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From: iannucci@sjuvax.UUCP (iannucci)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Meaning of "speaking to God"
Message-ID: <947@sjuvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Mar-85 20:40:41 EST
Article-I.D.: sjuvax.947
Posted: Wed Mar 13 20:40:41 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Mar-85 05:40:19 EST
Reply-To: iannucci@sjuvax.UUCP (iannucci)
Organization: St. Josephs University, Phila. PA.
Lines: 34

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             Recently, the net has seen discussion of what it means to speak
to God, and it was suggested that reception of insights, ideas, etc. through
prayer could legitimately be referred to as "conversing with God".  I don't
think you'd find too many Christian theologians who would agree with this.
(if you don't give a damn what theologians say, even if you are a believer,
then you might as well just hit 'n' and move on).

       I am in the middle of a course in Christian theology right now (not
that I have anything to say about whether I'd LIKE to be in the course, but
at any rate...) and what has been stressed more than anything else by the
Jesuit who stands up front, is that:

   1.) The only TRUE Christians (n.b. I didn't say Catholics) are those
who have had at least one PERSONAL EXPERIENCE of God.

and furthermore,

   2.) The TRUE faith-experience consists of a one-to-one encounter with
the Divine Presence (my term) in which both parties (if you will) are
intimately aware of the other's presence, and in which there is "offer"
and "response" betwixt the twain.  Nothing short of this will do to 
justify one's faith in God as true faith.

         Well, I'll be interested to see what everybody has to say about
this. As I say, this is the standing of all "real" Christian theologians,
by my understanding. Flame the Jesuits if you like. You won't hurt MY
feelings.
-- 
Dave Iannucci
St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia
...{allegra|astrovax|bpa|burdvax}!sjuvax!iannucci
"A witty saying proves nothing. "      --Voltaire