i begin by including several statements by marty folsum, ph.d., who composed the foreward to this book. he defines the theme of this book elaborated so well by the authors.
“we need to rediscover the relationality of the god who made us and holds us as beloved children. . . . relational christianity is the fruit of relational theology . . . [which] reveals and confirms that god is not passive, abandoning us to work ouT a relational plan, but is active and involved. god goes before us and is still with us. GOD IS STILL SPEAKING; WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO LISTEN [ITALICS ADDED]. . . . the revelation of god in christ as the ground and grammar of all relationaL THINKING.
“THE TRINITARIAN GOD IS RELATIONAL. BY THAT, I MEAN THE ONE GOD EXISTS IN THE FORM OF THREE PERSONS WHO LIVE AND LOVE WITH AN INSEPARABLE UNITY. RELATIONAL CHRISTIANITY MUST NEVER DEPART FROM THIS EVER-PRESENT EMBRACING BY THE GOD WHO SPEAKS AND CALLS US HOME.
“BY THE ONGOING WORK OF THE SPIRIT, WE MAY LIVE IN INTIMATE CONNECTION TO THE ABBA OF JESUS, WITH JESUS HIMSELF, AND EXPERIENCE GOD’S EMBRACE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, . . . ‘THE BODY OF CHRIST.’ . . . WE ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN GOD’S MANNER OF RELATING AND ACTS OF LOVE. THIS IS THE ACTUALITY OF THE RELATIONAL.”