Yesterday, while doing my daily Bible reading, I came across a passage in Deuteronomy that has me curious.
Deuteronomy 12:4-5 says, “Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship He himself will choose from among all the tribes ~ the place where His name will be honored.”
So, what I want to know is, does this passage mean that God wants me to go to worship Him in a church building?
Just when I thought it didn’t matter whether or not we go to a church “building” to worship God (because the “church” is the “ekklesia”, or “gathering of believers”), He goes and throws me this twist to figure out.
Perhaps this passage is just in reference to the Tabernacle, since Deuteronomy is still dealing with Moses and the Israelites after they’ve left Egypt and wandered through the wilderness. Mind you, the Tabernacle has already been mentioned, too, so maybe it’s talking about a place for the Israelites to worship once they enter the Promised Land.
Either way… I’ve got more to think about. 
4 comments
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April 15, 2010 at 7:07 pm
starla
Certainly interesting that is for sure…I had this conversation some time ago with the Lord. Whether to attend a building with it believers in Him or to walk on without a attending “church” …turns out I was in a wilderness walk of sorts..and have been plugged into a church..plugged right into the heart of the people. I know it is where I am suppose to be..finally not wondering around :0)
Good Post …makes your thinker think !
May 7, 2010 at 8:52 am
travelwithgod
I am glad I’ve come to your blog. Lots of interesting things to learn from here. Regarding this topic, am I wrong to understand from the Old Testament that God actually didn’t want us to build a physical worship place because there is no place that is worthy enough? It was because “someone” (I am pretty new to Bible so I don’t remember all the names
) insisted to build a place for worship that God let him build a temple at God’s chosen place. So to me, a “church building” is not a must for Christians but community in the “church building” can play a part to help other to grow in faith. In other words, because of our sinful natures, we need these kind of things to help each other to stay faithful everyday.
I am now reading “The purpose driven life” by Rick Warren. There are some parts talking about church and community which I personally do not agree much with him because it seems like these things that he wrote were largely based on his own interpretation of the Bible.
I’m looking forward to your many new posts!
May 12, 2010 at 2:35 pm
MizB
TravelWithGod ~ you wrote: …am I wrong to understand from the Old Testament that God actually didn’t want us to build a physical worship place because there is no place that is worthy enough?
I don’t think you’re wrong… I am just full of questions, myself, that’s all! I am trying to figure out whether/not God wants me (personally) to be attending a church building to worship Him, or if I’m meant to be doing my worship elsewhere. I have lots of “issues” regarding “church”, so I struggle with this question, big-time!
Don’t let my own misgivings and questions lead you astray… follow what God tells you, okay?
May 24, 2010 at 3:11 am
Lisa
Interesting post! My two cents worth: He was talking to the children of Israelites, not the Christians that live after the New Covenant was ushered in. Remember, the Law was given to the Jews, but Christ’s death ushered in a New Covenant. Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that one day will come, that we must worship God in Spirit and in Truth–not necessarily in a building. (John 4:22-24)That day did come–when Christ died on the cross. Exactly what is worship? Is it singing or praying, or simply making ourselves available to God to use when and how?
I don’t think God much cares where we park our bodies on Sunday mornings, but rather, where we park our hearts–in Him