The temple is the heart of the world- the joy of all creation. I have argued that Biblical revelation speaks with one voice concerning the central sanctuary, but what is the canonical and theological context for the legislation concerning a central sanctuary? Biblical critics, in assuming that the text is merely an arbitrary way to justify a reform invented for political ends, have missed the profound theology of Deuteronomy and the place of the central sanctuary in the history of God’s work in the world. After the creation of the world, God instructs the human family to “subdue” or “conquer” the world, exercising dominion on God’s behalf. Such language, as I have discussed elsewhere, is about the development of the created order, its glorification, and its ordering in service to the Creator. The creation is both good and undeveloped. It belongs to Adam to participate with God in the completion of the creative project. What God does in the six days is the paradigm for human activity, as it is man who is the image of God.
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