We preach God and not Religion. What does this mean?

[matthew1624]

I attended a Pentecostal service recently and noticed how the preacher really hammered down on preaching God and not religion. He made a remark about the sign of the cross and how making the sign wouldn’t get you into heaven. This was at a wedding service so I think he knew catholics would be in attendance. My question is, what’s this about “We preach God and not Religion”.

 

[ricatholic]

matthew1624:

I attended a Pentecostal service recently and noticed how the preacher really hammered down on preaching God and not religion. He made a remark about the sign of the cross and how making the sign wouldn’t get you into heaven. This was at a wedding service so I think he knew catholics would be in attendance. My question is, what’s this about “We preach God and not Religion”.

Some people believe that the catholic religion is as much about preserving the institution of the church as it is about getting people into heaven.

That view is obviously mistaken, isn’t it?

Peace

 

[Rascal]

So, this church does not pray or show signs of Christ? Is there not a cross in the church?

I never heard this before. I’m curious.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

A common Protestant view (especially in the US) is to divorce faith and religion. To a Catholic, this sounds ludicrous. The idea is that, once a person knows God and has accepted Jesus as their personal savior, no further religion (i.e. rites, sacramentals, blessings, etc) is necessary for salvation. These things are not usually condemned by most Protestants, as even they have services, but the general feeling ends up being “if you don’t need it, why bother?”.

In addition, many Protestants feel that rubrics (especially of the Catholic variety) confuse something that should be very simple. “If we love God and God loves us and we are saved, what does it matter if we don’t eat meat on Fridays?”. The problem with this thinking is that while God is infinitely simple (“I Am who Am”), He is also infinitely complex, and the only way for the human mind to begin to comprehend Him is through serious study of religion.

 

[redkim]

ricatholic:

Some people believe that the catholic religion is as much about preserving the institution of the church as it is about getting people into heaven.

That view is obviously mistaken, isn’t it?

Peace

Yes, it is.

 

[redkim]

Dr. Colossus:

A common Protestant view (especially in the US) is to divorce faith and religion. To a Catholic, this sounds ludicrous. The idea is that, once a person knows God and has accepted Jesus as their personal savior, no further religion (i.e. rites, sacramentals, blessings, etc) is necessary for salvation. These things are not usually condemned by most Protestants, as even they have services, but the general feeling ends up being “if you don’t need it, why bother?”.

In addition, many Protestants feel that rubrics (especially of the Catholic variety) confuse something that should be very simple. “If we love God and God loves us and we are saved, what does it matter if we don’t eat meat on Fridays?”. The problem with this thinking is that while God is infinitely simple (“I Am who Am”), He is also infinitely complex, and the only way for the human mind to begin to comprehend Him is through serious study of religion.

Beautifully said. One cannot divorce religion from faith in God.

 

[Jdg164]

Dr. Colossus:

A common Protestant view (especially in the

US) is to divorce faith and religion. To a Catholic, this sounds ludicrous. The idea is that, once a person knows God and has accepted Jesus as their personal savior, no further religion (i.e. rites, sacramentals, blessings, etc) is necessary for salvation. These things are not usually condemned by most Protestants, as even they have services, but the general feeling ends up being “if you don’t need it, why bother?”.

EXACTLY. Let’s remember that we (Catholics) believe in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Hence, that SACRAMENT is essential for our salvation (see Jn 6). Protestants merely look at our celebration of the Eucharist and either 1) celebrate their own version of it as a neat symbol or 2) see communion as a “religious” practice and hence a deterrent from truly seeing God (and for many Pentecostals that comes exclusively from reading the Bible).

 

[RobedWithLight]

matthew1624:

I attended a Pentecostal service recently and noticed how the preacher really hammered down on preaching God and not religion. He made a remark about the sign of the cross and how making the sign wouldn’t get you into heaven. This was at a wedding service so I think he knew catholics would be in attendance. My question is, what’s this about “We preach God and not Religion”.

To put it simply, the term “Religion”, to most Protestants, refers to external ceremonies and customs/practices (like fasting, the sign of the cross, abstinence, rosaries etc.) which they detest in Catholicism, seeing them as unbiblical, irrelevant and unnecessary to salvation.

Gerry

 

[AnAtheist]

matthew1624:

My question is, what’s this about “We preach God and not Religion”.

That’s utter nonsense, preaching a god is religion (per definitionem).

 

[ricatholic]

redkim:

Beautifully said. One cannot divorce religion from faith in God.

But one can be celibate with his or her faith in God.

Peace

 

[AmandaPS]

ricatholic:

But one can be celibate with his or her faith in God.

Peace

All your replies in this thread sound as if you don’t think the Church is necessary.

 

[Pax]

I find it disturbing when someone attempts to separate “religion” from a relationship with God. They make the mistake of redefining religion into rituals and practices. The term “religion” in its simplest definition is “the relationship between a man and his god/God.” Our relationship with God involves many things, including liturgy and symbols. Preachers that take a slap at the term “religion” take an unwitting slap at themselves.

 

[system]

matthew1624:

I attended a Pentecostal service recently and noticed how the preacher really hammered down on preaching God and not religion. He made a remark about the sign of the cross and how making the sign wouldn’t get you into heaven.

And this guy is a hypocrite. If he’s “really hammered down on preaching God and not religion” then what the heck was he even doing mentioning the sign of the cross? Sounds to me like he was preaching his religion at the expense of the Catholic religion.

JELane

 

[BobCatholic]

dictionary.reference.com/search?q=religion

re·li·gion
n.

1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
3. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
4. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
5. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

So basically, they’re trying to:

• Preach God without a belief in God.
• Preach God without having any worship of God
• Preach God without any sort of beliefs, values or practices on a spiritual leader (Jesus)
• Preach God without it being an activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

I don’t know about you, but they’re trying to speak some foreign language. Obviously, it can’t be English. Perhaps they’re using some foreign word “religion” or maybe they’re just trying to ego-trip enough to try to change the English Langauge.

Sounds like Orwellian Doublethink to me!

 

[DuMaurier]

Sounds like this preacher is a deist/mason. That is Masonic philosophy.

 

[Curious]

I think what it all boils down to is a the whole “personal relationship with God” line of thinking.

I’ve heard the “we preach God, not religion” thing preached as well…but not necessarily in the context of Catholicism…they preach about people who go to church and bring their Bibles, and blah blah…and do all the right things, but aren’t close to God. These preachers usually draw a comparison to the Pharisees, who cleaned up real nice on the outside, but on the inside were yucky. They did all the “right” things, but didn’t acknowledge Jesus (God) who was right in front of them.

Perhaps that’s what the preachers mean, at least sometimes, when they say that.

My two cents.

 

[gomer_tree]

matthew1624:

I attended a Pentecostal service recently and noticed how the preacher really hammered down on preaching God and not religion. He made a remark about the sign of the cross and how making the sign wouldn’t get you into heaven. This was at a wedding service so I think he knew catholics would be in attendance. My question is, what’s this about “We preach God and not Religion”.

If this was at a wedding where he knew Catholics woould be in attendance, that is in really bad taste. Nothing like trying to create ill feelings among family on a day that is supposed to be a celebration.

 

[mango_2003]

Dr. Colossus:

A common Protestant view (especially in the US) is to divorce faith and religion. To a Catholic, this sounds ludicrous. The idea is that, once a person knows God and has accepted Jesus as their personal savior, no further religion (i.e. rites, sacramentals, blessings, etc) is necessary for salvation. These things are not usually condemned by most Protestants, as even they have services, but the general feeling ends up being “if you don’t need it, why bother?”.

This is a misconception. Those who are truly following Christ will want to obey Him in doing what He commanded. While it might not be required for salvation, wanting to do His will is a natural outpouring of the Spirit, That’s why we do what we do.

In addition, many Protestants feel that rubrics (especially of the Catholic variety) confuse something that should be very simple. “If we love God and God loves us and we are saved, what does it matter if we don’t eat meat on Fridays?”. The problem with this thinking is that while God is infinitely simple (“I Am who Am”), He is also infinitely complex, and the only way for the human mind to begin to comprehend Him is through serious study of religion.

What you said makes sense…although not entirely true. Most Protestants I know will use a rubric as long as they are using it to please God and grow closer to Him. They don’t just “do it cuz they’re told”. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this is how it is for Roman Catholics either, but most of the Roman Catholics my age have no idea why they do what they do. Heck, I understand they’re denomination better than some of them do!

~mango~

 

[Pax]

mango_2003:

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this is how it is for Roman Catholics either, but most of the Roman Catholics my age have no idea why they do what they do. Heck, I understand they’re denomination better than some of them do!

~mango~

You point out a disappointing truth, but it is not confined to Catholics. George Galup, in his polling data, consistently shows that over 50% of Protestants do not understand the meaning of the word “grace.” Evangelization is needed not only outside of Christian circles, but within them as well.

 

[mango_2003]

Pax:

You point out a disappointing truth, but it is not confined to Catholics. George Galup, in his polling data, consistently shows that over 50% of Protestants do not understand the meaning of the word “grace.” Evangelization is needed not only outside of Christian circles, but within them as well.

Very good point. I’ve noticed that as well. That’s part of the reason why I do what I do. Most people my are apathetic towards doctrine, theology, or even what makes them a Christian! I’m not saying that everyone must be an apologist, but still…

Peace be with you Pax,

~mango~