Philosophy and Personal Relationships

I must say, I'm quite delighted that the last post on a "personal relationship" with Christ has caused some excellent and thought provoking discussion! That's what this blog is for. My intention is to challenge people to think, to analyze, to ask questions, to stimulate discussion and to be "Iron sharpening Iron"(Proverbs 27:17). I would simply ask that in your replies you would remain gentle, respectful, gracious and honorable (Ecc. 10:12.)
In my posts I may "ruffle some feathers". I believe the body of Christ needs it's feathers ruffled. I need mine ruffled. It makes us ask questions, and in asking we seek answers (Proverbs 15:28). God says His people perish for lack of knowledge(Hosea 4:6), and that "the wise store up knowledge" (Proverbs 10:14), and "The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge (Prov. 18:15). "A wise man is strong, yes a man of knowledge increases strength (Prov. 24:5). If, in my efforts to get us to think, an offense has been caused, I apologize, as that is certainly not my intent. Only to challenge-our methods, our thinking, our reasoning. The beauty of Christianity is that it is not a blind faith. Yes, it is faith, but an educated and reasonable faith.
Let me clarify several things from the last post. First, I am not opposed to a "personal relationship" with Christ per se, only with the predominantly fickle and emotional nature associated with the terminology. However you want to say it, we must "know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings"(Phil.3:10). But we follow Him because He first knew us (John 10:27). Even Jesus did not consider Himself "equal with God" (Phil. 2:6) while in human form. As long as a "personal relationship" with God is not reductionist in our biblical theology (i.e. "Jesus is my homeboy"), or our commitment and obedience based on emotions, circumstances or perceived "blessings" (ask John while he was being boiled alive if he felt like he was getting the blessings of God).
Finally, we shouldn't shun philosophy. Yes, we must shun worldly philosophy (Col. 2:8). But some of the greatest Christian minds were and are tremendous philosophers. Men such as Paul the Apostle, Jonathan Edwards, C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, Ravi Zacharias, and Norm Geisler were and are brilliant and godly philosophers who also were and are faithful men of God. The word philosophy stems from two greek words, Phileo (love) and sophos (wisdom). So in reality, every true believer in Jesus and the Word of God already is a philosopher: a lover of wisdom (Proverbs 4:1-7).

What ABOUT a personal relationship with Jesus?

Recently I casually mentioned to someone that the Bible doesn't use terminology about, "Having a personal relationship with Jesus". Unfortunately, this person misunderstood completely the point I was trying to make, and it was reported back to me the ridiculous idea that I said you could get to heaven without a relationship with Christ. Several lessons learned. Number one, when you're having a philosophical discussion with someone, make sure the person you are discussing with KNOWS you are having a philosophical discussion! You might have to simplify to make sure they understand what you are meaning. Lesson number two: Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of gossip. Now I know why Jesus was silent before Pilate. Pilate didn't care what Jesus had to say. He already had all of the "evidence" he needed. His mind was made up. He was already committed to delivering up Jesus. He was just looking for a way to divert the blame and responsibility. Barabbas was a carrot dangled to make Pilate look good. As far as Pilate was concerned, his hands were washed. But we also must learn from how Jesus handled himself when the sentenced was passed down. His model of integrity in the face of false accusation is how it should be for all of us. Oh, that we would all have the grace and humility to love so well.
Now, back to the "personal relationship with Jesus" idea. Go ahead; I challenge you to find any reference or phrase in the Bible that says we need to have a "personal relationship" with Christ. I looked. There is nothing, Zero, Zippo, Zilch. Not one mention of that combination of words in any concordance search I did. Not even the word "relationship" (By the way, this IS a philosophical discussion).
So where does that leave us? Where did the idea come from that we acquired eternal salvation by having a "personal relationship" with Jesus?
We have to look back in time several hundred years to the era known as Romanticism to find our answer. Romanticism was the 18th and 19th century idea that emphasized imagination, emotion and freedom of the spirit. It encourages personal introspection and individuality rather than community or intellect. The period came about as a sort of revolt against classical and ordered. You might call it the 1960's in the 1820's! Up until that time, the theological emphasis on salvation centered on the judicial guilt of completely sinful man standing before a holy and righteous God. The bible says That "if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9) Jesus declared we must "believe" in Him (John 3:16)to be saved. Jesus was the substitute, or the "propitiation". He not only was declared guilty for us, but He also paid the just penalty due to us. Romans 8:1, while talking about "no condemnation" means that the penalty of our sin (eternal death) was removed by Jesus. It's not even a matter of going to trial and being found innocent. It's as though there are not even any charges brought against us.
The concept of "personal relationship" tends to diminish the holiness of God and the unbelievable price Jesus paid for us. It seems to equate us on a level with God. I believe this attitude comes about because of our western individualism and self focus rather than a more biblical concept of serving community. God may call us friend, but it is His doing, because of his mercy, not because we are deserving of it. Jesus is not our "Homeboy" or our "buddy". God is not "hip", "happenin", or "cutting edge". He is a holy God who demands a judicial declaration of righteousness that can only occur when our wicked, sinful existence cries out for his mercy and forgiveness that was so graciously made available by His Son.
God does bridge the gap between himself and us through Jesus, and I understand in principle what the concept of a "personal relationship" means. Essentially it means, "Have you confessed Christ as Savior, repented of sin, and are you serving Him in obedience?" But that probably doesn't sit well with our "touchy, feely," emotion driven western model of Christianity.
-Perhaps we in the body of Christ should consider eliminating the phrase "personal relationship with Jesus" from our Christian vernacular, and return to a more Biblically accurate representation of salvation.
-Perhaps we in the body of Christ should do a better job of explaining what we mean when we pick on accepted Christian terminology.
-Perhaps we in the body of Christ should be a better example, like Jesus on trial before Pilate, of not talking, so that any words we say cannot and will not be used against us in a court of gossip (or law!).