How do Protestants differentiate religion and relationship with Jesus?

[souldiver]

I thought it’s a pretty common knowledge that many Protestants says that “Christianity is not a religion but** a relationship with Jesus**”.

How does it differ? I thought it’s the same. Religion; they say something like “you reach out to God, set of rules”. But how to have “relationship with Jesus”? **Isn’t it a set of rules too? **Just like how they described religion? Like following his commands and his example are set of rules: John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

 

[Kliska]

If you think about rules as a set of fences that keep the sheep in certain areas of a pasture, that would be what we see as “religion;” go here, don’t go here, and it is imposed on all from the “outside” which is why the sheep will stray if they bust through a fence.

If you think of a Shepherd personally tending to and guiding sheep in an open pasture, that would be what we see as relationship. Jesus wouldn’t lead sheep into a dangerous area, just as the fences were trying to keep the sheep out, but with relationship the sheep are not alone, and it is the Shepherd that has charge over the sheep. It becomes not just an external or “outside” type of imposition, but an inner calling and recognition of the Shepherd’s voice. Obedience flows through love on both sides, not imposition of unfeeling fence.

Just as a point of interest, Mother Angelica, the Catholic nun who recently passed away talked about a personal relationship with Jesus perhaps more than any protestant pastor I’ve ever heard.

 

[susanlo]

I thought it’s a pretty common knowledge that many Protestants says that “Christianity is not a religion but** a relationship with Jesus**”.

How does it differ? I thought it’s the same. Religion; they say something like “you reach out to God, set of rules”. But how to have “relationship with Jesus”? **Isn’t it a set of rules too? **Just like how they described religion? Like following his commands and his example are set of rules: John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

I don’t know that there is a clear distinction between Protestants and Catholics in this area.

I think of God as my father. I have an earthly father who helped to create me and loves me very much. He made rules to guide me as a child so I could stay safe and learn the rules I needed to be able to succeed in the world. He is still there to give me fatherly guidance and advice in life. He is a human and is capable of letting me down at times. Sadly, some earthly fathers can prove to be so broken that they have very little ability to express their fatherly love to their child.

God is my Heavenly father who created me and loves me in a perfect way. As His child, He also has rules for me to follow. The rules that God has are all there to protect us and to protect our relationship with God. I can’t think of one commandment of God that I follow that is a silly exercise in futility. His wisdom and knowledge are so infinite and His love for His people is so perfect.

Some think of father and picture a harsh and distant God. Sometimes a person’s own relationship with their father shapes their view of God. I believe that God has proven to be capable of being a strict disciplinarian. He has also proven to be capable of providing perfect and intense love that is capable of healing and comforting the most hurting souls and providing peace to those who trust Him even in the most difficult situations. He is capable of “fathering” us in a way that no earthly father ever could - this includes strict rules for protection and endless compassion and love.

 

[souldiver]

But I know the Catholic Christians believe in the Holy Spirit and “God is everywhere”, that’s what I think what makes them moved by God(Jesus) in the present and return the love via prayers and works, but still considers Christianity a religion as they followed a set of rules(commands of Jesus and Apostles), believed in a god, God, doesn’t the Protestants too?

People of different religions already have relationship with their god and believes their god loves them and works for their benefit, why Protestants say it as if it’s something new?

 

[Kliska]

But I know the Catholic Christians believe in the Holy Spirit and “God is everywhere”, that’s what I think what makes them moved by God(Jesus) in the present and return the love via prayers and works, but still considers Christianity a religion as they followed a set of rules(commands of Jesus and Apostles), believed in a god, God, doesn’t the Protestants too?

People of different religions already have relationship with their god and believes their god loves them and works for their benefit, why Protestants say it as if it’s something new?

Because most religion is man trying to reach over a gap God-ward, or god-ward, or gods-ward, etc… Christianity is God literally becoming Man to have a relationship in a very literal real human way with humanity in a physical, emotional and spiritual way. The commandments then get summed up as “Love God, love neighbor” which is the language of relationship. Because of Christ we are the only ones that can call God Father and mean it in a very real way, and can call God the Son “Friend” in a very real way; why? Because God the Son became Man and told us that via adoption through Him the God-Man, we are now in right relationship with the Father.

“In Me, I’m your Friend, and He’s your Dad.”

 

[souldiver]

How to return the love though, “John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” set of rules by Jesus and the Apostles, therefore religion.

 

[Kliska]

How to return the love though, “John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” set of rules by Jesus and the Apostles, therefore religion.

Yes, and John says what those commandments are (read all of 1 John); love God and love one another. The fulfillment of all that religion was relationship and still is. If one loves God and loves their neighbor they will fulfill all the “religious” rules via relationship. As an example, if I love my husband I won’t commit adultery, not for following the rule’s sake, but rather out of our very relationship. I won’t have to think “don’t commit adultery” 24/7 it simply flows out of our love.

If you have a close friendship with Jesus, Who is the God-Man, you will follow Him out of that love. If He turns right, you turn right, if He walks ahead, you walk ahead, etc… Rules and scripture still teach (in fact the law’s job is to teach), but your walk is via relationship.

 

[SJacob7]

Yes, and John says what those commandments are (read all of 1 John); love God and love one another. The fulfillment of all that religion was relationship and still is. If one loves God and loves their neighbor they will fulfill all the “religious” rules via relationship. As an example, if I love my husband I won’t commit adultery, not for following the rule’s sake, but rather out of our very relationship. I won’t have to think “don’t commit adultery” 24/7 it simply flows out of our love.

If you have a close friendship with Jesus, Who is the God-Man, you will follow Him out of that love. If He turns right, you turn right, if He walks ahead, you walk ahead, etc… Rules and scripture still teach (in fact the law’s job is to teach), but your walk is via relationship.

Very well stated! Thank you.

 

[Wannano]

But I know the Catholic Christians believe in the Holy Spirit and “God is everywhere”, that’s what I think what makes them moved by God(Jesus) in the present and return the love via prayers and works, but still considers Christianity a religion as they followed a set of rules(commands of Jesus and Apostles), believed in a god, God, doesn’t the Protestants too?

People of different religions already have relationship with their god and believes their god loves them and works for their benefit, why Protestants say it as if it’s something new?

A young girl lives in a house with her parents who have established the rule that she helps clear the table and wash the dishes after a meal. One night she says to her mother, “oh, Mom, do I have to?” Her wise mother replies, “no,not if you want to!”

Wether Catholic or Protestant if there is no personal relationship with Jesus then all the prayers and works and keeping the rules of God and/or a church because you have to is participating in religion.

If a person, Catholic or Protestant, has a vibrant living relationship with Jesus on a moment by moment basis it should result in obedience to God stemming from an overwhelming gratification for what Jesus has saved us from. When we want to please God and obey Him, His commandments are not burdensome. Unfortunately because we all experience rebellion we make it hard for ourselves sometimes.

 

[Billy_Buescher]

In my doing some Bible study’s with some Fundamental Protestants, I get the impression that they do not believe in any Church or Religion, the Church is invisible and only in heaven.

They only meet to fellowship with each other and that is does not matter what church you go to. They believe that their pastor is like the Pope and what he preaches and his interpretations the Bible is true, if they do not believe what he preaches, they will remove him or start another Church or go to another Church which believes like they do.

They do what is right in their own eyes.

 

[CrucisLucia]

How to return the love though, “John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” set of rules by Jesus and the Apostles, therefore religion.

If “religion” is to be defined as a system or framework of moral laws and behavior, then in Christianity, “religion” and a “relationship with God and Jesus Christ” is not at all mutually exclusive since as the other posters here have explained nicely, a Christian’s relationship with God and Jesus Christ carries with it expectations of good works and moral behavior, or religion.

However, “religion” is a concept very difficult to define and its exact definition is debated by scholars. Nobody even knows if it’s just a Western construct or even if Buddhism or Confucianism are religions. However, whatever happens, nobody can say that Christianity is not a religion, Christianity fits the criteria of any definition of religion used so the claim that “Christianity is not a religion but a personal relationship” is a bit fallacious".

 

[susanlo]

But I know the Catholic Christians believe in the Holy Spirit and “God is everywhere”, that’s what I think what makes them moved by God(Jesus) in the present and return the love via prayers and works, but still considers Christianity a religion as they followed a set of rules(commands of Jesus and Apostles), believed in a god, God, doesn’t the Protestants too?

People of different religions already have relationship with their god and believes their god loves them and works for their benefit, why Protestants say it as if it’s something new?

It was a new idea when Jesus was on earth and teaching followers how to pray (Matthew 6, and Luke 11) and invited them to call his father, “Our Father…” I understand that the Greek term used is Abba and is best translated Daddy. This was the first time the Jewish people were invited to call God, Father. And our God is the only deity that has ever claimed to adopt man into sonship. (Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5) So this type of relationship is unique to Christians as compared to all other religions that are out there.

I think that looking at any healthy parent-child relationships in your life is the best way to understand a relationship with God. Of course God is infinitely more perfect then even the best earthly parent, but the example of a parent that loves and cares so deeply to set rules and punishments - and to provide compassion and acceptance is the only way I can comprehend God.

 

[spiderweb]

If “religion” is to be defined as a system or framework of moral laws and behavior, then in Christianity, “religion” and a “relationship with God and Jesus Christ” is not at all mutually exclusive since as the other posters here have explained nicely, a Christian’s relationship with God and Jesus Christ carries with it expectations of good works and moral behavior, or religion.

However, “religion” is a concept very difficult to define and its exact definition is debated by scholars. Nobody even knows if it’s just a Western construct or even if Buddhism or Confucianism are religions. However, whatever happens, nobody can say that Christianity is not a religion, Christianity fits the criteria of any definition of religion used so the claim that “Christianity is not a religion but a personal relationship” is a bit fallacious".

Well said…

Simple Definition of religion according to Merriam-Webster

1 : the belief in a god or in a group of gods
2 : an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods
3 : an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

The New Testament refers to both Jewish and Christian beliefs/practices as “Religion”. (Acts 26:5, Gal 1:13-14, James 1:26-27)

It is not an either/or proposition it is both/and. Without the religious beliefs and practices, there is not a good relationship. Without the good relationship, the beliefs and practices are meaningless.

 

[GEddie]

Because no human relationship consists fully of ritual and rules. Therefore, they say that one’s relationship to our LORD should not.

ICXC NIKA

 

[mattp0625]

It’s a method of branding the theology as “pure” and sourced directly from the Holy Spirit . Many who subscribe to this concept do not recognize most of it is sourced from the Reformation or a subsequent evolution.