What a rifle-shot distinction between religion and relationship! I remembered that Oswald Chambers had similarly drawn this distinction, differentiating between preaching Christ and preaching our beliefs about Christ. As important as it is to know what we believe and why, doctrine (a systematic expression of the truth) cannot eclipse God. Jesus' invitation, after all, was not "learn about me" but "Come to me."
When we come to him, walk with him, he teaches us and reveals himself. As William Temple said,
Knowledge of God can be fully given to man only in a Person, never in a doctrine. Faith is not the holding of correct doctrine, but personal fellowship with the living God.
1 comment:
Amen!
J.I. Packer in "Knowing God" says, "...a simple Bible reader and sermon hearer who is full of the Holy Spirit will develop a far deeper acquaintance with his God and Savior than a more learned scholar who is content with being theologically correct. The reason is that the former will deal with God regarding the practical application of truth in his life, the latter will not."
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