Romance Theology?

[dgolvach]

Last week I read a book called "The Sacred Romance". The point of this book was to shine light on what God really wants from us. Appearently it is a very intimate love that he desires. The word "Romance" is thrown around quite abit these days. I hear it in sermons as well as books. "A romance with God". Its obvious that the romance thats this author is speaking of is not a physical romance like we express with our spouses. But the type on intimacy that occurs during a physical union of man and wife is only a small picture of the type of spiritual intercourse God seeks with his children. (us) His love has both paternal and maternal attributes. This book also depicts God as a sort of lover. This ideal is based on the "song of songs" in the Bible. Most people see it merely as a guide for earthy romance between a man and a woman. The author of "sacred romance" makes the case that this book (song of songs) has even a deeper meaning. Its a sort of snapshot of the very deep intimacy we can share with God when we turn from earhtly sorces (sin) towards God in order to get feed. Another book I am reading is by a fellow named Barry Hall. Its called "Heart Training". Again this author makes the case that all sin (lust, greed, pride, addiction...ect...) are actually evidence that we are created with desire for God. The desires themselves are not the sin but rather they way we try to fufill these desires. Its not a matter of walking around, gritting you teeth and just saying no to sin. (This attempt to stop sinning is in itself as sin because it is a work of the flesh that leads to pride and us thinking we have earned God's presence)True repentence is turning your attention and desires towards God. We actually drink from God so our souls are satisfied. We drink by enterting into his presence. He even pointed out that sexual sin is much more than a need to fulfill a biological\fleshy desire all though that is part of it. But the greater part of it is a deep desire planted in us by God himself to direct us towards him. He is more than willing to give you a very intimate love that easily overcomes the desire to get it through sex outside of marriage or sins of the mind. (sexual sin). Barry is not saying that God desires physical sex but the same type of spiritual intercourse and oneness that occurs. Only far greater than what we even experience with our spouses. He also wants to bathe us in his tender nurturing love much like a mother does with her newborn. But again, much greater than that. The Bible even uses the analogy of a mother nursing a child with her breasts. Very inimate!. So its not our effort to stop sinning but God's love we experience when we enter into his presence, that makes it possible to overcome sin. I have had a problem with lust up until about 2 1|2 months ago when I started trading my lust for God's presence. I don't walk around craving sex or having lust thought. This is not the first time I attempted to change. But this time I turned towards God and got what I needed so there hasen't been any need for sexual sin outside of my lovely beautiful wife. God gives me inimacy. Let me explain this:

I love my sons. I have a very intimate relationship with my wife at times. She is a very beautiful woman and I enjoy our intimacy. As far as a family goes, I feel fortunate. Lots of intimacy. But when I am honest with myself, I know that my soul craves far more intimacy, deep love and spiritual intercourse. No human including my lovely beautiful wife could ever completely supply all that I need. Islam's 72 virgins couldn't. Solomon's hundreds of wives and concubines wouldn't be enough. My needs are way vast. I am very needy. I need a eternal, intimate lover. Not some dictator with a ZZ Top beard. I don't want high fives or just hugs when I go to heaven. I want a deep intimacy with the one who created me. I want God to wildly love me and I want to return my wild love back to God.

Are these authors and myself being blasphemous by wanting so much from God? I dont want a mansion. I want him. Every second. I want extreme love from him. I want him to love me in an extreme way?

Any thoughts? Am I a blasphemer?

Dan

[dgolvach]

Last week I read a book called "The Sacred Romance". The point of this book was to shine light on what God really wants from us. Appearently it is a very intimate love that he desires. The word "Romance" is thrown around quite abit these days. I hear it in sermons as well as books. "A romance with God". Its obvious that the romance thats this author is speaking of is not a physical romance like we express with our spouses. But the type on intimacy that occurs during a physical union of man and wife is only a small picture of the type of spiritual intercourse God seeks with his children. (us) His love has both paternal and maternal attributes. This book also depicts God as a sort of lover. This ideal is based on the "song of songs" in the Bible. Most people see it merely as a guide for earthy romance between a man and a woman. The author of "sacred romance" makes the case that this book (song of songs) has even a deeper meaning. Its a sort of snapshot of the very deep intimacy we can share with God when we turn from earhtly sorces (sin) towards God in order to get feed. Another book I am reading is by a fellow named Barry Hall. Its called "Heart Training". Again this author makes the case that all sin (lust, greed, pride, addiction...ect...) are actually evidence that we are created with desire for God. The desires themselves are not the sin but rather they way we try to fufill these desires. Its not a matter of walking around, gritting you teeth and just saying no to sin. (This attempt to stop sinning is in itself as sin because it is a work of the flesh that leads to pride and us thinking we have earned God's presence)True repentence is turning your attention and desires towards God. We actually drink from God so our souls are satisfied. We drink by enterting into his presence. He even pointed out that sexual sin is much more than a need to fulfill a biological\fleshy desire all though that is part of it. But the greater part of it is a deep desire planted in us by God himself to direct us towards him. He is more than willing to give you a very intimate love that easily overcomes the desire to get it through sex outside of marriage or sins of the mind. (sexual sin). Barry is not saying that God desires physical sex but the same type of spiritual intercourse and oneness that occurs. Only far greater than what we even experience with our spouses. He also wants to bathe us in his tender nurturing love much like a mother does with her newborn. But again, much greater than that. The Bible even uses the analogy of a mother nursing a child with her breasts. Very inimate!. So its not our effort to stop sinning but God's love we experience when we enter into his presence, that makes it possible to overcome sin. I have had a problem with lust up until about 2 1|2 months ago when I started trading my lust for God's presence. I don't walk around craving sex or having lust thought. This is not the first time I attempted to change. But this time I turned towards God and got what I needed so there hasen't been any need for sexual sin outside of my lovely beautiful wife. God gives me inimacy. Let me explain this:

I love my sons. I have a very intimate relationship with my wife at times. She is a very beautiful woman and I enjoy our intimacy. As far as a family goes, I feel fortunate. Lots of intimacy. But when I am honest with myself, I know that my soul craves far more intimacy, deep love and spiritual intercourse. No human including my lovely beautiful wife could ever completely supply all that I need. Islam's 72 virgins couldn't. Solomon's hundreds of wives and concubines wouldn't be enough. My needs are way vast. I am very needy. I need a eternal, intimate lover. Not some dictator with a ZZ Top beard. I don't want high fives or just hugs when I go to heaven. I want a deep intimacy with the one who created me. I want God to wildly love me and I want to return my wild love back to God.

Are these authors and myself being blasphemous by wanting so much from God? I dont want a mansion. I want him. Every second. I want extreme love from him. I want him to love me in an extreme way?

Any thoughts? Am I a blasphemer?

Dan

[Benobi1]

i don't think so

GOD wants everything from us, mind body and soul

Let's look at the meaning:

ro

Edited November 30, 2007 by Benobi1

[dgolvach]

i don't think so

GOD wants everything from us, mind body and soul

Let's look at the meaning:

ro

[patricia1]

I love reading and meditating on the tremendous revelations of how God, Jesus yearns for us to be intimate with Him, A GREAT BOOK. and yes it is all possible. Yes God can be as nurturing as a mother and as strong as a father. Did He not say let us make man in our image. adam and eve were produce. The feminate and masculine part of God.

I am not sure if you mean includeing Jesus in the bed and sexual routine.... No!!! or knowing that God made us as a sexual person and discussing things with Him. Yes!!! He cares about all aspects of our lives.

Perversions, pornography should not be part of the loving bed. If they are seek guidence from a mature pastor and talk to God about it. patricia1

[givennewname]

i don't think so

GOD wants everything from us, mind body and soul

Let's look at the meaning:

ro

Edited November 30, 2007 by givennewname

[eric]

So what are we going to turn WB into a platform to launch talk about romancing with the Almighty God as in a romance story from Barns and Noble.

Do we have to turn the bible into some cheap book about sex?...You people disgust me.

[terter]

Definitely not a blasphemer to want an intimate relationship with Yahweh yet realizing that our relationship with Him can't be based on our emotions. In other words, thanking, praising, and worshiping Him and expecting nothing in return.

[irishcowboy]

Who is our first love?

God does refer to Israel as having committed adultery against Him.....

Adultery is more then just having sex out side of marriage.... it is forsaking another..... the Israelites turned away from God, they committed adultery against Him..... how many of us have done the same and do not realize it? how many of us have done the same with out spouse and do not think twice about it?

when you are with your spouse (for those married) are you complete? when you are away from them, are you lacking something? seriously thou, are you as complete with and with out your spouse with you????

our relationship with God is the same..... when we stray away, we should notice it at once, before we even get a chance to do any wrong.... our relationship with God should be even closer then that with our spouse....

how many of you that have been married for any length of time, know your spouse well enough that you are finishing sentences word for word of what they would.... or getting up in the evening, just before bed, and going into the kitchen and fixing a small snack that you know your spouse likes.... or getting a book from the book store you know they would really enjoy ( not one they have been talking about either)

this is the kind of love that comes from knowing a person intimately... this is also the kind of love that God wants from us... that we know His ways, with out having to try and figure out what He wants....

do we really know what God's will is???? the more intimate a person gets with God, the more they will get to know how God works... and what His Ultimate desires are for each and every one of us......

a person that loves their spouse, really deep has a real desire to ensure their spouse is fulfilled, with out any consideration for their own benefit...... the same is to be said for our relationship with God, we should be doing what He wants, with out any concern for any gain... none.....

mike

[Marnie]

Romance is not Biblical, although there is nothing wrong with it in its context. Love of G-d and intimacy with Christ has nothing to do with feelings or emotions. According to Christ's own teaching, if we love Him, we will obey His commands. One of them is to love one an other as He has loved us. He demonstrated that love for us by dying for us, not by getting romantic or intimate with us. His love for us is conditioned by the Father's love for Him.

Romance and romantic feelings are fleeting at best, but a lot of Christians seem to want that in all their relationships these days, including the relationship with their Creator. Love says "I want to spend time with you, I want to get to know you, I want learn all about you, I want to make you happy." Romance says, "I want you to make me feel good." Love lasts forever, romance doesn't care about your name, all it cares about it a feeling for the moment. Where I come from, that's a one night stand. Many believers seem to be quite content with that with Christ, however.