For we are his temple, collectively, and has individuals. For he ocndescends to dwell in the union of all and in each person. He is as great in the individual as he is in the whole body of his worshippers, for he cannot be increased in bulk or diminished by partition. When we lift up our hearts to him, our heart is his altar. We propitiate him by our priest, his only-begotten Son. We sacrifice blood-stained victims to him when we fight for truth "as far as shedding our blood." We burn the sweetest incense for him, when we are in his sight on fire with devout and holy love. We vow to him and offer to him the gifts he has given us, and the gift of ourselves.... We offer to him on the altar of the heart, the sacrifice of humility and praise, and the flame on the altar is the burning fire of charity. (Augustine, City of God 10.3; trans. Bettenson)
So, not only is the body, both individual and collective, the temple of God--and it can be both since God is indivisible and everywhere at once without being diminished in the individual or increased in the group--but the heart is the altar. Sacrifices are not only actual shedding of blood (reference is to Heb. 12:4), but also humility and praise. The incense is supplied by devout and holy love. And the fire of the altar is charity. To have your temple (yourself and your community) operating fully, therefore, you need a heart full of love, charity, praise, and humility. Ultimately, not a bad reading of Paul, especially 1 Corinthians.
3 comments:
Pardon me, but humility is using "common language", not "holy" language (Scripture). And what one chooses to do or not do in community is a matter of conscience and a matter of faith "in the world".
Coercive use of Scripture is what I just love to experience :)!So, don't talk about spiritual things like "humility, charity", etc. I would much rather see, experience and hear things like honesty, openness, integrity, trustworthiness, etc. which is the "common language" of faith, because that language can be understood no matter what kind of believer or unbeliever one is...and that has nothing to do with Scripture, or "holy language"...
Angie,
Huh? I don't see how Augustine's interpretation of scripture was coercive in context.
You seem to be striving to create religion without scripture or holy language. Perhaps you have read Bonhoeffer on these questions. He asked the questions with great authenticity. Yet being "in the world" drew him back to Scripture. "In the world," and only in the world, holy language, the sanctification of God's name, is in its element.
Jared,
Thanks for a vintage Augustine quote. His ability to synthesize was enormous.
Augustine's comment on the "corporate temple" riled me, as the church, generally speaking, has not been a place of "charity", but it demands "charity" and of course, in the name of "discipleship". (I had thought that you couldn't give what you had not recieved.)That is coercive.
Religion is not what interests me, but what does are those who represent the characteristics that I most value or cherish. Those who hold to any name, any "holy name" (any "temple") and do not hold to integrity, honesty, openness, etc. loose my "vote of confidence"...
Coercive religion is what I mean by using Scripture to lamb-blast someone over their failure in holiness (whatever that may mean to the specific "oommunity"). Therefore, I would rather cease with "holy" talk and just ask if someone is acting with character, which is irrespective of one's faith...In other words, I'd rather do "business" with those who are trustworthy, irregardless of their faith commitment...see 1 Cor. 13, and 2 Cor. 12....
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