Comments on: Altars http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/ "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you...” Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:19:27 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Thomas Twitchell http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/comment-page-1/#comment-3394 Thomas Twitchell Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:35:05 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/#comment-3394 Doesn't this happen when we call the worship hall the sanctuary? There really is nothing sacred about the room. There is a sense of reverence when we are gather for the purpose of worship. But I think Jesus' response to the woman at the well nicely summarized the value of the types, be it the altar or the sanctuary, over against the real thing. The altar is not really found in the NT. When spoken of in Hebrews , the altar to which we go out to grab hold of its horns is in heaven, chapter 13, where also is the true tabernacle (sanctuary). And Revelation's discription makes the altar almost one with those whose voices come from it. Like those voices, we are to offer praises continuously, eternally, not just on the sabbath. Doesn’t this happen when we call the worship hall the sanctuary? There really is nothing sacred about the room. There is a sense of reverence when we are gather for the purpose of worship. But I think Jesus’ response to the woman at the well nicely summarized the value of the types, be it the altar or the sanctuary, over against the real thing.

The altar is not really found in the NT. When spoken of in Hebrews , the altar to which we go out to grab hold of its horns is in heaven, chapter 13, where also is the true tabernacle (sanctuary). And Revelation’s discription makes the altar almost one with those whose voices come from it. Like those voices, we are to offer praises continuously, eternally, not just on the sabbath.

]]> By: Nathan White http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/comment-page-1/#comment-3392 Nathan White Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:52:00 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/#comment-3392 Hey Darrin- In regards to the sidebar thing, I made the pictures smaller so it should return to normal. But I think your browser/screen settings may have affected it, because I didn't see the problem on my computers (though I have seen it before when I make the pictures too big). In regards to the altar, I didn't have the communion table in mind per se; rather, it was the 'the altar is open for prayer' and such that I grew up around --as if the altar had some special significance before God. I see this as rather fanaticism at best, and Catholicism (with many blasphemous elements of worship) at worst. Though I do agree that most now days would probably steer clear of those things, and just continue with their altar superstitions because of tradition. Good thoughts my friend. Hey Darrin-

In regards to the sidebar thing, I made the pictures smaller so it should return to normal. But I think your browser/screen settings may have affected it, because I didn’t see the problem on my computers (though I have seen it before when I make the pictures too big).

In regards to the altar, I didn’t have the communion table in mind per se; rather, it was the ‘the altar is open for prayer’ and such that I grew up around –as if the altar had some special significance before God. I see this as rather fanaticism at best, and Catholicism (with many blasphemous elements of worship) at worst. Though I do agree that most now days would probably steer clear of those things, and just continue with their altar superstitions because of tradition.

Good thoughts my friend.

]]> By: Darrin http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/comment-page-1/#comment-3391 Darrin Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:04:51 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/#comment-3391 Never mind - think I figured out the side-bar thing: The (beautiful) photos you posted head into the right column, sending the comments and such south. Some visitors might think they're gone, though! Never mind – think I figured out the side-bar thing: The (beautiful) photos you posted head into the right column, sending the comments and such south. Some visitors might think they’re gone, though!

]]> By: Darrin http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/comment-page-1/#comment-3390 Darrin Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:58:48 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/04/13/altars/#comment-3390 Good thoughts, Nathan. It may be used primarily for convenience at this point, but it is well worth noting that the term can be misleading. Apparently the Reformed have had issues with it, and perhaps the term in our history which comes closest is "communion table". Along with the issues of a place seeming more holy, there is the other issue of the "altar" being more of a "stage", where the choir, musicians and such are on display for entertainment purposes. Perhaps the old cruciform architecture, with the choirs off to the sides, would be more appropriate? PS - Is it just me, or did you change the format of your main page and perhaps accidentally limit it to one column, such that the side-bar is delegated to the bottom of the page? Just checking. Good thoughts, Nathan. It may be used primarily for convenience at this point, but it is well worth noting that the term can be misleading. Apparently the Reformed have had issues with it, and perhaps the term in our history which comes closest is “communion table”.

Along with the issues of a place seeming more holy, there is the other issue of the “altar” being more of a “stage”, where the choir, musicians and such are on display for entertainment purposes. Perhaps the old cruciform architecture, with the choirs off to the sides, would be more appropriate?

PS – Is it just me, or did you change the format of your main page and perhaps accidentally limit it to one column, such that the side-bar is delegated to the bottom of the page? Just checking.

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