Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!mephisto!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: The Bible and Us: a book review; comments on Mary and Protestantism Message-ID: Date: 20 Sep 90 08:16:35 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 31 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article mmh@cs.qmw.ac.uk (Matthew Huntbach) writes: >>This is not what Protestants mean by a personal relationship with >>Jesus. Normally people who describe such relationships talk about >>Jesus as a friend whom they experience in their normal lives. > >As a matter of interest, where in the Bible is this rather >sentimental view of Jesus suggested as the core of religious >belief? Is it, in any case, "traditional Protestantism"? It >always struck me as a 20th century marketting trick. Hear then the words spoken by Jesus: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John 15:14, 15 (KJV) Further, we joint heirs with Jesus making us His brothers and sisters by adoption. So, No, it is not merely some 20th century marketting trick. And the view may seem sentimental to you, but it is reality to many of us. And herein is something that saints need to always remember, we have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry "Abba (daddy), Father." To whom to we cry, the one, true, and living God Almighty. And if He is our Father and the Father of Jesus, then are we not brothers and sisters to the Son of God and part of God's family. Because He lives, Gene Gross