Beware the cosmic supernatural “dog in the manger”!

 

Some of you might have seen my blog https://reflect-lulu-isle.blogspot.com/2014/07/halloween-about-death-devil.htmlfrom July 28, 2014. Recently some of the thoughts I had there were furthered by an Easter message,  “A Resurrection-shaped Life” I heard – by Brian Houston of Hillsong, no less! I don’t particularly support Hillsong, and I only heard the message because we were checking out Hillsong (It’s at the 1 hr. 8 min. mark here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ImXZ5_gsSk if you want to check it out for yourself). But I digress.

 

Houston made reference here to Hebrews 2:14-15: “Since therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he (Christ, that is) himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.”

 

In our society today, many fear death and do all they can to prolong life and prevent it. Others have lost their fear of death and welcome it as an escape by choosing suicide or euthanasia. Now, in all fairness, some in these last categories really are suffering and, unfortunately, have not got the help or support to see any other way out. Actually, this is not new. The ancient Greeks who had come to espouse the philosophies of Socrates and others, also looked upon death positively as an escape from this life. This was because they regarded the body as a cursed mortal evil in which their real selves, their soul, was trapped and only in death could they escape this body. 

 

The problem is, in all of this, the devil has won. Again, I would not include all cases of suicide and euthanasia in this. But when the devil has us afraid, he is attacking our sense of security and wellbeing. And when he has us not afraid, well, then are have surrendered entirely to his death wish. 

 

You see, according to most faith traditions, but particularly the three monotheistic traditions, life was created by means of supernatural powers. In Judeo-Christian terms, everything, all life, was created by Jahweh, or God. Indeed, God alone was the Creator of all things. God is the source of life.

 

However, as we know from the book of Genesis narrative, chapter 3, something happened. Another being interposed itself between God and humanity. This being has become known by a variety of names, including devil and Satan, which is Hebrew for “The Accuser.” Way back in time, the story goes, this being rebelled against God. He wanted to be like God. However, God, being God, is all-powerful and Satan did not succeed. Meanwhile, God had poured his creativity and love into the making of the universe and ultimately humanity, with whom he wanted to be in relationship with. Put simply, Satan was jealous. He could see that humans were vulnerable, so he made his move.

 

Satan apparently influenced humanity in such a way that they too decided they did not need to regard God and his instructions as necessarily needing to be fully obeyed. In other words, they also began to rebel. What Satan knew, and the humans did not, was that as soon as they took this step, they were doomed, just as Satan was. The Bible teaches that Satan is going to be defeated once and for all at the end of time. This is where he displays his ‘dog-in-the-manger’ nature. He forfeited his position of eternal bliss with God and he is doing his utmost to make sure we, God’s creatures end up with him. It’s his way of getting back at God. It is why God so hates Satan, because Satan is doing his best to thwart the good plans God has for us.  

 

If we reject God, the only alternative is that we are following Satan. As the Hebrews text quoted above says so plainly, this places us in Satan’s grasp, subject to death with him. As I wrote seven years ago, the road with Satan leads to only one place, death. However, what the Hebrews passage is part of, is an explanation of how Jesus, the Christ, through his death and resurrection, defeated Satan. If we believe this, turn our back on Satan and admit (‘confess our sin’, in biblical terms) we were wrong and want to follow God once again (in biblical language this is called ‘repentance’) Jesus can free us from our slavery to Satan and put us back into the loving relationship with God we were created for, and on the road to a glorious eternity. 

 

Beware the cosmic ‘dog-in-the manger’!  The consequences of not doing so are terrible.

 

 

Thoughts on Worship Today

Many of us who are a part of an active congregation, or maybe not even, as we can now watch things without actually attending, have now watched or, at some level, possibly even taken part, in online worship since the coronavirus restrictions came into place almost a year ago. We probably all have some dislikes and likes about what we see. Actually, what I have to say can largely apply to in-person worship just as well.

 

Let me begin at the beginning, with what one sees when one looks at a video screen with worship leaders or a worship team beginning a worship service. In the first place, I think we need to see more smiling and joyful faces up there than we often do. I know it is difficult nowadays as there is so much concentration and focus required to do this well on-line especially, not to mention the practice required, but still…. After all, if we really believe what we say we do and understand why we are there together, it is to praise our God and to encourage us in our lives. At least to begin the worship, we should have some good positive, enthusiastic praise. A smiling face probably makes the music sound more genuine and appealing, and could certainly help lift the spirits of those watching. We need all the help we can get in that area nowadays, with the increasingly drawn out restrictions because with a virus. 

 

Then, when it comes to taking part, we need to have songs so that we can readily learn or sing along with. Some of us find nowadays that so-called contemporary Christian music often seems to be slow and reflective, perhaps aimed at creating a mood or a certain direction of thinking about what one is singing. Sometimes these are songs that have been lifted from a soloist or more competent music ensemble, which those leading the worship have come to appreciate. However, that does not mean they are readily transferable to being sung by the congregation.

 

Then let me make a remark about what some might refer to as the stage presence, as that is where most worship leaders or teams are seen from nowadays. I think we need to keep the stage and background somewhat uncluttered so that we maintain our focus on worship. I think we also need to take care to see that whatever is on stage or behind it is of some use in reflecting the fact that this is a church congregation at worship, and not just any stage show. Therefore, I think it would be good to have some symbols of our faith evident, be it as simple as a cross.

 

Given that this is being written in the context of where we have largely been reduced to worshiping online when it comes to the corporate element of that, let me make some remarks about the technology. Most of us probably have no idea of what a learning curve our worship leaders have had to undergo to present what we see on YouTube, Facebook Live, or wherever we are finding our favorite worship service. Our congregations have had to learn what equipment was necessary, how to assemble it together, and learn how to use it effectively. When the worship leaders or team are not simply walking on stage and doing things live, there is a lot of practicing and recording and sometimes piecing things together that needs to be done. This has added a whole another element of time-consuming strain and stress to leading congregational worship that we need to appreciate and give our congregational worship leaders credit and thanks for. Some might have a lot more to say about this then what I have written so far. However, for me, these are some of the main elements that continue to present themselves.

 

Some might want to ask, what gives me the right to make such comments or suggestions. In the first place, I think we could readily agree that all of us in the congregation or even non-adherent watchers are free to respond as we see fit. However, I do have more than a bit of musical background, from singing in family groups and quartets to a madrigal group and touring and oratorio choirs, as well as conducting and worship leading, but that would be subject for another time.

 

Meanwhile, let us continue to abide by the biblical injunction that asks us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, even if it is only online nowadays. We can thank God that we have this technology that allows us to worship together in new ways, and be thankful for those who put so much effort into creating our worship experiences, in spite of the current pandemic.