Food for Thought
Although Jesus was a metaphorical theologian in that he created meaning through parable, dramatic action, storytelling, etc., and although he was a conceptual theologian in that he used ideas, reason, apologetics etc., I believe he was primarily a relational theologian. He taught theology by means of his relationships, which were, in themselves, revelatory and incarnational.
This article focuses, therefore, on Jesus’ relationships within the Trinity, with his disciples, with women, with his enemies and with children. It is, of course, our relationships that can provide the greatest blessings in our lives and can also pose the greatest challenges.
The challenge to the Church in all of this is that we are meant to be the visible image of the Godhead based on Trinitarian style relationships which model identity, equality, diversity, and unity, as we love one another. Anything else, it seems to me, just isn’t Church!