One of the many things I love about Cave Creek is our local coffee houses. I’ve spent a lot of time in both of them. I enjoy the environment, the java, the free internet, and the friendly staff. For an addict like me, it’s coffee heaven.

Anyway, I was in one of our coffee houses the other day when I encountered a very interesting conversation. Out of respect for those involved I won’t go into the details, except to say that it related to alternative forms of spirituality.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, as I always do. Later I began to wonder: In the marketplace of religious ideas, is there anything unique about Christian spirituality? Suppose a person has a meaningful spiritual experience at the base of a mountain; is that just as valid as the spiritual feeling I get in church or in reading the Bible?

Is spirituality like items on the dessert tray, purely a matter of personal taste? What, if anything, is uniquely attractive about Christianity?

Excellent questions all, and here’s my response. What separates Christian spirituality is this: While virtually every brand of spirituality looks to a leader for inspiration, ideals and instruction, Christians look to a spiritual leader whose grave is empty, and who gives them what they believe is a personal, vibrant, living relationship with Him.

As a result, a spiritual person might look at a mountain and experience feelings of awe or worship; but a Christ‑follower associates those same feelings with a living personality who thinks and feels, who loves and creates, and who desires a relationship with human beings.

I fully respect and admire every person’s spiritual journey, and would never think of disparaging anyone for what they sincerely believe. I think anyone who knows me would vouch for that.

But let us be honest. There is a huge difference between following a spiritual leader and his ideas–versus believing that your spiritual leader desires a personal relationship with you. And there is a vast chasm between a faith which makes you one with the universe, and a faith which makes you one with the Creator of the universe.

Christians (and others, to be honest) are always tempted to reduce Christianity to a creed (something to believe); a code (some way to behave); or a club (somewhere to belong). Any spiritual system or teaching can offer these things, so take your pick from the dessert tray. But what’s unique about Christianity is Christ–a vibrant, dynamic, growing relationship with the God who made us and loves us.

The distinction is absolutely critical. Perhaps that’s why the apostle Paul wrote, in a verse we mused on at one of Sanctuary’s recent gatherings, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17).

It’s an audacious claim–arrogant, really–unless¼it’s true. Hmm. Probably worth checking into, don’t you think? And if you ever want to talk about it over coffee, I know a great place.

Steve Gilbertson is the pastor of Sanctuary, a church in the heart of Cave Creek. To read more of his writing, or to contact him directly, visit www.sanctuarytoday.com.