Responses to "Is All of Life Worship?"

(Editors Note)
I received a series of e-mails from a brother concerning Kevin Kay's article and some other articles posted on this site. The brother has asked for his e-mail comments to be removed and has offered to submit material expressing his views. As a consequence I am substituting my summary of the objections our brother has raised. (I am editing this page on June 6, 2007.)

(Update June 21, 2007: This brother has asked that his name be removed and even references to his e-mail be deleted. Also he apparently will not be sending any material expressing his view on this subject.)

Question:

I was asked my views on Kevin Kay's article.

Larry's Reply:

Brother --------,

Yes, I very much agree with this article. I am very concerned how carelessly words are used and defined by some brethren. It is my intention to write further on this matter.

If I was to summarize the root of the problem, it would be in taking a single definition of a word in a given context and then to ignore all other definitions in other contexts. For instance, the word “apostle” has the general definition as “one sent” and could be used to describe any of us. However, a more specific definition would be found in the 12 apostles, a very specific kind of men that are “sent.” If the general definition is forced on all verses to the exclusion of the more specific definition, then the meaning of the scriptures will be changed. Someone could falsely say “we are all apostles” and “the traditional view of their only being 12 apostles is wrong!”

There is a great deal of ambiguity and even an outright agenda by some in these kinds of actions. If you read Mike Root’s books then you will see a very strong agenda towards a radical reconstructing of our relationship with God. His efforts make much of what the New Testament instructs us to be contradictory and even without meaning. His distain for the instructions on the assembly of 1 Cor 14, as shown by the article, is one such example.

In regards to worship, I believe it is possible to use that word to describe our continual presence before God. We need to develop that God-consciousness as we mature in Christ. I have tried to put the best light on others who say “everything we do is worship” by placing their statement to mean this. However, not everyone means just that. They deny the more specific definition, and, as a result they lay a foundation that will destroy God’s instructions concerning worship.

Consider these statements that some men are making about worship: "The five acts of worship is no more worship than anything else Christians do for God" and “changing a diaper may be worship." Consider the implication of these very careless statements. When I come before God to remember His Son’s death in the Lord’s Supper, I do so with a higher level of consciousness, concentration and awareness of God, His love and the Cross of Christ than I would when mowing a lawn or watching a TV show. When I talk about worship, it is a special time, a higher place and with different expectations from God than in my everyday life. This is how I use the term worship.

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (NKJV). The “examine yourself” and “unworthy manner” mentioned in this verse denotes this higher level of awareness that constitutes worship. God is in focus, my heart is in focus and it is a time for serious thought. Failure to make such a distinction will destroy God’s purpose for worship and destroy men’s souls in the process.

So far, when I have brought up these things to brethren who are so inclined to say “everything we do is worship,” they have agreed with me on these points. I have then exhorted them to be more careful in their use of words. I also have encouraged them to see where this newfound fervor to use these careless statements has come from.

Sadly, more and more are reading books like the Mike Root book and are caught up a the spirit of such writings. Often a spirit of pride results from writings of men like this. Some will quickly label others as “traditionalist” and then exalt those who agree with them as “enlightened.” I do not believe that all that holds the view about “everything we do is worship” are caught up in such pride or will do these things, but many are! I fear that when pride enters as a motive then others are quick to jump on the bandwagon of what is nothing more than a fad. In this context, the fad will spread quickly because of its newness and because it will draw attention to those who are “wise” enough to discover the new “truth”. But, as time passes, the fads will be discarded for the next new thing that will bring attention.

Please understand that I have raised two issues in my response, one of a specific doctrinal issue and one of spirit. We should always be open to testing things that are new to us. We also can be guilty of labeling others are “holding on to fads” and being ‘prideful” just because they have found a truth taught in the scriptures that is “new” to a given individual. Ultimately it comes down to an open Bible and a good heart!

I appreciate your spirit in raising the question. I would appreciate any response or review you may have of the article or of this letter.

In Christian Love,

Larry Rouse

Response
(Note: I am giving a summary of the response of our brother. Please see the explanation posted above.)

There were several observations made:

1. That Kevin Kay's article on "Is All of Life Worship" and Bill Hall's
     article on "The Church's Purpose" "poisons the well."

2. That both writers have not thought through what they said.

3. That there is a winding gap between "traditionalism" and the open
     minded men like our brother. Men must not be afraid to challenge these
     traditions.

4. Churches of Christ are filled with traditional beliefs.

5. Our brother believes his positions are so strong that they are easily seen
    and that those who do not see his views are due to their unwillingness to
    see. (Edited on June 6, 2007)

Larry's Response:

Brother ---------,

What is worship? Let us first examine the definitions of the two primary Greek words translated worship and then see how these words are used in the scriptures. Consider two words commonly used in a discussion of this subject, proskuneo and latreia, from Friberg’s Analytical Greek Lexicon and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

proskuneo -  (1) from a basic sense bow down to kiss someone's feet, garment hem, or the ground in front of him; (2) in the NT of worship or veneration of a divine or supposedly divine object, expressed concretely with falling face down in front of someone worship, venerate, do obeisance to; (a) toward God (MT 4.10); (b) toward Jesus (MT 2.2); (c) toward the devil and demons (MT 4.9; RV 9.20); (d) toward idols (AC 7.43); (e) toward human beings as given or claiming to have divine power or authority (RV 3.9; 13.4b) - Friberg’s Analytical Greek Lexicon

latreia - in the NT, religious service based in worship, service (of God), divine service, worship - Friberg’s Analytical Greek Lexicon

Vine’s Dictionary

¹proskuneo (Verb) - "to make obeisance, do reverence to" (from pros, "towards," and kuneo, "to kiss"), is the most frequent word rendered "to worship." It is used of an act of homage or reverence (a) to God, e.g., Mt. 4:10; Joh. 4:21-24; 1Co. 14:25; Re. 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:10 (2nd part); 22:9; (b) to Christ, e.g., Mt. 2:2,8,11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9,17; Joh. 9:38; Heb. 1:6, in a quotation from the Sept. of De. 32:43, referring to Christ's Second Advent; (c) to a man, Mt. 18:26; (d) to the Dragon, by men, Re. 13:4; (e) to the Beast, his human instrument, Re. 13:4,8,12; 14:9,11; (f) the image of the Beast, Re. 13:15; 14:11; 16:2; (g) to demons, Re. 9:20; (h) to idols, Ac. 7:43. Note: As to Mt. 18:26, this is mentioned as follows, in the "List of readings and renderings preferred by the American Committee" (see RV Classes of Passages, IV): "At the word 'worship' in Mt. 2:2, etc., add the marginal note 'The Greek word denotes an act of reverence, whether paid to man (see chap. Mt. 18:26) or to God (see chap. Mt. 4:10)'." The Note to Joh. 9:38 in the American Standard Version in this connection is most unsound; it implies that Christ was a creature. J. N. Darby renders the verb "do homage" [see the Re. ised Preface to the Second Edition (1871) of his New Translation].

²latreia - Akin to latreuo (see No. 3, above), primarily "hired service," is used (a) of the "service" of God in connection with the tabernacle, Ro. 9:4; Heb. 9:1, "Divine service;" Heb. 9:6, plural, RV, "services" (AV, "service," and, in italics, "of God"); (b) of the intelligent "service" of believers in presenting their bodies to God, a living sacrifice, Ro. 12:1, RV marg., "worship;" (c) of imagined "service" to God by persecutors of Christ's followers, Joh. 16:2. Note: For "soldier on service," 2Ti. 2:3, RV, see SOLDIER, B.

Now let us consider three verses where these words are used: proskuneo in John 4:23-24 and latreia in Romans 12:1-2, and Matthew 4:9-10 where both Greek words are used. I am including two translations of these passages.

John 4:23 through John 4:24 (NKJV)

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship¹ the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship¹ in spirit and truth.”

John 4:23 through John 4:24 (NIV)

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship¹ the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship¹ in spirit and in truth.”

 Romans 12:1 through Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service². And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1 through Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship². Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew 4:9 through Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)

And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship¹ me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship¹ the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve².’”

Matthew 4:9 through Matthew 4:10 (NIV)

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship¹ me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship¹ the Lord your God, and serve² him only.’”

¹proskuneo

²latreia

From both the lexicons and the verses cited it is evident that there can be a difference of meaning in these two Greek words translated “worship.” Proskuneo is used to denote “an act of homage or reverence” and is what Christians have commonly called worship. It denotes a special coming before God in contrast to other times and occasions in one’s life.

The other Greek word, latreia, relates to our service to God. In Romans 12:1 it covers the daily walk of a Christian as a living sacrifice before God. As Christians we are in the presence of God at all times and thus “everything we do” or “all of life” must be done with a consciousness of God.

I have used the term “service” to describe my daily walk with God. Others have chosen to say their walk with God is “worship” and will cite the NIV translation of Romans 12:1. It is important to be clear in how we use words so that we can properly communicate what we mean.

If someone disagrees with these distinctions made by looking at these Greek words, then I can clearly make these same points in another way.

The Bible clearly teaches there is a time where I place myself before God in a special way that requires preparation and concentration. The Lord’s Supper is such an occasion where I must focus upon the significance of the Lord’s death. I am to be involved in both outward acts, partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine and in an inward “discerning of the Lord’s body” (1 Cor 11:27-30). When I partake of the Lord’s Supper, I place myself before God in a special way. I must prepare for this occasion and learn how to concentrate and focus. This time has a beginning and an end. It is not an ongoing process without end.

The Bible also teaches that I am before God at all times and should serve Him with an awareness of His presence. “The eye of the Lord are on the righteous” (1 Peter 3:11). “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). My entire life can be viewed as a sacrifice as Paul did his. “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all (Philippians 2:17). My life as well must be a “living sacrifice” as I have an awareness of God and His will in everything I do (Rom 12:1-2).

For those who wish to describe their everyday service to God as worship I would give some warnings. If you choose to use “worship” to denote all of your life and its activities, you should also recognize that a different and more specific definition exists. Many are concluding that there can be only one definition of “worship” and, as a result, are trying to jam all verses and practices into one definition. This approach will bring several bitter fruits. Please consider these warnings.

1. Do not deny the more specific, higher level of worship. Consider these common statements that some are making:  “you cannot go to worship, you are worship,” “The five acts of worship are no more worship than anything else Christians do for God.” When I hear these statements made without any clarification, then I cannot but conclude that these statements will deny this higher level of worship. So far, when I talk with these brethren, they readily acknowledge that there is a worship that we enter into, that requires a level of concentration that is different from our everyday life. When I receive this encouraging response, I then urge them to be careful in their use of words.

2. Do not look down and label those who use different terminology.  I am often disappointed to hear prejudicial labels such as “Ultra Conservative,” “Traditional,” and “Legalist” used by some just because they believe they have found something new to them in the Bible. Why do these brethren feel a need to distinguish themselves from others that have yet to accept what they have found? We need to guard against being impatient with others. We especially need to guard against the danger of developing a spirit of pride and factionalism. “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic” (James 3:14-15).

There are some who use these and other like issues to separate brethren. It becomes another device to plant bitterness against an alleged “ultra conservative boat” filled with “blind” men who are loyal to a “divisive movement.” On the other hand they will describe those on their side of the wedge as “open minded” and “grace-centered.” The scriptures do address the issues of factionalism, blindness, closed-mindedness along with slander and bitterness. Why do some see the need to jump to these broad charges just because we have a difference in some areas?

Unfortunately some are forming a different human faction to compete with the evil faction that they hate. There is a big difference between a love for the truth of God and a love for a human faction. When Satan’s tactics are used then I know that the grace of God is not a part it. Please watch your heart!

I may not have addressed all of your concerns in this response. I am thankful that you care enough for me to have written. Please do not take this response as in any way making specific charges against you or as a sign of an unwillingness to listen. I know how disappointing it is to be on the receiving end of such charges.

You remain in my prayers. May the Lord bless you in your work for Him.

In Christian Love,

Larry Rouse