neither religious, nor spiritual

We haven’t received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that comes from God, so that we can know the things that have been given to us by God.  - 1 Corinthians 2.12

There’s a lot of talk these days about people who claim to be “spiritual, but not religious.” This shows how we think “spiritual” should be defined. It seems that people who claim to be “spiritual” are people who seek to get deeply in touch with their inmost self, crafting a healthy and centered way of living.  For secular people who have made a step to seek out and live life this way, we cannot but applaud a healthy step in the right direction.  This is good for them, but it’s very different from how Christians ought to use the word “spiritual.” 

It’s important to understand this, because when Paul speaks of the importance of walking in the Spirit, we need to adjust our thinking away from worldly notions of what it means to be “spiritual.”  In the world, if someone has a vision of angels or a spirit guide, we would call that a spiritual experience, and such a person a spiritual person.  Paul does not, however, and when people boast about such experiences, he actually calls it “unspiritual” (Col 2.18).  In the world, if someone fed a homeless person, it wouldn’t be something spiritual, it would just be nice.  If someone overturns tables in the temple, they are also not spiritual in the world’s eyes, but rather, a “jerk.”  But Paul would call both of these actions and deeds “spiritual” if the Holy Spirit was operating within that person to do those very bodily actions (Rom 12.1).

Because the world defines “spiritual” in terms that are individualistic, independent, and nonmaterial, we need to stress some of the opposite of these things.  For Christians, spiritual living is not an individual pursuit of self-discovery, but losing ourselves by pursuing and discovering someone else, Jesus Christ, and the brother or sister he’s called us to love in each particular moment (which ends up in us finding ourselves).  Spiritual living is not about being independent and free of external “meddling,” but about helping someone else pursue their dreams (His dreams) rather than your own (which is true liberty).  And spiritual living, for Christians, is anything but nonmaterial – it’s a very bodily kind of life. These are God’s hands; this is God’s mouth. He works in the world through “such crude matter.”  Sorry, Yoda, move over.

Maybe, when we hear the word, “spiritual,” we can think of the daily disciplines to press on to know Christ more and more, the fears we ought to see conquered, the fight against injustice anywhere, the need to confess and repent, the enemies we love and serve in creative and disarming ways.  Maybe the word “discipleship” is more fitting, at least for us who find ourselves in Jesus Christ.

I’ll close with further thoughts composed by my seminary professor David Augsburger:

Spirituality is celebrating the dawn.  Discipleship sings in the dark. 

Spirituality is sitting in awe by the seashore.  Discipleship joins the dolphins. 

Spirituality is dreaming of flying.  Discipleship walks the distance. 

Spirituality loves the good neighbor.  Discipleship loves the enemy. 

Spirituality is knowing God’s plan.  Discipleship trusts when nothing makes sense. 

Spirituality is turning life sunny side up.  Discipleship turns the world down side up. 

Spirituality is finding inner peace.  Discipleship is making peace. 

Spirituality is integrative.  Discipleship is subversive.

And don’t forget – discipleship is much more dangerous than worldly spirituality. Vivamus periculose!

- Bo Bannister