A Tale of Two Sanctuaries
I suppose that I should have put the word ‘sanctuaries’ in quotes in the title of this post. I’m going to talk about two buildings, and I don’t believe that either one of them is necessarily a “house of God” or a place that is more holy that any other place.
In fact, as I told a friend who was with me yesterday, we are the sanctuaries… but I digress.
As many of you know, my family (and some friends) are in Washington D.C. Yesterday (Monday), we visited the National Cathedral. I can understand how the gothic architecture was intended to inspire and instruct (according to our docent). I’m not sure that I completely agree with the understanding of God that is communicated by that architecture. But, I can understand the purpose.
Many see this type of architecture as holy and inspiring and sacred. I understand that, and I do not fault people for feeling this way… not at all.
We also visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Know that people are created in the image of God and seeing how far so many have fallen is also awe inspiring to me. The grief and pain and death to so many by the hands of a few and those who followed them “religiously” spoke volumes to me about God as well.
I really don’t have much more to say about either structure or the purpose of either structure. As I visited the National Cathedral, I could see a certain picture of God. As I visited the Holocaust Museum, I could see another picture of God.
I think both pictures are man-made… and I want to know God as he is.
Alan,
I read a comment yesterday where the Pope had been critical of someone for desecrating “the house of God”, a building.
My own thoughts were that if these building are the house of God and reflect His person and nature, no matter how beautiful, no matter whether Protestant or Catholic, they certainly do not reveal the Father of whom the Son is the living reflection.