In Reply to: Glad you're relaxed posted by Eva on January 03, 2004 at 15:33:07:
you know as i was thinking over what causes me to emote on issues related to jesus. it is that it is not simply a philosophical position (altho it is that )but a relationship of the most intimate and deepest type.it's not just about being right, or defending an opinion. in my 33+ years of relationship w/ the person of jesus (way more if i count my early catholic childhood), i have certainly shared my heart w/ him in ways it would be impossible to do with any other human. i have for all that time lived in a reality of his presence, the risen one who actually did die on a cross out of love for me, and had me personally in mind while he hung there, and has had a plan for my life that he has superintended thru years of goof ups and tragedies, miracles and mercies. like many others who would self identify as christians of fundamental, evangelical, charismatic, catholic, nondenominational, mainstream or even really out there flavors, jesus is so much more than a belief, or even avatar or that sort of thing.
it does not get me upset if others who do not believe in his resurrection, or presence today, or even in the prophetic tradition or theistic worldveiw thru which he chose to arrive, try to express, even in strident terms, why they do not accept him. but i guess when it is stated or implied that having that belief , and relationship, is in someway toxic, well, it feels pretty bad. it probably shouldn't, but it does. kind of like when i was a kid i could take it if someone called me a name, but if they insult my mother, well, geez, i couldn't just stand there, could i?
i'm off on a trip and wouldn't be around for the debate anyway. but maybe sometime. blessings.