As we relearn that we are the "temple of God" it is essential that we not forget another important truth -- God inhabits specific places. God is not equally present in all places. Cain, Satan, and Jonah all left "the presence of the Lord" (Gen 4:16; Job 1:12; Jon 1:3). Ezekiel spoke of God's glory leaving the temple (Ezek 10-11). In Deuteronomy we read about "a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell" (Deu 12, 14, 16, 26). In Exodus God gave the people of Israel very specific instructions about worship. Those instructions included a place -- a meeting tent. God was said to dwell in that tent, foreshadowing when he would "tabernacle [pitch his tent] among us" in an even more immediate way (Joh 1:14).
God also established holy times. These times were special times, sacred times, for God's people and for God himself. These times brought God glory and celebrated his name. These times brought life to God's people.
The church is more than a building, it is people. Let's just not forget that the people have been given sacred places and times.
God chooses a place because God has entered into history with a people for whom place is important. If place is important for people, it is important for God. To speak of presence in connection with place also helps preserve the personal character of the divine presence, for persons are always associated with places...The divine presence is thus not reduced to spirituality, as if the human personality were somehow the only fit place on earth for God's presence, or even the community apart from times and places. Place remains important for God because it is important for people and their relationships with one another.
1. Yes, we don't have to "go to church" but for those who are born again, great will be their loss in eternity if they forsake assembling with other members of the Body. "If I don't go, I don't grow!" 2. Old Testament "presence" of God did "come and go" --that was the system in that dispensation. 3. New Testament faith (church dispensation) clarifies the "indwelling" never comes and goes, but eternally seals at the moment of saving faith. That Indwelling power varies in effect depending on moment by moment obedience of the believer. 4. Times don't bring life to faith; only the Holy Spirit does. We are not to observe days and times. Although obviously we can't meet if we don't decide and agree on a time and place. 5. I am not sure if the last paragraph is a quote from the book cited? If so, this perspective hints of the error of the emerging movement among evangelicals. Contemplative anything....presence, prayer, etc. are clear marks of returning to Romanism. We are called to mark and refute error.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these comments, Lady Lydia. I do believe that there are still holy times and places in 2012 and in days to come. Consider the Lord's Supper, the New Jerusalem, and the promise concerning the meeting of 2 or 3 in the name of Jesus. For the concept of a special localized presence of God do a search for proswpon in the NT.
ReplyDeleteNot only are there still holy people today, there are also holy times and holy places. The same God who made ground holy when he revealed himself to Moses in a burning bush is still visiting his people today and thereby converting ordinary spaces into holy places.