Separation of the Sacred from the Secular: Worship and Idols

The Western world mindset seems to hold the concept that there should be a separation of the sacred from the secular. #

“Separation of church and state” is a term that Americans have become all too familiar with over the last 20 years of newspaper headlines declaring Supreme Court rulings concerning this issue. This type of history has aided in developing the separation of secular and sacred mindset.

But is there such a thing? It might help to define the two words.

The word Net Princeton dictionary defines:

Sacred as an adjective “concerned with religion or religious purposes ‘sacred texts’; ‘sacred rites’; ‘sacred music’”

Secular as “someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person.”

In other dictionaries secular is viewed as simply meaning non religious.

As can be seen in the above definitions make the point that sacred seems to be the opposite of secular.

This is exactly what Americans have done with their culture. They have made two extremes from which they jump back and forth.

They have made a place for church, God, religion, the “sacred”, and have made a place for work, movies, music, and sports, the “secular.” Somehow is has become normal, or “tolerant” to separate all of these activities.

People go to church to worship God, but to sporting events to worship man. #

Some may think that this statement is a bit extreme but the Wordnet. Princeton dictionary defines worship as simply put to “idolize.” The mention of idolatry is nothing more then what the culture calls it. In fact prime time television has been dominated by a show called “American Idol.” No one is trying to hide this fact. Worship and idolatry are one in the same and Christians should know the first commandment “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Deuteronomy 5:7, ESV). The context of this scripture directly addresses the act of worship.

Even where idolatry is not a problem there still is this underline view among people that churches hold “worship services.” A term like “worship services” implies that believers will attend but when everyone departs the worship stops. This concept would have been absurd to the Jewish people who were the forerunners of the Christian faith.

Personal piety as understood and expressed by the Hebrews negated any notion of separating the sacred (holy in relationship to God) from the secular (a way of life and thought without reference to God)…There can be no split between the secular and profane spheres of life; at least potentially every moment can be sacred unto the Lord. This holistic approach to personhood and life on the part of the Israelites was grounded into two basic arena of divine activity: creation and covenant making. The creation of God reflects his glory and goodness (Psalm 19:1–4, ESV) thus making the psychical environment sacred in the sense that God is still personally and providently involved in this world…The idea of covenant relationship with this source of life binds human beings, their labors, and the created order together so that all of life takes on the character of a response to God. (qtd in Hill.)

The first commandment God gave man directly addressed the area of the believers worship. The first thing that God wanted to address with his people is that he is a jealous God and expected all of their worship. This law was a covenant much like that of a marriage relationship, and in such a bond faithfulness was expected!

Though this was a command, ultimately people will exalt or “worship” the things that they love without any orders to do so. #

Society has somehow found a separation between worship and life. They have justified dividing their lives up into categories that have sacred things like worship in one section and secular in another. But this perspective is not acceptable to God.

Jesus said “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Luke 16:13, ESV). Notice that Jesus said that “either he will hate the one, and love the other” in reference to service. God clearly sees love in the context of service (actions) and not just the words and praises of people’s lips. It is not enough to just gather together with believers and hold a “worship service.” Jesus addresses this issue in Matthew 15:7–9, saying “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (ESV).

Jesus said that “in vain they do worship” Him because of their false man made doctrines. #

The opposite of this statement would seem to imply that God can be worshiped through obedience to his true doctrine.

On another occasion Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was to which he replied “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37, ESV).

The overall purpose, motive, and fulfillment of the law comes out of loving or idolizing God with the worshiper’s entire beings. People must worship him “in spirit and truth”, not hiding any area of their lives from God (John 4:24, ESV). All of their thoughts and desires should be offered to God in love. The believer is to be a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1, ESV). So if there is such a thing as a worship service it should be just that, a “worship” filled life of love toward God that leads to the actions of “service.”

Conclusion

There is no separation of the secular from the sacred for believers who are living in the will of God. If God is to be worshiped “in spirit and in truth”, then it must be done with the whole heart and the whole life. Believers must live a life of worship honoring God in every area. It is appropriate to end these thoughts with the words of the Apostle Paul: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31, ESV). “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).

 

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References 

Hill, Andrew E. Enter His Courts With Praise. Grand Rapids Michigan: Baker Book House Co, 1993.

“Sacred.” The Wordnet Princeton Dictionary. Cognitive Science Laboratory
Princeton University 221 Nassau St. Princeton, NJ 08542. http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn.

“Secular.” The Wordnet Princeton Dictionary. Cognitive Science Laboratory
Princeton University 221 Nassau St. Princeton, NJ 08542. http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

“Worship.” The Wordnet Princeton Dictionary. Cognitive Science Laboratory
Princeton University 221 Nassau St. Princeton, NJ 08542. http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn