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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Monday, January 15, 2024

Opus 2024-015: How Important Is Being Alive?

I was on a follow-up read of Psalm 84.  My mind was looking for statements having to do with the phrase “walk uprightly” (from verse 11).  I barely got to verse two when the description of God as “living” got my attention.  I went into squirrel mode.

What is the inference about other gods if yours is regarded as “the living God”?  It would seem to imply that they are not alive.  When you think of how the escaping Hebrews stopped in the desert and while waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain created their own golden calf it makes you wonder.  Psalms puts it this way,

(Psa 115:4 KJV)  Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
(Psa 115:5 KJV)  They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
(Psa 115:6 KJV)  They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
(Psa 115:7 KJV)  They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
(Psa 115:8 KJV)  They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.
Did the pagans of Rome really believe their gods were alive?  Did the generic pagans of ancient times really believe the rock they worshiped was alive or aware?  How about the oak tree that they left offerings in front of?  I guess it is another one of those cases where you had to ask what you mean by “alive”?

Yahweh was very clear in His conversation with Moses.  When Moses asked who he should say sent him, God said to tell them His name was I AM.  For me that is a defining moment in contemplating on the attributes of God.  He picked out what may be the most important quality in a God:  He exists.

homo unius libri

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.