--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact that it was the “Christian…" description: "\"“The fact that it was the “Christian church” which chose to do the evils you write about, and to do them using God’s name, in my mind only serves to sh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de7/gregory-a-boyd-9424_christian_the-fact-that-it-was-the-christian-churc_1257165.jpg" --- # The fact that it was the “Christian church” which chose to… ![“The fact that it was the “Christian church” which chose to do the evils you write about, and to do them using God’s name, in my mind only serves to show that all that goes under the name of “Christian” is not necessarily Christian. Christianity isn’t a religion or an institution of any sort: It’s…” quote by Gregory A. Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de7/gregory-a-boyd-9424_christian_the-fact-that-it-was-the-christian-churc_1257165.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de7/gregory-a-boyd-9424_christian_the-fact-that-it-was-the-christian-churc_1257165.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de7/gregory-a-boyd-9424_christian_the-fact-that-it-was-the-christian-churc_1257165.jpg) > ““The fact that it was the “Christian church” which chose to do the evils you write about, and to do them using God’s name, in my mind only serves to show that all that goes under the name of “Christian” is not necessarily Christian. Christianity isn’t a religion or an institution of any sort: It’s a relationship. Within the religion of Christianity there are, and have always been, genuine Christians—people who have a saving and transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. And this fact accounts for the tremendous good Christianity has brought to the world (in spite of the evils). But the “religion” of Christianity, the “institution” of the church, is not itself Christian. Only people, not institutions, can be Christian.”” [Gregory A. Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-a-boyd/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Institutions labeled as Christian often diverge from the core relational essence of Christianity, which is personal faith, not organizational doctrine. **In simple terms:** Christianity is about personal relationship, not institutions. Key Takeaway Focus on personal faith over institutional affiliation. Themes religion vs. institution personal faith church critique spiritual authenticity Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - church membership - spiritual counseling - community service - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts theology institutionalism faith practice Questions to Reflect On - What distinguishes a personal faith from institutional religion? - How can one engage constructively with religious institutions? A Different Perspective Institutions can still provide valuable community despite doctrinal flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-church/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Relationship With Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-with-jesus/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [The most important Christian Education institution is not the pulpit or the school, important as those institutions are; but it is the Christian family.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gresham-machen/the-most-important-christian-education-institution-is-not-the-pulpit/) [John Gresham Machen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gresham-machen/) > [The institutions of Churchianity are not Christianity. 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I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The fact that it was the “Christian church” which chose to do the evils you write about, and to do them using God’s name, in my mind only serves to show that all that goes under the name of “Christian” is not necessarily Christian. Christianity isn’t a religion or an institution of any sort: It’s a relationship. Within the religion of Christianity there are, and have always been, genuine Christians—people who have a saving and transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. And this fact accounts for the tremendous good Christianity has brought to the world (in spite of the evils). But the “religion” of Christianity, the “institution” of the church, is not itself Christian. 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