02-20-2008, 12:00 AM
Hi Lightly,
Sorry, somehow I missed this post. I was not ignoring your question.
"Sorry I haven't been around. I think we need to define "worship"."
Not something I have done in the past choosing rather to take it in context. Some things are difficult to define.
But now, looking into it a bit further I found 10 separate Greek words for worship in the four Gospels. In Strong's concordance the word proskuneo seems to fit nicely as is used in the following verses from Matthew.
"...Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve..."
Some might say it means to venerate and revere.
So, this word translated as worship in English has these definitions. To kiss like a dog licking his master's hand. To fawn or crouch to. To prostrate oneself in homage to. To do reverence to. To adore.
"Some might say it means to venerate and revere."
That is part of the definition above.
"How would you define "worship" so that you can revere nature without worshipping it?"
I would define worship as holding a sentient being as if they were above me. Nature is a creation. So are holy places and people and music and the cosmos. And angels and fallen angels. We are directed not to worship them in scripture.
I can hold these things in highest regard but not above humanity which is the pinacle of creation. (Even though we do not act like it.)
"Must "worship" be ritualized? I doubt you'd think so."
Of course not. I don't even think we need to physically kneel or any of that. Our minds and hearts are an open book to God. (whatever you might call Him.)
"Is it proper to worship something besides the creator?"
I don't think so. Not according to my idea of what worship is. But like I said I can certainly revere and hold these things in high regard and hold people in great respect.
"Is there necessarily a moral component to our choice of what to worship?"
I try not to look at the bible as a moral book, though there are those elements within it. It is more like trying to figure out the reality we are living in by the truths offered in the books. Teachers are fellow students like us. Angels are fellow servants. We can respect their offices but not allow ourselves to put them between us and the One God.
Worship of men leads to cultism. Worship of angels can lead to worse. Especially since even Satan can appear as an angel of light. Worship of nature spirits is literally shooting in the dark.
I don't believe creatures should worship other creatures I guess would be the best way to put it.
I look at worship as being a looking upward, not a looking across.
Bob
Sorry, somehow I missed this post. I was not ignoring your question.
"Sorry I haven't been around. I think we need to define "worship"."
Not something I have done in the past choosing rather to take it in context. Some things are difficult to define.
But now, looking into it a bit further I found 10 separate Greek words for worship in the four Gospels. In Strong's concordance the word proskuneo seems to fit nicely as is used in the following verses from Matthew.
"...Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve..."
Some might say it means to venerate and revere.
So, this word translated as worship in English has these definitions. To kiss like a dog licking his master's hand. To fawn or crouch to. To prostrate oneself in homage to. To do reverence to. To adore.
"Some might say it means to venerate and revere."
That is part of the definition above.
"How would you define "worship" so that you can revere nature without worshipping it?"
I would define worship as holding a sentient being as if they were above me. Nature is a creation. So are holy places and people and music and the cosmos. And angels and fallen angels. We are directed not to worship them in scripture.
I can hold these things in highest regard but not above humanity which is the pinacle of creation. (Even though we do not act like it.)
"Must "worship" be ritualized? I doubt you'd think so."
Of course not. I don't even think we need to physically kneel or any of that. Our minds and hearts are an open book to God. (whatever you might call Him.)
"Is it proper to worship something besides the creator?"
I don't think so. Not according to my idea of what worship is. But like I said I can certainly revere and hold these things in high regard and hold people in great respect.
"Is there necessarily a moral component to our choice of what to worship?"
I try not to look at the bible as a moral book, though there are those elements within it. It is more like trying to figure out the reality we are living in by the truths offered in the books. Teachers are fellow students like us. Angels are fellow servants. We can respect their offices but not allow ourselves to put them between us and the One God.
Worship of men leads to cultism. Worship of angels can lead to worse. Especially since even Satan can appear as an angel of light. Worship of nature spirits is literally shooting in the dark.
I don't believe creatures should worship other creatures I guess would be the best way to put it.
I look at worship as being a looking upward, not a looking across.
Bob