Worship

[agedman]

Does actual physical posture play a necessary role or any role in worship?

The last third, of the 14th chapter of Matthew, records the scene of walking on water.

Because most are very familiar with the account, it isn't necessary to restate the events.

The focus of the thread is what happened when the disciples worshipped.

The original word (translated worship) indicates the worship as one doing obeisance. Bowed with head against the flooring of the boat. Not dissimilar in posture from what is done in Arabic lands in their worship.

Does posture play an role (important or not) in true worship?

 

[SheepWhisperer]

I've worshiped Jesus sitting in my truck, driving down the road; sitting in church, not making a sound with tears streaming down my face. On my knees, while playing with my kids. Standing in the shower. Working at my job. However, one wouldn't be ashamed to get down on one's knees.

True worship involves Spirit and Truth, not posture.

 

[agedman]

I've worshiped Jesus sitting in my truck, driving down the road; sitting in church, not making a sound with tears streaming down my face. On my knees, while playing with my kids. Standing in the shower. Working at my job. However, one wouldn't be ashamed to get down on one's knees.

True worship involves Spirit and Truth, not posture.

So, you would consider that posture is not important to worship?

Were not three Hebrews put in a furnace for refusing to bow down to a statue?

If there were not consideration for posture, excess could be considered a form of worship.

Or, perhaps posture indicates a matter of submissiveness displaying who is in control of the expressions of the body?

 

[tyndale1946]

I've worshiped Jesus sitting in my truck, driving down the road; sitting in church, not making a sound with tears streaming down my face. On my knees, while playing with my kids. Standing in the shower. Working at my job. However, one wouldn't be ashamed to get down on one's knees.

True worship involves Spirit and Truth, not posture.

I heard a minister say it is not the posture of the body in worship but the posture of the heart... I always remembered that... So I pass it on... Brother Glen

 

[TCassidy]

There are primarily two word in Greek that are translated "worship."

The first is προσκυνησης (or one of its cognates) meaning literally to prostrate yourself (where we get the English word "prostrate") to make obeisance. That one certainly includes the idea of posture, form bowing down to kiss the hand of the one to whom you offer obeisance to bowing down with forehead to the ground or lying flat before the one being so worshiped.

The second word is σέβομαι to show reverence, devotion, or extreme respect. This one is less about posture and more about the attitude of the heart.

 

[SheepWhisperer]

So, you would consider that posture is not important to worship?

Were not three Hebrews put in a furnace for refusing to bow down to a statue?

If there were not consideration for posture, excess could be considered a form of worship.

Or, perhaps posture indicates a matter of submissiveness displaying who is in control of the expressions of the body?

No, it could not. Worship involves the heart. If you feel like bowing on your knees, do it.

 

[agedman]

The first is προσκυνησης (or one of its cognates) meaning literally to prostrate yourself (where we get the English word "prostrate") to make obeisance.

Isn't that a gland that men are supposed to have examined?

Heard a radio preacher long ago wax eloquently about that and what it mean to worship. I think he had a bit of a vocabulary problem.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

The focus of the thread is what happened when the disciples worshipped.

They sang six choruses one after the other.

 

[SheepWhisperer]

They sang six choruses one after the other.

7-11?

 

[TCassidy]

Isn't that a gland that men are supposed to have examined?

Heard a radio preacher long ago wax eloquently about that and what it mean to worship. I think he had a bit of a vocabulary problem.

That second "r" makes all the difference!

 

[TCassidy]

No, it could not. Worship involves the heart. If you feel like bowing on your knees, do it.

That may not be entirely accurate. See post #5, above.

 

[agedman]

That second "r" makes all the difference!

That is the vocalization during the procedure.

 

[agedman]

They sang six choruses one after the other.

We have a good friend who was visiting, she was remarking about how the music was one phrase repeated as if it wasn't learned the first time it was sung, or the second.

 

[tyndale1946]

No, it could not. Worship involves the heart. If you feel like bowing on your knees, do it.

I remember at Mesa College in San Diego in the parking lot especially and anywhere else on campus... Promptly at noon all the prayer rugs coming out and various students bowing to Mecca... Where we as Christians are told to go into our closet and pray to God in secret... Don't be that Pharisee!... Brother Glen

 

[Jerome]

The Bible says: "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

Now how are you going to lift your hands while you're nose down, flattening your body against a magic carpet?

 

[TCassidy]

Now how are you going to lift your hands while you're nose down, flattening your body against a magic carpet?

Where did anyone mention a "magic carpet?"

 

[tyndale1946]

The Bible says: "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

Now how are you going to lift your hands while you're nose down, flattening your body against a magic carpet?

I don't know... I've never been there!... Wasn't born a camel jockey... Brother Glen

 

[agedman]

Where did anyone mention a "magic carpet?"

I was wondering if the tassels cost extra?

 

[tyndale1946]

Where did anyone mention a "magic carpet?"

I sure didn't... Somebody is watching to many re-runs of Aladdin... Brother Glen

 

[Jerome]

What the OP suggested:

Not dissimilar in posture from what is done in Arabic lands in their worship.

The post right before mine recalled:

all the prayer rugs coming out and various students bowing to Mecca