Curious Christian

Relational understandings of faith stand at the heart of Christian discipleship, offering a powerful contrast to more doctrinal or intellectualized approaches. Faith, in its essence, is about relationship—our relationship with God, with others, and with the world. While doctrine provides necessary frameworks and articulations of belief, the true depth of faith emerges through lived experience, practice, and relational encounters. A purely intellectual approach to faith risks reducing it to a set of abstract propositions, whereas the relational view insists that faith is something to be lived and experienced in dynamic interaction with God.

Faith as Relationship

At the center of Christian faith is a relationship with the living God. This relational aspect of faith is embodied in the invitation Jesus gives to His followers: “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus did not call his disciples to merely agree with a set of doctrines but to enter into a living, transformative relationship with him. This relationship, built on trust, love, and personal commitment, is what forms the heart of Christian faith.

• God as Father: The most intimate relational metaphor in Christianity is that of God as Father. Jesus consistently referred to God in this way, inviting his disciples to experience God not as a distant, abstract being but as a loving, personal Father who knows and cares for his children (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2). The intellectual grasp of this concept pales in comparison to the lived experience of knowing God in this way—through prayer, dependence, and the ongoing experience of his love and guidance.
• Jesus as Brother and Friend: Jesus calls his followers not just to believe in him, but to abide in him (John 15:4-5). This abiding is deeply relational, described in terms of friendship: “I no longer call you servants… Instead, I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Friendship with Christ is not something that can be fully comprehended intellectually; it must be experienced. It is in walking with Jesus, learning from him, and sharing in his life that the disciple comes to know him in truth.
• The Holy Spirit as Guide and Comforter: The relational dimension of faith extends to the Holy Spirit, who is not merely a doctrinal element of the Trinity but a living presence in the believer’s life. The Spirit guides, convicts, and comforts, continually drawing the believer into a deeper experience of God. This is something that can be known experientially, as the Spirit shapes and transforms the heart. The intellectual grasp of the Spirit’s role is secondary to the personal, lived encounter with the Spirit’s work.

The Limits of Intellectualizing Faith

While doctrine is important for articulating what Christians believe, an overly intellectualized approach to faith can become problematic. Faith is not meant to be merely a system of beliefs or a set of ideas to be studied, debated, or defended. When faith is reduced to an intellectual exercise, it risks becoming detached from the actual lived experience of God. It is possible to know a great deal about God but still not truly know God in a relational sense.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the limitations of intellectual knowledge: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Here, Paul warns that an overemphasis on knowledge can lead to pride and a sense of superiority, while true growth in faith comes through love—an active, relational engagement with God and others. Knowledge, while valuable, is insufficient without the relational dimension of love and practice.

• Faith as Trust: At its core, faith is about trust, not intellectual certainty. Trust cannot be fully captured by doctrinal statements. It is a relational act, a response to God’s initiative of love and grace. Abraham’s faith, which Paul cites as the model of justification, was not an intellectual agreement with a set of propositions but a relational trust in God’s promises (Romans 4:3). Abraham “believed God,” meaning he trusted in God’s word and acted on it, even when he did not fully understand. His faith was lived out through his relationship with God, not through intellectual mastery.
• Encounter over Explanation: Many of the great figures of faith in Scripture came to know God through direct encounter, not through theoretical knowledge. Moses encountered God in the burning bush, Isaiah in a vision of God’s glory, Paul on the road to Damascus. These were relational experiences that transformed their lives. While theology can help explain these encounters, the core of their faith was not rooted in explanation but in the transformative experience of meeting God personally.

The Role of Practice and Experience in Growing in Faith

If faith is relational, then it follows that growth in faith comes primarily through practice and experience. Just as human relationships deepen through shared experiences, time, and commitment, so does our relationship with God. The intellectual aspect of faith provides a foundation, but practice and experience are what allow faith to truly grow.

1. Prayer as Relational Encounter: Prayer is one of the most fundamental practices of the Christian life, and it is inherently relational. It is not just about saying the right words or adhering to a ritual; it is about engaging in a living dialogue with God. In prayer, the believer comes before God in trust, speaking and listening, bringing their concerns, hopes, and fears. Over time, this practice deepens the believer’s awareness of God’s presence and love. It moves faith from an intellectual belief in God to an experiential knowledge of God.
2. Scripture as Living Word: While Scripture can be studied intellectually, its real power is experienced when it becomes a living word that speaks to the heart. The psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105), suggesting that the purpose of God’s word is to guide life, not just to inform the mind. As Christians practice reflecting on and meditating upon Scripture, it becomes a source of relational guidance and wisdom, helping them grow in their relationship with God.
3. Acts of Love and Service: Jesus taught that love for God is inseparable from love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Faith, therefore, is expressed not only in belief but in action—especially in acts of love, justice, and service. These practices draw the disciple deeper into the life of God, as they participate in God’s mission in the world. Acts of love and service are not just external expressions of faith but are themselves ways of experiencing God, for as Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Conclusion

Relational understandings of faith push back against the intellectualizing of faith, emphasizing that true growth in faith comes not from doctrinal certainty or theological debate but from lived experience, practice, and relationship with God. Faith is a dynamic, relational journey, in which believers come to know God more deeply through prayer, acts of love, and participation in God’s ongoing work in the world. Intellectual knowledge has its place, but it must always be subordinate to the living, relational reality of knowing and following God. It is through this relational practice that faith comes alive and grows.