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| Volume 19 Number 2 February 2017 | Page 16 |
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| Volume 19 Number 2 February 2017 | Page 16 |
Is Everything in a
Christian’s Life Worship?
Louis Rushmore, Editor
The basic question indicated in the title of this article has been answered thoroughly in three articles already appearing in the Archive for Gospel Gazette Online. Please note the following links to those articles.
https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2014/oct/page4.html
https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2001/may/page18.htm
https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2005/oct/page13.htm
Someone asked in addition to the basic question above whether Romans 1:25 teaches that everything one does in life is worship. The premise put forth about which the one asking the question ponders is whether the apparent human disposition to worship proves that everything in the life of a child of God is worship. Romans 1:25 reads, “Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (NKJV).
There is nothing in either Romans 1:25 or in its surrounding context that legitimizes the proposition that everything done in one’s life is worship. Yes, from observation of this verse and from observation of historical societies, it appears true that mankind has a built-in inclination or is hardwired to worship. However, having a disposition to worship does not prove that all of one’s life is worship. Rather, Romans 1:25 and personal observation of worship practices of former societies around the world only prove that mankind having the predisposition to worship will worship someone or something—an object of worship. Instead of teaching that all of life is worship, Romans 1:25 teaches that worshippers may correctly choose as the object of their worship the true and living God, or they may choose another object of their worship (e.g., celestial bodies, people, creatures, idols made of wood, stone or metals, etc.). Romans 1:25 does not deal with the activities of worship as much as it pertains to competing objects of worship.
Sinful Nature
Louis Rushmore, Editor
“What is wrong with the expression, ‘Sinful Nature’?” someone inquires. First, standard, tried and reliable Bible translations do not use that phrase in the biblical text (e.g., KJV, ASV, NKJV, ESV, etc.). Rather, the words “sinful nature” appear in a small number of translations of the New Testament (e.g., NIV, TEV, and Wuest New Testament), in contradistinction from long revered Bible translations that were brought about by universally recognized scholarship and proficiency in the biblical languages. That alone may be worthy of reconsidering one’s use of some Bible translations, such as the NIV, regarding their fidelity or lack thereof in communicating God’s message from the original languages in which the Bible was penned to contemporary languages.
Secondly, the phrase “sinful nature” represents a doctrinal error that is associated with John Calvin, namely, what is popularly referred to as Calvinism. This doctrine crosses denominational lines and is observable in such modern churches as the Presbyterian and most Baptist denominations. Calvinism is summarized and committed to memory through the acrostic, TULIP—which stands for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints.
Note the following quotation for the association between Calvinism and the expression “sinful nature.” “All of us have a sinful nature, and it affects every part of us. This is the doctrine of total depravity…” (“What is…”). The appearance in a translation of the Scriptures the words “sinful nature” and that for which it stands—Total Depravity of Calvinism—is an example of denominational doctrine from denominational bias—rather than from scholarship—making its way between the covers of a book on which the front cover may have inscribed “Holy Bible.” Such Bibles are “holey” instead of “Holy”!
Works Cited
“What is the sin nature?” Gotquestions?org. 3 Mar. 2017. <https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-nature.html>.