May
14
2009
The Differences Between Religion And The Gospel
Below is a very insightful comparison between “religion” and “the gospel” drawn from the sermons of Tim Keller (Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan). Tim does a remarkable job of probing hearts and revealing how easily we slip into self-dependence mode. As I’ve been saying each Sunday, real slavery according to the Bible is self-reliance. So, read the comparison list below with humility and care. It will do your soul good.
RELIGION: I obey-therefore I’m accepted.
THE GOSPEL: I’m accepted-therefore I obey.
RELIGION: Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.
THE GOSPEL: Motivation is based on grateful joy.
RELIGION: I obey God in order to get things from God.
THE GOSPEL: I obey God to get to God-to delight and resemble Him.
RELIGION: When circumstances in my life go wrong, I am angry at God or my self, since I believe, like Job’s friends that anyone who is good deserves a comfortable life.
THE GOSPEL: When circumstances in my life go wrong, I struggle but I know all my punishment fell on Jesus and that while he may allow this for my training, he will exercise his Fatherly love within my trial.
RELIGION: When I am criticized I am furious or devastated because it is critical that I think of myself as a ‘good person’. Threats to that self-image must be destroyed at all costs.
THE GOSPEL: When I am criticized I struggle, but it is not critical for me to think of myself as a ‘good person.’ My identity is not built on my record or my performance but on God’s love for me in Christ. I can take criticism.
RELIGION: My prayer life consists largely of petition and it only heats up when I am in a time of need. My main purpose in prayer is control of the environment.
THE GOSPEL: My prayer life consists of generous stretches of praise and adoration. My main purpose is fellowship with Him.
RELIGION: My self-view swings between two poles. If and when I am living up to my standards, I feel confident, but then I am prone to be proud and unsympathetic to failing people. If and when I am not living up to standards, I feel insecure and inadequate. I’m not confident. I feel like a failure.
THE GOSPEL: My self-view is not based on a view of my self as a moral achiever. In Christ I am “simul iustus et peccator”—simultaneously sinful and yet accepted in Christ. I am so bad he had to die for me and I am so loved he was glad to die for me. This leads me to deeper and deeper humility and confidence at the same time. Neither swaggering nor sniveling.
RELIGION: My identity and self-worth are based mainly on how hard I work. Or how moral I am, and so I must look down on those I perceive as lazy or immoral. I disdain and feel superior to ‘the other.’
THE GOSPEL: My identity and self-worth are centered on the one who died for His enemies, who was excluded from the city for me. I am saved by sheer grace. So I can’t look down on those who believe or practice something different from me. Only by grace I am what I am. I’ve no inner need to win arguments.
RELIGION: Since I look to my own pedigree or performance for my spiritual acceptability, my heart manufactures idols. It may be my talents, my moral record, my personal discipline, my social status, etc. I absolutely have to have them so they serve as my main hope, meaning, happiness, security, and significance, whatever I may say I believe about God.
THE GOSPEL: I have many good things in my life—family, work, spiritual disciplines, etc. But none of these good things are ultimate things to me. None of them are things I absolutely have to have, so there is a limit to how much anxiety, bitterness, and despondency they can inflict on me when they are threatened and lost.
(HT: Chris Goins)
29 Comments
Thank you for passing this along. One item that really resonated was “I am so bad he had to die for me and I am so loved he was glad to die for me.”
Recently I have lost some of what has always been my identity – my work. I have struggled, but sense a deep presence of the Lord that is sweet.
Tullian,
Not to be an obnoxious nitpicker but . . . is it really wise to contrast religion vs. the gospel or religion vs. Christianity, as I so often hear preachers do (I’ve probably done it myself), when James commends to us “pure and undefiled religion”? (James 1:27, NASB, NKJV) I appreciate the substance of what is said, but maybe we could find a different word to describe a works-centered, self-centered spirituality, since the Bible doesn’t necessarily cast “religion” in such a negative light. (I like “Phariseeism” myself, but it’s a bit cumbersome.) Any thoughts?
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I like the way Tim Keller summarizes it in his book The Prodigal God: “The gospel is therefore not just the ABCs of the Christian life, but the A to Z of the Christian life.”
The Puritan preacher Thomas Watson said, “To be holiest in evil times is an indication of the truth of grace.”
We rely totally on God’s matchless, undeserved Grace.
Great question Miguel. Actually, the verse you quote from James is the only place in Scripture that speaks about “religion” in a positive way. All of the other instances in Scripture, as far as I know, speak about it in terms of self-salvation projects–or, as you say, Phariseeism. All this to say, I think the distinction between the Gospel and religion is a distinction that the Bible makes, if not always in word than certainly in theme or concept. Of course, one of my favorite all-time books is J.C. Ryle’s “Practical Religion.” And he’s definately not talking about Phariseeism, but Gospel.
“THE GOSPEL: I obey God to get to God-to delight and resemble Him.”
What does Keller mean when he says “I obey God to get to God”? In other words, what does it “mean” to get to God and what does one’s life look like who has gotten there?
Thanks
Tullian, I love this post because of it’s potential to create joyful Christians who delight in their relationship with God. I used to be bound by most of the religion statements on this list. It is so freeing to rest in God and not feel like I should serve and worship Him out of obligation. I used to be in so much bondage. I thank God that now He is helping me serve joyfully in the areas He has called me to and the great part is He empowers me and it really doesn’t feel like work. I’m so happy to be on my way. Praying for the criticism one….still ouches quite a bit.
Well that’s a practical and straightforward answer, intended or not, thanks Tammy. Sometimes I simply miss the most obvious things.
[...] A list of comparisons between “religion” and “the gospel” taken from Tim Keller’s preaching and writing. [...]
[...] Tullian Tchividjian Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Does God Want Us to Be [...]
To Miguel and Tullian–
The Greek word for ‘religion’ used in James 1 is used negatively in Colossians 2:18 where it describes false asceticism, fleshly works-righteousness, and also in Acts 26:5 where Paul speaks of his pre-Christian life in strict ‘religion’. It is also used negatively in the Apocrypha to describe idol worship in Wis 14:18 and 27. So the word certainly has enough negative connotations to use as a title for the category of works-righteousness. In the Old Testament the prophets are devastating in their criticism of empty ritual and religious observances designed to bribe and appease God rather then serving, trusting, and loving him. The word ‘religion’ isn’t used for this approach, but it’s a good way to describe what the prophets are condemning.
Tim,
Thanks for that wisdom on the use of the word “religion.” I’ll remember that the next time someone tries to muddy the gospel-religion distinction or requires me to use differing words. Very helpful as always brother!
Pastor Keller also has an excellent message he recently preached on Leah. Thanks you, Pastor Keller, for your ministry in preaching the Gospel of our Lord.
[...] The Differences Between Religion And The Gospel [...]
[...] the gospel that seems so popular these days. Zach Nielsen posted, I believe finding this through Tullian Tchividjian and he through Tim Keller. I’ve heard it constantly in churches since I became a Christian. [...]
[...] Tullian Tchividjian has summarized some contrasts Tim Keller has drawn between “Religion” and “the Gospel.” [...]
From my limited understnading of the original word for “Religion” we get our word for ligiment. It is binding.
Where as the true gospel is liberating.
I once told a friend who was struggling with this…..”Christianity is NOT a religion, but a relationship.”. This friend said, “oh, it is as if a light bulb just went off…..I now get it.”
When I am asked, which I am often, I tell folks, I am not interested in “religion”, I am not “religious”, but I am passionate about a personal relationship with God…..And this is possible and has been provided through His Son.”
(Which is the core of the Gospel)
Just some simple thoughts on this very thought provoking blog.
I am blessed by this message. indeed in the gospel He did all that I need to be accepted of God and now I recieve his gift through grace.
Thanks
Pastor Tim
someone once said religion is man’s attempt to reach God. to please Him by trying to do something to
gain His acceptance.
where as christianity is God coming down as a man to do for us what we could never do ourselves.
in religion you are always doing, in christianity you are resting on what has already been done.
what a blessing!
This is a great post. Daily, I’m learning to appreciate God’s grace and the means of which He has given through the Gospel.
[...] by centralityofthegospel on 2009 I found this at this website: http://www.crpc.org/blog/?p=683 It highlights Tim Kellers astute observations on the diffences between the Gospel and Religion. [...]
[...] The Difference Between Religion and the Gospel by Tim Keller Jump to Comments http://www.crpc.org/blog/?p=683 [...]
[...] is a good post to help you think through this issue in your own life. “The Gospel vs. Religion”- (via Nathan [...]
I do understand the distinction…to a point. I have some trouble with a total separation using the two terms though. It seems that “religion is used in a positive sense in 1 Timothy 5:4 (in the NIV) and James 1:27.
Should we absolutely avoid the term religion when speaking of the Gospel?
[...] (HT: Tullian Tchividjian) [...]
[...] Adapted from sermons by Tim Keller. HT: Tullian Tchividjian. [...]
[...] -Tim Keller (via Tullian Tchividjian) [...]
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