Two-thousand Year Generation Gap? - Dumbed Down Religion

(This is an article focussing on a subject from my last article, 'Two-Thousand Year Generation Gap?'.  To read the full, original article, click here)


It is popular in many circles to preach and teach against religion itself.  "I don't have religion; I have a relationship," is the common phrase now.  Jesus just wants you to love Him and be in a "relationship" with Him, not observe a stuffy old religion about Him.  But does it occur to anyone that perhaps religion is one of the very ways we express our love for Him?  If you want to talk about dull, try being in a "relationship" with someone who talks of a love for you, but has no way of expressing that love!  One of the reasons why this way of thinking is so prevalent for many is because unfortunately some in the Church have tried to make religion stiff and impersonal; religion, as an expression of love, is meant to be deeply personal, but that does not mean it is up to you and you alone to decide what religion is.  Remember it is an expression of love which means it is meant to be two ways; Jesus has some say too! Remember also that the reason why religious activities and traditions were begun in the first place is because Jesus Himself prescribed them for us.

It is also common for people to try to "dumb-down" church to make it more applicable for the average man on the street.  But it is nearly impossible to do so without robbing the Church experience of much of its flavour and richness.  For two thousand years these "high-church" traditions have brought in this average man and defined his view of God, the world, and himself.  I cannot help but notice that it is not until recent time (after we have tried to alter the Church to be more "accommodating" to the man on the street) that the Church has more trouble than any time in its history getting the man on the street to come inside. 

The teaching of Church history and formal doctrine are often neglected in Sunday School and in the Christian family as well.  It is tempting to think that history is not important in the Church and that more spiritual things should have more priority.  But without a proper understanding of our history, we become detached and isolated from the wisdom of ages past and even from our brothers in other denominations living today, and we begin to have no idea why we believe what we believe and why we do what we do.  Martin Luther lived 500 years ago...what bearing does he have on my life today?? Well for starters, if it had not been for his influence on Church and culture, you would not have your seats in church and would be standing the entirety of the Sunday service!  Traditional Catholic and Lutheran churches take a lot of criticism from some for putting so much emphasis on catechisms (fundamental truths or sayings in the form of questions and answers) and other theological training, but the result should not be dismissed.  I once filled in for a devotion leader on Wednesday night and in the group of young boys I was working with, there happened to be a visitor from a Catholic church, and who was in the sixth grade.  I was trying to explain the first catechism (Q: What is the chief end or purpose of man? A: To glorify God), and he could immediately spit out the first catechism before I even said it.  The rest of the boys, most of them older, didn't even know what a catechism was, let alone what the first one was or what it was about.  This is why so often the moment many Christians are asked a basic question about their faith, they are incapable to answer, much less defend their faith against a more studied opponent.