God Worships Himself. « BRYANLOPEZ.COM

God Worships Himself.

July 23, 2008 at 4:52 am | In Theology, Worship | 7 Comments
Tags: Covenant Theology, Theology, Worship

Danny writes a great post about some thoughts on a Edwards quote he writes:

“And if it be thus fit that God should have a supreme regard to himself, then it is fit that this supreme regard should appear in those things by which he makes himself known, or by his word and works, i.e. in what he says, and in what he does. If it be an infinitely amiable thing in God that he should have a supreme regard to himself, then it is an amiable thing that he should act as having a chief regard to himself, or act in such a manner as to show that he has such a regard: that what is highest in God’s heart may be highest in his actions and conduct” (Jonathan Edwards: The End for Which God Created the World).

This penetrating thought from Edwards can be summed up as this: since the chief and ultimate affection and end in everything is Himself (God), His actions show that He treasures Himself first and foremost (and might I add, infinitely above anything else). This has an immediate implication for the worshipper of God. Writing earlier in this book, Edwards remarks,

“The moral rectitude of the disposition, inclination, or affection of God CHIEFLY consists in a regard to HIMSELF, infinitely above his regard to all other beings”

Since the chief affection of God is Himself, He shows it through His actions and conduct, viz. creation, providence, redemption, etc. As worshippers of God, if we say that God is the chief affection and object of our heart, mind, and life, how do we act upon that affection daily showing that God is our chief end in all things? Are we consistent in claiming that God is our chief affection and showing through our actions that He is our chief affection and end in all that we do?

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Thanks for linking to my blog in your links and mentioning my post. It’s actually, Danny, not Denny, though (:

I’ll add you to my list of blogs.

Blessings,
Danny

Comment by danny — July 23, 2008 #

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Sorry about that Danny. Love your blog, keep up the great postings!

SDG,
Bryan

Comment by bryanclopez — July 23, 2008 #

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No, problem, Brain, I mean, Brian, I mean, Bryan

Thanks for the encouraging note!

Comment by danny — July 23, 2008 #

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Wow, very interesting post. I will have to read it through a couple of times to make sure I’m catching everything.

Comment by Malachi — July 23, 2008 #

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Not convinced that being God means he worships self. To be ultimate is not a foregone conclusion to self worship. It is true that he cannot deny his ultimacy but it doesn’t mean he stands in a mirror and worships Himself. I refer you to the creation story, He said, “it is good” refering to creation. The identity statements of “I am that I am” does not imply worship while it does imply ultimacy. Careful that you don’t lead folk to a ’self absorbed life’, the image of God. Jesus was by nature selfless.

Comment by wes — March 12, 2009 #

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It is my contention that philosophy and theology are two seperate disciplines. Mixing the two makes for a dismantled faith structure. Either one is right and the other not necessary or if one fails a test of stability they both will fall. Keep the two apart and they can contribute to each other but merge them and you are heading for a disolution of the effectiveness of either or both. Finite language will fail in the complete discription of the infinite yet, it is all we have apart from experience. I fail to believe you or anyone else has witnessed God worshipping himself.

Comment by wes — March 12, 2009 #

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Wes,

I appreciate your thoughts, but if I may respond…

There are several presuppositions that are associated with the word “Worship” so, when thinking on this specific subject we ought to try and break down our normative thought pattern.

I do disagree with your remarks, because thinking on this topic logically we find that the innate nature of God is to glorify Himself. In fact he points everything in creation to the glorification of Himself. God’s primary agenda is the exaltation of Himself and this is fleshed out in all of creation. He might not be standing in front of a mirror, saying oh how beautiful I am… but I think I can be bold enough to say, He is declaring to everything how great He is!

Now to your other remark… I do agree that it can be dangerous to over emphasize philosophy when talking theology, but some of the best methodology in christian apologetics is found in philosophy… so the two can be mixed.

Comment by bryanclopez — March 16, 2009 #

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