This article by an atheist captured my attention.  It is about Christian missionaries in Africa and the value of the work that they do, not because of the ‘work that they do’, but because of their faith.

I was particularly interested by this quote:

“Christianity, post-Reformation and post-Luther, with its teaching of a direct, personal, two-way link between the individual and God, unmediated by the collective, and unsubordinate to any other human being, smashes straight through the philosphical/spiritual framework I’ve just described. It offers something to hold on to to those anxious to cast off a crushing tribal groupthink. That is why and how it liberates.”

Referring to a relationship between the individual and God that is “unmediated by the collective” is true, but if it is only that, then it rather negates the responsibility that we have as being part of ‘the church’.  Yes, your relationship with God is you and him, with no other human standing in the way and in that particular sense, it is unmediated.  However, if Christianity was just about us chatting to God, then it would be an easy ride.  There are fellow human beings to consider and also the way in which God would want us to live our lives.  Fascinating article though.