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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Friday, April 3, 2026

Opus 2026-175: Symbolism over Reality

As I was listening to the mix of music I have on my MP3 player, it came across a song that was based on the idea of a land of unclouded days.  I’ve noticed this idea before.  I wonder what the concept is.  The first time it really hit me was when we were singing a song about how glorious it would be as Jesus returned, and there would be no clouds in the sky and all that, but it didn’t quite jive with the scripture I just been reading. 

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;

The scripture says that Jesus will return on the clouds are in the clouds. 

(1Th 4:17 KJV)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(Mat 24:30 KJV)  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
It doesn’t mention clear skies. Where do we get this picture?  I don’t know but I am willing to sing the song under the category of poetic license.  

I wonder how many other symbolic images are in our mind that have nothing to do with the scripture or in fact are contra scripture.  We often hear about the images of Christmas and the horse that Paul fell off of on the way to Damascus.  Did you ever wonder if the early church used pews or individual seats?  How about folding chairs?

There is nothing wrong with warm hearted ideas but make sure that you don’t confuse them with reality.  Our heretical pseudo-brethren get it the opposite.  They take clear statements of reality such as the physical resurrection of Christ and warp it into some kind of symbolic response to a bad pizza.

homo unius libri

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.