“The creation continues incessantly through the media of man but man does not create, he discovers.”
Antoni Gaudí
False worship is the full-life commitment to created things over the Creator.
Biblical worship is the full-life response to who God is and what He has done.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good…
The LORD God caused to grow out of the ground every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food…
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.
For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.
So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.
“We make because we are made; and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a maker.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.
Sing a new song to the LORD; let the whole earth sing to the LORD.
“Every act of creativity, in its essence, is an act of worship, a doxological expression of your true humanity and purpose.”
Thomas Terry and Ryan Lister – Images and Idols
Moses then said to the Israelites: “Look, the LORD has appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He has filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every kind of artistic craft. He has also given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all the work of a gem cutter; a designer; an embroiderer in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen; and a weaver. They can do every kind of craft and design artistic designs. Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled people are to work based on everything the LORD has commanded. The LORD has given them wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
