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7 - Monotheism, Worship, and the Good

from Part III - Normative Aspects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 January 2025

By
Robert M. Adams
Edited by
Aaron Segal  and
Samuel Lebens
Aaron Segal
Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Samuel Lebens
Affiliation:
University of Haifa, Israel
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Summary

Early conceptions of humanity’s relationship with God were patterned after human social hierarchies. The original meaning of "worship" is indicative of such conceptions. But these early views don’t do justice to the true greatness of God. The book of Psalms and many of the prophets of Israel insist that God doesn’t require gifts or rituals, but rather moral conduct from humans. This shift in our conception of humanity’s relationship with God requires a corresponding shift in our conception of what worship should be.

Keywords

social hierarchysymbolic worshipmorality and worship
Type
Chapter
Information
The Philosophy of Worship
Divine and Human Aspects
 , pp. 119 - 132
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

Adams, R. M. 1977. Middle Knowledge and the Problem of Evil. American Philosophical Quarterly, 14(2):109–117.Google Scholar
Dahood, M. 1965. Psalms I (The Anchor Bible, Volume 16). Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harris, M. 2022. What Is the Best Jewish Account of the Grounds of Worship of God? Journal of Analytic Theology, 10: 21–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plantinga, A. 1974. The Nature of Necessity. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Suarez, F. 1859–1879. Opera Omnia. Volume 7. Paris: Vives.Google Scholar
Weiser, A. 1962. Psalms (The Old Testament Library). Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press.Google Scholar

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