Greetings everyone out there in blogsphere, or whatever they call it. This is my first blog, so I hope your expectations are not too high. I'll see where it goes. I want to focus on spiritual thoughts relating to God, Jesus, the Bible, and the Lord's church, and perhaps including discussions of my weekly Monday Morning Musings articles for those on the list (or you can read current and past MMM's at www.sandpointchurchofchrist.com). It might be a good place for open discussion about personal spiritual struggles or questions. That might mean I have to get really open and honest, and that's pretty scary (let me get used to blogging first). Perhaps in the process I can help you clarify some of your own struggles, and maybe even point you to some answers, or at least to the right place to find them.
So where do I begin? How about with a question? Here is one that I think is worth pursuing, and which has been on my mind lately. What is the difference between "religion" and "spirituality"? What we usually call "religion" is being rejected today by an entire generation of Westerners, and being replaced by a more personal, if somewhat vague, "spirituality". Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What is sort of the point man or spokesperson for many young believers today (especially those in the 20-something age group) who are turned off by "organized religion." Miller does have a lot of good things to say and with which I agree. But Miller is very down on "religion" while being keen on "spirituality." By "religion" he basically means "church," or at least the way "church" is traditionally done (and granted, the way church is "traditionally" done may not be the best or most scriptural way). But I wonder if what he is offering as an alternative is basically religion without commitment. If I can be spiritual without going to church, without being involved with other Christians in any organized fashion, without having to give up my Sundays, or give of my financial means, or be part of a functioning body, well, that would be really great. I could continue to do my own thing. I could have "religion" without the sacrifice, spirituality without transformation.
Yet at least half of the New Testament is written to deal with our relationship in the body of Christ as expressed in the local church. The book of Acts opens with the new disciples devoting themselves to what we would call "church" (Acts 2.42), and throughout the rest of the book we see that establishing local churches (Christians acting in collective units) was a major focus. If we didn't have "church" (religion), we wouldn't even have a New Testament, since most of the letters were written to local churches, often dealing with problems that arise out of such relational entities as "church". Anyway, just consider 1 Tim 3.15: "I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." Call it "religion" if you will, nothing could be more spiritual than working together with others in God's household. Of course, if that is the end of our "spirituality," we are missing something indeed. Anyway, what are your thoughts?
