Simon Cox Blog: The Problem with Sacred Spaces

Monday 24 September 2018

The Problem with Sacred Spaces

Any space can, and does, become sacred when it’s animated by God’s presence and activity through the lives of a submitted people.

Cultures are often defined by their sacred spaces. Think of the majestic cathedrals throughout Europe—their vast ceilings and ornate wall coverings testified to the grandeur of the God worshipped inside.

But sacred space is not limited to religious buildings. Some vividly recall formative conversations of spiritual significance that took place on a sunny back porch, or in grandma’s spotless living room. Infused with intentionality, these ordinary spaces were instilled with spiritual significance and meaning that bubbles to the surface with every remembrance.

James K.A. Smith, in his book Desiring the Kingdom, argues for the necessity of such spaces in shaping the pattern of worship among God’s people. Because people are not “brains on a stick,” Smith suggests, their love for God is fortified through imagery, beauty, structures, and symbols that influence the heart in profound ways. One cannot help but think of the way a towering cathedral puts us in a place that creates an awe-inspiring sense of God’s otherness.

Sacred space can be powerful.

But there’s also a downside to sacred space. The pesky adjective “sacred” spells out the troubling issue.

God in a Place

Due to the spiritual significance of a place, we’re prone to believe that God is confined to a place. There are certain places, the sacred ones, where God acts, where his presence is felt, and where legitimate worship takes place. The unfortunate byproduct of this is a devaluation of all of the other places, where God seems less impressive, if not absent altogether.

Grandma’s living room gives us a helpful category shift. Few would see that space and mentally equate it to the spiritual, sacred realm. Often, ...