iannucci@sjuvax.UUCP (iannucci) (03/14/85)
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Recently, the net has seen discussion of what it means to speak
to God, and it was suggested that reception of insights, ideas, etc. through
prayer could legitimately be referred to as "conversing with God". I don't
think you'd find too many Christian theologians who would agree with this.
(if you don't give a damn what theologians say, even if you are a believer,
then you might as well just hit 'n' and move on).
I am in the middle of a course in Christian theology right now (not
that I have anything to say about whether I'd LIKE to be in the course, but
at any rate...) and what has been stressed more than anything else by the
Jesuit who stands up front, is that:
1.) The only TRUE Christians (n.b. I didn't say Catholics) are those
who have had at least one PERSONAL EXPERIENCE of God.
and furthermore,
2.) The TRUE faith-experience consists of a one-to-one encounter with
the Divine Presence (my term) in which both parties (if you will) are
intimately aware of the other's presence, and in which there is "offer"
and "response" betwixt the twain. Nothing short of this will do to
justify one's faith in God as true faith.
Well, I'll be interested to see what everybody has to say about
this. As I say, this is the standing of all "real" Christian theologians,
by my understanding. Flame the Jesuits if you like. You won't hurt MY
feelings.
--
Dave Iannucci
St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
...{allegra|astrovax|bpa|burdvax}!sjuvax!iannucci
"A witty saying proves nothing. " --Voltaireroot@trwatf.UUCP (Lord Frith) (03/17/85)
> 1.) The only TRUE Christians (n.b. I didn't say Catholics) are those > who have had at least one PERSONAL EXPERIENCE of God. > and furthermore, This says that anyone who has not communicated with God in one way or another another is not a Christian. I'm sure there are many who, through no fault or lack of faith on their own, have not experienced some direct and personal experience with God. One might argue that faith does not require a direct experience. One can hope, pray and conduct one's life in a Christian manner without religous experience or direct communication with God. Why is it that God does not talk to some people? > 2.) The TRUE faith-experience consists of a one-to-one encounter with > the Divine Presence (my term) in which both parties (if you will) are > intimately aware of the other's presence, and in which there is "offer" > and "response" betwixt the twain. Nothing short of this will do to > justify one's faith in God as true faith. Hmmmmm... looks like a resonable definition off-hand, but in some ways so general that it could describe almost ANY experience in life. It is also open to a lot of interpretation when you try to identify "awareness", "presence", "offer" et al. -- UUCP: ...{decvax,ihnp4,allegra}!seismo!trwatf!root - Lord Frith ARPA: trwatf!root@SEISMO "And Frith made the world"