Is Christianity a relationship or a religion?

This video is an excerpt form Cross Defense, a weekly radio show hosted by Pastor Wolmueller. Cross Defense talks about the joy of theology, the comfort of the Gospel, and the wisdom of God's Law for these darkening last days.

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[caydab]

Fabulous answer to such a poor and feeble view of what SALVATION is. Paul says that God has prepared treasures beyond our imaginings IN CHRIST. I'm NOT dating Jesus. I am first loved by Him and then loving Him by declaring I am someone He should not want … and yet He loves me … loves us still. Amazing Grace indeed. Thanks Pastor.

[luthergirl]

Wow Pastor,
Thank I especially liked the part about everyone has a relationship with Savior or judge.

[heidigusset]

Thank you Pastor Wolfmüller! This is such a helpful podcast because one really does hear it all the time. I will listen to this one many times. I realise that you must have so much going on and really appreciate your answers to questions.

[biglap.australia]

What an excellent question. I’ve heard that term “do you have a relationship with Jesus?” for decades.
Thank you for making it crystal clear.

[lc-mschristian]

Thanks again Pastor! Religion is a curse word in America today, sad. God's peace be also with you

[ronv]

This is the very reason that evangelicals called a bunch of people traveling to Asbury Theological Seminary to sing worship songs a revival, yet nothing in the community changed except that a bunch of people that were already Christian came together and had a feel-good session that lasted several days.

[nicollemesenbrink]

As always, a concise and BIBLICAL answer to put words to what I know but can't explain. THANK YOU!

[frizfarm]

Thank you for these four good points. One of the things that bothers me about a lot of contemporary Christian music is that most of the songs could be sung to my wife as love songs as easily as to the Lord. Thank you, no. As you said, Jesus is not our "boyfriend".

[katybeadle]

Thanks Pastor. Good to examine where the thought process is and where it leads in the statement discussed.

[letthecreativityout]

Incredible biblical answer!!! THANK YOU!!

[MrDanAng]

Thank you, I think you are absolutely right.

I think christianity is both, it's a religion where a positive or negative relationship to God/Jesus is the indicative and determining factor of the final destiny.

[frizfarm]

I love seeing your set of Luther's Works in the background.

[ChristianTravelers]

How about this answer: "It's not either or, it's both!" Just reading Webster's, there is no doubt that Christianity is a religion. Pastor Bryan also makes good arguments for such. Let's examine this relationship stuff, however. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, His response as recorded in Matthew 6:9 includes "...Our Father..." Is Jesus our brother? We know He is the Son. If He is instructing us to address the First Person as "Our Father" it seems so. More Evidence? Is Jesus the "firstborn among many brothers" as it says in Romans 8:29? This probably does not refer to Mary's physical children alone. Let's try another relationship. Are we "the bride?" Both Old and New Testaments seem to think so. If we are corporately so, does this mean that an individual Christian is as well? Of course, those are relational definitions. What about a personal relationship? What is the hallmark of a personal relationship (as in the meaning of Evangelical Christianity)? Love? (cf. 1 Cor 13) Aren't we supposed to love God, as in the greatest commandment as given by Christ (Matthew 22:37)? Now, of course, it seems that Pastor Bryan is saying it is faith, not love, that saves us - which is absolutely true. But how can one truly love God, without faith? Another Missouri Synod YouTube pastor, Dr. Jordan B. Cooper, asked recently about how it is that Lutheran doctrine is overlooked by American Christians? Pietism aside, could it be that we are trying to exclude ourselves by not answering their questions as they are capable of understanding?

[MrGassemann]

Great episode. Answering questions OJW-style. Thanks

[Faithchannel]

This video makes me think of such verses
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”John 17:3
Also ‘Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.’ James 4:8
These appear as relational verses, also as mentioned above ‘Our Father who art in heaven…’ Matthew 6:9
Christianity is a religion, but it’s not so ice cold as it sounds and as we sometimes make it out to be. Thanks for the thought provoking videos👌

[richv]

I can see how other Protestants may be confused by this or disagree altogether. While I agree with Wolfmueller, he isn’t always great at explaining things to non Lutherans. It’s certainly not one or the other but both. It’s both the one true religion and a relationship.

[suejoyner]

This really rings true…to my own experience

[tansongpinoy]

Christianity is all about religion and Relationship!

[JohnRudnicki-ne]

Yes! The word "relationship" is too vague. I have a relationship with my wife, my children, my church, my friends, and even with you! All of these relationships are different. God is not my buddy or my Sunday meditation. He is my Creator, Savior, mediator, and a sinless sacrificial lamb. I know friendships in the church are good but my best friendships are those based around my risen Lord Jesus and the truth of God's word, in the common-union of the saints, not around leisure and fun or anything else.

[christy]

I wonder if the phrase relationship in place of religion is an attempt to reach those who have had negative reactions with religion and the church? A way to offer an alternative view to the same concept, but help those eho shy away due to their own painful history? Just thinking of loud. ❤