I'm not religious, I have a relationship with God.

[Ken-1122]

I heard a person who appeared to be Christian say this. What does this mean? He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference. But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

 

[Chris V++]

I heard a person who appeared to be Christian say this. What does this mean? He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference. But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

He is referring to religion as participating in formal, standardized practices and rituals as a means of worship and participating in sacraments whereas his relationship with God is this person's way of describing his personalized experiences with God and how God inspires and nurtures his soul or spirit.

 

[Dave L]

I heard a person who appeared to be Christian say this. What does this mean? He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference. But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 (KJV 1900)

 

[Albion]

Apparently, he means that what he supposes to be his mental connection to God or his appreciation of God is all that's necessary for him.

Unfortunately, that theory is contradicted on page after page of the Bible, so if he is a believer in some impersonal "higher intelligence" that he calls God, it has almost nothing to do with Christianity.

 

[Ceallaigh]

I've known God since I was little. Before I knew much about what the Bible says and what various denominations say the Bible says. Now I know quite a lot of that, but my relationship with my Abba is still that of a child in need of His help and guidance.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

 

[Albion]

A lot of people who say that they've known God without having had any guidance about who he is are really saying that they've known (or felt) that there IS a God, not necessarily the only true God but just the concept.

 

[bèlla]

It sounds like he places a primacy on relationship with God rather than institutions or traditions. Oftentimes people esteem these more than their neighbor. They’re a demigod of sorts.

~bella

 

[Ceallaigh]

A lot of people who say that they've known God without having had any guidance about who he is are really saying that they've known (or felt) that there IS a God, not necessarily the only true God but just the concept.

I'd say there needs to be a combination of knowing God, and knowing about God through reading the Bible and receiving sound teaching.

Some are religious and go through the motions and have a really good academic knowledge, but they don't actually know God.

 

[Albion]

It sounds like he places a primacy on relationship with God rather than institutions or traditions. Oftentimes people esteem these more than their neighbor. They’re a demigod of sorts.

~bella

What good is a "primacy on (a) relationship with God (which doesn't exist except in the imagination), if it's not the real God?

All sorts of people have believed in Odin or Baal or other such imaginary beings, but what good did that do them?

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

By FAITH! . Well, you did ask so let me tell you. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Faith is not religion in itself.Everyone has the measure of faith that God gives to everyone.Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your house. It is very easy.

 

[Albion]

I'd say there needs to be a combination of knowing God, and knowing about God through reading the Bible and receiving sound teaching.

Thanks.

Now let's all remember where this started. The comment that was made in the Original Post was this--

I heard a person who appeared to be Christian say this. What does this mean? He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference.

and this:

But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

 

[bèlla]

What good is a "primacy on (a) relationship with God (which doesn't exist except in the imagination), if it's not the real God?

All sorts of people have believed in Odin or Baal or other such imaginary beings, but what good did that do them?

I made no reference to pagan gods in that statement. How did you make the leap?

~bella

 

[zoidar]

I heard a person who appeared to be Christian say this. What does this mean? He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference. But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

We may follow a religion like Christianity. We know everything about this religion, but that don't do much unless we get to know Jesus. It's through the Holy Spirit we start to not only know about Jesus, but know him as a real person, a friend. We start to love him and follow him, not only know him as a vague character. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Albion]

I made no reference to pagan gods in that statement. How did you make the leap?

~bella

No leap. If all that matters when it comes to relating to the Almighty is
"a primacy on relationship with God rather than institutions or traditions," then it wouldn't make any difference what gods or theories about first causes, etc. a person believes in (including some of the false deities from history).

 

[bèlla]

No leap. If all that matters when it comes to relating to the Almighty is
"a primacy on relationship with God rather than institutions or traditions," then it wouldn't make any difference what gods or theories about first causes, etc. a person believes in (including some of the false deities from history).

You don’t have to follow a denomination or tradition to be saved or love God. If he accepts Christ as his Savior that’s enough.

~bella

 

[sandman]

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2Ti 3:16) …”received by revelation of Jesus Christ”. (Gal 1:12) …”and that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation”. (2Pe 1:20) …”but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”. (2Pe 1:21).

 

[Albion]

You don’t have to follow a denomination or tradition to be saved or love God. If he accepts Christ as his Savior that’s enough.

~bella

That's how you interpreted the question asked by the OP?

I read "Ken" to be asking about a person who said nothing about accepting Christ as his Savior.

He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference. But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

 

[Chris V++]

without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

You make a great point that Christianity and culture flourished by the aggregate efforts of what many think of as 'religious institutions' including and especially the preservation and dissemination of the Bible.

 

[rturner76]

I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. It is our religion that helps us be closer to God through his commandments and sacraments. That can also be coupled with mysticism and meditation to strengthen the bond with God and listen for his inspiration. That is where the "relationship" part can be developed.

Obedience also brings us closer to God and that's where religion comes in to give us instruction. I think we do need some kind of guide like religion to make sure we are doing what God has ordained.

EDIT: I guess at the end of the day the relationship is what is most important but the expression of that relationship depends on your religion.

 

[bèlla]

That's how you interpreted the question asked by the OP?

I read "Ken" to be asking about a person who said nothing about accepting Christ as his Savior.

He didn’t mention paganism either.