In Evangelical Christianity today, there is a rising emphasis placed upon the believer's relationship with Jesus. It is thought that at the centre of what it means to be a Christian is to have a "personal relationship with Jesus". Yet I have been wondering for some time now, why is this conviction not reflected in the New Testament? Or perhaps in my search I have just missed it?
Granting the perspective the benefit of the doubt, could it simply be that the New Testament documents (bio about Jesus and letters to churches, as well as a few to individuals), due to the "accidents of history", were not concerned with it? Should the absence of the notion caution our giving it such significance and centrality?
Now Im no stiff, and I have a growing connection with God through prayer, which I am comfortable terming a 'relationship' as both give and take. But in the desire to stay true to the New Testament, I am un-easy about granting it the centrality in both proclamation and theology that others are so happy to do. Perhaps in our following Jesus, this is something that we emulate of him. Your comments are greatly desired on this issue.
5 comments:
I think Paul is heavily concerned about the believers relationship with Christ - cf. Phil and 'the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord', and Paul's desire for Christ himself in 1 Thess 4:18-19, 5:10. The strategy of Paul in 1 Cor all over the place, etc.
Actually, my doctoral work is on a related issue.
But is this 'relationship' interpersonal or a status?
1 Thess 4.18-19 speaks of the future, and so is 5.10 I think. This does nevetheless point to the importance of being with Christ in the future.
Philippians 3.8 could point to reflect the idea of a relationship with Jesus, but is it a personal or impersonal knowing (e.g. having a relationship with a friend or knowing about a movie star). Again, his talk of 'gaining Christ' ("in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him' v.8) may point to a future 'knowing' which is synonimous with being with. What does the Greek text point to?
Now to read 1 Corinthians...
What about prayer? Does that not assume a inter-personal relationship? Vis a vis, Colossians 1? The whole things is about relating to GOD through Jesus, and inviting the world into this relationship. That's what I'm preaching!
Maybe I have blinkers on, but I just dont see it. Could you further elaborate?
Hi Eddie. Interpersonal, I think. At least that would be the usual mening of the verb in Phil. As an interesting approach, write down what you think a relationship consists of, then look through Pul and see how these appear in Paul's relationship with the risen Lord. Cf. also the use of koinonia (e.g. 1 Cor 1:9), kollomenos (1 Cor 6).
All the best,
Chris
Post a Comment