And regarding Archbishop Gullickson's comments, I agree with him that a cultural context is absolutely necessary for my discipleship to truly be intentional and thrive.
Thanks for the comment, Rhetorician1. Two brief thoughts. First, the emphasis here isn't as much on the *manner* by which we come to a relationship with Christ, but simply on the fact that we need to do so. Second, the language of "personal relationship" is of magisterial provenance, including all of our recent pontiffs. Pope Emeritus Benedict, for example, said that the Christian faith is above a a personal relationship with Christ.
Certainly St. Therese had a relationship that transcended her deep existential doubt. However, "personal relationship" rhetoric often ignores this doubt and hardship because it usually is emotivist in nature, and many people will tend to think of relationship in this way. For example, most people think love is an emotion instead of a practice. Thus to talk of relationship without practice can be very dangerous, which is why I look forward to your presentation of the rest of her arguments.
I didn't have enough space to say thank you in my previous posts, but thank you for your response and this study. In the final analysis, it seems like being a disciple is an end, and we run the risk of treating it as a means. Maybe in your next videos, you can cover the definitions of "intentional discipleshsip" and "personal relationship"!
when the material is Spanish about giving seminars and conferences will be in Spanish? We have a big community that need this seminars done by Spanish speakers are they any plan or anything available other than books to read in spanish?
"Don't we first have to address the ingrained skepticism and cynicism that makes faith appear like a clown" before we... so that we can... what? As to St. Therese, I'd say that yes, she had a personal relationship in those moments, as did St. Theresa of Calcutta, St. John of the Cross and all the other saints who have experienced the dark night. Some use "personal relationship" in a primarily emotive way, but that needn't be so (Benedict XVI is an example), Thoughts?
Why the parish in each state are not involved yet and a minister of forming intentional disciples are not in place yet? we are already in 2017 I do not see this really growing in our communities and I will log to get more involve in this process since there is not much time to waste and all catholic must be involved soon te help our church and also grow and understand beter our relationship with God right now.
Thanks for reaching out, Igork... We are always happy to work with any parish in our Diocese that is looking to foster a culture of intentional discipleship, and it most definitely bears fruit more quickly when there are engaged laity ready to help their pastors get things moving. So I would encourage you to visit with your priest and, if you are in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, we are happy to help! In Christ, Chris Burgwald
Could there even be a Dark Night of the Soul if there was not first and foremost a deep, personal relationship? In other words, why would they even care about the loss of the sensible presence of their love if they never had a personal relationship in the first place?
In January we will begin a study of this book in the Men's Fellowship Group at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. We would like to use your videos as a discussion starter as we cover each chapter. May we have your permission to do so?
Did St. Therese of Lisieux have a "personal relationship" when she feels "assailed by the worst temptations of atheism and as Ratzinger describes her experience of "the sense of believing seems to have vanished?" Don't we first have to address the ingrained skepticism and cynicism that makes faith appear like a clown (Ratzinger Intro to Christianity). I look forward to seeing your presentation of what this all means, but the Archbishop presents a serious criticism that needs to be addressed.
I understand that the end of having a relationship is important. However, the manner is of the utmost importance because the primary way we know Christ is through the sacraments. Many people that use personal relationship rhetoric, i.e., evangelicals, dismiss the need for the Church, the sacraments, and priests. I am confident that you don't intend this, but it is a danger of their rhetoric. The relationship with Christ is personal, but we must recognize that it is mediated through the Church.
And regarding Archbishop Gullickson's comments, I agree with him that a cultural context is absolutely necessary for my discipleship to truly be intentional and thrive.
Agreed with both of your comments.
Thanks for the comment, Rhetorician1. Two brief thoughts. First, the emphasis here isn't as much on the *manner* by which we come to a relationship with Christ, but simply on the fact that we need to do so.
Second, the language of "personal relationship" is of magisterial provenance, including all of our recent pontiffs. Pope Emeritus Benedict, for example, said that the Christian faith is above a a personal relationship with Christ.
Certainly St. Therese had a relationship that transcended her deep existential doubt. However, "personal relationship" rhetoric often ignores this doubt and hardship because it usually is emotivist in nature, and many people will tend to think of relationship in this way. For example, most people think love is an emotion instead of a practice. Thus to talk of relationship without practice can be very dangerous, which is why I look forward to your presentation of the rest of her arguments.
This is great. Thank you so much! Excellent book. Love your insights.
I didn't have enough space to say thank you in my previous posts, but thank you for your response and this study. In the final analysis, it seems like being a disciple is an end, and we run the risk of treating it as a means. Maybe in your next videos, you can cover the definitions of "intentional discipleshsip" and "personal relationship"!
when the material is Spanish about giving seminars and conferences will be in Spanish? We have a big community that need this seminars done by Spanish speakers are they any plan or anything available other than books to read in spanish?
"Don't we first have to address the ingrained skepticism and cynicism that makes faith appear like a clown" before we... so that we can... what?
As to St. Therese, I'd say that yes, she had a personal relationship in those moments, as did St. Theresa of Calcutta, St. John of the Cross and all the other saints who have experienced the dark night.
Some use "personal relationship" in a primarily emotive way, but that needn't be so (Benedict XVI is an example),
Thoughts?
Why the parish in each state are not involved yet and a minister of forming intentional disciples are not in place yet? we are already in 2017 I do not see this really growing in our communities and I will log to get more involve in this process since there is not much time to waste and all catholic must be involved soon te help our church and also grow and understand beter our relationship with God right now.
Thanks for reaching out, Igork... We are always happy to work with any parish in our Diocese that is looking to foster a culture of intentional discipleship, and it most definitely bears fruit more quickly when there are engaged laity ready to help their pastors get things moving. So I would encourage you to visit with your priest and, if you are in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, we are happy to help!
In Christ,
Chris Burgwald
Could there even be a Dark Night of the Soul if there was not first and foremost a deep, personal relationship? In other words, why would they even care about the loss of the sensible presence of their love if they never had a personal relationship in the first place?
In January we will begin a study of this book in the Men's Fellowship Group at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. We would like to use your videos as a discussion starter as we cover each chapter. May we have your permission to do so?
Brian Hathaway Sounds great, Brian. This is exactly why we made the series. God Bless!
Did St. Therese of Lisieux have a "personal relationship" when she feels "assailed by the worst temptations of atheism and as Ratzinger describes her experience of "the sense of believing seems to have vanished?" Don't we first have to address the ingrained skepticism and cynicism that makes faith appear like a clown (Ratzinger Intro to Christianity). I look forward to seeing your presentation of what this all means, but the Archbishop presents a serious criticism that needs to be addressed.
I understand that the end of having a relationship is important. However, the manner is of the utmost importance because the primary way we know Christ is through the sacraments. Many people that use personal relationship rhetoric, i.e., evangelicals, dismiss the need for the Church, the sacraments, and priests. I am confident that you don't intend this, but it is a danger of their rhetoric. The relationship with Christ is personal, but we must recognize that it is mediated through the Church.