1. Many Christians talk about having a “personal relationship” with God, What might they mean by this? What theological insights does this way of speaking offer?
To have a personal relationship with God is, in a sense, allowing God to be become human so that we may relate better to the experience of an ultimate higher power. This is a relationship that loves, suffers, hates, is compassionate, etc alongside the second partner of a relationship.
A “personal relationship” with God is one that is littered with rational traps. Just in the language and definition alone we are confronted with the possibility (as “monotheist”) in becoming part of Moral Cultural Relativism. I am not suggesting that this is wrong on any sense. I simply stating that this is the “crack in the door” that allows many interpretations of who and what God is. In this definition everyone can have a personal relationship and definition of who God is. This opens the door for the infamous “all roads lead to the same place (God).
Is this wrong? In my personal experience I am well aware of left and right brain religions and have seen much fruit from changing spiritual methods of experiencing God. Does it make sense to continue to throw parallel methods (for example “The Four Spiritual Truths) at an emerging generation whose major commonality is their desire for instant gratification, abstract experience, and pursuit of non-labels? I have learned that God is much bigger and smarter than I. Instead of coming into a “relationship” with an agenda I now come in with a degree of humility and service. I would go as far as to state that Christianity has taken the beautiful word evangelism and turned it into two things 1) #1 Marketing Scheme and #2 the #1 Deterrent for reaching people with the Gospel. Evangelism as we now it know must take a back seat to Discipleship. We should start finding out where people are at AND where they want to go and help them get there; and leave the conversions up to God. (In my opinion of course.)
Thomas here. Why is "all roads lead to the same place" infamous? While i will kindly state that i have many questions as to why people practice religions as they do (or why many do practice it at all, for that matter), I have to ask: Why must people impose a standard of practice to a religion in which they claim they have a personal relationship with the deity that is so utterly specific? I think this question encompasses the bizarre amount of christian sects there are. I understand the Catholic- Protestant split; but why create so many sects with so many rules. Furthermore, why impose them so? why must this be about following what some judgemental jackass tells you to do and not about the claimed "personal relationship" with the deity of your choosing?
ReplyDeleteThomas! thanks for "joining the conversation."
ReplyDeleteYou should realize that I AM and do operate in a Christian faith circle. So the comment "All roads lead to the same place" is a tremendous stumbling block....or heretical in most Christian denominations. (Hence the word infamous)As this is for a College class in Christian Theology... ;-)
your statement "Why must people impose a standard of practice to a religion in which they claim they have a personal relationship with the deity that is so utterly specific?" Is well taken. If us as Christians would vocalize our own doubts (especially in this manner) I think we would be more joyful. Fear and Self interest rule the world..
Lastly, your point about the numerous Christian denominations (let alone religions) is well taken AND documented throughout history. My question is "If moral relativism is the "way" then how many more schisms would you have?
Thanks for your help=)
Post thought: VBS is a coming! Stop by sometime and I will show you your Safari Hat!