Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 3/16/2004

Question
Discuss and explain the distinction between propositional knowledge of God and relational knowledge of God. Please demonstrate how his distinction is important practically and espistomologically.

Answer
Dear Mr. Bunch,
   Thank you for writing.  Matthew 7:23 addresses this subject pretty concisely.   In that day (verse 22) Jesus will say, "I never knew you; depart from me."  Pretty practical to have Jesus know us in that day, so we're not sent away from Him.  
   To have that relational knowledge of God (or rather for Him in His holiness to have a relationship with fallen mankind) one has to ones epistemology based on His truth of our utter lostness without His provision for salvation--the perfect life, substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus.  Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me."  When we "die" to our self, surrender our self to Him and allow His perfect life to live through us, Jesus will not have that sad commentary for us, "I never knew you."  Rather, God will be able to develop the creative uniqueness with which He made us all through eternity.
   If you have that relationship with God, please encourage others to join you before they face a horrible future separated from God forever.
   Sincerely,
   Priscilla Lyons