Was This Appropriate?

[laconicstudent]

Please cite a verse/passage that says we should revere the image of man.

Do you know what the Latin word "deus" means?

 

[citizenthom]

Do you know what the Latin word "deus" means?

Yes. The pastor's comment was about the human form, not God. Your argument, so far as I can tell, is that we are to revere man's image as we would God's; yet the Bible actually tells us not to make images of God to revere. So you're going to need independent Scriptural support that says we are to have reverence for man's corporeal form.

 

[Forealzchola]

I took this as a joke as well

 

[Shadow111]

Wow.

First off, folks, I am not thin-skinned. This pastor ALWAYS refers to our Lord, Jesus Christ as a "guy" and "some fella" and to us as God's "dirtbags". I asked him once about finding about the fall of the angels in the Bible and he said he hadn't a clue, but if I did find something, to let him know and he'd then advise me. He also told me that it is OK to decide just what you want to believe in the Bible, that you can take and leave parts of it.

He's also very free with coarse language. The "dirtbag" crack just broke my back.

Since this is a public forum, I guess I have to take the shots some have given me, and I'll do that. I just don't appreciate this at all. There were others in the church that day, deacons, elders, etc. They were stunned.

 

[laconicstudent]

Yes. The pastor's comment was about the human form, not God.

I don't know how you got that weird inference. He appeared to be talking about people.

Your argument, so far as I can tell, is that we are to revere man's image as we would God's; yet the Bible actually tells us not to make images of God to revere. So you're going to need independent Scriptural support that says we are to have reverence for man's corporeal form.

"et ait faciamus hominem ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram et praesit piscibus maris et volatilibus caeli et bestiis universaeque terrae omnique reptili quod movetur in terra." Genesis 1:26

And as this isn't a thread about the orthodoxy of iconography (which was well established by the Holy Seventh Ecumenical Council) we aren't going to discuss that beyond:

Humans are icons of God. Veneration of icons is orthodox. Therefore, veneration of humans is orthodox.

YouTube - Kursk Icon Vespers: Censing

 

[laconicstudent]

Wow.

First off, folks, I am not thin-skinned. This pastor ALWAYS refers to our Lord, Jesus Christ as a "guy" and "some fella" and to us as God's "dirtbags". I asked him once about finding about the fall of the angels in the Bible and he said he hadn't a clue, but if I did find something, to let him know and he'd then advise me. He also told me that it is OK to decide just what you want to believe in the Bible, that you can take and leave parts of it.

He's also very free with coarse language. The "dirtbag" crack just broke my back.

Since this is a public forum, I guess I have to take the shots some have given me, and I'll do that. I just don't appreciate this at all. There were others in the church that day, deacons, elders, etc. They were stunned.

Wow, that's extremely disturbing.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

Wow, that's extremely disturbing.

Now that we know the whole story, I would agree with this statement.

I still disagree over the worship of anything other than God Himself though. Man is man, God is God.

 

[laconicstudent]

Now that we know the whole story, I would agree with this statement.

I still disagree over the worship of anything other than God Himself though. Man is man, God is God.

I also disagree with the worship of anything other than God, nobody said otherwise.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

I also disagree with the worship of anything other than God, nobody said otherwise.

The way you compare insulting man to insulting God would lead one to think otherwise.

I still don't see why he thinks its ok to mock God from the pulpit

^^You.

 

[laconicstudent]

The way you compare insulting man to insulting God would lead one to think otherwise.

Yeah, considering it innapropriate to mock the imago dei probably makes me some sort of polytheist. Brilliant logic, Watson, brilliant.

^^You.

Your saying I am the reason someone would think its okay to mock God from the pulpit?

 

[PrincessSED]

At first I wanted to say "It was just a joke" (although inappropriate). Now that I have more information, I am of a different mind. I still think that, to him, it was just a joke. However, that doesn't make his apparent overall tone appropriate.

Apparently he thinks colloquializing the Bible makes it more digestible. Or perhaps he doesn't care for details or propriety? My mother had an issue with a preacher like this once. When he could not pronounce a name in the Bible, instead of looking up the pronunciation, he would insert "Bubba." She addressed the issue with him, and he tried to correct it.

Perhaps the deacons could address this issue with the preacher? I would get a group of like-minded members together and go to the deacons, particularly if the deacons themselves were upset as you said. If a majority of the church was offended, then perhaps this preacher should not be asked back to service. I am not sure of your church's rules or how this would be handled. Until then, I would advise you to pray for him and avoid the services he preaches. Perhaps visit another church on those days? (Although you shouldn't have to do that.)

I'm not really sure my advice was helpful, but I will pray that this issue is resolved for you and your church soon.

Have a blessed week!

~Sara

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

imago dei

 

[citizenthom]

I don't know how you got that weird inference. He appeared to be talking about people.

Right...I said he was talking about the human form. Is there some distinction between "human" and "people" you're trying to draw? If so please make it explicit.

And as this isn't a thread about the orthodoxy of iconography (which was well established by the Holy Seventh Ecumenical Council) we aren't going to discuss that beyond:

And has been considered idolatry, in violation of Scripture, ever since the Scriptures were vulgarized and the Church lost control over theology.

I asked for Scripture to support your viewpoint, not human theology. Try again.

Humans are icons of God. Veneration of icons is orthodox. Therefore, veneration of humans is orthodox.

Just because something is "Orthodox" does not make it Scriptural. Racial segregation was "orthodox" for most of the Catholic Church's existence too.

 

[Shadow111]

Hi Sara,

I will not go to services when he is preaching, not any more. I do not like his messages and he is just so lukewarm about the Bible. Very upsetting!

I would like to find another church, but I have been with this one for a while and do like everyone else. There are a few problems but that can be at ANY church. Thanks for your reply.

 

[fuji]

I personally didnt find it that offensive or that funny. I usually never like jokes before sermons. If you want to do stand up then do it.