Spirituality and Organized Religion

DEFENSE

This presupposes that we don’t know which religion is true.

If we knew little about the supernatural world—perhaps simply that it exists—it might make sense to hold to only a general spirituality. How- ever, if we know more, the situation changes. The more we know, the more we are obligated to believe. If we know enough to show that a particular religion is true, we are obligated by our knowledge of the truth to embrace that religion. And if the religion we know to be true is organized, we are obliged to embrace organized religion.

Individuals vary in what they know. Some may know only enough to justify a general spirituality, but this is not the case for everyone.

An extensive body of evidence supporting the Christian faith exists. This evidence is documented by the field known as Christian apologetics, and some of it is found in this book. Those aware of this evidence and the truth of the Christian faith are obliged to accept it. For them, merely being spiritual is not enough. They are obliged by their knowledge of the truth to become Christian.

Christianity is an organized religion and has been since the beginning. It was founded by Jesus, who appointed twelve apostles to be its first leaders (Matt. 10:1–4, Mark 3:13–19, Luke 6:12–16). They then appointed other leaders, and the Christian faithful have an obligation to respect their leaders (1 Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:17).

Having more knowledge—and thus more truth—is good. We apply this principle in every other field, and it is true in religion and spirituality as well. The fact that God has revealed more about himself also gives us greater reason to love and appreciate him and what he has done for us.

TIP

Those who have only a general spirituality should consider: “Suppose it were possible to know more. Wouldn’t you want to know? Wouldn’t that be a good thing?” Asking these questions can be an invitation to study the Christian faith and the evidence supporting it.