Not a Religion??

"Christianity is not a Religion its a Relationship" has become quite a common catchphrase, in fact I just recently saw that there is a facebook group called this. And while I'm sure they mean well in saying that (I hope), it is somewhat odd to me. People are afraid of the words doctrine, theology, religion, ritual, dogma etc. As I heard on a John Piper conference promo, "there are those who say 'doctrine devides Christ unites.'"

Are we simply running more and more from the Bible and just trying to replace it all with this self-created "Relationship with Christ"? A relationship with Christ is vital but what good is that if you don't even know who Christ is or what He did and by what means He did it. You replace human knowledge for the written word of God. This is a very dangerous thing to do.

Looking at the definition from dictionary.com religion is defined as follows:
re‧li‧gion  /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] -noun
1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. 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. 2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Judging from that definition I would have to say that Christianity is most certainly a religion. Looking at the first definition, a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, or in other words 'a set of beliefs concerning God and His creation.' Usually involving devotional and ritual observance (i.e. Sabbath Day, Communion, Baptism) and often containing a moral code (i.e. the Bible).

When you say something like "Christianity is a Relationship not a Religion" you are somewhat implying that the sacraments that CHRIST instituted (Matt 26, 1 Cor 11, Matt 28:19) are no longer of importance, and the Church is no longer of any need keeping in mind that the Church is the 'Body of Christ' (1 Cor 12).

Is the Bible of no importance anymore either? How can you have a relationship with a Jesus you do not know. Doctrine is essential:

"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:15-16)

Christ is a relationship but how can you have that relationship if you don't even know how to. So then before this relationship can occur there must be doctrine, good teaching of the law and sin/Christ and grace.

Don't make it sound as if Christianity is trapped inside this box of doctrine and theology. The whole basis of mine and your Christianity rests on the doctrines, truths and promises written within the Holy Bible. Study these doctrines, meditate on the word of God and apply those doctrines to your heart and to your lives.

"Christianity is both a life and a dogma; quite as much the one as the other. But it is a dogma before it is a life; it cannot be the latter till it has been the former. It is out of the dogma that the life emerges; not the dogma out of the life; and the importance that is attached in Scripture to knowledge,--right knowledge,--should make us cautious in disparaging doctrine, as if it were harmless when wrong, and impotent or uninfluential when right." (oldtruth.com)