Thursday, May 31, 2007

Theophile, huh?

Yeah, I know. All my friends and family are now thinking, "Tim's such a nerd." They're probably right.

But what is a "theophile"? Literally it would mean, "friend of God" or "one who loves God" but for me there is a deeper meaning. In John 21 Jesus confronts Peter and asks him if he loves Him. Jesus is wondering if Peter loves Him with an unconditional, limitless love (agape). Peter replies that he only "philo"s Jesus... that is, he loves Jesus with a friendship or brotherly kind of love. Peter's love is insufficient. Nonetheless, Jesus still loves Peter unconditionally and commissions him to "Shepherd my sheep" (vs. 15, 16, 17).

So that is why I am a "theophile". I'd love to say that I agape God but I often feel as though my love is insufficient, just as Peter's was. Nonetheless, Jesus has still called me to His ministry... and here I am.

So this blog isn't going to be your typical blog of posting pictures and keeping friends and family up-to-date. If you're looking for that you can go to Juanita's blog (there's a link on the side). This is going to be a blog for those theophiles out there who need a venue to think and express themselves outside of a Sunday morning service, or a small group.

So if you are a thinker, a lover of theology, philosophy, or abstract thought in general please continue to check in and share your thoughts.