|
Idolatrous Temple By Jason Trupp - 2/28/2011
The
Lord
began
to
reveal
to
me
how
He
views
any
church
that
pursues
an
image
of
success
while
completely
avoiding
real
relationship
with
Him.
He
took
me
to
the
Old
Testament
where
Solomon
builds
a
temple
for
Him
made
of
wood
and
stone,
all
the
while
completely
ignoring
God’s
rejection
of
the
idea
(see
1
Chronicles
17:3-14).
Other
nations
round
about
Israel
had
temples
for
their
gods.
Israel
once
again
repeated
the
mistake
they
made
when
they
requested
a
king
to
take
the
place
of
YHWH
God
(1
Samuel
10:17-19),
and
followed
the
other
gentile
nations
in
building
a
temple
for
their
God.
Once
the
temple
was
finished,
Solomon
modified
the
laws
of
the
tabernacle
to
fit
the
new
temple
giving
it
the
form
of
godliness,
while
at
the
same
time
removing
the
significance
of
those
statutes
and
ordinances.
He
established
a
false
priesthood
to
replace
the
Levitical
priesthood
that
failed
in
the
death
of
Eli
and
his
sons
(1
Samuel
4:15-22).
On
the
day
the
temple
was
dedicated,
God
filled
it
with
smoke
and
forced
the
“priests”
out.
I
find
it
interesting
that
God’s
presence
forced
man
from
the
temple
he
had
built,
when
it
is
clear
from
scriptures
throughout
the
Bible
that
God
wants
man
in
His
presence.
From
that
point
on,
we
find
no
other
reference
of
God’s
presence
being
in
the
temple
until
Jesus
walked
its
corridors.
The
temple,
on
the
other
hand,
took
on
a
life
of
its
own,
being
built,
maintained,
plundered,
dismantled,
destroyed,
rebuilt,
etc.
Finally
we
see
Jesus
walking
with
His
disciples
among
the
temple
grounds
and
God’s
true
heart
about
this
idolatrous
place
is
revealed.
He
cared
nothing
for
the
buildings
made
of
stone,
because
He
never
wanted
to
dwell
inside
walls
of
stone.
Instead
He
wanted
to
live
within
walls
of
flesh
–
living
stones
creating
a
holy
habitation
for
Him.
He
looked
on
Israel’s
idol,
the
temple,
with
disgust
and
stated
it
would
be
thrown
down,
razed
to
the
ground,
and
indeed
it
was
(Matthew
24:1-2). As we look at the “church” of our day we see many of the same ideas at work that preceded the building of Israel’s temple. The world has its stadiums, lecture halls, concert halls, movie theatres, behaviors, lingo, and the like all of which are designed to bring glory and honor to men and women on the stage. Instead of the “church” being made of people gathering together to form a place where God can abide, dwell and be worshipped, it has become another “temple” like the temples built for the world’s idols. And just as in Solomon’s day, it’s all about the building. A successful church has a particular look and like Israel’s temple, no expense is to be spared to achieve that look. The past form used by the church is outdated. There are no more pews, wooden pulpits, altars, prayer rails and choir lofts. Now the church building must be structurally striking with large windows and high ceilings. Churches have Plexiglas pulpits, professional audio/visual systems and stadium chair seating. They have bright lights illuminating the stage while the “congregation” sits in darkness. Foyers must be inviting with coffee & tea bars, healthy continental-style breakfast offerings and large screen plasma TVs to adorn the walls playing announcements, “worship” music or recently recorded sermons. There must be book stores and tables, inviting seating, ceramic tile, marble or stained concrete floors, amazing light fixtures and beautiful décor to surround those who happen to enter. The people, mind you, have no role except to give generously to pay for all this. During these difficult financial times, many churches are struggling to maintain the form. I am reminded of the kings of the Old Testament instituting taxes and mandatory offerings to help maintain the temple as it fell into disrepair. Meanwhile people sitting in these temples find God completely removed from them. Only those professionals who have permission to stand on the stage can interact with “God”. People are spoon-fed watered down versions of biblical truth and invited to participate in worship by watching the musicians perform. There is a relentless stream of programs in which they can participate if they want a more well-rounded “Christian” experience, all of which are designed to create loyalty and a bond between the member and their church. Instead of tithes of offerings they have covenant partners who “support the ministry” of the church. The form must be maintained and it is the privilege of the congregation to participate in “the ministry” by giving money to pay for it.
|
