This video has become “viral” and speaks to the heart of many. While I am somewhat sympathetic to the message, I find it to be uninformed and naive. Before I offer some correction to the message, let me state that this is not an attack upon this young man (Jefferson Bethke), or even a rebuke. Instead, I simply seek to offer some “fatherly counsel.”
First, Jefferson seeks to make a distinction between Jesus and religion. So, let’s look at a definition of religion. According to Merriam Webster religion is “the service and worship of God or the supernatural; or commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.” Well, I confess that Jesus is God. I serve and worship Him. So, I am religious!
Jefferson rapped “Jesus came to abolish religion.” Really? In fact, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus does not abolish religion; Jesus gives true meaning to religion. The Apostle James wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:26-27). James makes a necessary point. There is “worthless religion” and “pure religion.” Worthless religion fails to express the connection between what we believe and how we act. Pure religion happens when what we believe about Jesus provokes us to act faithfully in His name.
This brings me to another of Jefferson’s points: “Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?” I will admit that some churches have lost focus on the mission of Christ. But, Christian missions throughout the world have built schools, orphanages, hospitals, and church buildings. Churches have fed the poor, clothed the naked, and comforted the suffering. It is the church, organized and visible, that fulfills the mission of Christ. In fact, throughout the history of the Christian church, it has most often been the acts of charity and mercy that have convinced unbelievers to believe in Christ and unite with the fellowship of the Church. As James said, this is “pure religion.” And, yes, we erect buildings. Throughout the world church buildings are visible signs of the presence of Christ’s church in the world. For those of you who think that buildings are not important, I suggest you take a long drive through a non-Christian part of the world. The absence of Church buildings is telling. Even when the building is a humble straw hut, like the churches in Burma I have visited, the presence of that building with the cross on the door is a visible sign of God’s grace.
I am sympathetic to Jefferson’s critique of the relationship between the church and politics. Too often, when the Church and State are united, it’s an unholy union. Has religion started wars? Well, it would be better said that “worthless religion” (using James’ term) in collaboration with the state has indeed been guilty violence and war. Is “Christian” synonymous with “Republican?” Certainly not! But neither is “Christian” synonymous with “Democrat.” The church should never be a tool of the state, but the prophetic conscience of the state. Christians should be active in the politics of the state, but not be seduced by the power of politics.
Jefferson says, “God calls religious people whores.” Actually, God did accuse Israel of harlotry. However, it was not because they were practicing “pure religion;” but because of their idolatry and apostasy. James accused some in the church of being adulteresses because of their friendship with the world (James 4:4). But, Abraham was religious and was the “friend of God.” Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea were Pharisees, but also friends and disciples of Jesus. Not all Pharisees were self-righteous, and not all Christians are self-righteous hypocrites.
Jefferson accuses the church of being judgmental, by telling “single moms that God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever had a divorce.” It goes without saying the God loves everyone – sinner and saint. My brother is correct by suggesting that the church is a “hospital for the broken.” But is it also the school of discipleship. As the school of discipleship we often teach morals and virtues. This is not “behavior modification like a long list of chores,” but growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Jefferson has confused “legalism” with loving obedience.
Jefferson’s concept of grace is a popular notion, if incomplete. Yes, we are saved based on the unmerited favor of God and the redemptive work of Christ. But grace does much more than forgive sin. Grace is the presence of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of believers so that we may cooperate with God in our sanctification. If Jefferson’s concept of grace is correct, then feeding the poor or any other act of charity is unnecessary. Why, because the only thing that matters is that I believe. This is a very self-centered notion of salvation. It suggest that salvation is about me and Jesus. IT IS NOT! The call to salvation is a call to fellowship with believers – the Church. Like it or not, we are called to be together, to pray together, sing together, and to do mission together. Yes, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He also said that believers will do “greater works” as they are graced by the Spirit (John 14:12). I know that the popular Protestant notion is that we are saved by faith alone. But Jesus did not say that the world would recognize His disciples by their faith alone, but by their love! (John 13:35). Jefferson’s notion of grace contradicts his own notions of discipleship and service.
I guess that’s what bothers me most about this poem/rap. He so generalizes that he doesn’t recognize the contradictions. “I hate religion” but “I love the church.” Really? If reaching the world for Christ means making sense of our faith to unbelievers, then we cannot afford such contradictions.
Thank you for your insightful and graceful critique of this poem. I find your loving correction refreshing and “fatherly.” I hope that some of the other readers of your facebook post will take the time to hear the claims of this thorough apologetic of religion. Thanks for setting the record straight for I too am religious…
As always Dan, you are right so very right; and your balance is only exceeded by your kindness. This post, like others in the past, has allowed me to be gently reigned back into balance.
The point that I got from it was that religion, despite its precise definition, carries a lot of negative feelings and emotions by non believers (mostly due to hypocritical chriatians and churches who kick people out). I think Jefferson simply wanted to separate those feelings from the true meaning of Christianity without unnecessary man made extras.
Hey Dan,
I love you! I appreciate your response. I am so concerned about the direction of “Christian” religion today. Grace seems to be cheap. I do not intend to be negative. We are so imperfect. God’s grace, for me, is so great! In my weak way I want to declare the truth. I trust God to do the work through the Holy Spirit. He truly is our “saving grace.” No pun intended. I would suggest a book; Not a Fan. I believe you would appreciate the pastor’s point. Let me say, I totally agree with everything you wrote. I am so thankful for God’s great grace. I want to serve. I work not to be saved but because I am saved. I LOVE Jesus!!
Hey I found your message to be insightful and in some places correct. I simply wanted to mention that The Church wasn’t meant to be a building…it was a name for the body of Christ as a whole. Meeting were never meant to be in big elaborate costly building we call church. When Christianity first started. These meetings,gatherings, took place in people’s homes, or a wide public place. It was never meant to be the formality it is today. I think that’s what Jefferson was trying to convey.
The offerings the church body gives today isn’t helping the poor as much as it should. It goes to pay bills, and the people working in the church. Since when should people get a pay roll for spreading God’s love? The money goes to expanding to a bigger building instead of reaching out to more people. The churches I’ve been too do a few *public* things a year. NOw more money is being poured into youth group, singles picnics, couple conferences. It wasn’t meant to be this way.
I am aware that “ecclesia” does not refer to a building, but a people. I simply suggest that church buildings are a sign of the church’s presence in the world. In my travels in eastern Europe, where Christianity was repressed by communists governments for decades, the absence of church buildings was a sign of persecution. Since the fall of the communists governments there have been hundreds of new church buildings erected. I suggest that just as the bread and cup are a symbol of the presence of Christ, so too a building can be a symbol of the church. And yes, you are correct that some churches do not use their money and resources wisely. But I would remind you that the ecclesia is also koinonia – a fellowship. Finally, Paul said that those who preach and teach are worthy of “double honor” (1 Tim. 5:17). Those of us who give our lives in service to the church must still pay the bills, send our kid’s to college, etc. Thanks for your response. God bless you, Michelle.
This video may be naive but I’m still not religous. I am a Christian and I believe it’s not about the religion, it’s about the relationship. He said in the video “Religion sets you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free.” When you are in a religion, you are set to a practice when a relationship you are interacting with the other, which in the case was God. The Pharasees were religous but Jesus rebuked them. For doing that they were instrumental in crucifying Him on the cross.
Your comment is appreciated. I would simply suggest that any relationship requires certain practices. Those of us who have been married for several years know that. Certain practices enhance the ongoing relationship. The same with Christ. We are not called simply to be in communion with Christ, but also with Christ’s church. The practices of religion – prayer, study of scripture, worshiping in community, working together to fulfill the Great Commission – are all practices that enhance the relationship. God bless you.
I’m late to this conversation, but I’d like to add a thought. Where I believe there is much disagreement is the modern definition of “religion”. For people like me (by the way, I was saved at a young age and have always been a Christ follower, now 41), religion is man’s additions, for lack of a better word, to the foundation of the church. Prayer, study of scripture, coming together for worship and communion, and serving those around us is not religion. It’s simply Christianity. These are the basic tenants of the Christian faith. Religion is the add-on rules that man has created. When a denomination becomes larger than Christ, it’s most definitely a religion. When one identifies as being of one denomination or another, that’s religion. I reject all of that. I reject denominations. I reject pomp and circumstance. I reject tired traditions that are created by man and don’t allow room for the Holy Spirit to move. I meet weekly with fellow believers in a church for communion, worship and teaching. But I don’t like religion.
I appreciate your comments. I would only ask that you read the article at the link below. Blessings to you!
Life in Those Old Bones – Christianity Today