Against LSM's Allegorizing

OBW · 08-21-2011, 12:32 PM

KTS mentioned this one passage from the rather lengthy Q&A that is the Westminster Catechism. (Not sure how long the "shorter" version is, but it is quite a thing to behold in its entirety.)

Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

This particular passage has begun to bother me, at least a little. I understand "glorify God" because if we undertake the task of bearing the image of God, and of replenishing, subduing, caring for, etc., the earth, and for each other, then God will get much glory.

But I have never had anyone state where they got "and to enjoy him forever" in a manner that was as connected to anything that was constant and ongoing. I'm not saying that we are not intended to "enjoy God." But I don't find anything that we are to do that looks like "enjoy him forever."

Maybe the problem is that our understanding of "enjoy" is not the same as when this thing was written.

I come to this because I read the account of the creation of man and his charge. And I see the effort that God has gone to over the centuries to encourage man to return to that charge, ultimately providing a better way for that return. But while there are mentions of enjoyment along the way, I fail to see any kind of charge that makes it a "chief end" that compares to the one that clearly brings glory.

What am I missing?

awareness · 08-21-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBW

Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Apparently, from this point of view, big God big ego...The ultimate narcissist .... a needy black hole, that requires everyone to worship Him forever.... Clearly man's conception....

08-21-2011, 12:32 PM	#1
OBW Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: DFW area Posts: 4,384	Re: Against LSM's Allegorizing KTS mentioned this one passage from the rather lengthy Q&A that is the Westminster Catechism. (Not sure how long the "shorter" version is, but it is quite a thing to behold in its entirety.) Q. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. This particular passage has begun to bother me, at least a little. I understand "glorify God" because if we undertake the task of bearing the image of God, and of replenishing, subduing, caring for, etc., the earth, and for each other, then God will get much glory. But I have never had anyone state where they got "and to enjoy him forever" in a manner that was as connected to anything that was constant and ongoing. I'm not saying that we are not intended to "enjoy God." But I don't find anything that we *are* to do that looks like "enjoy him forever." Maybe the problem is that our understanding of "enjoy" is not the same as when this thing was written. I come to this because I read the account of the creation of man and his charge. And I see the effort that God has gone to over the centuries to encourage man to return to that charge, ultimately providing a better way for that return. But while there are mentions of enjoyment along the way, I fail to see any kind of charge that makes it a "chief end" that compares to the one that clearly brings glory. What am I missing? __________________ Mike I think . . . . I think I am . . . . therefore I am, I think — Edge OR . . . . You may be right, I may be crazy — Joel