Christianity: Attitude or Religion?

No, this isn’t a controversial article in which I try to tell you something like “as long as you believe and sorta try most of the time, God will forgive you and you’re saved.” 

Christianity is definitely a religion. 

It is the religion. 

            On Dictionary.com, the first definition listed for “religion” defines the word as ”a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.” That describes Christianity. 

I know of people, even a few of my close friends, who preach “Christianity is not a religion, it’s not about what you do, it’s about who you are, and anyone who believes is saved - end of discussion.” etc. 

If you are one of those people, I don't mean to offend you. 

On the other end of the spectrum, I know of people (also some of my close friends) who believe that if you’re sinless your whole life, but you lie right before you die, and you don’t ask for forgiveness and repent right before you die, you’ll probably fall short of Heaven. For them, it’s more of a religion than anything; it’s not about who you are as much as it is about what you do. 

If you are one of those people, I don’t mean to offend you either. 

Regardless of your position on the religiosity of Christianity, I pray that by the time you finish reading this post, you will all be able to say that you enjoyed reading what I have to say. I also hope and pray that what I am about to tell you is the truth, and that you will agree with me when I'm done and take what you have learned out into the world to change the world as we know it. Please study the things I present to you for yourself.

            What governs our religious practices? With so many different people wearing the name “Christian” yet believing so many different things, so many different buildings with different names on them that preach different doctrines yet claim to be united under the banner of “Christianity,” and so on, what exactly determines where we each worship? 

Some would say it’s a matter of interpretation and everyone who at least tries to worship God is still a Christian in God’s eyes.

Others might say it’s a matter of choosing to be right vs. choosing to be wrong, and those who don’t follow their specific religious practices will be condemned in the end. 

I see logic in both arguments. 

However, I don’t think that our personal beliefs are governed by either of these. 

I think that people choose to see Christianity filtered through the ideals behind “denominationalism” or through the thought process of “be like me or go to Hell” as a result of something else. 

We interpret the Bible differently based on something other than just a mere difference in interpretation.

It goes deeper than that. 

Some would say “it depends on which church you were raised in.” Others might say “well, I go to this church because they’re more welcoming.” Still, others might say “I just feel more uplifted at this particular kind of church." I've also heard people say "this kind of church is scripturally correct and the others are not."

However, I feel that ultimately,

It is possible for the entire body of people who claim to be “Christian” to unite in truthful doctrine as long as we are united first and foremost on one thing:

Attitude. 

Think about some common attitudes we can see today in the world among those who wear the name Christian. Think of the attitudes which make you feel good inside and cause you to think “Now that’s a real Christian.” Think of the attitudes which just drive you crazy because they’re so “wrong.” Think of all the different ways that people look at Christianity. Think of the way your parents, your friends, and the people you look up to look at Christianity.

Now, think of the way you look at Christianity.

During this study, let’s focus on how we each look at Christianity. 

This study isn’t about pointing fingers at someone else and telling them they need to change. My own attitude is the only one I can change, and the same applies to you. With an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to be the best we can be, let’s see what the Bible says about our attitudes. 

In Philippians 2:2, Paul writes that the church be of the same mind. 1 Corinthians 1:10 says that there should “be no divisions” among us, but that we be “united in the same mind and in the same judgment.” In Ephesians 1:4-6, it is written that Christians are to walk in Christ “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

The list goes on and on.

Paul was really focusing on being united under Christ, as we will see in the verses at the end of this article. Search the internet for Bible verses based on unity; there are so many more (as well as many opinions on what it means). 1 Pet. 3:8 says that we are to “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” We must be united under the banner of the truth of Christ; that is, we must be united in mind, judgment, and doctrine.

Is the “church” united today?

If you say “yes,” why do so many “churches” have different names, different doctrines, different views on salvation, different views on worship, and different views on scriptures?

Why are so many “churches” so different?

“He’s a Methodist. She’s a Baptist. He’s a Catholic. She’s a Church of Christer. He’s a Jehovah’s Witness. He's non-denom. She's Pentecostal. ” Etc.

Unity? 
Really?

If you believe that a “difference in interpretation” accounts for all of these divisions, does a “difference in interpretation” really bring Godly unity? If your beliefs regarding the Bible are different from someone else's, what about “beating people with the Bible”? That doesn't sound like a particularly efficient way to find Godly unity either.

The way we attempt to follow the Bible and the way we view others who attempt to follow the Bible is a key part of achieving unity. 

            Sometime this week, right now if you can, read 1 Corinthians 9 and 10, 1 Pet. 3:15, Romans 14, and 1 Corinthians 8. It’s a lot of reading I know, but it will be very important for our discussion in the upcoming weeks. 

What does Christianity mean? 

What is unity? 

What is truth? 

How can we pull together and change the world?