Are we defiling the temple of God?

[LisaC]

This is what God has on my heart today. I gotta do some more digging, but I wanted to share and get some thoughts.


1 Corinthians talks about defiling the temple in the context of our bodies as the Temple of God, where the Holy Spirit resides, but in this case, I’m talking about the meaning of “temple” in the context of John 2, where Jesus got angry when he went to the temple in Jerusalem. He said in John 2:16, “stop turning my father’s house into a market.” Have we turned our churches, with their little cafes, bookstores, and merchandise tables into our own little way of defiling the temple of God? Let’s face it, churches are looking for ways to get people into the “temple” on the theory that you get them in and then you can bring them to Christ. Not a bad theory, but it makes me wonder if we using the wrong tools to attract them? Shouldn’t those outward worship tools be something that we use only outside the temple and use the temple for our holiest worship of God?

 

[deewee]

I visited a friend's church once that ran advertisements running on the screen behind the pulpit til church started, and now that I think about it...they also had a bookstore with a coffee stand in the vestibule. That was more than a bit off-putting for me.

 

[J-man]

It really depends on which camp appeals to you.

Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist so I tend to lean that direction, meaning no "gimmicks" within the church walls. I also don't agree with bringing food or drinks in the sanctuary, or letting kids play video games during service. But that's not to say our kids didn't, surprisingly the Queen does trump me on some things.

I also see the other side and feel that it's really the "intent" that matters most. If the "church" is trying to "make a dollar" for their general fund that's one thing, but if they're raising funds to support a program the church is sponsoring (i.e. youth trips or new hymnals) that's another thing.

 

[deewee]

It really depends on which camp appeals to you.

Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist so I tend to lean that direction, meaning no "gimmicks" within the church walls. I also don't agree with bringing food or drinks in the sanctuary, or letting kids play video games during service. But that's not to say our kids didn't, surprisingly the Queen does trump me on some things.

I also see the other side and feel that it's really the "intent" that matters most. If the "church" is trying to "make a dollar" for their general fund that's one thing, but if they're raising funds to support a program the church is sponsoring (i.e. youth trips or new hymnals) that's another thing.

Churches actually allow that?!?
Our children haven't been raised in church, except when they're with Marc and I. They know when we park the car, the cell phones are turned OFF. They've been very respectful and have never tried to sneak it. I'm thankful we've never had to correct their behavior on this point. I'm not downing anyone's kids that do try this, because it sure sounds like something I might've attempted as a teen, but am quite thankful that ours haven't done it.

 

[J-man]

It really depends on which camp appeals to you.

Personally, I'm more of a traditionalist so I tend to lean that direction, meaning no "gimmicks" within the church walls. I also don't agree with bringing food or drinks in the sanctuary, or letting kids play video games during service. But that's not to say our kids didn't, surprisingly the Queen does trump me on some things.

I also see the other side and feel that it's really the "intent" that matters most. If the "church" is trying to "make a dollar" for their general fund that's one thing, but if they're raising funds to support a program the church is sponsoring (i.e. youth trips or new hymnals) that's another thing.

Churches actually allow that?!?
Our children haven't been raised in church, except when they're with Marc and I. They know when we park the car, the cell phones are turned OFF. They've been very respectful and have never tried to sneak it. I'm thankful we've never had to correct their behavior on this point. I'm not downing anyone's kids that do try this, because it sure sounds like something I might've attempted as a teen, but am quite thankful that ours haven't done it.

Unfortunately yes, and sometimes they even run inside the sanctuary. Woe to thee who...

 

[LisaC]

See, I don't know where God is leading me with this - it's just a question that He put on my heart this morning. I've been to churches where they have a cafe in the lobby where you can get drinks and pastries before the service. Some of those chuches even live stream the message to the cafe so you can come to church and sit in the cafe and hear the message if you are more comfortable there. But, what about God? Was that His intent? That we come into his Temple, have coffee, grab a new book and then go sit comfortably somewhere? Does that really honor Him? Does it honor Him when we sit irreverently in church and play video games, tweet, or get up during the service to go to the restroom?

Like I said, these are just thoughts that He put on my heart so I've got to see where He is taking me.

 

[stradial]

Churches have "their little cafes, bookstores, and merchandise tables" and they allow "food or drinks in the sanctuary, or letting kids play video games during service"?
In my day the mother's (or at least our family) kept a switch in the bathroom in the basement of the old chapel.
If you acted up enough, it was to the chapel basement bathroom, where no one could hear you cry.
We weren't allowed to chew gum in church.
I realize now this didn't have anything to do with the actual gum chewing, it was to keep the kids from putting the used gum under the bottom of the pews.

I have no idea why these churches need all the video, audio and other electronic equipment that thy think they need nowadays.
The wife tells me that they even show the service on TV, in the church?
You are in the church , why do you need to watch it n TV??

Oh well, as a non church goer, I guess this isn't my problem to solve or not solve, whichever applies.

 

[deewee]

I don't mind someone excusing themselves to the restroom. Sometimes that can not be helped. But I have to say that I'm probably old fashioned when it comes to all the other distractions. When God's word is read, at the beginning of the service, we stand; when the pastor is preaching we pay attention; no one is running around in the sanctuary; no food/drinks allowed in the sanctuary.

 

[ShoeDiva]

Honestly? I find some of the stuff that goes on flat out jaw dropping. BUT that is JMO. If it gets some in church, I guess that is better than not, and I do not have to attend those churches. Now keep in mind that this is from someone that would rather attend a church that you dress to attend, still does not allow women to preach (and I am good with that) and half the service is in Latin. )

 

[LisaC]

Honestly? I find some of the stuff that goes on flat out jaw dropping. BUT that is JMO. If it gets some in church, I guess that is better than not, and I do not have to attend those churches. Now keep in mind that this is from someone that would rather attend a church that you dress to attend, still does not allow women to preach (and I am good with that) and half the service is in Latin. )

But, should getting someone into church the goal? A lot of times we get them there, gladly take their money and talents, but what do we do to honor God? What did Jesus do when He went to the temple? Was it to attend a rock concert, have coffee with his friends, or was it to reverently teach and honor His Father?

 

[J-man]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

 

[ShoeDiva]

Honestly? I find some of the stuff that goes on flat out jaw dropping. BUT that is JMO. If it gets some in church, I guess that is better than not, and I do not have to attend those churches. Now keep in mind that this is from someone that would rather attend a church that you dress to attend, still does not allow women to preach (and I am good with that) and half the service is in Latin. )

But, should getting someone into church the goal? A lot of times we get them there, gladly take their money and talents, but what do we do to honor God? What did Jesus do when He went to the temple? Was it to attend a rock concert, have coffee with his friends, or was it to reverently teach and honor His Father?

In my opinion, none of the things you speak about are for church, but again, I do not have to attend them and if someone is worshiping, I don't know that God would not want that in anyway possible. I do not think there is a right and wrong answer in general. Our beliefs can sway whether we think it right or wrong, but overall I think believing and worshiping is what we want for all. :dunno

 

[ShoeDiva]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

I thought only LTD witnessed that! You were there too?

 

[LisaC]

Honestly? I find some of the stuff that goes on flat out jaw dropping. BUT that is JMO. If it gets some in church, I guess that is better than not, and I do not have to attend those churches. Now keep in mind that this is from someone that would rather attend a church that you dress to attend, still does not allow women to preach (and I am good with that) and half the service is in Latin. )

But, should getting someone into church the goal? A lot of times we get them there, gladly take their money and talents, but what do we do to honor God? What did Jesus do when He went to the temple? Was it to attend a rock concert, have coffee with his friends, or was it to reverently teach and honor His Father?

In my opinion, none of the things you speak about are for church, but again, I do not have to attend them and if someone is worshiping, I don't know that God would not want that in anyway possible. I do not think there is a right and wrong answer in general. Our beliefs can sway whether we think it right or wrong, but overall I think believing and worshiping is what we want for all. :dunno

I don't know that there is a right or wrong answer either. Catholicism is the largest form of Christianity on Earth. It is also one of the most (if not the most) traditional forms of worship.

I'm also thinking about purity of heart of when you enter the temple (the church)...

 

[LisaC]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

I thought only LTD witnessed that! You were there too?

:spitchick :spitchick :spitchick

 

[ShoeDiva]

Honestly? I find some of the stuff that goes on flat out jaw dropping. BUT that is JMO. If it gets some in church, I guess that is better than not, and I do not have to attend those churches. Now keep in mind that this is from someone that would rather attend a church that you dress to attend, still does not allow women to preach (and I am good with that) and half the service is in Latin. )

But, should getting someone into church the goal? A lot of times we get them there, gladly take their money and talents, but what do we do to honor God? What did Jesus do when He went to the temple? Was it to attend a rock concert, have coffee with his friends, or was it to reverently teach and honor His Father?

In my opinion, none of the things you speak about are for church, but again, I do not have to attend them and if someone is worshiping, I don't know that God would not want that in anyway possible. I do not think there is a right and wrong answer in general. Our beliefs can sway whether we think it right or wrong, but overall I think believing and worshiping is what we want for all. :dunno

I don't know that there is a right or wrong answer either. Catholicism is the largest form of Christianity on Earth. It is also one of the most (if not the most) traditional forms of worship.

I'm also thinking about purity of heart of when you enter the temple (the church)...

One reason why I am a bad person to ask. )

 

[J-man]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

I thought only LTD witnessed that! You were there too?

Yep, and right afterwards we all went outside and ate free fish. It put Woodstock to shame.

 

[ShoeDiva]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

I thought only LTD witnessed that! You were there too?

Yep, and right afterwards we all went outside and ate free fish. It put Woodstock to shame.

) ) )

 

[lotstodo]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

I thought only LTD witnessed that! You were there too?

Yep, and right afterwards we all went outside and ate free fish. It put Woodstock to shame.

) ) )

Wish I could remember it.

Sent from a small screen using fat thumbs.

 

[LisaC]

Rock star....should have seen him dive off the stage into the crowd. It was cool.

I thought only LTD witnessed that! You were there too?

Yep, and right afterwards we all went outside and ate free fish. It put Woodstock to shame.

) ) )

Wish I could remember it.

Sent from a small screen using fat thumbs.

That's what you get for going to bed too early.... Lol