Discipleship #12 - Spiritual & Religious

Updated from a post published in 2015.

In today’s world, many people struggle with the relationship between spirituality and religion. Some reject religious institutions, claiming to be “spiritual but not religious,” seeking a personal connection with the divine while avoiding communal faith. Others embrace religious tradition but without a living, personal relationship with God, practising faith as a set of rules rather than a transformative experience. Both extremes fall short of the full expression of Christian faith. True Christianity is neither an empty religious observance nor an isolated spiritual pursuit—it is a faith that is both deeply personal and firmly rooted in the community.

Christianity was never meant to be a solitary endeavour, nor was it intended to be a lifeless set of rituals. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people into both personal devotion and corporate worship. Jesus Himself modelled this balance, engaging in religious practices such as synagogue worship and the celebration of Jewish feasts while also retreating into solitude to pray and commune with the Father. The early church followed this pattern, devoting themselves to teaching, fellowship, and prayer (Acts 2:42). A healthy faith is one that is alive with the Spirit’s power while also grounded in the wisdom, accountability, and shared mission of the church.

To separate spirituality from religion is to misunderstand the nature of Christian discipleship. A purely spiritual approach, detached from religious teaching and community, risks becoming self-centred and untethered from truth. Meanwhile, religion without spirituality becomes a hollow shell, fostering legalism and hypocrisy rather than genuine transformation. Christianity flourishes when these two elements work together—when personal faith is nurtured by communal worship and religious life is enlivened by the Spirit. To be truly Christian is to embrace both spirituality and religion, allowing them to shape a faith that is both deeply rooted and dynamically alive.

Religious but not Spiritual

Some Christians become religious but not spiritual when their faith is reduced to outward practices rather than an inward relationship with God. They may attend church, follow traditions, and adhere to moral expectations, yet their hearts remain disengaged from the living presence of God. This often happens when faith is inherited rather than personally embraced or when legalism takes precedence over grace. The result is a hollow religiosity—where Christian activity replaces spiritual transformation, and rules take priority over relationships. Instead of a faith that is deeply rooted in love and devotion to God, religion becomes an obligation, a performance, or a cultural identity rather than a true encounter with Christ.

The danger of being religious but not spiritual is that it fosters complacency and self-righteousness rather than genuine faith. Jesus frequently rebuked the religious leaders of His time for this very issue. Although zealous in their religious observance, the Pharisees were often spiritually blind, mistaking external purity for inner holiness (Matthew 23:27-28). A faith that is all form but no substance can lead to hypocrisy, where people appear devout but lack the inner transformation that comes from the Holy Spirit. It can also create a sense of entitlement, where religious participation becomes a way to earn God’s favour rather than responding to His grace.

Moreover, while valuable, religious structures and traditions can become barriers rather than bridges to spiritual renewal. Faith stagnates when rituals are performed without meaning, prayers are recited without engagement, and church attendance is treated as a checkbox rather than an encounter with God. People may go through the motions of Christianity without experiencing its life-giving power. Over time, this leads to spiritual dryness, where faith feels empty, disconnected, and uninspiring. Those who are RBNS might still attend church, serve on rosters, and uphold Christian ethics. Still, without a personal connection to God, their souls remain thirsty—seeking spiritual nourishment elsewhere but unable to find it within the confines of lifeless religious routine.

A faith that is merely religious can also struggle to be a compelling witness to the world. When Christianity is presented as a set of rules rather than a relationship with Christ, it can push people away rather than draw them in. Many who reject Christianity do so not because they are against faith itself but because they have encountered a version of it that is rigid, joyless, or disconnected from real life. Jesus did not come to establish empty religion but to bring abundant life (John 10:10). A religious but not spiritual church risks missing this central calling—to be a place where people encounter the living God, experience His love, and are transformed by His Spirit.

Spiritual but not Religious

In recent years, more people have distanced themselves from organised religion, identifying instead as "spiritual but not religious" (SBNR). While this position often stems from frustration with religious institutions, it risks creating a self-directed faith that lacks accountability, community, and theological depth. Spirituality that is detached from the structure of Christian teaching and the shared life of the church can easily become a faith shaped by personal preference rather than divine revelation; without the anchoring of Scripture and the historical wisdom of Christian tradition, spirituality risks becoming vague, subjective, and even self-deceptive.

One of the primary dangers of being spiritual but not religious is its tendency toward individualism. When faith is purely personal, there is no external authority to challenge, correct, or refine one’s beliefs. Christianity has always been a communal faith, grounded in the body of Christ, where believers sharpen one another and grow together (Hebrews 10:25, Proverbs 27:17). By rejecting religious structures, SBNR individuals often unknowingly place themselves at the centre of their own spiritual journey, crafting a faith that aligns with their personal desires rather than being shaped by God’s truth. As Rev. Lillian Daniel points out in her critique of SBNR thinking, spirituality without community lacks depth because it avoids the challenge of engaging with others who might disagree or hold them accountable.

Moreover, without the theological grounding of religious teaching, spirituality can become disconnected from the historical and doctrinal foundations of Christianity. Many who embrace SBNR thinking believe that religious institutions stifle spiritual growth, but they fail to recognise that Christianity is not simply a collection of mystical experiences—it is a faith rooted in the revelation of God through Scripture and the life of Christ. N.T. Wright argues that true Christian spirituality is not about self-made experiences of the divine but about participating in God’s kingdom through communal worship, sacraments, mission, and ethical living. By rejecting religious tradition, SBNR individuals risk creating a spirituality that is untethered from God’s larger redemptive work in the world.

Another issue with spirituality without religion is that it can be self-centred rather than God-centered. Spirituality based solely on personal experience often prioritises personal fulfilment over service, moral accountability, and sacrificial love. A truly Christian spirituality calls people beyond themselves—to serve others, engage in the world's struggles, and submit to Christ's transforming work. However, an individualised spirituality, unmoored from the church and its teachings, can easily become a pursuit of inner peace without regard for the deeper, often costly, demands of discipleship. Jesus did not call His followers to private spiritual experiences alone but to a life of community, sacrifice, and mission.

Finally, SBNR thinking often fails to recognise that the religious community is not just a human construct but a vital part of God’s design. Despite its flaws, the church is the means through which God has chosen to spread His message and shape His people. While it is true that religious institutions have sometimes failed, abandoning them altogether is not the solution. Instead, the call of Christian faith is to participate in the church’s ongoing renewal, contributing to a faith that is both profoundly spiritual and faithfully rooted in biblical truth. A faith that is both spiritual and religious embraces the personal and communal dimensions of Christianity, ensuring that believers remain connected to the wisdom, correction, and encouragement that only a gathered body of faith can provide.

Spiritual and Religious

Christianity is at its fullest when it is both spiritual and religious. True faith is not simply about following rituals or belonging to an institution, nor is it merely about private, subjective experiences of the divine. It is about encountering the living God in a way that transforms both the heart and the community. The Bible presents a model of faith that is deeply personal yet also rooted in the gathered people of God. To embrace one without the other is to miss the richness of Christian discipleship. A faith that is both spiritual and religious ensures that believers are not only personally connected to God but also shaped, strengthened, and held accountable by His church.

Religious structures—such as communal worship, sacraments, and shared teaching—are not meant to stifle faith but to nurture and sustain it. As described in Acts 2:42, the early church devoted itself to “the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This was not a cold, institutionalised religion but a vibrant, Spirit-filled community. Jesus Himself modelled this balance—He spent time alone in prayer and worshipped in synagogues, taught in the temple, and celebrated religious feasts. His faith was deeply spiritual and firmly grounded in religious life. A Christianity that abandons religious practice risks severing itself from the very means God has provided to grow in faith and love.

At the same time, religion without spirituality is lifeless. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were religious in every outward sense, but their hearts were distant from God (Matthew 15:8). Rules, traditions, and religious structures must always be animated by a living relationship with Christ. Faith becomes dry, legalistic, and disconnected from God’s transformative power without genuine spirituality. A spiritual life fueled by the Holy Spirit brings depth, passion, and renewal, ensuring that religion is not just an empty shell but a living, breathing encounter with God. As Rev. James Martin points out, “Religion without spirituality becomes a dry list of dogmatic statements divorced from the life of the Spirit.” Faith needs both structure and spiritual vitality to be fully alive.

Being both spiritual and religious also protects against the dangers of individualism. In an age where many prefer to craft their own beliefs based on personal experiences, religion serves as a corrective, reminding believers that faith is not a solo journey. Christianity is meant to be lived in a community where believers learn from one another, encourage one another, and challenge one another to grow. The Apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ, where every member is vital, and no one can function alone (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). A purely private faith lacks the refining power of communal worship, shared wisdom, and mutual accountability. When faith is both spiritual and religious, it thrives in the tension between personal devotion and corporate belonging.

Ultimately, faith that is both spiritual and religious reflects the fullness of God’s design. It embraces personal intimacy with God while remaining deeply connected to the church's rich history, traditions, and communal life. Christianity is not a faith of either-or; it is a faith of both-and. Believers are called to be personally transformed by the Spirit while also engaging in the collective work of God’s people. A well-balanced faith does not see religion as a hindrance to spirituality but as its necessary framework, guiding and sustaining a lifelong relationship with Christ. When spirituality and religion work together, they create a faith that is deeply rooted and dynamically alive, reflecting the heart of the gospel.

In an age when many seek meaning apart from religious community or cling to tradition without transformation, the church must cultivate a spiritually alive and faithfully grounded faith. A flourishing Christianity is one in which believers encounter God personally and worship Him collectively, where faith is strengthened by Scripture, deepened by the Spirit, and sustained by the body of Christ. To follow Jesus fully is to be both spiritual and religious, embracing the fullness of what it means to be His disciple.

Glossary of Terms

Spiritual but Not Religious (SBNR) – A term describing those who seek personal spiritual experiences but reject organised religion, often emphasising individual faith over communal worship and doctrine.
Religious but Not Spiritual (RBNS) – A term for those who engage in religious practices, such as attending church or following traditions, but lack a deep, personal relationship with God.
Spirituality – The personal, inward aspect of faith that involves one’s connection with God, prayer, and transformation by the Holy Spirit.
Religion – The structured, communal aspect of faith that includes doctrine, rituals, worship practices, and participation in a faith community.
Legalism – A rigid adherence to religious rules and laws without a true heart transformation or reliance on God’s grace.
Phariseeism – A term derived from the Pharisees in the New Testament, referring to outward religious observance without genuine faith or love for God.
Doctrine – A religious faith's official teachings and beliefs, often derived from Scripture and theological tradition.
The Body of Christ – A biblical metaphor (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) for the church, emphasising that all believers are interconnected and play a vital role in the Christian community.
Discipleship – The lifelong process of following Jesus, growing in faith, and being shaped by His teachings and example.
The Church – The collective community of Christians worldwide and the local congregation where believers worship, learn, and serve together.
Sacraments – Sacred religious practices instituted by Christ, such as baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion), which serve as outward signs of inward grace.
Biblical Revelation – The belief that God has revealed Himself through Scripture, guiding believers in faith and practice.
Communal Worship – The gathering of believers to worship God together through prayer, singing, preaching, and the sacraments.
The Early Church – The first Christian communities formed after Jesus’ resurrection, as described in the Book of Acts, which emphasised teaching, fellowship, and breaking bread together.
Christian Mysticism – A form of spirituality that seeks a deep, experiential union with God, often through contemplation, prayer, and personal revelation.
Individualism – A worldview that prioritises personal autonomy over communal belonging, often contrasting with the biblical emphasis on faith lived in community.
Consumerist Spirituality – A form of faith where individuals pick and choose beliefs and practices based on personal preference rather than biblical or theological foundations.
Moral Accountability – The responsibility to live according to God’s commandments and Christian ethics, often supported through community and pastoral guidance.
The Great Commission – Jesus’ command to His followers to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), emphasizing mission and evangelism.
Spiritual Formation – The process of growing in Christlikeness through prayer, Scripture, worship, and Christian community.

Bibliography

Books & Articles

Daniel, Lillian. When “Spiritual But Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church. Jericho Books, 2013.
Martin, James. The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life. HarperOne, 2010.
Perlo, Scott. "Spiritual but Not Religious: A Rabbi’s Perspective." Huffington Post, 2011.
Reyes-Chow, Bruce. "The Importance of Being Spiritual and Religious." Huffington Post, 2011.
Wright, N.T. Spiritual and Religious: The Gospel in an Age of Paganism. SPCK Publishing, 1996.

Online Resources & Commentaries

Karlin, Marlise. "Religion and Spirituality: Being 'Spiritual' Without Being 'Religious'." Huffington Post, 2010.
Merri Creek Anglican Church. "Nourishing Spiritual Seekers." MerriCreek.org.
Wright, N.T. For All God’s Worth: True Worship and the Calling of the Church. Eerdmans, 1997.