Dave

I have been mulling things over all morning and wondered if hierarchy and relationship were incompatible. When I say relationship, I mean it in the friendship/love/personal way, not as in ‘position of one to another’ way as that would be simply hierarchy.

Comps would say that our relationship with God is one of hierarchy, but hierarchy has to do with status, subordination, position etc.

Relationship, however, works seperately to status etc, sometimes inspite of! God does have a position higher/greater than us, but he chooses relationship first and foremost through Jesus.

The great thing about Jesus is he is where hierarchy and relationship exist together, not in tension but in harmony. He has authority, but chooses to serve us with his authority.

I hope this makes sense!