Spiritual But Not Religious? Learning from the Past

“Spiritual but Not Religious” is nothing new. What can we learn from the past? Let’s examine the legacy of a man named Sebastian Franck. While his emphasis on the “inner Word” resonates with many today, especially those who identify as “spiritual but not religious,” his story also offers a cautionary note.

The “spiritual but not religious” path emphasizes a personal connection with God, often accompanied by a reaction against the perceived rigidity of organized religion. It’s a sentiment a 16th-century theologian named Sebastian Franck (c. 1499-1543) knew well. He, too, prioritized the “inner Spirit” above all external religious forms.

Franck boldly challenged the established churches of his day, both Catholic and Protestant. He believed:

True faith was found in the direct experience of God within, not in sacraments, scripture as mere text, or clerical authority.

He envisioned an “invisible church” as the only “true church.”

He was a fierce advocate for freedom of conscience, arguing against any need for pastors, bishops, or any spiritual leadership outside of himself.

But what happened to Franck? His radical anti-externalism, while championing individual spiritual autonomy, led to a life of hardship and isolation.

“[Pro 13:15 KJV] The way of transgressors [is] hard.”

Franck was:

Constantly persecuted: His views were too radical for both Catholics and mainstream Reformers.

Forced into exile: He was expelled from several cities, including Strasbourg and Ulm, due to his writings and beliefs.

Professionally marginalized: He struggled to find stable employment, often working as a soap boiler or printer to make ends meet.

Lacking a supportive community: While he believed in a universal spiritual fellowship, his critique of all external churches meant he largely stood alone, without the institutional or communal support structures that many find sustaining. He died alone and outcast from the fellowship of other believers.

Cautionary Note: Franck’s intense focus on individual experience and his rejection of external religious structures, while born from a sincere desire for authentic faith, highlights potential pitfalls of a purely “spiritual but not religious” stance taken to its extreme:

Isolation: Can a faith untethered from any community become lonely or unsustainable?

Lack of Accountability/Grounding: Without traditions or a community of like-minded brothers and sisters, how do we test our “inner voice”?

Vulnerability: Standing alone against prevailing norms can be incredibly difficult, as Franck’s life demonstrated.

Sebastian Franck’s story isn’t a simple one. He was a courageous thinker who championed spiritual freedom. Yet, his life also prompts us to consider: While personal spiritual experience is vital, what is the role of community, shared faith, and even some form of “external” leadership structure in nurturing and sustaining a life of faith? Can we find a balance?

What are your thoughts? Is there a danger in being too anti-institutional? Statistics tell us that anxiety, depression, divorce, and suicide rates are MUCH higher among the “Spiritual but not religious” crowd, even more than atheists (yikes!).

I entered into ministry as a pastor in 1981, and for all these years, I’ve watched this “go-it-alone” crowd and their ultimate and eventual outcomes of those who think this way. Overall, it’s not good. It fosters “more spiritual than thou” thinking. It isolates believers in such a way that leaves them foundering and thrashing about when life’s challenges lay them low – they have nowhere to turn. They neglect with impunity the call of God in Scripture to be part of the church as a whole, and they are not better off for it; the church as well is thus denied the benefit that their participation would otherwise bring. It’s time to rethink these things!

How do you navigate your own spiritual path in relation to being a part of the faith community? Share below! 👇

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