A Part of Integrity, part two

Yesterday, I mentioned my disgust with the existing concept in numerous evangelical churches that magnificence and class have no place in the landscape of spirituality. But even the traditional places of worship were superbly gorgeous.

The church was a undoubted golden tent that had inside it fantastic artworks : stitching, tapestry, woodworking, and workmanship. Take a look at it for yourself in Exodus 25-40. And the church that Solomon had built? One of the legendary wonders of the planet. Stones quarried to such an accurate size they slipped into place on site. Actually, while the church was being built, no sound of a hammer or ax or any other iron tool was heard in the place ( 1 Kings 6:7 ). Wall beams were dovetailed and “inserted” together, and every bit of furniture was a choice carving, a blinding and unduplicated work of original art.

Centuries later, Paul spoke of having to learn the way to abound. And there’s no clumsy humiliation in his tone or any effort to excuse himself.

Why should there be? It was not till much later the scene modified. That Christians picked up the fallacious concept that it’s excellent to look righteous and non-creatively plain. Of course, you do not have to do so much explaining. And you can forget justifying yourself if you picked up almost all of your stuff from either a garage sale or the bargain basement. You look more non secular whether or not you are or not. As Elbert Hubbard once declared, “To mediocrity, genius is unforgivable.”. Remember, now, I revealed yesterday that some glorious exceptions exist. On occassion, I suspect I am getting a little impatient about there being so few classy and chic swans to beautify the landscape and make Lake Evangelicalism more exciting.

If there were, I think we’d find ourselves with more visitors and travellers than we’d know what to do with.