For those who know The Bible, the unmistakable hallmark is Redemption. The cornerstone of Redemption is Grace, while man's religion is all about works.
An argument is made that the Old Testament is also about works: The Mosaic Law, while the New Testament, alone, is about Grace, freely given.
But this is an argument from biblical ignorance! The Mosaic Law covered less than 1200 years of the 4000 years recorded in the Old Testament. And it existed to govern behavior, not redeem anyone. Those redeemed in the Old Testament were saved by grace, through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast. That's the point Paul makes in Galatians 3:6.
When unregenerate men set out to create a religious system, they draw on what they know. And the Bible specifically states that the "natural man" (the unsaved man) does not comprehend the things of the Spirit. In fact, they are foolishness to him (I Cor. 2:14)
Look at all the Christian and non-Christian cults. Every one of them are based on what their members do or don't do. Not one is based on Grace, through faith.
And most of them revolve around our earthly condition, with either annihilation or some sort of reincarnation, while the Christian cults offer a "heaven" of their own imagination.
All this is very human. So, to provide members with a spiritual experience, many have resorted to some form of mysticism. Consider the use of stained glass, for example. Or vaulted ceilings, incense, pipe organs, vestments, candles, statues, altars and, in the case of the Roman Catholic Church, a holy language (Latin).
Then look at the cross-polination. High liturgical groups dipping down into the spiritual vulgarities of the charismatic movement or the contemporary movement. The Emergent Churches reaching out to the sights, sounds and smells of the liturgical tradtions.
For what? To have a more meaningful feeling of worship!
Well, that was Nimrod's purpose, too, at the Tower of Babel. It was artificial then. It's artificial now.
Worship of God is a heart and spirit thing. It isn't found in the trappings, no matter what they are or how they make you feel.
The visible Church has a lot to answer for!!!
