Personal Relationship with God

[Montalban]

What is the origin of the phrase “Personal relationship with God/Jesus/Christ”?

As my previous post shows, the Catholic Church used the phrase at the Second Vatican Council (1965).

Can we find documented evidence that the phrase was being used before that time, in Evangelical circles, in particular?

While it seems unlikely, it would be ironic if it actually originated from the Catholic Church.

I have somewhere in my Penguin Classics collection* the wishes of an Irish nun of the Middle Ages; she wished that she could have breast-fed the baby Jesus.

That’s pretty personal.

*-It may have been “A Celtic Miscellany”

 

[rciadan]

Hi,

I think I would agree with Blue that many catholics we see just go to church on Sunday and that is it. I even have catholic friends who bash the church. So I guess we cant understand that if you say you have a personal relationship and then dont show it on the outside–love, mercy, help the needy, help the church, etc. It just begs the question if they are just playing church.

Now with that said, I would never presume to judge someone’s faith because I dont know them. Everyone’s spiritual walk is different and at different stages. Eight years ago people would have never known that I had a personal relationship with Christ because I did not show it mainly because I was an immature christian. Now I wear my christianity on my sleeve because I have grown in Christ and I feel more comfortable telling people where I stand and who I am in Christ.
Sadly some christians never mature in their faith so it appears to some they have none. When in fact they do they just havent moved forward in their walk with Christ. I found the only thing they made me mature was studying the bible and gaining knowledge as to who God was and what He wants from me. AMEN!!

I would be careful. It works both ways. You want to judge Catholics by what you see or don’t see outside the wall of the Church. Judge not lest ye be judged.
I have seen many, many protestants who go to church every Sunday and (as the really HOLY ones do) on Wednsday night as well and then tell me with a straight face that there is no need for them to do anything at all: that even if they murder sombody in cold blood with no remorse, they are still saved. (actual conversation). I have worked for a "good Non-denominational Christian) who cheated his employees, lied to clients and had no qualms about taking as much advantage of people as he could. When I confronted him about this, his response was “My faith is my faith and business is business”. For every protestant I know who calls himself Christian and who actually go to church at all I know 25 that call themselves Christian and, unless they tell you so , you would know them for ten years and never guess!
I know there are many Catholic of the same ilk. But don’t dare to accuse this of Catholics and pretend that Protestants are any better!
The Church has always taught that the whole purpose of its existance is to help you to develop the intensly* intimate* relationship with Christ that He desires to have with you! If you bother to read the Early Church Fathers, any of the Mystics of the Church, or even just to read the prayers that are in the Liturgy, you would realize this…
Notice that I say “intimate” which is to say, to the point of becoming one flesh and one body. I can get "personal with the guys at work, but I would never consider being intimate with them. This is the problem I see with Protestants. They all want to taut how “personal” their relationship is, yet balk at actually being “intimate” with thier Lord and Savior!
Sorry, got to go. I can’t stand to read any more of this accusatory nonsense from those who have no idea of what my Mother (the Church)actually teaches!

 

[love4mary]

God calls each of us by name to have a personal relationship with Him, but God ALSO calls us to be a communal people, to share our faith in the larger Family of Believers.

Its not a Jesus and Me only mentality nor should it ever be. We worship as a community.

I have a very personal relationship with Jesus, so much in fact that my deacon actually got a little upset with me once for the way that I talk to Jesus when I am praying before Him in the Tabernacle. Let me explain that. For me, when and if by the grace of God I attain heaven one day, Jesus will be my Best Friend and “Big Brother” (still and always my Saviour), but while I am still “wandering the desert” here on earth, He needs to be my BOSS and Authority and Teacher. This is how I have always talked with Jesus, and this is the relationship I am most comfortable with.

I have a personal relationship within the context of the community.

 

[mercygate]

I talk to God all the time. That sounds like a personal relationship to me. Moreover I eat his Body and drink his Blood every day. That’s REALLY personal.

Off topic: I owe you one, cestus. The JW’s came by the other week, and when they told me they "go by the Bible alone and they read it all, not just isolated verses, I responded with a brief essay on how the Church receives her teaching on the authority and character of the priesthood. They demurred as if to challenge, but I used your line (without credit): “If we go down that road, I guarantee you’re going to walk out of here praying the rosary!”

Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[st_lucy]

Maybe God wants more than such a distant relationship - for you might get the same from a pen-pal

Don’t forget that as a Catholic we also have the oppurtunity to recieve Him on daily basis. Now that is very personal,

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I would be careful. It works both ways. You want to judge Catholics by what you see or don’t see outside the wall of the Church. Judge not lest ye be judged.
I have seen many, many protestants who go to church every Sunday and (as the really HOLY ones do) on Wednsday night as well and then tell me with a straight face that there is no need for them to do anything at all: that even if they murder sombody in cold blood with no remorse, they are still saved. (actual conversation). I have worked for a "good Non-denominational Christian) who cheated his employees, lied to clients and had no qualms about taking as much advantage of people as he could. When I confronted him about this, his response was “My faith is my faith and business is business”. For every protestant I know who calls himself Christian and who actually go to church at all I know 25 that call themselves Christian and, unless they tell you so , you would know them for ten years and never guess!
I know there are many Catholic of the same ilk. But don’t dare to accuse this of Catholics and pretend that Protestants are any better!
The Church has always taught that the whole purpose of its existance is to help you to develop the intensly* intimate* relationship with Christ that He desires to have with you! If you bother to read the Early Church Fathers, any of the Mystics of the Church, or even just to read the prayers that are in the Liturgy, you would realize this…
Notice that I say “intimate” which is to say, to the point of becoming one flesh and one body. I can get "personal with the guys at work, but I would never consider being intimate with them. This is the problem I see with Protestants. They all want to taut how “personal” their relationship is, yet balk at actually being “intimate” with thier Lord and Savior!
Sorry, got to go. I can’t stand to read any more of this accusatory nonsense from those who have no idea of what my Mother (the Church)actually teaches!

Yes it does go both ways that is why I would not judge.

 

[happygal]

I used to think this way because my in-laws are Catholic and never really seemed to do anything outside of the church. They just went to Mass every Sunday and then that’s it.

Me too does have such Catholic frez who simply a church goer , but of most there are other Christian frez as well whom do the same as well

I am heavily involved in my church and we do activities throughout the week all the time.
Plus, whenever I would mention something from the Bible, all I got was blank stares, even though I was just quoting scripture and not interpretting it.

As a Christian, ministry is very important for us, in my church everyone needs to serve at least once in a ministry, provided work really pull you away from it

I realize not all Catholics are like this and I’m glad to see you live your faith as we do as non-Catholics.

 

[SAHM02]

I go to church every Sunday.
I teach Sunday school every Sunday for the pre-schoolers/kindergarteners.

I, also, teach religion to the 5-6th graders at the church after school/Saturday mornings.
I’ve also have done things for the kids for VBS.

I’m so-so at quoting scripture. I know that things are in the Bible and generally I can at least tell you what “book”. For some things I can tell you at least what “book” and “chapter”… I’m always working on making this better.

I also help out at the local food pantries.
I will do what I can to help those around me.

I’ve done all of this and have for years. However, I will say that I don’t have a “real” personal relationship with Christ. Sure, I know who Christ is; sure I pray to Him, but honestly most of the time it’s only when I “need” something. What kind of relationship is that? To only talk to someone when you need something from them? Hmm… You know I would drop my best friend like a hot potato if the only time I would hear from her is if she needed something.

So right now, I have to be honest and say that I’m working on my “personal” relationship with Christ. I’m trying to pray when I am happy; just to say Hey God it’s been a happy day for me… today I… and it was… I’m trying to pray when I am thankful; just to say God I’m thankful for all these things today.

I’m trying to included God in all the things I do just like my spouse. I talk to my husband every day. I laugh with him, cry with him, I’m silly with him; I’m serious with him… I share all my emotions with my husband, and right now I’m learning and trying to do that with God. So that one day I can be honest and say: Yes, I’m a Bible Christian and Yes, I have a “personal” relationship with God. I know God and I’ve allowed God to be in all parts of my life. God is my Best Friend.

However, sadly this is all that I can honestly say today: I’m a Bible Christian and God is an acquaintance of mine. (Therefore I could not vote in the poll)

Please pray for me!
Pray that I allow God into my life more.
Pray that I share all of my emotions with God through prayer, not just my needs.

 

[Texan_in_DC]

I used to think this way because my in-laws are Catholic and never really seemed to do anything outside of the church. They just went to Mass every Sunday and then that’s it.

Oh yes how sad your inlaws go to Mass every Sunday lets think about this statement, Mass is a wonderful thing, i wish i could go every day.

I am heavily involved in my church and we do activities throughout the week all the time.

Hmm and the Catholic Church does not?

I guess you come from a very small church where u know every member personally, so you know who participates and who doesnt.

See The Catholic Church is huge, because of our 2000 year history!

I usually go to Theology on Tap every Tuesday night which brings together all of us catholics throughout the dioces. I try to go to a men’s retreat once a month through Regnum Christi (Legionaries of Christ) and of course there is the Knights of Columbus and the list goes on…

Let me also point out that not every catholic goes to mass every sunday like your inlaws , its always amazing to me how many more Catholics are at mass at Christmas.

And within any church Catholic or non catholic their are always members that are not as involved as we might hope.

Plus, whenever I would mention something from the Bible, all I got was blank stares, even though I was just quoting scripture and not interpretting it.
I realize not all Catholics are like this and I’m glad to see you live your faith as we do as non-Catholics.

I often look at protestants with a blank stare too when they start quoting from the good book, because there intensions are often misguided.

If you have any specific questions about our faith I would love to help you even with your personal interpretation.

Catholic by Choice

Southern baptist convert to Catholic in 2005!

 

[suupah]

A personal relationship isn’t something that happens any certain way. it is personal thus completely unique and tailored to the one involved. For me to describe it would be hard because it is a something from deep inside. it really isn’t like knowing something, it is more like being something.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I often look at protestants with a blank stare too when they start quoting from the good book, because there intensions are often misguided.

Hi,
Im just curious what you mean by this statement? Could you expand on it?

 

[jmcrae]

Hi,
Im just curious what you mean by this statement? Could you expand on it?

I’m guessing she means that they often quote it completely out of context in order to “support” some heresy or other.

Since, in the course of normal conversation, it’s difficult to drag out all the books and web sites in order to provide evidence of the hereticalness of the said heresy, she simply gives the person a blank look and then changes the subject - which is probably the most sensible thing to do, under the circumstances, rather than getting into a long-drawn-out argument with the person.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

I’m guessing she means that they often quote it completely out of context in order to “support” some heresy or other.

Since, in the course of normal conversation, it’s difficult to drag out all the books and web sites in order to provide evidence of the hereticalness of the said heresy, she simply gives the person a blank look and then changes the subject - which is probably the most sensible thing to do, under the circumstances, rather than getting into a long-drawn-out argument with the person.

AH yes I understand:thumbsup:

 

[Sixtus]

A personal relationship isn’t something that happens any certain way. it is personal thus completely unique and tailored to the one involved. For me to describe it would be hard because it is a something from deep inside. it really isn’t like knowing something

AMEN

 

[suupah]

I have to be totally honest. I feel the closest to God when i do acts of charity and don’t tell a soul about it. Just like Jesus said to. This brings me closer to God than Mass, the Eucharist, Sacraments, Bible, Prayer or Devotions.

I do however believe that Acts of Godly Charity stem from the sacramental activities. The sacraments are like food for the charity muscles. But it is as if God is saying that my personal Self actualization as a christian is in giving to others and relying on God for what i Get. I can not believe the incredible blessings in my soul and in my life from the little charity that i do. I plan to increase the harvest of the seed that God has planted here. The God who sees in secret does indeed repay you in secret.

He has taught me that FAITH is indeed a VERB

 

[Blue_Serenity]

I have to be totally honest. I feel the closest to God when i do acts of charity and don’t tell a soul about it. Just like Jesus said to. This brings me closer to God than Mass, the Eucharist, Sacraments, Bible, Prayer or Devotions.

I do however believe that Acts of Godly Charity stem from the sacramental activities. The sacraments are like food for the charity muscles. But it is as if God is saying that my personal Self actualization as a christian is in giving to others and relying on God for what i Get.

You are using the talents that God gave you to love and serve Him. You are doing what ALL Christians should be doing.

 

[Ziv18]

We are called to have a personal relationship with Jesus through his Church, His body and His kingdom. Jesus speaks many times in the gospel about his kingdom. It is good to have a special relationship with Christ but he ultimately calls us to his Church for that relationship. As Catholics, we have a deep and very close relationship with Christ through the Eucharist. Those who know truly what they receive during the Eucharist know fully that they have an intimate relationship with Christ.

 

[Valke2]

I was told by a evangelical that Catholics do not know God. That they don’t have a personal relationship with God. “Catholics are more concerned with procedure then with knowing God. The Catholic church is much the same as the Pharisees. Even though they have truth in doctrine, they do not know God.”

As a Catholic I know that this is not true. I know that it is extremely personal. If it wasn’t personal it would merely be a philosophy and not religion. It is important to me that I represent my faith for others so that they know that Catholics have a very personal relationship with the lord.

i know this type of post can get people fired up. I ask that it stays peaceful. thanks.

I would like to hear from evangelicals why they have the perception that Catholics do not have a personal relationship with God.

Now you know how a Jew feels when someone tells him that his faith is based only on laws and that he has no spiritual relationship with God.

 

[Alexius]

Now you know how a Jew feels when someone tells him that his faith is based only on laws and that he has no spiritual relationship with God.

Sorry

 

[Valke2]

Thanks.