>>>"The expression “strange fire” (hr`z` va@) seems imprecise . . .
Your cut and paste job of a definition did not address rw's major point about propriety in worship. (It looks impressive though!)
>>>I'm not Jewish. I don't prepare a blood and incense offering to the Lord.
Was anyone asking? You're kind of forcing the literal here, aren't you?
>>>. . .the thing that was literally the symbol of the final sacrifice of the life of Christ. And done for posterity.
Agree to some extent. Certainly it was a Levitical type but wasn't it also a prescribed modus operandi for the instruction and edification of those then and there present.
>>>>We in fact CAN do whatever we merrily choose that is not expressly forbidden as long as it does not conflict with the tuggings of the spirit, which dwells in the heart of every believer.
So the believer is to be directed by feelings and tuggings of an unreliable inner nature which is part time under the sway of carnal man, part time under the influence of the Holy Spirit? Furthermore, when under the control of the old sin nature it may not be immediately apparent (ie. coveting a new blue BMW sports car is sinful but may not be construed as such at the time; the schizo mother in Texas felt led of the Lord to do the most heinous of acts). Feelings or "tuggings" are unreliable. That is why we are to walk by "faith" -- the knowledge of Scripture and its use by the Holy Spirit.
Are you Jewish?
Tsk, tsk!
Just because rw used the OT to illustrate a point doesn't mean he is Jewish. Otoh, someone may sincerely ask are you pentecostal/charismatic?
I asked the question about him being jewish because of his comments about Zechariah 10. It was about the blood ofering, a very unique thing. To apply that to music worship, when the reason for what happened in Zechariah is debateable and can be used to support either side regarding music worship.
I went to an Assemblies of God church for 18 years. Never spoke in tongues. Got out when I saw matriarchy being promoted, and heard a false prophesy from the pulpit - In 2000 all the computers are gonna crash (They didn't).
I went to a Christian church for about seven years. I now go to a "semi-baptist" church.
Wow, where to begin...
>>Your cut and paste job of a definition did not address rw's major point about propriety in worship. (It looks impressive though!)<<
Thanks, btw, it is bible.org and is actually a free bible translation with tons of notes.
>>Was anyone asking? You're kind of forcing the literal here, aren't you?<<
Sometimes the Bible is being quite literal. I tend to read between the lines only when it appears to be necessary. AFter all, I would suspect that there were a lot of people sinning at that time, regarding animal sacrific, but not very many people were consumed by the fire. And the only punishment the moneychangers got was their tables turned over and a peice of Jesus' mind.
>>So the believer is to be directed by feelings and tuggings of an unreliable inner nature which is part time under the sway of carnal man, part time under the influence of the Holy Spirit? Furthermore, when under the control of the old sin nature it may not be immediately apparent (ie. coveting a new blue BMW sports car is sinful but may not be construed as such at the time; the schizo mother in Texas felt led of the Lord to do the most heinous of acts). Feelings or "tuggings" are unreliable. That is why we are to walk by "faith" -- the knowledge of Scripture and its use by the Holy Spirit.<<
I definitely think that feelings are unreliable and not to be trusted. however, our only counsel in choosing to do what is right in a situation is one of three things: 1) The Bible; 2) The Holy Spirit which dwells in the believer; 3) The counsel of other believers.
Based on my communication link with the abover three, I can find nothing that should make me the slightest bit queezy about what goes on in the worship service (music) in my church. In fact, what has made me the most nervous over the years is when I have been leading hymns and look around at the "dead" looks on all the peopls faces, even those that are strong proponents of hymns over "nodern praise music with its evil jungle beat."
Like I said before. this whole argument against any one particular music "style" or judgementalism over the content of lyrics of a song not being "complete enough" is sounding more and more like something the Taliban or the Pharasees would cook up.
Each songs lyrics and each persons motives must be judged individually before we accept what they have to offer. After all, what is your impression of the lyrics of the Black Sabbath song copied here by someone in an earlier post.
Looked like food for thought to me.
And yes, the Bible admonishes us to make that sort of judgement - like choosing the best attorney or car repairman.