Are people in Japan perhaps committing idolatry, when they bow to one another in respect?
Or is someone an idolator, if they light a candle at a veteran's memorial service?
Or whisper an innocent-hearted prayer, that their loved one 'watch over them' from heaven?
'Idol' has been a (highly) negative accusation and label, yes. But perhaps it's more like a distortion, worthy of the 'accuser of the brethren' or the msm(?)
It's been a narrative used for centuries to divide the body of Christ into thousands of factions, and deprive them of the spiritual knowledge and grace of the 'communion of saints.'
Most people everywhere, don't actually believe we or anyone else possesses the whole of the deeper wisdom of God. Here, we 'see through a glass darkly'.
In our total understanding (whether of faith or events in the world), we're more like a work-in-progress. We can maybe reserve judgment , like little children still open to learning more.
Maybe, as Shakespeare suggested, 'There are more things in heaven and earth', than are dreamt of in our poor philosophies.
Jesus himself counsels people to 'take care' how they perceive things. People see things at different levels. Premature closure is why so many people need to be 'redpilled'.
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us to truth, and that we would 'grow in knowledge' of the things of God. Even his very closest disciples didn't see everything that was true about Jesus and his divine mission.
Are people in Japan perhaps committing idolatry, when they bow to one another in respect?
Or is someone an idolator, if they light a candle at a veteran's memorial service? Or whisper an innocent-hearted prayer, that their loved one 'watch over them' from heaven?
'Idol' has been a (highly) negative accusation and label, yes. But perhaps it's more like a distortion, worthy of the 'accuser of the brethren' or the msm(?)
It's been a narrative used for centuries to divide the body of Christ into thousands of factions, and deprive them of the spiritual knowledge and grace of the 'communion of saints.'
Most people everywhere, don't actually believe we or anyone else possesses the whole of the deeper wisdom of God. Here, we 'see through a glass darkly'.
In our total understanding (whether of faith or events in the world), we're more like a work-in-progress. We can maybe reserve judgment , like little children still open to learning more.
Maybe, as Shakespeare suggested, 'There are more things in heaven and earth', than are dreamt of in our poor philosophies.
Jesus himself counsels people to 'take care' how they perceive things. People see things at different levels. Premature closure is why so many people need to be 'redpilled'.
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us to truth, and that we would 'grow in knowledge' of the things of God. Even his very closest disciples didn't see everything that was true about Jesus and his divine mission.