How to Be a Christian Without Being Religious: Discover the Joy of Being Free in Your Faith: A User-Friendly Study of Romans

by Fritz Ridenour

Since the days of the Early Church, Christians have struggled to find a way to be 'good'-to please God by their own efforts. They end up carrying a burden God never intended them to bear. And what's more, their brand of Christianity ends up looking like any other religion of the world-bound by joyless rules and rituals. Fritz Ridenour's study of the book of Romans provides an antidote to the pharisaical spirit and shows that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. It is not man reaching up, but God reaching down. Every Christian can enjoy his or her birthright when they realize who they are in Christ. The result is a life full of hope, joy, power and potential.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Religion, Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Evangelism

164 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1971

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have written in the front inside cover of this book, "The Search." I also have sheets of paper with which I answered the questions. I wrote, "The gospel-the Good News of Jesus Christ. To me, personally, this means Jesus saved my from (and I listed the difficulties that I was experiencing in my life). Through Him, I am forgiven and have eternal life."

I initially read this sometime in the eighties. It was during this time that I understood the concept of Jesus emotionally for I was struggling deeply and found strength through my faith. I believed that I was saved by this faith, alone.

One of the questions asked was to summarize some Bible verses about salvation. Ridenour, who teaches the popular notion that there is nothing we have to do to be saved, included the Bible verse Hebrew 5:9, "And having been made perfect (talking about Jesus Christ), He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal life."
In my notes, I wrote, "Jesus is the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him (follow His teachings)." Although I did not realize the import of this verse at the time, it became integral to understanding "How To Be a Christian" and it had little to do with Ridenour's teaching.

In 1993, I visited a little church building where I struggled with their teaching that one had to be baptized in order to be saved. I thought I was saved a long time ago. I felt saved. (I had even been baptized as a baby besides accepting Him into my heart as an adult. This was done by praying the "Sinner's Prayer") I believed I was saved but as I studied more thoroughly about salvation, I came to see that salvation does indeed include obedience, something that was stressed by this church of Christ. Obedience to the Word which teaches that in order to be saved, one has to first hear the gospel (Acts 8:5; Romans 10:17), believe what has been preached (John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8:5-6;), repent of one's sins (Romans 3:23; Acts 2:38) confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:36-37; Romans 10:8-13), be baptized for the remission of one's sins (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5, 17-18; 1 Peter 3:21) and then be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:14-15).

I was almost going to throw this long forgotten book away until I realized the importance of this book in my journey to the true understanding of the Scriptures. I hope that this review might spark your own search. If I can be of any service, please leave a comment.

Thank you!

[Patricia Senneville · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book back in the 1970s and it inspired me to become more practically involved in the practices of the religion/church of my youth, Catholic Christianity. I was looking for an approach that allowed me to be in a relationship with God without becoming a “church lady” and it gave me the impetus and courage to do just that. Of course, the Catholic Church was changing and I was able to ride the wave of that change.

I found this up dated version and read it with eyes and a mind that had studied Sacred Scripture, and I saw it differently. I saw it as a justification for those seeking to cut ties, not with God , but with organized religion. By couching religiosity in judgmental terms and images, it made that which I had come to see as goods to be if not sinful, at least evil and hypocritical and to be avoided.

This time I read it because a Bible class I am taking begins its study of Romans this week. This time around I saw in it an agenda, an agenda aimed at using Paul to “call [people] out” of their churches into an alternative of the author’s liking. In other words the authors was using Paul’s letter to the Romans to be disingenuous, to tell them to abandon their church’s rules and regs for his, which aren’t really rules but “guidelines”.

Maybe I will revisit the book in another few years and see where I stand. I might lower its rating yet another star.

[Ben B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a young teenager, and it was a big help to me in understanding grace. I suppose it is written for a teenage audience, and if I read it today I would be disappointed that it was simplistic. But it filled an important purpose in my life, and I appreciate that.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute classic! It's the letter to the Romans, anytime, anyplace.

(I love my 1967 Special Crusade Edition, with it's funky cartoon drawings. It takes me right back to Paupers' Paperbacks in Bowling Green, Ohio.)

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the chapter summaries and writing exercises and the way Fritz made me think of
applications for life today--great read for anyone wondering about the difference between being a Christian and being religious. They are not always synonymous.

[Charlotte B · Rating 3 out of 5]

intimidating title, but given by a then dear friend.

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

A study of the Bible book of Romans using the Living Bible. A bit dated (it was written in the 1970's) but can still be helpful.

[Linda Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this many years ago and have kept it because it has the basics that people should remind themselves about periodically. Sometimes as Christians grow they become into themselves and proud of how “religious” they are. Faith and trust are the basics that have nothing to do with how we appear to others or what we do. The church is full of religious people.

[José · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute classic that I will revisit for years to come. A pretty straightforward and easy to read exposition on the book of Romans. The perfect place to start if you’ve never studied through Romans. Great not only for youth and students, but for everyone.

[Lara Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for Christians!

This was very down to earth and helped clarify some issues I struggle with. Clearly defines being a Christian using Romans.

[Donnie]

wanted to read for years glad i did

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, read it years ago and it needed to be read again. Highly recommend this book to keep as a reference and to reread when you are in a new season of your life.

[Jan Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it first came out while I was in high school and it really touched my life. The book is still relevant to today. It’s really interesting that in the late 60s some of the problems are still problems today.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great way to look at the heart of Christianity through the book of Romans. I had several "a ha!" Moments while reading it.
Oh, and the illustrations are fabulous.

[Elina Ho]

lol found this at the thrift store

[Krzysiek Troszczyński · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have read this book some 20 years ago in the beginning of my christian days. It is a spiritual milk, but milk of the highest quality. Down-to-earth, easy reading with brilliant explaining of profound truths, can't find better book for fresh converts.

[Chiman]

nice illustrations =)

[Olivia Wijaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

ini tema yang menarik. supaya kita jangan terjebak dengan seremoni belaka tetapi pada hubungan pribadi dengan Allah. diambil dari kitab roma.. jadi kayak pendalaman alkitab kitab roma..

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this when I was just a baby. Had a great influence on my spirituality.

[Justin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is basically a practical application of Romans. Ridenour seemed to keep away from controversy without conceding truth, nor giving apologies.

[Steven White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great exposition of the book of Romans. It amplifies that we are saved by grace and we need nothing else. Must read!

[ALAGBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

June 2016 Recommended by Margaret B

[F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Ridenour's writing and have enjoyed several of his books over the years. This is probably the first time I have read this book in about forty years. He uses the weak "Living Letters" text [which even he agrees is not as good/accurate as the King James Version on page 25] I suppose because that was the "in" thing to do back in the 1960s/1970s.
Still, Ridenour is a good solid writer and young Christians especially could benefit from his words. The reason it took me so long to get through the book was that I was preaching through the book of Romans and only read about the chapter I was studying and teaching that week.