Hey Andy, why do people categorize Christianity as a religion?
Hi. I think people categorize Christianity as a religion it’s because they don’t understand what Christianity really is – a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It could also be because the Roman Catholic Church has held Christianity captive for so long, with its non-Biblical traditions and practices, including its works-based salvation. So people don’t realize that Catholicism and Christianity are not the same thing.
Another reason that I can think of, which is sort of similar to the previous, could be that many people have heard the philosophies of non-Christians, and associated them with Christianity. For instance, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked with (even a teacher at my seminary) who believe that the saying “God helps those who help themselves” is either in the Bible or Biblical. But it’s not. Though it was quoted by Rockefeller, Benjamin Franklin, and a whole bunch of other writers, it originated in Aesop’s Fable (Greek mythology) of Hercules and the Waggoner.
It may also be because every false god, idol, and religion is based on works, which is basically what a religion is – something that requires one to do something in particular to win the favor of their god. However, Christianity is just the opposite, for it’s not about what we must do to become right with God, but about what God has already done through Christ so that we may choose Him and thus be reconciled with Him and made righteous in His sight through faith. This is too difficult for many to understand, or even accept, though, so they categorize Christianity as a religion out of their misunderstanding of it.
What Is A Religion?
- :20 – “no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law; rather, through the law, we become conscious of our sin.”
- :22 – (The righteousness of God) “is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
- :28 – “We maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the Law.”
He especially goes into this in Romans 4 in regards to Abraham. Here are some verses to get you started: - :3 “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- :11 – (summarized): Abraham’s circumcision was a sign, or seal of the righteousness that he’d received by faith in God. So he wasn’t deemed righteous because of his circumcision, but because of his faith in God.
- :13 – It wasn’t through the law (works) that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.”
How Do We Receive Righteousness?
Bottom line, it’s not through our works that we receive righteousness from God, but through our faith that we put into His Son that we receive this righteousness. That’s what makes Christianity different from all religions – for they require the works part to receive righteousness and favor from God, which the Bible clearly says is impossible.
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