Imperial Holiness

One consistent characteristic of human religious expression is the showiness of it. We build ornate places of worship, adorned with the finest materials, staffed by the best ministers and musicians, and meticulously maintained by dedicated professionals. It's only right that we give God our best, or so we see from the examples of Scripture. But then, is it really "giving God our best" when the hearts of those inside the ornate buildings are inclined more toward themselves than toward God? 

Exodus 25:1-27:19; 1 Kings 5:12-6:13, 12:1-19; 1 Corinthians 6:18-19; James 1:27

Click here to download a transcript of this podcast: Imperial Holiness

Music: "Alpine Bierhalle,” Aaron Kenny, YouTube Audio Library, April 14, 2021 (listen to the audio on Youtube at https://youtu.be/sSDEkgBZ0C0?si=Etd67cZ85LCKNUZR), and Austrian National Anthem, "Land der Berge, Land am Strome,” United States Navy Band, National Anthems, 1997.

Photo: The Münster (Cathedral of Our Lady) in Ulm is Germany’s largest Protestant church, and one of many majestic structures reflecting the influence of Western Christian Civilization. Photo by Armin Appel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.