This video has become “viral” and speaks to the heart of many. While I am somewhat sympathetic to the message, I find it to be uninformed and naive. Before I offer some correction to the message, let me state that this is not an attack upon this young man (Jefferson Bethke), or even a rebuke. Instead, I simply seek to offer some “fatherly counsel.”
First, Jefferson seeks to make a distinction between Jesus and religion. So, let’s look at a definition of religion. According to Merriam Webster religion is “the service and worship of God or the supernatural; or commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.” Well, I confess that Jesus is God. I serve and worship Him. So, I am religious!
Jefferson rapped “Jesus came to abolish religion.” Really? In fact, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus does not abolish religion; Jesus gives true meaning to religion. The Apostle James wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:26-27). James makes a necessary point. There is “worthless religion” and “pure religion.” Worthless religion fails to express the connection between what we believe and how we act. Pure religion happens when what we believe about Jesus provokes us to act faithfully in His name.
This brings me to another of Jefferson’s points: “Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?” I will admit that some churches have lost focus on the mission of Christ. But, Christian missions throughout the world have built schools, orphanages, hospitals, and church buildings. Churches have fed the poor, clothed the naked, and comforted the suffering. It is the church, organized and visible, that fulfills the mission of Christ. In fact, throughout the history of the Christian church, it has most often been the acts of charity and mercy that have convinced unbelievers to believe in Christ and unite with the fellowship of the Church. As James said, this is “pure religion.” And, yes, we erect buildings. Throughout the world church buildings are visible signs of the presence of Christ’s church in the world. For those of you who think that buildings are not important, I suggest you take a long drive through a non-Christian part of the world. The absence of Church buildings is telling. Even when the building is a humble straw hut, like the churches in Burma I have visited, the presence of that building with the cross on the door is a visible sign of God’s grace.
I am sympathetic to Jefferson’s critique of the relationship between the church and politics. Too often, when the Church and State are united, it’s an unholy union. Has religion started wars? Well, it would be better said that “worthless religion” (using James’ term) in collaboration with the state has indeed been guilty violence and war. Is “Christian” synonymous with “Republican?” Certainly not! But neither is “Christian” synonymous with “Democrat.” The church should never be a tool of the state, but the prophetic conscience of the state. Christians should be active in the politics of the state, but not be seduced by the power of politics.
Jefferson says, “God calls religious people whores.” Actually, God did accuse Israel of harlotry. However, it was not because they were practicing “pure religion;” but because of their idolatry and apostasy. James accused some in the church of being adulteresses because of their friendship with the world (James 4:4). But, Abraham was religious and was the “friend of God.” Nicodemus & Joseph of Arimathea were Pharisees, but also friends and disciples of Jesus. Not all Pharisees were self-righteous, and not all Christians are self-righteous hypocrites.
Jefferson accuses the church of being judgmental, by telling “single moms that God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever had a divorce.” It goes without saying the God loves everyone – sinner and saint. My brother is correct by suggesting that the church is a “hospital for the broken.” But is it also the school of discipleship. As the school of discipleship we often teach morals and virtues. This is not “behavior modification like a long list of chores,” but growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Jefferson has confused “legalism” with loving obedience.
Jefferson’s concept of grace is a popular notion, if incomplete. Yes, we are saved based on the unmerited favor of God and the redemptive work of Christ. But grace does much more than forgive sin. Grace is the presence of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of believers so that we may cooperate with God in our sanctification. If Jefferson’s concept of grace is correct, then feeding the poor or any other act of charity is unnecessary. Why, because the only thing that matters is that I believe. This is a very self-centered notion of salvation. It suggest that salvation is about me and Jesus. IT IS NOT! The call to salvation is a call to fellowship with believers – the Church. Like it or not, we are called to be together, to pray together, sing together, and to do mission together. Yes, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He also said that believers will do “greater works” as they are graced by the Spirit (John 14:12). I know that the popular Protestant notion is that we are saved by faith alone. But Jesus did not say that the world would recognize His disciples by their faith alone, but by their love! (John 13:35). Jefferson’s notion of grace contradicts his own notions of discipleship and service.
I guess that’s what bothers me most about this poem/rap. He so generalizes that he doesn’t recognize the contradictions. “I hate religion” but “I love the church.” Really? If reaching the world for Christ means making sense of our faith to unbelievers, then we cannot afford such contradictions.
