Many church goers will only talk to their pastor and not other believers when they have a problem. They'll clean the house all nice when he's coming over for dinner. They put him up on a pedistal. Does this amont to idolatry? Can it be so?
2007-07-19 02:41:01 · 20 answers · asked by Keep On Trucking 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is a good point and glad you brought it up!
People do have a tendency to want to put others that have power,fame or money on pedestals just as you said. Yes both Christians and non-Christains alike.They do this to either impress or in fear of what their guests might think of them.
For Christians I would say it is their immature spiritual walk in God's word that leads to that kind of thinking.
It is however appropriate to want to give some kind of honor to your guest . Giving the best that you have such as a clean house and nice dinner is not harmful. I do that for all my family friends and guests. It is something that I was taught growing up.
Not all Pastors pickup on this behavior if someone is idolizing them. It has been preached from the pulpit so please don't lump them all because of a few.
Our pastor continually reminds his congregation that he is a servant of God and not to be treated special. However...he is to be respected for the position he holds as our spiritual leader. It is a difficult road and not easy going against the grain of the world to uphold God's Word.
A pastor not only has taken on his immediate family issues but the congregation of the church as well. He is held to a higher standard in God's eyes and will be judged so when that time comes.
2007-07-19 03:12:01 · answer #1 · answered by Stormchaser 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happens all too often. Some pastors have taken advantage of this tendency to do great harm to their followers for personal gain. It is important to see the messenger (the pastor) as simply the "finger pointing to the moon," as the Buddhists would say, and not the object of worship. Churches, when it comes down to it, are social clubs; the pastor is the head of this club, and those who put the pastor above all others may simply be trying to rise to the top of the club's hierarchy. It is an all too common occurrence, and it may not be idolatry, as such, but it is a predictable social action that points out a person's or group of people's lack of focus on the real reason there IS a church in the first place.
2007-07-19 03:06:03 · answer #2 · answered by Black Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
money is the main important problem dealing with church homes all in the time of united states of america. it particularly is comprehensible that persons who attend church question the place the money is going whilst they see the pastor applying an high priced automobile and donning high priced fits. I pastored a small church for a number of years and dealt with the offering in this variety; The offering plate grow to be laid upon the modify, The alters have been opened for prayer, regardless of grow to be placed interior the offering plate grow for use to pay expenses and etc. I in no way took a earnings of any variety as I had an entire time activity that paid o.k.. it particularly is gloomy how money comes between those searching for GOD and those preaching GOD. yet then Thar's in simple terms my opinion.
2016-10-09 01:38:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love and respect our parish priest, but I realize that he is not God, just a spiritual adviser. If he were coming to dinner at my house, I would clean and make sure I cooked a great meal, but I do that for all of my guests.
When it comes to the issue of not talking to other believers, I have many friends both from within my parish and from other religions - and I don't judge the ones that are not of my faith, or try to convince them that they are of the wrong faith. I leave all of that for God. I figure that if someone wants to convert to my religion, it will not be because I was able to convince them with words, but because of my actions as a Christian.
As for going to your pastor or priest to discuss problems in your life, that is what a spiritual adviser is for. My priest, however, is not the only one I talk to about my problems. I have an entire network of people, including family, friends and my doctor to go to.
It is wrong to put your feelings for your pastor above your feelings for God, but it is appropriate to show him/her proper respect. The things that you have mentioned seem to me to be ways of showing respect, not worship. Idolatry would involve praying to him/her and building idols or statues to the person for the purpose of worship. Most of all, it would be placing the person before God in your life. Of all the people I know, from my church and others, I have never found anyone that treats any person as a god. They simply show proper respect and treat the person as they would like to be treated. This is not idolatry. It is good manners.
2007-07-19 03:05:53 · answer #4 · answered by kati9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heck I will clean my house if anyone comes over. I am picky about my house. My house stays clean. I respect my pastor and his wife, and I always went to them with my problems. A few times I went to this other lady. I did not worship my pastor but I gave him the respect he deserved.
2007-07-19 02:46:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that this is possible and can lead to big problems for the church and the minister. Since all men are very capable of sin and making errors, we should always be diligent to check our ministers teachings against the Bible. I really appreciate my minister and what he teaches. He does his best to teach the word of God right from the Bible, but that doesn't mean that I never disagree and discuss things with him.
The fact of the matter is, God is to be our focus of admiration. Our ministers are there to help us better understand God's teachings and to be used as a tool by God to spread the Word.
2007-07-19 02:47:18 · answer #6 · answered by L.C. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes yes yes! i think this is one of the big problems with Christianity....we no longer go to church, but my husband and i spent many years as worship leaders....people would put the church leadership up on this high pedestal, and they had no idea that we all struggled just like them....it is so deceptive...i always encourage people to figure things out for themselves, don't believe something just because a pastor says it is true....he is fallible just as much as anyone else
2007-07-19 02:49:44 · answer #7 · answered by drinklifetothelees 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't..... and I don't know anyone that does.... but I guess I can be so.... for some.
You should take care of your pastor etc... you know, make sure he's got enough to eat or a roof over his head etc.. it is the congregations duty to support the pastor as he is studying the bible all day instead of working at a paying job.
That is not worship.... that is care.
2007-07-19 02:45:27 · answer #8 · answered by sassinya 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No maybe it's just respect. I hope people clean their house for any company that comes over though. As for confiding in their pastor isn't that part of his title or job? To be there for people who have no where else to turn to.
2007-07-19 02:45:47 · answer #9 · answered by Bubblewrap 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does that behavior specifically amount to idolatry? No. Do some people worship their Pastors, esteeming him or her above God? Yes.
2007-07-19 02:45:24 · answer #10 · answered by Nick B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋