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Is God our lover?
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:23 pm
by _schoel
Your thoughts on God as our lover and how current Western Christianity in America sees that.
What does Scripture say referencing God as our lover?
Do we need more or less emphasis on this aspect?
Dave
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 12:29 pm
by _Perry
Hiya Dave,
I'm not sure what you're driving at. Just now in our western culture the word "lover" implies "erotic lover". There's nothing in my walk with the Lord that stimulates this response, and, frankly, the idea seems a little creepy to me.
However, I'd say that developing a close intimacy with God would be impossible to over emphasize.
Perry
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 1:45 pm
by _Rick_C
Hi Dave, aka schoel
You wrote:Your thoughts on God as our lover and how current Western Christianity in America sees that.
I agree with Perry on "erotic lover" (the term usually implies illicit sex).
Sectors in USA Christianity are really into "God is my lover". Just listen to a lot of contemporary Christian music (you can't tell tell the difference between it and regular "love" songs). It just replaces Jesus with your boyfriend or girlfriend in the lyrics. I don't like when a whole worship service has only these kinds of tunes. Where did the MIGHTY GOD go? lol
What does Scripture say referencing God as our lover?
It doesn't that I know of.
The Church-corporate is the Bride of Christ, we are betrothed to him. Keeping in mind being betrothed wasn't being "lovers" in biblical times: Betrothal was the first stage of marriage.
Many think the Song of Solomon is about God is our lover. It may, but I don't see this as a major (or really even minor) theme in the Bible.
You also wrote:Do we need more or less emphasis on this aspect?
More on the Bride of Christ, totally less on "Jesus is my boyfriend."
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 2:16 pm
by _Paidion
I'm in love, so deeply in love
With the Lover of my soul.
I will sing praise to my King
As the years of eternity roll.
His love is in my heart,
Never to depart.
His blood has made me whole.
I'm in love with Jesus;
He's the Lover of my soul.
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 2:31 pm
by _Rick_C
aWunnerful, aWunnerful, aWunnerful...an' a one an' a two an' a.....
(Paidion, is that a a pic of Lawrence Welk)?
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 2:45 pm
by _Seth
If you follow the female-driven church songbook, then yes. Lord/King/Master is the way I think of God. It's more manly.
Anybody ever read "Why Men Hate Going to Church"? It discusses the feminization of the church quite a little bit. Worth a read...plus the author is a family friend.
On the same note, I was given a scripture to read during worship a few weeks back (I'm a regular vocalist on the Worship Teams at my church), and it was Psalm 139:13. Unfortunately, instead of the "you formed my inmost being..." translation, it was "you formed all the delicate, inner parts of my body." Ew. I objected on the grounds that I had a Y chromosome, and went with the familiar version.
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 4:22 pm
by _Derek
"you formed all the delicate, inner parts of my body." Ew.
Double Ew!
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 7:20 pm
by _TK
rick c wrote:
It just replaces Jesus with your boyfriend or girlfriend in the lyrics. I don't like when a whole worship service has only these kinds of tunes. Where did the MIGHTY GOD go?
BINGO!
Seth wrote:
If you follow the female-driven church songbook
BINGO again!
Songs that talk about "falling in love" with God or Jesus dont cut it for me. The idea of romantic love as applied to God gives me the creeps, like Perry said. That is not to say that I do not love the Lord God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, or at least strive to.
However, the book of Hosea does portray God as a jilted husband who is trying to woo back his adulterous bride. I think it is an illustration, but doesnt force us to think of God's love in this way.
TK
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 7:36 pm
by _Michelle
I'm not arguing because I agree that most of the newer songs sung in church have that "Jesus is my boyfriend, and boy is he a great one" flavor, which is definitely feminine. I don't personally care for that kind of song either, but I'm not sure what this means:
the female-driven church songbook
Are you saying the same thing I said above the quote? Or are you saying that there is a committee of women who are dictating what is included in the songbook? Or is it that worship-song writers are trying to appeal more to women then men?
Well, huh, now that I think about it, maybe it's all three.
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 8:41 pm
by _Rick_C
Though we may need a new thread about "Romantic Worship Tunes" or something like that....
Michelle,
There's undoubtedly committees comprised of both men & women in the "Christian music industry" (in quotes because, well, let's face it: some people are only in it for the money) -- who regularly consult the popular music charts and keep up with all the latest trends & fashions in music: "Romance sells"!!!
Guys,
Since people have romantic feelings built into them; I can't say that I've never had a kind of "romantic" feeling toward God. Whenever I've experienced this, which isn't often and hasn't happened recently; it's...I don't know how to put it..."Lord, make be like a Knight of the Round Table, Amen." Like that, sort of....
But on worship tunes: I sure wouldn't mind it if, after a few "Jesus love songs", we'd do a few more of the olde awesome tunes in church, like: A Mighty Fortress (is our God)!
O, FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING
MY GooRATE REDEEEEMER'S PRAAAAAAAISE!!!!!
(a tune that makes me "pre-trib"......I can't sing it without feeling like I'm being raptured)!
er whatever,
Rick