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).