Balancing Exaltation of God's Glory with Congregational Engagement
Balancing Exaltation of God's Glory with Congregational Engagement
The concept of God's glory is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the manifestation of God's presence, power, and character. The biblical anchor for this concept is found in various passages, including Psalms 138:5, which highlights God's glory in relation to His majesty and works [2]. The exaltation of God's glory is not merely a theological concept but is intricately linked with congregational engagement and worship.
In the New Testament, the church is described as the body of Christ, with Christ as its head (Colossians 2:19) [3]. This relationship underscores the importance of the church in manifesting God's glory. According to Ephesians 3:10, the church is the means through which "the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places" [4]. This indicates that the congregation plays a crucial role in displaying God's glory.
The act of worship and praise is a fundamental aspect of congregational engagement that contributes to the exaltation of God's glory. Ephesians 5:19 encourages believers to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" [1]. This communal aspect of worship not only edifies the congregation but also serves as a form of witness to the world. The Psalmist similarly exhorts the faithful to "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name" through various acts of devotion, including thanksgiving and prayer (Psalms 105:1) [5].
Different Christian traditions interpret the balance between exalting God's glory and congregational engagement in various ways. For instance, John Gill, representing a Baptist/Reformed perspective, emphasizes the glory of God in the context of Christ's person and work, highlighting the honor due to Him as Mediator [7]. Similarly, Matthew Henry, from a Nonconformist/Puritan background, underscores the importance of stirring up oneself to praise God, emphasizing the communal and individual duties involved in giving God the glory due to His name [5].
The theological articulation of this balance is also reflected in the understanding of the church's role in glorifying God. According to Tyndale House, the church is to be "the reflection and full expression of the glory of God" (Ephesians 3:21) [6]. This perspective is echoed in the writings of John Gill, who notes that glory is to be ascribed to God "in the church by Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:20) [8].
Historically, the development of this doctrine has been influenced by various factors, including the understanding of God's attributes and the role of Christ as Mediator. The glory of God is often associated with His majesty, power, and holiness, as seen in the works of Torrey's Topical Textbook, which cites numerous biblical references to illustrate these aspects [2].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:19 (BBE) — Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:19 (YLT) — and not holding the head, from which all the body--through the joints and bands gathering supply, and being knit together--may increase with the increase of God.”
- Ephesians “to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, -- Ephesians 3:10”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 105:1: Our devotion is here warmly excited; and we are stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Observe, I. The duties to which we are here called, and they are many, but the tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name. 1. We must give thanks to him, as one who has always been our bountiful benefactor and requires only that we give him thanks for his favours - poor returns for rich receivings. 2. Call upon his name, as one whom you depend upon for further favours. Praying for further mercies is accepted as an acknowledgment of fo”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:21: 3:21 The church—the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles—is to be the reflection and full expression of the glory of God.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:5: I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,.... Of the majesty of the divine Person of Christ; of the honour due unto him; of the glory of him as of the only begotten of the Father, as he is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; of his glory as Mediator, and the honour that belongs to him as such, with which he is now crowned at the right hand of the Majesty on high, angels, authorities, and powers, being subject unto him as the Lord and King of glory; and of thy wondrous works; in becoming incarnate, in dying for the sins of his”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:20: Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus,.... This is a doxology, or an ascription of glory to God, with which the apostle concludes his prayer; glory is to be given to God on account of his perfections, which are to be celebrated; and on account of the works of creation and Providence, which are to be commended and acquiesced in; and on account of temporal mercies, for which thanks should be given; and especially for spiritual mercies, and above all for Jesus Christ: the glory of salvation, from first to last, is to be ascribed to his free grace; and his wo”