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'''Worship''' in its broadest meaning is to ascribe honor, worth, excellence or authority to someone, whether a sage, a magistrate, ruler, or God, as being worthy of honor, respect, or dignity, even veneration. In the [[Latin]] language the varying degrees of intensity of worshipful respect are expressed as the terms ''dulia, hyperdulia, and latria'', this last, ''latria'', being unconditional ''adoration''. [[Saint Paul]] in his [[Epistle to the Romans]] expressed it this way:{{cquote|Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those that resist will incur judgment.... Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. <br>—Romans 13:1-2, 7 (RSVCE)}}[[Saint Peter]] wrote:{{cquote|Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. <br>—1 Peter 2:13-17 (RSVCE).}} God commanded, "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). Paul also wrote, "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ...let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Ephesians 5:21-22, 33–6:1). In human society, this is the proper worship of honor and respect according to human dignity (''dulia'').

'''Worship''' in its broadest meaning is to ascribe honor, worth, excellence or authority to someone, whether a [[sage]], a [[magistrate]], a [[ruler]], or [[God]], as being worthy of honor, respect, or dignity, even veneration. In the [[Latin]] language the varying degrees of intensity of worshipful respect are expressed as the terms ''dulia, hyperdulia, and latria'', this last, ''latria'', being the unconditional ''adoration'' due to God alone. [[Saint Paul]] in his [[Epistle to the Romans]] expressed it this way:{{cquote|Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those that resist will incur judgment.... Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. <br>—Romans 13:1-2, 7 (RSVCE)}}[[Saint Peter]] wrote:{{cquote|Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. <br>—1 Peter 2:13-17 (RSVCE).}} God commanded, "Honor your father and your mother" <ref>Exodus 20:12</ref>. Paul also wrote, "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ...let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" <ref>Ephesians 5:21-22, 33–6:1</ref>. In human society, this is the proper worship of honor and respect according to human dignity (''dulia''), for God made man, male and female, in the image of God <ref>Genesis 1:26-27</ref>.

In [[religion]] worship is the act of performing reverent activities of adoration (Latin, ''latria'') dedicated to [[God]] (or other [[deity|deities]], depending on the [[religion]]), including [[praise]], [[prayer]], [[devotion]]s, reading from the [[scripture]]s, [[liturgy]], and [[hymn]]s. [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] worship is expressed in the [[Orthodox Mysteries]], [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] worship in the [[Eucharist]], the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]. Their worship of God is never called a church service. A [[church]] service is often referred to as a worship service, or just a service. Worship can be done in a [[basilica]], [[cathedral]] or [[shrine]], in a group setting such as a church service in a church building or outdoor setting, in a small group setting such as a [[family]], or individually. The worship of God includes the necessity of [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|works of mercy]] toward other persons in need. [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2025:31-46&version=KJV Matthew 25:31-46] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1_john%203:17-18&version=KJV 1 John 3:17-18]. "[[Prayer]] without ceasing" is the worship of continuous love of God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love of your fellow human beings as much as you love yourself. [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2012:28-34&version=KJV Mark 12:28-34] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1_thessalonians%205:12-22&version=KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22]

 

In '''[[religion]]''' worship is the act of performing reverent activities of adoration (Latin, ''latria'') dedicated to [[God]] (or other [[deity|deities]], depending on the [[religion]]), including [[praise]], [[prayer]], [[devotion]]s, reading from the [[scripture]]s, [[liturgy]], and [[hymn]]s. [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] worship is expressed in the [[Orthodox Mysteries]], [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] worship in the [[Eucharist]], the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]. Their worship of God is never called a church service. A [[church]] service is often referred to as a worship service, or just a service. Worship can be done in a [[basilica]], [[cathedral]] or [[shrine]], in a group setting such as a church service in a church building or outdoor setting, in a small group setting such as a [[family]], or individually. "[[Prayer]] without ceasing" is the worship of continuous love of God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (''latreia'') and love of your fellow human beings as much as you love yourself (''dulia'').<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2012:28-34&version=KJV Mark 12:28-34] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1_thessalonians%205:12-22&version=KJV 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22]</ref> The worship of God includes the necessity of [[Corporal and spiritual works of mercy|works of mercy]] toward other persons in need (''dulia'').<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2025:31-46&version=KJV Matthew 25:31-46] [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1_john%203:17-18&version=KJV 1 John 3:17-18].</ref>

==Degrees of Worship: Dulia, Hyperdulia, and Latreia==

==Degrees of Worship: Dulia, Hyperdulia, and Latreia==

Many Protestants have been taught that Orthodox and Catholic Christians worship Mary as God or Goddess apart from or greater than Jesus Christ and above God the Father. This is based on a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word "worship", which has been severely restricted and redefined by their teachers since the [[Protestant Reformation]] as being strictly limited in meaning to "adoration" only, as has the word "prayer", which broadly meant simply "petition", but has become restricted by them to [[Connotation|connoting]] solely the worship of God or a god, both cases representing examples of ''semantic shift'' and a consequent narrowing of the modern ''semantic field'' of related terms in the 20th and 21st centuries. This is misleading.

Many [[Protestantism|Protestants]] have been taught that Orthodox and Catholic Christians worship Mary as God or Goddess apart from or greater than Jesus Christ and above God the Father, and worship all the other saints as a [[pantheon]] of gods, and that they commit [[idolatry]] in reverently showing them respect by bowing to them, to their images and pictures and [[icon]]s, and praying to them for their [[intercession]]. The Protestant teaching that this is all pagan idolatry is based on a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word "worship", which has been severely restricted and redefined by Protestant teachers and [[Apologetics|apologists]] since the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] as being strictly limited in meaning to "adoration" only, as has the word "prayer", which broadly meant simply "petition", but has become restricted by them to [[Connotation|connoting]] solely the worship of God or a god, both cases representing examples of ''semantic shift'' and a consequent narrowing of the modern ''semantic field'' of related terms in the 20th and 21st centuries. This is misleading.

The word "worship" has undergone a change in meaning in English. It comes from the [[Old English]] ''weorthscipe'', which means the condition of being worthy of honor, respect, or dignity. To worship in this older, larger sense is to ascribe honor, worth, or excellence to someone, whether a sage, a magistrate, or God.  

The word "worship" has undergone a change in meaning in English. It comes from the [[Old English]] ''weorthscipe'', which means the condition of being worthy of honor, respect, or dignity. To worship in this older, larger sense is to ascribe honor, worth, or excellence to someone, whether a sage, a magistrate, or God.  

The same goes for a quote from an old (obscure) official Catholic prayerbook entitled  '''''All for Jesus!''''':  

The same goes for a quote from an old (obscure) official Catholic prayerbook entitled  '''''All for Jesus!''''':  

:"[[Holy|Holiest]] [[Virginity|Virgin]], with all my heart I '''worship thee''' above all the angels and saints in paradise... I consecrate my soul and all its powers...I '''worship thee''' the spouse of the Holy Ghost..." (''boldface emphasis added'') <br> —from '''Devotions to Our Blessed Lady, All for Jesus:''' Approved Devotions and Prayers for Church and Home, p 283. Imprimatur: John Cardinal McCloskey, Archbishop of NY, Mar 13, 1884.

:"[[Holy|Holiest]] [[Virginity|Virgin]], with all my heart I '''worship thee''' above all the angels and saints in paradise... I consecrate my soul and all its powers...I '''worship thee''' the spouse of the Holy Ghost..." (''boldface emphasis added'') <ref>'''Devotions to Our Blessed Lady, All for Jesus:''' Approved Devotions and Prayers for Church and Home, p 283. Imprimatur: John Cardinal McCloskey, Archbishop of NY, Mar 13, 1884.</ref>

This quote does not prove that Catholics offer Mary the divine worship of ''latreia''. Note that the prayer says "I worship (honor) thee above all the angels and saints in paradise" (''hyperdulia''), not "I worship thee above God" or "equal to God", or "as my God" (''latria'').  Catholics and Orthodox believe it is entirely appropriate that [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary, the mother of Jesus Our Lord and God]], should receive a higher honor (''hyperdulia'') than any other mere creature, such as angels and saints, as God Himself honored her by his messenger [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] as "blessed among all women", but never equal to or greater than the supreme honor of unbounded adoration given to the Creator of all (''latria''), to Jesus who is not a creature but God. As the Catholic Answers tract "Saint Worship?" explains:  Catholics understand according to the doctrine they have been taught that all the honor given to Mary and the saints redounds to the greater honor and praise of their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ!

This quote does not [[Proof|prove]] that Catholics offer Mary the divine worship of ''latreia''. Note that the prayer says "I worship (honor) thee above all the angels and saints in paradise" (''hyperdulia''), not "I worship thee above God" or "equal to God", or "as my God" (''latria'').  Catholics and Orthodox believe it is entirely appropriate that [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary, the mother of Jesus Our Lord and God]], should receive a higher honor (''hyperdulia'') than any other mere creature, such as angels and saints, as God Himself honored her by his messenger [[Gabriel (archangel)|Gabriel]] as "blessed among all women", but never equal to or greater than the supreme honor of unbounded adoration given to the Creator of all (''latria''), to Jesus who is not a creature but God. As the Catholic Answers tract "Saint Worship?" explains:  Catholics understand according to the doctrine they have been taught that all the honor given to Mary (''hyperdulia'') and the saints (''dulia'') redounds to the greater honor and praise (''latria'') of their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ!

==''Sola scriptura'': Bibliolatry, Bible worship==

==''Sola scriptura'': Bibliolatry, Bible worship==

The term '''bibliolatry''' is from the Greek '''βιβλίον''' ''biblion'', "a book", and '''λάτρία''' ''latreia'', "worship".

The term '''bibliolatry''' is from the Greek '''βιβλίον''' ''biblion'', "a book", and '''λάτρία''' ''latreia'', "worship".

Bible believers assert that they do not worship the Bible, but the '''[[God]]''' of the Bible, who has disclosed in its pages his divine nature, and will, and love for every human soul. The Bible itself is supremely reverenced (''hyperdulia'') with genuine honor and respect by them as the highest revelation of God to man after the ascension of Jesus to heaven and the death of the last of the Apostles of the Lord, because they have been taught to believe that it alone has all of the supernatural authority of the public divine revelation of God, and contains all that is necessary for the man of God:{{cquote|All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.<br>—2 Timothy 3:16.}}They believe that once the Bible was complete, from Genesis to Revelation, and the Bible was available to be placed in the hands of common Christians to finally read for themselves personally what it says, and be guided by its divine and holy counsel, the [[Institution|institutional]] [[Hierarchy|hierarchical]] Church was no longer necessary to pastorally guide the children and disciples of God with any authority outside of the Bible alone.  

Bible believers assert that they do not worship the Bible, but the '''[[God]]''' of the Bible, who has disclosed in its pages his divine nature, and will, and love for every human soul. The Bible itself is supremely reverenced (''hyperdulia'') with genuine honor and respect by them as the highest revelation of God to man after the ascension of Jesus to heaven and the death of the last of the Apostles of the Lord, because they have been taught to believe that it alone has all of the supernatural authority of the public divine revelation of God, and contains all that is necessary for the man of God:{{cquote|All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.<ref>2 Timothy 3:16.</ref>}}They believe that once the Bible was complete, from Genesis to Revelation, and the Bible was available to be placed in the hands of common Christians to finally read for themselves personally what it says, and be guided by its divine and holy counsel, the [[Institution|institutional]] [[Hierarchy|hierarchical]] Church was no longer necessary to pastorally guide the children and disciples of God with any authority outside of the Bible alone.  

After rejecting the [[Magisterium]] of the [[Catholic Church]], those who were discerned as capable of leading the individual communities of devout and like-minded believers—the pastors and leading counsellors, the collective chief body of the elders of the congregations, assumed to be guided by the Holy Spirit—because of their manifest intelligence, prudential wisdom, and knowledge of the Bible, used as guidance the principle of ''sola scriptura'', the Bible alone, to guide them in guiding souls to [[salvation]] by faith alone in the one true God and in Jesus Christ alone as their only personal Lord and Savior, not Mary, not the saints, not the angels. For these the Bible itself is the Word of God and worthy of reverence '''''second only to God Himself''''' because it alone is inspired.  

After rejecting the [[Magisterium]] of the [[Catholic Church]], those Protestant leaders who were discerned by their followers and disciples as capable of leading the individual communities of devout and like-minded believers—the pastors and leading counsellors, the collective chief body of the elders of the congregations, assumed to be guided by the Holy Spirit—because of their manifest intelligence, prudential wisdom, and knowledge of the Bible, used as their principal guidance the ''[[Five Solas]]'', especially the principle of ''sola scriptura'', the Bible alone, to guide them in guiding souls to [[salvation]] by faith alone in the one true God and in Jesus Christ alone as their only personal Lord and Savior, not Mary, not the saints, not the angels. For these the Bible itself is the Word of God and worthy of reverence '''''second only to God Himself''''' because it alone is inspired.  

In accordance with the technical meaning of the Latin terms of ''dulia, hyperdulia, and latria'', the Pastors and Elders of their churches are regarded as worthy of ''dulia'', the Bible alone of all books and all things on earth is regarded as worthy of ''hyperdulia'', and the "Lord of the spirits of all mankind" and "King of the Day of Judgment", Almighty God Himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is regarded as alone worthy of ''latraea'', the divine worship of adoration due to God alone and no other in heaven or on earth. Those who charge true Bible believers with "bibliolatry" and with exalting the Bible alone as God above any Church are in error. They do not worship the Bible as God, but the God of the Bible.

In accordance with the technical meaning of the Latin terms of ''dulia, hyperdulia, and latria'', the Pastors and Elders of their churches are regarded as worthy of ''dulia''<ref>The title "Reverend" is itself a title of ''dulia'', respect. The older term in academia for a professional theologian was "Divine", whence the title of Doctor of Divinity; a group of theologians and professors of religion were called Divines of the universities and academies. The King James Bible originally titled the last book of the New Testament ''The Revelation of S. John the Divine''.</ref>, the Bible alone of all books and all things on earth is regarded as worthy of ''hyperdulia'', and the "Lord of the spirits of all mankind" and "King of the Day of Judgment", Almighty God Himself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is regarded as alone worthy of ''latraea'', the divine worship of adoration due to God alone and no other in heaven or on earth. Those who charge true Bible believers with "bibliolatry" and with exalting the Bible alone as God above any Church are in error. They do not worship the Bible as God, but the God of the Bible.

All true Christians love the Bible, and deeply reverence it as the divinely inspired Word of God, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist, Protestant Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Independent, non-denominational, or individual believer without any particular creed or denominational orientation who believes in God and reads the Bible. Non-Catholic and non-Orthodox Protestant Christians honor and reverence the Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice for the Church as the local Body of Christ, and assert that they worship God alone, by faith alone, through the Spirit alone, according to the Bible alone. See '''''[[Sola spiritu]]'''''.

All true Christians love the Bible, and deeply reverence it as the divinely inspired Word of God, whether Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist, Protestant Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Independent, non-denominational, or individual believer without any particular creed or denominational orientation who believes in God and reads the Bible. Non-Catholic and non-Orthodox Protestant Christians honor and reverence the Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice for the Church as the local Body of Christ, and assert that they worship God alone, by faith alone, through the Spirit alone, according to the Bible alone. See '''''[[Sola spiritu]]'''''.

[[King James Only]]

[[King James Only]]

==External links==

==External links==