Definition
Material religion refers to institutional systems that claim to mediate God through doctrine, hierarchy, ritual, law… or “”material””.
Context
In the Yeshuan framework, material religion belonged to the biblical age that culminated in the first century. Temple systems, covenant law, and religious authority structures functioned within that historical context. If that age has ended, the authority structures attached to it have also ended.
Material religion persists today in various forms. It includes denominational hierarchies, doctrinal gatekeeping, exclusion practices, and fear-based enforcement mechanisms. The term does not deny the social value of religious community. It critiques the claim that such systems speak for God.
Implications
Distinguishing material religion from spiritual reality allows individuals to participate in religious environments without attributing divine authority to them. It reframes religion as a human endeavor rather than a divine mandate.
Common Misunderstanding
The critique of material religion is often interpreted as hostility toward all religion. The Yeshuan Model does not oppose community or tradition. It opposes the claim of spiritual mediation.