In his article about the poetic styling of the King James version of the Bible, Leland Ryken dissects the simplicity and the majesty that is pervasive in this, one of the earliest English versions of the religious text. He describes the build from simplicity to majesty in many passages, and how the sort of simplicity does not imply that God or His prophets should be reduced, but rather highlights the majesty in other passages.
My personal experience with religion and God has been similar within religious texts as well as within religious structures, both old and current. I have seen some splendid older chapels that more resemble the type of art and culture that the Catholic churches might've looked like with their bravado and elegance, and I have also seen some very simple religious structures, depicted and in person, that cause me to pause in their simple beauty. I feel that the dichotomy of cultures in religion that began to split in this time period is a good description of what Leland Ryken is describing here. There are times when religion is mighty and elegant with dazzling color and wondrous detail, and there are times when it is simple and accessible in a beautiful way. The prime example that I have seen of this dichotomy is within Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is simplicity in many of the rooms and a clean accessibility that pervades the building as a whole, but the artwork and the detail of some of the rooms display artwork of some of the highest caliber. This duality helps believers feel both humbled and exalted by God, resulting in an experience that both relishes in the good of humankind and disdains its shortcomings, a sort of happy medium between the humanists of the reformation and the Catholic institution that played heavily on the humility. This, I believe is a great tool in any situation, and rewards readers of the King James Bible in the same way.
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This makes me think of Christians as a whole: done are wealthy and are able to afford nicer apparel and some wear more simple clothing out of necessity. Despite this, all can worship together and God looms beyond the outward appearance.
ReplyDeleteI like the comparison you draw between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Their temples are some of the most ornate and detailed modern works of art. However, their normal meetinghouses tend to be much simpler and more geared towards utility.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of criticism as well as praise for the simplicity and the ornate nature of church buildings and temples. I like the stance that you take at the end of your post how both are important in worship today. I agree, I think there should be elements of humble worship as well as ways to worship that include the very best we have to present to God.
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