Hi JohnWells. You said; "...in Matt 6:5-6 you will see that Jesus is warning His disciples against hypocrisy when they pray." Yes, I agree. In addition, He said; "... for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men." Matt. 6: 5 (bold is mine).
Praying is NOT supposed to be such that we make ourselves "seen" by others. The practice of those in the church who raise their arms high in the air is connected with praying, and they desire to "be seen of men."
Praying should be "private" in nature (v6). Unobtrusive. It should be unassuming and largely unnoticeable to those in the surroundings. Even the slightest effort on someone's part to "be seen" violates the principle.
You said; " They should not purposely position themselves in public areas so that others will see them praying and be impressed by their piety." I agree (see above). But this is precisely what the "arms to the sky" folks do! - trying to impress with their showy signs of piety.
You said; " It is reading too much into the passage to use it to prohibit public prayer." When Jesus prayed, he very often went out "alone" and hid from the public viewing (Matt. 14: 23, Matt. 26: 36, Matt. 26: 42, 44, Mark 1: 35, Mark 6: 46, Mark 14: 32, Luke 5: 16, Luke 6: 12, Luke 9: 18, etc.). Public praying (i.e. praying with others around) must always be unassuming, private and utterly non showy. It should be virtually unnoticeable or nearly so. Luke 11: 1 illustrates Jesus "publicly" praying yet the Lord was still "private" and unassuming about it.
"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Luke 11: 1 (bold is mine)
In other words, the disciple waited until the Lord was done before he approached him. He respected the privacy of the Lord's quiet moment of solitude in the public prayer setting. He didn't jump on top of Him and start shouting halleluiah with his arms held up to the sky.
You said; " Your previous statements fault Solomon here!" I don't view Solomon's gesture as being the same or even remotely similar to what some practice in the church these days. The practice of some in the church today is to extend "arms held high into the sky" like the "wave" at a baseball game.
You said; " How do you, with folded hands clasped together..." By placing two hands side by side they are spread out, in front of you, elbows bent at a sharp angle, palms are faced upward toward heaven.
You said; "...(which you claim is the only and proper position of the hands)," I never said that the "only" proper position of the hands is together. Hands held together is one way (perhaps the most common way) of a humble, contrite and unassuming expression, so it is fine. However, that which is practiced by some in the church, with arms raised to the sky in a showy display of "look at me" is not fine at all.
You said; " Your own personal view of proper liturgy is severely flawed and in conflict with God's Holy Word!" Not at all. My liturgy is NO liturgy other than what Jesus Himself has demonstrated (see above). However, those who raise their arms high into the air, in a showy display among a church setting is THEIR liturgy. It is camp, showy and pomp (at best). Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40). Thanks! latterrain77
