It is easier to preach and teach about the word intimacy rather than a distinctly biblical word like Redemption, Justification…Jesus, etc. because it requires no real study. Intimacy with Jesus, while true and biblical, is all about my experience. Ironically, if we labored and endeavored to preach and teach the bible, and not our experience, we would find that people would have great intimacy with God.

"It is easier to preach and teach about the word intimacy rather than a distinctly biblical word like Redemption, Justification…Jesus, etc. because it requires no real study."

I disagree. Its easier to teach about Redemption and justification, in my opinion, than it is to teach about intimacy. Redemption and justification are abstract truths, what makes them real is intimacy, encounter, life changing radical encounter with the living God. The intimate part of the equation cannot be taught, it can only be experienced. Its not information that saves a man, information explains to the man what just happened. Most people come to Jesus knowing little or nothing about the theological truths of redemption and justification. The sum total of their " knowledge,' may be that some one told them that Jesus loved them and died for their sins..........brother Frank

We have a very personal GOD; and HE
knows all about us, even the hairs
of our heads are numbered. He cares
deeply for us and desires for us to
know HIM as Father, as Friend, as
King, as LORD, as Savior. Relationship
requires communion with one another.
GOD is known by our seeking HIM in
the fullness of HIS grace and glory,
hearing HIS Word of faith and truth,
and experiencing HIS presence and
purpose in our hearts and lives.

_________________
Martin G. Smith

Mahoney wrote;
"Ironically, if we labored and endeavored to preach and teach the bible, and not our experience, we would find that people would have great intimacy with God."

Should our concern be to preach, or to try and influence others to a doctrine or theory, or should our main influence be one of LIFE?

In Christ,

Ron

_________________
Ron Halverson

"...do and teach..."

Living the Way opens the avenue towards instruction in the Word.

WE are to make disciples, not converts.

Converting them is between God and them.


Our focus should remain looking to Jesus, and our own relationship with God...of LIFE. The preaching and teaching find their place in this.

Indoctrination without example is heady. It may lead to mental affirmation; but lacks the wherewithal of down to earth application.

As the Word of God lives in us, this message will be from a pure heart.

Doctrine by example leaves an indelable mark when coupled with the teaching/preaching of it.

The workmen unashamed do what they say.

I agree with the original poster. All of the nebulous talk about feelings and intimacy in the church has made it pretty feminine in my opinion. We need strong men who are passionate about Biblical truth and doctrine, as well as their lives. As Paul told Timothy, "watch your life and doctrine closely".

Of course, say something like that, and all the people wrapped up in their inner feelings think you're a cold-hearted Pharisee.

_________________
Taylor Otwell

God bless you, brother!
Amen to your post.
I was in a prayer meeting yesterday and this same issue came up. I'm so sick of all this talk of intimacy and bridal paradigm business. I call it, 'the feminizing of the Gospel'

Someone had had a 'vision' of the Lord as a Lion in the midst of their meeting. She said, 'He said, I don't want commitment, I want consummation!'
One brother asked,'how does one speak of such things and still get a wholesome understanding from brothers?

Frankly, i think if we'll just stick to good ol' preaching of the Cross of Christ, people will know God intimately. How in the world did the ol' revivalists do it?

God help us!

_________________
Tolu

"How in the world did the ol' revivalists do it?"

Brother, the reason there was, and is, a need for revival was and is because peopple were " dead,' in religion. And with revival came outpouring of emmotions. There is nothing feminine about a radical encounter with God, just ask the prophets. When you are crying out "woe is me, for I am undone,' you will not be feeling feminine. Some of the most passionate Christians down through the ages were some of the most fearless Christians who presented their bodies to the flames of martyrdom singing psalms of glory to their God. Praise the Lord for saints who have intimate encounters with the Lord, these are the men we read about who have turned their world upside down.........brother Frank

I know it was through the Word that I came to learn about Jesus. How that began I can't tell, for it was the Spirit of God working within me (intimately). We refer to the letters of the Apostles as "Scripture". And we do so rightly. But remember, they are letters written from an intimate relationship with the Living God. I suspect that if we were to speak with those who saw Jesus in bodily form, we would come away with a sense of intimacy.

Sounds like we're bantering: "Which came first, the chicken or the egg".

By His Grace.

_________________
Paul Horton

_________________
Michelle