The New Testament states that Christians are to offer up sacrifices with a spiritual character as acts of worship to God. Is that we we present our sacrifices? What is the motive?
Arnobius of Sicca was extremely critical of the sacrificial system set up amongst the pagans for their gods. Some have already been mentioned (see here and here), but now he asks if there are laws handed down from deities which would tell why and in what manner the sacrificial worship is to be conducted.
He raises an interesting question: If a deity does not give commands concerning proper conduct or worship, can that one be justly offended for unknown misconduct which would require a propitious sacrifice? This question has parallels for Christians since the Paul makes a similar argument:
Though death was a consequence of Adam's sin being meted out through his progeny, sin was not reckoned because no law was established. Where there is no law, no command statute has been breached, ergo no trespass which should bear the consequence of righteous indignation. If no offense is rightfully incurred, no propitiating sacrifice can be expected. This leads Arnobius to conclude:
This summary may be surprising for in that it appears that the Lord God of heaven and earth was wrong to require any type of sacrifice for sin, whether law was established or not. Such is not the case. With the giving of the Law, the Lord our God also gave in great mercy and justice the sacrifices which would atone for sin and transgression. Every bloody offering had an atoning aspect whether for the inadvertent wrongdoing or given as a freewill offering of worship or fellowship.
Within the pagan cultus, there was no category for atonement. All was given to try and influence the deities for that day and circumstance with no thought to walking in fellowship with them as a beloved or special people. Arnobius finally states plainly that the people are doing no more than bribing their gods to gain some selfish favor.
So I return to my first question. Why do you and I present our sacrifices to the Lord Almighty? Are we trying to garner some favor for a business deal, difficult circumstance, wisdom in a decision; or are we humbly offering "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ?" (1 Pet 2:5)
Arnobius of Sicca was extremely critical of the sacrificial system set up amongst the pagans for their gods. Some have already been mentioned (see here and here), but now he asks if there are laws handed down from deities which would tell why and in what manner the sacrificial worship is to be conducted.
But neither do I demand … that I should be told what causes the gods have for their anger against men, that having taken offense they must be soothed. I do ask, however: did they ever ordain any laws for mortals? And was it ever settled by them what it was fitting for them to do or not do, what they should pursue, what avoid; or even by what means they wished themselves to be worshiped, so that they might pursue with the vengeance of their wrath what was done otherwise than they had commanded, and might be disposed, if treated contemptuously, to avenge themselves on the presumptuous and transgressors? As I think, nothing was ever either settled or ordained by them, since neither have they been seen, nor has it been possible for it to be discerned very clearly whether there are any. What justice is there, then, in the gods of heaven being angry for any reason with those to whom they have neither deigned at any time to show that they existed, nor given nor imposed any laws which they wished to be honored by them and perfectly observed?
The Case against the Pagans, Book VII, cap. 7
He raises an interesting question: If a deity does not give commands concerning proper conduct or worship, can that one be justly offended for unknown misconduct which would require a propitious sacrifice? This question has parallels for Christians since the Paul makes a similar argument:
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (Rom 5:12-13)
Though death was a consequence of Adam's sin being meted out through his progeny, sin was not reckoned because no law was established. Where there is no law, no command statute has been breached, ergo no trespass which should bear the consequence of righteous indignation. If no offense is rightfully incurred, no propitiating sacrifice can be expected. This leads Arnobius to conclude:
It has been established that sacrifices are offered in vain for this purpose then, viz., that the angry deities may be soothed; since reason has taught us that the gods are not angry at any time, and that they do not wish one thing to be destroyed, to be slain for another, or offenses against themselves to be annulled by the blood of an innocent creature.
The Case against the Pagans, Book VII, cap. 9
This summary may be surprising for in that it appears that the Lord God of heaven and earth was wrong to require any type of sacrifice for sin, whether law was established or not. Such is not the case. With the giving of the Law, the Lord our God also gave in great mercy and justice the sacrifices which would atone for sin and transgression. Every bloody offering had an atoning aspect whether for the inadvertent wrongdoing or given as a freewill offering of worship or fellowship.
Within the pagan cultus, there was no category for atonement. All was given to try and influence the deities for that day and circumstance with no thought to walking in fellowship with them as a beloved or special people. Arnobius finally states plainly that the people are doing no more than bribing their gods to gain some selfish favor.
This point, however, because it would require too tedious and prolix discussion, we hurry past unexplained and untouched, content to have stated this alone, that you give to your gods dishonorable reputations if you assert that on no other condition do they bestow blessings and turn away what is injurious, except they have been first bought over with the blood of she-goats and sheep, and with the other things which are put upon their altars.
The Case against the Pagans, Book VII, cap. 12
So I return to my first question. Why do you and I present our sacrifices to the Lord Almighty? Are we trying to garner some favor for a business deal, difficult circumstance, wisdom in a decision; or are we humbly offering "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ?" (1 Pet 2:5)
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