There's an inherent thrill in shaking the dust from one's spiritual roots, a liberation in the wild deconstruction of long-held beliefs. As a former pastor and once-fervent believer in Evangelicalism, I stand amidst a growing tide of people who've embarked on this exact journey. Our quest is not necessarily a dismissal of God, but rather a reframing of our understanding. It's a shift from viewing God as an external entity to acknowledging God as depth, or as theologian Paul Tillich would put it, the Ground of Being.
This shift has me revisiting a compelling quote by the philosopher Alan Watts. Watts, a prolific mind who sought to bridge Eastern philosophy with Western religious thought, criticized how the Church presented Jesus. He wrote, “From this point of view it would seem that the Church has rendered the Gospel ineffective by setting Jesus on a pedestal of excessive reverence and making him so unique that he is virtually isolated from the human condition."
Watts' critique cuts deep. Modern Evangelicalism, by his argument, may have inadvertently created a chasm between the divine and the everyday human experience. It's a compelling argument and one that dovetails with the recent trend of deconstructing Evangelicalism.
In his critique, Watts brought into question the uniqueness of Christianity, suggesting that its ostensible disconnection from worldwide mystical traditions makes it appear not as a unique spiritual path, but as an "anomalous oddity with imperious claims."
In our eagerness to proclaim our faith as the one true way, have we lost sight of the richness of spiritual diversity? This question takes on new resonance in light of Watts’ assertion that "the religion of Jesus became the religion about Jesus," meaning the focus shifted from embodying Christ’s teachings to simply venerating him.
From Jesus' Teachings to Dogmatic Diversion in Modern Evangelicalism
Watts' claim that Christianity has shifted from being a religion "of Jesus" to a religion "about Jesus" is not without substantial grounding. This deviation from the core teachings of Jesus towards an almost fanatical veneration is visible in several aspects of modern Evangelicalism.
Take the prosperity gospel, for example. It's a televangelist-driven train with tracks laid right across the American heartland. The prosperity gospel preaches that financial blessings are the will of God, that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one's material wealth. It's a seductive message, certainly, but where does it align with Jesus' teachings? The Jesus who championed the poor and downtrodden, who warned about the dangers of wealth, seems conspicuously absent. Instead, this aspect of Evangelicalism champions a Jesus who promises earthly rewards for faith, shifting the focus from following his teachings to using faith as a transactional tool for worldly gain.
Look next at the culture wars often stoked in the name of faith. Whether it's the fervent battle over the sanctity of marriage or the divisive rhetoric surrounding issues of gender and sexuality, there's an overarching narrative that positions Evangelicals as guardians of 'traditional values'. This combative stance is often justified through selective interpretation of Scripture, while the teachings of Jesus - his messages of love, acceptance, and non-judgment - often get sidelined. Instead of embodying the compassion and understanding of Jesus, these battles often transform him into a banner to be wielded, a symbol for political and social conflict.
Finally, consider the frequent sidelining of social justice issues. Despite Jesus' clear emphasis on aiding the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized, many Evangelical circles have a noted lack of focus on social justice. A blinkered emphasis on personal salvation often overshadows communal responsibility and active love for our neighbors. By focusing more on Jesus as a divine ticket to heaven and less on his message of active love and social justice, Evangelicalism shifts from being a religion "of Jesus" to a religion "about Jesus."
These examples represent key instances where Evangelicalism, as Watts argues, may have strayed from being a religion "of Jesus" and morphed into a religion "about Jesus". The veneration of Christ takes precedence over the embodiment of his teachings, potentially making the faith less relatable and more distant from the everyday human experience. This critique invites deep introspection and highlights the need for a return to the core teachings and values embodied by Jesus himself.
When the religion about Jesus supersedes the religion of Jesus, it loses its core essence, becomes strangely aggressive, and feels increasingly out of touch as the broader context of world religions comes into view. Watts' insights call for a profound introspection, a re-examination of our theological underpinnings.
The numbers alone provide a testament to the relevance of Watts’ critique. The exodus from Evangelicalism, as more people embark on faith deconstruction, seems less an abandonment of spirituality and more a search for a deeper, more inclusive truth.
Remember the "one flock, one fold, and one Shepherd" ideal mentioned in the Bible? Watts suggests that this unity can only be realized when we acknowledge "other sheep who are not of this fold." In an era defined by divisions, it's a poignant call for understanding and inclusivity in our spiritual lives.
This shift isn’t about devaluing our religious traditions or beliefs. It’s about expanding our understanding of the divine, looking beyond the narrow confines of dogma, and embracing the truth in its most profound, unifying form. It's a challenge, no doubt, but a necessary one, and the solution might just require us to follow the lead of these 'other sheep.'
As the dust settles from my own spiritual shakeup, I'm left with a fresh understanding of the divine, inspired by Watts' wisdom, and a new perception of God as the Ground of Being. Far from the rigid doctrine of my past, this understanding is fluid, encompassing, and grounded in our shared human condition. It's a profound shift, a liberating transformation, and perhaps the next step in our collective spiritual evolution.
From Worship to Embodiment
The question is not a small one: How does one embody a religion "of Jesus" rather than "about Jesus" in an age of institutionalized faith? As we sift through the rubble of deconstructed beliefs, the answer may lie in cultivating individual spiritual autonomy and moving away from institutionalized religion.
The first suggestion would be embracing a DIY spirituality. In other words, construct your own spiritual path. This may seem like uncharted territory in the context of traditional Evangelicalism, but in fact, it echoes the very essence of Jesus' teachings. Jesus didn't espouse religious bureaucracy. Instead, he taught love, forgiveness, empathy, and compassion. These values can form the cornerstone of a personalized spiritual path, unencumbered by institutional constraints.
Consider investing time in spiritual practices that foster a sense of connectedness, like meditation, prayer, or mindfulness. But strip these practices of their institutionalized veneer. Use them not as rules set in stone but as tools to help cultivate inner peace, foster a sense of universal love, and promote an awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings.
The second suggestion is to actively seek out diverse spiritual wisdom. Jesus himself drew from various sources of wisdom in his teachings. Broadening our spiritual horizons beyond the conventional can bring us closer to the universal "flock" that Jesus spoke of. Read widely, explore different philosophical and spiritual traditions. You may find that, beneath the surface differences, many espouse similar fundamental truths about compassion, love, and the nature of existence.
Thirdly, embrace doubt and questioning as vital components of faith. The New Testament presents a Jesus who welcomed questions, who engaged with doubt. Encouraging questioning and critical thinking allows for a more profound and personal understanding of Jesus' teachings. It's through questioning that we avoid the pitfall of blind faith and move towards a faith that's a living, breathing dialogue with the divine.
Lastly, embodying a religion "of Jesus" requires taking his teachings into the world. Jesus's ministry was profoundly social and outward-looking. He sought to bring about change in the world, to alleviate suffering, and champion social justice. Adopting a similar approach means our spirituality becomes a lived experience, not just a set of beliefs. By actively caring for others, fighting for social justice, and promoting love and acceptance in our communities, we're not just worshiping Jesus, we're living his teachings.
In essence, moving from a religion "about Jesus" to a religion "of Jesus" involves a shift from institutionalized religion towards individual spiritual autonomy. It's about creating a personal spiritual journey that aligns with Jesus' teachings of love, acceptance, and compassion, yet remains unbound by rigid dogmas. It's a challenge, no doubt, but also a pathway to a more profound, personal, and dynamic understanding of the divine.