The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy,Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
To be transparent, since I was a child I have always strongly disliked the smell of incense, but this is my subjective, reaction to it.
I would much prefer that the Reverend (leaders) open a church window wide-open and that the triune God is honoured via the smell of fresh air.
In regards to the entry in The Orthodox Study Bible, I can theologically support the use of incense to honour the Lord; but again personally I strongly dislike the smell of incense.
Philosophically and theologically, it can be observed here that my personal, subjective, strong dislike of the smell of incense, can reasonably co-exist in the universal Christian Church, and in the Orthodox Church, as example here, using incense for honoring God. Honour connected to worship within this Orthodoxy entry, noting scripture.
Even so, I view incense as optional and that it has existed in scripture, to a degree, for cultural reasons.
My view implies that within the universal Church, subjective preferences should be thoughtfully separated from objective theology and doctrines which are primary. As well, as being separated from the objective secondary theology and doctrines which in part, creates denominational distinctives.
I would much prefer that the Reverend (leaders) open a church window wide-open and that the triune God is honoured via the smell of fresh air.
In regards to the entry in The Orthodox Study Bible, I can theologically support the use of incense to honour the Lord; but again personally I strongly dislike the smell of incense.
Philosophically and theologically, it can be observed here that my personal, subjective, strong dislike of the smell of incense, can reasonably co-exist in the universal Christian Church, and in the Orthodox Church, as example here, using incense for honoring God. Honour connected to worship within this Orthodoxy entry, noting scripture.
Even so, I view incense as optional and that it has existed in scripture, to a degree, for cultural reasons.
My view implies that within the universal Church, subjective preferences should be thoughtfully separated from objective theology and doctrines which are primary. As well, as being separated from the objective secondary theology and doctrines which in part, creates denominational distinctives.
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