Would you date Jesus? (Full Version)

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DreadPirateRandy -> Would you date Jesus? (9/4/2008 11:15:36 PM)

This thread is somewhat cynical with a bit of seriousness thrown in to balance everything out.

I've read many of times of stories and comments individuals have made on this community about "dating" Jesus. Of course, not literal dating, but they view Jesus as a romantic figure, a boyfriend, per say.

I get told that I'm to have an "intimate" relationship with Christ. These statements make me uncomfortable, and I firmly believe they're taken out of content.

Intimate means two things:
1.) A close or warm friendship.
2.) A usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship.

Now, as a man, the second definition makes me feel uncomfortable. But as I've heard stories from this community, there are actually women who embrace an "intimate" relationship with Jesus, and its not just a Father-daughter relationship either. To me, this is greatly disturbing. I suspect the verses about being "married" to Jesus are taken out of content, too.

My question is, what do you, as a woman, think of others viewing Jesus as a romantic figure or boyfriend/husband/whatever? Have you even remotely felt this way?



magdaleine -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/4/2008 11:44:40 PM)

When a word has two meanings, it doesn't mean that whenever it's used it has BOTH meanings. In fact, usually it does not. Intimate in no way necessarily means sexual or illicit. In fact, you can't have a deep friendship without intimacy. In truth, we should ALL have an intimate relationship with Jesus. If we don't, we should question if we're truly Christian.



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/5/2008 12:17:06 AM)

Intimacy, in the case I described, certainly means the definitions I've listed. My question didn't ask if the definitions applied, because by the content from the stories, I know they do.

Usually anyone I speak to, they relate intimacy with some form of closeness. It's most usually to describe between a man and a wife in their marriage. This is the term of intimacy that is being applied to these certain women and them believing Jesus as a boyfriend or romantic figure.

Again, telling a man that they must have "an intimate relationship" with Jesus makes them ponder and left uncomfortable. I know this too from experience. It's because I have always heard intimacy described in a martial content and not so much in the relationship between man and Christ. This is a new term I've heard thrown around lately, or maybe its not new, but its certainly weird to my ears.



magdaleine -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/5/2008 12:28:56 AM)

The reason I answered the way I did is because I am familiar with the way the word is used in regards to relationship with Jesus and it has nothing to do with the sexual. Perhaps you see it that way because you've not imagined intimacy to be anything other than sexual. I suspect there are many men like that. As a woman, intimacy doesn't have to be sexual at all. I answered the way I did because the definition of intimacy matters in regards to your question.



Prairiehiker -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/5/2008 8:05:12 AM)

quote:

My question is, what do you, as a woman, think of others viewing Jesus as a romantic figure or boyfriend/husband/whatever? Have you even remotely felt this way?


NO! I would have a hard time with anyone viewing Jesus as other than God who became men for the purpose of atoning for our sins. I've never felt that way ever and I would be very uncomfortable with the thought. Many, many times, I hear people who are lonely saying that Jesus is their boyfriend, and that just makes me cringe. We can't make Jesus who we want Him to be. He's got a very specific role in our lives, and boyfriend/romantic partner is not one of them.



ta_mosquito -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/5/2008 8:29:29 AM)

I've never thought of Jesus as my boyfriend or husband or lover. <shudder>



small_creation -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/5/2008 6:49:12 PM)

Intimacy with Jesus is not a concept I embrace as a woman. I'll put a screw in the discussion and say that prayer is an intimate act, as I believe prayertime is where you share your innermost and most private thoughts. So prayer is intimate to me, because I'm actually contributing something tangible (and readily understandable to me) to the relationship. My relationship with Jesus is much more...nebulous.

But the Catholic Sister in India -- am I experiencing early Alzheimers?? -- she called Jesus little pet names in her journaling. She was His little bride, as a nun. I am sure she would have described her relationship with Jesus as "intimate".

j



rgod -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 2:41:12 AM)

quote:

My question is, what do you, as a woman, think of others viewing Jesus as a romantic figure or boyfriend/husband/whatever? Have you even remotely felt this way?


I think that there can be a very romantic element in our relationship with the Lord - maybe one that is easier for single women to receive and accept than men for obvious reasons. I think it is rooted in the fact that the Lord can love you so completely - and can relate to you so personally - in very much the same way as a boyfriend or a husband (except for the physical part). The emotional and spiritual parts of love can definitely be there for the Lord. In fact, I believe that our relationship with God can often be mirrored in romantic relationships and good friendships as well. There is a way in which the Lord reveals Himself to you, and if you've ever experienced it you'll know what I'm talking about - where He gives you a glimpse into His heart - that it is so incredibly private that you can't even really share it with anyone. This is similar to that aspect of a relationship with a man - the part where he trusts you with the secret places of himself and he makes himself somewhat vulnerable to you - because he trusts you. So, I can relate to the desire of the nun who called Jesus pet names - and I know that I haven't even gotten as close to Jesus as some have. I've never called Jesus a pet name though. While I can see how that could happen for her, for me, I think it would be just too wierd.

While I personally wouldn't go as far as to say "I'm dating Jesus" or "My boyfriend is Jesus," I am very aware of the ways in which He does things that a "boyfriend" or a husband might. For example, there are many many times when He covers me - tells me not to do certain things or clearly protects me - just as a husband would do for his wife. In fact, just today, I found myself in a situation because I was wearing my heart on my sleeve. I gave a ride to someone that I knew, but during the ride it became apparent that the person had the potential to be quite dangerous. I was driving and could exercise some control in the situtation, but needless to say, I was pretty shaken. If I had a husband - he probably would have been able to have more wisdom in this area - because he probably wouldn't have worn his heart on his sleeve and also because would have been very concerned about my safety. While I was in the car with this guy, the Lord gave me incredible peace and guided me in what to say and more importantly, what not to say or do. We got to the destination safely (praise God). It all turned out ok, but I learned a huge lesson from it. God did use the situation to greatly bless him and two other people - and I'm very thankful for that. But I'm also very clear that I am not to give him a ride in the future and that there are others that should help him in that capacity.

To continue on the husband track, the Lord provides in practical ways also. There have been many times when I've needed money and He has provided, as a husband would. Or times when I've needed comfort and He has done that. Or just times when He has sent reassurance to me that I need as a woman - even something as simple as feeling attractive. For example, a single friend of mine needed to have a lot of things removed from her apartment. She wasn't sure how she was going to do it - when all of a sudden she heard a knock on the door. Neighborhood children asked her if they could help her move things - she didn't know the kids - no one ever knocked on her door asking her about anything like this before - but she recognized that it was God. Within an hour, everything was accomplished. This is the type of thing that a husband would do - but since she didn't have a husband, God sent someone to help her.



car2ner -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 9:17:59 AM)

I would rather have a man with skin on who lives like Jesus would have him live...oh wait, I do [:)]

O.K. neither of us are perfect at it but you do know what I mean.

The idea of "dating jesus" feels creepy.



magdaleine -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 10:47:48 AM)

Very good post, rgod.



Auben -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 11:10:42 AM)

While I personally have found the term 'Jesus is my boyfriend' slightly creepy at face value, I can understand why some women might say it. It's an expression of the dependence and time they are putting into their relationship with Him, usually at the expense of a physical relationship or because a human relationship is not available. They are giving over that natural need to Him (not in a creepy way) and asking Him to sustain them as a single person.

Women do not see intimacy as being related to sex necessarily. Men tend to associate the two much more than we do. Women can have very deep and intimate friendships without sex. Intimacy and sex can be, but don't have to be linked.

So what a woman is saying, when she says this, is 'I don't have a boyfriend. I have Jesus. He protects and sustains me and I concentrate my time on my relationship with Him.'



rgod -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 11:33:02 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: magdaleine

Very good post, rgod.


Thanks magdaleine!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Auben
While I personally have found the term 'Jesus is my boyfriend' slightly creepy at face value, I can understand why some women might say it. It's an expression of the dependence and time they are putting into their relationship with Him, usually at the expense of a physical relationship or because a human relationship is not available. They are giving over that natural need to Him (not in a creepy way) and asking Him to sustain them as a single person.

Women do not see intimacy as being related to sex necessarily. Men tend to associate the two much more than we do. Women can have very deep and intimate friendships without sex. Intimacy and sex can be, but don't have to be linked.

So what a woman is saying, when she says this, is 'I don't have a boyfriend. I have Jesus. He protects and sustains me and I concentrate my time on my relationship with Him.'


This was a good Auben. You've made the point clearly and concisely! Jesus does sustain us in all areas. I would also add that this sustenance is important, even when we are in relationships because no one can meet all of our needs, no matter how hard they try. They simply weren't designed to do that. But God clearly provided human relationships for us as well - and we can delight in that!



captainfraulein -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 11:49:07 AM)

Human being have a finite mind. It is hard for us not to think weird thoughts when hearing "Jesus is my husband". At my church, I am in worship band, and our fearless worship leaders have modified songs that have the words "Jesus is my husband" before to "Jesus is my brother" or something like that. (Songs that are obscure, old, set to new music or you invent your own...which is what a lot of churches are doing these days).

I think of Jesus as my ageless loving brother, father and friend. He loves me so completely it is simply beyond being a husband. NO mortal man can hope to love me even a fraction as much (but I do hope to marry one one day who will try! [;)]).

Word.



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 3:26:21 PM)

quote:

Would you date Jesus?
No.

Jesus is my Lord, my King and my Savior.

He is not my my physical lover*, my boyfriend nor anything else that can be romanticized.


I do, however, have a personal, intimate relationship with Him, and I do believe that Christians, both male and female, should strive for such a thing. Afterall, Jesus died on the cross for each one of us; not collectively, but individually. He knew each one of us before we were ever knit in our mother's womb. THAT's pretty intimate; in fact, everything about Jesus is the ultimate in intimacy. [sm=icon_smile_sing.gif][sm=icon_smile_sing.gif][sm=icon_smile_sing.gif]

Intimacy does not always equate to sex. Just as there are different kinds of love, there are different kinds of intimacy. For in fact, love and intimacy go hand-in-hand. I have intimate friendships with people; none of which are sexual.









* Jesus IS the Lover of my soul; but that is completely different than being a physical lover.



magdaleine -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/6/2008 9:17:25 PM)

that's what I was trying to say at the top of this thread. Thanks for making it clearer.



magdaleine -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/7/2008 9:06:35 AM)

I was reading Oswald Chamber this morning and when I read the following, I couldn't help but think of this thread:

"Love for the Lord is not an ethereal, intellectual, dream-like thing; it is the intensest, the most vital, the most passionate love of which the human heart is capable." ("Biblical Psychology" in The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers, page 187)



DreadPirateRandy -> RE: Would you date Jesus? (9/10/2008 11:30:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: captainfraulein

I think of Jesus as my ageless loving brother, father and friend.


That's exactly what He is, nothing of which that can be put into terms of any form of romance.

A single woman who thinks, "since I don't have a boyfriend, I can have Jesus", is wrong, in my opinion. Jesus is not to be abused as a lover such as that. He's our Father, for goodness sake.

I was watching a movie yesterday and this woman had a picture of Jesus beside her bed. She kissed it. Touched it. As I watched this, I easily became disgusted. The scene was set very intimately with soft music playing.

I don't think closeness with Jesus as a Father figure is wrong at all, in fact, I embrace it. However, any form of romanticizing with Him is just wrong.



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