You Don’t Believe in Organized Religion?

by Sebastian R Fama

Occasionally I will hear someone say: “I don’t believe in organized religion.” This is often followed up with: “I’m spiritual but not religious.” Being spiritual refers to a connection to a higher power. But that can mean different things to different people. For some it is God. For others it is the universe or even cosmic energy. God, and specifically the God of the Bible, is all powerful and loving. The evidence for His existence is overwhelming. The universe is the sum total of all that exists in the physical realm. Thus it has no consciousness or creative power. Cosmic energy, as described by its proponents, is nothing more than superstition.

By nature, an all-powerful God would possess infinitely more intelligence and ability than His creation. Thus, His guidance would be infinitely more reliable. There would never be a need for anyone to speculate about spiritual realities or dogmatize their personal preferences. Accordingly, Jesus, who is God incarnate, promised not to leave us orphans (John 14:18).

God created the cell which is complex and organized. He then used different types of cells to form the human body which is also complex and organized. He did the same for thousands of other life forms and placed them all into the various ecosystems. Ecosystems which are themselves very complex and organized. Furthermore, He fashioned a universe that operates according to laws and principles that govern its structure and behavior.

Is it possible that such a God would not have the ability to properly organize a Church? We know that God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33). A God of order is an organized God. Jesus said: “I am the way” (John 14:6). Thus, there can be no other way. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:21). Consequently, there is: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). In short; one Church, not many. That is why Paul tells the Corinthians that there should be: “no divisions among you, but that you be united” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Being united precludes us from creating new churches or going off on our own.

Under the Old Covenant God told Moses exactly what He expected from the Israelites. The New Covenant was to fulfill and surpass the Old Covenant. Thus, logic demands that Jesus be just as clear in instructing His followers. He promised to be with His Church always (Matthew 28:20). Obviously, that was to safeguard it. Furthermore, He promised that the Holy Spirit would lead the apostles, and by derivation, their successors, into all truth (John 16:13). That is why Paul can say the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

What Church is Paul talking about? There are so many to choose from. If Jesus is to be true to His promise, there must be an easy way to determine which Church is His. And there is. By necessity, His Church must be 2,000 years old. Furthermore, its teachings must have remained unchanged for its entire existence. The only Church that qualifies is the Catholic Church. An unbiased examination of Scripture and history allows for no other conclusion.

When all is said and done, you only have two choices. Organized religion as established by Christ, or disorganized religion as established by man.