Good post. I mean that. Not only civil, but I believe, some honest thought put into it, as well as nonsensical frivolities eliminated.
For the record I still maintain, as far as a human being goes, and with regards to the question of whether or not a given human being commits idolatry, that God, with His perfect Heart, judges our heart accordingly, and not outward actions alone.
At this point I wouldn’t say anymore usually, but I would genuinely like to know at this time: Do you agree or disagree with what the preceding paragraph states? Please state your reasons if you are so inclined. Thank you.
At other times the action seems to matter more than the best of (apparent) inclinations like the fellow that came to fugitive, on the run for his life David with water that came from a spring David favored. David pours the water out on the ground and said it would be like the man's blood since the fellow had risked his life for it.
Both otherwise acceptable offering rejected but with two very different hearts of the givers.
Idolatry is a most serious offence otherwise those use images or icons or any sort would not so quick and ardent in defending their practices as relative worship or dulia I think is the word used.
But my question has been when does obeisance or honor slip into the forbidden territory of worship? The Israelites seem to have a problem with that distinction making a golden calf and saying not that it represented YHWH or Jehovah but that it was in fact Him. (Ex. 32:4)
Of course that didn't cut it and God says pointedly that the worship was of the idol not Him, the sacrifices were to the idol, not Him.
It didn't matter whether it was dulia or not. In just a bit the Jealous Sovereign Yahweh, YHWH, Jehovah was going to wipe out the entire idol worshiping nation and make Moses the elder patriarch.
And even without that Moses’ body was hidden when he died, I suppose, to keep it from becoming a relic to be worshiped.