Jesus instead of God

Various friends in my area have recently spoken of free churches as a “Jesus cult.” This was always meant seriously and by no means condescending, but definitely very critical. However, it is not only free churches, but it can also be charismatic or pietistic circles that hardly speak of God anymore, but more and more of Jesus. Jesus replaces God.

But, someone might object, surely that is right, because Jesus is God? This is an allusion to the doctrine of the Trinity. It makes such derailments possible. In the Jesus cult, God is replaced by Jesus. Jesus becomes the projection surface of religious fantasies. You get caught up in a fictional Jesus figure. Jesus here and Jesus there. I have experienced this time and again. It is a pious self-deception that has the appearance of faith, but still has nothing to do with the Bible. For me, this is in the same category as veneration of Mary and saints in the Roman Catholic Church.

In contrast, there is the biblical testimony, sober, liberating, in which Jesus always points to God, His Father, just as the Father points to the Son. They are mutually dependent. Jesus “went out from God” (John 8:42) and would also “go back to God” (John 13:3). Jesus Himself has one God and Father (2Cor 1:3, 2Cor 11:31, Eph 1:3, Eph 1:17, Col 1:3, etc.). If we ignore God, we do not know Jesus. Therefore, the exaltation of Jesus is not scriptural.

A healthy faith

Those who want to cultivate a healthy faith should be pointed to God’s work through Jesus. This is how it is lived and preached in the New Testament. Nothing less and nothing more is important.

Jesus is important, but no one has called for a Jesus cult. Once every knee will bow and every tongue pay homage that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:9-11). But if we mention the name in every other sentence, it is fair to ask why we do so.

Do we want to hype ourselves in our insecurity?

The name of Jesus is not a mantra or a magic formula. In our human relationships, too, we would get on each other’s nerves if we mentioned the other person’s name in every sentence. Then why do we do it in sermons, testimonies or prayers? Maybe we are getting on Jesus’ nerves with this? Why are we doing this? Does this add weight to our prayer? Or do we want to shine the spotlight on ourselves in our insecurity? It is easier, more sober, more liberated. As here with Paul, who names Jesus, but is in no way rapturous about it:

“Peace to the brethren and love with faithfulness from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption! Amen!”
Eph 6:23-24

Note the context for this statement by Paul. It does not take a Jesus cult for us to cultivate a living faith, be grateful to God, and accept His grace in Christ.