’s seems to have this thought that it’s ok to mock God and Christians. Why not? We don’t talk back with the same brutality.
Demian FarnworthFebruary 26, 2009
Rudy, you are right: it’s impossible to talk to people about Christ without hitting emotional hot buttons. But that’s really quite what we should expect. 1 Peter says we shouldn’t be surprised when we endure these fiery trials. Part of the territory. Thanks for sharing!`
Jonathon FowlerJuly 6, 2009
Rudy & Demian: I like to think of myself as a reasonable agnostic, so i would love to commune with you further on this subject if you would like to?
Being an agnostic i do believe in a devine power, but i believe this power works in ways beyond any possible imagining by man in his current state, to the point at which i take offense, and do not understand the necessity for religion to lay claim to this devine. Why give it a name? Why give it a backstory? Why not let beliefs be personal to every individual? Furthermore, why do beliefs require monetary sponsorship?
These are my quarrels with Christianity and other such religions.
In reality, no single religion could guarantee us a place in Heaven. In the end, what matters is how we a treat other people.*;,
actually it doesn’t matter what Religion you may have, as long as you treat the other person right.;-,
Leave a comment
Search
Recent Posts
Get Updates | Subscribe
Somewhat Essential
Categories
Archives
February 15, 2009