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| Q: | Please tell me what the Bible says about blessing one's home. A friend of mine from an ALC [ELCA?]Lutheran church in Minneapolis said that she had had each room in her house blessed. During the blessing, the lay minister indicated that she got a feeling from the Holy Spirit about a particular piece of furniture and said it should be removed. I mentioned that inanimate objects don't have good or evil properties, that it is man who has sin. I would appreciate your help with this one. | ||||||
| A: | On the one hand, there is nothing particularly objectionable or wrong about Christians seeking to "bless" their house or residence. This may be similar to the "dedication" of a church building or other property and is a conscious way of acknowledging that we are the Lord's and ask his providential care of us as we live and serve at a particular place. This need not be done in a formal rite or ceremony, but may (and often is) expressed with wall hanings or plaques that give voice to our silent prayers and hopes. To speak of "bad feelings" about inanimate objects, to claim that the "Holy Spirit" is communicating directly about such things, and to ascribe good or evil to objects, however, is to enter a realm that is thoroughly unacceptable and non-biblical. This is fairly common talk among spiritists and mediums and is compatable with New Age thinking, but doesn't belong in our circles. Judaism and Catholicism have a deeper history of house & property blessing, but what you describe goes beyond those approaches as well. I don't have much else to offer. Your stated response to this practice was very much on target. I share your surprise that (apparently) a lay minister representing a Lutheran church has incorporated unacceptable concepts into her ministry. And I'd simply counsel others to take note of and rebuke such conduct. | ||||||
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