I continually see these kinds of memes on social media. A very familiar meme says “Christianity is a relationship, not a Religion”. Most, if not all, of these memes are posted by Christians. In fact, a pastor recently posted this meme on Facebook.
No matter how well intended, this kind of “pop theology” is leading people astray.
First, these kinds of statements are fundamentally incorrect in that they claim that a having a personal relationship with Jesus is not a “religious” action. Anyone with access to a dictionary or encyclopedia can look up that Christianity is a “religion”, and it's implicit that people who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior are “religious”. This kind of “double-speak” and “equivocation” will only leave a bad impression in the minds of thoughtful non-Christians.
Second, even if we believe that the word “Religious” has become a pejorative term, what is the alternative, the term “Spiritual”? Undoubtedly, we followers of Jesus are “spiritual” because “spiritual” is a synonym for the word “religious”. Again, this is not helpful to our Christian witness in a skeptical secular world.
Thirdly, denying the “religious” function of our Christian faith throws the Bible and the Church under the proverbial “Bus”. The Bible is a religious book. In fact, the first murder among humanity takes place in the context of “religious” sacrifice: Cain, with his insincere religious sacrifices, was jealous of Abel's sincere religious sacrifices. Let’s go further in biblical history: Jesus’ problem with the scribes and pharisees was not that they were “religious”, but that they were religious hypocrites. Remember, it was Jesus and the Apostles who establish the New Testament Church with Overseers, Elders, Deacons, and religious instructions (New Testament Epistles and verbal instructions-traditions. See 2 Thes. 2:15).
Scripture clearly shows us that God initiated religion and created human beings to religiously worship and serve him. The question is not “Is Christianity a Religion?” but “Is Christianity The True Religion?” The answer the latter question is a resounding “YES!” Meanwhile, telling people you are NOT religious will never get you into hot water. However, telling people that Christianity is “The True Religion” can get you killed!
Finally, admitting that our Christian faith is a “religion” inevitably leads to questions about doctrine, liturgy (how to do worship), devotional life, and polity (church leadership and organization). Rather than grappling with these difficult questions, the easy way out is to throw your “religious” bros and sisses under the bus, ditch the Body of Christ (Church), and tell people “Christianity is a Relationship and not a Religion”. Is it any wonder the Western World is filled with empty churches, while the “religious” people of the developing world are being won to Christ and His Church?