While in Moscow recently, my group had a chance to tour the armory located at the Kremlin. This armory is a museum in which, as you may have guessed, quite a few weapons, suits of armor, and the like are located. But one of the surprises I saw as we toured was that it wasn't devoted only to weapons and implements of war. Inside, there were also a fair number of vestments for clergy, wagons that has been used by the nobility, and clothing in the style which the nobility would have worn.
While quite a few things caught my eye there, a number of different pieces in particular came across as very striking. On many Christian altars, you will find a book which includes the Bible readings, selected prayers, psalms, and other rites and rituals used in worship. These books are called altar books. There is even one on the altar in the church I am part of. It's a fairly ordinary looking book, pretty much looking exactly like the hymnals in the pews.
That was not the case for these altar books, though. I understand that the Orthodox tradition places a great deal of importance on icons and decorations, and these altar books were designed like that. Many of them were about 3 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. But, even more than the drawings and icons on them, was the gold which was used to decorate them.
Yes, gold decorating altar books. In fact, on many of these, the gold was almost as thick as the cover of the book. And that got me thinking. Why was it necessary to go to such excess for something like an altar book? Yes, I understand that many people are moved by their faith to donate and give valuable possessions for things that are important in their faith life. But why would the clergy need a gold-plated altar book while many of the people who would worship there might not even be able to feed themselves each week?
I admit that, here in America, this same phenomenon can often be observed. We build large, ornate buildings with stained glass windows and high quality sound systems and large signs. We have state of the art projectors and computers and amplifiers (that is, those who can afford these things). And still, my question is, "Why are these necessary?"
I can recall only two buildings that the Lord our God ever called for to be constructed: the tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem. True, in each of these cases, He called for high quality materials, but He did that to create a giving heart in His people. I'm struck by the words of Jesus when the disciples were looking at the temple and admiring its architecture: Not one of these bricks will remain on another.
To put it in another context, God says that the two greatest things we can do as we live is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. How do we demonstrate that love when we spend our money on extra, even excessive things to decorate what only Christians may see? How does it benefit our neighbor when we have amplified Christian music that never touches the ears of an unbeliever? How do we share Christ's forgiveness when our stained glass windows are pointed in toward the sanctuary?
Would not the funds for such things be put to better use to share the message of the good news and care for people in their needs? Wouldn't it serve our neighbor better if we found ways of reaching him or her with matters of importance in their life rather than put our money toward a better electric organ or guitar?
Don't get me wrong. Part of our life together as Christians calls for things like a building to worship in, or instruments to guide us when we sing. What I am talking about is the excess to which we go on such things, rather than using such funding to truly demonstrate Christ's love for neighbor. Those are the things that will endure forever. A nice, ornate building or window, or an expensive organ or guitar, won't.
While quite a few things caught my eye there, a number of different pieces in particular came across as very striking. On many Christian altars, you will find a book which includes the Bible readings, selected prayers, psalms, and other rites and rituals used in worship. These books are called altar books. There is even one on the altar in the church I am part of. It's a fairly ordinary looking book, pretty much looking exactly like the hymnals in the pews.
That was not the case for these altar books, though. I understand that the Orthodox tradition places a great deal of importance on icons and decorations, and these altar books were designed like that. Many of them were about 3 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. But, even more than the drawings and icons on them, was the gold which was used to decorate them.
Yes, gold decorating altar books. In fact, on many of these, the gold was almost as thick as the cover of the book. And that got me thinking. Why was it necessary to go to such excess for something like an altar book? Yes, I understand that many people are moved by their faith to donate and give valuable possessions for things that are important in their faith life. But why would the clergy need a gold-plated altar book while many of the people who would worship there might not even be able to feed themselves each week?
I admit that, here in America, this same phenomenon can often be observed. We build large, ornate buildings with stained glass windows and high quality sound systems and large signs. We have state of the art projectors and computers and amplifiers (that is, those who can afford these things). And still, my question is, "Why are these necessary?"
I can recall only two buildings that the Lord our God ever called for to be constructed: the tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem. True, in each of these cases, He called for high quality materials, but He did that to create a giving heart in His people. I'm struck by the words of Jesus when the disciples were looking at the temple and admiring its architecture: Not one of these bricks will remain on another.
To put it in another context, God says that the two greatest things we can do as we live is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. How do we demonstrate that love when we spend our money on extra, even excessive things to decorate what only Christians may see? How does it benefit our neighbor when we have amplified Christian music that never touches the ears of an unbeliever? How do we share Christ's forgiveness when our stained glass windows are pointed in toward the sanctuary?
Would not the funds for such things be put to better use to share the message of the good news and care for people in their needs? Wouldn't it serve our neighbor better if we found ways of reaching him or her with matters of importance in their life rather than put our money toward a better electric organ or guitar?
Don't get me wrong. Part of our life together as Christians calls for things like a building to worship in, or instruments to guide us when we sing. What I am talking about is the excess to which we go on such things, rather than using such funding to truly demonstrate Christ's love for neighbor. Those are the things that will endure forever. A nice, ornate building or window, or an expensive organ or guitar, won't.
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