Why are "Emotions" in the Church frowned upon?greenspun.com : LUSENET : The Christian Church : One Thread |
Hey guys,Is the Christian Church just being reactionary to Charismania when it frowns on emotionalism in the church? It seems to me that we stress the intellectualism of belief and worship but when it comes to deep meaningful emotions toward our Father we throw water on the spirit.
How far is "Too far"? I mean, when I was growing up I often saw men who led prayer go to the dais and genuflect before our Father. Biblical examples show God's people tearing their clothes, pulling their hair (no hair jokes about me Duane! :-D)Wearing sackcloth & ashes, falling on their face, dancing, wailing, Job complained bitterly, the Psalmist complained, Jerimiah wept, Paul wept, Jesus wept, Peter was moody. Emotionalism goes on and on all over both testaments and yet, we subtlely let people know that that type of behavior is not appropriate in our congregations.
We talk about setting "moods" for worship and then pull back from the type of music that might elicit an emotional response from those attending.
Why do we do this? Hmmm?
-- Anonymous, December 29, 1999
I don't frown on emotions......that would be an emotion.
-- Anonymous, December 30, 1999
Nate -That is an interesting thought there. Why DO we attempt to stifle emotionalism? Emotional responses toward God are scriptural. Check out 2 Sam. 6:14-15. David *gasp* DANCED before God with all his might! David was not rebuked by any prophet, or by God Himself. The only one who said anything was his wife, who may have been saying this from false motives, not from a zeal for God.
I would like to think its because we want orderly services. If God is not the author of confusion, then we shouldn't be instigators of it. This may be one of those "agree to disagree" areas. Why? Because BOTH SIDES can be "proven" from Scripture. But at the same time, I agree with the nay-sayers to an extent too. Human beings, acting in accordance with their own natures, will abuse this area faster than any other. People do confuse emotionalism with a move of God (especially the immature in the faith). I wrote an article on this very subject (specifically about the "holy laughter" controversy). I'll try to find it and post it later.
This is another area where I don't think there is an either/or answer. It is an area where we are given liberty in Christ. If it makes your brother sin, don't do it. But there is no specific prohibition that I know of. If anyone knows of one, please share. But I think this is an area of PREFERENECE, not COMMAND.
-- Anonymous, December 29, 1999
I think it goes back to some flawed teaching/reasoning.I remember growing up where a common scripture reference was "Come, let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18). This is a prooftext for much of the practice of the Restoration Movement. Reason is often considered the opposite of emotionalism. There is a fundamental lack of understanding that reason and emotionalism are not necessary mutually exclusive. Often an emotional argument can cut through the pretensious arguments that arise from reason.
Another cause may be the equating of spirtualism and emotionalism. Think about it. What is the stereotype of a charismatic service? A lot of emotionalism -- weeping, dancing, a gambit of emotions. Fear of charismatic services cause us to tone down on the emotion. But emotion and spiritualism are separate things. When I think of Jesus demonstating spirtuality, I think of the washing of feet -- becoming the servant of all, even those who would abandon you or even betray you. Emotionalism has its place, as Jesus was quite emotional when he cleared the moneychangers from the temple.
We do need to return emotion to our services. I have been to many a service where the telling of Christ suffering made no impact on the members -- if we believe it, why are we so stoic when a sermon is preached on the torture Jesus went through? If a visitor is present during the telling of the Jesus' death, what does stoicism say to that visitor. I don't mean for us to put on a show, but we do need to drop our guards, the walls around our emotion, and be real.
-- Anonymous, December 29, 1999
As with most things, there can be extremes. Emotions are fine WHEN APPROPRIATE. My faith does not rest on what I feel about Jesus, but upon the fact that it is reasonable to believe. I have no fear of charismatic tendencies coming into the Church any more than I do JW or Mormon tendencies. All it takes is sound (reasonable) teaching and a stand upon the authority of the Word.I have cried with the people I serve and they have cried with me. I preach a sermon every year the week before Resurrection Sunday called "The Day Christ Died" in which I go thru the trials, the scourging thru the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a very vivid sermon. I have yet to preach that without tears in my eyes or the congregation's. Isn't the Lord's Supper to bring that to remembrance each Lord's Day? That should bring about emotions more than mood music. I find it difficult to preach on family without shedding tears, for I am so proud of my own children and my beautiful wife, that my voice quivers and I have to pause or else I won't get anything else out. I have jumped with excitement when someone decides to enter into the covenant with Christ. I am not usually alone with these emotions. They are genuine.
The admonition above was to be real with our emotions. I agree, but some of the most "fakey" (is that a word?) people I know wear their emotions on their sleeves. Yes, emotions are a part of who we are, but we dare not let them control us. Be real!
One of the great things about the Gospel of Christ is that He is my Lord and I have His promises no matter what I feel like. I concur again, be real.
About setting "moods" for worship: it seems to be a very shallow view of worship when we limit it to the assembly of believers. Worship is an attitude of the Christian life, not just an hour on Sunday. Romans 12:1 tells us that. When we bait for emotional responses, that is hardly being real. We are emotional creatures. We are reasonable creatures (most of us):o) There is nothing wrong with either. My emotions may take me somewhere that yours do not (in a reactionary sense). We have no business trying to get a certain kind of emotional response. The response we are after, at least should be after, is repentance (which is Gr = a changing of mind) and reverence toward God.
Well, there's my two cents worth.
BTW, I am currently working with a gentleman who is drifting toward Roman Catholicism. He has an aunt that he loves dearly and she is RC so it just "feels right" to go that way. He knows the Bible says many things against their beliefs, but ... it feels right. Hmmmm
-- Anonymous, December 29, 1999