[OBW]

NFL

First, this is a little much to deal with. A lot of thoughts that are not entirely interconnected. But all valid and worth considering.

Two things stuck out to me. And they come from the beginning.

First, Lewis characterizes so much of the division of Christian from Christian in terms of pairs — opposites. An “us and them” mentality. And everyone expects “them” to beat a path to “our” door because we are simply right and they, collectively, are simply wrong. At some level, that is I Corinthians 1 through 4 in a nutshell. They were fighting over which teacher to follow. Now the fight is over a whole host of things from Calvinism v Arminianism to women’s roles in the church, to whether and how to count “apostolic succession.” And right in the middle of this are (well, were) Nee and Lee with their new alternative “this is it.” You can argue that Nee wasn’t so dogmatic, and you would be right. But he believed that everyone should come to him. He just didn’t condemn those who did not. He left that for God to sort out.

The other is the use of the term “religion.” You may or may not have seen one of my rants on this topic, but here is an extremely shortened version. The definition of religion that you supply is one of many definitions. And, as you say, it is worthy of at least some derision. But the problem is that once you (not you personally) start attacking “religion,” it seems that all uses of the word are swept in and legitimate religion is attacked, or redefined as fitting into that poor definition. The LRC’s attack is one of the more extreme versions. They went so far with it that since the term is used positively by James in his letter, then James must not be according to God’s New Testament economy and therefore simply an example of what not to do. (That was not his only sin. He also mentioned “works” in a positive way. As did Jesus. Many times.)

Every assembly, whether a stand-alone or associated with others, has traditions, patterns, ways. They all have their form of liturgy. (Just not always of the kind that we call liturgy.) Some willfully try to change the atmosphere, or liturgy, as often as possible. And the result is a different kind of tradition — one of the unexpected.

The goal is not to “do it right” but to “just do it.” The familiarity of a well-worn path is, for many, the signal to clear out the distractions and turn the focus to Christ. This is true whether you are talking about a church meeting or your quiet time. Yet the same well-worn path can be a way to clear out everything and sleep through as you “do the motions.” But the constant shake-up of a willfully-changing pattern is often a distraction from its purpose, becoming the focus rather than what is behind the pattern — Christ. The problem is not how “religion” is done — Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal, independent, free-group — but how the participants relate to Christ in the process. There are Lutherans doing their solemn, reverent liturgy that are relating to Christ better than some in their charismatic, arms-in-the-air worship. Yet for others, it is the other way around. Some forms help some and hinder others. And those hindered by one form are helped by another. We can correctly argue that a more focused person could properly “experience” Christ in any of them. And yet do we do any favors by dictating that we all be so good at it that we must all be one way or suffer the consequences?

That is how the LRC would have it. And too many of the others, just not in as adamant a way.

Now I admit that I do not meet with the closest group. When virtually all transportation for many was by foot, that would have been the norm. And that closest meeting probably took on some of the characteristics of it participants. But that is not the case today. I do not despise those that I pass by on the way — First Baptist Coppell, Coppell Church of Christ (actually only two along a four-mile journey to Irving Bible Church, a little odd for the Bible belt). And yes, I do not meet in the same city as where I now live. But I did live in Irving for almost 18 years and continue my association with the only post-LRC place I have ever called “home.” It is not perfect. But it is more open to all Christians and one with them than the LRC ever was. And it is not alone.

Religion, at its best, is alive and well. And serving Christ to Christians at a rate faster than McDonalds is serving burgers.