Of late, I have noticed with increasing frequency that many people describe themselves as “spiritual, not religious.” In my college logic class, I learned to call such a description a “false disjunction.” After all, a person can be both spiritual and religious. It need not be an either/or proposition. Certainly, I believe that I am both an adherent of the Christian religion and a spiritual person. In fact, I believe that I am filled with the Holy Spirit precisely because of – not in spite of – my belief in Jesus. Logical quibbles aside, however, I readily understand why so … Continue reading Spirituality and Religion (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

Several years ago, I returned to my home church after a long absence. It had been some time since anyone had seen me, and I had put on a number of pounds. So, at first, people who had known me all my life did not recognize me. That was bad enough. Worse, however, was my extreme isolation. I had attended another church during my time away, and every Sunday service was followed by a boisterous, well-attended meal at a local restaurant. When I returned to my home church, however, I returned as a stranger and ate my post-church meals alone. … Continue reading Communion and Community (1 Corinthians 11:17-24)

What is the Lord’s Supper? We find an answer to this question in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. First, it is a tradition. Paul writes: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…” Traditions can stifle spirituality. Jesus himself criticized “the Pharisees and teachers of the law” when he said, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men” (Mark 7:8). But Jesus also instituted traditions such as the Lord’s Supper (cf. Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:17-20). When we eat the Lord’s Supper, we are taking–across … Continue reading What Is the Lord’s Supper? (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)